Update 1 - 30th December 2007

Dear All

We hope that you all had a good Christmas, and will have an excellent 2008.

Sorry we were unable to send Christmas cards this year, but we have been dealing with a major life threatening problem.

Liz had a persistent cough that would not go away at the end of November. Eventually went to doctor who put her on anti-biotics.

Two days later Liz was ‘spaced’ out and felt terribly giddy. She stayed in bed all day which is unheard of. Doctor changed anti-biotics and she improved quite a lot the next day, but still not right. I noticed a slight slur in her speech and she lost some use of her left hand.

Next day went back to doctor who confirmed that he thought she had had a TIA (minor transitory stroke).

Took blood samples for tests and carried out ECG test.

A few days later Liz was unable to walk more than 100 yards without becoming very breathless. Back to doctor who had some results of blood tests.

Mostly ok apart from one that indicated she was anaemic.

More tests over next few days, including chest X-ray at hospital. X-ray all clear.

We were out at an opera on the Saturday night, and Liz complained of pains in her leg. Still very breathless.

On way home from opera went to accident and emergency at 11.00pm. Could not identify any specific risk/problem. Not kept in.

Back to doctor on Monday for more blood tests.

Doctor telephoned urgently Tuesday morning. Pack bags, going straight in to hospital because of one test result. The normal figure if ok is 200/400, if not ok above 500. Liz’s result was 10860. Highest ever seen by doctor or hospital. In hospital within 30 minutes.

Lost of tests carried out including CT scan of head …Ok. Then an Endoscopy (Camera down throat) ….okay. CT scan of chest was a disaster….showed a massive blood clot(s) in the lungs. The doctor commented that he rarely saw patients like Liz as they never made it to hospital.

Very concerned about brain haemorrhage due to stroke, but had no option but to thin her blood to help stabilise the blood clot in her lungs. Over a few days put her on Warfarin to prevent further clots and allow time for body to re-absorb existing clots. During the transition she had to have injections every day in her stomach.

Given two blood transfusions to raise low haemoglobin level caused by anaemia.


A CT scan done of stomach just before Christmas to investigate the anaemia. Full results awaited next week. There is a problem which needs further investigations.

Doctor felt she was stable enough to be released from hospital on Christmas Eve, but had to go to hospital each day for injection until Warfarin stabilised.

Currently waiting for appointment to have MRI scan of brain to clarify extent of stroke.

Liz has no major symptoms of stroke, apart from a very slight slur that most people don’t even notice. Use of hand gradually returning, now just difficult to write, but even that is improving.

Main concern now is the cause of the anaemia. Liz’s case is being reviewed by Multiple Disciplinary Team (MDT) this coming Wednesday, when all the relevant (Stroke, Heart, Chest, Gastro, CT Scans etc) specialists will be in attendance to decide on course of action. They are confident that all three problems are inter-related.

Liz is stable at the moment and is at home. Just feeling very low, quite lethargic & tired, and obviously concerned about what is causing the anaemia.

Must close now, but have built an email distribution list to keep friends and family informed of any significant changes. Impossible to keep everyone up to date by phone, and Liz is not feeling well enough to talk to anyone yet. I am in the process of trying to sell/close down my business in order to spend more time supporting Liz through this difficult period. I had intended stopping work at the end of 2008 or early in 2009 in any case, so I just have to bring it forward as quickly as possible.

Liz is not allowed to drive for the time being so I have to act as her driver.

As I said at the beginning, sorry for lack of contact, but as you can see things have been very difficult since early December.

Hope you are all well.

Richard & Liz


NB: Under the circumstances the best form of contact is probably by email.