Friday

It's so nice to be able to blog without using big medical words explaining what the day's problems are. He really is making great progress.

When I arrived, the TV was on (which is the first time ever - normally he's just been sitting then staring into space or sleeping) and we had a good old natter and caught up on the last two days. Really is the best he's been - so fantastic to see.

The Pain Relief Team came in. The Dr was thrilled how Michael's reduced his opiates. He came into hospital on such a high dosage and they are really impressed on how he's managed to reduce them. He's now on fentanyl patches (going down to 37mg tomorrow) and a small amount of diazapan. He is written up for oramorph for as and when but has never used it. I just look forward to the time when he can also reduce his sickness meds.

Today, his feed went up to 80ml per hour (Michael was none to pleased) and that is the maximum now that it will go to. Not quite sure why it doesn't go any higher but I haven't seen the Nutritionist so will ask next week. She would like him to eat say a kit kat a day (at least) which is about 200 calories (4 sticks). Today he had some crisps and a bit of strawberry mousse. They reckon he'll be on the feed for about 6 months - I think that's because it's unlikely he'll be able to build up his calorie intake that quickly and this will sustain him (with some food). Michael's always been an appalling eater and I did mention this when I last saw N, wondering whether he'd follow the same unhealthy path. She clearly told me to forget what had happened in the past - this was a new start. Maybe at last he'll also eat brown bread and vegetables. Ever since I've known Michael he has had a very limited, generally unhealthy diet - the more chocolate and sweets, as far as he was concerned, the better. The kids always knew the white bread was for Dad and Dad wasn't allowed to eat vegetables because they irritated his stomach. So now Nathan won't feel alone when I 'encourage' Michael to finish his broccoli!!

It's just so hard at the moment to know what to take him up, that's not nosh, but that he'll be interested in. I just don't want to feel like he's being pressured into anything so will just have to take it step by step. I've got so many queries when I see N next week.

Stoma Nurse came round and is now giving Michael lessons on how to deal with it himself. So far, so good - dealing with it all really well.

Michael wrapped up warm, woolly hat and all, and I wheeled him upstairs to the roof garden. Lovely dry day and it was great to be outside. First time in six weeks for him!!! We then had a quick whiz round the hospital - just for something different to do. So good to be out of that room.

Also squeezed a hairwash in and a corridor walk.

So great to see such progression this week. It's now exactly six weeks since that phone call - talk about ups and downs, and I know there's loads more to come but meanwhile it's fab to see him come out the other side of this horrible virus.

Keeping going Michael.

Night x