***** re KEN SIMM *****

THIS IS ABSOLUTE FACT..

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 21st 2025, 17:31
Subject: Ken. 

Hello Emma,

Thank you for writing to enquire about Ken. I'm his wife. 

Ken collapsed on the 20th December and was found to have a tear in his aorta. He was airlifted to Edinburgh Royal where he underwent 5 hours of emergency surgery. I was told to prepare myself for the worst, but fortunately the surgery was a success. What has hampered his recovery is that he had Influenza and a very serious chest infection. He also suffered a stroke in the operating theatre. He was intubated for 3 weeks, but fortunately has been off mechanical ventilation for the past week now./He is still in ICU, but now in Glasgow which is slightly easier for me to visit (5 hour round trip rather than 7 hours). Whilst I can be totally sure, I'm not seeing too much damage from the stoke. But he is still terribly weak, and having had a tube down his throat for three weeks means his voice is weak and a bit slurred. But he can read, and use his right hand and arm. Unfortunately his left arm and hand are very weak, and he's left-handed so it may be some time before he can paint again. But with determination he'll get there./

I'm hoping that once he is able to swallow safely and eat solid meals, that they will transfer him to a nearer hospital in Oban and then I can visit more frequently./

I'll let him know you have been asking after him. He has his Tablet in hospital with him, and we are setting it up so he can read, as reading is a passion of his. The Tablet also has an attached keyboard, so I'm sure when he is able he will contact you all.

Once again, thank you for enquiring about him. I'll make sure he reads your letter when I next go in to visit him. Kind regards, Helen.

Reviews

[Gee]

That's knocked me sideways. Ken has always dropped in with kind words and encouragement and is greatly admired and respected.
Not being one to offer up prayer I'll keep everything crossed that he makes a full and speedy recovery.
Please pass on my best wishes

[emmajoygreen]

Whatever your prayer it's wrapped in sincerity Gee. Ken will know that in due course, promise. Please see some of my responses above to confirm more. Hope your day goes safely.

[Dave W.]

Thank you for posting this, I will be praying for him and his wife.

[emmajoygreen]

For the third time: many thanks, Dave. Thank you to to Lorry, a Scot for thinking, researching and more in every way he could think of. I did same andby luck a letter arrived at the right address. Helen email suggests a great amount of help and fine care is doing what coud take a while but reads to be first class. Am keeping a list of enquiries and best wishes. So, thank YOU.

[andrew mitchell]

I hope he has a good recovery. Thanks for posting. What a shock.

[emmajoygreen]

Many thanks, andrew. Am sure Helen and of course, Ken, will be amazed at Cafe Friends' reaction and their best wishes. Ken's a known writer, artist and all,consequently makes many friends along his busy way. Tale care of yourself.

[Poetic Beauty]

Thank you for passing this information forward. Often we wonder what has happened to someone and get no answer. It is good news that he is recovering and do as well as he is!!

[emmajoygreen]

Many thanks for your kind words, Poetic Beauty.. Helen will be told and - when the time's right right and Ken knows how friends felt and are, he'll give a smile and pretend he's surprised!

[Poetic Beauty]

It always lifts the spirits when someone knows that others care.

[LisaCarol]

Thank you for sharing and pursuing his condition. I am praying for Ken.

[emmajoygreen]

Me too. He was the first to welcome me into the cafe almost seventeen (I think) years ago. He is more than artist, photograph and fine writer, he is a true gentleman who became a trusted friend and mentor.