WARNING! WARNING!

Despite the fact I feel fine, the water infection I picked up last week turned out to be one of those that 'infection control' get a little twitchy about, so I've now been stuck in isolation!

Basically, I've got a private room so don't have to listen to the snoring from the other blokes on the ward!

The main reason I write is just to let everyone know that if you are planning on visiting in the next week it’s still ok.  You still can come, but...... if you're under the weather, pregnant, or a child you best give it a miss!

For those of you who have been up recently, don't worry, the nurses assure us its nothing serious and very difficult to contract! ....and as I say I feel fine and dandy!

Love Mark x x x

How You Can Help

Many, many people have asked what they can do to help. It is such a difficult question but at last we have an answer.

Naturally most people want to raise money but to say Mark has resisted this idea is an understatement..... being the type of man he is you can image how he feels about that.  Thankfully, after a lot of persuasion from those close to him he has finally agreed to allow it.

With this in mind Paul Bakstad, a very close family friend, has set up a website with a Paypal Account.  Please visit  www.theremarkableswift.com

To do things properly we are opening a new account called TheReMarkableSwift Fund.


Betty the Blog.

Antibiotics or Visitors?

Antibiotics or visitors, which are the best?

My symptoms of shivering and a high temperature seemed to clear up as soon as Alan, Rach, Chan and Alfie, and the Foddys turned up on Sunday so I definitely think the visitors were the cure!...... was also good to get some beard support from Matt, a long term beard wearer.

Despite the democratic vote Betty conducted that is clearly pro beard, Jenna still wants rid :(  I have managed to buy some time again by compromising and allowing Jenna to get stuck in and give it a wee groom!

.... Other than the beard, I've managed to get up in the chair several times and sit much more upright since I last wrote, today I was in it for five hours so it's great to get a change of scenery and be able to go outside and generally just not be lying down permanently.

Paul took me for a full circuit of the hospital yesterday, bit of a bumpy ride, bit like his driving but saw the helipad it didn't bring back any memories of my arrival, clearly the morphine was doing what it was supposed to at the time!

Also got to see the X-rays yesterday, the before wasn't as gruesome as I'd expected but still brought a tear to the eye, the after on the other hand looks to have guaranteed me a thorough search at any airport in the future, looked like a set of Meccano has been put in there..... right I'm rambling so going to go, got a bit of quiet time with Jenna tonight in a flat they have upstairs, so got to make myself look presentable!

Thanks to all, Mark x

Note from Betty. 
Sorry I am late posting this.
It should have been posted last night but internet let me down.

Bacon Butty Order

Well, what did we say..... there’s nothing like a good night’s sleep and a bit of antibiotic to get you over the shivers.  I think all the TLC has something to do with it too, but this morning Mark’s temperature is fine and he has bounce right back. ReMARKable!

He’s as bright as button and as lively as ever.  Actually, he has made his first complaint this morning! “Where have you been, you’re late with my paper”  John said there was a queue at W.H.Smith’s and he was a few minutes late, but it was great to see Mark sitting up in the bed and looking very good. He’ll probably have another go in the chair later (after he's read the paper) Progress as usual.

This morning Mark said he just fancied some Bacon Butties.  How about this for an order, “three rounds of bread (not toasted) lots of bacon (no fat) and either sliced tomatoes or tomato sauce”  John said he’ll have to drive down with a flashing blue light on the car to make sure they’re still hot when he gets there.

Making my mouth water.....enjoy!

Hugs
Betty The Blog.

Some days are diamonds, some days are stones - today was somewhere in the middle.

After the excitement of the great escape yesterday and all the fun and laughter in the ‘quiet’ room, today Mark awoke with a temperature!  Wouldn’t you just know it!

He was shivering and feeling cold but his temperature was quite high so the staff have been trying to bring it down.

It seems to have settle now and we think he’ll feel better for a good night’s rest and some antibiotics.  They say it's probably only a slight infection but he was confined to bed - and quite rightly too.

Once again we had loads of friends and family who just keep coming all this way to see Mark. Thank you all for helping and supporting and for sharing Father’s Day with us.

A BIG thanks to our own little ray of sunshine......no not you John! 
I'm talking about Alfie who always brings the sunshine with him.

Jenna, John and Brenda  x x x

Sleeping Beauty!

Evening Everybody!   Mark has had one busy day.

It started in the usual way, John delivering his paper, me calling in at 12.30 to see if he had found the messages I had hidden inside it.

I come back at 3 to find him fast asleep, as you can see from the picture. Unfortunately, I did have to wake the sleeping beauty (with a kiss) as he had yet another room full of visitors... erm only about 20 of us today!

He mentioned to the nurses that he hadn't been turned at 2 p m, I wasn't impressed with their tardiness, but Mark wasn't bothered as he was able to sleep for longer.

He also said he wanted to try and sit up today and try the chair again. His motivation, determination and positivity really is inspiring to all. He wants to push himself each day.

So by about 4.30 he was with all his friends and family in the 'quiet' room joking, laughing keeping everyone entertained and just being the reMARKableSWIFT we know and love very very much.  As usual, Mark takes it to the max  - he was in that chair for a full hour and he even ventured outside again. At the end of it all instead of feeling tired and exhausted he said he actually felt stronger. That's my man!

A day full of new achievements, advances and positivity!

Jenna x

P.S.  Bebo says "We should sack the Rotaman - this was a great afternoon." 

Lazy Boy Chair - that's how I roll!

Mark III

Well today I eventually got off the tilt table and into a chair! Not quite upright, more your lazy boy style chair as that’s how I roll, or more accurately what my blood pressure demands! But definitely moving in the right direction, I even got to go outside for 5 mins which was quite literally a breath of fresh air!

And, to continue on the too much information theme of last time, I‘m also now doing my own catheter, to say it’s a little weird is an understatement!  Certainly never thought I’d be putting anything down there (apologies for the mental image if you had one, and apologies if you didn’t as you probably have now!)... enough of that anyway! 

Looking forward to the footy tonight hope we manage to venture out of our own half, talk of Carroll starting, hopefully he can play like he did at the end of the season!

Disappointed with the Irish, my pick in the work sweepstake, think it was a fix in my absence!! 

Oh, the nursing staff have been very nice and given Jenna special dispensation to stay till the end of the match, it’ll save her hiding under the bed for once!

.... again thanks everyone for the kind wishes, visits, gifts, cards and positive thoughts,

Love to you all,
Mark xxx

Extra! Extra! Read All About It

In today's exciting edition of theReMARKableSWIFT we bring you all the latest news, gossip and scandal from around the infamous bedside.

Headline:  Did Mark Swift Eat my Hamster?

Sworn to secrecy - be sure to check back later when we reveal all. Be sure you don't miss it.

Up For It!

This morning we hear from Jenna,

Hi everyone,  We were hoping that Mark might be able to sit in a chair today but he needs a little bit more work on the tilt table first.  He would push himself (you know what he's like) but they are taking great care that he doesn't go too far too soon.

I know that as soon as they let him he'll be sitting in the chair like Lord of the Manner.  He's up for it! He has reached 40 degrees on the tilt table again so his progress is still outstanding and his positive attitude never falters.

No news about a transfer yet so if anyone has a direct line to God's ear now is the time to whisper gently into it.

We had some lovely presents yesterday from some lovely, lovely friends.  Thank you.  Everyone is so kind and supportive, we are surrounded by amazing friends and family.

Can you believe it.... I got kicked out of the ward early last night. This is really starting to annoy me.  If I didn't know better I might think the nurses are ganging up on me. I draw the curtain around us for a little snuggle but they come in and chase me out!  I bet they're only kicking me out so they can have Mark all to themselves..... Hands off he's my fella!

The facial hair is still growing (Mark's not mine) and we're really enjoying all the votes and the different comments "for "and "against".  Keep them coming and thank for visiting the blog.

Love Jenna

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