It is 13 days since I arrived home from my last visit South when I started on the Drugs Trial and had the last attempt to get rid of Cal. It seems like and age. I know that I've done things. I remember having my 3-monthly bum-jab to help keep C (the Big Yin, not Cal) under control and hugging Lisa when she told me I was not diabetic as had been previously diagnosed. I remember coffee one afternoon with a friend in The Woodlands. I think I was compos mentis that afternoon - I hope that I was. I remember long periods sleeping on my recliner or in bed. I know that I must have done a lot of other things too. However for the most part my overwhelming memory is of just not functioning and being so unwell last Sunday and Monday that I couldn't even persuade the medical practice receptionist that I really, really did need to see a doctor ungently. I must have been very non-compos mentis.
On Monday when I did see a doctor she took one look at me and rang the hospital. I emerged yesterday afternoon a tired, but new, person after enough intravenous antibiotics for an elephant and, apparently, a worrying (for others - I wasn't able to think clearly enough to care) time. Apparently the various medical teams here and in Ayr have agreed that the team here clean up my infections and next Thursday the Ayr Team will have another go at Cal.
In the meantime this evening an almost-lifelong friend who lives in Canada arrives to stay with me on her way home from Africa.
The Glad Game:
I woke up this morning.
I didn't have MRSA and sepsis did not set in.
The medical staff at Western Isles Hospital are BRILLIANT!
I slept so soundly last night I didn't wake, turn over or even crumple the bedclothes for EIGHT hours.
My life is never, ever, boring.
I have wonderful friends and family who look out for me.
My life is never, ever, boring.
I have wonderful friends and family who look out for me.
An inspiring post, Graham - you are brave and positive. I am so sorry that you have undergone this ordeal. It is clear that everyone is doing their very best for you and I do hope that you'll soon be free of the horrible Cal and on your way to full recovery.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny. I hope that I'm positive but I'm not particularly brave: just good at accepting those things about which I can do nothing.
DeleteI'm so glad that you're able to count your blessings after all you've been through, and that you're home in time for your friend's visit. Very god luck with your convalescence, and I very much hope there'll be no more hospital for you for a while.
ReplyDeleteThank you Frances. My next hospital visit is next Thursday when they hope to have another go at removing Cal. Hopefully then it will be all over.
DeleteOh I am so glad that you were able to get those antibiotics, enough for an elephant! Also, that wonderful sleep is healing! Have fun with your visitor, I know you will. 🐘
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay. The wonders of modern science. We spent last evening catching up and there's plenty more of that to be done.
DeleteO Thanks be to your medical team for all of their skills and knowledge and to you Graham for your great fortitude.
ReplyDeleteAmen to those thanks Heron.
DeleteI’m glad we have chatted between the elephant doses and your going home so this wasn’t a shock.... but the worry was we didn’t know you were so ill... and how helpless it feels to not be able to help from so far away. I am glad there are real people, as opposed to virtual, in your life that cared for you xx
ReplyDeleteYes, Fi, it was very good to have the chat whilst I was in hospital. The worry was that, until I ended up in hospital, I was so ill my mind was clouded and even I didn't realise how ill I was.
DeleteUgh! All of that will take some serious recovery! Sleep, sit in the sun and eat everything that's nourishing. I look forward to the next (hopefully less dramatic) installment.
ReplyDeleteKylie you comment made me laugh this morning. That's always good as the little endorphins wander round spreading their goodness. Why did I laugh? As I write this the lowering storm clouds and the bitterly cold strong wind made the idea of sitting in the sun a far-away-off dream.
Deletelol! just before i read your reply i suddenly realised that you are in or close to winter! you'll have to sit by the fire
DeleteI'm very sorry to read all this Graham, it sounds a bit of a nightmare. Let's hope those wonderful people at the NHS get you back dancing very soon.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, Cro, it has been a nightmare couple of months but I have every hope that the surgeon in Ayr has done enough already to enable him finally to get at Cal.
DeleteSpeaking of nightmares (see Cro's comment), hopefully your deep sleep meant there were neither mares nor ponies to liven it up.
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds rather worrying, but I am glad you had such excellent hospital staff looking after you. The infections are puzzling, though; are they related to "everything else"?
Meike on the whole my sleep recently, particularly in hospital and since I returned home, has been excellent and there has been no livestock present! Bliss!
DeleteWhat's the next size up of antibiotic if you were a sick elephant? Like everyone else we are hoping that you get a bit of R&R before the next and sucessful Anti Cal attempt. Very Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Potty. I've told myself a million times not to exaggerate.
DeleteI was relieved to read this yesterday because even though I can testify that you've seemed 'compus mentis' on and off in between sleeps (at least enough to send an occasional Word now and then), I have been worried for you too :) Please take care and give yourself enough rest to build up your strength for your next hospital adventure... ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica. We've been taking things very easy today and I trying not to do anything to thwart the surgeon's next attempt.
DeleteHm, my yesterdays post seems not to have arrived on your comments page? No idea why so I’m trying again just to say that I kept looking for your posts and did worry when there was such a long space between them. I’m glad the wonderful NHS came good when you required it most. Hopefully the next attempt at Cal will deliver the desired outcome and you can soon begin your recovery. All good vibes being sent to you from a snowy Yorkshire. No sitting outside here today either.
ReplyDeleteRegards Beverley.
Thanks a million Beverley.
DeleteMy "amen" to all the above posts. I've been very concerned for you and worried when you were long before posting. Only the best thoughts coming your way for your surgeon's continued battle against the dreaded Cal.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jill. I'm sorry. I should have been posting more 'proper' posts but my brain just hasn't been up to it.
DeleteAnd you've come out of it with not only a smile on your face, but with gratitude, hope and love in your heart. Maybe those 12 days were too busy to make their presence known. and in their hazy way were a healing.
ReplyDeleteYou are fortunate you have many who hold you dear to them.
Great to "hear" from you, Graham...continue taking good care.
Thank you for your kind words Lee.
DeleteIt's good to know you have some support there from a good friend, hope you get better.
ReplyDeleteI’m very fortunate with my friends Amy.
DeleteGB... glad you're feeling better, and that you had such good care in hospital - I wish you never had to go through all this. Let's hope old Cal is on his way soon, the bugger. Sending much love.
ReplyDeleteMrs S, just about to set off fotvthe hospital. Thanks for your good wishes.
DeleteThanks for the update Graham. All the best for Thursday.
ReplyDeleteThanks YP
DeleteGood luck. Thursday I'll have my fingers and toes crossed.
ReplyDeleteI’ll have a fair amount crossed too Adrian.
DeleteSending you best wishes for a good outcome on Thursday
ReplyDeleteVery much appreciated Jill.
Delete