From Danibelle x:

Now that Russ is able to eat “normal” food, I arrived at the hospital with a bag of the local grocer’s finest fruit. This was clearly heavenly after 6 weeks on the “goo diet”.

Better still, the hospital catering tray then arrived incorporating a glass of red wine. Only in France! Anyway, Russ clearly hasn’t lost his discerning wine tastes as he had a sip of it and said it was crap! Luckily, help was on it’s way as a very old friend, Sian, arrived with a bottle of Châteauneuf-Du-Pape and a very nice Rose wine, both altogether more to Russ’s liking. So, a few sips of wine later, he was a very happy boy. Russ hadn’t seen Sian for 18 years so there was lots of reminiscing of old times and lots of catching up to be done. By the time lunchtime visiting hours came to an end, the poor guy was exhausted!

Later in the afternoon, Dan and Sas arrived with their gorgeous two boys and baby girl. The day before Dan had climbed the Dome de Miage in Chamonix (a 14 hour climb) which sounded like a gruelling slog (certainly his feet weren’t looking very pretty after the climb). That is one athletic endeavour that won’t be going on my “To Do” list….

So, evening visitors for Russ were me, Dan and Saskia. This is Dan’s 6th visit to see Russ in hospital here in Toulon. An almost “wifely” dedication, I would say (sorry, Dan, if that makes you sound a bit gay….:-s ).

Dxxxx

Danibelle;

I literally was Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible  when I arrived at London City Airport this morning; I was armed with a coterie of  iPads, iPods, iPhones (all generations – as am too much of a techno moron to know what is now obsolete and what is still current so thought I’d just grab the lot), a kindle,  a “pay as you go ” mobile handset and a travel-DVD player. Basically, every communication/entertainment device known to mankind. All because “Monsieur” is keen to get his hands on his gadgetry (not intended to be a euphemism for anything rude by the way…..).

Bearing in mind the last time I saw Russ (6 days ago), he was face-down in an induced coma, it was truly brilliant to see him awake and sitting upright. He seems to have mastered the feat of very successfully communicating by “mouthing words” (with pen & paper back-up when needed) and so we chatted endlessly for 4 hours. He outwitted me a couple of times during the evening (yeah, I know, not hard….) so any earlier concerns regarding potential brain damage have completely subsided.

We had a chat with the very charming  (middle-age woman speak for “tasty” :-s ) Dr Bordes and he is still currently of the view that Russ should be OK to be repatriated by air ambulance either Wednesday or Thursday this coming week. He will go straight into intensive Care at London Bridge Hospital to continue treatment of his respiratory issues which still require him to remain on the ventilator. I was assured that these issues are improving albeit slowly. 

The only issue of immediate concern is Russ’s hair. He is currently sporting a “70’s porn-style” look. Not his finest look…..

Love Danielle xxxx 

Am update July 26th 

Message From Sarah Frankum from hers and Larry’s visit earlier in the week;

This morning we found Russ very much calmer than yesterday. We explained that he was experiencing some drug withdrawal symptoms which he understood and accepted. Russell was wearing a pad around his chest which vibrates for a short period of time six times a day. The vibrations move the mucus around in his lungs which frees it allowing it to be sucked out. This is not a very pleasant procedure for Russell but is preferable to physiotherapy which he finds very painful. Further update this pm

Bob and I shared the afternoon and evening visiting time with Sarah and Larry. Russell was quite subdued. We massaged his shoulders and neck which seemed to make him more comfortable. Russ had a further session with the thoracic vibrator to bring up the mucus so that he could breathe more easily. This exhausted him but he rallied around before we left him. The nurses have told us that his pneumonia is responding to the course of antibiotics which is excellent news. We are hoping that he will feel much better tomorrow. 

Message from Jayne Creamer:

Hi Russ,
From reading the blog it sounds like you are showing some 
true 'Russ form' in being annoyed and annoying - such a relief for us to
 read ;) I can't believe that there is no mention of the biggest news - 
no not the Lions caning the Wallabies - but the birth of the Little 
Prince! who isn't a ginger - so you lost that bet - thanks, Ad and I 
look forward to the beers you now owe us. Current debate is the name - 
we have $2.50 on 'Kanye'.
As has been mentioned, Froome did win the 
tour and in emphatic style - supported by an awesome team including the 
fabulous Aussie package of Richie Porte. Felt sorry for poor Mark 
Cavendish who seemed to be served a rough deal due to the fact that he's
 only managed to win 15 stages this season not the 18 he did last 
season.... what a slacker.  
There's some big cricket comp going on 
too - the Ashes - I believe it's named. Can' tell you much about it as 
they don't talk about it over here. 
Lots of love big boy, Ads and Jayne xxxx

From Chris and Carloine Bennfors

Following his sedation over the last three days for the chest infection, Russ had  what I can best describe as a frustrating day waking up. 

He is looking swollen from having spent time lying on his face, and has a couple of sores (from pressure points) on each cheek bone, which looks like he has done a few rounds with Mike Tyson.
He has also been quite agitated, which the nurses explained can be a side-effect of the medication. At one stage he made it clear he wasn't happy with his lot, indicating with his hand as a pistol he wanted to do away with the nurses! It would have been quite funny if it wasn't for the fact that Russ followed it up by indicating he wants to go home. I say 'indicate' as, due to the tracheotomy, he is still not able to use his voice properly, so has to mouth what he wants, which isn't always clear. What was clear was his request for Lily and Amber when he woke from his sedation, and the desire to speak to Dani, which we arranged as a 3-way conversation: Dani speaking, Russ mouthing and me interpreting for Dani.   We're sad to be leaving you, Russ, but can see you are in good hands, with the medics and all the friends and family visiting. Keep up the fight and see you at home in London soon.   Much love from us both C&C 

From Rubena Kerr and family

Hi Melissa 

We saw Russ yest and we were so glad to have had the opportunity. Could you please update the blog with this message.

Me
 , my daughter Sarah, Judy and her son Kieran set off on a weeks med 
cruise from Barcelona on Sunday. By sheer chance our first port of call 
was Toulon!!! We were so pleased to be able to go to the hospital to 
visit Russ. We had been informed by Dani that he was sedated and had 
been lying face down due to his chest infection, but was due to come 
round in the afternoon. 
When we arrived at the hospital
 a nurse allowed us in a little earlier as he was awake and we had 
around 90 mins to be back on the ship( or else we would have been hitch 
hiking to meet the ship at Nice today!!!)
As expected, 
he was still a bit woozy however he did know we were there, as he did 
write my name on his little whiteboard . That would have totally 
confused him to see us there!!!!
His face was swollen 
and sore looking as Dani had explained to us. And yes we will agree that
 he is def not his usual handsome self!!! However they will heal quickly
 hopefully!
He was mouthing to us and we realised he was
 thirsty. We had bought water for him and gave him a tiny sip. A 
horrified nurse came in and gave us a telling off and gave us a swab to 
pour it on so we gave him a tiny bit more! 
Although he 
was obviously uncomfortable his fighting spirit shone through as he was 
still able to boss the nurses about and communicate what he wanted!
He was pointing to his abdomen and indicating pain so the nurses told us that he needed to have some Physio. 
At that point we left feeling very grateful to have been able to see Russ, hold his hand, and just to have been there for him. 
On our way out, we met Caroline and Chris who hadn't been able to see him awake. 
Subsequently we have heard from Dani who has told us that he has been sedated for a  further 2 days!!!!

( we are hoping that wasn't due to the after effects of our visit!!!!!! )

We have all been devastated by Russ's  accident. We have been reading the 
blog daily and it's been amazing to keep up with his daily progress. 
Thanks so much for setting this up. We are so pleased to have the 
opportunity to add to it. 

Russ is an amazing person with an amazing family and so many suppotive friends thatthink the world of him!

With everyone's support and his own fighting spirit we are sure he will come through this horrific ordeal. 

We are hoping to visit next month again with his Glasgow friends, inc 
Dave, Alan M,&co! Everybody is sending all their love and best 
wishes!!!

Lots of love

Beana, Sarah, Judy and Kieran


P.S Dave, Shirleyanne, Sue and all Scottish buddies who know Russ send their love and best wishes.
Xxxx
	

Toulon – got here at 10pm so a quick post for you… Roy 

Late arrival in Toulon tonight but managed to blag my way in to see Russ briefly. He was sleeping peacefully, and I was very pleased to see that he looks a lot better than my last visit – healthy skin colour and fewer tubes etc. The nurse told me that he was awake until 7pm but was then exhausted and fell asleep.

Sleepy times….

A difficult few days as Russ is in his 3rd day of an induced coma (designed to assist his lung recovery and improve his respiratory functions). Really not nice to see him in a coma, face down – and then when he is “turned” back on his back, huge facial swelling and welts from being prone face-down for 12 hours or so. All the more difficult given how lively he was last Thursday.

However, what I’ve learned throughout this whole tortuous process is that whenever there is a step or two forward, it is generally followed by a step back. And, indeed, we were told to expect this from the doctors right from the start. Still harrowing nevertheless.

Anyway, am now back in lovely W4 and it is truly lovely to be home and to be reunited with Lily who’s just returned from her sailing holiday in Italy. The girls are doing a drama course this week (obviously in a quest for Hollywood stardom some day….!) and it’s also Lily’s birthday Friday so should be some chilled nice Chiswick days ahead. Then back to Toulon at the weekend to hopefully see some Bionic-Russ improvements 🙂

Russ’s lovely parents and lots of fab friends will be there while I’m away so am relying on them for regular blog updates.

On a more cheery note, below are pictures of our classy dinner on the French Riviera last night (at my dad’s hotel in Bandol, just outside Toulon). Great dinner with dad, Wendy, Lisa and Andrew and Amber and I. As you can see, Amber was introduced to her first few sips of champagne. I know, very bad mother…..:-s

Love Dani xxxx

P.S Re. Russ’s face-down comatose state, have just realised that about 67% of those reading the blog will have actually witnessed Russ in this state on numerous occasions before (as have I over the 29 years we’ve been together). Pretty normal way for the party boy to end an evening…..:-s