No dramas this week, and I'm gradually picking up strength as each day passes. Yesterday Victoria came over to help with paperwork, and thanks to her the files are in relatively good order. There's a lot of weeding that needs doing in the long term, and selection of files to be archived at Hull University, but that's an endless job.

Today is the 50th anniversary of my membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and I had a nice letter and certificate from them.

One of the consequences of being in coalition for the LibDems in the Lords is that funding for the work of our Whips' office has been cut off, and even though we are having to operate on a greatly reduced staff level, individual peers are being asked to contribute much larger amounts towards the running cost. At the same time, the allowances for Members' expenses are being consolidated into a single £300, or £150 if a Member chooses to take the lower amount. No indication is given as to why anybody should forego the whole £300 or why, having done so, they aren't allowed to claim any intermediate amount between £150 and £300.

Hiccup

After the operation while I was in King's my blood pressure was high and fluctuating, but after 2.5 mg Bisoprolol was prescribed Thursday morning and I was allowed to go home late Thursday afternoon it came right down and remained low. Sunday, Dr Lindsay halved the dose and the systolic remained withing a range of 99 to 117, but in the afternoon I felt totally wiped out. To cut a long story short, I was readmitted to KCH for a few hours this morning so that they could do a blood test and ECG, both of which turned out to be perfectly normal, so I'm back home again. For the time being I'm not taking anything for blood pressure, and with luck it'll settle down before I see Mr R for a checkup on Thursday week.

Silbury on the summer solstice 2010, taken by our dear friend Brian Turner

Last one, also at 17.22. Seems funny to think it was just four days ago, and I'm already a lomg way down the track to recovery, thanks to the wonderful Mr R and his great team. To see the 2006 operation for comparison, click here

Here I am in recovery, at 17.22

This was 15.56, and the operation is finished.

See what I mean about the pieces of equipment that need to be kept there all the time? I guess that's because of the risk of contamination.

The theatre is a restricted environment, with the masses of equipment that needs to be kept there all the time, and maybe seven people working in the operating team. This again was at 15.43, at the end of the surgery

Also timed at 15.43

Previous picture, before the start, was at 13.00; this one at 15.43

With Dennis and the Anaesthatist

With Dennis and Theatre nurse before the op

Some progress

Thanks to Lindsay for keeping the blog going while I was away, and thanks to all who sent me 'Get Well' cards. I had a rocky start, with nausea and constipation immediately after I woke up, probably the effects of the anaesthetic, and a high white bloodcell count, low magnesium and potassium, and fairly high blood pressure. This has come down a bit since I started taking beta-blockers yesterday morning; the magnesium has been topped up bu a 12-hour drip, and the potassium by pills. So I felt strong enough to get up at lunch time and potter into the office, but all the mail going to the House is being fielded by Jill. I rang her, and she's coming to Flodden road to hand it all over either next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Friday 23rd July 2010

Just a brief note to say that Eric returned home from hospital last night, and is delighted to be home. No doubt he will add to this later. Lindsay

Wednesday 21st July 2010

Eric receives a visit from Keith Porteous Wood, CEO of the National Secular Society. Eric has made good progress today. His blood pressure is stable as is his white blood cell count. He feels much better and the doctors say that he might possibly go home tomorrow. As Eric returns tomorrow, this is Lindsay signing out. Be grateful I've spared you some of the more gory details which, no doubt, Eric will fill you in on in the days to come.....

Tuesday, 20th July, 2010

Briefly, Eric continues to make good progress. He's experienced some nausea, a side effect of yesterday's anaesthetic and a raised white cell count, which could just be a reaction to the operation. All these things are being closely monitored. However, he's been up and for short walks and by this evening the nausea had passed. Lindsay

Good news from King's College Hospital

A brief note to say that all is well. Eric had the operation to deal with his aortic aneurism today. His surgeon Mr R says that all went perfectly as planned. Eric is a little groggy this evening, but cheerful. The photo shows Eric this at 8pm tonight, with Mr R, and Lindsay.

Eric adds later: I was woken at 06.15, to be told I was No 2 on Mr R's list. The anaesthetist came to see me at 07.45 and asked me about my ability to walk a long way. I had to say that my feet are so odd, long-distance walking isn't my scene. At 08.10 two members of Mr R's team cam to see me, explained the risks of the operation, and got me to sign the consent form. At 08.40 I donned a special set of underpants needed for the EVAR procedure, then at 09.30, a visit from the Registrar. It must have been not long afterwards that I was taken down to theatre, because here my notes come to an end.

Sunday

We had a lovely family party yesterday, and I'm about to set off for King's, to spend the night there before the operation tomorrow. Lindsay will post a bulletin afterwards, but from tomorrow onwards she will only post if there's something to report, like my discharge.

After being admitted, nothing much happened until Dr F put a line into my left arm at about 23.00, and said I wasn't to drink until after the operation. After that I settled down and went to sleep.

Family get-together

il