Sick Quarters

The following message received rom Dave Crowther, Son of the Late Gordon Crowther, who has kindly kept me appraised of Joe Simms condition.

Joe is in Ward 14 of Northshore hospital.. he is in better condition than he was a few weeks ago.. still most likely going to be in hospital for a few more weeks. He is getting up and walking around a little.. but is lacking a bit of motivation.. understandably. They are looking at getting him back into the rest home in the coming weeks if he continues to progress

Kevin will contact me as soon as anything changes
Kevin referred to is Joe's Son.

Bill Hartland

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Feb 16 - 2017

By way of an update …

Dad ( Joe ) is still with us as I type this - he’s a survivor if nothing else. I’m proud of him

Only 2 days ago they thought he was totally inoperable and would probably pass in a couple of days

FYI they did a final scan on him at the hospital and discovered that he actually had a hernia along with the giant tumour which was blocking his stomach ( things going in and out )

After much discussion and me signing a bunch of forms saying he might not survive , they actually operated on him ( the hernia not the tumour ). He wouldn’t have survived a ‘general’ anaesthetic , so he had a ‘spinal tap’ epidural thing.
Anyway they got rid of the hernia and found his bowel was still ok and they were able to unblock it .. Amazing ( and with much personal relief ) he survived , and the operation was declared a success !!!

As I type this he is still in hospital , Ward 8 at North Shore ; and pretty weak but actually probably looks better than when Vince visited him
He does have some fluid on his lungs ( potential pneumonia ) and an infection ( which heats him up and is swelling him a bit ) , so he is by no means out of the woods unfortunately
They are of course treating these 2 things as best as they can

Best case scenario is he beats it , gets sent home and survives another day.
The surgeon was at pains to advise me that this operation would only extend his life ( time & quality ) , and eventually the cancer will nobble him. He hasn’t another Christmas in him

He ( and I ) appreciate your thoughts , wishes and concerns ; and indeed his spirits were raised immeasurably at the bunch of white roses that arrived today along with the card ( he is a Lancashire lad so please go red next time ; ) ) Please thank Jackie who I do not know

You’ll all know that dad is a pleaser . I’m sure he hangs in there to please folk ( not for himself ) . I’m setting him little targets and told him Vince was away and keen to see him next week ; you’ll get the drift

Anyway that’s the situation. I hope I do not need to send an urgent bad news update anytime soon , but I thought you might get asked or wish to know
Fingers crossed , prayers and some RMA willpower and I’m hopeful he will beat the operation's side effects ( it's so often these things that break down an immune system )

Thank you all once again , you & your kindness is noted & valued
Kevin ( son of 2231 ) Simms

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Feb 13 - 2017
Hi Dickie
just received this from NZ regarding one of our old boys Joe Simms

Dan

On Monday, 13 February 2017, 22:29, CHRIS ARCHER <archer378@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Hi Kevin
Just received this message from the RMA about Joe. I am in UK for the next few months spending time with my elderly mum so cannot visit Joe. Please give him my regards if he remembers me. I like your dad very much. I hope he pulls round again.

Best wishes

Chris Archer
Former Drum Major Royal Marines.

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

On Mon, 13 Feb 2017 at 5:56, Peter Collins
<peter-collins@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
Hi to all – I have just had a call from Vince Harris to tell me that our member Joe Simms is in North Shore Hospital Ward 6 (I for India). He is quite poorly.

His son Kevin is very close and seeing Joe at least twice a day. He advises that it is terminal but not necessarily “imminent”. Vince & Beryl Harris are also closely supporting.

I am sure that Joe (and Kevin and Vince) would welcome and very much appreciate any visitors.

Jackie – would you please be able to arrange for some flowers to be sent.

Many thanks and kind regards to all

Peter

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April 19-2015

Joe fell and fractured the top of his femur AND his hip and is in North Shore Hospital for at least another month or so. Max and Kath Beare visit him and it's nice that their daughter Beverley is the Senior Nurse on Joe's ward!
Any messages can be relayed via Maxie. We wish Joe a swift recovery.

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