Friday 12th. September

Well, if we thought yesterday was confusing then today was, at times, in a whole new league....and it all started off so civilised.

I went off to meetings early...leaving Bex to run Jill to the hospital for her check up...having said that, I did leave Jill with strict instructions that she HAD to tell NM about her pain issues, and that they HAD to take out some fluid. After a false start when the hospital called to say that NM wasn't on duty until 12, Bex took Jill in. I went to second meeting (close to the hospital) and waited to hear what was happening...then I had a message to say they were going to do x rays and bloods (last done only on Tuesday)...I left my meeting immediately and arrived on Pipon ward in time for the action. The x rays had showed that there was not any issues with any organs and that (yet again) the problem was just fluid. Given the issues we had with the drain, it was decided that they would use a needle and hope that the smaller "hole" would heal up much quicker. Anyway, this time Jill was quite adamant that I had to be present....so off we went.

I mentioned yesterday that Jill looked 5 months pregnant so it was apt that the machine NM used initially was an ultrasound.....he had a really good look around (I described it to Jill as a bit like using a radar in the fog when you're out on your boat....not sure that she appreciated the nautical reference) but anyway, there's no doubt that (although I wasn't watching the screen) that N could see some issues that needed resolving...mainly around the kidney area I think.....it was also clear why Jill was struggling with all her normal functions, including breathing. The best area to enter was identified, and we proceeded. A little "scratch" while the needle for the local anaesthetic was administered and then in with the bigger needle....pipes connected...and syringes connected as well...and off we went drawing off the fluid. I'll skip the detail from here on....but after at least half an hour of filling and emptying the syringe we were done.....2 litres taken....and Jill feeling MUCH better...and looking better.

A very small phial of "operating superglue" was brought up from theatre.... the needle might "catch" when I pull it out said N....( does every thing they warn you about have to end in "atch"... scratch, catch etc...) ..so out it came, superglue on...all good. back to the ward and we're cooking with gas. Then the real confusion started.

While the "procedure" happening there was also discussions going on about us at the Marsden...    
our reader will remember that although we're in Jersey we are strictly still "under" the Marsden. As I described yesterday, the advice from both sides hasn't been exactly consistent... and they (the Marsden) were still saying this morning that wanted us to start chemo next week...not quite what you want to hear when you're in so much pain that you can't even sit in a chair for 2 minutes...let alone sit in a chair for 2 hours while they give you chemo drugs. The confusion has to be resolved.....so the long and the short of it is that the Marsden want to see Jill next week....Monday to be precise.... and that came as a bit of a shock....to put it mildly.

The thought of a repeat of our less than marvellous return trip back here 10 days ago was not one I was happy about...if Jill has to travel she has to be fitter, and if she's fitter then why would we want to go back to London? But, the decision had been taken....and then we had a bit of luck. It appears that there is an air ambulance taking someone over Monday morning... and there is a space for both of us (even though I may have to sit next to the pilot...the thought of me piloting the plane is enough to make anyone ill!)....so the plan is this...fly out Monday morning to Biggin Hill and get a hospital transfer to the Marsden. The experts over here are very happy with that...Jill gets looked after on the trip over, and gets to hospital pretty quickly. The tricky bit will be trying to guess how long we will be there....I'm sure it won't be a day return....for no other reason other than we won't have any means of transport at very short notice...and the air ambulance will be gone. In any case, I have a suspicion that we won't be coming back until they are happy that Jill is in a fit state to have chemo.....and if they have to operate to slow the flow of the troublesome fluid, we could be another 10 days.....and that's NOT something we want to contemplate.

So, there you are.....the other thing to mention is that the reason that Jill is still in hospital this evening is that they have given her some new and different drugs....some controlled....and they really want to monitor her. I know that she was very keen to come home, especially as it is Tim's last night, but I persuaded her that she really needs to do what the experts want, and that there will be plenty of other opportunities for visits in the future. We'll also have to cancel Jill's involvement in Sunday lunch with brother Pete when he returns on the boat from France on Sunday morning before his flight back to the UK at 6....again, we can see Pete and Donnas in London next week if we need to.

I think that's about it...some rearranging of diaries to be done...and two days to wait...but it seems like we'll be blogging from London again next week...wish i could say that I can't wait, but it wouldn't be entirely truthful. Once again, the funny stories have all slipped my mind, but fear not, Jill and I did share a few laughs today despite finding out that yet another trip to the metropolis beckons soon.

More tomorrow.... when hopefully we will have her ladyship back in da House.