All posts by Russ

Drugs….

Events
Message from Roy Merrit:
I went to St. Anne’s Hospital this morning and was greeted by a nurse who told me that Russ would be sedated all of today and tomorrow so had a quiet morning.
After a peaceful lunch in Toulon old town I returned to the hospital and met Diana, Russ’s mum, and together we met his doctor to discuss his status and how his repatriation might work. Russ’s dad Bob then joined us and we went to his ward to be amazed on finding Russ completely awake and quite lucid.  He was able to communicate through speech for the most part though frustrated that this wasn’t easy, and if necessary was able to write down his questions/commands. We discussed his accident and I showed him some pictures but he has no recollection of the day itself but he does remember people and events from before then. He is evidently ‘with it’ though this brings it’s own challenges as he is finding the bed very uncomfortable and is dissatisfied with what he can do to get the nursing staff to address his various concerns. So this was really encouraging as the real Russ is clearly back, but an intro to the coming period as he tries to adjust to his new environment and situation. 
Larry and Sarah were also there so along with Bob and Diana Russ will not be short of support in the coming days.  The main problem that the doctors explained was that he has pneumonia in his lungs and this must be overcome before any substantial physical progress can be made. But he is now on an anti-biotic course for this and hopefully the next few days will show an improvement in this area. 
Drugs
Thanks to Roy for the above. 
Russ has been on very strong pain killers since the outset; it is highly likely amongst this cocktail of drugs Morphine has been given too.  Morphine is a derivative of Heroin/Opium and the patient will usually experience some ‘come down’ when he is weened off the pain killer.  Some of the symptoms might be itchiness,  restlessness, irritability, loss of appetite, body aches, severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, tremors.  I imagine that the French nurses will not be able to convey to Russ that if he is experiencing these feelings that it is part and parcel of the withdrawal.  In addition it is quite common for patients coming out of sedation to experience frequent nightmares.  Russ may have had some nightmares and I suspect this might have explained his fascination with the cabinet at the end of his bed as he came round from his long induced coma a couple of weeks ago.  It may be a good idea for visitors to help Russ to understand that he might be experiencing these symptoms because of the drugs and to explain that they are all quite common and  that he will get through this stage once he is ‘weened off the drugs’. xxxx

July 22nd – lots of visitors!

Events

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


	

	
	


							


	

		
				

			The Lions – Roy
		

		
		

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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.




I’ll  be back tomorrow to hopefully see Russ when he’s awake. Thanks to  John’s efforts I have some Lions videos to treat him to!  If that  doesn’t get him shouting then nothing will.


	

	
	


							


	

		
				

			From Bob and Dianne Dawkins xxx
		

		
		

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Dear All,




Bob and I are flying down to Marseilles on    Tuesday, the earliest flight available to us, so that we can be with    Russell until the weekend when Dani will return from the UK. We feel that it    is very important that a member of his immediate family is with    him whilst he remains in ICU. 


 


Russell’s  terrible injuries followed by a    cardiac arrest during surgery left us shocked  and desperate. In the    beginning, we didn’t know whether he would make it. . Russell has survived    and  his survival is due to the highest standard of nursing care from a    totally dedicated staff. We cannot thank them enough..  In    addition, Russell,s  family are overwhelmed  by the number of    friends who have  taken the time to visit him. Their love and concern has    filled us with gratitude.  As his mother and father we want to thank    each and everyone of you from the bottom of our hearts. Your love for    Russell  has meant everything to Russ and to    us .


 


We cannot wait to be with Russell    again.


 


Thank you to everyone who has been there for     him.   


 




Dianne and Bob 


	

	
	


							


	

		
				

			Sunday 21st July ….a little extra from Dani.
		

		
		

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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




	

	
	


							


	

		
				

			Chris and Caroline Bennfors
		

		
		

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Chris and Caroline arrived in Toulon today, this is Chris’s message:




To aid Russ’ recovery from the recent lung  infection, he is spending time intermittently between lying on his back  and on his front. We  have been to see Russ twice today, the first time being greeted by his  front and the return visit by his backside. Very charming! It’s  obviously been frustrating for everyone to see Russell make good  progress and then receive this knock to his recovery. But that as we  understand is the way of a serious injury. 





During  our mid-afternoon visit Russ lay there peacefully listening to Caroline  and myself reminisce in the hope that he can hear us, and take in the  memories as a some sort of recovery pill. Caroline is convinced that the  odd well chosen raised eye brow, movement of the arm and mumbling shows  he’s tuned in! Russ remained totally impassive when we mentioned the  Ashes victory, and Westwood losing out to Mickleson in the Open, but  were convinced there was twitch of the eye brows when we mentioned  Froomes win. 





Very glad we could be here, and fill in the gap between other visitors. 





Love from us both 





Chris & Caroline


	

	
	


							


	

		
				

			Sparko
		

		
		

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Hi all,


Just had a lovely chat with Danibelle.  Dad (Dr Al) and Wendy arrived yesterday shortly followed by Lisa and Andrew.  They went to visit Russ yesterday and disappointingly for them all Russ was sedated due to the procedure that Dani described yesterday.


This morning they arrived to find poor Russ face down on a massage style bed (with a hole for his face).  They have kept him sedated for the duration of today as having him lying face down is the quickest way to clear his chest and drain the mucus.


The nurse on duty today was new and didn’t have the same command of the English language as her colleagues have shown previously but it is assumed by some crude translations that Russ will be under further sedation for the rest of today and with his previous track record for waking after sedation we can probably assume that he won’t be awake tomorrow either.  This is  probably the best thing for him as it will be very disorientating for him to come around face down.


Russ’s scar from his initial surgery on his back (bone realignment) is healing well although he does have a large haemotoma above the wound.  This is not giving any cause for concern though.


On a positive note, my dad has checked in to the most glamorous hotel in Toulon (this will come as no surprise to those of you that know my dad!) and has whisked everyone off there for supper and a late afternoon swim!


Dani, Amber, Dad, Wendy, Lisa and Andrew are all flying home tomorrow so Russ will be on his own for 24 hours for the first time since his arrival…. 🙁 
…..Thankfully Roy will be there late Monday pm…hopefully he will be awake by then.


Oh and Russ ….still nothing to report ….bloody Kate hasn’t had the baby yet…  🙂  Loads of love  Margo xxxxx




	

	
	


							


	

		
				

			The Perils of ITU
		

		
		

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Dani:


Slight panic when we arrived at the hospital and were told we  couldn’t see Russ for an hour (without any explanation) especially as  when we were allowed entry to his room, he was zonko with a rather  alarming number of new medicine lines going into him.


Finally  tracked a nurse down who explained that they’d done a routine treatment  on him that morning to clear his lungs and were going to keep him  sedated for the remainder of the day. As well as mucus build up, lab  reports showed that he has another lung infection so he is also back on  the antibiotics
(lung infections are part and parcel of being in Intensive Care).


Mum  went home today which was a sad moment. She’s been here for the long  5-week journey we’ve had so far and has provided untold love and support  throughout. Thank you, Ma. We miss you already!


We  also said good bye to James, Bev and Croyde. And said hello to Lisa,  Andrew, Dad and Wendy who all arrived this afternoon. Also, to Nick and  Roohi who popped over for a flying visit but couldn’t see Russ cos of him  being sedated so had to make do with me instead :-s


Russ should be awake tomorrow so looking forward to having livelier times to report….


Lorra love xxxx


Me:


Oh Russ, I have just remembered…I meant to keep you up to date with current affairs….sorry, failed miserably! Not much has happened….Kate hasn’t had her baby yet…that’s about it ;s


xxxx


	

	
	


							


	

		
				

			Re-‘Animation’ Ward
		

		
		

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Lissie


As you can see from this  and the last photo, there’s a party going on down in Room 7 of the  “Reanimation” ward at St Anne’s Hospital. 


Where Russ goes, the party follows…….


Lol xxxx




 Nick and James sporting the “Specsavers” brand while Russ doing the “sporting look”






Russ tackling James albeit he’s on life support system :-s


	

	
	


							


	

		
				

			Funny boy
		

		
		

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From Danibelle:


Russ was his most liveliest today. Starting to be fed some proper  food so still at the experimental stage but managed to down some  hospital “goo” plus some finely chopped cherries care of yours truly 🙂


Also  managed to make us laugh over several funny jokes today – and the guy  can’t even speak!!! Very funny catheter joke with James. Not to be  revealed in polite society! 


So, a good  day all in all. Various additional lovely peeps arriving tomorrow,  Thursday and Friday so Russ Boy not gonna be short of company. On the  other hand, my liver might be crying out for help by the end of the  weekend……


Nigh night from Toulon xxxx 




Piccy of Amber and Croyde entertaining me, mum, Trudy, Jack, Bev  and James – and a troupe of locals – with the movie they made while we  were dining post-hospital visit this evening.


And a heart melting message from my mum:


Dear all
This will be my penultimate bulletin. I am going home on Friday by train. I shall really miss Dani, Russ, Amber  and Lily (when she was here). I feel very privileged to have met Dani and Russ' lovely friends and to be able to get to know them better. It will be strange to leave the "bubble" here in Toulon but hope to return to a more familiar " bubble" on Friday.
Russ has been amazing today. Although I haven't been privy to everything that has happened, I found him very alert and felt I could understand quite a bit of what he was trying to say.


Dani tells me that he has had two meals today, I believe fish and a fruit meal. Consequently, he no longer has the feeding tube in his nose. Yet another milestone!
He has had several visitors today. An old friend, Trudy, drove with her son Jack from Lyon where she was staying with friends. I think Russ was very happy to see her. Later in the day, his friend, James Cracknell and beautiful wife Beverley went to see him. I gather he was communicating with James with various recognisable gestures. Obviously, he retains a good sense of humour!
It appears each day is a milestone at present. 
I feel that during my time here with Danielle we have witnessed something of a miracle. Well done to Russ, you are amazing! Also Russ, when you read all this in the future, you will realise how totally, mind blowingly fantastic your wife and daughters have been. Brave, strong and generous hearted to a fault.
My dear love to you all
Jenni xxxx