Hi,
The doc says that he’s pleased with Tom’s progress with regard to the infection. Whilst its not gone completely (that will take a couple more days possibly), he did confirm what I posted earlier – that the response to antibiotics has been good and the infection is in retreat. He looked more serene and more comfortable today than yesterday. Dr Moeng will probably only have another chat with us on Friday.

On Sunday we sat on a blanket outside on the lawn where the girls play, next to the swing that Tom made for them last weekend, with a “picnic” some biscuits and juice. I took a big photo of Tom and a childs book of the body to show them the spine.

I explained that I love them very much and that their Dad does too. It is ok to cry. When he was coming home from the airport on tuesday night his car was hit by another car. The ambulance came and took him to the hospital. The doctor decided that it would be better to go to Joburg to see the best doctor in the world. So I flew with him in a small airoplane like the one we went to mozambique in. The hospital in joburg did an xray like the one they did on Ciara’s broken leg and it showed that he had broken some bones in his spine. I showed them the picture in the book of the spine.

I then said that he would not be able to walk again ever and this really devastated Ciara, she sat in my lap and sobbed, so did erin. We cried for a bit and I carried on explaining that he would not be able to use his arms or feel anything. Ciara asked if he could hear and I said yes and he can see and kiss us. That was soothing to them.

I told them that they would not be able to see him for quite a while as he needs to rest and try and get strong. But that I am allowed to see him so I would fly to joburg sometimes and they would stay with Al or Granny. Ciara asked if it would be a year until she saw him and I said no they could fly with me one day and see him in the hospital but not for a while. 

I then suggested we ask an angel to be a messenger between us, we can tell the angel a message and it will fly to Dad and whisper in his ear. Ciara called the angel Simon. (interesting name as this is the name of the guy who introduced Tom and I). I said that we would be able to feel his angel whenever we got goosebumps or felt hot or cold suddenly. I said the angel would wrap his wings around us.

I said it would be ok to shout but ciara just wanted to lie there and be quiet and not talk anymore. They then wanted to watch some tv. I said to Keeks its ok to cry but she said she didn’t want to think about it anymore.

They have taken in so much but still have such a childish innocence about it all.  I am relieved I have told them but am finding it harder each day to answer some of their questions. They both said that at least he is still alive.

I ask you all to be sensitive around the girls if you see them but don’t treat them any differently.  They are incredible little human beings and are unsure of what is happening around them.  I don’t have all the answers and that is what is so frightening for us all.

Keep channelling your love and light and energy to Tom, he will feel it.

Some good news.. Tom’s temp is down today to a normal 36, and nurses say they’re very happy with how the infection has been fought off. I can’t tell you whether the infection is gone completely but am presuming that a normal temperature implies as much. They’ve apparently inclined the bed again by a degree or two, so he is as he was before this worry arose and we can take all this as positive stuff.

‘No man is an island, entire of itself. Each is apart of the continent’…
I learn’t these words written by John Donne years ago with Island Hospice and for me they are so pertinent. We all share some link, some bond, some mystical DNA that joins us together.
I am sitting in the waiting room outside the Oliver Tambo Trauma unit. There are seven occupied beds, all with critically ill patients fighting for their lives. The sixteen year old in the corner is from Falcon College. His mum is Sally and his aunt is Linda. He has been here a month.
Our concern is for dearest Tom, but there is ripple effect that I can’t shake. And that’s for Sal, Ciara and Erin, for Jane, Robert, Gretta, for Ben and Ray. For George, Anne, Robyn, Sue, John, my mum and so many more that are hurting.
Dave and I are buoyed by all the love that flows towards are special Tom and the family. Your voices are being heard and to have two amazing men in Brendan and Nick conducting the traffic is reassuring.
We are surrounded by pictures of the past patients which adorn the walls of the waiting room. Nick and Ant, your beautiful Hannah smiles down on us.
PS. At breakfast today with Gretta and Jane, Gretta was saying that her Ross had organised a mass for Tom in Melksham, Wiltshire and I know my dear friend Sylvia had done a similar thing in Papamoa, New Zealand. And now I am back to no man is an island. God Bless.