Another day in hospital, I know, I know quite a boring start. I am settled in Level 9, and for my visitors I understand that it is a warren and a bit of a nightmare to find me.
Last night, I became more acquainted with old ladies bowels than I ever thought I would, and had lots of interruptions and it was all a bit of a nightmare leading to 3/4 hours sleep. Bright lights and injections in the gluteus maximus tend to wake a girl up.
At 2.30am I was hooked up to a specially devised cocktail of nutrients to feed me via my blood stream. So you could say I am being fed! This is the only ward apart from ICU that does it and where I need to be.
Today I was playing the small sleep deprived child in pain and I am sure a nightmare to deal with. I find it hard to accept the fact that I have to be in pain in order to request pain medication. So rather than have, for example at home, when you are ill paracetamol interspersed with ibuprofen and being not in pain, here you get the paracetamol and then have to request morphine, in pain, and if you don’t request you wake up in pain.
My other problem is that over the past few days I have been increasing my exercise, (we are talking 10 minute walks) each day. But today I could go from bed to chair (which gave me back ache) and no walk unless I had a staff member with me. They could not spare any time to change my sheets or a wash at all, nor take me for a walk. The important things were done like I have had all dressings changed and drugs given and all expertly. By one o’clock I was crying with frustration at being in bed, and so I was planning an escape and then found I was thwarted by not being able to stretch to unplug. When I was freed I did a lap of the area and looked out to a glorious sparkling view of the sea and blue skies, I was told it was a really cold day. It was glorious and it immediately made me feel better, I am so used to being active I take it for granted. I will be doing the great escape regularly as I felt a new woman when I came back ready to face the day with a happy attitude.
I have had a few visitors, Vicky, Rosie, Alison, Rowena and Helen. Thank you for my gifts and company. Last but not least my ever loving husband.
The address for anybody coming is Royal Sussex County Hospital, Millenium building, Level 9a West, Bay 7 bed 4. Please text and let me know when.
Fiona Hutchinson’s cancer updates 
You are doing so well Fiona,just keeping sane!!I really did empathise with the tablet/pain situation-in the end I learnt to ask for it when it was offered!!(even considered smuggling my own paracetamol in but suppose Morphine a bit trickier)
A little walk every day will help and so is getting dressed if you can.Hope you enjoy your weekend visitors..each day you will feel a bit better we hope.Have you tried doing jigsaws online they kept me busy as well as codewords!!!
Anyway just thought I’d send a message.
Sue B
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Keep on escaping! And you’re doing a brilliant job keeping your sense of humour against the odds! Xxx
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