No. 220. 'Holiday diary Day 3 & 4,'

Day 3

We woke today hoping to go and support the Ian Pratt Solent swim, but sadly the weather meant it wasn't safe for the brave swimmers to swim from the Isle of Wight to the mainland. Although we had timed our holiday so we could at least welcome them on to the mainland, that was nothing compared to the disappointment of all the swimmers and their kayak supporters, plus those who had organised it. We were so upset for them, but their safety was paramount. It is being rescheduled for August so fingers crossed it will go ahead then without any hitches. We weren't sure there would be anyone on the mainland and because it was quite a trek from where we are holidaying, we decided to visit somewhere closer to here instead. It was disappointing and I wished I wasn't quite so scared about going on a ferry with Chris. I am a little scared of deep water which is why I am in awe of those swimmers. I do tend to freak out about anything new. I always left the driving to Chris when he was well. I cope with it by meticulous planning!

It is obvious Chris is getting weaker, transferring him is getting really hard.

After Chris's morning 'cough assist' routine, he nodded off for a bit. When he woke he felt up to trying the NIV, the first time since we have been up here. He managed 15 minutes before choking on mucous. We then decided to go to Buckler's Hard, a small museum village on the Beaulieu River. It was very interesting and it showed the importance of ship building there in the past. When we got back we decided to walk to the nearby shops as Chris suddenly fancied mushroom soup. He hasn't eaten or drunk anything in ages, so we picked a tin up. Walking back we encountered an idiot who had parked their 4x4 on the footpath which meant us having to walk out into a busy main road to get around it, with Chris in his wheelchair of course. 

Later in the evening I sieved a few small spoonfuls of soup from the tin, warmed it up and Chris tried it. He really enjoyed it, it was quite thick which made it easier to swallow. I think he is hoping eating something will help with his mucous problems, we'll see about that. After a few spoonfuls I could tell he was close to choking. His swallow had gotten really tired so he left it at that.

I think we must be spoiled having Sky TV at home, because the digital signal on the tele here is rubbish. It doesn't receive BBC1 or BBC2 without each of them jumping all over the place. At least we can get the necessary 'Archers' for Chris on BBC Radio 4.

We watched 'Partner's in Crime' on my iPad on iplayer which we both enjoyed. I managed to spill coffee on on of the cushions so I quickly rinsed it off. I am such a clutz.

So far we have been lucky in getting the timing of things right. The convene sheaths have been a Godsend, that at least has cut down the amount of times that Chris needs to actually use the loo. We are relieved too that the bathroom is big enough for Chris to get the basin in his electric wheelchair, meaning again, less transferring.

Day 4

Chris didn't sleep very well again last night. They said the drop in O2 levels would make him wake up. We are managing the morning transfer from bed to chair and chair to loo......just, I have visions of him getting stuck!!!!

After all the morning routine was done we set off for The New Forest show. It was only 8 miles away, so even with a bit of queuing it was a piece of cake compare to going to the Royal Cornwall Show.

It was a much smaller show, but they had most things you would expect there. Chris really enjoyed it as he got to see vintage tractors, cattle and show jumping, all the things he loves. He put his riser chair to good use watching the horse show, You can take the boy out of the farm....

We loved seeing all the ponies on the roads and moors on the way back. It will be our last full day here tomorrow, so we are going to get out into the forest. There is a good guide here in the bungalow showing access walks and there is a deer sanctuary where there are accessible ones so I think we will go there. There are free car parks dotted all over the Forest park.

We left about 3.30pm, before the going home rush, Chris needed his PEG flushing and he was getting tired, In fact he fell asleep when we got back, he was quite exhausted and out of breath.

The mucous problems are so persistent that he hasn't been able to use the NIV today again. I hate to watch him struggle like this. The cough assist and suction help, but he can't be on it all day long. He didn't fancy any soup today.

We are looking forward to tomorrow anyway, hope we get to see some horses, even cattle roam free up here too and seeing some deer would be just perfect.