Recovery, Day 1

Well its "M" + 1 or Ghost 2, which ever you prefer (and that's the last time I shall use either of those phrases). First a correction, Tracey's surgeon is Jenny Smith not Jane.

Just to put you all at ease from the start, the operation went well and Tracey is looking and doing fine. The first day of her recovery was a success. I rang the ward in the morning to find out how she was, she was having a wash and we couldn't speak, but it was a good sign that she was up and about.

Today was the day for her Mummy to visit so Mummy and granddaughter did the 2:00 to 3:30 stint with a little bit of help from her good friend Sue Bally who gave directions and is going on holiday this weekend so it was her only chance to see Trace. I believe a lot of talking was done and they definitely overstayed visiting time by a long while. I have no idea what they talked about but Tracey was so tired after they left she immediately fell asleep.

Of course the big event of the day was the visit by the boys in the evening. This was Adams first chance to see his mum since the op. She looked tired but all three of us gathered round the bed. We talked, about Adams day at a school conference, ending up with a debate in the council chamber at County Hall and also Vaughans adventures in Bath as part of his GCSE course. We swapped witty banter and she looked relaxed. We admired her new pyjamas and she complained that they used to fit properly. I'm not sure how she came to that conclusion as I don't think she tried them on before hospital. She has a pillow case by her side in to which all the horrors of the universe drain, apparently the drains are getting clearer, which should be a good sign. She has a tale to tell about going to the toilet, I shall leave her to recount that one.

Anyway the witty banter continued as Adam and Vaughan tried out the telly, phone, Internet connection consul which is at her bedside and I tried to pull that erudite conversation from the depths of my consciousness that would keep my wife entertained for the rest of the day. I think we know where this ends, The girls go miles over their time at her bedside and the boys leave half an hour early with nothing left to say. She was tired though in our defense. I think tomorrow we will go with a boy girl mix although I don't want it to get in the way of watching Dr Who.

Tracey already has her next consultation lined up for the 6th July and we won't know anything about the results until then. She had a visit from her clinic nurse Irene during the day who was, as always, wonderful. She also had a flying visit from her Consultant with some children, sorry doctors, in tow. Even the doctors look young nowadays (not you Rob).

So I think at the moment all she can do is heal. She remains as funny and as beautiful as ever, with the glint in her eye not diminished one bit. We are not sure when she is going to leave hospital but I will let you all know. The sooner she comes home the better.

As for the rest of us, I have already mentioned Adam and Vaughans day. Livi drove me to college and had a driving lesson later and yes she does accelerate too fast as her instructor confirmed. Brenda and I were ladies who lunch for the day, having a fine tea/coffee and a piece of cake at Hartleys near Winsley which was quiet and beautiful. We saw a young lady doing dressage on a horse and looked at some chickens and rabbits. Oh how I love the country. It was a good time to talk away from everyone.

Now I am going to have another beer.

Chris