So I've been in Southport for a whole week already, can't believe how quick the time goes!

Thankfully last night I got moved from the high dependency ward, so back in a more standard ward, a lot less machines beeping through the night in here but, to be honest I'd pretty much got used to them. The snoring on the other hand was a whole different beast, industrial ear plugs would have been rendered useless against it, thankfully it often woke him up too which provided some rest-bite. Although having written all this I may be a little premature with my celebrations as I've only moved next door and I'm backing on to the adjoining wall!

The spinal unit here in Southport is bigger and much busier, there's a lot less idle time than Middlesbrough, which despite my fondness for being rather idle is a really good thing! I'm down for about three hours of physio and extra occupational therapy time every day and, from what I encountered in my first 'proper' day  they really do push you.  I certainly slept well anyway (though I can't be 100% sure if that was the physio or leaving my nasal friend).

All the staff seem to be nice, I'm struggling to learn a whole new set of names and routines but I'll get there, lots of "excuse me's" and "sorry's" for the time being. And it works both ways, as they're just getting to know me too, so there have been some frustrations in the last week, spending a couple of days in bed and then limiting my time up in the chair, but it's all for good reason so I can't grumble, as it's certainly better to take some time now than end up with days of bed rest!!

 

One of tomorrows physio sessions is on wheelchair skills, I'm hoping to have a new set of wheels by then as my current chariot is something of a classic fossilised heap of crap! And just making it to the session will be skill enough! There's a photo on the wall from 1972 featuring what looks like potentially a newer version of the beauty! It actually has wood under the armrests, hi tech materials indeed! And trying to go in a straight line is nigh on impossible, unchecked it veers off to the left  and would see me in the wall every fifth push!

The hospital itself is a wee bit older and smaller than 'boro and sadly lacks the same standard of refreshment opportunities, so visitors beware, no longer will we be going for a nice Costa, instead there's Apple Jacks Cafe, the size of a broom cupboard and a similar standard of brew! And there's also the main restaurant, that looks like a school canteen on a cross channel ferry! Obviously that's not why I'm here and I know I shouldn't grumble but I'm guessing it's part of the withdrawal symptoms from my daily Costa!

It's been pretty busy again on the visitor front since returning, as its slightly less of a planned expedition for people coming to Southport. The highlight of the visits being Mr Parr showing up a couple of times, but before his ego inflates it wasn't his presence that was the highlight, but his choice of midriff attire. For those who don't know him, he's made the big move from north to south and seems to have been somewhat liberated by it. His belt buckles where both diamanté encrusted closet busters! My favourite being the sparkly red love heart model, sadly I forgot to take a photo but I'm hoping he'll be a sport and forward one on!  ( I bet he'll send you one pretty quick when he's see this one!.. Betty) ........see told you didn't I!

....... But seriously thanks to all those who've popped up/messaged etc... it really means a lot (and apologies for picking on you parr, I love you really!)

Thanks Mark xx

My Big Fat Long Blog!

My lovely journey to Southport

Well it seems Southport does exist after all! ....the first week in ages we weren't expecting a move in the slightest and it actually happens, bizarre! ....about time really, eight weeks in 'boro is enough for anyone!

The daily trek... goodbye!

Apologies if any staff from Middlesbrough are reading this! ...but while I'm on the subject, I'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone over there for treating me fantastically, I certainly wouldn't have made half the progress I have without you all, in fact I'd still have a broken neck to be honest, so that kind of goes without saying! 

My first afternoon in Southport has been pretty chocca, assessments, questionnaires and yet another new ward! Sadly back in high dependency, as they need to monitor me and make their own opinions, so it's pretty busy and very noisy, monitors, ventilators and the guy next to me snoring like a trooper (I've got headphones in while I'm typing this and I can still hear him, in fact  I can almost feel the reverberations!) 

...my assessments went quite well, so that was a pleasing start, now a c8 incomplete if anyone's been reading up on things!! Doesn't mean I'll be playing footy any time soon but certainly a huge improvement on my initial c4 complete assessment! ....so all in all not a bad couple of days really! 

Celebration Time Come On!

Sorry to my mates from work and Beth (you're an honorary kaplanite!) already en route to Middlesbrough when the news came through, so weren't best pleased knowing they could have waited 24 hrs and saved themselves the trek! I hope we made it up to them, as the sun decided to come out for once so we sat outside all day, JK treated us to a Chinese and we had some bolli to celebrate (ta Beth) albeit out of plastic hospital beakers, very classy!

Things could however, have been much different, as about 4 days ago I got stuck back in isolation and told my infection was back, despite the fact I felt absolutely fine! ...thankfully when we spoke to the Doc he said it was likely I was colonised, which apparently is no big deal and crucially would not, and, as it transpired did not affect my transfer! So just back on antibiotics and taking my fixed catheter out and that should hopefully clear it! 

That mini drama aside, the last week in 'boro has been pretty low key, a lot of quality time with Jen having convinced my mum and dad to go home together for a few days and spend some quality time with Alfie. Unfortunately the little guy has been pretty poorly and had to spend a few days in hospital having loads of nasty tests, so it was not quite the break from hospital they'd anticipated! Thankfully and touch wood it all seems to have passed and he's back to his normal mischievous self, he looked at me suspiciously earlier, so that's certainly his typical behaviour!

One final thing before I get looking for my earplugs!

Who do you think paid?

The highlight of the week was when Jenna treated me to my biggest expedition away from the hospital yet, well before today! As we got a taxi to Pizza Express on Saturday and basked in the sunshine and had a great lunch, ate far too much mind, but loved the normality of it, well except the paying part that is!!

Love to all, thanks Mark

....oh and sorry, last but certainly not least. 

Another huge thanks to Betty and all her fellow line dancers for all their tremendous fundraising efforts in completing a six mile dance challenge on Friday night, it looked like you all had a great night and an extra thanks for the video message which meant a lot. I hope you've all recovered! 

Love mark x