Malcolm Cowen's Pages

We arrived at 3.15 at the hospital to be told there  was no one of that name expected and no bed. After some debate  the nurses found out we should be there but no notes no letter or anything about Malcolm had arrived on the ward. So we sat in the waiting room. 2 hours later  a registrar a lovely Chinese doctor came and told us all about the operation. It will start about 10,30 tomorrow after the doctors have their weekly chat and will last 10 hours. So I will not  see Malcolm on Friday at all as he will be kept asleep until Saturday. Also blood was needed to be taken to cross match 4 units for the op so that had to be done tonight. ( 9.30 . no blood taken yet) Why could that have  not been done in out patients? At 6.30 we came home and had  a lot to eat and drink as we were starving. We then returned to the ward at 8.00 and a bed was ready for him. We parted with many tears and prayers. Continue reading »

Being given the news that your husband has a life threatening illness was not new to me. 40 years ago  when my 2 eldest sons were  2 and 1  Malcolm was involved in a very serious road acciddent. He was left with no unbroken  ribs and a mangled right leg and paralysed gut.  He had a  50/50 chance of surviving.  So I had to  stay calm for the chilldren and prepare for  my life as a widow. Continue reading »