G3XBM Health Status

This was prepared for publication on 4th October but Rog's blog was locked :

"Roger's wife Lis was amazed at the number of messages of support that have come through this blog and asked me to thank you and give you an update.

Well it is now three weeks since the onset of "the headache" and Rog is still in intensive care at Addenbrookes in Cambridge, It sounds as if the initial problem was exacerbated by a subsequent chest infection which led to the breathing difficulty and the need for intubation.

Rog had a tracheotomy about a week ago, which is better than being intubated,but he still cannot speak without a special valve being attached. He has had an angiogram to help the doctors identify the root cause. He has been very tired as the ICU has little sense of night and day and he doesn't get meals yet!

Yesterday for the first time he was hoisted into a chair for 45 minutes and is hoping to be transferred to the High Dependency ward when a bed is available.

A stressful time for Rog and all his family but slow improvements are being made."

Since then Roger has been transferred to the High Dependency unit, but he still has no gag reflex so keeps the tracheotomy and is unable to speak without a special valve attached and he is being  woken hourly to have his throat cleared.  But it was confirmed to Lis that even when this hurdle is cleared Roger will remain in hospital for several months and will not be out for Christmas.

This morning 11th October  Lis posted the following on Rogers Facebook Wall :

"In answer to Pat's question: Rog cannot speak at all with the trachy in his throat and, of course, this is the most frustrating aspect of his injury. How long will it take for the gag reflex to return? Well, how long is a piece of string?

The reason for his sleepiness is because every hour of the day and night the mucus in his throat is removed by a suction tube. This means that he never has a continuous sleep. Bit like torture.

However, he is much more alert. Yesterday I told him that Lauren had sold something for us on eBay and he mouthed, "How much did it go for?" Also, when friends visited, he wrote on the paper I'd brought in, " Thanks for coming." So there are chinks of light appearing."