TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Very recently on Swarb's Facebook:

"Hello Jill here

Dave is unwell in hospital at the moment.
He most probably has a chest infection but it is quite serious.
He is receiving very good care and his condition is stable as I write.
I will try to keep you all posted as best I can.
Send the love folks
Thank you"

Sending good vibes Swarb's way.  Be strong, oh fiddling one!

Jules

Hoping for a speedy recovery and love to Jill.

Ditto from me...

good luck and best wishes - I've only just found this place but have seen you a few times (I'm only mid thirties so playing catch up!) - all the best Mr S!

Sending very best wishes to Swarb.

Get well soon Swarb x

Wishing you well Swarb!

Must be all that fresh welsh air doesn't agree with him. Get well soon Dave.

I said exactly the same!  Hope his borrowed lungs are back in fine fettle real soon.

GET WELL SWARB!

From Swarb's daughter Issy a short while ago, on his FB:

"Just too let every body know dad is still in a stable condition and has made improvement. He is being well cared for ,will keep everybody updated . I would like too say a massive THANK YOU for all the support my dad is getting on here ur all amazing its been over whelming , much love too each and every one of u xxxxx"

Jill also says it's the best hospital he's ever been in, "clean and full of smiles".

Great news...  Is there an address where we could send a card?

No one's mentioned an address yet, but I can imagine an avalanche of cards coming through if they do!

Update from Swarb's fb page this morning:

Hello Jill here
 Update on Dave
 He is stable at the moment. Awake and communicating with us.
 He is receiving second to none care and I am very reassured by the outstanding staff looking after him.
 As you can imagine, it is a very concerning time for the family, so please refer to this Facebook page or Dave's website for news and not contact family members for addresses or phone numbers etc. Thanks folks. Keep sending healing love

Sending zooms of healing energy....get well soon!

I'm in Ohio sending positive energy across the pond for you, Swarb!  The fiddle tunes book that you and Maartin Allcock worked tirelessly to bring into the world has given me much joy as I learn some of these chord structures on electric bass guitar.  I quite like Boadicea -- a fun piece of music that I understand you named after your nickname for Sandy Denny (one of the finest songwriters who ever walked the planet).  Get well soon, Swarb -- your fiddle's waiting for you.

If anyone wishes to send a card, the address is  David Swarbrick, ITU Dept. Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth SY23 1ER

Thanks Andy.

Did he have a lung transplant?

I Wish him all the best.

In 2004.

Swarb had a double lung transplant in 2004 and at the time, one Humberside newspaper reported that he had had a double heart transplant, which makes him a Time Lord  ;D

We were allowed to see him yesterday and he looks a lot better than expected. The hospital is really great and the staff are wonderful. He was pleased to see us. He's a fighter. Do send cards, he'd love that. But please not if you have the flu or anything...

Maart
Windy Harlech

Thanks Maart...on Saturday everyone that came to our gig signed a card for him, about to post it this afternoon when I go to the dentist.  Good to know that he is being so well cared for. Lots of love to Jill Swarb too when you see her xx

Thanks.

About 10 years ago I was in a shop and the woman behind the counter told me that it was unbelievable (talking about the female customar before me) that that woman had a lung transplant and was doing fine and that before that she could almost do nothing. It amazed me because I had never heard about it before.

It must have caused quite a sensation in the medical world. ;D ;D

It's a true story in that Swarb was due to play in Grimsby and their advertising got it wrong... Very wrong... It was my friend that lives near that town that phoned me to tell me, she wished she had kept the newspaper clip!

Ask him if I can borrow his sonic screwdriver, I'm having a problem with my gate. ;D

Best wishes Swarb.

Sending healing to you Dave. X

Update from Jill via Swarb's fb page:

"Thanks for your cards and messages today. Dave breathing for himself for most of the day. Still on dialysis for now. Tried a sip of coffee earlier."

Let's keep those healing vibes going, folks!

By heck, that sounds nastier and much more serious than I'd imagined.  Poor fella!

And extra dose of healing vibes being sent in his direction right now.

Jules

Today on fb, from Jill:

Wednesday update:
 Steady ship.
 Dave stable and no news. Website will be down for a few days but I will keep you posted daily here on F/B. Sunny here in Aber'.

No news is good news!

Keep battling swarb.

Here's today's fb report from Jill:

Thursday update: yesterday was a difficult day for Dave. It is a rollercoaster ride. He dipped a bit and needed to go back on machines for a rest. Today, a lot brighter, awake again and some progress.

Let's keep sending love to them both...

Thinking of you Swarb. Keep fighting!

come on Swarb - keep fighting!

Yesterday's fb update from Jill:

Sunday.
 Quiet progress.
 Just sharing that Daffydd, Dave's nurse at the moment, is an accomplished musician and they have just been discussing O'Carolan!

 :)

Thanks for the update.

And, hot off fb 7 mins ago from Jill:

Monday update:
 Dave needs to build up chest muscles so that he can come off the breathing support. Kidneys need to pick up a bit too. trying to minimise tiring him out too much, just me visiting for now. Hope everyone understands. I will definitely let folk know when visiting is permitted again. Thank you

Thank you, Andy - Card on its way!  

:)

Here's today's fb update from Jill:

Saturday update
 Dave loved Maart's visit yesterday and was very envious of his magnificent Akubra!!
 sitting up in bed now, hoping to be able to sit out in a chair soon. A few close pals lining up to visit now, which will be lovely. One visitor a day - just to prevent him getting too tired and keep infection risk down. Drawing up a rota.
 I will be taking his fiddle in tomorrow, so taking requests from nursing staff.
 the cards and well wishes are smashing, thank you from us both.
 We never ever celebrate but...realised we have been married 17 years today. If nothing else...that's a record!!

Sounds very positive! Hurrah!  :)

BTW - Akubra is an Aussie bush hat - I had to check, as I thought it might be a euphemism, or even a euphonium...

Good news!

I wonder how Swarb and Maart became such good mates, especially as their Fairport tenures didn't overlap...?

Jules

Working together on their Swarb/Maart fiddle book I guess?  Must have taken a few years.

Not to mention playing together in Swarb's Lazarus with Kevin Dempsey...

Doh.  Of course.

Jules

I was mates with the Fairports for years before I joined them. I've known Swarb, Peggy and Jerry D for more than 40 years. They took me under their wing when I was in danger of becoming a jazz-rock guy.

Phew.  Lucky escape!

Thanks for clearing that up, Maart.  And also, thank goodness.   ;)

Jules

This made me laugh out loud  ;D ;D

Latest: Tuesday update. Dave's infection results looking encouraging, needs a bit of blood ( duracell fix ). All normal stuff at this stage, kidneys need a bit of help now and then. Keep cards and messages coming folks. They are so wonderfully cheering for us both. X Jill

From fb last night:

Wednesday update
 significant news...
 Dave has been transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham today, which has been everyone's ultimate best option to move him forward.
 can I thank Bronglais Hospital in Aber' for everything they have done looking after Dave and also me..., it has been very tough going to be honest, but they have been our safety net and then some! Love you guys! X
 hopefully, Dave will be helped on the high-tech gear in Brum with all the teams he knows and who know his body so well.
 He is so strong mentally, let's hope that he responds to the plans now being set up.
 Jill

I forgot to mention that Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick did a couple of Swarb's tunes the other night, and Martin asked for the audience to send good vibes Swarb's way.

Jules

Continued best wishes for Dave and strength to Jill

Do we know Swarb's Brum hospital address yet?  I didn't get my arse into gear to send a card to Aber.

Moi aussi, if you'll pardon my French.

I very much hope things are still on the up.

Get well soon, Dave.

Jill's latest:

Monday update
 Dave is still in ITU in Brum and will be for a while. Gradually being weaned from ventilator. Picked up another infection but that is being treated, such things happen when your immune system is suppressed as in all transplantees for obvious reasons.
 I have repotted nearer to Brum from Gloucestershire. Being looked after by angels xx
 Ruby is with me which is so good. Cuddling together and being spoilt of course. Updates may not come daily but that is just the way it is at present. No need to be alarmed for Dave or me!
 XX

Posted on FB in the last 35 mins or so...

Friday update
 Managed a few minutes off ventilator and a short sit out in chair. Still has the chest infection and on anti biotics. Very weak but making progress. All going to the various plans.
 Thanks very much for all lovely messages and cards. Cheers Alex P x

He's a tough little bugger, isn't he?  ;)

Posted on Swarb's fb page last night:


Address to send cards and Get Well messages:
 Critical Care D.
 Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Birmingham. West Midlands
 B15 2TH

Thank you

Posted in the last hour:

Tuesday update
 Positive progression. Slowly onwards, but onwards it is.
 Everyone encouraged by Dave's ability to cope admirably to the reduction in ventilation requirements and longer spells breathing on his own. Physios had him sitting out today and managing three small steps with support.

 :)

No further fb updates since last Saturday... hope no news is good news!

What I read today was a bit less positive, but he had eaten a jacket potato, so he's still fighting.

It's good to have humour in dark times.

If it's a hospital baked potato, he is definitely capable of fighting anything.

Paul

The Latest from Jill:

"Monday update
Dave sadly has another chest infection brewing. So, we are a couple of steps back in the plan.
Can I please make an appeal for no visitors for the moment and to just have the courtesy to go via me ( Jill ) in the future? Visitors have been cancelled now because of cross infection risks. I'm afraid you will only be sent away if you just arrive out of the blue. Dave is in Critical Care which surely explains everything? Rant over. Thanks"

oh dear, some people just don't think of anyone but themselves.....how rude.

Oh, poor Dave.  He's having a very hard time of it.

Jules

Oh dear, poor Swarb, and poor Jill...

Hoping that this will soon improve.

Everything crossed for him

"Hi,
Future updates will continue on Swarb's website for a while now, which is also where you can leave him messages.
Thanks everyone."

A more positive post yesterday on Swarb's folkicons website. C'mon Dave, you can beat this!

http://www.folkicons.co.uk/swarbmenu.htm

Small steps, and fingers crossed. His strength of will seems to have kept him going so far, but it sounds as if he is finding it tough going. Thinking of him and Jill a lot, and wishing them well.

Monday 21st March

Dave continues to make progress and was moved to another ICU in the hospital yesterday. The unit specialises in weaning patients off ventilation. More news soon. XX, Jill.

Relief!  I was getting worried again.

Jules

That presumably means the address for cards has changed....

I think it is just A,B,C &D for the four critical care wards. I suspect they will know where he is if the cards are still coming in!

Update on website:
Summary...Dave continues to tick along, but is slowly improving. Cards and messages are really helping, so please keep them going. Now in critical care A, rest of address on website

Good news on Swarb's site:  ;D ;D ;D

Thursday 31st March

Dave's had a really good day today. He's been unplugged from the ventilator and has managed, with assistance, a much longer walk. He's chirpy and wishes everyone to know that he's ready to do a quickstep and move on to the tango! Jill xx

 

Wednesday 30th March

Dave is making decent progress. He’s off the ventilator during the day now and is taking a few steps with help. Despite the long haul he’s keeping his sense of humour throughout it all. It's his 75th birthday on 5th April. What about a deluge of birthday cards next week? Let's do it! Jill xx

Yay!  Good man, Swarb!

Jules

Still can't believe he's 75 next week!  :o  ;)

Posted on facebook by Issy Swarbrick...

Hi everyone , been too see dad today when I arrived he was sat in the chair he had managed near enough too get in it himself just a little assistance from a nurse , dad is know able too speak again clearly and is adament he will be going home hopefully in the very near future . Yet again me and my family are so grateful for all the kind messages ,cards etc . So much love goes out too u all xxxxx

Happy 75th to Swarb.  :)

Here's today's update:

"Tuesday 5th April

75 today!! Dave continues to bash on. He's still in the ICU and receiving intensive physiotherapy to build him up. He's off the ventilator and he'll be moved to a ward soon. Big thanks to all who have sent birthday cards and messages. Keep 'em coming. Love, Jill xx"

Keep on keeping on.  :)

Happy 75th Swarb!

Latest update from Swarb's news page on folkicons.co.uk:

Monday 18th April

There's not been a lot to report over the last week or so. Dave is making steady progress on the ward and all is still moving in the right direction. Next post when there's some definite news.


 :)

Issy Swarbrick did report her Dad phoned her unexpectedly, she was very pleased.

Jill's latest bulletin on Swarb's Folkicons page says he's continuing to progress, building up his strength; they are hopeful he can soon move to a hospital nearer home to carry on his recovery. A long haul, but he's a tough old so and so (my words!).

Great news, it's been a long time for him and Jill.

Transferred to Montgomery Hospital in Powys on Tuesday according to the website  :)

From Swarb's fb page, posted 8 hours ago:

"Hello facemates. I made it X"

 ;D ;D ;D

Relief and joy.

Jules

Brilliant news... What is it that I still can't get onto his FB page though?