Shielding is a thing of the past. Well, sort of and mostly. We went to see John’s haematologist today, and we discussed what we mean by ‘shielding’ and what we can and can’t do, given John’s ‘vulnerable to infection’ state. Go for a daily walk, was the prescription. And yes, you can go to a shop (the motorist’s shop beckons) but not a crowded supermarket – choose wisely. Go somewhere where distancing is well -managed, partitions are up at the counters, there aren’t many people, and everyone is wearing masks. Put a review of the shop on Mr Google so that other vulnerable people are aware of its nuances and can choose to go there or not. Oh, and keep washing your hands, of course. Plus, all the other bits, like; do your physiotherapy exercises and don’t drink too much alcohol. Sermon over.
Well, that’s good news. It was also good news that all aspects of blood components reported on today – bar the neutrophils – are normal. Neutrophils? Just those little things you need to fight infection. John’s are low, and not likely to put up much of a fight should he get an infection. Otherwise, he’s good to go. So let’s go. Had we booked to go away anywhere? No. We were waiting on advice as to where we are with risk and so on. Sounds like we could plan to have a few days away, then.
It has been a long time since we met up with Dr Lovell, the consultant we saw today. Paneesha is on his hols, so, “Step in, John. Lovely to see you. Long time, no see. Fourteen years? Surely not?” Well, about that anyway. It was Dr Lovell whom John first saw, right at the beginning, but within a fairly short space of time, John had moved through the various clinics and became ‘an interesting case’ before landing in poor Paneesha’s lap. The consultation today was like old pals catching up. John was able to share all his recent successes and passion for the Lotus and exchange such pleasantries that cheered us all up before we each said a reluctant goodbye. It was John who brought the chat to a close, rather than Dr Lovell, who was revelling in hearing about the ‘project car’.
After we’d been to the hospital, we proceeded, on an almost-empty tank of petrol (sorry, diesel), to call in to Sutton to drop off paired socks. Lots and lots of pairing still to do – heaven knows where the other half of the pairs are – but I shall look forward to that little exercise sometime in the future. The Sutton Sleaths have strict instructions to drop the oddments into a bag and I’ll spend a happy hour ‘pairing up’. Very therapeutic.
We had a quick cup of tea and came home to amend my on-line shopping list, before the deadline expired, with one or two items I’d suddenly remembered as we drove to the hospital. I wonder why the hospital prompted the thoughts? Hmmm….. no idea. They were mostly to do with Mum!!
Back home, John decided he’d tackle the front drive. A job he’s been itching to do for a while. “I’ll just do a bit to see if I can manage it and whether it’s worthwhile,” he said. The job? Shovel up the stones, along with very large quantities of the silt that’s built up between and underneath them over the years, then sieve the soil out to refresh the stones. Rather him than me. There’s acres of the stuff to sieve. I think what he’s done so far has been very successful though. Except he did come in looking a bit dishevelled, so it was probably hard work.
I tidied up a bit and finally decided to wrestle with the ironing, which has been glowering at me all week, before sitting down to watch a bit more ‘Line of Duty’. Couldn’t quite find the brain power to read over Michael’s PhD work this evening…..
And that’s our day. Nothing unusual happening, but it was unexpectedly exciting, nonetheless.
And, back to earth with a bump when I read the figures for COVID-19 infections and deaths. Virus-related deaths are down (but they did change the parameters of counting) – just 11 today in community settings and one yesterday in a hospital. However, infection rates are startlingly high, with 1,441 confirmed infections. That means, if we are going to be out and about, we will need to be alert……
Stay with it, folks. Peace be with you all.
I can just imagine how good that appointment at the hospital must have felt, for both parties, to catch up on John’s progress after all these years and to be able to look to a few days away … brilliant!
As you say, stay safe but 👍
Yes, it was a very good consultation!