Edwin Stevens Updates

Updates from Edwin and his parents:

7 April 2011

Dear Mr Kai Fong

Sorry for the late update, but I have been having my cousins stay over to see me this past week, and at the moment old friends are staying after the rugby 7's. We thought I would have more free time at home after the constant interruptions in hospital, but I now appear to be sleeping more than before, and also having visits from family and friends wanting to see me after the long hospital stay.

I know we have missed the discussions on what subjects I will be doing next year, so I would like to discuss with you as soon as possible what my options are.

Although I am now permanently at home, I have many hospital meetings over the next few months, and although these meetings are only for one to two hours, getting to the hospital and back again sometimes takes most of the day.

Thank you for allowing me to visit the school last week, and see my friends in class. This was something I have not experienced for some 6 months.

This coming Monday I have an assessment at the hospital to see how I am coping with being an outpatient, and have been working with my parents and helper to see how to manage the equipment I now use. After the assessment on Monday, I would like to confirm with you my attendance schedule, so I have something to work to.

Best Regards,

Edwin

25 March 2011

Dear Mr Kai Fong

Today I was officially discharged from the hospital, and only need to return for an assessment in 3 months time.

If you would allow me to come to school this coming Monday, it would be greatly appreciated as I would be able to meet my friends and possibly be a great time toassess my performance at school with my new speaker valve which allows me to speak and breathe more easily.

At this time I can only attend Learning Team first thing in the morning, and depending how I go during the day, come to the ground floor level at end of school to see my friends.

Now I am home, I can work with no interruptions on my Personal Project, which is on muscular dystrophy.

I hope to be posting more information soon.

Regards,

Edwin

3 March 2011

We had a big meeting with the hospital team looking after me yesterday, and they advised I am now able to mostly stay at home on an sort of out patient status, but keeping my bed in the ward available.

I am coming home this coming Friday, returning to the hospital the following Monday to Wednesday for some tests. Then I will be home for good.

My right hand is nearly back to normal, but more work is required for my left arm and hand, but the doctors have advised this will be OK in time. I am eating very well and have put on a lot of weight.

My own time is mostly interrupted with medical procedures and physio, but this will be less when I am home. I am currently working on the personal project, and need to know which class I am assigned to to set up a project web site.

Edwin Stevens

28 February 2011

Edwin is at home now and planning his return to school. This may not take effect until mid-late March and it will be very gradual.
He is able to do short sessions of school work and his parents are keen for him to use his hands as much as he can to reactivate all of those muscles.
We look forward to his return.

Andy Kai Fong,
Head of Secondary

19 January 2011

Dear Mr. Kai Fong,
I am am getting better and will be returning home this Friday temporarily (from Friday to Monday).
I want to thank all the guys who visited me in hospital, and for all the get well cards.
I think I need some school work so I can catch up with class work. Would it be possible to email me some small tasks I can do on the computer?

Edwin Stevens

10 January 2011

An apology for not updating the school for some time, but it's been a bit of a roller coaster for Edwin over the last few weeks.

Edwin's condition stabilized in the Duchess of Kent Hospital (DKH) to the extent we managed to get him home for Christmas 23-12-10 to 28-12-10, and many thanks to the school mates who visited Edwin, making one of the best Christmas’s the Stevens family have had for some time.

When we returned to DKH after the Christmas break, Edwin had breathing difficulties which required him to return to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) 29-12-10, where he stayed until 06-01-11.

As if he did not have enough problems, his left arm was fractured in ICU as they positioned him for an x-ray procedure.

He has now returned to DKH to resume interrupted physiotherapy and progression to outpatient status, when he will be mainly at home. Unfortunately, a minor chest infection has required him to be placed in the isolation room, so no visitors are allowed in the short term.

His spirit and attitude are, however, as high as usual. The E Day book the school produced was given to Edwin by Angus and Eliza Prosser Christmas day, and was without any doubt, the best present he had, and indeed the family had, this year.

Many thanks again to DC, and a happy new year.

The Stevens Family

10 December 2010

Edwin has been released from ICU (after a 2 month stay) and transferred to Duchess of Kent Hospital for further recovery. He is now allowed visitors between noon and 2pm and 6-8pm but the restriction is one visitor at a time. With this in mind, Catherine asks that you coordinate your visits through her.
Cards and emails are all still welcome. Cards can be given to school reception for delivery.

Andy Kai Fong,
Head of Secondary

17 November 2010

Edwin requires further surgery to help his right lung remain inflated. If this is successful, he may be able to leave hospital and go home to recuperate.

Any handwritten cards or pictures can be completed and handed to reception who will pass them on to Edwin's family.

Andy Kai Fong,
Head of Secondary

8 November 2010

Edwin is still in ICU - there is still some difficulty keeping his right lung fully inflated. If he progresses as the doctors hope, he could be home in two weeks.

Ian and Catherine Stevens

22 October 2010

Edwin is as bright as he has been for a while. He is still requiring some assistance with breathing but this is improving and he is being closely monitored. When his breathing improves, he will be shifted to the Duchess of Kent Hospital.

Ian and Catherine Stevens

18 October 2010

Edwin's breathing is getting easier and he is able to respond more. We hope he will be able to talk to us again within the next 24-48hrs. He is currently watching 'Harry Potter'.

Ian and Catherine Stevens

15 October 2010

Edwin remains quite heavily sedated. He has had an MRI scan, the results of which are positive and his lungs are functioning more effectively.

Ian and Catherine Stevens

12 October 2010

Edwin's lung function is improving. He is stable but no sign of when he will be released from hospital.

Ian and Catherine Stevens

11 October 2010

Just before the weekend, Edwin had a setback with his recovery. Over the weekend, updates from his parents were positive but he will remain in hospital for this week.

As a result we have decided to postpone sales of the bands and the filming which we had planned for this week.

We will let you know ahead of time when that will be back on.

Andy Kai Fong,
Head of Secondary

5 October 2010

Edwin has been moved to Duchess of Kent Hospital at Sandy bay. He is in good spirits and recovering well and may be home by Friday 8 October.

Ian and Catherine Stevens

29 September 2010 1pm

Just allowed 10 minutes with Edwin. He's drowsy but having short conversations. He is off the ventilator and asking for Coca-cola.

Ian and Catherine Stevens

28 September 2010 9am

Edwin just got out of a marathon 12-hour operation and has been transferred to the ICU. We are waiting to go in to see him, but he is still heavily sedated and will be for some time. We have been told it all went smoothly.

Ian and Catherine Stevens

27 September 2010

By the time you view this message I will most likely be getting ready for the surgery which will start at 9:30am. I wanted to once again say thank you to everyone who donated money for my operation and especially the people who organised E-day for me. I will be looking back to the memories of that day as they put me under sedation.

Edwin Stevens

22 September 2010

I was given the halo traction on Tuesday, in order to fasten it to my head they had to screw four screws into my head. During the first three days of the halo traction it was extremely painful, however I then had some panadol and felt alot better.

Edwin Stevens

13 September 2010

Both Cath and I would like to sincerely thank all the people involved in the E-Day event.
What we understood was going to be a small send off for Edwin, resulted in a major response from the community, which will have a significant beneficial impact on the Stevens family way forward over the next few months.
Apart from the very generous financial donations, the actual participation from such a wide section of the local community showing support for Edwin seems to have had a very positive effect on how he is managing any fears and concerns leading up to hospital submission.
We particularly thank the school children who initiated the idea in the first place, and the schools support enabling the E-Day to happen.
We would like to keep everybody informed of how things unfold over the next few months, will continue to provide updates via the school website.

Many thanks to all again.
Ian and Catherine Stevens