The Mrs Ramrod Update Thread

[eddyramrod]

My son-in-law in Inverness* has just sent me a pdf of some NHS info about encephalitis. Most interesting. It talks about two to three months recovery time, and maybe the same for convalescence. So, at least now I have some kind of timescale to work into. I do know these things can only ever be a rough guide, of course, as everyone's body behaves differently, but it's good to have a ballpark.

 

*Who works in the main hospital there...

[The Moog]

Sounds like she is improving which is fab news.

 

Is this the disease that is an inflammation of the brain membrane? I remember going on a scout camp to Austria about 20 years ago and we all had to have shots for it because is was potentially spread by ticks ... although my memory is a bit ropey

[scooters]

all prayers and goodwill from Scooters Towers to your family Eddy. That is rough luck, at least they caught it in time. Sounds like she is in good hands and making progress. If there is anything we can do, drop a line.

 

all the best

Rich

[fordpoplier]

Eddy,

 

Sorry to hear this, I also rarely ready the grumpy thread. My Father in Law suffered from encephalitis about four months ago. We also thought it was a stroke at the time - we were at a family gathering when it happened and he just stopped talking, sat there and was confused and generally unresponsive. By the time we got him to a doctor he didn't recognize his immediate family and was admitted to hospital right away. The next week or so he really didn't appear to recognize any of us, could hardly speak (even 'yes' or 'no' was a struggle) and he was clearly agitated. Another week and he started to string a few worlds together and I think he spent a total of about three weeks in hospital. He is still not allowed to drive and he still has short term memory problems but he is very close to his old self after four months. I know this won't be much help to you as every case will be different but the early days are the hardest.

 

All the best

 

Ian

[KruJoe]

...encephalitis...

Have they settled on a diagnosis now? It does help moving forwards once you're sure what you're dealing with.

Of course, as everyone has said, best wishes to the both of you.

[eddyramrod]

Thanks guys, all your support is very encouraging. Fordpoplier, yes, all that sounds very much like my wife's symptoms. She's now been in hospital a bit over a week, in fact tomorrow (Thursday) will mark a week in ICU.

 

So, update: well she's been able to talk to me a little since yesterday. Today they've taken the oxygen mask off her. She's able to make sentences, though sometimes you can see it's a bit of an effort, and the sentence may only make sense if you know what hallucination she's having. But at least we can have a conversation now, of a sort. As I was about to leave from today's first session, a nurse came in with a bottle of milkshake. Mrs R was able to hold the bottle and drink using a straw. But wait, there's better! When I returned for second visit, a nurse came in with a bowl of thick soup, and I was able to feed her. She finished it too! Very pleased with today's progress, as you can imagine!

[Timewaster]

Excellent progress

Long may it continue. Tons of thoughts from the Tops.

[andrew e]

Good news Eddy! Is she still on for the bungee jump at the end of the month?

[eddyramrod]

They don't make bungee rope strong enough...

[KruJoe]

That's superb news Eddy, you must be over the moon! Thanks for telling us

[eddyramrod]

Well here we are at Friday already. Mrs R is off the oxygen now, and can eat if I feed her. Today she was also able to grip a bottle of water and drink from it, which is progress. She's conversing, but seems to have gaps in her memory and still seems to be hallucinating too. Keeps asking if I'm going to see my girlfriend. There is, of course, no such person. I spoke to a doctor who thinks I might be able to take her home sometime next week! Marvellous!

[warren t claim]

Great news!

 

I hope that your problems aren't forcing the sale of your car collection?

[eddyramrod]

Sadly, yes, Warren. Not just the current crop of problems; the cashflow situation has been with us for a few months now (or, all my life ) but the prospect of medical bills is a bit Sword-of-Damocles. Although neither of us wants to, I can see the possibility of returning to GB. Where I would definitely be driving shite: the cheapest old bins I can lay my mitts on. As always, really. (Nothing German and no Sierras...)

[warren t claim]

Sadly, yes, Warren. Not just the current crop of problems; the cashflow situation has been with us for a few months now (or, all my life ) but the prospect of medical bills is a bit Sword-of-Damocles. Although neither of us wants to, I can see the possibility of returning to GB. Where I would definitely be driving shite: the cheapest old bins I can lay my mitts on. As always, really. (Nothing German and no Sierras...)

 

That's a nightmare scenario! If you end up back in the UK I'm sure all us NW shiters will help you as much as we can.

[Albert Ross]

Just to put you off returning, I have a German built White Sierra Sapphire you can use for a while..... it needs recommisioning.... You keep your chin up mate, you're both doing brilliantly, I will think of you next time I buy a raisin and biscuit Yorkie.

[eddyramrod]

AS will be among the first to know! Although we own a house in Barrow, it's rented out, so I could see us renting elsewhere, like maybe near Cardiff where her sister lives, or Inverness (daughter). Wherever, I'd certainly be posting an appeal... At the moment the plan is, stay here, but you have to have some kind of backup in place I suppose, however tenuous it might be.

 

Albert: thanks!

[Albert Ross]

Stafford and Doncaster are cheap for buying houses..... (Not that it should sway you in any way)

[eddyramrod]

Can't afford to buy. If we didn't chuck out our tenants the only option would be rental. TBH that would suit, as the Barrow house has no land, it's a mid-terrace. If you have old cars you do need land...

[warren t claim]

If you don't mind re-sitting your medical I can give you an in at some places to get you some rigid work.

[Albert Ross]

I know of a solid '30s built (I think) 3 bed Semi with double length garage and parking for three cars on the front, close to Donny town centre... £95k. What's the rental/mortgage ratios like at that money and relative specifications? A mate lives next door, he works for B and Q, in the distribution warehouse... he could probably even find you work.

[eddyramrod]

Wow.

 

I mean seriously fellas.... thank you. Excuse me while I have a "moment" here...

[warren t claim]

If you end up back in the UK can you bring a RWD Escort back as a souvenir?

[eddyramrod]

Escort????? What am I, made of money??? There might be room in the container for an A40...

[Albert Ross]

Might? I reckon a couple of pairs of sturdy wooden ramps would see a Mk1 Granny in there too. Furniture stashed underneath, if it doesn't fit, fuck it off.... cars are more important than sofas and China dogs for fuck's sake.

[warren t claim]

Might? I reckon a couple of pairs of sturdy wooden ramps would see a Mk1 Granny in there too. Furniture stashed underneath, if it doesn't fit, fuck it off.... cars are more important than sofas and China dogs for fuck's sake.

 

Listen to this man, he talks sense.

 

I'll get you a couple of Ebay plates and vin tags. You'll be loaded!

[Guest]

Might? I reckon a couple of pairs of sturdy wooden ramps would see a Mk1 Granny in there too. Furniture stashed underneath, if it doesn't fit, fuck it off.... cars are more important than sofas and China dogs for fuck's sake.

 

Listen to this man, he talks sense.

 

I'll get you a couple of Ebay plates and vin tags. You'll be loaded!

 

And you can fill the boot with Yorkie bars.

[Futuramic]

I'm no good at emotional type stuff - possessing a stiff upper lip - or offering kind words of reassurance. There's absolutely nothing I can do practically to help.

 

But.

 

I sincerely hope that she does get better and recovers fully. It does happen and we are lucky in that medicine is better now than ever. So carry on and I'm sure it will work out. We can always muddle through if nothign else.

[eddyramrod]

I'm no good at emotional type stuff - possessing a stiff upper lip

 

Only have to look at your avatar to know that! Seriously, thanks though; to Futuramic (being the most recent posting), to all who've contributed to the repatriation plan (strictly for emergency use only) and in general for all the good wishes. (I think I've said thanks at least once on every page now...)

 

She is improving, slowly, she can talk and eat now (you think Brit hospital food is bad???????) and wants to come home. However she is still weak and somewhat confused, so I don't think they will let her out just yet.

[Minimad5]

Not being an avid Autoshiter recently, i have totally failed to even see such traumatic events.

 

Eddy i send my best wishes to both yourself and your lady.

All the very best

And if there is anything we can help you with, don't hesitate in asking

[eddyramrod]

Thanks MM5, and don't worry, I'm sure you've missed out on a load more important stuff too... (cue ashmicro, huge trauma from a different direction).

 

My head is a bit battered at the moment (well for the last three or four weeks really) so I'm swinging back and forth on the repatriation plan. One minute I'm staying here, it'll all come out right in the end; next minute I want nothing more than to cling to the NHS for whatever time Mrs R has left. Events may dictate moving into the house we at least own outright in Barrow, so over the next few months, if anything suitably shitey appears in the far north west, please feel free to draw my attention to it. I might need it! Large automatic RWD estate cars are top of the list, as long as they weren't built in Germany.

 

On the other hand, Mrs R is only 56, so we might get a Mobility Picasso....