"My Dad"

My dad lives in Shropshire. He's diabetic. He fell over and banged his head (we think). He felt odd afterwards but was driving his car etc. Tried to get an appointment with local GP, ended up going after the weekend. GP got him into hospital straight away, suspected something serious was up. And it was - subdural haematoma. Local Shrewsbury hospital couldn't treat his condition, he needed neurosurgery. No hospitals in the area had a free bed. Lead time on going private was too long too. Watched him slipping away, getting worse over a period of days. At last, call came - bed free in Walton. Sent via ambulance straight away. Reading material on web was depressing for me, very upset by now. Operated. Back to his old self! Gradually got worse again, to point he could hardly move. Operated a 2nd time. Paranoia set in after this op, Dad acting like a mad-man straight from Hollywood movie. Heart breaking. Operated a 3rd time. Much improved, paranoia gone but very tired. Like everything happening in slow motion. Gradually improved to point sent home, via Shrewsbury hospital. Dad's speech improves over time and follow up visits to Walton go well. Dad now fine, just a dimple where they operated andlower dosage aspirin I think for his diabetes.

The guys and girls on Dott ward were fab, Dad was especially taken with one of the nurses there who's name escapes me. They were all brilliant, even if the consultant appeared to be so, so, so busy.