Tinky Winky Goes To the Olympics

I got it wrong, it is Peter's car which is due it's MOT today, mine is due next week so I've booked it in for Saturday.

Had a call from the sister at the warfarin clinic. She wanted to know why I had left the clinic without providing 'evidence' of my stay in hospital. Who on earth does this woman think she is? Why do I need 'evidence', this is a clinic not a court, and why should I lie anyway? Unwilling to get into another argument with the woman I explained, yet again, where I was, what I'd had done and why I'd had it done. I almost choked when she said, 'lung transplant? Why do you need a lung transplant you've only got high blood pressure.' Instead of slamming the phone down or hurling abuse about her competence I took a deep breath and told this 'highly trained health professional' what PH was. When I finished her reaction was that she'd 'never heard of it' and her attitude was if she's never heard of it, it can't exist. There are some people who just will not accept they are ignorant or wrong and I'd just stumbled across a prime example. Deciding that nothing I was going to say was going to make the slightest bit of difference to this woman I referred her to Dr Wort at the Royal Brompton, passing her is PA's number. I doubt she will bother to contact him but if she does I expect (hope) I'll be treated a little better in future but I'm not holding my breath. On the plus side my INR was spot on so I won't have to see her again for another ten weeks.

Was anyone else as gob smacked at the revealing of the model of our Olympic open ceremony as I was? My first thought was that it looked liked the Teletubbies house, and I should know I've sat through hours of them. My second though was 'oh no this is going to be embarrassing.' The designer, Danny Boyle, explained that we couldn't really top Beijing so we were going for something more 'homely', 'low key' and 'quintessentially British'. Well it's British all right, cheap, badly thought out and thrown together in a hurry. I mean what were they thinking? They've got sheep, clouds with real rain, as though we actually need any fake rain, a cricket team and someone ploughing a field. An opening ceremony to be remembered? Probably but for all the wrong reasons.

Tomorrow is the earliest date I can hear whether I'm on the transplant list or not. I know that they have their weekly meetings on a Thursday morning, I also know all my test results were emailed over to my transplant consultant the Friday after I had the tests so in theory there is nothing else that can delay the results, apart from the consultant being ill or on holiday. Last time I was waiting they phoned me around two on Thursday afternoon straight after the meeting. Up to now I've managed to put this to the back of my mind and have honestly not thought about it at all. However today I'm a nervous wreck and keep swinging between being positive that they will say yes and and being equally positive that I'll be turned down. The trouble is that I don't know what their criteria for a 'yes' is. I know they had concerns about my heart but the test results were very good so hopefully any concerns have been negated but I just don't know what they are thinking and I'm finding that very hard to cope with. I have a feeling I may not have a good night tonight.

The weather today is dry but I am still not able to do anything in the garden. The lawn is like a sponge and you squelch rather than walk. There are puddles in the flower beds and the self contained water feature is actually over flowing now. There is so much I want to get out and do but even when it isn't raining it is too wet.

The one compensation is that Queen's is on but that keeps getting rained off too, so watching Andy Murray is even more frustrating than usually.

Peter's car failed the MOT, he is not a happy man but his cold has improved so he is not as unhappy as he could be.

I've pulled on my slipper socks, wrapped myself in a thick jumper and armed with a box of Belgium chocolates and a good book will try not to think about tomorrow while praying Murray gets through to the second round.

Flaming June my foot!

Paddington Bear and the Monster Nurse From Hell

Well my desire for a stress free holiday lasted into the third day. Today it all went horribly wrong.

It was my first warfarin clinic since my RHC and as far as I was concerned I'd done all the right things, notified them when I was going into hospital and again when I came out. I told them how long I'd stopped the warfarin for and for how long I'd had heparin injections instead, I even told them my INR reading on leaving hospital. Today as I handed over my book at reception I was fixed with a glare and asked why I hadn't notified them that I'd been in hospital. I explained that I had over the phone and was taken aback when told I should have notified them in person or by letter with a letter of admission as proof. They then demanded my discharge letter as they wanted to know exactly what I'd had done. I told them I didn't have it as it was with my GP and if they wanted it they'd have to contact him. I do have my own copy but I'm not handing that over besides I didn't see what business it is of their's really especially as my INR was carefully monitored while I was in the Brompton.

To my delight my old ladies were in and there was a seat right in the middle of them. In between moaning about the weather the main topic of conversation was the Jubilee.
Grace: I don't know why the Queen didn't sit on those chairs on the boat, I wouldn't have stood all that way.
Doris:Yes but you are not the Queen.
Ethel: Didn't it rain.
Grace: When, on the jubilee or yesterday.
Ethel: Well both really.
Grace: It wasn't as bad as the rain in 2001
Doris: But that was in Devon
Grace I know that, I'm just saying
Ethel: The snow in 63 was bad too

And on and on they went, for a time I almost felt like I was in an episode of the Vicar of Dibley. Eventually their numbers whittled down as they were called one by one into the room for their tests until I was left with just one. To my surprise she suddenly lent over and whispered to me 'I've been a bit naughty so I've got to wait for the sister, I've been here since half past nine. I wish she'd get a move on.' She introduced herself as Nancy and told me that she'd had a bit of a tipple over the jubilee weekend and had basically carried on celebrating until this weekend sending her INR levels haywire. I've only seen the sister a couple of times, for being naughty in exactly the same way. That was in the days before having a glass of wine didn't render me unconscious because of my other meds.

We continued chatting then Nancy told me a funny and poignant story about a friend of hers who recently died of cancer. Nancy and her husband were bowls fanatics and belonged to a local club. When Nancy's husband died, Bob, who was friends with the couple, became her bowling partner. Ten years later and during a game Bob complained of pains in his chest and was taken to hospital. It was found that he had cancer and it was too advanced for anything but palliative treatment and Bob was sent home. A couple of months later Bob was readmitted. The cancer was around his aorta and was now pressing on his throat making breathing and swallowing difficult. Eventually Bob was on liquids only and then mostly through a tube. Nancy visited him regularly and secretly fed him gin and tonic at Bob's request. One day close to the end she was giving Bob his secret tipple when the doctor arrived but instead of telling her off told her that a little of what Bob fancied was fine and asked the nurse to supple some ice. Bob died a few days later. What a lovely story, I felt sad but happy at the same time and realised that I was speaking to a kindred spirit because that is exactly what I would have done if my best friend was dying.

Talking to Nancy the time passed quite quickly and it was coming up to eleven when the sister rocketed out of her room and called Nancy's name. I was in the process of helping Nancy up when the sister shouted, 'come on, come on, I haven't got all day, I've got things to do.' Well that was enough for me and it was a case of light blue touch paper and stand well back. I turned and shouted back 'Do you really think we haven't got things to do?' I waved my arm to indicate the other patients waiting. 'Nancy has been sitting here for an hour and a half waiting to see you, how dare you tell her to hurry up!' The sister's face was a picture but fair play she did apologise to Nancy. As Nancy went past me she gave my arm a squeeze. I think I've made a friend.

After Nancy left I sat back down waiting for my turn. Idly I scanned the room looking for people who were ahead of me in the queue for reception so I could work out how much longer I might have to wait. As my eyes wandered over the rows of seating they suddenly stopped and swung back to the reception desk and then it registered. Coming very, very slowly around the desk was a hat, not just any old hat but exactly the same hat in colour, shape and condition as that worn by Paddington Bear. I sat up and craned my neck to see what might be underneath the hat. Eventually a little old lady with a walking frame emerged and to my delight she was wearing Paddington's coat too. I was so tempted to take a picture but decided that I'd already upset the staff enough for one day so resisted. As she came closer I notice the coat was ankle length so it was even the right size. I just couldn't take my eyes off her and it came as a bit of a relief when I was called in because I was so, so close to taking that picture.

Back home Peter has a cold. He came in from work with it yesterday and it is a real stinker. Now we are playing the 'keep as far away from Hazel as possible' game. I may have started my holiday off feeling well, it doesn't look like I'm going to finish it that way though. It is bad enough trying to avoid bugs at work but when you live with a big factory you've got no chance. If I'm not also streaming by Friday I'll be very surprised indeed.

I took Andrew with me to do the grocery shop and to my shame ended up with two pot noodles, chip shop curry flavour, in the trolley. Is it just me or are all teenagers programmed to eat total rubbish?

Tomorrow I have the joy of putting my car through it's MOT, wish me luck.

Monsoon

We are in the middle of a monsoon, there can be no other explanation for what I woke up to this morning. Yesterday I managed to get all my washing out and dried and happily mooched around the house in sandals. Today I've got thick socks on, we've already had the heating on and our patio looks like a paddling pool. According to my weather station we've had an inch of rain in the last twenty four hours and as it wasn't raining when we went to bed at ten thirty last night all that has fallen in the last twelve.

The Daily Mail has christened the murder I spoke of yesterday the 'Home Alone Murder', well it was inevitable I suppose. A few more details have emerged and the boy they arrested is now said to have just turned eighteen in the last month. If that is the case and he goes to the same school as Andrew then there is every chance Andrew knows him. How scary is that?

There was chaos around the school this morning. If there is a problem at the school parents are alerted by text and we received the first around seven thirty. This alert was to say several buses were not running from certain areas and could parents deliver students to school themselves. The second, half an hour later, that buses from other areas were running but would be late. Usually there is a brief explanation but none was forthcoming today so I can only conclude that it is one out three possible reasons. The school in inundated with media bods, the weather has drowned out the bus company or the bus company assumed that today was a teacher training day and they were not needed. My money is on the weather, as if anything goes wrong it is always the weather that is at fault.

Talking of weather my family in Aberystwyth are high and dry, quite literally living on a hill, and the only concession to the flooding is the lack of bus services. In Edinburgh my brother and his family have managed to avoid the legionnaire's outbreak so far and are taking every precaution to lake sure they continue to do so.

Back home I've gritted my teeth and cleaned my oven. I absolutely hate cleaning the oven but it had to be done and to be honest it wasn't that bad. I put the shelves through the dishwasher and liberally sprayed the over with Mr Muscle and shut the door and left it for a couple of hours. The hardest part is wiping it all off. I have to be careful of the fumes so I opened the kitchen windows and worked as quickly as I could. It is now bright and sparkly and I am going to hate having to use it for dinner as I'd like to keep it that way.

Got my usual call from Laurence last night, he is fine and is coming around on Saturday for a tea of homemade burgers (I don't have to use the oven) and a gossip.

Watched the Grand Prix this morning, as it was on too late for me yesterday, and I was delighted with Hamilton's win. Really wish Button had managed at least a top ten place but his time will come, we are not even halfway through the season yet.

This afternoon I'm on my own for a short while as Peter is in work and Andrew has his exam. I intend to use the time well and veg out on the sofa while catching up on Neighbours.

The rain is continuing to fall and parts of the county are experiencing severe flooding. Peter has just text me to say he's had trouble getting to work and the school have just text to say that there will be delays on some bus routes due to flooding and buses having to re-route. Not for the first time I'm pleased we are also on a hill. Most of the time I hate being on a hill simply because it means I'm trapped in the house unless I have access to a mobility scooter or a car. However having seen my neighbours at the bottom of the road being pumped out it can be a blessing.

As I write I am keeping a worried eye on the level of water on our patio. It has risen significantly since this morning and the rain is still coming down in buckets.To be fair it has never reached the top of the step from the house onto the patio but that doesn't mean it won't. There is a first time for everything. To add to my troubles the electricity seems to be on it's way out as the lights keep flickering up and down, so I'd better get this blog posted while I can.

Stay safe and dry everyone.

In The News

Twelve days off, oh yes! I made it to my holiday without having them canceled because of sickness. Unfortunately the weather is going to be mixed but I'm determined to enjoy myself, so it will be out with the camera on dry days and watching DVD's on wet ones. Nothing is planned, we are just going to play it by ear.

My home town was all over the news yesterday with several caravan parks around the area under water. Aberystwyth is a popular seaside town and the majority of summer visitors rent or bring their own caravans as hotel space is limited. Being Wales holiday makers can expect a few damp days during their holidays but this was taking it to extremes. I'm just glad that no one was hurt.

The village is in somber mood today as news filters through that one of the pupils at our high school was killed at a party. The girl was only fifteen and popular at school, which is hopefully preparing for a lot of upset pupil's turning up tomorrow. With GCSE's in full swing it couldn't have come at a worst time, not that there is any good time for murder but you know what I mean, they have all the exam stress to cope with and now this on top. Andrew knows her only in passing as he is two years above her but a lot of his friends have sisters or brothers in the same year and apparently Facebook is awash with outpourings of shock and grief. The papers have a photo of her which shows a slightly out of focus but pretty girl smiling at the camera, probably taken from Facebook. The media are saying that the police are questioning a nineteen year old , if true and he is the killer then at least we don't have the worry of a murderer roaming the area, something to be grateful for I guess.

You hear of dreadful murders all over the country but it really brings it home how awful it is when it affects your community. I sincerely hope the school keeps the media well away from the students tomorrow as they really don't need anymore distractions or upset. Andrew has his Physics A level exam tomorrow and is hoping things will be as normal as possible. The chatter on Facebook is that the killer was either a boyfriend or someone she knew quite well, not really surprising as a high percentage of murders are carried out by someone the victim is either related to or knows well. I guess it will all come out eventually and we'll know exactly what went on and who the killer is. Personally I feel sorry for both the victim and the killer as it is not one but two young lives ruined.

Work this week has been a bit, well odd. The work has been steady rather than frantic but despite not being rushed off my feet by the end of the third day I was dead tired and beginning to get cranky. An early night and a late start on day four helped enormously and in the end I didn't have to request an early exit as I'd feared. I can only put it down to having the RHC. I didn't sleep much in the days running up to it and with the stress of being canceled and then re-booked and the fear of the whole thing must have just knocked me for six. Unusually since having the RHC I have slept like the dead every night and if I could would probably sleep most of the day as well.

As I expected I didn't hear from Harefield this week but admit that I am a bit disappointed. I knew it was going to be very unlikely that I'd hear so soon due to the extended bank holiday but I did hold out a little bit of hope. So I'm expecting to hear sometime this week instead. It is annoying being in limbo for so long but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.

In the news Prince Philip is ninety one today and thankfully out of hospital. I do hope he enjoys his birthday and is allowed to rest along with the Queen. After last weekend they both need it.

Euro 2012 has started and the TV on all channels are awash with football or football related programmes. Last night all I wanted to do after a heavy four days was to sit down with my feet up and watch something good. Having flicked through the channels we decided on a film night and watched Star Trek instead. I don't mind anyone watching a bit of sport, I like rugby, tennis and formula one for instance but, with the possible exception of the Wimbledon fortnight, no other sport can wipe out a TV schedule like football can. I know it is our national sport but the whole nation doesn't love it. There are plenty who wouldn't shed a tear if it were banned and they also pay their TV licenses and so should be given a choice, and I don't mean slapping a black and white movie on BBC 2 either.

One final point regarding the football. There has been much angst about the racism encountered by various players of African and Asian decent and a lot of football bosses, coaches and pundits have been discussing how to take racism out of football. I'd take them all more seriously if they hadn't included thug John Terry, who is to stand trial for racism shortly, in the England squad. Ever heard of leading by example boys? 

Don't Rain On My Parade

Today the Diamond celebrations finally draw to a close and I suspect among those giving thanks will be the Queen herself.

Going to a party is never much fun if you have to go on your own but this is the unfortunate predicament the Queen found herself in yesterday. Hours before the concert outside Buckingham Palace Prince Philip fell ill and had to be rushed to hospital. Now I know some will be thinking that it is 'just' a bladder infection but in someone his age bladder infections can be fatal. These things can come from a number of causes, dehydration being one of them. Today we learn that both Philip and the Queen regularly restrict their liquid intake before a big occasion so they don't have to pop to the loo in the middle of things. Combine that with standing in the freezing cold for four hours and you have a recipe for disaster no matter what your age. My only surprise is that the Queen herself didn't succumb. I've said it before and I'll say it again, despite the occasion their age and the British weather should have been taken into account.

I didn't watch all of the concert, tuning in on and off between other programmes but I did notice how glum the Queen looked and felt really sorry for her. The acts themselves were, on the whole, not at their best. The sound system seems to have had a fit and there was a distinct lack of bass that made everyone sound a bit like slowed down Smirffs. The older contingent, with a couple of notable exceptions, sounded as though they'd either got the wrong teeth in, were very drunk or were recovering from a stroke as they slurred and mumbled through that were just recognisable as their greatest hits. The younger acts just seemed to scream, as screaming has long since replaced actual singing. Madness made me smile and I wished they'd had a bigger slot. Maybe in the circumstances 'Live And Let Die' wasn't exactly appropriate but at least it livened things up a bit. Tom Jones and Cliff Richard were the two exceptions as both managed to belt songs out in tune and with most of the power of their youth.

The highlight of the event for me were the comedy duo of Rolf Harris and Lenny Henry. Rolf was absolutely determined to finish the song he'd been asked to perform as a fill in while Lenny was equally determined to cut him short. In the end Rolf won the day, possibly because he had the crowd behind him, but more likely because Rolf is a national treasure whereas Lenny isn't and knew when he was beaten. The fireworks at the end were excellent and I really enjoyed the speech given by Prince Charles, it was the only occasion during the whole evening that I saw the Queen smile.

Today it is the thanksgiving in St Paul's and then a parade back to Buckingham Palace where my hope is the Queen will be allowed to put her feet up before going to visit her husband in hospital. The rain poured on Sunday, it drizzled at the concert last night, today I hope it stays dry for her though at the moment a bit of sunshine is too much to hope for.

My leg is now more or less back to normal, it still has two cuts but the bruising has faded to a dull yellow and the soreness has all but cleared up. I still get a twinge if one of the cats stands on it but apart from that I'm good. I will be going to work tomorrow as normal as I see no reason why I shouldn't although I am still unusually tired and had another heavy night's sleep. Still I'll give it a go, if I can't do my full eight hours I will just ask to go home, simples. I only have to get through the next four days as I'm on twelve days holiday from next week. It will be a change for me to be off work and well at the same time so I'm really looking forward to getting out and doing some photography, providing the weather is kind. We were trying to plan a few days away but all this hospital business has thrown us off course so the best we can manage may be a trip down to Wales, we'll have to see. I still have plenty of leave left so maybe later in the years when everything has calmed down a bit. This afternoon is going to be another lazy one though I may attempt some muffins to replace the ones that got cremated.

Catch up soon.

Jubilee

Saturday

Well I hate to say I told you so but I told you so, the big day is here and it is cold and wet.

I woke up around nine after the best night's sleep I've had in ages. You don't realise how much things affect you until it is over. I was exhausted and couldn't even read before going to sleep and didn't wake once in the night. My leg is much more comfortable today and is healing well so I don't think I'm going to have any delayed problems but I will be keeping off my feet as much as possible over the next couple of days as ordered just to be on the safe side.

The cats have been all over me since I got home and no wonder as Andrew confessed that they had forgotten to feed them twice during my absence. It seems it was a classic 'I thought you had' confusion but even so, poor puddies. The problem I have is that they both want to sit on my lap and as I have a sore groin I would rather they didn't. Naturally they don't understand and are more determined than ever. I woke up this morning with one on each side huddled up as tight as they could get, it's a wonder they didn't get squished.

This afternoon saw me once again in the land of nod as I dropped off in front of the TV. Maybe this stay in hospital has hit me harder than I thought. My get up and go has definitely got up and gone at the moment. We were going to go out and tackle Tesco's but Peter has vetoed this idea stating I'm obviously not recovered enough yet, he is probably right.

Sunday

Woke up to no Internet connection and a monsoon. Fed up we decided to go and do our shopping in the hope that the rest of the bank holiday would be nice enough for us to spend sometime relaxing in the garden. After lunch we all settled down to watch the river pageant, well there was little else to do, and I must admit I rather enjoyed it. I did feel really sorry for the Queen though who at one point looked absolutely frozen. Whoever designed that barge should have taken the Great British weather into account and hidden a couple of patio heaters on deck. Philip on the other hand looked remarkably perky and didn't seem affected by the cold but then he did have a thick uniform on and no doubt was wearing thermals underneath it all. At eighty seven and ninety respectively the Queen and Prince Philip did well to complete the journey still upright. Others younger than them were being dragged off boats and treated for hypothermia all over the place.

The Internet flicker briefly back to life late afternoon but it wasn't to last so I lay on the bed and read for a while while Peter went out to the garage to fiddle with the car and Andrew got on with his revision.

The evening was taken up by the finals of The Apprentice. It was the interviews and this is where we find out just how much substance is behind all the showing off and as usual the answer was not a lot. Jade was first to go after a dreadful interview where her business plan was revealed as basically cold calling and selling on peoples details so someone else could cold call them. An unsavory business idea which was quickly rejected. Jade had also failed to present figures, and as we all know Lord Sugar loves to know how much he is going to make. She also lied on her CV claiming to have already bought several websites only to turn red faced when the interviewer told he owned one of them. It was obvious to anyone that Jade was onto a loser.

Nick faired little better because his business idea has already been done and was far too complicated and technical for Lord Sugar to understand. Lord Sugar said he didn't understand computers, which is odd as he built his business selling them. Nick's idea was a website where you could take a recipe from another website or magazine or TV show, type it into Nick's website and all the ingredients needed would be ordered for you. Sounds good but, as was pointed out to him, who would actually use it? I don't plan meals more than an hour or two ahead unless it is for a special occasion and then I stick to tried and trusted meals. I think the majority of working mum's probably do the same. It was never going to get off the ground and Nick was out of the door.

So it left Tom and Ricky. Tom had already proved his worth by running his own very successful wine business. At twenty three he was the youngest of the candidates but had the best business plan. Suspicion fell on him when it was revealed that his father was his partner and was in investments, which is exactly what Tom was putting forward in his business plan. The question was asked whether he'd written his business plan or daddy did. In the end it was decided that Tom's proposed wine investment business was too risky in the current climate and with reluctance he was also sent packing.

So the winner was Ricky Martin, who confessed to changing his name from Richard to make him easier to remember. Ricky's CV was hilarious with Ricky likening himself to the god Thor but not really knowing what Thor was the god of. Margaret's eyebrows did a a little two step and her eyes sparkled as she desperately tried not to laugh. Ricky's business was a specialist recruitment agency which again was deemed to be a bit of a risk in the current climate. However it had one redeeming feature, Lord Sugar had done something similar before so Ricky was in despite cheekily putting in his business plan that he'd 'teach an old dog new tricks.'

We had our own little drama last night to liven things up. Not really into The Apprentice, Peter decided to make us some toasties. He busied himself in the kitchen then went upstairs saying he'd be back down in a few moments. The first thing I noticed was a rather sweet sickly smell, I looked up and saw the hall looking a bit 'misty'. I shot into the kitchen and found it full of smoke. I shouted to Andrew to open the doors and windows to stop the smoke alarms going off, while I turned off the sandwich maker and the microwave. I then noticed the smoke was coming from the microwave rather than the sandwich maker and opened the door to be engulfed in another wave of acrid smoke. I soon worked out what had happened. Peter had decided to use the microwave timer to ensure the toasties were perfectly cooked but instead of setting the timer he'd switched the microwave to high, effectively cremating the muffins left over from tea which we'd put in the microwave to stop the cats eating them. I carefully removed the offending items, which were still smoking, and put them outside the back door to cool. As I returned to the kitchen Peter appeared enquiring why all the doors and windows were open when it was freezing cold and pouring down outside. We all had a good laugh while clearing up and then ate out toasties, which were delicious.

And so to bed, again with windows open because of the smell, to listen to the rain hammering down and drift off to sleep.

Homeward Bound

It is all over and I am back home with a throbbing leg that is sporting a bruise the size of Brazil. A couple of days of rest should sort that out thank goodness.

Saw the Doctor's this afternoon and was told more or less what I was told yesterday. I was delighted to be informed that the results have already been e-mailed to my consultant at Harefield so there won't be anymore hanging around than necessary. If I'm lucky I might even hear on Friday, though the extended bank holiday might get in the way there so I'm not expecting anything until the Friday after. At least I know I've done everything I can to give myself the best chance.

The drive home was painfully slow as they are already closing roads in London ready for the jubilee celebrations, coupled with everyone trying to get away early for the bank holiday weekend and you can guess the result.

I'm now going to follow doctor's orders and plonk myself in front of the TV and catch up on everything I missed while I was in, especially The Apprentice as despite my best efforts I didn't get to watch anything uninterrupted. I will also be enjoying muffins cooked by Andrew to celebrate my home coming.