An update on David

Hi World

Here is the promised update on how David is doing.

Yesterday (Thursday 13th August) David finally got to see the stroke specialist at the hospital. It sounds like he spent most of the day there having various tests done- an MRI scan of his head and neck, blood tests, reflex and neurology tests.

From his blood results, they have increased the dosage of the blood thinners he is on- but that is also explained by the difference between English and Cypriot dosage guidelines- he is now on 200mg of whatever tablet it was rather than 100mg. They have also put him on a course of Folic Acid so I guess he is slightly anaemic- at least its not iron tablets which can make you constipated!

The reflex tests were predictably wonky on his left side- not just caused by the stroke, but also due to David breaking his spine and pelvis back in 1972. His left side has always been weaker since that- we had fun trying to learn to cha-cha-cha as it involves very quick foot movements and we had to break it down really slowly to get them right.

Speech is getting easier for David and he doesn't need to see a speech therapist- its not caused so much by muscle weakness as just getting very tired when he tries to talk for long periods of time.

David explained about the vision problems he has- he says that at times, it seems like there is a fine mesh over his eyes. No news on what may cause this, so I guess it is another side effect from the stroke. If necessary we will get him to an opthalmologist to have a good look through his eyes and make sure everything is okay there.

He will be going to see a physiotherapist to help him with balance and back to see the specialist in three months *sigh*. On Monday coming, he has a visitor from the Stroke Association coming to see him and hopefully they will be able to give practical and mental support not just to David but also to Jo and Tom.

I will keep you all updated if there is any more news
K x