As Russ is starting to become a little more compis mentis over the next few days/weeks I thought it might be a good idea to start to record some other important events that have taken place in the last few days and the coming weeks.  Russ has basically been out of touch with the outside world now for over 3 weeks so hopefully he may find this useful to piece things together!  (Russ – I know you will laugh at this as I am the least current affairs orientated person in the family!…Perhaps I should just stick to the gossip or at worst the latest music?) 😀

Today has been a fantastically sunny day here in the UK and the whole country is working itself into a frenzy about tomorrow’s Wimbledon final with Murray v Djokovic.  Also very importantly in rugby Lions won the series in the final against Australia today.  Fingers crossed it will be a great day for British sport! 

Now for the followers;

News from my mum:

Dear all
Am writing this in the afternoon as Russ has been very alert this morning. The nurse told us that he had a good night and was better. He was trying to write things down for us but it was very difficult because of the position he is in. Stuart has been brilliant and so sensitive to Russ. We have devised a series of topics and also questions that Russ is asking. So far it has been successful. We understood he is missing Amber, wanting a drink and that his mouth and lips felt dry. This communication is good for Russ and much less frustrating.
He looks great and smiles quite a lot too.
All of us here feel very happy and privileged to be in his company. He is proving to be a real tough fighter.
More tomorrow
With love
Jenni x

Wonderful new, keep it going Russ! x

Until tomorrow…. xxxx

Some really good news that came in late last night:

Dear all
It's very late but here we go! What a great afternoon we have had. Russ has been very, very alert. Emma and Debbie spent some time with him and he was trying to say something and eventually he flapped his arms and they realised he was asking when they were flying home. He has been focusing on everyone and obviously been intently listening to conversations  with nurses etc. He has been squeezing hands very hard, winking at Debbie when she spoke French. He is also, quite obviously, going to be a complete nightmare for the nursing staff as he is busy removing the clip on his thumb and the pads on his chest and looking bloody cheeky about it too!
In all he is being a complete monkey today!!
Tonight, his brother Stuart arrived and his wife Mandy. Also his Auntie Wendy came. They all arrived quite late so he is in for a real invasion tomorrow. He may be sleepy in the morning as he is apt to be. But who knows! Today has been quite fabulous.
Well done Russ darling, you are a star!
Dearest love as always
Jenni xxxx

The Welsh contingency is now in Toulon roaring Russell on.  Aunty Wendy, Stuart and Mandy, together with Bob and Di have been keeping Russ company today.

Dear All
It has been a busy day with Russ very alert this afternoon. He was sleepy this morning and tired which perhaps we expected as he had such an eventful day yesterday. This afternoon he had the TV on and seemed to watch a little tennis. Bob and Stuart told him the team for the lions tomorrow and he seemed very interested. So another positive day.
More news tomorrow.
Dear Love to you al
Jenni x

Dani has returned to London with Amber today to collect Lily,  She will be in London for 3 nights and then Amber, Dani and Lilster will return to Toulon.  Meanwhile Bob and Di, Russ's brother Stuart, my mum and Dan and Russ's friends Emma and Debbie remain.

Hi to you all
Not a great deal to report. Russ is having a quiet day. He had another x'ray this morning which I guess was for his chest. I haven't actually seen him but I believe he has opened his eyes a little and lifted an arm.
Apparently, two days ago when Dani told Russ that Emma and Debbie were coming he mouthed 'when'! 
Dani has gone back to London with Amber. It will be so good for her to have a break. She continues to be just so courageous and is still thinking how she can make others' lives comfortable. I am in awe. She will be able to see Lily at last and bring her to Toulon on Sunday.
It is still late afternoon here and I shall return to the hospital shortly. I'll write again late this evening if there is any noticeable change. If you don't hear again today,things will be remaining calm and stable.
With love as always
Jenni x

and then a little later....

PS
Have just had a text from Bob at the hospital saying " Most animated Russ has been. Smiled, squeezed both our hands, massive improvement , definitely going places".
Thought you'd all love to receive this!
Xxxxx

Hi all, so sorry for the late update….. Maman Jenni has been a little delayed with her email!

Good evening
Russ has had a sleepy day today. The nurse told us that because he had a chest infection he was very tired, so a quieter day today, quieter than yesterday. He woke up a couple of times. Chrissie left today and Emma and Debbie arrived and he opened his eyes when they were with him.
So not more to tell. Will write again tomorrow.
Love to you all.
Jenni x

Message from Jenni:

Dear all
Am writing this in the afternoon having seen Russ this morning. Russ was very wide awake today and was trying to talk. I felt very sad that we couldn't understand what he was saying but we tried to reassure him that there is no rush and that in time he will be able to talk to us. I felt he was a little frustrated. However, saying that, he was very smiley and it was so lovely to see his face light up and his eyes look sparkly.The nurses were saying that he is more tired in the morning than the evening and I have to agree that that seems to be the case.
I noticed whilst I was holding his hand that both his hands seem to have lost their puffiness and are back to their slender selves.
It did seem like another tiny step in the right direction and we are hoping that eventually with these tiny steps he will complete his marathon.
With love as always
Jenni x 

and a little bit more:

Dear all
Here we go. Russ had a quiet day and appeared tired although we did have some smiles and attempts at talking. Dani went in to say goodnight and met up with Daniel, the nurse who has been looking after Russ a great deal. He was very informative and able to answer many questions posed by Danielle.
It appears he still has a lung infection and they are introducing a new antibiotic. It will take a few days to kick in and then he should become less reliant on the ventilator. When he comes off the ventilator he will then be given pure oxygen and when that happens they can remove some components of the tracheotomy which will enable him to be able to talk in time.
Apparently the Doctor did an electrical activity test. It showed that when Russ was conscious he had full cognitive function but he lapses into unconsciousness. Dani was told that this could be the way that Russ' energy was channelled to mend his injuries OR, sometimes the effect of receiving muscle blocks. If the latter, one can test for this and reverse the condition.
So another tiny step again today. Along with the smiles and attempt to communicate it has been a rewarding day.
Goodnight to you all and love
Jenni x


And a little bit more from Melissa;


Russ's hemoglobin levels are very low which probably explains most of the above lapsing into unconsciousness.  The difficulty in talking is caused by the 'relearning' of how to speak whilst the trachotomy is in place.  As we talk we use the air we are breathing in and out to make sounds as it passes over our vocal chords.  With the tracheotmoy the air is not passing over the vocal chords but soon Russ will find a way to change how he directs his air and he will learn to speak with the tracheotomy.  This is obviously only a temporary step.


xxxx
	

Some Messages for Russ:

Sonia Marquardt

Hi,

Can't wait to see you in those fetching sequenced pink shorts, St Tropez tan and a glass of Prosecco swaying in your hand. Warm kisses from Eaves....xxxx 

Esmond Kensington

Russ and Dani, we're thinking of you and willing you on. Much love from Es and Jac, and a special hug from Natasha and Max to Amber and Lilly.
Blair Hunter

Hi there

I have been reading your blog daily as I am sure many people have. I am not a close friend of Russ's but know him through Speccy's and from skiing. I was so shocked to hear of his accident. It seems inconceivable that someone known for being so full of life and vitality should be in that situation. My thoughts are with you and all his close family and friends who are having to deal with this terrible situation. Please do let Russ know I was asking for him once he is in a position to know what is happening around him.

My very best wishes to you all

Blair Hunter


Mac

Hey
 Russ! I've been following your incredible progress on Melissa's blog. 
Im am certain  all your messages of support allude to your undoubted 
superhuman physical and mental strength, so i wont blow smoke up your 
arse. You are however a total one off, and as the machines confirm, you 
are officially the first ever Welshman to have full cognitive brain 
function !

You and Danni are never out of my thoughts (sounds a bit gay if I don't include Danni in that bit). 


I know it's going to be your greatest challenge and a long and testing 
journey back (that's Toulon Ryanair for you, particularly if you travel 
with excess baggage..... or as you say-"Danni") but with your physical 
and mental fortitude and your lovely Danni and family by your side you 
will once again excel . 


Stay strong , 


Mac




David Ainsworth-Lay




Hi Russ, I was really shocked to hear that you were not very well, my thoughts are with you and those around you at this time. You have got to fight this through and win, I know you can, I need you as my second in command for Hearcare  Get well and be back soon. David Ainsworth-Lay



Rebecca Leach


Melissa, thank-you so much for this blog, we have been 
following it every day and it is good to hear of the progress Russ is 
making step by step. 





Russ
 and Dani you have been uppermost in our thoughts every single day and 
we are sending all of our positive thoughts to you - willing on Russ's 
recovery.  You are showing amazing strength.





With much love Rebecca and Rob Leach xx(and a special hug to Lily and Amber from Daisy xx)






Sally Torkington






Hi Russ




I am thinking of you all the time.  It’s just another marathon in your 
life which you are going to win as you have so much strength.  Too much 
for me to keep up with on the skiing holidays but I always had just 
enough  strength to keep up with you in the bar!




All I can think of is laughing with you every time we meet and my lasting 
vision of you in fancy dress as Rose West!  Spinning me above your head 
at my 40th is also an hilarious memory – I actually wasn’t scared at all!




We are all routing for you here and I can’t wait to see you very soon.




L Sally xxxx







Nicholas wilson




“Russ, great to witness, albeit from afar, that you are making such 
progress.  With hindsight and knowing the man I guess it was never in 
doubt that you would fight your way back. From the latest photos on the 
blog you still look fitter
 and slimmer than your big brother.  And that’s even after lying in bed 
for weeks eating the very best in French cuisine, albeit in liquid 
form.  Keep up the good work and very best wishes from here to you, 
Dani, your girls and, frankly, everyone who has been
 helping to nurse you back to good health. Nick.”

Today Russ had a tracheotomy fitted.  This device will act like the ventilator and force air into his lungs as his lungs are not quite up to coping on their own.  It means that he doesn’t have to have a ventilator anymore so his lovely face is relieved of at least one huge pipe/tube!  Dani can at last kiss his lips!
Russ was sedated for the minor op and considering he has been slow to wake in general since the accident it was assumed he may continue to be sleepy for a couple of days following further sedation.  Not so!  It seems Russ has tried his best today to make facial expressions and he is trying to make some sounds too.  The doctors say that he will have to relearn how to make sounds whilst he has the trachy fitted but this is completely normal.

Bob, Di, Dani and Amber had a very cathartic day today as between visits they headed for a beach that Russ and his brothers, Alwyn and Stuart spent alot of time at during the summer holidays as young boys.  I gather everyone had a wonderful day and it was a much needed respite.

I gather some of you are having problems writing comments on the blog.  If you can’t add your comments, please email me at: melissa.leach@iagoft.com and I will post them for you.

When you do eventually wake up Russ you will see how many people have been thinking about you.

This blog has been up for about 5 days but already we have 3000+ views!

whoops I meant 4000+!!!

Until tomorrow! x