Greg's Journey

Today is my first day in 2 months without opioids. To manage pain over the last two and a bit months, I've had ordine (liquid morphine, taken orally), morphine, via injection, and fentanyl, via a skin patch. At the worst moments, all three were in parallel use which blows my mind now. This is on top of anti-nausea tablets, anti-reflux tablets, anti-blood clotting tablets and others that I've been given. It will probably take a few days to get out of my system, but this is another milestone moment in my recovery. I am still very tired and spend a lot of time sleeping, or resting and dozing, during the day. I am so lethargic it's hard to even comprehend. I've got to listen to my body though as it's gone through a lot and I can't rush it. My throat is still sore, and I can't eat solid food yet. I'm on the Ensure TwoCal drinks (4 per day) at the moment for my nutrition needs. On top of this, I still have next to no sense of taste or smell still but some thin...

Hi everyone! It's now nearly two weeks since leaving hospital, and I am starting to feel partly human. Sure, the throat is still very sore, and I'm still on fentanyl pain medication, but life is getting better. The aftereffects of pneumonia are still there; my chest still rattles, and every now and again there is a large amount of mucous that needs to be coughed up, with lots of spluttering. I have my after-treatment review with Professor Corry on the 12th March so I'm looking forward to that. The last time I saw her was during a drug-induced fog when I was getting my second nasal feeding tube inserted. The biggest news however, has been the safe arrival of my first grandchild! Yes, I am now a grandfather. I'm not sure if I'm ready to be called that, as I certainly don't feel like a grandfather, but, there you have it: I am. His name is Oliver, and he arrived in the evening on the 1st March. He's absolutely beautiful. Claire and I were lucky enough to get to...