Khine leaving hospital?

Khine may be well enough to leave the hospital tomorrow. We are all feeling quite exciting about this, as Khine would say. He will still have to take antibiotics for a long time but he can likely return to his studies quite soon.

When I was in the hospital tonight, I met one of the lovely nurses who cared for Khine in Intensive Care. She couldn't believe that Khine has made such a strong recovery and told me she had feared he may not be able to study again as the infection was so bad.

Happy days!

Maybe Khine will write tomorrow because he is coming to my house. Edinburgh University have said the parents can stay in the house until they leave on 15 March 09. Then Khine will come and leave with Sheila and Geoff and family until he is ready to live alone again.

Happy, happy days.

Khine's progress...

So many asking me, "How is Khine?" I am sorry I haven't posted for a while.

Khine is still in hospital but making great progress. He seems to be comingthrough this extensive brain surgery completely unscathed. He has full memory, is still tri-lingual (Arakan, Burmese, English) and discusses politics with his usual vigour. He is back to his old gentle, funny self. It's a pleasure to be in his company. There is still some swelling near his eye on his head but that is being scanned weekly and intravenus antibiotics are adjusted regularly to target this virulent infection. He will likely be discharged sometime in the next week to 10 days but will continue on oral antibiotics for some months.

Khine is desperate to get back to university but he has missed a lot so he has to weigh up whether to return now or next year. Hard decision for him to make.

He is getting out of the hospital most days between 2pm and 10pm and regaining the independence he loves to have.

After an interesting haircut by dad in hospital, Khine had his hair cut yesterday at a great hairdresser's called NP in Comely Bank Road (0131 332 7100). I'm putting the number in because Norrie, the hairdresser, was so gentle and sympathetic to Khine so if you're looking for an Edinburgh hairdresser, guys, Norrie's the man!

So it's amazing news from death's door to regaining his own independent life in 4 weeks. They're made of strong stuff, these Burmese! Oops, sorry Khine, these Arakan!

Khine is recovering well

It's quite astonishing that 2 weeks ago tonight, Khine was having major brain surgery and today he is walking about in the hospital saying he is bored and he wants to go back to university! Such amazing skills from the doctors and nurses, strength in his body and love from his family and friends is nurturing him back to full health and strength. It's amazing. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts, prayers and support.

Yesterday his mum and dad cut his lovely long hair so he now looks very interesting!

Helena's Burma picture and the Lady Provost

Helena was in P7 in 2007/08 and was part of the group of children who collected a KIND KIDS award for Forthview's kindness to Burma. Helena had created a picture with her favourite images of Burma, which she kindly gave to Edinburgh's Lady Provost.

At this year's KIND KIDS award, the Lady Provost brought Helena's picture which she had had beautifully framed. As Helena has now moved to Broughton High School, the Lady Provost invited Helena and her family, P7 teacher and Ms Laing to have lunch with her in Jan 09.

The picture looks beautiful in the Lady Provost's Chamber and means her visitors will always think of Burma as they look at Helena's picture. Well done Helena.

And here is Mr Irvine Wright, Helena's P7 teacher enjoying his lunch and looking so smart!

Khine's parents arrive in Edinburgh.

After amazingly getting visas to travel to UK, today Khine's mum and dad arrived from Rangoon. They went straight to the hospital for a joyful reunion with Khine, who looks so different from this time last week when he was still on life support!

The University have generously given them great family accommodation in Newington and Wei Wei has moved out from our home to join them.

This will help Khine so much in his recovery.

What a lovely day.

Khine on Friday

Khine's parents got visas today so they are flying to Scotland tomorrow to see him. They will arrive on Saturday 7.2.09 and will go straight to the hospital where Khine is slowly recovering. It's incredible to think that Khine, Wei Wei (his sister) and their parents will all be in Scotland over the next few weeks. Really amazing.

Khine 4.2.09

Khine's sister and I spoke to the surgeon today who explained that this had been a very serious infection and we can't expect him to heal too fast. We must be patient. He is making very good progress and they are very happy with him. So that is all good.

And tonight he was rocking along to Louise's i-pod in his bed very loudly on the earphones. Poor guys in the ward with him!

Khine on Tuesday 3.2.09

Khine's eye and head are a little swollen again tonight so that is not good to see. The nurse explains this great infection takes time to beat. He is eating a lot though. His sister cooked him Burmese food then his friend brought him Thai food. He had bananas and other fruit so that has to be good. Keep praying.

Tuesay 3.2.09

Khine is out of danger. He was moved out of Intensive Care Unit yesterday into a neurological ward. He can talk, eat, drink and even phone! He has head pain and is exhausted but is making steady and speedy recovery. Thank you all for your prayers, wishes, offerings at the pagoda and love.

Sunday progress

Today Khine laughed, waved, wrote, nodded and showed that so far the infection has not caused major damage. He is off life support machines and will move out of Intensive Care to a neurology ward tomorrow, if he is stable overnight.

Amazing news about Khine

This morning I got a phone call from Khine's friend Ian to say that he is communicating through writing. Today they hope he will take over breathing for himself. His first question was "Mum and Dad?" So now we pray they get their visa.
Off to hospital more later.