Setbacks

Our hopes that Dad might have had the Heimlich valve and permanent drain fitted today have been dashed. The chest unit Registrar explained that because the fluid Dad is producing in the lining of his lung has changed - it is now thicker and much lighter in colour - they suspect he may have an infection in there. Also, despite having been on suction for over a week, his lung has still not fully re-inflated. So they are now keeping him under observation for a further period to see if his lung has at least stabilised in its partially-inflated state and whether or not he needs another course of antibiotics. They have no idea how much longer he must stay in hospital.

This all means that Dad will definitely not be home for his and Mum's 65th wedding anniversary on Wednesday. He's asked me to bring in a cake and some paper plates when we visit that day in order to celebrate this amazing achievement as best we can by sharing it with the other patients, visitors and staff that are around at the time. I feel desperately sad that this is how Mum and Dad will mark their special anniversary, especially when I think back to the wonderful and moving service 5 years ago when they renewed their vows before a packed congregation and had a little party in the church annexe afterwards with family and friends.

I am about to run out of annual leave for time off from work, and my very understanding manager has already given me as much compassionate leave as he is allowed to. Goodness knows what will happen if Dad's not out of hospital by the end of this week. I have started to talk to my manager about it, and about the possibility of resigning/retiring from work a couple of months earlier than I had planned and had been pacing myself for. A sad and low-key end to my long career at the BBC, and not at all the way I wanted it to happen.

I implore everyone reading this to truly savour and appreciate the good times in your life. In the words of Dad's recently-deceased sister Joyce, one day something happens and then everything is turned upside down.