Monday, 9 January 2017
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.
Sunday, 8 January 2017
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.
Saturday, 7 January 2017
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.
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.
Friday, 6 January 2017
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
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:
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:
- Resperidone: restart, then he can be settled and safe enough to sit out in chair.
- Stop blood thinning medication, too harsh for someone so frail and not necessary and especially when this results in bleeding from bowel!
- 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!
- 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.
- He is asking to 'go back home' – carry out above and get him back to the Care Home!!!
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.
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.
Tuesday, 3 January 2017
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday, 2 January 2017
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
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
Sunday, 1 January 2017
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, 31 December 2016
NEW YEAR'S EVE MIRACLE!!!
Neither Father or I had a good night's sleep. Father was restless and naturally I was attentive and concerned throughout the night. I was not allowed to open the window at all because of Father's low temperature last night and this made it difficult to sleep. I eventually got to sleep in the early hours this morning! Both Father and I were sound asleep when someone called out 'breakfast' at 8.15am! Father was not allowed to eat until the Consultant and Doctors did their rounds. The nursing staff came to give Father a wash etc and I went off to a 'secret' place in the hospital to have a shower myself – I felt a whole lot better after that. Returned to be with Father who seemed so much better today generally. His BP first thing had finally climbed to a normal level of 140/70 – later it was 182/79 and then at 1pm was 101/67.
The consultant came round with a doctor, who said that I could try Father with a soft diet at lunch time. The saline fluid, anti-biotics and paracetamol would continue and also a steroid is being given – Father is still on oxygen with nasal specs. I also asked the Consultant if he could be blunt about Father's prognosis, as I have to think about so many things over the next few days and need to make plans re work etc – he replied that 'he certainly doesn't look like someone who is going to die right now', but 'you can't always tell', which pleased me to hear! I don't think the staff can quite believe the turnaround! On Wednesday he was close to the end and because they could not get his BP raised to a normal level, I don't think anyone thought he was going to make it. The support of his family, I'm sure has helped. This sounds wicked to say, but I'm sure those of you that have gone through the same thing will understand when I say that I kind of wanted it to end, because he was so desperately poorly and I couldn't bare to see him like that, with no response, no movement, nothing, apart from a very ill and pale looking man – my family felt the same. Against all the odds, my stubborn 90 year old Father seems to be on a upward spiral – us Clarke's are made of stern stuff!!!
Father was given his first dose of Resperidone at 12.15pm, thank goodness – he has not had this since Tuesday night at the care home and this is what settles his dementia – without it, he is restless, confused and shouting etc! At lunch time Father had about an 1/8th of his main course and half a portion of warm custard and of ice-cream – he especially enjoyed the desserts and gave me a little smile which was nice. He was not able to initiate to suck the coffee through the straw (which he normally does), so I gave him some on a teaspoon, but he did not swallow this, so I had to remove it. Even with the drink thickened, he was not able to swallow it properly.
With my mind a bit clearer today, I realised that I could log onto the guest WiFi here at the hospital, which mean't I could bring my laptop back from home and update the blog with all the bird news for the last few days!
My sister Vivien who had been staying with Mother, returned to Ely today, as had essential stuff to do. Mother was too exhausted to visit and Lucy was not able to cope with another day here, so I was solo today! After Father's lunch, I returned home to get some urgent washing in the machine – I had a doze on the sofa whilst I waited for the cycle to finish. Hung up the washing, did some old washing up and packed up my laptop to bring back to the hospital. Went to the Tesco's garage shop to stock up with treats (diet scrapped this week) and returned to the hospital.
I discovered that Father had pulled out his cannula and was trying to pull all the bed linen off and his gown and was incredibly restless. I know him so well, and all of this is due to the fact that the Resperidone is out of his system and it will take a good few days to get back into his system! When I tried to hold his hands still, he was pulling my arms and would not settle – he has incredible strength in his hands and arms. He settled a little when I helped him with his tea – he ate 3/4 of a cheese omelette with baked beans, which I had to mash and two small ice-creams portions. He still couldn't tolerate/swallow liquid. The staff are going to change his 'soft diet' to 'Puree 2', which is basically liquidised food. He looked very alert and wide-eyed, but had that particular stare that indicates his dementia is far from under control! I know this look so well! Father's BP at 9.30pm was 127/77, heart rate/pulse 63, 97 Sats and had his second dose of Resperidone.
I went off to see the Pied Wagtail roost again in the courtyard garden – the same wonderful scene as last night, with little groups of wagtails huddled together in the bushes, peeking out to look at me with my nose against the window watching them! Lovely! Went to get a decent coffee from a machine and returned to the ward. I spent the evening typing up all the last few day's bird news in full, which took a long time, but I wanted to get it up to date. As I type this it is 11.30pm, it looks like Father will see in the new year after all. Its a long time since I saw the new year in with my Father, even though he is asleep right now and won't be aware of this.
I suppose that I could have returned to my home tonight, but I didn't want to leave Father on New Year's Eve, but sensibly I will probably return home tomorrow night. Most year's I do a New Year's Day Bird Race, along with many of you, but obviously won't be doing that tomorrow. Maybe, I will get some birding done for a short while on Monday. I will be returning to work on Tuesday, unless Father takes a turn for the worst. I really hope that he continues to get better – he has struggled to get this far and it would be sad if it all went wrong now. He will still be in hospital for while though, as he needs to be drinking and eating normally and able to sit out in a chair, before returning to the care home at Heacham.
Again, thank you all very much for your support and kind messages over the last few days, I still can't believe Father is still here, I really thought that was it! It is now 11.45pm!
The consultant came round with a doctor, who said that I could try Father with a soft diet at lunch time. The saline fluid, anti-biotics and paracetamol would continue and also a steroid is being given – Father is still on oxygen with nasal specs. I also asked the Consultant if he could be blunt about Father's prognosis, as I have to think about so many things over the next few days and need to make plans re work etc – he replied that 'he certainly doesn't look like someone who is going to die right now', but 'you can't always tell', which pleased me to hear! I don't think the staff can quite believe the turnaround! On Wednesday he was close to the end and because they could not get his BP raised to a normal level, I don't think anyone thought he was going to make it. The support of his family, I'm sure has helped. This sounds wicked to say, but I'm sure those of you that have gone through the same thing will understand when I say that I kind of wanted it to end, because he was so desperately poorly and I couldn't bare to see him like that, with no response, no movement, nothing, apart from a very ill and pale looking man – my family felt the same. Against all the odds, my stubborn 90 year old Father seems to be on a upward spiral – us Clarke's are made of stern stuff!!!
Father was given his first dose of Resperidone at 12.15pm, thank goodness – he has not had this since Tuesday night at the care home and this is what settles his dementia – without it, he is restless, confused and shouting etc! At lunch time Father had about an 1/8th of his main course and half a portion of warm custard and of ice-cream – he especially enjoyed the desserts and gave me a little smile which was nice. He was not able to initiate to suck the coffee through the straw (which he normally does), so I gave him some on a teaspoon, but he did not swallow this, so I had to remove it. Even with the drink thickened, he was not able to swallow it properly.
With my mind a bit clearer today, I realised that I could log onto the guest WiFi here at the hospital, which mean't I could bring my laptop back from home and update the blog with all the bird news for the last few days!
My sister Vivien who had been staying with Mother, returned to Ely today, as had essential stuff to do. Mother was too exhausted to visit and Lucy was not able to cope with another day here, so I was solo today! After Father's lunch, I returned home to get some urgent washing in the machine – I had a doze on the sofa whilst I waited for the cycle to finish. Hung up the washing, did some old washing up and packed up my laptop to bring back to the hospital. Went to the Tesco's garage shop to stock up with treats (diet scrapped this week) and returned to the hospital.
I discovered that Father had pulled out his cannula and was trying to pull all the bed linen off and his gown and was incredibly restless. I know him so well, and all of this is due to the fact that the Resperidone is out of his system and it will take a good few days to get back into his system! When I tried to hold his hands still, he was pulling my arms and would not settle – he has incredible strength in his hands and arms. He settled a little when I helped him with his tea – he ate 3/4 of a cheese omelette with baked beans, which I had to mash and two small ice-creams portions. He still couldn't tolerate/swallow liquid. The staff are going to change his 'soft diet' to 'Puree 2', which is basically liquidised food. He looked very alert and wide-eyed, but had that particular stare that indicates his dementia is far from under control! I know this look so well! Father's BP at 9.30pm was 127/77, heart rate/pulse 63, 97 Sats and had his second dose of Resperidone.
I went off to see the Pied Wagtail roost again in the courtyard garden – the same wonderful scene as last night, with little groups of wagtails huddled together in the bushes, peeking out to look at me with my nose against the window watching them! Lovely! Went to get a decent coffee from a machine and returned to the ward. I spent the evening typing up all the last few day's bird news in full, which took a long time, but I wanted to get it up to date. As I type this it is 11.30pm, it looks like Father will see in the new year after all. Its a long time since I saw the new year in with my Father, even though he is asleep right now and won't be aware of this.
I suppose that I could have returned to my home tonight, but I didn't want to leave Father on New Year's Eve, but sensibly I will probably return home tomorrow night. Most year's I do a New Year's Day Bird Race, along with many of you, but obviously won't be doing that tomorrow. Maybe, I will get some birding done for a short while on Monday. I will be returning to work on Tuesday, unless Father takes a turn for the worst. I really hope that he continues to get better – he has struggled to get this far and it would be sad if it all went wrong now. He will still be in hospital for while though, as he needs to be drinking and eating normally and able to sit out in a chair, before returning to the care home at Heacham.
Again, thank you all very much for your support and kind messages over the last few days, I still can't believe Father is still here, I really thought that was it! It is now 11.45pm!
NEW YEAR'S EVE! NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 22 by Beach Road at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 12 on south side of outer harbour at Great Yarmouth.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 157, Tundra Bean Geese x 10 near Creake Abbey at North Creake.
Long-tailed Ducks x 43, Velvet Scoters x 21, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Lapland Bunting, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 2 in Co-op car park at Cromer.
Waxwings x 3 still in Jerningham Road at New Costessey.
Waxwings x 2 in garden at Holt Road/Sandy Lane junction at Cromer.
Scaup x 2 at Tottenhill Gravel Pits.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 3 with Pink-footed Geese off Pound Lane, Docking.
Scaup x 4, Great Northern Diver at Hickling Broad NWT.
Taiga Bean Geese x 6, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 100 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Snow Bunting at Caister-on-Sea.
Waxwings x 5, Common Cranes x 2 at Denver Sluice.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 40 in fields east of River Wensum at Little Ryburgh.
Waxwings x 6 briefly in Dell at Holme.
Water Pipits x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Cattle Egrets x 4 at Halvergate.
Spoonbill, Caspian Gull at Arnold's Marsh, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 26 in field just before car park at Cley NWT.
Great White Egret, Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 6, Pink-footed Geese x 500 in field SW of Kelling Hall.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Scaup at Whitlingham Country Park.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male (present c.1 week) in garden at in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, in field by Pig Lane, Beeley (no access to Dukes Barn until 2nd January 2017), 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! CAPE GANNET possible, flew past Barns Ness, Lothian, Scotland.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER Adult male at North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 22 by Beach Road at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 12 on south side of outer harbour at Great Yarmouth.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 157, Tundra Bean Geese x 10 near Creake Abbey at North Creake.
Long-tailed Ducks x 43, Velvet Scoters x 21, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Lapland Bunting, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 2 in Co-op car park at Cromer.
Waxwings x 3 still in Jerningham Road at New Costessey.
Waxwings x 2 in garden at Holt Road/Sandy Lane junction at Cromer.
Scaup x 2 at Tottenhill Gravel Pits.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 3 with Pink-footed Geese off Pound Lane, Docking.
Scaup x 4, Great Northern Diver at Hickling Broad NWT.
Taiga Bean Geese x 6, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 100 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Snow Bunting at Caister-on-Sea.
Waxwings x 5, Common Cranes x 2 at Denver Sluice.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 40 in fields east of River Wensum at Little Ryburgh.
Waxwings x 6 briefly in Dell at Holme.
Water Pipits x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Cattle Egrets x 4 at Halvergate.
Spoonbill, Caspian Gull at Arnold's Marsh, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 26 in field just before car park at Cley NWT.
Great White Egret, Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 6, Pink-footed Geese x 500 in field SW of Kelling Hall.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Scaup at Whitlingham Country Park.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male (present c.1 week) in garden at in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, in field by Pig Lane, Beeley (no access to Dukes Barn until 2nd January 2017), 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! CAPE GANNET possible, flew past Barns Ness, Lothian, Scotland.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER Adult male at North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Friday, 30 December 2016
Father Continues To Fight
Today has been rocky again. Father had a fairly settled night and I did too on my camp bed! Early morning he looked a good colour for the first time and spoke for the first time and said 'yes please' to my offer of some coffee at breakfast time – but this did not work out as he was not able to swallow or with thickener in the coffee. He did manage to swallow 4 quarter teaspoons of raspberry yoghurt, but then sneezed it all out! A consultant instructed that he is now Nil by mouth. This was the only time he looked ok today – after this his BP dropped very low and he looked awful. BP increased again later. His breathing was very heavy and erratic and also had moments of not breathing at all!
The Respiridone that Father is normally on for his dementia is now wearing off and he has become very restless and tugging at sheets etc! I was told it would commence again tomorrow. Temperature dropped to 35.9 at 7.30pm and Father was distressed and very cold – I wrapped him up with more blankets and by 8.30pm it had risen to 36.6 – the night staff who had just started her shift said I had done a good job. He looks very pale this evening. I didn't expect him to last this long – the doctors looked surprised when they came onto the ward this morning!
Whilst my family were here today, I had to leave for a short while to swop my spare emergency wheel over for new tyre/wheel from my puncture on Christmas Eve. The fog is really bad in Norfolk today. I went off for a short break this evening to see the Pied Wagtail roost – I was so pleased to see them all, still in the courtyard harden, huddled up in their now heavily trimmed bushes – this really lifted my spirits for a while – nature can be so comforting at difficult times. When I returned to Father's side room I played some bird song from my iphone for him to listen to: Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Cuckoo and Tawny Owl - he seemed to enjoy this. I played Tawny Owl to remind him of the Owls that call at Mother's house most nights and the Cuckoo to remind him of old NOA member Ron Longstaff who used to 'Cuckoo' along the main bank in winter time! Taken me ages to type this all up, one fingered on my iphone!
So with New Year's Eve fast approaching – I wonder if Father will make it to the new year. Thank you again for all your ongoing kind support and messages, it is much appreciated.
The Respiridone that Father is normally on for his dementia is now wearing off and he has become very restless and tugging at sheets etc! I was told it would commence again tomorrow. Temperature dropped to 35.9 at 7.30pm and Father was distressed and very cold – I wrapped him up with more blankets and by 8.30pm it had risen to 36.6 – the night staff who had just started her shift said I had done a good job. He looks very pale this evening. I didn't expect him to last this long – the doctors looked surprised when they came onto the ward this morning!
Whilst my family were here today, I had to leave for a short while to swop my spare emergency wheel over for new tyre/wheel from my puncture on Christmas Eve. The fog is really bad in Norfolk today. I went off for a short break this evening to see the Pied Wagtail roost – I was so pleased to see them all, still in the courtyard harden, huddled up in their now heavily trimmed bushes – this really lifted my spirits for a while – nature can be so comforting at difficult times. When I returned to Father's side room I played some bird song from my iphone for him to listen to: Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Cuckoo and Tawny Owl - he seemed to enjoy this. I played Tawny Owl to remind him of the Owls that call at Mother's house most nights and the Cuckoo to remind him of old NOA member Ron Longstaff who used to 'Cuckoo' along the main bank in winter time! Taken me ages to type this all up, one fingered on my iphone!
So with New Year's Eve fast approaching – I wonder if Father will make it to the new year. Thank you again for all your ongoing kind support and messages, it is much appreciated.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
