Still here

Sorry for the lack of updates but I've been stuck in hospital for the past few weeks. The good news is they put in a stent and my swallow has improved enormously. To all intents and purposes I'm now eating normally. There are some foods I have to avoid and I have to be careful when I eat but I'm now eating full meals. In fact, I've even put on some weight after losing in the region of two stone in the space of two months.

Because of the lack of fluid intake I was on the verge of kideny failure and was hooked up to a drip for most of the time. Then just as it looked as if I'd get out last weekend, I developed a temperature and was put on antibiotics. They weren't going to let me out this weekend either but they compromised and said I could go out for a few hours between antibiotic doses i.e. I could go out after lunch but be back by teatime. Then, the results of my blood cultures came back and they reduced my dosage to once a day. I still have to be back this evening but there's no curfew as such.

I feel great and I have my strength back. The second batch of chemotherapy starts on Monday.

The bad news is there seems to be a problem with IOL. The POP server doesn't seem to be responding and I'm getting reports that messages being sent to me are bouncing.

Comments

[Howie Modell]

I'm pleased and relieved to see you're still among us!

-howie

[Giulia]

Hi Dave,
I'm relieved to hear that things are getting a bit better, but nowhere near as much as you must be. Hope it all continues to improve. Heck, you've managed to put on some weight on hospital food?
Don't suppose you know yet whether you'll make it to Eastercon? Either way, best wishes and I look forward to reading the next update.