The Wonderful World of the Wilshaw Ward

So on the 3rd or 4th of March (can't really remember so much has happened since then!). Kayla moved from the CCU to the Wiltshire ward of the Royal Marsden Hospital.

In one way it was fanny-bloody-tastic to get Kayla out of the Critical Care Unit and back onto a normal ward as it meant her journey towards full recovery was underway. It was also scary as hell in another way, Kayla went from having 1:1 nursing 24/7 to having slightly less than 1:1 nursing!!! It was a shock initially but we knew that the Staff of the Wiltshire ward are just as proffesional, caring and pro-active as the CCU gang. Its just a different kind of nursing.

It was like Kayla was returning home in a way ...........as she had spent 9 days on this ward prior to surgery.

Let me reflect for a while on the early days.............. erm yes Kayla had an epidural in to block the pain....................erm then it fell out! Then she had a second one fitted...... all went well then at about 5:30 on a Friday evening it ..........erm.............developed a leak and had to be replaced. The third one lasted slightly longer before going "Pete Tong" but and this is a big but (but not as big as the Butts on meny US tourists here in London) the fourth! epidural was tough and lasted the course. Mambo No 4 as we lovingly referred to it managed to stay in full working order until the "Pain Management Team" (PMT what an unfortunate acronim!) decided Kayla no longer needed it, as she was not yet well enough to undergo the second part of the surgery.

Days came and went Kayla's RM Groundhog Day started in earnest, with a few ups and downs thrown in for good measure. Surgically everthing was healing fine no infections of wound nor stoma. However, as Kayla had not been eating properly since January and had not been able to eat at all for the last 3 weeks a few wierd things were happening......

1. She weighed 8 stone!

2. Her taste buds were like a babies. Everything tastes overpowering! over-seasoned and horrid!

3. Her Gut had slowed right down due to the pain killers and anti-sickness drugs so that even if she did eat it took forever for her body to process it.

4. Her stomach was still producing acid and bile at the normal rate so every few days Kayla presented the nurses with a bowl of stomach contents!!!!! Mmmmmm what a nice shade of green! Normally about a litre but her personal best was a 1.4 litre explosion!.........a two bowl-er! That little episode has ensured her a place on the British Olympic Puking team for 2012.

So Kayla was weak, pained, emaciated, uncomfortable, nausious and "menopausaly sweaty" ....................yep a normal day at the office for my "Kale".

Her spirits were still up though and she was co-operating where she could with the physio-terrorists. She did draw the line once though, she told em to poke of no way was she fit enough for either the assault couse or high beam.

Thanks to the wonderful "Faher" (School friend of Chris, Cara and Ziggy) Kayla got a surprise on her birthday! Guess what she got? She got her kids!!!!!! Faher arranged for the "guys" to be driven down to London to surprise their "ickle" Mummy on her birthday!

Faher mate that was a wonderful jesture of kindness, compassion and caring. Thanks buddy from all of us it made Kayla's day "BIGGY DA RESPECT" to you and also a big thanks to Nigel and Gary for making it happen.

Kayla walked the length of the ward on Sunday the 12th and escorted the kidz off the premisies. They went back to school happy and Kayla went to bed KNACKERED! but with a smile on her face!

Monday (13th) started off badly Kayla's bloods came back not good and she had a UTI. X-Rays and Ultra-sound scans followed as Kayla deteriorated. Kayla became very poorly she was even refusing visitors.........I even had to ask her mum not to bother coming in as Kayla was just not up to it. It now seems that after a million blood tests, nasal-gastric tubes, drug tweeks, urostomy bags and a blood transfusion she is finally on the up.

Today she felt well enough to eat and took a shower and washed her hair. I assisted purley on a Health and Safety basis and not toshow my male shallowness by getting a sly glance of her boobies!I

The past few weeks on the ward have been hard work for Kayla and me,mentally, physically and emotionally........... we are drained. We feel very lucky though to have been supported by the wonderful staff of Wiltshaw. Ladies and Gents thanks for everything. I almost feel like a member of staff too.

I understand your medical speak and could easily navigate blindfolded around the linnen cupboard and ward kitchen. In fact from now on I wish to be addressed as Nurse Stu!


Ladies as I said before I will not name names as this is the public domain but you know who you are!!!!!! Thanks for the professional care and support you have given to Kayla this past month!

And a bigger thanks to you for not calling security and having me thrown out of the building when I have got under your busy feet during my daily 12 hour visiting sessions!

Also massive respect for putting up with my Mother and Sister-in-law's visits (they are a right pair of Spirigel guzzling-ward wandering wierdos!)

THANX GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!

We are almost there............ I am sure that in your safe hands Kayla will soon be heading home.

Hugs fae Stu XXX