After a sleepless night I spoke to Frank and explained that I need to go home and why. Everyone at Reitstall Salzgeber was great.
After trying to book a ticket over the phone, unsuccessfully, mum managed to get a reasonably priced ticket on the internet leaving Munich at 8.30am Wednesday..
Dad had 1 operation on his brain, then another as there was a secondary bleed. Afterwards he was placed in a medical coma so as to relieve pressure on the brain and to give it the best chance of healing. They also left a piece of skull out to help with pressure. He was then moved into Intensive Care and the doctors stressed that they were unsure if he would survive the night.
21st March
Dad survived the night to the surprise of the doctors, but is still very much in a critical condition although seems to be improving slowly. Ulla booked me accomodation at a hotel 13km from the Airport and I will take the train in tonight so I can be at the airport at 6.30am.
22nd March
What a nightmare...try finding a train to get to a town at 7.30pm when the train stations are unmanned and your German is fairly limited! I decided then to catch the train to the airport and taxi out to the hotel. I got to the Airport at 10pm and tried to call the hotel to check if I can still get in, no answer. Lucky I hadnt already gone there in the taxi. So I stayed in the Hotel Airport- a little expensive, but it was worth it just for the long hot shower and comfy big bed. In the morning I walked a couple of hundered metres and was at the terminal waiting to fly home.
Dad is still on the improve and they are starting to wake him up from the coma.
23rd March
Arrived at Tullamarine Airport about 5pm and my uncle picked me up and took me straight to the hospital.
I was glad to finally be home and able to see the family and dad. He looked much better than I had pictured in my mind. He is still hooked up to a respirator and has a breathing tube, not to mention a million other tubes, bags, and wires attached to him. But he did squeeze my hand when I was talking to him. He was very tired.
24th March
We all had a sleep in and headed into the hospital about 12ish. Dad seemed more awake- trying to open his eyes, squeezing hands and even grinning when Leah and I spoke to him at one point. The doctor gave us the results of the biopsy- the mass they found is an aggressive cancer. Unfortunately they cant get an oncologist to see him until he is off the respirator and breathing on his own. Then they will be able to assess what damage there is to the brain. And then the cancer experts can look at him and tell us more from then.
At the moment he can't seem to move his right arm but that is the only obvious change. He is able to lift and squeeze his left arm, move both feet & open his eyes.
25th March
Another sleep in today. Then into the hospital and what a surprise, they had removed the breathing tube and respirator and dad was breathing on his own...just goes to show he can hear. We told him yesterday that if he improves his breathing they will remove the tube. Tuff guy my dad!
So not only had they removed the tube, but because there is not tube in his throat he was trying to talk and even gave us a thumbs up! Was very tired though after having his tube removed and trying so hard to show us his stuff!
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