James
Bryant
In early June 2007, my mum fell and broke both hips. Prior to this she had broken her right wrist so to say that she was in the thick of it, is a slight understatement.
Mum was admitted to Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon, England and underwent two hip operations along with a third one on 29 July 2007. Mum is still in hospital (August 2007) and below are some photos.
Mum's wrist in plaster with signatures of family
Three sisters, Pam (left), Mum centre and Rene (right), visit end of June 2007
Tyler and Lewis (Heidi's children) during a visit on 5 August 2007
Taken during my visit on 12 August 2007
...like the sun that breaks through the darkest cloud...
Taken on 26-08-07 during a visit to see mum, she's being presented with a pretend Mc Donalds meal by Lewis!
Mum left hospital on 4 September 2007 and is now in an assessment half way house, called Crown Gardens, near Alconbury, see pictures below.
Me and mum, 15 September 2007, Crown Gardens, Alconbury
(left to right), Lee, mum, Ruth and Hannah, 15 September 2007, Crown Gardens, Alconbury
(left to right), Lee, mum, me and Hannah, 15 September 2007, Crown Gardens, Alconbury
For a short video of mum singing along to her cd player in hospital in July 2007 go to this link - file size is 1.3MB and without Broadband (that's if you only have dial up) it'll take about 3 minutes to load.
For a video of mum reading a poem from her GRACE magazine on 29 September 2007 while at Crown Walk, go to this link
Mum had a fall (3/10/07) while staying at Crown Gardens (transitional care) and she returned to hospital (4 October to 11 October 2007). On Friday, 12 October 2007 mum went by ambulance to a private residential care home in Upwood which is only five minutes drive from Ruth & Gary's home at Warboys. Hopefully, this will be mum's permanent home for the future.
Taken on my visit to see mum on 13 October 2007 at The Manor, Upwood.
I went to see mum on Saturday, 13 October (see pic). We had a nice cup of tea and played four games of dominoes. Mum is happy. She has her own room and is being looked after by staff. There is a big window that looks out onto the world and mum told me that she imagines that in the distant view there is the sea!
The Manor House, Upwood
I went to see mum on Sunday, 21 October 2007 and she beat me at Dominoes. In the above picture, mum's room is on the left elevation, first floor. This link will take you to the website of the care home.
Mum had a bad fall on 3 November 2007 and was admitted to hospital with a fractured left hip. She had an operation on 7 November 2007 and is recovering in Hinchingbrooke hospital. The following song (God Only Knows) is dedicated to my mum and should be playing in the back ground:
GOD ONLY KNOWS (Beach Boys)
I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I'll make you so sure about it
God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on, believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would livin' do me
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on, believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would livin' do me
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on, believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would livin' do me
God only knows what I'd be without you... (fade)
Mum left hospital on 10 December 2007 and moved back into the Manor Home. I went to she her on Saturday, 15th December 2007, see picture below.
Tyler (l) with Mum and Heidi (r) wearing Doctor Who masks taken at the Manor Home on 15/1/207