Snails’-pace, it seems, is not an available setting at Muelmed Medi-Clinic.

In fact there’s been a lot of activity in the few days Tom has been there. I will attempt to summarise progress as follows;

1. Since admission Tom has been attended to by a multi-disciplinary team comprising all the necessary physio and medical staff to make decisions on his treatment path. They have agreed that Tom should move out of the ICU ward, possibly as early as today.

2. Whilst I am assured they monitor his condition very closely, the reason for the move is two-fold – firstly to get him out of an ICU where infections etc. are always a risk, but more importantly (and I am paraphrasing here) for the psychological benefits associated with being taken out of a specialised ward where very sick patients reside. Tom’s condition is reportedly stable and his breathing has been going well, so they feel its time he saw the results of his improving condition by getting into an environment where the emphasis is recovery, not life-support.

3. The team have also decided to remove the trachae, but I am told the timing of this will depend on their observation of Tom over the next few days. They want to do this soon, but are also obviously careful not to get ahead of Tom’s strength levels. I’ll update you on this when more concrete plans are made.

4. Our experience since his accident tells us to expect setbacks here and there,  though perhaps I too am afflicted with an overly cautious mindset. This new positivity and energy (and dare I say optimism) from the Muelmed team is exhilarating no doubt for Tom, who is looking forward to getting into the gym

5. On the gym front: he was in a wheelchair yesterday and was wheeled to the gym to observe. His description of the experience was that it was “pretty impressive”.

Keep breathing for Tom. This movement may seem fast but I get the feeling that its appropriately so, and that he is being well looked after.