The latest update on Carolyn…..
Carolyn is still make good progress and her therapists are “very pleased” with her overall progress; however there is still no news on how long it will be before Carolyn can come home.
On a more positive note, Carolyn’s been out and about again – this time to the Westfield shopping centre for lunch. She has also regained a little more independence this week. She has been given an electronic wheelchair so she can now move herself around the hospital as she wishes. Although she had one attempt at running Howard over in the corridor, she’s now in full control!
Howard took in the CD with everyone’s recorded messages on this week, which resulted in laughter and a few tears. Howard tells me the messages were great, very genuine and they made Carolyn’s day. Howard has also made up an album of all the photos that have been sent. Please keep sending photos and if the opportunity to record messages comes up again please have ago. The photos, cards, messages and pictures are all really helping Carolyn’s progress and they have the added advantages of brightening up her day and helping her to still feel part of the village.
There is a bit of an update as relates to visitors. Non-family members will now be able to visit but this needs to be carefully organised to fit in with her family and to make sure we don’t “double up” and wear her out. I know lots of us would like to see her as soon as possible but since she will be in hospital for a while it would make sense to spread our visits out. If you would like to visit please leave a comment here, call Howard, or put a note through the door. If you’re not able to do this, please email the website with a message and we’ll pass it on. If you do get to visit Carolyn it worth knowing that even though the visiting hours are quite restricted (2-4pm and 6-8pm) it’s not unusual for her to receive treatment during visiting hours. Clearly it’s important that she receives her treatment and so, if you’re visiting and she needs to go for treatment, please be patient.
Once more, Howard has asked me to say thank you and let everyone know how much he and Carolyn appreciate what has been and is being done for them both.
PARWICH.ORG 
How fantastic to hear of the progress that Carolyn is making. It’s also good to know that she can can have non family visitors – we shall have to be patient and take it slowly so that we don’t tire her. Thanks Emma and Howard for keeping us up to date.
We were very shocked when Howard rang and told us that Carolyn had suffered a stroke, we really felt quite helpless but I have read all the info in “Carolyn’s Corner” and what a help it has been! I am sure that, as well as Carolyn’s determination, being part of such a caring community will help with Carolyn’s recovery!
G and I visited Carolyn on Saturday and are pleased to report she hasn’t lost her sense of humour! We were there for over an hour and despite Carolyn’s difficulties in communicating fully what she wants to say yet, she has no problem understanding the news we were keen to impart. I think we laughed and cried in equal measure (well Carolyn and I did, G was more restrained in the crying department!)Carolyn is also in full control (as you would expect) of the visiting situation and we enjoyed sitting in the sensory garden with her and popping down to the shop for drinks.
It was so good to see Carolyn, and from her reaction she was pleased to see us too, and we’re looking forward to being able to go again…very soon.
A good friend height about 5’10 has now finished with a very efficient electric wheel chair as he has recovered from his stroke and no longer is using the chair, SO I am hoping to take Howard over to Ashover this weekend to see this chair, it seems to weigh a ton but sounds good and was made for my friend so IF Carolyn fits in to the same I am hoping it will serve Carolyn, it has an auto tip up so you can stand up therefrom with ease. So in a few weeks or so I hope Carolyn will be seen therein.
Stuart
We called into the Sycamore on Sunday evening to catch up with all the local gossip, we were encouraged to hear news of Carolyn’s recovery. We just wanted to pass on a message to say that we are thinking of her all the time and hope to see her back home soon, maybe for a half of Stella instead of a pint!!!
Gill, Matt and Jack XX