RBA Weekly Round-Up to 4th to 10th January!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2017-02.aspx?s_id=821180856

Stressful Day!!!

I have stayed with my Father every night since he was admitted and have been dozing in recliner chairs by his bedside, but the novelty of that wore off! Last night I set up a camp bed with four old wheelchair cushions with my thermorest camp mat on top, all wrapped up with a sheet and with pillows, this was a much better bed! I did get some sleep, but my body was now craving for my own bed and undisturbed sleep. I'm a tough cookie (Father like Daughter), but even I can only take so much.

Father was still fairly alert and managed to eat a small amount of pureed breakfast. Whilst the nurses changed my father's mattress to a nimbus air mattress (better than normal one) and washed him, I went off to the shop to buy him some lemonade to add to the thickened drinks. Today was stressful to say the least.

A very much respected and lovely doctor had a long 'family' chat with me and basically (my words) said we had a choice of two paths: 1) just carry on naturally as we are with oxygen and food/drink if Father requests and see if he improves naturally or 2) give a course of 7 days of antibiotics intravenously and active treatment, to see if the sepsis can be combated once and for all. He explained that the dose of antibiotics that were administered in A&E early Saturday morning, were probably now only starting to take affect and that was probably why Father was a little more alert. Two other seniors of the ward thought we should try 2). After much discussion with the rest of the family we initially decided that we would let nature take its course, but none of us could really make our minds up and this was incredibly stressful. My mother asked the question (by telephone to me) 'what would they have done in best interests if there had been no family?' Good point....... so I asked the doctor this question and he replied (more or less word for word) that he wouldn't be 'fixed either way, but would have been inclined to try the 7 day's antibiotics, being as they know what the bug is and is potentially treatable'. He could not give me a prognosis and said that it was a very difficult situation and choice. He explained that someone who had started eating, could go on for days or longer, even if they were not going to make it in the end and that the antibiotics could make things worse or better (worse because of the diarrhoea that happens with heavy doses of antibiotics. So I phoned Mother and Vivien and we decided to go with the the Doctor's chosen path.

So, late afternoon, saw lots of things happening: cannula inserted, antibiotics started, obs being taken, fluids put up etc! Father has not had Resperidone for several days and you could see that he needed this, as he was starting to fidget, pulling sheets off and pulled the cannula out!!! Another had to be inserted. Staring eyes looking around the room, which means he was hallucinating and then later stages he would be shouting etc etc. The liquid form of Resperidone could not be got this late at night, so this would not be able to start until tomorrow when the pharmacy re-opened. The face mask oxygen was removed and replaced with nasal specs, which was much more comfortable for Father. His obs were all good, which surprised me.

I found it torture to leave this evening, but had no choice, my mental state was not good and I was exhausted. I put off leaving and kept faffing about, tidying the room etc. Some people will definately think I was over the top staying every night, but I didn't feel it was at all – on Saturday we were told he wouldn't make it and that it was just a matter of hours, so naturally when he made it to Saturday evening, I didn't want him to die alone, so I stayed. In disbelief that he made it to Sunday, I stayed again and the same on Monday. Anyway, I said goodnight to Father – he looked so frail and vulnerable and the look on his face said he didn't really want me to leave – I walked out of the room and was a real state emotionally as I left the ward.

It felt heaven to get into my bed, but I was overtired.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Glaucous Gull on beach at Brancaster.
Waxwings x 11 on Edward Street, Norwich.
Glaucous Gull on beach, Long-tailed Ducks x 28, Velvet Scoters x 22, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Firecrest on Fen Trail at Titchwell RSPB.
Smew Redhead on The Serpentine, Tundra Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Goose, Water Pipit, Glaucous Gull flew west at Cley NWT.
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Gapton Marshes.
Hawfinches x 7 in garden at Aylmerton.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 7 on sea at Holme.
Lapland Bunting in rough field, south of coastal footpath to Holme.
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle.
Glaucous Gull on beach, Snow Buntings x 40 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Red-crested Pochard at Ormesby Broad.
Tundra Bean Geese x 36 in fields between Clippesby and Billockby.
Great White Egret, Hen Harrier at Lynn Point, King's Lynn.
Hen Harrier over Thornham Marsh.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Cattle Egret east of Halvergate.
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Halvergate Marshes.
Snow Buntings x 25 on beach, Hen Harrier at Winterton.
Taiga Bean Geese x 21 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Hawfinch yesterday at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Shorelarks x 28 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
Glaucous Gull, Scaup x 20 on The Wash at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 15 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham.
Glaucous Gull flew north at South Beach, Heacham.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 opposite the Crown Pub at Sheringham.
Hooded Crow still, in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 near Wissington Beet Factory.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 220 in field north of Creake Abbey, North Creake.
Hawfinches x 42, Crossbills x 5 at Lynford Aboretum.
Waxwings x 20 in garden at Rackheath.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 views from Burgh Castle at Haddiscoe Island.
Tundra Bean Goose x 9 Russian White-fronted Goose x 7 between Ringstead and Choseley.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane, Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.

Tender Loving Care

Father is still here, against all odds. Spoke to a lovely consultant today who advised and was very kind - he also said that if Father was alert and wanted to eat he could, which surprised and confused me, as I didn't think he was allowed to in his state. He was more alert today and had an ice-cream!!!! Plus purée rice pudding later! A weird day. He remains TLC (tender loving care). Can't write anymore as exhausted. Good night.

Still here.........

I can not believe that my dear Father is still here on his second day. With only oxygen to keep him alive, he still refuses to give up. He is much poorer today and breathing is slower. I was very freaked out by something unexpected today when I asked him if he knew I was here and he gave me a little nod! This brought tears to my eyes, but it was comforting to know that he knew I was here. The A&E doctor told me yesterday that he would not be aware of us now, but that is obviously not the case! Someone senior on the ward told me that hearing is one of the last things to go. 

My sister Lucy came for a short while today and Vivien has spent a long time here, but then was torn between our poorly Mother and staying here - in the end, she went to look after Mother, who's cold virus sounds awful. My work colleagues have been so supportive today in so many ways and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

The Saddest Day Of My Life

I was woken by a phone call from the Care Home at 3.26am - Father was unresponsive and had been taken by ambulance to A&E. The A&E team also phoned me to say how poorly he was. It was so scary and I was very traumatised when I got there. It took a long time to get hold of my family - I picked Lucy up. Vivien drove from Ely to Holme to pick Mother up. The doctor said that it would be kinder to let things take their course naturally, which I agreed with and they made him comfortable with pain relief etc and left the oxygen on. The Urosepsis had returned.

I had to be treated in A&E for shock - felt faint, sick and later on I was violently sick and got told to go home - my temperature was 38.3. I went home at about 2.45pm and got straight into bed - it was dreadful to leave him but I had no choice. He was not aware of us anymore. I rested/slept for about 3 hours - wasn't sick anymore and returned to the hospital. Vivien was still by his bedside - she had taken Mother and Lucy home earlier as they couldn't cope any more. Father has now been moved to my own ward, West Raynham and I sit here now waiting for the end alone. Vivien has returned to look after Mother who has the nasty cold virus, as does Vivien. Both my sisters have been incredible today.

He is battling on - I wish he wouldn't, this is so cruel it's unbearable. I know he is 90 years old but I still adore him and just want him to die peacefully.

Father Discharged Back To Summerville House!

I can not believe the recovery my Father has made since last week! After being admitted to hospital and spending three days in a near death state, he has battled through and with the amazing clinical skills of the Consultant and Doctors and the care from some wonderful Nursing Auxilliaries and Staff Nurses, he is still here! He was medically fit to leave today and an ambulance took him back to Summerville House Care Home at just after 1pm (whilst I was at work). I heard later on that he was smiling when he returned back to the care home and did not want to go to bed. He was sitting out in an armchair for the first time in ten days! I warned the care home that he would need to be full hoist now, as he has lost strength and energy, but when I visited later on, I was told he had managed the standing hoist! I returned all his clothes and hospital bag and put everything away in the wardrobe and draws. He looked settled and cosy in his bedroom and was asleep. It's such a relief that he is ok, its been a very stressful and traumatic time for all my family and again thank you all very much for your wonderful support and kind messages. It really is a miracle that he survived – obviously not his time to depart yet!

I then visited Mother who sounded extremely ill over the phone with this horrible cold virus that lots of people have had and when I arrived at the house, she looked awful, full of cold and a hacky cough. Helped her with a few things and then returned home.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Halvergate.
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits.
Waxwings x 15 near Anglia Square, Norwich.
Glaucous Gull, Long-tailed Duck x 56, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe at Titchwell RSPB.
Hen Harrier along Acle Straight, Great Yarmouth.
Tundra Bean Geese x 12, White-fronted Geese x 3, Barnacle Geese x 7, Whooper Swans x 3, Hen Harrier at Clippesby.
Bewick's Swans x 2 flew south, Glaucous Gull, Snow Buntings x 26, Hen Harrier at Winterton Beach.
Hen Harrier at Breydon Water.
Scaup x 21 at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Great White Egret at Earlham Marsh.
Glaucous Gull, Twite x 20 at Thornham Harbour.
Snow Buntings x 40 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater at Holme.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK at Malthouse Broad, Ranworth.
Shorelarks x 27 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
Taiga Bean Geese x 20 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Hen Harrier at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane, Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! KILLDEER remains in stubble field at Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Fem. at Venus Pool Nature Reserve, Shropshire.

Hospital Update!

Thursday 5th January
At lunch time I went to see the Ward Manager to discuss Father's progress and requested that he is discharged to the care home, as soon as he is medically fit. I also met with the Speech Therapist and she recommended that Father should now be 'Puree 2' Diet and have 1.5 scoops of thickener in all his drinks. He coughed and choked far too much on normal liquids and on 'Soft Diet'.

The catheter had been removed and everything was working normally. The gel had been applied around Father's mouth/lips and it looked like it had almost healed, so it must have been applied regularly since the previous night.

This evening, Father had to have a blood transfusion (1 litre of blood) as his hemoglobin level was low, because of the blood loss over the past few days. The staff nurse wanted him to keep his arm straight during the transfusion, so I decided to stay for the three hours this took, to ensure his arm remained straight! He was more settled this evening as the Resperidone was now being given. I was told that if Father's blood test was ok tomorrow morning, that he would be able to return to the care home!

Father still seemed sad and said "I'm not going to get out of this one" – I promised him that he had and that he would be going home this week – "I'll take your word for it" he said. He continually said he was cold, as the transfusion was taking place – I had forgotten how cold this makes you feel. I had 3 litres of blood given to me when I was dangerously anaemic, many years ago and it reminded me of how it makes you feel – it feels like ice trickling through your veins!

When the transfusion had finished, a very nice Staff Nurse told me that Father had been crying so much during the night (Wednesday night) that he had sat and written his notes next to Father's room to keep him company – how kind of him. I left Father settled and returned home.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Shorelarks x 2 west of Beach Road, Snow Buntings x 50 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Glaucous Gull on pool near north end of Beach Road at Salthouse.
Glaucous Gull on Arnold's Marsh, Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 2 at Outer Harbour, Great Yarmouth.
Glaucous Gulls juvs x 3 east of main path, Lapland Bunting, Long-tailed Ducks x 40, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB.
Glaucous Gull flew east at Thornham Harbour.
Tundra Bean Geese x 4, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Hen Harrier at Flitcham.
Cattle Egrets x 4 at Halvergate.
Glaucous Gull on beach north of Cross Bank, Scaup x 16, Great Northern Diver at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Hooded Crow in pig fields at Mautby Lodge.
Tundra Bean Geese x 11, Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 NE of Stanhoe.
Tundra Bean Goose at Ludham.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater at Holme.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK at Malthouse Broad, Ranworth.
Glaucous Gull, Snow Buntings x 30 on beach at Winterton.
Hawfinches x 13 at Lynford Aboretum.
Shorelarks x 31 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
Siberian Chiffhcaff at South Beach, Heacham.
Whooper Swans x 20 on relief channel south of bridge at Wiggenhall St Germans.
Great White Egret flew over A47 bypass, King's Lynn.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane, Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER still on North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
MEGA! KILLDEER remains in stubble field at Sandwick, Shetland.

Cream Tea at Congham Hall & Visit To Father!

Last October, one of my work colleagues organised a surprise ''Full Afternoon Tea' event at Congham Hall for someone's 60th birthday. It was booked for this evening at 5pm, so we had fifteen minutes to change out of uniform into our finest attire, then headed in convoy to Congham Hall at Grimston. It was a very grand event with the best china, starched white tablecloths and napkins, cake stands with array of dainty cakes, scones with clotted cream & raspberry jam, panna cotta with mango, finger sandwiches: cucumber, salmon, cheese and roasted tomatoes, ham, cheese and chutney etc in a beautiful room with chandelairs and all the finery. But, as Andrea and I discussed, there were no tongs for the sugar! What ever next! One should not be expected to pick out the sugar cubes with one's fingers, should one!!! Even greasy spoon cafe's have a spoon in the bowl! Seriously though, it was a lovely evening – extravagant, but lovely.

I then headed back to the QEH, in all my 'finery' to visit Father! He was agitated and restless, which is hardly surprising when I heard they had stopped his resperidone altogether – I was told the other day, that they were only halving the dose! Father pulled out three cannula's last night, a staff nurse told me – not surprised by that at all, he won't keep still or be quiet without resperidone and its unfair to him – I will be speaking with doctors about this tomorrow! I was told that Father was bleeding from bowels, this is probably because of the blood thinning medication they are giving him (when he had clexane injections a while back, he bled from bowels). He had not been shaved for two days, so I did it. His lips were dry, had been bleeding and looked sore. I succeeded in settling him down and sat and held his hand to tell him all about the cream tea party. I then went on a mission to other wards on the scrounge for some aqua gel or similar to put on Father's lips/mouth – I succeeded in my mission, informed staff nurse etc and applied some gel – Father said it 'felt better' – poor man. Sometimes I wish I could just give up my life and look after my Father like he should be looked after, but its not possible. Father still hasn't seen a Speech Therapist, so still is not allowed any oral fluids, which is why his mouth is so dry and sore. He also hasn't been out of bed yet, which means his legs are going to be even stiffer than they are normally. Looks like I'll be going to the ward with a list tomorrow – be warned!!! The following needs to be carried out:

1. Resperidone: restart, then he can be settled and safe enough to sit out in chair.
2. Stop blood thinning medication, too harsh for someone so frail and not necessary and especially when this results in bleeding from bowel!
3. Speech Therapist to assess how much thickener needs to be in drink asap, so he can start drinking again, he has been in hospital 6 days!
4. Remove catheter – not necessary now and not good practice to keep one in, makes nursing staff's life easier, but not good for the patient.
5. He is asking to 'go back home' – carry out above and get him back to the Care Home!!!

RBA Weekly Round-Up 21st to 3rd January!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2017-01.aspx?s_id=612056996

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Cattle Egrets x 4 at Halvergate.
Taiga Bean Geese x 20 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Waxwings x 3 still in Jerningham Road at New Costessey.
Glaucous Gull flew west at Overstrand.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Lapland Bunting flew over at Holme.
Hooded Crow in pig fields at Mautby Lodge.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 in fields between Waxham and Horsey.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK at Malthouse Broad, Ranworth.
Glaucous Gull again by duck pond at Salthouse.
Sooty Shearwater, Slavonian Grebe at Sheringham.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 90 near Creake Abbey, North Creake.
Waxwing flew NE over Norwich.
Waxwing at RSPB office car park briefly in Norwich.
Shorelarks x 28 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
Short-eared Owls x 4 at Berney Marshes RSPB.
Glaucous Gull flew west past Cley.
Long-tailed Ducks x 20, Velvet Scoters x 20 at Titchwell RSPB.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 5, Tundra Bean Geese x 2, 1 mile west of old mill at Ringstead.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Fem. at Venus Pool Nature Reserve, Shropshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane, Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER still on North Ronaldsay, Orkney.

Back To Work & Visits to Father!

It was tough returning to work today, I could have slept all day! Visited Father at lunchtime and fed him whilst eating my lunch at the same time – he seemed pleased that I was there. He was still in bed – I was hoping he would be sitting in a chair. The longer he stays in bed, the weaker he will become. The Nimbus mattress that was ordered last night is not here yet and the nurses had still not done the referral to the Speech and Language Team, to assess my Father's swallow – but they had by my third nag of the day!!! He can't drink any fluids until this assessment is carried out. He looked fairly ok, but didn't look any brighter than he did yesterday.

My sister Vivien who is on holiday this week, took Lucy to see Father this afternoon, whilst I was at work. I visited again this evening after work. Father look overjoyed to see me and reached out to hug me (very rare) and was very emotional this evening. He started to cry and said 'I want to go back to where I came from' – he was very distressed. I had to explain (as I have several times already over the last few days) that he was in hospital and that this was not his new home and promised he would be going back to the care home and he looked at me with sadness in his eyes and said in a questioning voice 'promise?' and I replied 'I promise' – he looked relieved and settled when I said this, but twice asked me 'when?' and 'how long?' – I replied about a week and that he would be back before my birthday. He held onto my hand the entire time I was there. I sat on the chair with my feet on a stool and lounged against the side of the bed rails – we were both exhausted and just sat for ages, holding hands in silence. It was extremely hard to tear myself away when he was in this state, but he did not look sad when I left, when I promised to come and see him again tomorrow. Tough times.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Russian White-fronted Geese x 50 on Lady Fen at Welney WWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3 in field north of Pound Lane, Docking.
Scaup x 2 at Whitlingham Country Park.
Waxwings x 9 in garden at Holt Road/Sandy Lane junction at Cromer.
Shorelarks x 28 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Glaucous Gull flew east past Gore Point, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Holme.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 13 south of A149 and east of Holme.
Hooded Crow in pig fields at Mautby Lodge.
Cattle Egrets x 4 at Halvergate.
Taiga Bean Geese x 20 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Sooty Shearwater, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 9, Velvet Scoters x 4, Great Skuas x 3 at Sheringham.
Waxwings x 3 still in Jerningham Road at New Costessey.
Glaucous Gull at Thornham Harbour.
Snow Buntings x 50 at Salthouse.
Glaucous Gull flew west past Weybourne.
Scaup at Tottenhill Gravel Pits.
Whooper Swans x 14 north of Watlington..
Great White Egret, Hawfinches x 15, Crossbills x 4 at Lynford Aboretum.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 on mud off Crossbank, Waxwings x 14 in pines at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Hen Harriers x 2 flew over Stiffkey.
Bewick's Swans x 68, Whooper Swans x 25 at Ludham Airfield.
Hen Harriers x 3, Spotted Redshank at Warham Greens.
Glaucous Gull at Heacham.
Glaucous Gull Gull, Spoonbill on Arnold's Marsh, Cley NWT.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 40 at Great Ryburgh.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 117 near Creake Abbey, North Creake.
Tundra Bean Goose x 2 between Summerfield and Ringstead.
Tundra Bean Goose x 5 between Waxham and Horsey.
Common Cranes x 18, Hen Harriers x 3 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Fem. at Venus Pool Nature Reserve, Shropshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane, Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! KILLDEER remains in stubble field at Sandwick, Shetland.

Exhausting Day!

Monday 2nd January
I am so exhausted I can hardly type! Slept extremely soundly last night and woke up at 8.30am. Got up slowly and after washing hair etc I went downstairs and sat on the sofa for a moment. When I opened my eyes it was 4pm!!! So I might as well have stayed in bed!

Whizzed over to the care home at Heacham and collected lots of clothes of Father's to wear in hospital, just in case he is well enough to sit out this week. It was really upsetting to see his empty chair in the midst of the other residents. Stopped at the indian takeaway in Hunstanton and picked up a vegetarian biryani and peshwari naan for Mother and I to share. Dropped off some things at Mother's house and spent an hour with her – she looked very tired and the house was cold, even with the radiators all on. The Christmas tree needles were falling heavily – will have to sort that for her this week.

I returned to King's Lynn and dropped off Father's clothes to his ward and spent an hour with him. He was awake in bed when I arrived and seemed pleased that I was there. He looked settled and a fairly good colour in his face, but his breathing was heavy and he seems to have lost strength – he could hardly squeeze my hand. The nurse in charge of him overnight, put up another bag of fluids whilst I was there and did his obs – BP was high: 179/77, Sats 98% and temperature 36.6. The nurse said his BP had been higher than that, earlier in the day – she also said she was going to order a nimbus mattress for him tonight, which is a better air mattress than the bog standard one. Father told me he was cold and he didn't feel particularly warm when I felt his skin – he only had one thin blanket over him. There were two more blankets in the room, so why had no one put on a second blanket on at least? – he is 90 years old for goodness sake! Apart from that, he had been positioned well.

I was told that the blood culture results had now come back from the first day Father was admitted to A&E and the findings were Urosepsis – there was also E-Coli in his urine. I don't know that much detail about this and don't have the energy to 'google', so will look into this more tomorrow. Goodnight.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Cattle Egrets x 4 at Halvergate.
Waxwings x 3 in garden at Holt Road/Sandy Lane junction at Cromer.
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits.
Taiga Bean Geese x 15, Russian White-fronted Geese x 75 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 3 with Pink-footed Geese off Hunworth Road, Holt.
Great White Egret at Lynford Aboretum.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 50 on Lady Fen at Welney WWT.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK on Broadwater at Holme.
Lapland Buntings x 5 on beach by golf course at Holme.
Glaucous Gull, Twite x 15 at Blakeney Freshmarsh, Great  Northern Diver at Blakeney Harbour.
Hooded Crow in pig fields at Mautby Lodge.
Shorelarks x 26 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
Great White Egrets x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Glaucous Gulls x 2, Great Northern Divers x 2, Velvet Scoter flew past beach car park and then Glaucous Gulls x 2 on Arnold's Marsh at Cley NWT.
Spoonbill at Breydon Water.
Waxwings x 4 still in Jerningham Road at New Costessey.
Snow Buntings x 18, Little Gulls x 3 at Winterton.
Scaup x 3 at Tottenhill Gravel Pits.
Glaucous Gull on pool at end of Beach Road, Salthouse.
Iceland Gull, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver at Sheringham.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Horsey Corner, Velvet Scoter at Horsey Gap.
Glaucous on beach, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 45 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Tundra Bean Geese x 4 at Freethorpe near Reedham.
Water Pipits x 3, Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Tundra Bean Geese x 6, Russian White-fronted Geese x 23 in field opposite Waxham Barn.
Scaup x 2 at Hickling Broad NWT.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 60 near Creake Abbey, at North Creake.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 60 in fields east of River Wensum at Little Ryburgh.
Scaup at Whitlingham Country Park.
Water Pipits x 12 at Potter Heigham Marshes.
Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Glaucous Gull at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 4, Tundra Bean Geese with Pink-footed Geese between Docking and Fring.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 14 south of Thornham.
Bewick's Swans x 53, Whooper Swans x 25 at Ludham Airfield.
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens.
Spoonbill from Cadbury Hide, Common Cranes x 4, Hen Harrier at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
Waxwings x 5 in hedge at Burnham Overy Staithe.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Fem. at Venus Pool Nature Reserve, Shropshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane, Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! KILLDEER remains in stubble field at Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT remains at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles

NEW YEAR'S DAY AT THE QEH!

I wished Father Happy New Year at midnight, but he was out for the count and remained that way all night, even with being turned by nursing staff every two hours. However, I was not so lucky and was awake most of the night, as the previous night. I managed to get an hour or two in the early hours and felt wrecked when I got up. I went off to have a shower in my 'secret place' and returned to Father's room by 8am, by which time nursing staff had washed Father. I then helped him with his breakfast. He managed a whole bowl of porridge and nearly all of a banana mashed with apricot yoghurt. The coffee is not going down well, even with thickener today.

Whilst waiting to see the Consultant and Doctor on their ward round, I wrote up a sheet of information for the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist and ward staff in general, about Father's normal daily routine (they need to know this, to decide if a patient needs extra help/assistance etc when they are discharged and being as I work with OT's and PT's every day, I knew exactly what to write to assist them! I then phoned Summerville Care Home to update staff about Father and how he was doing.

Father's BP remains fairly consistent and at a normal level for his age – a typical reading this morning was 154/86 and temperature 36.7. The Consultant said he was going to reduce the Respiradone to one dose of 0.5mls a day, instead of his normal dose of this twice a day – he explained that when someone has been dehydrated, the Respiradone can be more toxic and act like its a higher dose and can make someone more lethargic. The dose can be increased to its normal level if and when appropriate. The Consultants exact words to the his F1 doctor were 'lets start removing tubes' and hopefully Father can get out of bed in the next few days. Referral to Speech and Language (S.A.L.T. as its abbreviated to) to assess his swallow, which not good with liquids currently. The Consultant seemed very pleased and surprised by Father's progression. Something really annoying happened – I had not been able to get a word out of Father all morning, but when the Consultant asked how he was doing, he replied in a very clear voice 'not too bad thank you'!!! I was shocked! He then followed the Consultant's instruction and lifted up right and left arm and smiled. The same thing happened later with two lovely nursing auxiliaries – one of them said 'Happy New Year to you Peter' and he replied 'and a Happy New Year to you too'!!! Not once did I get that reply back – five whole days I have been here!!! Its very funny really! At least his sense of humour remains!

I went upstairs to the canteen for breakfast and when I returned Father had been taken for a CT scan (brain), which came back clear later on, so no sign of another stroke or anything else – all good news. I helped Father with his lunch, which is now Puree 2 and it was lamb casserole, carrots and mash and much easier to feed him in this form. He also had an ice-cream and half a bowl of warm custard. The coffee did not go down well at all and after speaking to the doctor, he is now not allowed to have any more oral fluids until he has been assessed by the S.A.L.T team, who frustratingly do not work over the bank holidays and won't be back until Tuesday this week, but at least he is having saline drip going into him, so fluid levels will be ok.

I took my spare clothes, sleeping bag etc down to the car, as I am returning home tonight. I want to stay for Father and don't want to leave him at all, but he is fairly stable at the moment and I need to think about myself and need a normal night's sleep in my bed! When I returned to Father's side room, I crashed out for an afternoon snooze on my camp bed, it was lovely! Father was very, very sleepy this afternoon. At 3pm I went up to the canteen for a late lunch (they close at 4pm today) and there was very little left, but I was lucky and found a Mozzarella Cheese Panini which was toasted for me and got a cup of tea and returned to the ward. Then I started typing the blog up and its now 5.25pm. None of my family have visited again today. I was going to pick Mother up, but she was exhausted (she isn't well herself), Lucy was the same I think and Vivien now has her partner's stinking cold! So that left me to hold the fort again today – oh well!

Oxygen was reduced to 1 litre and then to nothing for a trial of 10 minutes at 4.40pm. BP: 148/78 and temperature 36.4. I went for a walk around the hospital to look at the Pied Wagtail roost – such a delight to watch. Two porters walked past and I pointed them out – they said they had no idea they  were there, but then not many people look out of the courtyard windows when its dark!

Helped Father with his supper, which was pureed turkey, potato, carrots, peas and cranberry, followed by a chocolate mousse and an ice-cream – he managed most of the main course and all of the desserts. I then read all items of interest and nature news from Saturday's EDP, which he seemed really interested in, but then fell asleep! I will be going shortly, which is going to be difficult, as I feel like I have moved in here – quite cosy in this side room, even though I haven't been sleeping. Its also been great meeting all the lovely staff here. Sadly though, Father may well be moved out of here into a main bay with five other patients, which will stress him out, being as he can't see and hates noise. You only get to be in a side room if you are contagious eg: D&V or very poorly, of which he was both, but not anymore, so as soon as someone else needs this room he will be moved.

I delayed going home as I didn't want to, I felt very emotional leaving him – I have been with him for five days, day and night. He was fast asleep when I left and didn't even know I had gone – I did explain about me leaving to go home earlier, but he won't retain that information. I was very tearful as I left and as I walked along the corridors to the exit doors – this is the time when you need support, but there wasn't any available. None of my family have rung this evening to ask how things were – sometimes I feel like a one man band. I feel really sad right now. Now going to sleep for a week – good night.

NEW YEAR'S DAY NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Cattle Egrets x 4 at Halvergate.
Great White Egret, Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum.
Long-tailed Ducks x 60, Velvet Scoters x 25, Scaup at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 4 still in Jerningham Road at New Costessey.
Waxwings x 3 in garden at Holt Road/Sandy Lane junction at Cromer.
Shorelarks x 20 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
Great White Egret viewed from A149, Russian White-fronted Geese x 36 at Holkham.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3 by bend in road at Waxham.
Scaup x 2 at Tottenhill Gravel Pits.
Taiga Bean Geese x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Scaup x 11 at Blakeney Harbour, Spoonbill by Blakeney Quay.
Hooded Crow in pig fields at Mautby Lodge.
Rough-legged Buzzard by Pound Lane, Docking.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 57 on Lady Fen at Welney WWT.
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3 at North Creake.
Common Cranes x 2 north of tin shed at Billockby.
Hen Harriers x 4 from car park at Stiffkey.
Long-tailed Ducks x 28, Velvet Scoters x 14 flew past Holme NOA.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Fem. at Venus Pool Nature Reserve, Shropshire. 
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane, Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! KILLDEER remains in stubble field at Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT remains at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

To All My Blog Followers, Friends and Family!