So my shoulders have lost their strength and when I have a shower I cannot dry my back. Julia ends up drying me. She is good to me. I feel like royalty; I’m sure the Queen has someone who dries her back.
I haven’t yet asked Julia to wear her nurse’s uniform while she cares for me but it’s just a matter of time…
Andrea, Julia’s sister, is also a carer and she’s offered to give me a bed bath – I hope she’s joking – so I’ve got a phrase at the top of the text to speech app ready: “Help! Get this woman off me!”
Also in bed I have trouble moving about to get comfy especially when I slide down the bed in the night. Julia says it like having a seal in bed.
My neck is getting weaker so I’ve had to wear a collar when I’m not sitting in my chair or bed.
Julia bought an Avid Merrion collar..
But I like my Head up collar:
I found it rubbed under my chin and the ventilation physios gave me a gel pad to help.
Sad news: the chocolate puddings are gone as swallowing them was getting too tricky. I’m on soups or yogurts without any bits (a bit like Dexter). And I have trouble with soup spoons, even in my stronger right hand, so I have to use a cup for the soup.
Luckily I can still have McDonald’s chocolate milk shake, though it takes much longer to drink nowadays. And do you know they contain 433 kcals! (all part of maintaining my weight).
I’ve become a full teenager; Julia wakes me up for my breakfast feed at 9am then I’m back to sleep for a few hours till my 12 noon feed. I’m sleeping for 14 hours minimum a night! I’ve also got into duvet days where I spend most of the day in bed getting up for tea. I’ve tried to cut down on the Netflix and Amazon Prime bingeing.
I’ve had a blood test but the GP says it doesn’t show anything horribly wrong to explain the tiredness – so it must be part of the disease.
If you are into prayer; Please pray I’ll get used to my BiPAP breathing machine for overnight – it is proving hard to get used to as it seems to be fighting with my breathing. At my last ventilation appointment the numbers had gone down so I probably need to start using it.
Plan A 
Loving the black neck collar! Looks almost trendy – jazz club, anyone?
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in my prayers. lots of love. Christine x
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Stay Strong Michael! You are inspirational!! Not a fan of McDonalds .. but I could do with a few Chocolate MilkShakes to keep my calorie intake up! Ha! keep smiling! sending love and support .. Stephen
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Mike you never cease to amaze me, you and Julia have wonderful relationship. I will listen out for your cries for help if I see Andreas car outside no 11- ! Keeping you and the family in our prayers . Moira and ken .
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Much better looking than Avid 😉. I don’t pray Michael but will use every ounce of my positivity for you xx
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Julia looks fabulous in her nurse’s uniform, so – why not 😀
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you take care…loving the strength and resilience you show.
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All you need is a ginger wig/goatee and you could be twins 🙂
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Good to see you’ve not lost your sense of humour Michael, and we’re keeping you in our prayers.
God bless you.
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As usual your humour keeps a lighter note on everything.
Was wonderful to see you both in the office a week or so ago. You are looking great mate.
Thoughts and best wishes that your ventilation starts working with you
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Great to hear you sounding as positive as always, love to read your messages they make me cross with myself for moaning about my minor ailments. Thinking of you both with love and positivity. Pat and Chrisxxx
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Mike try asking someone to roll a blanket longways put inside an old sheet and tie it around and under the bed where your feet go ( Julia will know what I mean) That might help to stop you from sliding down the bed.
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