The good news is that the antibiotics seem to be reducing the infection (as measured by various things in dad’s blood) and the flow through the catheter seems more healthy (colour and volume. You weren’t eating your tea were you?). Also the blood pressure and pulse rate seems to be much more stable, so the objective of removing all the canulas and the arterial line, and moving him out of intensive care, or even to a hospital up north, seems to be within reach.

The bad news is that breathing is still desperately uncomfortable, as well as the wretched collar that he has to wear for the next few weeks, and dad is feeling quite poorly. So, though I have read everyone’s comments and good wishes to him, we have avoided making him talk too much, and will wait a couple of days before dictating any replies.