Communist Update

Of course I went to visit the Communist as soon as I got back yesterday and he was very weak but perfectly coherent: although he sometimes couldn't reply to what I said he could certainly understand as I told him all about Florida and the Kennedy S;ace Centre, a place he would have loved to have visited.

He was longing for a cup of tea - he greeted me with "Ah! So can I have a cup of tea now?" but was sadly unable to swallow - when I tried him on a tiny sip of the nasty thickened gloop he's supposed to be drinking, he coughed and choked.

And that's the thing. He can't swallow. So although he's got a line in to hydrate him, he just can't eat and they think that putting in a feeding tube would simply cause him more distress than it's worth, and my brother and I agree. And without food, of course, he is really deteriorating fast.

So we're going down to the hospital now. I will let you know when there is more news, and many thanks to you all for your good wishes.