Summer Update

Ok, time for an update as I can't do much else this week (more on that next month). Again I have neglected the blog so a quick update on some of the summer's activities. At the beginning of the school holidays we took the boys to the Harry Potter studios near Watford. Despite the distance, it's a very easy journey, being 95% motorway. It's a good day out with most of the sets and props on display. The boys' interest wained quickly which was disappointing but not altogether surprising. Tracy and I enjoyed it, although it's a scenario where relying on someone else driving the wheelchair is very frustrating. I can't turn my head very much, so my field of vision is very narrow, requiring the driver to constantly turn the wheelchair to directly face exhibits. Kadvi does a brilliant job of driving and seems to almost read my mind, but it's no substitute for being in control yourself. 

During July I had a very busy weekend including a 10cc concert, Farnborough airshow and Monty Python at the O2. 10cc was the unexpected highlight. Graham Gouldman is   the main surviving member and the concert was split into two halves. The first was an acoustic set of the songs he wrote for other artists, including many well known songs. The second half was a 10cc gig. A thoroughly enjoyable outside concert on a warm summer's evening. Farnborough was disappointing, not only because of the disabled parking fiasco but the airshow has become very stale.Only 3 fighter jets this year, too much dull stuff. Granted the Vulcan is stunning and the boys names are on the bomb bay doors, but who wants to see bruce dickinson fly around in a private jet or an avro anson. Where was the Draken, Viggen, B52. I think now the Russians don't come anymore it's a shame. Monty Python was good. Some of it failed to hit the mark but you can't fail to smile when they perform "Every sperm is Sacred" or "Sit on my face and tell me that you love me" And obviously the Parrot Sketch and the Lumberjack Song are among the hits. 
In August Tracy took the boys to Pembrokeshire with her family. It's the first holiday I haven't participated in but it's so complex to accommodate everything I need and we have a cruise booked next summer, so I really didn't mind. They had a great time with many activities that the boys loved. I went to the coast for a day trip with my mum and sister. It was perfect weather and we went to Worthing and Littlehampton. A lovely day out which I thoroughly enjoyed. However I discovered that 100 miles on twisting A-roads is the limit for one day! 

The last event of the summer was Wheels and Wings at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Tracy had advised them of my situation and they offered complementary VIP parking and access to the  covered veterans enclosure if it was raining. Totally opposite experience to Farnborough. The highlight of the show was the two remaining airworthy Lancaster bombers flying together. Although when the Vulcan is flying it always steals the show. 

 

Last week I went to hospital to get my peg feeding tube  changed. When the original tube was fitted 5 years ago, like my eyegaze computer, I didn't expect to survive long enough to need a replacement But with the tube starting to split I knew I had to bite the bullet. I knew the procedure would be very unpleasant because with my breathing so weak, any sedation could be dangerous. The appointment was at 8am which meant getting up at 6am. The idea of the early appointment was to do the procedure mid morning , so if I needed sedation they could monitor me during the afternoon, thus avoiding the dreaded overnight stay. But of course this is the NHS so the procedure didn't start until midday. The procedure was even more unpleasant than I expected and quite scary at a couple of points. In summary it was 15 minutes of choking and very difficult breathing while a 1cm endoscope was pushed down my throat and into the stomach twice,  to remove the old tube then fit another. So having had no sedation I expected to be on my way immediately. Of course this didn't happen, I was kept waiting until 5pm because the ward staff said I had to wait for test results. I only complied because I had overheard the surgeon say after the procedure that "he was a little tachy" which I know means tachycardia, so I thought they could be waiting for a second opinion. But of course they weren't, it was just the standard quote which actually means "we have no fucking clue what's happening". So 10 hours in hospital for a 15 minute procedure. It's like EVERY other hospital experience. Excellent clinical staff,  totally disorganised , chaotic and generally clueless ward staff. Anyway it's done