I know Billy was going to the game at Argyle with some of his friends and I was hoping to catch up with him there.
If he is still in hospital in Derriford (Plymouth) on the 18th or even if he isn't and is thankfully back home in Devon - is there anything we could do from the away end to send him a message that might get picked up on the Quest/YouTube highlights?
If anyone has any ideas please share.
In the meantime, as I live in Devon and work in Plymouth would it be worth seeing if Plymouth would print a get well message in their programme for the game if there is still time?
I’ve just picked up and copied this latest update from Helen, Billy’s wife. I know very little about this condition, and this was a sobering read about the long hard battle still ahead of him.
Not much to report today. Billy seems a bit stronger and a little less confused. Sammy visited with me, but that was just a one off and from now on I will have to go in on my own due to Covid restrictions. Billy does get very tired after an hour.
Today he wanted to see if he could read anything but it turns out he can't. He can read occasional words but said they just blur together. It's not surprising that he finds this too difficult at the moment. He will have to make do with audio books for a while.
We spoke to a doctor who said that they were happy with how he is doing and that they have done as much as they can in neurosurgery. They will want him to go back for a CT scan in 3 months to check that the glue is holding up and there is no other bleeding. He will be at increased risk of another aneurysm, stroke and seizures so we will have to be vigilant.
So from now on, it is going to be all about rehabilitation, physio etc and getting him in a fit state to go home. The doctor said this could take a few weeks or 6-12 months, they just don't know at this point. I'm sincerely hoping it will be the former as I can't imagine how he will cope being there for months.
I am writing this in the hope that it might help people understand, it is not written to gain personal sympathy.
Having been through this with the Lass about 15 years ago I can say from the view of the carer that it is a scary and long process of recovery. The actual aneurism is a bleed in the brain that renders to sufferer almost immediately unconscious or if still conscious in huge pain and allergic to the light. For the carer it is scary as suddenly a fit healthy person isn't and you don't know what to do besides call for an ambulance. In our case the Lass was in intensive care for about 10 days slipping in and out of consciousness. As she came back to life she spoke more rubbish than normal and with a poor memory. She left hospital after about 3 weeks and slowly returned to normal. It took about a year to recover and needed a lot of patience and understanding for both of us. We attended a self help group which showed how differently people were affected by this problem, so for Billy and his wife it might be very different. My advice to those who know them is to be patient with his recovery and be supportive to Helen.
I am writing this in the hope that it might help people understand, it is not written to gain personal sympathy.
Having been through this with the Lass about 15 years ago I can say from the view of the carer that it is a scary and long process of recovery. The actual aneurism is a bleed in the brain that renders to sufferer almost immediately unconscious or if still conscious in huge pain and allergic to the light. For the carer it is scary as suddenly a fit healthy person isn't and you don't know what to do besides call for an ambulance. In our case the Lass was in intensive care for about 10 days slipping in and out of consciousness. As she came back to life she spoke more rubbish than normal and with a poor memory. She left hospital after about 3 weeks and slowly returned to normal. It took about a year to recover and needed a lot of patience and understanding for both of us. We attended a self help group which showed how differently people were affected by this problem, so for Billy and his wife it might be very different. My advice to those who know them is to be patient with his recovery and be supportive to Helen.
Getting over a brain injury is never easy and as you say recovery/rehab is not straightforward. I used to work with an OT who specialised in brain injuries and I saw the challenges involved.
I hope Billy and Helen get all the support they need.
Billy, when I was my lowest point, 7 years ago this month with my heart failure, my Mrs read the messages that had been left on here by many Lifers and it helped to pick me up tremendously. I read that you find reading difficult at the moment, perhaps your family can read this thread to you or audio it for you so you can listen at your leisure? Take care and get well soon
Just to say that yes indeed Billy was so amazed and delighted to receive the video message from Johnny. We have also now received a shed load of cards from Charlton fans. Please can you pass on our thanks to everyone? I've been taking a few a day into the hospital, and we have been reading them together (slowly!). They have brought a smile to his face and at times a tear in his eye. It means so much to know that so many people have his back. I'm so impressed with how supportive and caring the Charlton community is. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hx
Just to say that yes indeed Billy was so amazed and delighted to receive the video message from Johnny. We have also now received a shed load of cards from Charlton fans. Please can you pass on our thanks to everyone? I've been taking a few a day into the hospital, and we have been reading them together (slowly!). They have brought a smile to his face and at times a tear in his eye. It means so much to know that so many people have his back. I'm so impressed with how supportive and caring the Charlton community is. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hx
Hi Billy. Just come across this thread dedicated to you. I also send my sincere best wishes to you and hope you have a full and speedy recovery. What a fantastic and special show of support from the Charlton family to one of our own.
However much you love & care for the patient, daily visits to someone in hospital can become a strain for both parties as you run out of fresh topics of conversation, so I'm sure having the cards to share will be a support to Helen as well as Billy.
That you, Billy, have been able to appreciate JJ's message is in itself a demonstration that you are making progress, when you consider you were in ICU just 10 days ago. Just keep things moving in the right direction!
Let's hope everyone at tonight's game can give the team an extra cheer on Billy's behalf, and raise a glass to his improving health.
The deluge of cards, gifts and general goodwill from this community when I was at my lowest ebb earlier this year was a massive pick me up. It genuinely gave my recovery a big boost and has continued to do so. Massive shout out to those behind it. You know who you are!!! I hope Billy is getting the same impetus. Rooting for you Bill.
Some good news. Billy is back home. He's been discharged into the care of the community neuro rehab team. We were hoping he might be home before Christmas but never thought it would be so soon. We are all so pleased to have him back home with us. He's a bit weak and seeing double but doing well. Definitely a major step forward x
Great news Prague. Glad to learn that you’re back in familiar surroundings Billy and able to enjoy the comforts of home. All the best with your recovery 👍 COYA!
Comments
If he is still in hospital in Derriford (Plymouth) on the 18th or even if he isn't and is thankfully back home in Devon - is there anything we could do from the away end to send him a message that might get picked up on the Quest/YouTube highlights?
If anyone has any ideas please share.
In the meantime, as I live in Devon and work in Plymouth would it be worth seeing if Plymouth would print a get well message in their programme for the game if there is still time?
Having been through this with the Lass about 15 years ago I can say from the view of the carer that it is a scary and long process of recovery. The actual aneurism is a bleed in the brain that renders to sufferer almost immediately unconscious or if still conscious in huge pain and allergic to the light. For the carer it is scary as suddenly a fit healthy person isn't and you don't know what to do besides call for an ambulance.
In our case the Lass was in intensive care for about 10 days slipping in and out of consciousness. As she came back to life she spoke more rubbish than normal and with a poor memory. She left hospital after about 3 weeks and slowly returned to normal. It took about a year to recover and needed a lot of patience and understanding for both of us. We attended a self help group which showed how differently people were affected by this problem, so for Billy and his wife it might be very different. My advice to those who know them is to be patient with his recovery and be supportive to Helen.
I hope Billy and Helen get all the support they need.
I read that you find reading difficult at the moment, perhaps your family can read this thread to you or audio it for you so you can listen at your leisure?
Take care and get well soon
Just to say that yes indeed Billy was so amazed and delighted to receive the video message from Johnny. We have also now received a shed load of cards from Charlton fans. Please can you pass on our thanks to everyone? I've been taking a few a day into the hospital, and we have been reading them together (slowly!). They have brought a smile to his face and at times a tear in his eye. It means so much to know that so many people have his back. I'm so impressed with how supportive and caring the Charlton community is. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hx
What a fantastic and special show of support from the Charlton family to one of our own.
Chin up Billy - us "lefties" have got to stick together fella.
That you, Billy, have been able to appreciate JJ's message is in itself a demonstration that you are making progress, when you consider you were in ICU just 10 days ago. Just keep things moving in the right direction!
Let's hope everyone at tonight's game can give the team an extra cheer on Billy's behalf, and raise a glass to his improving health.
Some good news. Billy is back home. He's been discharged into the care of the community neuro rehab team. We were hoping he might be home before Christmas but never thought it would be so soon. We are all so pleased to have him back home with us. He's a bit weak and seeing double but doing well. Definitely a major step forward x