Goodness me, I had a fright this morning when the Medical Assistance company called at 7.30am to say that their driver hadn't yet found Dad and MB at the airport - two hours after the plane landed! I was on tenterhooks for ten minutes, wondering who to call, when he then rang back to say that the driver had them safely found and they were on their way home - whew, the relief!! To have come all this way and then got lost in the airport would have been too much...
Other news is that I spoke to the poultry man, Steph, last night and he has many more breeds this year than he had last time I visited him. He has been improving his bloodlines and is hoping to produce some excellent birds this year. He is also reporting good fertility already in some breeds, so I have my fingers crossed for my own hatchings from his eggs. Last year I got most of the eggs we hatched from sellers on ebay, but that meant that a lot of the eggs had to come through the postal system, which isn't a great idea. This year we have decided to purchase only from people from whom we can actually go and pick the eggs up, in the hope of greater success rates. We are probably going to start with Barnevelder and Silver-laced Wyandotte bantams from Steph, and maybe he'll have some Gold-laced Orpington eggs later in the year - Coco was one of those, so I am hoping that I'll be able to raise some more of that beautiful breed this year.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
They are coming home - at last!
It seems such a long time since all this illness catastrophe kicked off in the Caribbean, but the weary travellers should start their journey home tonight! The plane is due to leave Antigua at 5.30pm their time tonight, and should arrive at Gatwick at 5.30GMT tomorrow morning. Then a car arranged for them will bring them back to their home. I am sure that they will be very relieved to get home after all this, as I know I will be tremendously glad to see them again and know that they are back here with us. I know that they have been on the other side of the world, and it has felt so FAR!
Goodness knows how they will feel about the weather - they are coming from balmy Caribbean heat back to snow and ice, so I am sure that they will feel quite a difference. Here this morning, the sun is shining but there are large flakes of snow falling from the sky and there is a keen wind at times so it feels frrrrrrreeeeeeeezing!
The time has come to start investigating getting some eggs in the incubators - we are going to phone a man in the Wisbech area from whom we bought some birds last year and ask if he will sell us some eggs. I know last year he had silver-laced Wyandottes, Light sussex and Rhode Island Red as well as a couple of other breeds, so I am hoping he will have some eggs to spare soon.
I forgot to say - we finally got the new Volvo last Friday. The YFG was over the moon to see it at last and we had to go to gym in it Friday night and Saturday morning. Friday she sat in the front, but Saturday she tried all the other seats out - the back and the two in the boot! She has declared it lovely, and wants to go everywhere in it now, passing over my poor old Astra at every opportunity!
Goodness knows how they will feel about the weather - they are coming from balmy Caribbean heat back to snow and ice, so I am sure that they will feel quite a difference. Here this morning, the sun is shining but there are large flakes of snow falling from the sky and there is a keen wind at times so it feels frrrrrrreeeeeeeezing!
The time has come to start investigating getting some eggs in the incubators - we are going to phone a man in the Wisbech area from whom we bought some birds last year and ask if he will sell us some eggs. I know last year he had silver-laced Wyandottes, Light sussex and Rhode Island Red as well as a couple of other breeds, so I am hoping he will have some eggs to spare soon.
I forgot to say - we finally got the new Volvo last Friday. The YFG was over the moon to see it at last and we had to go to gym in it Friday night and Saturday morning. Friday she sat in the front, but Saturday she tried all the other seats out - the back and the two in the boot! She has declared it lovely, and wants to go everywhere in it now, passing over my poor old Astra at every opportunity!
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Weekend update
I spoke with Dad last night, just before I went to bed, so it was about 6.30 in the evening for him; MB had gone back to her hotel for the evening meal, and he was resting and watching some TV. He sounds as if he is getting back to normal, and I was pleased to hear him sounding cheerful.
Saturday was a busy day, with gym in the morning, shopping and then getting everything ready for the Songs of Praise service at church in the evening. There was a bit to do for that, so the girls cooked a couple of frozen pizzas for tea before we went out. The evening was a success with everyone enjoying themselves, but it would have been louder in the singing if more people had come. We raised £95 to add to the £180 we raised at the coffee morning, so all in all, it was a good weekend for the funds!
This morning I left the YFG and the FH in bed and just took the EFG to church. We had a really lovely service with a preacher we hadn't had before, and we were very pleased to meet her - and hope she'll come again! This afternoon, the neighbour's little boy, A, has been here to play on the Wii with the YFG, bringing with him his Clone Wars helmet - so he scared me half to death with the voices which emerged from it. I retreated to the kitchen and made a cake for tea and a traybake for the lunchboxes as well as cooking up two batches of mince - we had shepherds' pie tonight and the second batch is in the fridge ready to be made into spag bol for tomorrow night.
This evening, my sister rang so I had a chat with her, did the school uniform ironing, put another load of washing through the machine and hung it on the airers by the fire, watched "Wild at heart" and now I'm heading for bed.
Saturday was a busy day, with gym in the morning, shopping and then getting everything ready for the Songs of Praise service at church in the evening. There was a bit to do for that, so the girls cooked a couple of frozen pizzas for tea before we went out. The evening was a success with everyone enjoying themselves, but it would have been louder in the singing if more people had come. We raised £95 to add to the £180 we raised at the coffee morning, so all in all, it was a good weekend for the funds!
This morning I left the YFG and the FH in bed and just took the EFG to church. We had a really lovely service with a preacher we hadn't had before, and we were very pleased to meet her - and hope she'll come again! This afternoon, the neighbour's little boy, A, has been here to play on the Wii with the YFG, bringing with him his Clone Wars helmet - so he scared me half to death with the voices which emerged from it. I retreated to the kitchen and made a cake for tea and a traybake for the lunchboxes as well as cooking up two batches of mince - we had shepherds' pie tonight and the second batch is in the fridge ready to be made into spag bol for tomorrow night.
This evening, my sister rang so I had a chat with her, did the school uniform ironing, put another load of washing through the machine and hung it on the airers by the fire, watched "Wild at heart" and now I'm heading for bed.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Hospitals in Antigua
There are apparently only two of them (hospitals in Antigua) and the one that has got Dad is the smaller, private one, with 18 beds. He is in a single, en-suite room, with all mod cons, I hear. The telephone reception is good and I have spoken with him and MB each day. The doctors are treating him well, and he is hoping to be coming home in 2 or 3 more days.
I have been in touch with the medical assistance company which the insurance company instructs, and they are dealing most efficiently with the claim, liaising with the hospital, the GP in this country and P&O too. There is some question over just how much of the care and expenses that they are prepared to pay for now as it seems that one of the conditions which is causing the problems was a pre-existing one. Having asked Dad about it, he says that his doctor didn't tell him that it was a different condition or that it was anything to worry about. That could be an expensive time for him, or us as it transpires now that his cards are in his wallet, in his trouser pocket, packed into a suitcase which P&O are delivering back to the UK ie it is still on the blinking boat and not available for use!!!
I'll be having a day off from ringing them tomorrow as we are organising another Songs of Praise at church for tomorrow evening. This weekend is the Chapel Anniversary, so we had a coffee morning today and raised £180 towards some damp-proofing work.
I have been in touch with the medical assistance company which the insurance company instructs, and they are dealing most efficiently with the claim, liaising with the hospital, the GP in this country and P&O too. There is some question over just how much of the care and expenses that they are prepared to pay for now as it seems that one of the conditions which is causing the problems was a pre-existing one. Having asked Dad about it, he says that his doctor didn't tell him that it was a different condition or that it was anything to worry about. That could be an expensive time for him, or us as it transpires now that his cards are in his wallet, in his trouser pocket, packed into a suitcase which P&O are delivering back to the UK ie it is still on the blinking boat and not available for use!!!
I'll be having a day off from ringing them tomorrow as we are organising another Songs of Praise at church for tomorrow evening. This weekend is the Chapel Anniversary, so we had a coffee morning today and raised £180 towards some damp-proofing work.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Morning news from the Oriana
Dad and MB were going to be "landed" in Antigua this morning and taken to a Medical Centre, where Dad will see a cardiologist. I have spoken with the Care Team at P&O, been assured of their assistance for Dad and MB, tracked down the insurance company who are going to be dealing with their case and repatriation and left my name and number with them, and been given the number of the Medical Centre, so I think that all possible lines of communication are open!
I am expecting the Care Team to let me have an update this afternoon.
I am expecting the Care Team to let me have an update this afternoon.
More from the Oriana
The latest news on the patient last night was that he had been out of bed, the wires are all removed so he is free from drips and stuff like that, although he is still using a heart monitor most of the time. Temperature and BP are normal, and he had had fish and chips for his lunch, probably a low-fat version, and had been watching TV. The doctor on board seems to want him and MB to get off today in Antigua to go to the hospital there so that Dad can see a cardiologist.
MB sounded a lot calmer last night about the whole idea of staying in Antigua as she has been reassured that P&O will arrange everything and they will not be left to make their own arrangements. I am supposing that P&O must have plans in place for such eventualities so there must be people in the ports who help people in these situations. Anyway, we will know today what is going to happen. Apparently, if Dad insists on staying on board and coming home that way, he will have to sign a disclaimer to the effect that he undertakes this next part of the journey at his own risk, having had the dangers explained to him.
Apart from the dramas at sea, life goes on here: gym last night for the YFG and I whilst the EFG and the FH went to the EFG's Options Evening at school to find out more about the choices available to her for her GCSEs. Today she has orchestra after school, and the YFG has art club, so I have more time to do things before picking them up at 4.15 and 4.30pm.
I had better go and get ready to take the YFG to school now - cold and frosty start here this morning, so the car will need defrosting!!
MB sounded a lot calmer last night about the whole idea of staying in Antigua as she has been reassured that P&O will arrange everything and they will not be left to make their own arrangements. I am supposing that P&O must have plans in place for such eventualities so there must be people in the ports who help people in these situations. Anyway, we will know today what is going to happen. Apparently, if Dad insists on staying on board and coming home that way, he will have to sign a disclaimer to the effect that he undertakes this next part of the journey at his own risk, having had the dangers explained to him.
Apart from the dramas at sea, life goes on here: gym last night for the YFG and I whilst the EFG and the FH went to the EFG's Options Evening at school to find out more about the choices available to her for her GCSEs. Today she has orchestra after school, and the YFG has art club, so I have more time to do things before picking them up at 4.15 and 4.30pm.
I had better go and get ready to take the YFG to school now - cold and frosty start here this morning, so the car will need defrosting!!
Monday, 1 February 2010
Health on board ship
The latest word from the ship tonight is that Dad's cough is resolved but he is still in the medical centre, in bed and wired up, because his heart rate is up and down like a yo-yo and the doctors are trying a different drug this afternoon (on board it is still afternoon as they are 4 hours behind us) to try to get that under control. MB sounds worried still, as the powers that be onboard have asked for Dad's passport and are considering what to do with him; when they leave Antigua tomorrow, they are at sea until they reach Madeira and that will be five or six days' sailing to get there. To cap it all, MB has now been confined to the cabin with diarrhoea! I really feel for her - she must be so worried. I think that the diarrhoea will be more likely down to stress than the norovirus but nevertheless, I should think that that is what they suspect she has got. I am just hoping that they take good care of her as well. We have arranged to speak again tomorrow, although she has said she will phone me earlier if there are any developments.
Personally, I think that he is in better hands on the ship, heading for home and "in hospital" than he would be moved to a land-based hospital in Antigua, as he would then have to be certified fit to fly - and I know my Dad - and 8 hours on a plane would send his heart into palpitations for sure - he has always avoided flying if at all possible. The furthest he has flown in recent memory (but that's more than 15 years ago!) was the hour from Cambridge airport to Jersey!
Personally, I think that he is in better hands on the ship, heading for home and "in hospital" than he would be moved to a land-based hospital in Antigua, as he would then have to be certified fit to fly - and I know my Dad - and 8 hours on a plane would send his heart into palpitations for sure - he has always avoided flying if at all possible. The furthest he has flown in recent memory (but that's more than 15 years ago!) was the hour from Cambridge airport to Jersey!
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