Holidays Are Over 17th July 2011

Holidays are over, not at all... With my redundancy now being confirmed officially (I now have the written confirmation all commences from 20th July), there is still a nagging doubt at the back of my mind on the choice I have made, but hey it is done and I really need to start to relax about it. This is the first time in years I have been unemployed and it is all still a bit daunting.

On the positive side, it is great to have so much time on my hands for a change, without the burden of work related issues at the back of my mind, it is very easy to say work and stress do not affect your family life, but I believe we all know deep down this is not the case and stresses and strains at work do have effects on your mood both in and out of the workplace, it can be very difficult sometimes to switch off from work after 5.30pm some days. Now it is time to have some fun as we slowly (and it does feel very slowly) strive towards the 5 day visit to the Evelina for round 2 of Robbie's treatment.

Fun is the name of the game in the house at this time, quality time with your kids really is the best tonic in the world - 

Several questions are now beginning to come together on our questions sheet for the staff at the Evelina, having now had time to digest the purpose of the visit, we have come to realise  this is our opportunity to really probe on the issues we feel are foremost as part of Robbie's treatment, and no doubt there will still be areas we probably haven't even considered thus far... all will be updated in the blog as and when it arises next week. Some examples on questions so far have been set out below -

• Will Robbie be able to stop his medication after DBS? 
•  How long after op his he likely to be able to return to school?
• Splint – Is there any way this could ever be fixed or will he always need it?
• Will he be able to handle the car journey after the op, or are we better to break up the journey (650 miles)?
• Does / will he need to wear anything special to protect his head initially after the op?

etc etc etc... and so the list goes on....

I have also built a very comprehensive travel schedule (too much time on my hands maybe, I am never this organised), the plan is to head off on Friday 22nd so we are in plenty time for his appointments (and for me to take on the scary thought of driving in central London - possibly a shut your eyes and hope for the best situation here!)

The tests begin at Kings College Hospital initially then back to the Evelina for the 5 days... Hey it will be an adventure I keep telling myself !

Robbie is fully aware he is going back to the hospital, however doesn't seem upset or phased by the whole thing, as I may have mentioned earlier, I am not entirely convinced he has taken on board the extent of these tests, however it is our intention to share with Robbie what is going on, if he has any questions we will answer them as truthfully as we can, to be honest when I ponder this un-phased attitude maybe it is just the case Robbie has become accustomed to going to hospitals, and routinely accepts this as part of his life.

As far as Robbie and Chloe are concerned at this time, it is their holidays from school, a chance to play, run, fight and argue together as brother and sister should, their holiday certainly isn't over and when the weather allows (which in the UK can be very unpredictable) they are out in the garden causing as much mess and mayhem as possible, does this upset me, no, not in the slightest this is their own special safe area, where I know where they are, what they are up to, and they are only a few steps away should any of them need help, or fall over, friends are welcome to come play too - 

So as the say "Life is peachy" at this time, the thought of work, money etc firmly out of the way for a short time we can concentrate on living and enjoying life.

Overall, Robbie seems quite content just now, with only a few occasions where he has talked of "being sore" the sleep thing is still proving to be an issue, however now we are home from holiday, this is much easier to deal with as his room is quite safe, and he can get up and wander to the toilet etc till his hearts content, we know he will drop off eventually.... Yawn !