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Billy Hartstein's page
Created by Helen
Billy's updates
Billy had a brain aneurysm on Sunday 21 November and is currently in intensive care in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. The aneurysm was caused by an arteriovenous malformation which means the blood vessels around his brain
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Find out more09/12/2021
A new photo was added to Helen Hartstein's Album
Billy at home in his new Charlton shirt (thanks Chippy!)
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09/12/2021
Update
Thursday 9 December
Wonderful news - Billy is back home! It all moved rather quickly in the end and... was a bit of a shock. I went into the hospital for a normal visiting hour and was told that they were just doing his discharge papers. He was ready to be cared for by the community neuro rehab team and as soon as the paperwork was done, he could leave. I was totally unprepared as had imagined that Billy would be in hospital for some time. He had no shoes or outdoor clothes as he had come into hospital with nothing, and so left Torbay in his short pyjamas, gripper socks and a hospital blanket around his shoulders!
We have already had a visit from the community physiotherapist, who gave Billy some exercises to do to improve his strength and balance, and are meeting the occupational therapist tomorrow.
It is so wonderful to see Billy sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea in his hand! He has a long way to go before he is recovered and will need help with his vision, balance and coordination and memory, but his progress has been nothing short of astonishing. I think the fact that he was fit and healthy and strong before his aneurysm has helped immensely.
This is going to be my last post on this site as Billy is now home. I wanted to thank everyone who has shown their love and support at what has been the most difficult time of our lives. I know that Billy will want to speak to people eventually, but he gets tired very easily at the moment, so please don't be offended if he does not get in touch for a while. In the meantime, he has asked me to send his love to all of you.
I also need to mention the NHS. The doctors, nurses, radiologists, physios, OTs, HCAs, ward clerks, housekeeping staff (everyone in fact) have looked after Billy with kindness and compassion. They have been incredibly professional and delivered outstanding care. Without them, Billy would not be with us now and for that, we will be forever grateful. Hooray for the NHS!
Lots of love
Helen, Billy, Sammy and Danny
xxxRead moreless
07/12/2021
Update
Tuesday 7 December
Billy has been moved to Torbay hospital which is good news as he is now out of c...ritical care. He's up and about, walking to the loo and chatting to the nurses(!) The clinicians have said that basically from now on it is all about rehab. They have put him down to be cared for by the community neuro rehab team which means he could be coming home before too long, even possibly before Christmas although we are not getting our hopes up.
Billy has told the rehab team that his goals are to be able to play football, go cycling and work from home! We all agreed that whilst all these are great long term goals, he might need a few interim ones in the meantime.
He is very lucid and we have had some really great conversations. However, his short term memory has been affected and at times his mind wanders a bit (he starts a sentence and doesn't always know where he is going with it or he forgets the word for something - but we have all been there, haven't we? At least now he understands what it's like to be a menopausal woman! ) He can read a little (e.g cards) but not up to reading books or magazines and he can't really work the phone or tablet without help so he is not really able to make the most of the audio books quite yet. But he is improving and growing stronger every day. Oh and he has been working on opening his left eye more and there is definitely movement there. His progress is truly remarkable. Read moreless
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05/12/2021
A new photo was added to Helen Hartstein's Album
Billy on Sun 5 Dec two weeks after he collapsed. Looking good!
08/12/2021
Gaby Schuchlenz Looking great Billy! So glad - but not at all surprised - you’re getting better so fast. It never ceases to amaze me how you Hartsteins take whatever life throws at you, deal with it as a family, and come out the other side stronger. You, Helen, and the boys are truly awesome! Keep up the speedy recovery! A little something to help on the food front is on the way, along with lots of love and positive thoughts. xx
04/12/2021
Update
Saturday 4 December
Quick update on the last couple of days. Billy continues to progress well. He'...s talking and eating and even managed to stand up and take a couple of steps today. He's in good spirits but still bored and complaining about the food! (He pulled out the tube they were feeding him with, so has to eat the proper food now!)
His memory is a bit hazy at times and he can't really remember what happened the from one day to the next. But I'm not overly worried about that. In fact I feel like the days blur together myself. It is to be expected with such serious injury to his brain.
The doctors say there is no real medical reason for him to be on the neurosurgical ward any more, it's just a case of waiting for a bed on a rehab ward now.
Billy and I have received so many cards and messages of support and offers of help. We would both just like to say thank you to everyone. It is so moving and heartening to see how much people love and care about us. Thank you! ❤️
Whilst the progress he has made in two weeks is astonishing, I do feel a bit overwhelmed at times at the scale of what awaits us in terms of his recovery. But I know we will get through it as a family. Read moreless
05/12/2021
Julie Holden Good news Helen about going to rehab. We hope he's there soon. He's wanting to do it, and I would have pulled out the feeding tube too! 😊 We are sending lots of love to you all xxx
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04/12/2021
Matthew Brady You have been in our thoughts a lot. You have shown such fortitude and courage. Love to you all.
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04/12/2021
Matthew Brady Dearest Helen - We have been tracking your updates here over the last 2 weeks - thank you so much for taking the time to post.
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01/12/2021
Update
Wednesday 1 December
Not much to report today. Billy seems a bit stronger and a little less confus...ed. Sammy visited with me, but that was just a one off and from now on I will have to go in on my own due to Covid restrictions. Billy does get very tired after an hour.
Today he wanted to see if he could read anything but it turns out he can't. He can read occasional words but said they just blur together. It's not surprising that he finds this too difficult at the moment. He will have to make do with audio books for a while.
We spoke to a doctor who said that they were happy with how he is doing and that they have done as much as they can in neurosurgery. They will want him to go back for a CT scan in 3 months to check that the glue is holding up and there is no other bleeding. He will be at increased risk of another aneurysm, stroke and seizures so we will have to be vigilant.
So from now on, it is going to be all about rehabilitation, physio etc and getting him in a fit state to go home. The doctor said this could take a few weeks or 6-12 months, they just don't know at this point. I'm sincerely hoping it will be the former as I can't imagine how he will cope being there for months.
Now things are a bit more settled, I'm going to take a break from the daily updates and just report back if there is any significant change. Thank you again for all your kind messages and offers of help. We are lucky to have such wonderful friends and family xRead moreless
02/12/2021
Gaby Schuchlenz So glad to read about Billy’s steady progress! And with his family’s loving support and encouragement, I’m sure he’ll continue his recovery process at warp speed. Sending love and hugs and strengthening thoughts!
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02/12/2021
Julie Holden That's really encouraging to hear they will be concentrating on his rehab. Hoping, like you, that it's not a long process. We send our love to you all xxx
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01/12/2021
Ruth Gidley I thought Billy's humour was really encouraging. For some people that can take quite a while to come back. Hoping he finds himself with a little more strength each day, even if some days are harder than others.
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30/11/2021
Update
Tuesday 30 November
Billy had a good day on the neuro surgical ward today. He has started off on th...e most critical bed with the most monitoring. He is talking and moving his limbs and trying (unsuccessfully!) to pull himself more upright in the bed. He said he feels quite uncomfortable. He is full of praise for the nursing and physio staff whom he describes as very caring. He has managed to eat a little food which he pronounced bland (of course!). His memory is still very hazy and his speech is slow, but his quirky humour is still in there. His left eye is still closed but when I urged him to make a real effort to open it, he managed to lift it a tiny bit, which again suggests he might be able to get that movement back. As I left the hospital, the sun was shining and I felt truly hopeful xRead moreless
01/12/2021
Julie Holden It's so good to hear that he's doing well Helen. Hope you are all looking after yourselves. Lots of love xxx
29/11/2021
Update
Monday 29 November
More good news. Danny and I visited Billy this evening and he was talking and co...mmunicating. He is still a bit slow and hazy on some things but he is doing well. The first thing he said when we arrived was that he is so bored! And he is starving hungry! Danny said that as soon as he was well enough we would be taking him out for a slap up curry on Drummond Street.
The news of the day is that he is moving his arms and legs! You can see that he is directing the movement and whilst it is slow and hesitant, he is definitely in control.
He is a bit delerious but that is apparently normal due to the brain injury and the drugs he has been given. He keeps trying to get out of bed, which is actually quite funny. The nurse keeps reminding him that if he tries to stand up, he will fall over as his balance is not right. I fear he is not going to be a patient patient! They are hoping to move him out of the icu as soon as there is a bed on the neuro surgical ward.
All still going in the right direction. It's amazing to see how he has improved, just a week after he was at death's door xRead moreless
30/11/2021
Julie Holden That's brilliant news Helen! And being an impatient patient shows how far he's come. We're so pleased for you all! Lots of love xxx
28/11/2021
Update
Sunday 28 November
A week since Billy had his aneurysm and now some really positive news. When I ar...rived at the ICU today, Billy was sitting up in a chair. He wasn't using an oxygen mask, just a nasal cannula. But the best news is that he was talking and communicating. He was very sleepy still and his voice was very soft so I had to put my ear next to his mouth, but he was making perfect sense. He asked how the boys and I were doing and smiled at the rubbish music they were playing on the radio. He can clearly remember some things as he told the nurse we used to live near Cordoba, and when we talked about scars, he commented on how the scars on Sammy's face (another story!) had faded. I also mentioned something which we had told him yesterday but which I was not sure he would have registered, and he said "I know, you told me." That means he could hear us yesterday when we were talking to him and he remembered it. I think that is really positive. Oh, and he asked the nurse if he could have a cup of tea! (He wasn't allowed as they don't know if he can swallow properly yet.) He still doesn't seem to have much movement in his limbs but he is definitely in there in his mind, which is the thing I was really worried about. If he continues in this way, they will look to move him from the ICU to a high dependency ward in the next day or so, depending on whether there are any beds. So, a positive end to a shattering week xxxRead moreless
29/11/2021
Lee Mullen Great news. Suprised he hasn't asked to make his own tea, as the ones we made for him were not to his exacting standards.
29/11/2021
Stephanie Cherrett Such amazing news! The feeling when you walked into the room must have been wonderful. Sending love and continuing positive thoughts xxx
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28/11/2021
Ruth Gidley So glad to hear of big, good developments. It sounds like the most exhausting week for all of you, and I really hope things get a little easier soon.
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28/11/2021
Sara Flint Dear Helen, what great news to read! It’s must have been great to see Billy sitting up. Love and prayers. Sara x
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28/11/2021
Jacqui Channon Such brilliant news Helen, we’ve been thinking of you so much - hope Billy gets a cup of tea very soon, it’ll be the best cuppa he’s ever had! Lot earlier to you all xxx
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27/11/2021
Update
Saturday 27 November
Sammy and I saw Billy today. He was very sleepy but woke up slightly shortly ...after we arrived. The nurse said that during the day he had responded to questions by slightly nodding or shaking his head.
- Are you in pain? No.
-Are you uncomfortable? Yes.
He opened his right eye again when we spoke to him. He could definitely hear us. Sammy asked if he would be doing sliding tackles on the other walking football players soon, and he nodded his head. To me, that shows he understands. He was drifting in and out of sleep. Just before we left, Sammy asked if he could open his eye again and he shook his head! It was just a tiny movement but he definitely understood us. Whilst this continues to be positive, the consultant today said it was going to be a very slow process and that he will move forward then back a bit; it won't be linear xxxRead moreless
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26/11/2021
Update
Friday 26 November
Danny and I visited Billy today and saw him awake for the first time. The clin...icians had removed the ventilator tube and he was breathing on his own but it was very laboured. They are going to see how it goes and if he is struggling then will put the tube back in. His chest was rattling quite a lot due to fluid in his lungs but apparently that is normal and they keep sucking it out. It was making him cough.
The major positive news is that his non-swollen eye was open and he seemed to register that we were there. Danny asked if he could hear us and he raised his eyebrows, which was fantastic. He also seemed to move his eye to look towards us. He also moved both his arms and legs although we don't know if this was deliberate or not. Danny was brilliant, talking to him and telling him what we have been doing. Overall, quite positive I think xRead moreless
27/11/2021
Abi & Steve Parker Humby Fantastic news Helen - Billy will be signalling soon that you're not putting enough intonation into your reading ! ;) x
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25/11/2021
Update
Thursday 25 November
Billy has had a pretty stable day. Overall, I think we can be comforted that B...illy has got through this 24 hours, which was a dangerous time. In the end, the clinicians decided not to do a CT scan as they thought they would leave him for a day to recover from the operation. They reduced his sedation for a time earlier in the day. When asked to open his eyes, he opened one (the other one is too swollen to open) and when asked to wiggle his toes, he managed to wiggle his toes on his right foot. Small improvements, but encouraging. Billy has a slight temperature and they think that he may have picked up an infection, so are treating him with antibiotics. They didn't seem to be too concerned about this at the moment.
I have taken on board your comments about talking to Billy and as well as telling him how much people care about him and a general stream of consciousness monologue, I have embarked upon reading the book Vindolanda to him. It's about a Roman Legion on the northern frontier of Britannia and we visited the fort there in the summer, so I thought he would appreciate it.
Thank you to everyone who has posted messages on this page. It is so lovely to read them all and to know how much Billy means to people.Read moreless
26/11/2021
Sara Flint What a great idea, sounds like it’s a meaty book. I have been thinking of you and Billy and the boys today, I went to the V&A and couldn’t find the Tiger you told me about, but we had a fab time, sending love and prayers Sara x
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26/11/2021
Ruth Gidley Vindolanda sounds like such a good choice. Sometimes I am bowled over by the power of books to accompany us on journeys, both close and far from home. We are sending waves of love to you each day and night x
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26/11/2021
Jacqui Channon Morning Helen, I’ve just had a thought - does Billy enjoy listening to music as it would give your voice a rest after all that reading if you could play him something that he’d enjoy listening to. Love and hugs to you all xxx
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24/11/2021
Update
Wednesday 24 November.
Billy went into the operating theatre at 9am this morning to attempt the pro...cedure which was not successful yesterday. This time the news is much more positive. It was a complicated and difficult operation which lasted 8 hours. He only came out of the operating theatre at 5.45pm.The consultant said it was a record time for him. It is incredible and humbling to think of all those clinicians working so hard for so many hours to help Billy.
The consultant said he was hopeful that the operation was successful. They had to go into the affected area from several sides as the original artery again didn't work. The blood vessels were very fiddly but at least they were able to get in today from another angle and he seemed satisfied that it may have been sufficient. Throughout the operation there were no complications.
We are not out of the woods yet. The next 24 hours will be critical as they wait to see whether changing the blood flow will cause another bleed somewhere else. They will do a scan in the next day or so to see how he is doing.
The consultant mentioned that as Billy had a big dose of x-rays there had been some burning of his skin and there is an increased risk of him developing cataracts, but we agreed cataracts were a small price to pay for a life saving operation.
Billy is now back on the ICU and is stable. I have given him all your love and said you are all rooting for him. I know he can't hear me but it makes me feel better! Read moreless
25/11/2021
Stephanie Cherrett Chatting to him I am sure will be good for both of you. So pleased things were positive today. Sending love xx
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24/11/2021
Ruth Gidley I bet the sound of your voice is a comfort to Billy amid the beeps and bustle. Sending another wave of love and healing wishes your way.
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23/11/2021
Update
Tuesday 23 November
Billy had an operation this afternoon. The interventional neuro radiologists ca...rried out keyhole surgery which involved putting a tiny tube through his blood vessels to inject a glue substance into the artery to change the flow of blood away from the damaged area. There was a team of 12 people working on this and the operation was due to last for about 6 hours.
Unfortunately, although the team worked for hours, the procedure was not successful as Billy's artery was constricted and they could not reach close enough to the site. It is normal for the blood vessels to constrict after the body has suffered trauma and they gave medication to try and dilate the artery but it is less than 1mm in diameter so it was not possible.
The team will try again tomorrow. If still not successful, then they will wait for a few days and then try again.
In other news, when the ICU nurse reduced Billy's sedation, this morning, he did briefly open one eye, which they thought was encouraging.
Read moreless
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