Rise and shine!

 

Rise and shine!

On the Friday before Christmas, our alarm went off at 5:00 a.m. People rise early when they’re going on holiday, I understand, and a change is as good as a rest, and this was a change.

Herschel and Jellicoe were astonished but gratified to find their breakfast bowls filled. The dogs were alarmed to discover that no such treatment was offered them.

At 6:00 we set off for a dark, quiet trip to the hospital. By 7:00 we were sitting in the reception area waiting to be ‘collected.’ Several other people were similarly seated, then two extremely cheerful ladies appeared and wished everyone 'Good morning.’ My name was called and we proceeded to ‘my’ room – well, it was mine for the duration of my short stay. I thanked the lady for her cheerful, upbeat welcome and she said that some people actually don’t like the cheeriness. I suppose that’s understandable if you’re facing something really serious.

When I was wheeled into the theatre, feeling rather unnecessary because I could easily have walked, I was greeted with cheerful Christmas carols and suitably suited and booted medical staff. One of them said, ‘You’ve got a painful back, you should see someone about that,’ which made me laugh.

The next thing I knew, I was talking to a charming young Portuguese man and soon after was returned to my room.

I was home again by 3:00 p.m. Barry had driven the 45-minute journey four times, and between whiles had taken Roxy and Gilbert out for their walks, so he was feeling a little weary.

Now I wait to see if the procedure has been successful. At the moment, it’s a wandering pain, so I suppose that’s progress of a sort. Honestly, though, when I look around and see what other people have to cope with, I count myself fortunate indeed.