How to sneak out of hospital....

Hello all,


I hope that you have all had a better week than I have. Today is Day 11 in "the largest independent hospital in the UK" and I am mightily bored, although I have had a few adventures this week. 


Wednesday saw the 'Start of Season Polo Party' at Mahiki, Mayfair. My mum and I had persuaded one of my Consultants to let me go as it would only be a small evening soiree and she would pick me up and bring me back. Of course we didn't mention the dancing, the 4 treasure chests and the fact that mum wouldn't be picking me up as she was 50+ miles away. 

Imi and Becks at Mahiki

11pm came and my parents were receiving frantic phone calls from the ward. These continued at 5 minute intervals until I casually rocked up at 1.30am with a drunken (but very lovely and amusing) friend in tow. I tried to sneak in but unfortunately I haven't had much practice of doing so recently and its much harder when there are two of you wobbling on high heels! My nurse was not best pleased but I'd had a great night, seen lots of old friends and fortunately he was in fits of giggles within a few minutes. I did feel like I was in the naughty corner the next morning though but the fun nurses winked at me and I became the cool 'rebel' patient for a day and was apparently the talk of the hospital. 


During Thursday afternoon. I went for a brief 5 minute walk. When I got back to the nurses station, I could barely breathe and had severe chest pain. By the time they got me back to my bed, I was unconscious and unresponsive. Within 5 minutes they had called the crash team and there were 15+ people in my room, with 3 senior doctors trying to get extra lines in. There were brief moments when I was aware of what was going on and it was utterly terrifying. 


They took me to intensive care to be monitored but in the past 24 hours, I've had 2 MRI scans (brain and chest), leg ultrasounds to rule out clots, x-rays and an EEG (a brain examination). Exhausting and unnerving. It is also quite a scary place to be because there are several people on their last legs who sadly are severely struggling, not to mention the fact that it looks and feels like a spaceship in every sense. It's been a hell of a week seeing as I primarily came in for a nasty infection as a result of my Primary Antibody Disorder. My diabetes is way back on the list of issues. 


I must just briefly add that today (Saturday 12th) is International Nurses Day and I must thank each and every nurse that has made this whole experience bearable. 


The real nurses, as in the ones who are truly caring and go above and beyond their role are the ones who make the world of difference at times like these and I have been fortunate to have had some of them by my side in recent weeks and months!


I thought I had escaped intensive care but not so and thus I am still here. However, it was my Daddy's 60th birthday a little while ago and I had bought Westlife tickets for us to go. The Doctor said I need to be very careful and have to come straight back but if all is well, I will be heading to the O2 this evening for an evening of 'light' entertainment. Fingers crossed I am OK or else I will be in the naughty books again. Every time I see my chest consultant I have that dreaded fear that reminds me of standing outside the headmistresses office at Junior school - utterly petrified and shaking in my little shoes. Dr Kon instills me with that same fear. I'd better be well behaved tonight or else I'll be in for the high jump. Monday and Tuesday will bring more tests including a sleep study and then hopefully I will be let loose. 


UKPIPS and its members have been providing me with fantastic support and advice and I am very grateful to them, as I am to all of you who have sent me such kind words and messages of support. I hope that my infusions aren't delayed too much by all of these events and I am looking forward to being well enough to visit you all soon!