Moving the right way: Ralph was good... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Moving the right way

Castleview profile image
63 Replies

Ralph was good this morning, not out of bed because he'd already had some work done, they changed the tracheotomy tube for a smaller one. Drs did their rounds and are going to tell SALT to not do the other tube through the nose and shock as they think in a few days it may not be necessary. His secretions are drying up with the 4 injections a day and at 2pm they took him to radiology to get Botox injections in 4 salivary glands. Sandra, his nurse said he was incredibly brave. She thought they'd numb the area first but apparently they can't. Luckily she'd given him paracetamol,30 minutes before. She held his hands and told him to squeeze as hard as he wanted. She said his eyes were watering, but he got through it. She said he'd been reading since he got back, and she'll be giving him more painkillers at 6. She asked did he want her to leave him alone for a while and he nodded. The plan going forward is to probably put an even smaller tracheotomy tube in in a few days, and also in the next few days lower the cuff again and see how he goes and try to get him a speaking button as well. Each time they put a smaller tube in, he can cough up and get rid of secretions as well and as the saying goes, better out than in☺️All his other numbers are good and they're very pleased with his progress. It will be fantastic if he doesn't have to have the shocks, consultant thinks once he's used to smaller tubes and coughing more, and secretions dry up to normal levels, he should be able to manage his swallowing himself. Feeling more optimistic at last.

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Castleview profile image
Castleview
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63 Replies
Cat04 profile image
Cat04

That is a good, positive message to read, well done to Ralph, he did well. Onwards & upwards now and things being more optimistic. Hugs x

Bluehope81 profile image
Bluehope81

A-MA-ZING!

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply to Bluehope81

Hello :-)

Has Craig Revel Horwood sneaked on here :-)

This news though is FAN-TAS-TIC :-) x

JoRuz profile image
JoRuz

That is truly amazing news. Both of you have been so brave and I am praying for you both that Ralph continues to make steady progress. ❤️❤️❤️

Traveldreams profile image
Traveldreams

What fantastic news!!!! Would be lovely not to need much more interfering with!

Purpled profile image
Purpled

fabulous news, he just needed the time for his body to do its job and start healing, I think he was just waiting for summer 😉. Tell him we are waiting for a pic of him in the garden with a cup of tea so we can all see who we been praying for xx

Castleview profile image
Castleview in reply to Purpled

I would love to do that, but not sure we can put photos on here x

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply to Castleview

Hello :-)

You can add pictures to a post but not in private messages :-) x

Purpled profile image
Purpled in reply to Castleview

Well you can always put it as your profile picture will look forward to seeing you with your Ralph again ❤️

Cat04 profile image
Cat04 in reply to Castleview

You can add a photo to a post or to a reply 😊

Thanksnhs profile image
Thanksnhs

Brilliant news, I have been thinking about both of you, char

Catwifie profile image
Catwifie

Wonderful! 🤗

Juke77 profile image
Juke77

Onwards and upwards. So glad things are improving.

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28-

Hello :-)

Been waiting for your update always look for them and I think this has to be the best yet !

Finally there is progress moving in the right direction and we all could not be happier to read this :-)

Small steps he is getting there such a strong man he is :-)

I hope his progress has took a little pressure of you to and you are feeling more content and relaxed :-) x

Pdbd1 profile image
Pdbd1

wow. I’m so glad to read this update. He’s doing so well. And braver than me 😊 please pass on our regards and best wishes. Again, I do hope you are getting a rest as well?

Rhinos67 profile image
Rhinos67

Bless him, he is being so strong and brave, as are you x

Tos92 profile image
Tos92

So very glad to hear that the secretions are clearing up finally! Brilliant update and I hope he keeps improving at this hospital.

Take care.

Tos x

Antoinette48 profile image
Antoinette48

So pleased at your latest news.😀

Maisywhippet profile image
Maisywhippet

Fantastic news…so pleased for you both!!😀

weepip profile image
weepip

Hi Sue Lovely to get a positive update again. Seems that the moving to the new hospital has been a turning point for you both with them having a good plan of action :) Glad they hopefully wont need to do the shock thing it didn't sound like the most pleasant . You and Ralph have done so well to get to here and I hope he continues to make good progress xxx

Seal59 profile image
Seal59

That’s all sounding positive. I’m so relieved for you both. Ralph has been a real fighter and you have been his rock.

Rosie1066 profile image
Rosie1066

So pleased for you both.

Greenthorn profile image
Greenthorn

You both deserve medals but better still you already have each other and in truth no medals or worldly goods can put a value on the love that drives you both on. Thanks so much for sharing the update. ❤️

Plum53 profile image
Plum53

Very positive news so pleased things are moving forward.x

Lynxmygingerb profile image
Lynxmygingerb

what great news to wake up to on a grey wet morning. Hoping Ralph continues to recover without any more setbacks. Hoping you are looking after yourself as well. 😊x

Plastow48 profile image
Plastow48

Wonderful news. Don't forget to look after yourself too. Prayers and hugs.Jenny

andrea_waffle7 profile image
andrea_waffle7

Positive news. 🥰🌸 well done Ralph. X

Buddy00 profile image
Buddy00

really pleased things are moving in the right direction.

Larneybuds profile image
Larneybuds

Ralph has an incredible fighting spirit.....he's marching on....more positive news and good to read xx

Wooodsie profile image
Wooodsie

Thanks Castleview for the very detailed update. It is good to hear progress after progress at last. I'm pleased for you both, it is very good news indeed 😊

Stent2024 profile image
Stent2024

terrific news sue x

Digger0 profile image
Digger0

Brilliant news! Well done Ralph - give him a joint hug from all of us on the forum!xx

Fairenuff profile image
Fairenuff

Well done both of you 💕

BlueGreenPink profile image
BlueGreenPink

positive news. Well done both of you. It sounds like Sandra and the rest of the hospital team are looking after Ralph really well. X

A246 profile image
A246

Thank you for updating us. FANTASTIC news. Sending you both my best wishes. So chuffed for you both my dear. May God continue to watch over you both. Xxx

devonian186 profile image
devonian186

Glad to hear all this. He seems to be doing much better in this hospital than the previous one. Are they more specialist or just more involved and proactive?

Castleview profile image
Castleview in reply to devonian186

The last hospital he was in cardiac intensive care, so they basically dealt with his heart operation, that was successful, except they missed the stroke! Once he was recovered from that I don't think they knew what to do with him except get him out of one of their beds. Our local hospital is much more invested in getting him fit and well. This hospital has it's faults don't get me wrong, but as far as Ralph's care is concerned they are going above and beyond. They always come while I'm there and explain exactly what the plan is to both of us and you can see they genuinely care and they aren't rushing him, in fact sometimes they have to tell him to slow down, 😆

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply to Castleview

Hello :-)

It is strange how we have different experiences

Where Ralph is now is my local Hospital and when I had 3 heart attacks they kept sending me home even though questioned by family why I was having so many in such a short space of time were they sure everything was ok to which they kept saying yes however eventually they did an angiogram and it was all stations go and they cannot operate at the Hospital Ralph is in now so they contacted Sheffield and I soon got a call from them saying you need a triple Bypass and quick

When I spoke to the Surgeon at Sheffield when I was in there they said you could see right from my first heart attack just from the scans that I needed a triple Bypass and yet they kept telling me I was ok in my local Hospital

Sheffield is more though for doing the operations and they are very overloaded as they take so many patients from surrounding areas and yes they need the beds where as where Ralph is now the intensive care there is excellent and they have more time

I also think in the early days Ralph was so poorly it may have been hard for them to detect the stroke there was so much going of where as now things have improved they can see more clearly what has been happening at the local Hospital

I think Sheffield did a good job in doing a successful Bypass and then keeping him going till he was safe enough to be sent to the local Hospital where they are doing a good job having more time to see what has been going wrong and what he needs to get him back on his feet again and home with you where he belongs with you :-)

For me though I am grateful to Sheffield Hospital they saw what the local one was missing

Both Hospitals are good at what they do best though and thank goodness they are :-) x

JeremiahObadiah profile image
JeremiahObadiah

Hip Hip Hooray! 🎉 ( wrong body part gets cheered in this term, I am aware !)

Castleview profile image
Castleview in reply to JeremiahObadiah

😜😂😂

BabsJ profile image
BabsJ

Fantastic news, praying he continues to improve day by day

Gillph profile image
Gillph

Thank goodness progress seems to be steady and sure. Well done to both of you! xx

Valencia48 profile image
Valencia48

Such fantastic news at last. Ralph is so brave and you also. Sending healing thoughts your way

Aqua24 profile image
Aqua24

Thats fantastic news, the only way is forward from now on , well done to Ralph. And I can't wait until the day you are on here telling all of us that you have him home with you where he belongs. 🙂

LSCE profile image
LSCE

Great to hear things are improving. Hopefully onwards and upwards from now.

Cavalierrubie profile image
Cavalierrubie

👍. This is what we have been waiting to hear.

WoodlandLover profile image
WoodlandLover

The mountain path to healing is truly being climbed step by step, but is very steady, and just look how far Ralph has come! Your tireless love and devotion have lit his way. I join everyone else here in being delighted for you both, and wishing him ongoing healing, and you, peace of mind and times of rest and relaxation. Hugs and love XX

gorillaqueen profile image
gorillaqueen

This is really good news and so good to hear. Praying for you both best wishes 😊❤️💙🤗😘

maggie80 profile image
maggie80

Hi, wonderful news. Will you give Ralph a message from me. Tell him he is a very strong minded person also his lovely wife and son. Stay safe.

Handel profile image
Handel

That's brilliant news. Ralph has been through such a lot and so have you. You could write a best seller (and I'd be the first one to buy it 😊). Love and hugs (and looking forward to the next paragraph). Jan xxx

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE

you are both travelling a long hard road but thank goodness things are improving. Thank you for keeping us updated. X

Callie456 profile image
Callie456

So glad to hear this good news ❤️

Murderfan58 profile image
Murderfan58

That's encouraging news about Ralph. And you seem happier in your post. I hope you are looking after yourself it's all to easy to neglect your needs when worrying about the other half of you. Hope Ralph continues to make progress.

Avagra profile image
Avagra

I feel for you both as it’s obviously a very difficult time and some of the treatments although they sound harsh are for the welfare of Ralph.Good luck to both of you

Elsabounre profile image
Elsabounre

Every positive event is a celebration..yes..he is a strong man...and determined to get back home...and he deserves that victory...there were times when the hospital really frustrated me..but in his new place..he seems to be getting better care...I wish you continued strength..and keep the candle in the window..soon Ralph will be there.

cappachina profile image
cappachina

Brilliant news so pleased to hear Its been a long haul for you both keep the updates coming

Dyllibobs profile image
Dyllibobs

Brilliant news! He's a strong man & definitely wants to get home 🥰 xxx

I've been following this for some time. I am busy and rarely get the time to comment, however I am so pleased that the sun is starting to peep through for you.

It's also so pleasing to hear you tell of that particular nurse who seems to combine the best attributes of both the human race and the National Health Service.

Castleview profile image
Castleview in reply to thisoldheartofmine

To be fair they're all amazing, but she is special

niffum32 profile image
niffum32

Hi Sue Excellent news I have a tear in my eyes just reading your post both are so brave I will continue to include you both in my prayers God bless you bothxx

Haggishead profile image
Haggishead

so very pleased for him and you, makes the day brighter with good news .xxxx

Jerrahem profile image
Jerrahem

lovely news 😊

pauljusa profile image
pauljusa

Glad you're feeling a bit brighter.

All the best - Paul

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