Larry's Progress

arvsco · Regular Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 24

Happy anniversary to you both.
love
Andrew & Rania

cheryl spires · Regular Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 14

Happy Anniversary, Jennifer & Larry!!! Very Happy

Love,
Cheryl & Richard

kteare · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:23 pm Post subject: Happy Anniversary from Palo Alto

Jen, Larry

I just spoke to Ivan, he told me all the news and pointed me here. I wanted to send love on your anniversary from me and Gené.

You are both in our thoughts and wishes.

Keith

Jenny King · Regular Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 27 Location: London

Friday 21st 10pm

Hi folks

Today we have made good progress (130 marching steps – we’re almost at John Lewis), change from the Cpap to some sort of loose face mask that sits over the trech. pipe (I’m not sure what they call this).

This evening they decided to take out the A line from his neck and replace this with 2 x small lines in his left arm. Unfortunately, since chemo, it’s been really difficult to get a good vein from Larry’s arms and it took 6 stabs to get the first one fitted. I left as a second house-doctor embarked on a round of ‘voodoo-stabbing’ to fit the other line – Larry was well pissed-off (pleased he’s well enough to be ‘narked’!!!) as if he doesnot have enough other things to deal with.

The ITU is baking – the air-con just is not up to the heat we’ve been experiencing, so much of my recent visits are spent as official fanner and brow wiper.

I have high hopes for a cheery and eventful weekend. Will keep you all posted. XX

The kings of Bath · New User Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 9

Happy anniversary! Jenny and Larry. Looking forward to many more!
tons of love and stuff.
T&R xxx
_________________
Terri and Russell xx

mattygroves · Regular Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 17

Happy anniversary - and here's hoping the good news just keeps flowing!

Hope to see you soon!

Cheers,
Kate

Jenny King · Regular Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 27 Location: London

Saturday 22nd 9pm

Hello everybody

Larry started the day tired – having had a fitful night – it has been so hot in London and as I’ve said before, even the ITU air con system is struggling.

I arrived as one of the weekend phyisos was earning beer-money (I am whole unimpressed by all but one of the physios (Sam) the rest strike me as lazy and disinterested). Given that I am prepared to do the work with gusto, I really can’t be bothered to complain – but I feel sorry for others who might be more dependent on their half-hearted efforts.

Sergio (I will tell you more about him in my weekly review) rocked in after a week off, full of beans. He was sporting a closely sheared scalp and immediately offered to give Larry a look-alike hair do. (In the 33 days in ITU he has become decidedly tufty – you know the mad-professor-look that so suits his personality – but hardly gives him serious credibility). 30 minutes later surgeon-come-barber and patient were both smiling with the cooling results.

I left at 2pm when they were about to get Larry back into bed and give him a few units of blood – he’s a little anaemic – they take blood from him all through the day and this coupled with his minimal exercise/food/etc leaves him low – a few units would no doubt give him a boost.

Back at 4.30 – and noted that all but one of the IV drugs had been stopped - he was already a bit more chipper and soon wanted to get out of bed again (the ugly ballet ensued). Foot, hand and back massages made the afternoon pass quickly before Mr Hanna turned up at 7pm - full of the joys of summer and 3 women in his life. He chatted to Sergio and then came to report his plans for the coming days.

All 24/7 drugs to cease as of today. Urine catheter out tomorrow, bile drain alternative (or removed altogether) to be sorted Monday/Tuesday, the bucket that’s attached to chest drain to be replaced Tuesday or Wednesday (on order), Treachy/ventilator gubbins out Wed/Thurs, dietician to sort revised feed-line regime (nights only) to give Larry total freedom during the day. Assurances that this time nest week he will be upstairs on his own room – shower, loo, windows that open, space, room-service, bliss! Smiles from Larry.

Larry is worried about his weight. Weighed today for the first time - same as he checked-in but this is all fluid – I suspect that he’s lost the 25lbs he gained pre surgery – I can tell this from just massaging him and the fact that his wrist band is now an elbow band! It’s going to take time and be a huge challenge – but one that is so easy to measure – so over the next 6-12 months we’ll work like crazy to achieve more miracles.

Left Larry at 8pm in the gentle and capable hands of nurse Enrico (sporting the same hair-cut – must take in camera for this spectacular Kodak moment. Doctor (Trinidad and Tobago) Patient (Hungarian/Polish decedent) Nurse (Philippines) The Three Stooges had nothing on this comic trio.

Still pondering some way to celebrate anniversary (immediate and preferred thoughts - illegal, immoral, clinically dangerous or publicly offensive).

Another day going forward (small step man huge step Larry!).

Lastly, Parkers of DC – such fab extravagance – he can’t have such gifts – I shall enjoy them and have found them a cool spot to ensure lasting prettiness. ((Might sneak in a single rose (probably between teeth – flamenco performance) tomorrow)).

Love to all, smiles from Larry, big thanks for all your kind wishes/prays/hopes/positivity/good karma.
XX

juliette · New User Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 9

Jen and Larry,
Happy anniversary, and many many more. Love from Olympia, WA where I am visiting my grandchild.
_________________
JULIETTE

MartinFreedman · New User Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 7

Hi Jenny and Larry

Have a happy anniversary but dont worry about what you can and cant do for this one, there will be many more!!

Wishing you lots of love

Martin

Dudley · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:37 pm Post subject: Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to you both - you will have many more now to celebrate!!!!

Just to let you know, My Larry & I's anniversary is next week. Seems like we have some things in common. He just sold his car and got a nice price for it, so now there is no reason for him to postpone his surgery. By the way, did I tell you that they plan to remove his esophagas through a laproscope procedure? He is scheduled for 8/3/6. I'm not certain how this will work, and hopefully it will. The next several weeks are going to be rough ones and he is not looking forward to this, but will be glad when it's over and hopefully cancer free. Yipee!!!! Well, keep up the good results and I'll bet you are looking forward to just seeing your Larry without all of those tubes and drains, etc. Take very good care.
Hugs, kisses and prayers,
Dudley

Dudley · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:37 pm Post subject: Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to you both - you will have many more now to celebrate!!!!

Just to let you know, My Larry & I's anniversary is next week. Seems like we have some things in common. He just sold his car and got a nice price for it, so now there is no reason for him to postpone his surgery. By the way, did I tell you that they plan to remove his esophagas through a laproscope procedure? He is scheduled for 8/3/6. I'm not certain how this will work, and hopefully it will. The next several weeks are going to be rough ones and he is not looking forward to this, but will be glad when it's over and hopefully cancer free. Yipee!!!! Well, keep up the good results and I'll bet you are looking forward to just seeing your Larry without all of those tubes and drains, etc. Take very good care.
Hugs, kisses and prayers,
Dudley

annieg · Regular Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 48 Location: London

Dear Jenny and Larry

I thought of you both today, on the anniversary. 17 years is a long time, and I remembered the day, lovely and warm, with Larry in his boater, and you Jenny, in the largest hat I had ever seen someone actually wearing! I hope you have had a good and happy day. Our annversary tomorrow, must be a popular time of year! You can always save the real celebration for a week or 2.

Much love
Annie

Jenny King · Regular Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 27 Location: London

Sunday 23rd July 9pm

Well that was the day that was! It started with me arriving at the ITU at 10am to see Larry’s bed stripped and empty (umm). “Where is Larry” – I’m told they have taken him down for a CT scan (this was not scheduled – it’s Sunday morning!!!). I wander off to reception and flick through the papers for ½ an hour. Returning to ITU I see Mr H. Another bad sign on a Sunday morning. He’s not smiling!

Yesterday late afternoon the volume and colour of fluid coming from the chest drain changed. George is clearly concerned – ergo CT scan (with his preferred radiologist) chest x-rays, lots of mumbling, pondering and hushed telephone calls. Larry well hacked off - another lousy nights sleep and now all the medical mumbo-jumbo! JK also not happy – not how I had envisaged the day kicking off.

Anyway, CT scan allays Mr H’s fears (explained to me in full detail). And his back-up plan for possible but unlikely catastrophe (how comforting I think!). All things still on schedule (no set-backs) but the mood/romance has been crushed.

Power cut effects all of Harley St area and the emergency generators kick in. Larry very tired and I get asked to leave at noon in the hope he will get some sleep.

2pm, I can’t get through to the main switchboard and eventually text Mr H to get Sergio to call me. Sergio tells me Larry walked (I feel like a mother that missed her kids fist steps – why wasn’t I there?) I get back to the hospital – he’s asleep again, I loiter and eventually head home for some food. A friend rings to say they have popped by and chatted with Larry for 5 mins. I meet up with her for a coffee and grumble about our lives in limbo (not like me really). Head back to ITU – He’s asleep again.

Okay mate, it’s our anniversary and so far you’ve spent the day sleeping or gouching! At 7pm he wakes (thunderous mood). Hot, bothered, tired, and truly fed-up with the world (since all the drugs were stopped he has been salivating excessively and he cannot swallow – so forever dribbling or spitting (again a real romance shaker). I remind him of how 17 years ago at about the same time we were so drunk that all we could do was dribble and pass-out – first smile of the day.

He hates the nights now – especially if he can’t sleep (they will knock him out tonight if necessary). He failed to raise his usual smile for the shift change and everyone is aware of how fed-up he is (all very understanding and sympathetic. You know how irritating it can be when people tell you to cheer up and you just want to be gouchy? I hope they don’t get too close – Larry has been known to bite!

However, clinically he is doing good and medics are pleased with progress (Let’s hope Mr H’s back-up plan is just excessive caution). I am sure with a good night’s sleep and the removal or more ‘hardware’ tomorrow he will be more chipper. As will I.

Thanks for all the kind wishes re our anniversary – I am taking Annies advice and have decided to have another one next week (a sort or ‘take-two’ process).

I’ll keep you posted of all news. Ta ta for now. xx

Jenny King · Regular Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 27 Location: London

Week in review

There are so many things to cover – I shall try to keep it short (ish)

As we shuffle into week 6 in ITU (manic cackle from distant corridor of stately home – Jane Eyre shivers) life has been truly surreal for the past 34 days. I have repeatedly starred into the eyes of things that should never be confronted face-to-face (or at worst only once). This is behind us both. F you (must try hard) are my only parting remarks.

I am recruiting ‘happy/chatty’ visitors for the coming week – please send PM or email directly if you fancy a 15 min slot and can get to Harley Street between 10am-2pm or 4pm-8pm. Do not just turn-up you are likely to find it difficult to get in and screw up other peoples arrangements.

Sergio (30, from Trinidad and Tobago) – truly deserves mention. He is currently studying for a PHD (focused on oesophageal cancer) under the guidance of Mr H. He has been a ‘meerkat’ of great fortitude. Usually doing a 13 hour shift and sometimes 24 hours of on-site watch. For the past 5 weeks he has taken the responsibility of Larry’s minute by minute welfare as his primary concern. We have all grown and achieved together. In the years to come, Sergio has all the attributes and opportunities to become a great Mr. He will hone his skills and expand his knowledge, making Mr H and the rest of us proud. For patients yet diagnosed, he will be a sought after specialist with an honest and humble approach (he has a great Jedi Knight as his master).

Weeks of terror have been replaced by days of ‘slowly getting-better’ frustration. This week has seen real achievements, clinically, emotionally and spiritually. Larry and I have much to do over the coming few days and we will not let each other down. The bell is about to go for the final round of this fight - and we are aiming for a knock-out, just to prove a point - to make it known that HE is a true champion, and worth of every penny of the ‘purse’.

On this topic, I have written a model (he hates my maths) in recognition of our anniversary as he is not yet able to crunch numbers that confuse/impress the Vulture Club. So for friends that can see the future here is my analysis.

[color=darkblue]Premise 22 years (17 years married) breathe rate of 23 per minute with increased activity for youth, sex and truly daft proposals (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_rate ). At a rate of £1.00 per breadth with a multiple of XX (below average bull-shitters up-side), I estimate the market cap of ‘Larry Inc’, at 10.23 billion (£).

Please note anyone wishing to purchase Larry's breaths - this is based on the current economy rate of £1380 per hour - excluding hyperventilation to analyse really inane proposals – can do so with formal NDA’s and electronic payment methods. Team breaths can be negotiated at a subsidised rate given collective calmness… All spreadsheets available on request. [/color]

I am hoping that I will not write another weekly review with Larry still in ITU – this time next week I want us to be languishing on the fourth floor miles away from the bowels of the building with its technology and excessive attention.

Thanks to all those that have cheered Larry this week with visits and those that have cheered me with messages and calls. Round twelve, seconds out. Ding ding.

Jenny King · Regular Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 27 Location: London

Monday 24th July 9am

Larry is in much better shape this morning, he has had a good night sleep and the benefits are obvious. The urine catheter is out; the volume of oxygen he’s receiving is down, he looks comfortable and cheery. Breathing and baby-step walking are order of the day – so I shall check in on him at about 11am and see how he’s doing. The next big goal is to get the pipe out of his throat. After which he is nearer his own room on the 4th floor.

Keep you posted. XX

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