"A stay in Hospital"

I have myasthenia gravis (MG). Generally it is under control. However, occasionally it flares up and this happened for the third time in May 2023. When it happens, it affects my throat muscles making speech and swallowing difficult. If medication doesn’t correct this, I have no option but to present myself at A&E. This I did at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. I was subsequently admitted to Ward A12 for a period . During this time, I was fed and medicated through an NG tube. After this it was agreed that it would be best to continue my recovery at home. This was possible due to the support of the neurology department, dietician, and speech and language therapist. Above all, the staff on the ward who looked after me on a day-to-day basis were excellent. I couldn’t have asked for better care, kindness and consideration to me during what has been a prolonged stay.

I was given two treatments for my MG. The first was to increase the daily dose of prednisolone. The second was to be given two infusions of Rituximab, two weeks apart. This is a relatively new treatment for MG and the second time I’ve had it after a first in 2019. However, it did not have the hoped for result of a rapid improvement. It remains to be seen whether it will eventually be as effective as in 2019.

During the stay, I was also treated for diabetes type 2. It is thought highly likely that this is caused by my intake of prednisolone. It was interesting to encounter the relevant blood tests and treatments for the first time.

There were two things that make a stay at Forth Valley more palatable than it might otherwise be. First, the hospital WiFi which is provided free in the ward. With this it was possible to maintain some level of normality including contact with the outside world and watching entertainment other than provided on the hospital TV.

The second is the presence of Larbert Loch and Woods beside the hospital grounds. My stay in hospital did not affect my mobility and I was able to walk outside in the evening most days. This undoubtedly helped me make the best of my hospital stay as there are very pleasant walks available. In what was likely to be one of the hottest June months in Scotland, it was just good to be outside.

I must also add this. I had had a ticket for the Bruce Springsteen gig at Murrayfield for nearly a year. And here I was in hospital and expecting to miss it. I mentioned this to the staff but instead of getting commiserations, all of them were actively encouraging me to go. My son was able to take me and return me to my ward. So a big thanks to everyone at Ward A12 who recognised that music is the best medicine. Not only that, but they also did everything they could to get me home for my birthday. They succeeded!