Photo: Karen with Christmas balloons and Snowmen.
Hello Everyone
Karen has now been in Conquest hospital for 2 years and 1 month. Karen is continuing to have TPN (IV feeding) and IV fluid in hospital.
In early December, Karen got a virus which made her feel more unwell.
A few days before Christmas we received an email from Karen’s solicitor with an attached letter from East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s (ESHT) solicitors. It was particularly horrible to receive the ESHT’s solicitors letter so close to Christmas and it was obviously unsuitable for a person with very severe ME to receive a communication like that at that time. Karen will need to have time to consider the letter and communicate with her solicitor about her response. This has been delayed because of Karen’s health. ESHT continue to refuse to change their stance.
On Monday the 22nd of December Karen started having an ME dip and vomited 5 times.
On Christmas day Karen was more unwell than she is sometimes but was not as bad as she was on the 22nd, so she was able to do a few small things. The part of the ward that Karen is on was relatively quiet on that day, except that a patient who had been moved to a room near Karen from a bay because they were disturbing other patients was noisy for long periods at times which was very difficult for Karen. Two of the times started during when Karen was having things read out to her, which made it more tiring for her, made it harder for her to concentrate and enjoy them and was intrusive. It was a shame. It was the 6th Christmas that Karen has been in hospital and the 4th consecutive Christmas that she has been in hospital.
For Christmas some friends sent Karen a 3D Christmas tree helium balloon and a supporter sent her a 3D penguin balloon. Karen’s 3-year-old niece Ava, made Karen and Heather & Michael a snowman each. Karen really likes the balloons and snowmen. Karen says thank you to those who have sent cards and presents to her - all much appreciated.
Unfortunately, the door handle to Karen’s room became faulty and became very stiff, so on the 27th of December a maintenance worker came to fix it. He had to unscrew the mechanism which was difficult and took a long time and then he took it away to repair it. Then he came back later to re-attach it. It was difficult for Karen. The worker was considerate to Karen which was helpful.
New Year was the 7th New Year that Karen has been in hospital and the 4th consecutive New Year that she has been in hospital.
In January Karen has been very unwell with an infection. She is still more unwell than usual and may have another infection.
Thank you so much to everyone who has signed and shared the petition. Also, thank you very much to everyone who has chipped in to promote the petition. It is very generous of you and it makes a big difference. Thank you for your supportive comments. It is all much appreciated by us.
Please keep sharing this petition and telling people about Karen’s situation.
Thank you to everyone for your support.
Best wishes to you all for 2026
Karen, Heather & Michael