Steve's Hour of Need

Post by **putusernamehere** » Mon May 12, 2014 3:17 pm

Steve I wish you and Chris all the best and strength for the difficult time.
Gunter

Post by **art** » Mon May 12, 2014 5:23 pm

Steve I'm away in France at the moment, just seen all this, there are no words to describe how you're feeling, but all the posts, giving support is unbelievable, as a fellow pianist your music will give you strength, good luck to you and your wife, art

Post by **SteveHopwood** » Mon May 12, 2014 8:26 pm

Thanks guys for all the wonderful support you are offering me here. You have to be inside my head to know how touched I am by all of you.

Chris has some sort of immune disease. Front runner is MS but tests are as yet inconclusive. Her collapse at the start of February was the final stage of a process that began when she steadfastly refused to seek medical help even as her mobility lessened day by day over a period of years. Doctors confirmed that she was hours away from death when I finally overrode her wishes and called for help. Two subsequent bouts of sepsis took her to the brink two more times. Wow, but those doctors worked some magic.

Unless physiotherapy can work a highly unlikely miracle, she will never walk again. Right now, she cannot even straighten her legs. She has some decent mobility in her left arm and hand, but bugger all in her right.

The conditions that threatened Chris's life originally are now well under control. She will be extraordinarily unlucky to succumb to infection again. She will return home eventually, albeit with a help package that makes all those years of paying NI contributions here in the UK worthwhile 10 times over. Our UK National Health Service gets stuff wrong a lot and people suffer. When it gets stuff right, it does a job unparallelled in human history. Chris and I are lucky to have been on the receiving end of NHS treatment at its most magnificent.

For now, Chris and I are working on ways that I can help her move a bit once she comes home, during those periods when the staff who will do so much to help with her care are not present, and which do not do me physical harm. To get a feeling for where we are, try this: lie in bed; do not move anything other than your left arm for half an hour. It hurts. For Chris, for now, that is permanent. She grows stronger daily, but I have no way of telling how much mobility will return. Not much, I suspect.

To those of you who have indicated that you or your loved ones have problems either now or looming, I offer my sympathy and understanding. It is a real bugger to be in your position.

Thanks again guys. I am deeply grateful.

Post by **MurphyMan** » Mon May 12, 2014 8:44 pm

Steve, I have been out of town and have come into this thread late. I knew your wife was in trouble and have been thinking of your situation often. I am so sorry to hear about it.

The two of you still still have a long row to hoe and it sure ain't going to be easy. I don't believe prayer does anything, but at least I can throw warm thoughts your way.

My wife and I watched a French film about all this the other day. It wasn't easy viewing, but all the way through it they held their great love for each other, and in the end, I guess that's the best we can hope for.

Take care, Steve, and please tell Chris that the world-wide SHF hordes are pulling for her.

Take Care,

Sam
USA

Post by **SteveHopwood** » Mon May 12, 2014 8:54 pm

Sam reminds me. I do indeed tell Chris that the world wide shf is rooting for her. She is thrilled and delighted.

Post by **spotdespot** » Mon May 12, 2014 9:47 pm

Sorry to hear of your pain Steve. I'm afraid I can't be much use with the coding but I can help with most general/newbie questions.

Thinking of you both, as I am sure we all are - hang in there.

Post by **macman** » Tue May 13, 2014 8:42 am

Steve,

Anything you want/need - just ask. There are 100's maybe even 1000's of members here who will make it happen.

Our thoughts are with you and your family.

David

Ben12 · Post by **Ben12** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:36 am

Steve,

Our thoughts & prayers are with Chris & yourself.

Perhaps these videos will be of interest and can assist in the long term.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxfNPnNnX8U
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 425A015FC8

Ben

PipPoppy · Post by **PipPoppy** » Tue May 13, 2014 12:26 pm

My thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family during these difficult times.
Pip Popppy

Post by **hiredwhip** » Tue May 13, 2014 1:17 pm

Steve,
I am so sorry to here of your wife's health issues.......I logged in last night to read the OAW thread and post results and saw your post on Wed May 07........That was very hard for me to read, knowing you as I feel I do.......But after a minutes thought, I realized how I would feel if my Bride of now 44 years was in the same state of affairs..........Fight the good fight....Family always comes first and as strong as I know that you are, you will get through this..........

Our prayers are with you and if there is anything you feel I can do for you please PM me and you have my e-mail address...........

Whip