The Day Before...

Alan's gastrostomy procedure.

 He didn't need to be, but he was awake and full of the joys at 5.30am.  Tomorrow he will need to be awake really early (we have to be at the hospital for 8am) so what's the betting he will be a real nightmare to wake?!

My plan is to chat through exactly what will be happening tomorrow with him once he's had his dinner. I have a spare tube to show him so he can see what will be sticking out of his stomach when he comes round from the anaesthetic and I will remind him that although he will be in some pain, the painkilling medicine can be put down the tube so he doesn't have to taste it.  That will please him :-)

The rest of today has been spent organising things.   Home visit from stairlift people, new cover for Alan's shower chair, Tesco shopping, visit from damp proof guy to look at a damp patch in the utility room and booking a holiday!  Yay!

We are off to Kielder Water in Northumberland for a week later in the summer.  I can't wait.  We are staying in one of the Calvert Trust lodges that is fully accessible and had a rise and fall bed for Alan as well as ceiling tracking hoist from the bedroom to the wet floor shower room.  This means we don't have to take the portable hoist with us.  A huge space saving :-))  It's a bit like Centre Parcs except it's geared up to allow people of all abilities to take part in the activities on offer, including sailing, zip wire, abseiling, canoeing and kayaking to name a few.  There's even an indoor heated hydrotherapy pool.  The park also holds International Dark Sky status so I am hoping for at least one clear night where we will get to see the stars.

As well as all that, I have been moved to tears twice today.

First of all, tears of civic pride at THIS  and tears of frustration and anger at this vile man.