The first....

I was asked, very wisely, to start a blog, to keep you all updated about the progress that my Dad is making in hospital.
For those of you who don't know me, and there will be many of you, I'm Melissa, "The Middle Daughter" and the one that knows how to use a computer/the internet/ had actually heard of a Blog.
Firstly, can i say a thank you to EVERYONE, for their kind words, letters, phone calls and flowers. It is so heartwarming to know that my Dad is cared for and respected by all these people, and they were a great comfort to the whole family.

So here it is....THE COLIN MITCHELL RECOVERY BLOG!!
I will try to post as regulary as possible. Keeping you all updated on every finger and toe!

I'll start with a little break down of things that i know about Dad's condition-
When he fell, he broke the C2/C3 vertebrae. There is no brain damage. He has suffered a large laseration to the neck, where his hat had cut it open. Once patched up, he spent two weeks in the ICU at the Western General. They were great and were a fantastic support to Mum in the first few awful days. At first, he was able to move his head left to right and up and down, much to the annoyance of the nurses who were trying to get him to keep his head very still.
The prognosis was not good. Dad was doing nothing for himself apart from keeping his heart beating. The breathing tubes annoyed him greatly. They moved his breathing to his throat for a tracheostmy (sorry about the spelling for any of you who are in the medical profession).

After 2 weeks, he was transferred to the specialist Spinal Unit at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. He remains on a high dependancy ward, due to his need for ventilation. He is recieveing excellent care and attention.

The great news- and the reason for starting this blog.
In the past few days, Colin has managed to voluntarily move his toes AND has spent 10 minutes breathing for himself, without any ventilator assistance.

Dad has on several occasions now, been able to wiggle his toes. He has sensation and can feel many parts of his body. This is a great start by any stretch of the imagination, and our hope is that he continues to be able to do this. The question on everyones mind is, "what does this mean?" and to be honest, neither the doctors or ourselves know. This could mean just that, he can wiggle his toes. We work one day at a time. However, from what we were first told in the ICU, this is leaps and bounds that my Dad has come on.
Having first been told, because of the placement of the injury that Dad would never breath off a ventilator, to have him taking breaths all by himself, unassited by machinery, for 10 minutes today is incredible.
The ward are going to work with him to try and increase and sustain the amount of time that he can spend off the vent.

We know that this is going to be a long and tiring journey. There is no cure or quick fix. It is all about determination. And for all of those that know my Dad, you will know, if anyone can do it, it will be him.

Thank you all again for your continuing support. I will try my hardest to keep these reports regular and detailed!
Keep those fingers and toes crossed.
Best wishes to you all
Melissa