Dear All,

Just a quickie to let you know that Jacob successfully got through the operation on his brain and the surgeon was able to take some of the infected fluid off the sizeable abcess lodged fairly deep inside.  This involved drilling a one pence size hole in his skull which we were told is ‘routine’ !!  He came round and was very hungry within two hours and a good sign ever since has been that he’s been slightly more interested in an M and S cous cous salad that his parents. The swelling which has been putting pressure on hands arms and ahoulder has not gone down yet but we are still hoping, and he is still finding movement and sensation difficult on his left side particularly his left hand.  This morning the physiotherapist was working with him on picking up a plastic mug with his left hand. This all means that progress in building up his arm, shoulder and hand will probably be slow and frustrating work, and noone really can know how long it will take….but I am sure you know how determined we are to rebuild all those neural connections with Jake.

He remains as thoughtful and sensitive as every, continuing to thank and praise the nurses and worrying about others. Apart from being very understandably anxious about the future he is astinishingly able to join in with the odd joke (mostly about some of the sligghtly dubious names of some of his medications).  He will remain at St George’s for another few days observation before being sent back to the Marsden.

We are all learning so much from this appalling and unpredictable series of experiences, chiefly about the overriding importance and significance of simple kindness – that unnecessary but totally vital ingredient of tender generosity of spirit which puts another first for a moment. We have happily seen it so often from all directions but also keenly noticed  when it was absent. Thank you all for your kindness.

Jonathan Cherry and Jake