Hi All,Naant and I saw Michael, Mon, Lesley and Bruce yesterday on the spinal ward. Overall, my impression is that Forbesy is actually doing quite well. His mood seemed high and he was having increasing awareness of which muscles and skin areas had retained function.

Physically, he has had a roughish week with a few minor setbacks. The metabolism of a young, super-fit male is not something that is easy to estimate and Forbesy has probably not been getting quite enough fluid and nasogastric foods for the first few days on the spinal unit. Consequently, he was fatigued, somewhat light headed when he sat up, and felt generally sub-par. This has been corrected and he was actually a lot better yesterday.

The tracheostomy is out and Michael is talking freely. His swallowing however, is not yet safe. We all “micro-aspirate” to some degree, where fluid and even the occasional bit of foodstuff enter the airways during day to day life. This is not a problem when you can cough and clear the fluid/food from your airway, but becomes a problem when either excessive amounts are aspirated, or you are unable to cough it up. Chest infections can result.

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Thanks to Jo Mortimore for sending through these photos of Mike and the family. Click the images to see larger versions.

“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot”
Eleanor Roosevelt

Dear Michael,

I am thinking of you, and sending you joy, hope, strength and smiles to help you fight the obstacles in your path. Stay strong, positive and remember that anything really is possible.

With smiles
Chrissie
World Ironman Champion 2007