Today

I wish I was on the flight from Heathrow to Melbourne in 5 mins.. I wished I wasn't here.

11th Nov update: Mum is now on the stroke ward at Kings Mill. It is thought she had a mild stroke, leaving her with a speech problem, a bit of confusion and minor weakness on the right side. Mum had a CT scan which didn't show anything but her white blood cell count is high, so there may be an infection (not thought stroke related). They checked the stitch sites from the pace maker op on 2nd Nov. They X-rayed as well due to the pulmonary oedema Mum had before the pace maker was fitted. Jane (my sister) came down to help.

12th Nov update: Timed it just right at the hospital, as the Doctor was doing the rounds, so managed to watch while they asked Mum questions and went through what they had found. Had a good chat with the Doctor afterwards and he feels there's a good chance of recovery as it was such a mild stroke but like anything medical, it is only a best guess from seeing how other patients have faired. The big problem is to get calories in Mum, as she's hardly been eating anything and she needs the energy to help her get better.

Mum's got a great view from her bed:

I had a rather good Chicken stew last week, wasn't enough of it but it was nice.

Best wishes for your mum WT

They did a glass of water sip test and Mum coughed on the third slip so failed. This meant to start with, she was on "No food or drink by mouth" This is common for stroke victims, that they have a problem with their swallowing reflex. Mum may have a nasal tube to the stomach fitted and fed that way.






Mum had one for nearly 2 months after her stroke. It was a nightmare and mum was a massive pain in the ass with constantly pulling it out.

She had reactions to the food supplied and they had to order special stuff in in the end to be able to feed her. She still kept pulling it out so then had to be taught how to swallow properly so they could get her to eat. 

Did they try your mum with the thickened water? mum was on that for a while, it turns water (or anything into paste) Mum could drink her tea with a spoon at one point. it's very good and helps with the swallowing. I am not sure what it's called now though.

I haven't been out caching since the event last Sunday. I did get out for a bit of a non-caching walk today though. Walked into town and spent a couple of hours with other activists outside Bingham House protesting against the intention to erect 2350 houses right next to ours on the west side of Cirencester. Included a silent march through the streets of the town to the Bathurst's mansion where we had a photo taken outside by the Wilts&Glos Standard. Afterwards walked back up to home for a warm up, it was pretty bitter out there this morning.

Anyone getting out caching this weekend?

I'm looking for a cheap house....

Did that little loop round the lake thats relatively new near Lechlade. Nice walk but 1 dnf

Yaeh Wales might be a bit of a commute. The Coln Park Series.