I cannot believe that it was twelve months ago today that I received the phone call from a surgeon at Ayr Hospital telling me that I had a kidney stone blocking the exit to my right kidney and that he wanted me to return to hospital immediately (fortunately I was in Glasgow an hour's drive away) and have the stone removed.
Since then I've had 10 hospital admissions related to problems caused by the kidney stone (including four admissions related to sepsis). Of course it's not as simple as that because most of the problems have arisen because of damage caused by radiotherapy in 2009.
Add to that all the hospital visits relating to the cancer treatment and the Drugs Trial I'm on and I must have spent a decent part of the last year at medical appointments of one sort or another.
Anyway my hospital visits, per se, is not really the point of this post because, despite all the hospital etc visits, I feel as fit and healthy as any person my age and am able to live a very full and active life. For this I never cease to be thankful.
At a time of criticism of the NHS I just want, for the umpteenth time, to sing its praises and, of course, praise the wonderful people who work in it.
My pal Anna was up from Bishopbriggs for a few days and we had (as always) a very enjoyable time. As it happens the weather on two out of the three days were also glorious so we went for a walk in the Castle Grounds. It was Saturday morning and all the mountain bikers, walkers and even some less usual modes of transport were out and about. We had a gentle 3 mile walk and it was glorious.
At home the garden is well past its summer best but there is still quite a bit of colour in the Crocosmia, Mombretia (the original or naturalised Crocosmia) Japanese Anenomes, Livingstone Daisies and the Lavatera.
Your post is uplifting. Thank you! Gorgeous photos.
ReplyDeleteThe sedgeway thing is a surprise. It looks unnatural in such a setting. Maybe they should be banned from soil and grasses. :)
Maywyn, The segway tours are run locally around the Castle Grounds and are very informative. I think it gives people the opportunity to do something just that bit different. I've never seen the off the paths.
DeleteGreat pictures Graham.
ReplyDelete"Less usual modes of transport" Was there someone on a camel? Was there someone in a wickerwork bath chair? Was Clive Sinclair there on a C5? Was Jesus there on a donkey?
Up The NHS!
YP you just never know what you might see in the Castle Grounds. Jesus on a donkey might be stretching it though (representation of Christ being idolatry in the eyes of certain people).
DeleteYou are a braver man than I.
ReplyDeletePS. I like the look of those Segway machines. I wonder how fast they go?
DeleteAdrian, they can go pretty fast: a lot faster than I, for sure.
DeleteSo happy to know you are about! Love that tumbling burn....
ReplyDeleteyou are an inspiration :)
Thank you Fi. I love the burn too. I saw a Dipper in it on Saturday: the first time I've ever seen one here so I was really thrilled.
DeleteI’m so pleased that you are feeling so good, yes you have had more than your share of hospital visits but it has proved to be worth the time involved. The garden is still looking really gorgeous and the view ain’t half bad. Bev.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverley. I still laugh every time I think of you being confronted by a rather tall paramedic in the middle of the night when they came to take me away.
DeleteIt is always good to read the positive and to hear how you are getting on. I had to have a little giggle as I posted earlier today about almost the opposite in relation to the NHS as unfortunately my experience has been pretty dire. I think it is partly a postcode lottery as to how good they are to some extent. Great photos as ever.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Serenata. I'm sad to hear that. I know that not everyone has the same experiences as I do but right from 1960 when I had most of a lung removed (in Liverpool) until the present day (the rest of my experiences since Liverpool having taken place in Scotland) I have had nothing but praise for the NHS.
DeleteI hope that all the visits and effort are rewarded with some good health. What a beautiful place you live in.
ReplyDeleteThanks Red. I feel on top of the world.
DeleteI would never tire of looking at that beautiful bay; you're a lucky guy.
ReplyDeleteCro, even on a morning like this morning when there is rain and gales forecast (just a couple of days after the above photo) I never tire of the view.
DeleteToday news from a very dear friend is not so good and I am hoping that those of us who are getting along nicely, thank you, could spare a kind thought or even a prayer for him. John is also being looked after by the NHS and very much by his wife. More tears!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that Potty. I'm sure that all who know John will be thinking positive thoughts on behalf of him and his wife.
DeleteYou are to be commended. I’m pretty sure if I were in your shoes I’d be blogging a lot less and going around feeling sorry for myself. I must work on that, and you will be my shining example of how things can be. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteBob, it's kind of you to say so but I'm sure that you would be your usual phlegmatic self. After all you also have your faith to keep you warm.
DeleteSo very pretty! Is that Pat's house I can see across the bay? So lucky to have such good friends so close to you!
ReplyDeleteSo, so, so! (Just noticed all those "so's!)
Kay, Pat's house is just of the photo to the left. Yes. I am very fortunate.
DeleteDoesn't time fly?
ReplyDeleteI seem very repetitive in saying I love your view and it's complemented by your garden.
Its good to feel well and even better when you genuinely appreciate it.
Segways are a lot of fun, you should try one
Kylie, time does indeed fly and the older you get the faster it flies. The view is always very therapeutic however wild the weather. As for the Segway I would love to have a go but I'm not really interested in a guided tour of an area I've been walking around and exploring for over four decades. Perhaps I could get some interested friends and make up a little band and go for a run with the chap who has them without the patter.
DeleteWe're into the second week of spring down this way.
ReplyDeleteTime is flying by so very quickly. I don't know where the past 12 months have disappeared to. It is said "time flies when you're having fun". I must be having a hell of a lot of fun! :)
I'm glad you're feeling great, Graham. Keep up the good work! :)
Lee, I have been fortunate in having a great deal of fun this summer so that's perhaps why it disappeared so quickly. I'm feeling on top of the world thank you. I must post some more Thankful Thursday posts.
DeleteYou’ve weathered a really difficult year with admirable cheerfulness and fortitude, and I’m so glad you’re now fit and well, Graham. Glorious photos, as ever.
ReplyDeleteOn the face of it it's not been the best year of my life from the health aspect, Frances. However, it has been pretty good, very good in fact, in between the blips and I'm certainly not complaining. There are millions worse off than I am.
Delete