Yesterday (January 22) was much warmer than recently, in the aftermath of a storm that was far worse elsewhere in the UK. Bit stormy for me too – my long anticipated cystoscopy took place under general anaesthetic. Dot took me to hospital, and the preamble took about three hours, during most of which nothing happened. I was first of the three in our room to be operated on. Seemed to go ok, but I now have a catheter again – for a week. Sounds familiar. No pain yet, but we’ll see. Everyone involved was helpful. Got some input from the surgeon afterwards. He sounded confident.
While I was in the Arthur South Day Care Centre, where it all took place, I wasn’t able to contact Dot, and as it got towards the end of the afternoon, she became a bit worried. However she eventually got a call and I was picked up. Felt more or less OK during the evening, much of which was spent letting people know I was still alive, after David FaceTimed and we had a long chat. This morning I am a bit uncomfortable, but everything seems to be working. However, I had the second of two very bad nights. Couldn’t stay asleep.
On Wednesday just over a week ago (17th) it was pretty cold, but nothing compared to the Highlands, where it was reportedly minus 14, or Ontario, where I’m told it was minus 25. Dot got back from church before 3.30pm and in the evening was at orchestra rehearsal while I did some clearing up. We had chicken, which wasn’t very impressive. Can’t remember the last time I cooked chicken I liked, unless it was roast. Haven’t been feeling too great today, but as usual better in the evening. Never managed to get any response from the hospital.
Thursday was still very cold, with a few spots of snow. As always, felt much better in the evening than the rest of the day. Wrote a piece for my website and have also written another poem, which is encouraging. Idea for another one, too, based on the second half of a brilliant documentary on buffalo, which we’ve just seen. Also enjoying a new TV thriller called After the Flood. Earlier on Leanne and Nikki came round for refreshments. Had a good chat, and I drove Leanne home and Nikki to pick up her daughter from school. They both had a very hard upbringing but are really inspiring. Dot bought food for our party tomorrow, and as an experiment I cooked some lightly smoked salmon, which turned out really nice.
Friday was cold again, but dry. Linda came round late morning to cut our hair, and in the afternoon we prepared for our party, which turned out to be very successful. No one wanted to go home, and we didn’t get to bed till midnight after clearing up. Present: Des and Chris, Mark and Sarah, Jonathan, Sean, Ciara, Phoebe, Matt, Mary. Angela is in Scotland and Bob has a bad cold. Dot did some lovely food. I supervised the heating up and helped serve drinks. Some really good conversation.
Saturday too was cold, and windier. Somebody has left a jacket at ours, but I don’t know who. Dot went to football with Des: I didn’t feel like sitting in the cold, which is ironic, because I later had tingling in my nostrils and was worried about my op. While Dot was out, Kim came round and we had a good talk about her difficulties and mine. She is constantly on the move and is heading north again soon. City beat West Brom 2-0, which made Dot very happy. While she was out I put the extra chairs in the garage, emptied the bins and cleared up generally. Watched a bit of light TV in the evening.
Sunday was less cold but becoming very windy and wet. Gave Ray and Heather a lift to church this morning. Nice service led by Liz C, and “sermon” by Heather. Had to rush off afterwards to George Hotel off Mount Pleasant for winter lunch with CNS survivors. Long wait for food but very good: sat with Tony F, Peter B and Neville and Mary. Did quite badly in Norwich quiz. Excellent talk by optician. Home around 5pm – felt quite tired. Bridget called in to pick up her car. Watched football, something about the Thames floods of 1928 and then Vera. David FaceTimed – encouraging messages from many others for op.