Firstly a nod to Willie Nelsons great song "Blue Skies"
Blue skies smilin' at me
Nothin' but blue skies do I see
Bluebirds singin' a song
Nothin' but bluebirds all day long
......and being home really feels like this - especially with the beautiful clear blue skies that we have been lucky to have the last two days. A walk on the Mendips with Mark yesterday and a walk to North Street and back with Ella today. Great to have her out and about and tantamount to how well she is progressing from the operation.
You guys are keeping me busy with all your questions, but they are great questions and I am always happy to answer them. My friend Quentin suggested I post them on the blog along with the answers (at this point of course he is assuming I know the answers!). I thought that was a good idea, so here goes:
1. The pic of Ella's arm was sure impressive. Will that be the end of surgery, or is there more to go? Yes more to go, this is the first of two operations on her arm. There will be a second one at some point to be decided in the next three months to take the temporary spacer/bone out of her arm and replace with the final prosthetic bone. They do it this way so that they can be sure there is no infection. The temporary one is made out of cement and infused with antibiotics
2. Has she got use of her arm back now? No - she is not allowed to move her arm very much at all and is back in a sling full time. So frustrating and in some ways feels like a step back - but the reality is - its going backwards to go forwards...
3. What is happening about the secondary tumours in Ella's lungs - not sure at this stage. They were always going to deal with the primary tumour site in her arm first. However, the last x ray showed that the lung tumours had significantly reduced from the chemo so an operation may not be necessary, maybe some radiotherapy. But all to be discussed
4. What will Ella's new bone be made out of? Not sure, but several people have suggested titanium
5. When can Ella start moving her arm and doing physio? Not for quite some time, probably not till after her second operation.
No news from Oxford re the results of her oepration and tumour analysis today - will chase tomorrow
All good to hear, especially that you've been enjoying the blue skies! Annie xxx
ReplyDeleteVery jealous you have blue skies down there! But enjoy it all the same :) Great to hear Ella is out and about, even if without moving her arm. And thank you for answering those questions, I know we have all been thinking the same. Good luck with tumour analysis today. xxx Georgina
ReplyDeleteWillie Nelson - Brilliant. Freddiex
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear such positive news and sunshine really does lift the spirits. It's good to hear that Ella is making such excellent progress. Thank you for all the information you provide and what a brave girl to allow us to see her arm.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and good wishes are always with you all. Love Bill, Jan, Chris & David xxxx