Yearly Archives: 2013

Out and about

Events 
Today:
A stroll by the Thames this morning with Major John, Jenni, Bob and Di . Xxxxxxx




From yesterday:

Bob and I spent our very first day in the London Bridge hospital with Russ, Dani,Lily and Amber yesterday. It was so good to see him again. He was lying quite flat because that was the most comfortable position for him. He looked thinner but was in good spirits . 

Dani and the girls left for Portugal at 5.00 am so we were looking forward to having lots of time with Russell today although we knew that Russ would be missing them. We arrived at Russ's room to discover, to our great delight, that Russ had been outside, looking at the Thames in a wheelchair. What a momentous occasion. We were over the moon and so was Russ. We were absolutely determined to be there with him the next time so that we could turn it into a photo shoot.

Bob and I wandered across London Bridge whilst Russ had a rest and some lunch. On our return 
Russ was enjoying an intensive one hour physiotherapy session . We waited in the small waiting room hoping that we might be allowed back into Russ's room but we didn't see Russ until almost 6.00 . As we were walking past the lift we met a couple looking for Russ,s room. it was Rob , Russ's other half when Russ and he had won the Yukon 1000 (mile) race in 2009 against incredible opposition. It was the first time that this global  kayak race had been staged and these two had won it.  
Russ was so pleased to see him and we were so pleased to meet Rob whom we had heard so much about and his charming wife. The four of us were delighted to see, when we entered Russ's  room , that Russ was sitting upright in his wheelchair for the second time that day. Absolutely brilliant.

Russ had his full quota of visitors today as we knew he would. Terry from the Hogarth club, Pat, Blair from Specsavers, Julia and her daughter on their way to the cinema and, of course, Rob and Kerry .

We left Russell looking better than yesterday so it's onward and upwards. Well done Russ, you are a star. We are hoping to see you in your wheelchair for a photo shoot tomorrow.

Events


Russ – our Techno Man! 🙂

Kate and I visited Russ on Tuesday – our first time seeing him since the accident in France. Prior to that, our last memory of ‘Russ the Muss’ was snapping him in his (worrying) pink undies and ski boots. Dani kindly posted that pic earlier on in this amazing blog.

So, we turned up at London Bridge Hospital. Having read the blog and chatted with Dani, I imagined a queue of friends around the block waiting to see Russ (a bit like what we’d see outside an Apple Store when a new iPhone is released!). We were relieved to find we didn’t have to crash a queue, instead went straight up to the 3rd floor where Russ is in the ICU. Smiling faces, generous staff, what a great place LBH is. Russ was having some bandages changed and then his lunch arrived. So after a 15-minute wait, we were ushered in to see the great man himself. (Apparently over the weekend, the waiting room was so full of Russ’s friends and fans that it was overflowing. I don’t think the staff at LBH have ever seen a more popular patient!)

What an amazing room Russ is in. We stayed with him for just over an hour, chatting & checking out his high-tech environment – reminded me a bit of one of my old recording studios, but without the bed ;). I asked Russ if he’d been able to look around and see how much gear was attending to him. He quietly mentioned that he hadn’t be able to take a look yet – what a doofus I felt – and so I took a pic behind the bed and here it is for all to see. Some kit Russ!

Hospital Techo Heaven

Kate sat next to him for most of our visit, Russ talking softly, his eyes accompanying his soft tones. We talked of family, kids – friends. You know what Russ? Without wishing to sound sentimental, seeing you and how you’re coping and getting through this is both incredibly humbling and empowering for us. The way that you’re taking all this in your stride. You have our total respect.

Russ & Kate
Russ was finding it hard to hold up his iPad for long periods – I have the same problem – and so he now has our HoverBar to take the strain. Definitely in the driver’s seat:

pic courtesy of Dani


And so Russ, simply great to see you after all this time and to meet your friend from Cardiff Uni, Charlie P, who turned up later on during our visit.

All our love and keep up your amazing recovery. We’ll see you soon.

Andy & Kate xxx




My peeps.

Events

Blimey, I’ve had a lot of visitors.
My parents, Gerry, Blair, Pat, Terry, Julie Enders and Georgia,  Adam and Chris ( dressed up as doctors… What if there’d been an emergency, the mind shudders ..) Rob and Kerry, Pia all in the last 2 days.
It’s like Xmas too, as people bring gifts and sweets 🙂

I’ve had Old Lady exercise bands tied to the bed by the physics so I can get some shoulders and arms back. They could double as catapults in the wrong hands..

Better sleep.

Events

I sort of slept for 9 hours last night.
They took out the valve that lets me speak and hey presto, it let me sleep better. Less resist instance to the air I think. I didn’t need any mucous lung suction all night too, and that’s a first.
Chest def better went into a chair twice yday. Went to the river path for a look too   Normally I only see that bit of the river at the end of the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race- I can’t walk unaided then either….!
Gerry was with me at the tr, and I had lots. Of otherates come too. Thanks to you all, espec Pia, who comes every day.

Messages from lovely peeps

Events

From Sian James:

So pleased that Russ is back,enjoying seeing his friends. I am pleased that Danielle is managing to get a holiday with the girls.

The blog is such an amazing tool for those who care but who may not be close enough to Russ and the family to feel  that they can visit. I know so many people who check daily to get an update on his development . Russ is such a character and has the constitution of several oxen , it just helps to will him on.


Aunty Wendy and John:




Hello Sweet-pee,
Fantastic news and pictures!!!! 
An excellent result, brought tears to my eyes, such a difference to when I was with him in Toulon.


Still trying to decide when to come!
When you next see Russell tell him I love him x


Take care my friend
Aunty Wendy and John x x






 Jade Rodham:


Hey gorgeous,


How you doing? I just wanted to send you a little message to send you a big fat cuddle and kiss which I will deliver in person soon, Telstar is coming up to visit today but I cant as im full of cold and chesty cough so obvs dont want to be bringing my germs to see you……….BUT I will be up soon I promise. Ill get all the mushy stuff out the way first, I know you probably hear it every day but I can’t stop thinking about you ( not in that way you dirty bastard) but just what you have been through and how far you have come. I wish you all the best Russ, you are amazingly strong both inside and out and I know you are going to come through this. It is a long road and im sure that there will be up’s and downs along the way but you have sooooo many people around you who love and admire you that are going to be there as and when you need them.


Anyway enough of that stuff cause you know how we all feel about you and I dont want to delay your departure any further due to your massive head that wont fit through the door!


I know you like to see some piccies so I have dug out a few for you to take a look at!- see attached! ( some of you, some of your lovely wife & her bottom, some silly ones of chris and adam just to make you laugh!)


I also had a little look for something that I thought you might like to read, I know you are recieving lots of physio input these days so I found a paper that kind of explains some of the stuff they are doing with you, you probably already know it knowing you, you have quizzed the physio’s whilst visualising kicking them in the tits!! Ill send it in a separate email, let me know if you cant view it and ill print it off and bring with me.


Right I wont bore you any more, I will see you soon


Lots and lots of love


Jade
xxx
























	

	
	


							

							

							


	

		
				

			Who dear?…Me Dear?…How very dare you!
		

		
		

			Events					

	


		

		
C/O The lovely Debbie:








Visited Russ this morning, was brilliant to see him smiling and awake. We had a nice catch up and I helped him with his strawberry milkshake which went down a treat. We had a bit of a laugh at some old photos on my phone, I will be posting some on the blog soon Russ watch that space...
Was fab to see you Russ will be back when we return from Portugal loads of love Debs xxxx







Russ in his 'unsure of my sexuality' moment in Portugal