2012/11/04
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A new message from Gilbert for you:
Saturday November 3rd
Thank you all for your support which I appreciate dearly.
The bacteria that I had to fight has been dealt with for some time now, maybe 3 to 4 weeks. My surgeon says they used the best antibiotic in the world. The problem now is dealing with the side effects. These include loss of use (like frozen) for my left hand and left forearm. The fingers of the hand are very slowly coming back to life. It could take months. Also, I can’t walk without help except for very short distances, like from the bed to the toilet, but that progress is recent. But even then someone walking next to me remains essential, in case I would fall. I lost 11 to 12 kilos (about 26 to 30 pounds).
I also have a thoracic drain which is scheduled to be replaced next Thursday and under full anesthesia again, with something not external. This means no more external tube and pouch to collect undesired fluids. I am also connected to an oxygen source 24 hours a day.
Thank God I’m right handed. (…) but even if it works, the end of my fingers on the right hand are a little numb. For even handwriting this is hard so this will probably need to be translated or reviewed in person let’s say, with Friend. I just hope I can read myself when he comes tomorrow
BTW, today is the 2 months anniversary of arriving here, September 3. And they won’t even offer me a glass of wine with their crappy hospital food dinner
All this to say that my communication possibilities with you are very limited. What I miss also is reading your own blogs. WI-FI is planned for most Montreal hospitals but it will be too late for me. It wouldn’t change anything for editing (try doing CTRL-ALT-Something with only one hand
) but I could at least surf on the Net. I don’t know when I will be able to post again but it could be a while and next time I hope I will talk about something else then me
Comments (9)
I was wondering about the hospital food.
I think about you every day and look forward to your posts here. Thanks to your friend for helping you and keeping us informed about your progress. Lots of hugs from California. 
Bisous.
(Is it MRSA?)
Hang in there and get well. We’ll be here when you’re better. And all the best to Friend too.
So nice to be hearing news from you…many thanks to Friend! Sounds like you are making slow but steady progress towards recovery. If you can ever get the technology, I’d love to see a picture of one of your hospital meals. It would be a nice contrast to the usual pictures you post.
C ‘ est toujours la même chose . L’ opération est sans problème mais il y a les effets secondaires qui compliquent la situation . Naturellement les médecins sont incapbles de te donner une explication de ce handicap imprévu .
Tu remarques quand même une progressive amélioration et cela est positif . Le fluide semble diminuer puisque le drain externe n’ est plus nécessaire .
Je penserai spécialement à toi aujourd’hui , jour où on te le change , sous anesthésie .
Mes pensées t’accompagnet .
Amitiés
mixchel
Thanks ‘friend’ for being there and help him post this lines. They don’t make me happy at all, but, at least, there is hope for the future to be back again. Meanwhile I always keep him in mind in mind and wait to read his long blogs once again.
Hello Gilbert. Thinking of you and hoping for a speedy recovery after Thursday’s surgery. A lot has been happening in the political world in Canada and the USA. Looking forward to your take on things.
Take care, Keith.
We love you.
Je vérifie régulièrement s ‘il y a des nouvelles , et des nouvelles réconfortantes.
Je pense que tu n’ as pas accès à un ordinateur en ce moment .
Je te souhaite un rapide rétablissment
Amitié
mIchel