Monday and Tuesday-

I've never been quick, but I have just worked out that one pill means uninterrupted nights sleep. No pill means a 0130 cup of tea, facebook and blog entry. If i'd been at university I probably would have used this time to write my thesis (big word but with 3 girls at uni, you pick these things up!).

Pills are being dumped next week. What would I do without my middle of the night life. Life is too short. Even my girls know my middle of the night routine. Louise bought me a beautiful Cath Kidston notebook to record all of my ramblings in, which I in turn leave for Melissa to type up and add punctuation too. Technology and punctuation, not my strong point.

Electric blanket pumped up because it was mighty cold at 1am. I know that the young ones are just starting to party, but us oldies need those blankets. Facebooked checked. Jude Grants pictures are like snow paradise. Abby and Lynne's photos always make me smile, and Jonathan or perhaps Santa brought a pony for the Tidswell family. So much fun had by so many in this winter wonderland.

New year is looming. Christmas presents nearly put away so I think it is time the snow went away! Enough is enough. I am tired of it now. All the oohing and ahhing. Santa's sleigh had been and in a few days time we will all be back to work. Misery of snow traffic jams and delayed flights are too much to comprehend. No, I insist snow goes and we are all safe on the roads once more.

My little mini can be seen heading West even in the biggest of snow drifts, but it makes life so much easier when there is no snow to contend with!

West means Colin. West means the braehead shopping centre. Yes, the dreaded place that I have over time slowly begun to like. Its easy. I'm in the west and minutes from Colin. It has shops and SALES and well, shops mean happiness.

Colin is good, no infections, chest clear, trachi out but he is BORED. Oh boy is he bored. The last week has dragged, as in all businesses, everything stops for Santa. So physio is sparse, people are evacuated home, the lucky ones. His normal, did I really say normal, routine is changes, punctuated only by meals and visits.

Tuesday

Today his physio will return. a most welcome diversion. But then as quickly as it will start it will stop again as the New Years holiday appears. And this is the West. So a very, very important time. But then we are into January and work starts in earnest.

Colin's sore is still not 100%. We cannot push this last part. If too soon, the skin will breakdown and we are back to square one. So frustrating, but Colin is accepting it with his usual good nature. New Years, new beginnings. The two Eddies are being moved round to Phillipshill. I will miss the young Eddies banter, and Colin will miss his nonsense and and youthful chat. But hopefully he will not be far behind them. The tilt table will resume with the return of the physio and as soon as we get an ok from the wound, we will be heading to rehab!

The occupational therapist came to visit the house. A sign that things are progressing, a sign Colin is nearer to coming home. Things will have to be changed, alterations made, new fixtures but everything can be "Farrow and Ball"-ed and everything can be "Cath Kidston"-ed but most of all it means my Colin can come home.

So when winter makes way to Spring, and eventually to Summer, all this will hopefully be a distant memory.

Christmas!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Ours was very different this year. After and early Christmas drink with Monica and Papa, my girls and I headed west. The southern general, although they tried to be festive, was not quite the seasonal scene that I would have envisaged. My Waltons dream again. Colin was well. He smiled and we were all jolly.

Presents were exchanged over the hospital bed. Very difficult to think of things to give this year. No polo gear, hunting equipment; a new list had to be devised. The hospital “santa” arrived. Ho, Ho, Ho. We stayed a few hours, though it was Christmas, hands and feet still needed to be manipulated and life had to go on.

Eventually we had to leave. Not easy in normal circumstances, but definitely a lot harder on the “family” day of the year.

Louise’s “in-laws”, the Eastons, had invited us for Christmas dinner. Their house was full of life and laughter. We can never thank them enough for involving us in their celebrations. Christmas day over, the new year looms.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Sorry to all the daily Blog readers that this weeks entries have been so sparse. The snow has been a problem!

The M8 has been a nightmare. The journey had taken double the time!

Colin has improved. He coughed out his "trachi" as the doctors where deliberating about whether or not to take it out! Colin decided for them! He has this week been practising on the "Tilt Table" (a board that takes a person from horizontal to vertical at different levels) to balance out his blood pressure, for the great event of moving on to the chair.

The ward is very quiet. Most have been evacuated home. Colin and the two Eddies' remain.

Gifts and cards have arrived and cheer us both up.

Amazing "flip" cameras from Gareth and Gillian. More technology for Melissa to teach us how to use. Thanks guys. These will be used to entertain Colin.

Thanks to Gaye in Manilla for her healing gifts.

I know you will all be with friends and family for the next while so blogs will be brief.

Please be reassured though that Colin's progress is on the up.

From Colin, Charlotte and the girls- We wish you a very Merry Christmas x

Let it snow, let it snow...for 5 minutes!

Saturday

Oh my god it is so cold. Up early, but didn't venture to town till 9am. I didn't want to be picked up off the street as a vagrant. Was meant to be an off day, Colin's sister from the south was visiting, bu message was received as I battled my way down George Street to say that there was a family crisis and wouldn't be able to make it. My life re-arranged, and the west beckoned once more.

Snow affected the Mitchell Clan today. Shelley was snowed in up north and Melissa had to turn back en route to lovely Lucie's surprise birthday party. Wimps! Their mother dug herself out, well waited till the car defrosted at least and headed west.

Les was there. He has been a rock for Colin. He brought the gossip and christmas cards from Sykes. Such amazing words from colleagues and friends. Gala, Calder house, people I have never met, but cannot thank enough for their constant support. Les left and Colin and I settled down to our weekend routine.

No physio on the weekends, so Colin feels deprived of exercise. But my massage seems to help. He doesn't complain. The ward is very quiet, no new admissions this week. Phillipshill even quieter as most have weekend passes. This is what you aim for. With Christmas week looming, all that can WILL be home. But Colin and his little gang, the two Eddies, and his other ward mates will be there. HO, HO, Ho.

We had a cup of tea and a fondant fancy. How posh are we?! Everything stopped for tea, and the I might as well have not been there as Colin's favourite film in the whole world came on. "Dances with Wolves" An epic that would keep him enthralled for hours!

I headed east. M8 cleared as the "game", some football thing had jut finished. Colin left with Kevin Costner. Motorway was not too bad, but me and Barbara (Streisand) sung all the way home.

I hoped that the snow gates would be open in the morning and number 3 baby Shelley would come home safe!

Sunday beckoned and all that goes with it. 2 children, the Sunday paper and all the weeks gossip!

Sunday

We have just returned from the West. I cried all the way home. Louise, Melissa and Shelley all chatted to Colin. However it made Colin look more vulnerable and dependant. It fills my heart with such emotions, the tables have turned and now he looks to them for help. He will be up soon and the status quo will return.

Thursday- Ho, Ho, Ho!

As the Coca-Cola advert says "Christmas is a coming, Christmas is a coming" (just been corrected by Melissa, what the advert actually says is "Holidays a coming, Holidays a coming!" oh well)---

Normally I would be on the Christmas "train" by now. Hysteria pitch nearly reached, Marks and Spencers floor plans studied so that I can manoeuvre to the chipolattas from the Christmas pudding aisle in record time.

I have always envisaged the Mitchell Christmases like an episode of the Waltons. You know, Ma and Pa with their gaggle of children. Marooned in our snow clad house for the winter. Or at least Christmas Eve till New Year. Oh, and at least one Christmas Miracle.

But life at the Mitchell household resembles more an episode of the Broons. Old fat Ma, skinny Pa and the normal ups and downs of reality!

I suppose it was when Colin, lying there yesterday, asked me "what would you like for Christmas?"

What do I want?

I want this nightmare to be over. I want you to walk away from this. I want you to wrap your arms around me and say its a nightmare. I want you home.

But I just smiled and said "I'm sure that Louise or Melissa will sort it out."

"Goodnight John Boy......"

Tuesday/ Wednesday

My favourite aunty, Helen, decided to invade the southern general with me today! Wicker basket full to the brim, we headed west. She took up prime position in the day room, settled in with a caffe latte and a highly calorific bun, brought by me. She took in the scene!

People that know our family say we are quite alike. Quirky, gregarious, mad as hatters. We will talk to absolutely anyone and everyone. I, of course, cannot see this as I am very quiet and demure! So I left her to it and headed into see Colin.

On my return she was deep in conversation with half the visitors and "inmates" of the spinal unit. She had a marvellous time and is very much looking forward to her next visit.

She also managed to see Colin. Oh yes that is why we were there. Helen chatted and laughed and Colin loved it. A visitor that brought him gossip and fun. At end of time we headed east. helen was full of "how good Colin looked" and "how well he seemed, so much better than she had dared to hope." Nice to hear I must say, but yes, he seem to have definitely turned a corner.

Wednesday

Wicker basket and I arrived to find Colin smiling. the last two days he had managed to charm his way into some kind soul making him toast! Up until that point he was meant to be on mush. But he was now officially allowed real food! The sky is the limit. However steak was to be put on hold while we make our way through the Southern's menu sheet.

Colin always thinks we have mental powers between us (or did, he just says I was mental, hmmm) anway I had been to Marks and Sparks and have brought a "obviously" home made pasta salad. Well, its as good as home made- move on. It was the best thing he had ever tasted, bless.

Great excitement. Andrew Knowles Brown arrived. One of Colin's falconry friends. Known him for years and the organiser of many fine weekends hunts away. I left them too it for man chat! Colin was animated when he left, so good for him to be taken out of his comfort zone, and we are very thankful for Andrews visit.

He also brought a beautiful picture of Colin and his bird, (a hawk, you fools! remember that I am the centre of his universe!)

We oohed and ahhhed at it. Then I said "how do you feel? Are you bitter at the thought of maybe never getting into the field again?"

He said "no, I'm not bitter. I'm glad I had that life. I'm glad that we did all those thing. I regret nothing. Our life will be different. But we have our girls. I'll go back to work (this was news to me, but if Colin says he will do it, he will). Things won't be easy, but whoever said life was easy?"

Well without getting too mushy, my heart nearly burst with pride. "my" Colin is still there and with every day he come out stronger. Ok, his legs and arms don't work, but nothing will stop Colin fight for his life and family. Times like this remind me of why I fell in love with him in the first place.

Friday, Saturday

Saw lively young doctor on Friday, I have tights that are older than him. Note to self, clean out tights drawer... He has decided that I have insomnia. What? Me? Never? Yes, he needs me to take it easier. Eh! He handed me a prescription for little miracle pills. At last, a full nights sleep. No more 3AM cups of tea, not more 4AM internet searches. My life would change. Normality would resume. Medical miracle were to be used and insomnia would become just a bad memory. So why did I write this at 2am?

It was a placebo. I’m sure of it. Or is my body fighting this invading phenomena known as sleep. Well, whatever it is, something tells me the 2am blogs will be continuing for a while.

Colin is still showing great improvements. Saturday, Louise and I battled fog to visit. She decided that the fog was not as bad as she had thought, and if I had bothered to refill the windscreen “skooshers” so that I could see out the windscreen. How easy life is for the young! They make it all sound so simple. But finding the lever to open the bonnet was the first challenge. I know a man who will know!

Colin was good. Stitches out, mobility beckoning. Food has begun to be reintroduced. Slowly. I had a rhubarb crumble as a treat for him in my basket. No Tesco or ASDA bags for my husband. No, every day I am seen, like little red riding hood, with my basket full of goodies. Very Cath Kidston. The men in the white van were on standby because obviously I am unhinged. Anyway! Rhubarb crumble was pulverised in mush to allow it to pass his diet restrictions. Hmm… never quite sure it tastes the same.

Tales of home and the other children were told. Louise manipulated his hands while I struggled with modern technology. Tv and Dvd player. James (the son in law) has donated his beloved box set of the West Wing which should entertain Colin till at least next March! Scarts and other this were set up and ready to go! We had a cup of tea, Colin earl grey (yuck), myself marks and spencers gold. Les arrived and Colin’s eyes lit up. Adult conversation at last! We left the to it! We headed back east to meet the youngest nieces and nephews. Louise treated them to the cinema as their Christmas present. They were flying to Argentina on Sunday. “Nativity” started, and three adults sat and sniggered and chortled, while three children sat bemused at the silly film and at the adults that were making fools of themselves. A nice treat. Home in time for x-factor and so life goes on.

Sunday

Colin’s sister Anne visited. So I had the day free to do Christmas shopping. Ocean Terminal was my first victim. I arrived with the early crowds. The attack started on level B. No shop was left unturned. This mission had a purpose. Where were all these other people from? What do they want? Did they not know it was Christmas and I’m busy? Bah Humbug.

Small children in my path were mowed down. The next level loomed. Gifts were all bought. I apologise in advance for anything that was missed off of Santa’s list. I still have a little time. But really, does everyone have to do their shopping in December? So inconsiderate!

I have been spoilt the by the last few Christmases. Two years ago I spent the early part of December in Argentina with Colin and Shelley. Perfect. Great weather, polo. Two weeks of memories that I will hold forever.

Last year of course was Louise and James’ wedding. Barbados. Leaving on the 14^th December and not returning till the new year. Family, sun and great fun for 2 weeks. Wedding blissful, new family and all those I love were with us. Perfect.

So for the last few years I have “done Christmas shopping” in October, November. Much more sensible. This will be my new tradition. Will start in January.

Phoned the Southern General on Sunday night to speak to Colin. His new found voice is so helpful. The pushed the phone over to his bedside and we (Melissa and I) were able to hold a conversation. What, I hear you ask would we talk about on this momentous occasion? Children, plans for the week, his progress in physio? No- the Aga was playing up and Colin is the only one who knows where the button is to turn it back on. Oh yes. This new found toy of mine, phone to bed is so handy. Poor Colin, even in high dependency he is no longer safe from me.

235am. Tea drunk, blog written (and left for Melissa to type up and post), I was sure these pills would kick in any minute. Sleep deprivation, a killer. Do you think that if I phones Colin on the ward that they would wake him up for me so that I could tell him that I couldn’t sleep? It always made me feel better in the past! I always slept better after telling Colin. Of course he could never get back to sleep afterwards but at least we shares he insomnia then. Bless!

from out of the fog

Friday/ Saturday.

How i manoeuvred through the fog I don't know. It was shocking, airports closed, traffic slowed down to a crawl. Arrived later than usual to find Colin in good fettle, well I was going to sort that! It had not been a good day for me. Sleepless nights, fog and letters from students awards association and district council not bearing good news. Well, in minutes I had relayed my woes to him. Why should I be the only one depressed?! I felt much better, Colin now depressed, job done! Ah well, all normal then.

Saturday arrived early as heading to cinema with little nephews and nieces as they fly to Argentina for Christmas on Sunday.

Louise and I relayed all news. We heard about Colin's great physio session with a new therapist. We nodded, not knowing really what he was describing but it made him happy. Christmas day was discussed, timetable is very busy. So much so that Louise and I were not even sure where we would fit present opening into it all! Ah well.

Les, Colin's friend arrived and we left, contented with Colin's up beat mood.

Wednesday/ Thursday

Feel as if Colin has turned a corner. Last two visits have been amazing. Colin was alert and talking, they have reduced his trachi tube to the very thinnest, so his talking is nearly back to normal. He is eating. Yes, real food. Soups and yoghurts. His stitches are meant to be taken out tomorrow and then count down to mobilisation.

Also, we have talked him into having the "odd" visitor. So as you are all "odd", text or email me (or leave a comment below) and we can sort out dates that suit you. Please do not feel obliged. This is a busy time of year, and Colin is not going anywhere just now so will still be available for visitors in the New year. However please do not be offended on the day of your visit if we text you and tell you not to come, as things can turn very quickly.

But please, if you are around and wish to visit, now, January or February, let us know!

Tuesday - bed time stories..

Went to the hospital full of anticipation at the thought of Colin's first night in the Rehab ward. Sleepless nights, long day at work.

We there he was, full of the joys, typical. He was fine- his stitches to be removes and hopefully mobilised within a fortnight. Great new. He was to be moved back into Edenhall high dependency. What? What happened? What is wrong? was my first reaction. Spoke to the consultant and reading between the line it looks like when she was off for the weekend someone else had made the decision to move Colin. Bad idea. She was not impressed. Although he was well enough, she did not feel it was time yet, for this move. I was relieved. I don't think that I was ready to make this move yet.

Colin settled back in Edenhall, all well. I sat reading his novel to him. I can't stand it, all the lawyers, trials and far too high faluting.

I looked over, he was alseep. Thank goodness I could put his book down.

It triggered memories of when the children were young. Bedtime stories. As many of you Mums will recognise the grateful sound of the key in the door, as your husband walks in and you hand "his children" over to him and walk, no run away, lock yourself in the sitting room and switch on neighbours.

Colin was good at this time. He enjoyed the bedtime stories. Yes really. I wasn't too good at them and hated when the children were old enough to recognise that I had skipped pages.

Colin made them up. Loads of different ones. The girls loves it, one in particular came to mind.

The girl who didn't get invited to parties-

Once upon a time there was a little girl who lived in a house with her Mum and Dad and her sisters. Her name was Josie McNaughty. She was a strange little thing who would nip and bully her sisters. She would steal their toys and spoil their games. She would tell tales and smile as they were told off.

At school she was made milk monitor, but she pulled the other girls pig tails and made them cry. She tripped them up in the playground and told on them if they came back into the classroom late.

But then she realised she was not invited to their birthday parties. She was not invited round to tea and nobody wanted to be her best friend. She was a very lonely girl....

I think my girls listened as they always had lovely friends and always were at the parties. But as Colin says, there is always a Josie McNaughty in your life.

Sleepovers and sleepless night...

Another sleepless night, the thought of Colin lying there alone filled my every thought. I know he is in good hands, but he is so very vulnerable. I hate it. He hates it. Again, I need him home.

One of the patients with a similar injury to Colin was sent home on a day pass. Yes, all you boarding school Mums out there, you will understand an exeat, released from the institution. He lives just 4 miles from us, but his region seems to be more organised. Anyways, his wife and children were excited beyond words. The big day came. The sleep over was planned. The ambulance took him and on arrival, a squad of people traipsed about doing the necessary. Carers, district nurses, a doctor. No stone was left unturned. Furniture was moved, bed delivered and equipment sourced.

Their home and their lives once again turned upside down. The wife said that she was traumatised by so many strangers in their home. They are there to help, but your private life is no longer private.

The patient too felt traumatised. Although they had looked forward to the sleepover for ages, he felt that he never saw more than two minutes of his family alone and went to bed early as the days excitement took hold.

He returned to Glasgow the following day, the next visit to be arranged soon.

All very scary. But it is one day that I pray for every night. I don't care how many people come through my home. I don't care what equipment clutters our house. All I know is that there will be five very happy people in Broomhills Farmhouse that night.

Sunday

Mixed emotions today. Colin has been into the Phillipshill Ward. This is good news as they obviously feel that he is well enough to not need intensive care anymore, but scary. Very Scary.

He will no longer have the one to one care that he has grown to depend on. Therefore he has entered the world of rehabilitation.

He is in the respiratory care ward. Six people all battling to return to the real world. A buzzer placed under his pillow to attract the nurses. Will they come? Only time will tell! A question that went through my mind as they explained to him the technique. I was reluctant to leave. Louise and I had read him the papers, told him the stories from her nursery nativity play. Massaged and manipulated limbs and fingers, but eventually we had to leave him to his new regime. I don't know who was more scared, me or him. I was not leaving him in the individual care of Gavin, Cameron, Yvonne or many of the nurses we had grown to know and depend on over the weeks. No, now he was a small fish in a big bowl.

Louise and I drove home, and both shed a tear. A large Range Rover passed me and memories of Colin in his beloved machine came to mind. But Colin was never just a machine person, he is my husband, my girls Dad and he is still here. So Range Rovers are in the past and surviving is the future, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Friday

Please don’t read this if you have had a couple of glasses of wine, or feeling down, as this has been a bad day.

Ok, I’m probably feeling sorry for myself but hey, sometimes I cant help it. I’m not really sorry for me, I’m just tired. “Tiredness can kill” read the sign on the M8 as I drove home, tears rolling down my cheeks.

Doris Day’s Christmas CD playing. During ‘driving home for christmas’ I thought “Ok, now I’m really depressed.”

It has been a really bad day. Work- enough said Move on.

Arrived at the Southern. Colin was sleeping. He was tired, busy morning of physio and all sorts. His personal care need catered for by girls not much older than his own. He copes well, never moans. He lets me do that for him! Bowel, bladder, all controlled. Pain meds administered. Not a single function is now his own.

Colin was in great pain today. How can something he cannot feel cause so much misery?

He is now eating. Sludge. This has to be the way as he has not swallowed in 12 weeks and had to work up to eating solids. But the worst part for him, has to be that I now feed him. Not easy for either of us. But he handles it with dignity. That’s my Colin.

Diasopan is administered as his SATS had fallen. Two nurses manipulated his chest to rid him of congestion.

He settled and I left. Tiredness does not kill in this situation, but it definitely makes the whole day a lot worse.

But tomorrow will be better. I will sleep tonight and Colin will be there tomorrow. Life will go on.

Tuesday- One Digit at a time

Ok. I have a confession to make- since the magical day of the Dr Purcel doing the finger dance to tell me that Colin's fingers had moved, I had not actually seen them do so until Tuesday. Sometimes when Colin does something, i.e. move toes/or ankles, he doesn't do them for me. I think he is worried that if I ask him and he isn't able to do it then we would both be disappointed. So I don't ask and he doesn't offer.

Anyway, Dr Purcell's Tuesday visit coincided with the physio, all good, chest clear breathing etc. And then the question, "hows the movement in the fingers" blank expressions. Hmmm. The physio said she had been working mostly on his chest to help off the vent.

Dr Purcell said "Colin, move your fingers." Well you don't argue with this consultant. Colin duly obeyed. Fingers, not all but some are definitely moving. I was even given a demonstration. They definitely move. Another major achievement. So Colin is gaining strength. He is gradually building up his talking time. I nearly cried yesterday when I asked him how long the valve had been on for? "Quite a while," he replied"but I had nobody to talk to." Bless.

Melissa, middle child, was there to support me yesterday. We oooed and ahhhed at Colin's moving digits. We discussed menus for him. Now the cuff on the trachi is down, he is to wean back onto solid foods. Custards, yoghurt, soups were discussed. Much to his horror, bar soup, he never eats any of the above. The soups on offer at the hospital all have onions. For any of you who have been kind enough to have us for dinner will know, Colin cannot eat onions, milk or citrus. Well flasks are now to be bought and "Delia of Broomhills" will emerge. I wonder if you can mash smoked salmon.

Technology Arrives at the Southern-

Susan Sykes' generous gift of an Amazon Kindle caused great excitement in Glasgow yesterday. Word spread rapidly and a flurry of staff flitted in and out to wonder at this new phenomena! Now they just have to master how to work it!!

Monday- On the night before Christmas....

Can't believe I'm even contemplating Christmas, but life goes on. I have the girls, you would think they were toddlers. So stocking have to be arranged, trees bought. Not our 7ft monstrosity this year though. I have put my foot down. How many years have I watched Colin saw and chip away at these monsters to make them fit in our box and stand up straight.

The Christmas Tree Adventures:

One year we lashed one to the sides of a play pen. This was to stop it being pulled over on our crawler, Shelley. Yes. The tree was in the play pen. The child left outside the play pen to crawl around and stick her finger in all of the available sockets. Oh what fun.

There was the the year that the girls took Louise's yellow peugot and went "searching" for one. Colin, axe in hand. Well they "found" one. Just lurking at the side of the road, "Looking very lonely." So they cut it down, and Shelley and the other vandal, Christine, sat in the boot and held on to it while Louise drove it home, hysterical in the front.

Then there was the year that Hamish, one of Shelley's boyfriends, was traipsed around the garden centre, as the girls made him show them lots of trees. He was at one point seen walking around with two trees in tow, neither eventually purchased, but to stop the women who had been following them absconding with chosen ones.

The following year Colin came home to find the tree fully decorated, but no lights, as I had to see it done. The lights were broken (as always) so it was fully dismantled and re-arranged as soon as new lights were sourced.

Oh yes, happy memories.

Colin is still vent free. Temperature stable and smiling. Even chortling at some of our stories now. He will be enthralled to hear the Christmas tree saga of 2009. In 2010, the poor sod will be there, listening to our children (Louise, may I add is 26 married and has her own home) decide on the tree, and their method, this year, of obtaining it.

Part 3 of 3: Shirley

May I introduce one of my bestest chums, Shirley. She lives within the Scone Palace Estate. She has two beautiful daughters, is a marvellous hostess and cook. The, "you are just about to eat a coronary on a plate" to die for White Chocolate cheese cake will stand testament to that. She throws polo parties that are legendary, Gin and Tonics that will fell you, ball parties for the young- the list goes on. But last summer she too stood in an ICU, Dundee Ninewells this time. Praying and negotiating with God.

Stacey, her eldest, had a marvellous speciman of the equine world, "Buzz". A giant of a horse, an eventer. Stacey was a horsewomen. Not a polo women like her sister Abby, but eventing. Solid monsters of jumps, dressage to negotiate and then the relatively safe jumping.

Buzz was amazing, dressage was to be worked on. But oh my those jumps, well they held no challenge.

Stacey was enthralled with him from the beginning, he was boxed up and brought home to the "factors house". Many hours spent hacking and jumping in the many acres. Much time spent perfecting her dressage discipline.

Stacey had not long graduated from St Andrews, bright girl, now ensconced in a large firm as a graduate trainee, doing some kind of fund/stock thing. You can tell I'm up on the technical things. Well thought of, brilliant career assured, game fairs, balls, right boots and all (Dubarrys of course). This girl has it all.

Then one afternoon, I took the call. "Charlotte, Stacey has had an accident on Buzz. She is in ICU in Dundee. She is in an induced coma."

Time stood still. Shirley had entered her own nightmare. Her beautiful daughter lay hooked up to machines.

The days passed, tests done, Shirley was strong. She battled the medical opinions, answers sought, was there damage. A head injury, the very worst. Only time could tell. Shirley fought every minute with Stacey. But Stacey fought the hardest.

I apologise Shirley. I didn't know the hell that you went through. We all thought of you and Stacey, we all prayed, we all thought we knew what you were going through. But we didn't. The weeks passes, she amazed them all. She came round, signs were good, medical staff cautious, she kept going. Milestones were passed slowly but surely, Shirley's beautiful child returned to her. A weekend home turned to a week, turned into a month. Test were taken to find out the extent of any damage.

We all got on with life. I'm sorry Shirley. Sorry that our lives seemed unaffected. But she came back and more!

110%, living the good life in the fast lane in London. Parties, balls, new chums. Fab new career in the city. All she wanted is now at her feet. Onwards and upwards. The time in hospital a distant memory. Consultants amazed, friends and family grateful.

And for Shirley, well a little bit of her must have died that awful day. The little bit of you that protects your very being. But she is strong. She, like me, would fight to the death for the ones she loves. And so she did. Abby and Stacey are her testament.

I take my hat off to you Shirley. You were one of the first to phone me, you were the one to say " you can do this, you will do this" at the time when I needed it most. You were and are a constant e-mail connection. But I just want to say sorry Shirley. Because no matter how much I thought I knew your hell, I wasn't even close.

Part 2 of 3

The Weekend (Melissa)

As it was my graduation on Friday, we were unable to go and visit Dad. But luckily Les went to keep Dad company. He took with him Dad's newest gadget. An Amazon Kindle. An electronic reader. It can get the newspaper (and read it to you!) and books and magazines. It arrived on my doorstep so that I could set it up, but will be returned to Dad on Tuesday.

Mum went on Saturday. Dad was good, in much better spirits. The had equalized his medication, which was why he had been anxious. He had finished season one of 24 and was looking forward to the next season!

Mum returned through the wet and the fog in time for x-factor.

On Sunday, Louise and I flew down the M8 towards Glasgow. She was anxious to hear Dad's voice for the first time. We arrived, and I found him much improved from when I had seen him on Thursday. He was relaxed, chatty and smiling. He endured his way through my graduation photos and even through the video of me coming across the stage. It was great, and easier to spend lots of time with him this weekend. When you can have a 2 sided conversation, and there is no lip reading involved. Time flies when you are having fun.

The stitched bed sore is healing, his breathing is great. We just keep hoping for him to be up before Christmas.

I think the best part of today was that Dad cracked a joke! It was good to hear him laugh.

Season 2 of 24 started. Louise and I hit the road back to Edinburgh for a delicious meal at James' parents. Mum's first real meal in a long time! And it was goooood! (Thank you Jo and Rob!)

Part 1 of 3

Groundhog Day

Many of you will have seen the film, Groundhog Day. What day would you relive over and over again, so that you could change the ending?

7 minutes. The length of the last game of polo. 7 minutes. Not 7 minutes and 30 seconds. As all games are in polo. On the bell that is it over. Sunday 13th September at 6 minutes and 50 seconds. Wham. Colin's life changed. 10 seconds before the end of the game, 10 seconds before the end of the match, 10 seconds before the final bell of the season. 10 seconds. No ones fault. An accident. But what if? What id Colin had taken 11 seconds longer to tack up? Would it still have happened? What if we had taken 11 seconds longer at lunhc? 11 seconds longer driving to Dalmahoy? Would they have been in the same place at the same time.

You know what I mean, or maybe you don't? Is life pre-ordained. Would it have made any different? I don't know.

If he had worn the other hat, if he had polished his boots, if I had I said my prayers the night before. Just the thoughts that go through my head at 315 in the morning most days. What ifs.

Things you can't change. Was it written somewhere that 6 minutes and 50 seconds in that chukka, that this would happen. At 6 minutes and 49 seconds, life was good. Colin was doing something he loved. It had been the perfect Sunday. A delicious lunch with friends, laughter and much polo gossip. Stories, horses all sound, a miracle at the best of times. Wham, 6 minutes and 50 seconds.

Groundhog day.

But it is groundhog day for all at the southern general.

The young diver who had the benz, what if he had not decided to dive that day? The young driver that had rolled his car three times and wrapped himself around the tree. What if he had taken the other road. What if I hadn't gone to that party with christine 30 odd years ago, well I would not have met Colin, had three beautiful girls, a life a would not change for a 6 carat diamond.No really, I wouldn't. So no, not what ifs. Life is mapped out for us, but sometimes, just sometimes, I wish that time had just stood still at 6minutes and 49 seconds. For just a little while longer.

Thursday/ Friday

To all of you that check this daily for Colin's progress, he is doing well. Still 100% off the vent, he has had a slight infection, causing temperature, he has had his flu jabs (swine and ordinary), this may be causing him to feel lousy. But still breathing fine.

No new blog till Saturday, but just a quick update today. Melissa, Paul and I headed north to Aberdeen where Melissa was to graduate at 3pm.

Colin would have been there, bored of course, as graduations not the most riveting, but, for that 10 seconds that his wonderful daughter was on stage and crossed that hall to receive her degree, well his heart would have been bursting with pride.

I was there, but I know that he was too. I was his eyes today, but I know that he is always in my heart and so he was there with us.

Graduation

The sun shone, frosty but bright, so different from the rest of the week. Colin would have been so proud of his daughter. We all felt it was a perfect day. So now Colin has another graduate. Melissa Mitchell BEd Hons.

Life's moments

There are somethings in life you never forget. Your first kiss: David Cuthbertson, Heriots disco, well at least I think it was, maybe I should change names to protect the innocent. Your engagement day: Colin to this days swears that he can't remember asking me?! Your wedding day, and the birth of your children: how could I possibly forget (ouch!). Your eldest child's engagement and then wedding, for those of you who don't know (and why not, have I not shown you the pictures), two weeks in Barbados last Christmas. Your eldest and middle child's graduation. Oh how proud we were. All these mile stones come and go, the next bigger and better than the last..
Why, you ask is she telling us this? Well I want you all to share in my recent special moment.
Walking in Glasgow Southern, to be told that barring any problems, Colin is 100% off the vent.
YES 100%. And he will be using a speaking valve for 2 1/2 hour sessions.
So he has said to tell everyone Thank you. For their love, and wishes. He will speak to you soon.
I can't believe it. Colin hadn't read the memo, and obviously was reading the book "how to teach yourself to breath again in 11 weeks". Me, I'm still struggling with the "Atkins Diet". Never finished the first chapter. Oh well, now Colin had found his voice, maybe he will read it to me!

Monday

Weekend over. Daily visit resumed, girls all working or at uni. So I'm afraid Colin had to put up with my chat. I arrived to find Colin on good form. 22 out of 24 hours off vent. The consultant has decided to stitch Colin's pressure sore. It has decreased in size immensely in the last few weeks, but as always it is the last piece in the jigsaw, and as such, the greatest stumbling block.
So the plan is to stitch this week. The recovery time is approx. 3 or 4 week, and then hope upon hope, we will get him up. (Braehead shopping centre, here we come).
Message for Gaelle and all the others in the ICU Western General. You are a very important role in the story, and your parts are guaranteed, so start looking for your Oscars frock!

Friday, the fairies and Sunday.

"Toto has survived. I know the outcome had looked bleak, the witches tried their best, but in the magical land, away from the darkest worlds, the rest of the fairies worked their magic. Coco's wings were still not working, his injuries were different, but Toto could be saved. With every kind of word and gesture, with every show of love and friendship, slowly but surely her wings returned.
The Witches power was not able to conquer in the enclaves of the fairy world, no matter what tricks they used.
They had their spies, fairies that were slowly being cloned, non fairy- non witch. Their wings grew smaller every day, as they scuttled up and down to the top of the hill with tales of the fairy world. Tales meant to hurt their fairy colleagues. Tales meant to earn them respect from the chuckling coven. Oh how the witches lauged at them, they would never let them jon them, they would use them and laugh.
The fairies giggles, as those that scuttled up the hill were so shallow that they did not know that their trips were being monitored. They did not understand Toto, but she did not care. Toto's tales are only understood by real fairies. Non-fairies hearts are unable to comprehend this and question and tutter over the escapades of Coco and Toto. But Toto just smiles, because her world is full of love."

Friday
Shelley, no3 child, drove through from Aberdeen in the rain to home on Thursday night. I am worried about her, pale and having lost weight. Nothing that a few good meals and a dose of St Tropez will not cure. She is stressed. You forget that by trying to protect them by bundling them back to university life and nights out with their friends, these things will not take away the feeling and worries that go through their heads about their Daddy.
Friday shifts out the way, all three of us, Melissa, Shelley and I headed west. Consultants me. Great News. 16 hours off the vent, 20 tomorrow and bar any bad luck, Colin should be off the vent by the end of next week. Result! All fingers and toes crossed. This could be a reality but we need all the good luck that we can muster.
Colin was delighted to see no3 child, he worries about all his girls. He knows they are strong,a dn the Mitchells are a strong unit. Even when we bicker and argue (not too often though!) Always there for each other, and Colin and myself. We have done our job well, we have created a family. It grows bigger every year. With the inclusion of James this year, and at the end of the day that was Colin and my dream. A happy life, with family and laughter.
Job done.

Sunday
(Melissa)
Louise and I drove Mum through to Glasgow, sharing the driving in the terrible weather. Dad was looking very well today. 24 hours off the vent, soon all the machines and tubes will be gone. He was chatty to start with, but after the paper was read and the week rounded up he was tired.
He enjoyed listening to Louise's strories of the nursery. The children who had had their peg moved from the sun to the black rain cloud for bad behaviour and the the update on the nativity. There were lots of giggles. The business pages were read, and Dad was mad he missed the Rugby yesterday, but was read the sports round up. Will have to take him a laptop next time so he can watch the sports round-up!
Terrible weather, we hit the M8 again to return to the east and the x-factor. Dad returned to watching 24 season 1. 10 hours down, 14 to go.

Thursday

When is this rain going to stop? My son-in-law James, is contemplating building an ark. Papa drove me to Glasgow, 2 earlies and one more to go, certainly take their toll. Arrives to find Colin in good fettle. But tired. He was at hour 12 of a 14 hours off the vent. This is amazing. The consultant is pleased. Colin as usual counting every breath. Things are moving forward.
Good day at work. Julie G and I chatted, we had a giggle and a Heart to heart. She has been through the mill with her beautiful little girl, but she has come through, she is fighter. Then came Scott. He popped in off his flight, and within minutes had me smiling and laughing. Well, only certain people have that magic and Scott is one of them. Faye was another, but she saw sense and escaped. his love life was dissected, our lives put in order. I told him that that this blog will be picked up by a Hollywood producer and he would have to get in fast for the person (obviously a superstar) that would play him.
I will obviously be the lead, played by the amazing actress, Megan Mullally, who plays Karen in Will and Grace.
George Clooney is waiting by the phone for the part of Colin. Our Paul will be played by Brad Pitt, Melissa by Reece Witherspoon.
Wilma and Dora, the housekeepers, are hoping for "Mary Doll" and Bette Middler, the list goes on. For those wishing to be part of the movie, I suggest you step in now, before all the superstars have been taken.

Chocolate Teapots and Cheesecake.

Another early shift achieved, well if I am up at 3am I might as well go to work. Headed west, social worker waiting. Now those of you that know me are aware of my good, sweet nature, willingness to listen and compromise and willingness to be patient.
Really I am. Well ok, maybe I exaggerate but I'm trying. But chocolate teapots, one way tickets to rio, and am I actually talking chinese, all come to mind in that hour, in yet another beige room, while I was talking with Colin's social worker. I'm sure at one point or another things will magically click into place, but not today. Oh no. Walking out of the beige room I began to wonder in the Dr Surgery was still open, or in fact "the mean streets" (Taggart, for those of you who only watch BBC1) could supply me with an emergency supply of Valium.
Edenhall ward entered. Colin very agitated today. What was wrong? He appeared to be having a panic attack? Move over I thought, let me share the bed, I need medication this afternoon too!
He has had the tube in the vent reduced. A good sign. It means that we are on our way to the next level. But after 10 weeks on the vent it seems to be affecting Colin's physci.
He was really panic stricken, "whats wrong?" I said, "I'll calm down in a minute!" he replied.
It seems change is quite invasive. Trauma was caused to the trachea. No news of finger or toes today as consultant was away, breathing was taking priority this visit. Carolyn his nurse was summoned, a sedative administered, a new book started courtesy of Susan Sykes. Calm and peace was regained, by Colin anyway. Rain and water on the motorway, horrendous. Drove in tired induced coma, well ok I am exaggerating again, but not pleasant.
Melissa had friends round for dinner. Yes a grown up party, not just supper, but 3 courses and candles!
All very sophisticated, Martha Stewart and myself have worked wonders on my girls. All courses made from scratch, not a marks and spencers box in sight. Who knew?! Anyway, house full of light and candles, real fires and laughter, was I really home? So long since I remembered it like this.
Took my own sedative (in this case a slice of chocolate brownie raspberry cheesecake) before I climbed into bed, but sometimes you just have to. It was yummy.

Great news- I think? And international visitors-

Melissa and I have just arrived home from Glasgow. We are tired and slightly confused.
John and Susan Sykes flew in yesterday for the sole purpose of visiting Colin and his family.
Not a small adventure, as the flew in from Tampa, over Newark, so a long haul flight. They then braved the M8 with Les, probably more of an adventure to those that use this motorway.
I was so pleased to see them, all were emotional, tears and hugs. Susan and I sat for a long time while John and Les sat with Colin. They go home tomorrow so really a flying visit. But it was appreciated more than they will ever know.
As they were getting ready to go east, Colin's consultant came up the corridor. At the back of my guests she was smiling and wiggling her fingers. I smiled. She continued to smile at me and wiggle her fingers. Eventually I said..."Are you alright Dr Purcell?" Believing our consultant to have slightly lost the plot, as she was continually wiggling her fingers at us? She looked at me slightly blank and then said "Great news about Colin moving his fingers?!"
What???????? He had never said a word? Tears flowed again.
John and Susan left with "your our good luck charm". ringing in their ears.
Colin of course was then cross examined. But was too busy breathing to be bothered. So, we know that he has moved his fingers? He has told us about his thumb now! But whether or not it was just one finger, or two or all 10 we shall have to wait and ask Dr Purcell tomorrow. But...WE will find out!!!

Monday

Colin was much brighter today. Arrived at 4, I found him awake and smiling. He never once has moaned, never once said "why me?". No. All the talk is about the girls, how they are, what they are doing, uni, work and jobs etc. Of course I can bring conversation to a halt in a few words. Today it was to tell him that his mother has fallen and broken her hip. Silence. The Mitchell's are very private people so I won't divulge family business, but suffice to say their troubles do no stop with Colin's accident this year. But luckily, although I took the Mitchell name, I am still a Hunter through and through, and hence very gobby! My girls too are from the Hunter ilk and very vocal. Slowly but surely Colin too has been initiated. Consultants and entourage arrive, all fine in the Mitchell bed. 6 hours DIY, and another 2 hour session to be done. The Occupational therapist appeared. Lothian region are dragging their heels. No social workers has been appointed to us yet. This will slow down movement in organising the house for Colin. I smile and say "lets give them some time", my head shouting "No, lets get on with it, a few more days and I will involve my MP."
Today John and Susan Sykes flew in from Tampa. Tomorrow they are to visit Colin. I have not told him, of course I have mentioned it but Colin is not in charge of his Filofax or blackberry (mum had originally written blueberry which I thought was funny). Days and dates merge into one. so he is not aware that John arrives today and is heading west tomorrow (Tuesday).
Please let Colin be having a good day! He will be emotional, it will be tough. I will probably cry when I see them. But I cannot say how much I appreciate the time they have given to my family.
The Douglas Family- Annie and Jamie, what can I say. Their generosity and constant concern over the months has been overwhelming and consistent. They are very similar to us, wife vivacious and a doer. Husband quieter and laid back. Three gorgeous children and a long marriage, rock solid family values. Thank you.
It is now 3.45am, its going to be a long day!

Coco continues...and Friday/Saturday/ Sunday from Mum

A Warning- short and cautionary fairy tale.
In the dark and mysterious wood the fairies toil under the watchful eye of the witches at the top of the hill. The unwritten law is guilty until proven innocent. And to prove their quest, all means of trickery are put into place.
No stone is left unturned to help their case, but sometimes, just sometimes witches cannot win. And innocent is just that, innocent. The end.

Friday
To my horror the gas man drilled through the phone line- two days without contact from the outside world. Ok, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, we did have our mobiles, but no computer. We have survived, but only just.

A Brick wall...
Three times in the past have I hit the brick wall. Normally around week 9 after each of the births of my gorgeous babies, any Mum will tell you, there comes a time when broken sleep, continual worry over doing the right thing for your infant, trying to be supermum, wife, friend and trying desperately to avoid the comments of "she had let herself go", suddenly comes to a crisis point. That is the point when you hit the brick wall.
The brick wall reappeared again this Friday. I knew it was looming, the signs were all there.
Lack of concentration, constant worry about silly things (work related as usual), broken sleep (writing this blog at 3.15am!), drowsy drives to Glasgow, (M8 users do not panic, I was being driven by my Dad). Colin was good, we chatted, his DIY was being increased daily, (bar infections or problems outwith control) vent free was looking possible.
Jenny, his physio did her stint. I knew I shouldn't have, I was too vulnerable, but still I did. I asked her how things were going. She truthfully said that she felt that Colin's progress was not showing much improvement at this time. The brick wall stikes again. "Thanks Jenny, see you Monday" I said and walked into the corridor.
I could hardly lie in the fetal position in the hospital corridor. But oh how I wanted to.
I am out of my comfort zone. I can't control Colin's limbs. Social workers, occupational therapists, benefits offices, they all march to their own tune.
Inside I'm screaming, outside I shout at the top of my lungs "I'm not letting myself go!"
Young newly qualified doctor saw the signs first, senior consultant at her back. They will have seen this before. The week 9 brick wall.
The enough is enough, I'm tired of playing this game routine. "The room" beckoned. For those who have not read this blog from the beginning, "the room" is where you go to hear the news that you do not want to hear. It's funny, I would swear that this "room" was exactly the same as the one in the Western General. Beige, beige and oh yes, beige. Or for my more discerning readers, Farrow and Ball No19.
Tears flowed, words were listened to. No progress with the physio, a bad sign. But no, still these doctors will not give up, yes it is slow but not finished. They won't give up. Colin wont give up, and neither will we. My brick wall was hit. Consultant mopped me up and sent me back out to fight with Colin, fight for the girls and maybe even write to those responsible for decorating the "room" and suggest Farrow and Ball 34- Cooking Apple green. Much warmer and to those hitting the brick wall, much kinder.

Saturday
Eventually I succumbed and a natural/herbal sleeping pill was found at the back of the kitchen drawer. On many of Colin's long haul flights, one was taken just before take off to ensure a bright eyed chap at the other end. But although I slept till 7am this morning, I can't honestly said that it was strong enough.
I have, in the past, been only to eager to pop pills for headaches, even maybe on the thought of getting headaches! But I have stayed clear in the last nine weeks as I need to be alert to deal with this situation. Anyway, maybe my body has become immune. As Melissa wrote yesterday when we regained internet, it was nice for Colin to have his family with him.

Sunday-
Louise and I visited today. Things were not good. Colin was very tired, with not even the energy to rally to speak to us. His temperature was up in the night and was being controlled when we arrived. We stayed only an hour, so that he did not feel that he had to use up his precious energy that he needs for his recovery trying to keep his eyes open. Hopefully things will be better tomorrow after his day of rest. As week 10 start we rally round to keep him on the road to recovery.

Friday and Saturday

Friday

Les phoned on his return from visit with Wendy. I know Colin would have enjoyed the new face and chat. He was on DIY for a while when they were there. Les thought he was looking good but tired. Infections at bay, lets hope this continues this weekend, and hours off vent can be built up. Doreen, Colin's older sister arrives from the south this weekend so Colin will more family news.

Great news. John and Susan Sykes are flying in from Tampa at the beginning of next week. This will be an emotional visit as Colin so admires John and looks at him as his mentor. Having taught Colin much during his working time in edinburgh.

We had a wonderful weekend at their Race Horse Stud farm in Ocalla a few years back so look forward to seeing them and letting them know that we really appreciate their concern for the family.

I drove to work at 4am this morning,and as I reached the exit for airport was in two minds to keep going west. It is in the early hours of the morning I miss him so much. Ok he was travelling a lot but I knew that he would always be home on friday. I do not kid myself, it was not just to be home with me, but with his girls, his dogs horses and of course in time for Saturday polo.
Colin's life before 13th September was full, but then as I have been known to say "I am the centre of his universe" so yes at 4am this morning all i wanted to do was head west and confirm that point. Head won over heart but just a little piece of me need him to tell me and the whole rest of me needs him home this Friday. Is someone up there listening?

Saturday
(Melissa)
I arrived today to find Dad's sister still with him. Mum and I went later today so that Doreen could have some quiet time with Dad. It was nice for Dad to have his sister there to visit. Doreen lives far away so he does not see her often, but he always enjoys it when he sees her.
Dad had his neck brace off for the first time. Lying down, he was in charge of his own breathing and his own neck. His breathing is becoming easier day by day, and I feel that he worries less about it. We watched the end of the Rugby, almost a normal Saturday at home, without actually being at home.
Louise and Mum will go tomorrow. The Sunday paper will read and Dad entertained. Hopefully he will be up for more visitors soon. Slowly we begin to build up his confidence for seeing his friends. Les and Wendy, John and Susan, slowly but surely they will come. He misses all your chat, and I'm sure in no time at all you will all get to go and visit him.

Wednesday

Funny old day. Coffee with one of the bestest mates Isla. Full of wedding chat. Jen is marrying Ian after many years, next spring. All excitement and dresses and venues. Bringing me back to the reality. It was only this time last year that we were doing the exact same thing, with final preparations underway for Louise and James' Wedding. Two weeks in Barbados, with friends and family. Definitely the best holiday that we have ever been on.
Hospital at 4. Colin in good spirits. Breathing is going well. I was allowed to see his pressure sore, which is now the size of a 10p piece. So there is light at the end of the tunnel.
A new patient was admitted. A very young boy of 19. His parents arrived, and the curtain was drawn. Why do hospitals think that this obscures any hearing? Do hospitals feel that they are magical silencing curtains, that once drawn do not allow any sound to pass through them? I suppose it is to protect the privacy. I will only say that anyone who has a child, will never want to have the conversation that went on behind that curtain. I was nearly in pieces. Colin and I both thinking how we have a 19 year old and how things would have been if we were behind that drawn curtain.
Visiting over I headed home. I am not going in today. Les and Wendy, from Colin's work, are going in. He will enjoy the new chat!
Thursday
My friends Corrine- who Colin and I have been friends with her FOREVER. She is the person who fancied my brothers, got tipsy on advocaat and lemonade on Christmas day with me, left her baby with me whilst she went to Geneva skiing, and promptly broke her leg, served her right!!
Anyways! We chatted and laughed about Colin.
Many years ago, she remembers it as the year that she was 19, quite ironic really considering the young boy in the southern.I had just returned to the airlines, flying with Logan Air, how glamorous.
Anyway, during my days on the ground, I met Corrine, we hit it off right away. She looked on me as the wiser, older women. I was 22, who knew!
She had been wittering on about this chap she really fancies. He was a dispatcher. How would she start a conversation with him, how would she know if he liked her or not?
Oh god, he was going to be dispatching a flight at the next gate! What was she going to say??
Full of anticipation, we waited for this god to appear.
"Here he is, oh I can't bear it!" she said
"Oh, that will be Colin then. My Husband!" I said.
If only I could describe the look on her face, fresh still in my memory.
"You bitch", she said. And that was that. Best Friends Forever.
Through her further romantic adventures and babies, and drunken nights, even canoodling up to Louise's father in law, much to amusement of Jo (the wife) and myself.
From Karaoke parties to night of tears and tantrums (both her and me). Oh yes, Corrine will be there to the end, for both Colin and me.

PS. Corrine not happy, she was 19 and had no taste in men at that time. She has now matured. Also she was just being friendly at the wedding party, and until Brad Pitt becomes available, she will remain young free and single.

Amazing News...

Tuesday
Hit the marvel that was Braehead shopping centre. This is the place the spinal unit suggest you take patients when they are up and about, as therapy for the wider world. I suggested if they take Colin here, he will fling himself down the escalators. No man should have to go through the trauma that is the Braehead shopping centre.
As Colin was in the past is unaware that there was even more than one shop at the Gyle, good luck to the person that has to navigate that centre with Colin.
Amazing news (as promised in the title)- Colin's cuff was deflated (the cuff is the part of the ventilator that prevents air passing through the vocal chords and prevents him from speaking) an hour and a half into my visit. So after an a hour and a half of lip reading chat, Colin was able to speak, sounding like a husky George Clooney.
Relief all round. After garrotting himself, there was a possibility that his vocal chords had been damaged.So after a couple of sentences of "How amazing" and "I can hear myself speak!", we looked at each other, and suddenly thought, we couldn't think of anything to say.
Stacey (the nurse), inflated cuff after 5 minutes, and was it my imagination, but were Colin's last words "Promise, not the Braehead shopping centre!"

The fairy tale...

Once upon a time lived a beautiful fairy, Toto. She was slim and witty and had the most amazing golden wings. She lived in an enchanted life with her fairy man, Coco. They had been together many moons and had three fabulous fairy babies, whose wings had grown covered in jewels. They were now in their own fairy worlds and love and peace reigned.
Toto had not listened to her own mother's words of wisdom and sat under her enchanted toad stool reading "fairycosmopolitan" instead of studying the magical charms. So she left the fairy academy without her fairy diploma.
So Coco flew around the kingdom doing good, and worked for the family of the fairy king. Toto had to leave her home in the dead of night to go to the mysterious dark woods, where toast and laughter was forbidden.She should have heeded her mother's words. She worked for the witches at the top of the hill. The hill that no fairy worth her wings would want to climb.
All was well in Coco and Toto's world. Until one day while frolicking with unicorns and Pegasus, the worst of the worst happens. He fell and broke his beautiful wings. No amount of love or care would make these wings work. For many moons he lay, Toto had no option. She flew between the mysterious wood and her magic world. But one day Coco could not let her go. She forgot her duties and stayed to return to the mysterious wood the following morning.
Summoned to the top of the hill where the witches sat around their coven, writing accounts of all that went on, using the fingers of their victims dipped in blood as their quills.
Her story of her absence was greeted by un-human chortles "but, but". No buts. They tore off her wings and chopped off her head...
The End.

Those of you that know will understand. Those of you that don't, do not fear I have not lost the plot!
PS. Colin is fine, doing well on the DIY and although slightly down, is lifted by your good wishes and love.