The Daily Echo: Day 212

What a beautiful day, weather-wise. The sun was shining and it was warm. Cheered me up no end. It was so lovely to wander out into the garden, sit on a chair and take some time outside, with no constraints.

I had clung to my bed again this morning, although I had woken up at a reasonable time. I was still in ‘rest’ mode and didn’t want to press the ‘activate’ button at all. John phoned while I was still whiling away the hours betwixt the sheets, and we had a nice bit of a chat, but it didn’t last long as the doctor arrived to see him just then. When he phoned back, he confirmed that they were thinking of sending him home today. So I have been waiting all day, with fevered anticipation, for his phone call saying ‘Come and collect me’.

In the end, the ‘come and get me’ phone call didn’t transpire. The drugs John needs to come home with had failed to be initiated and sent to the pharmacy in time. So, the poor lad has another night in the clink. Maybe tomorrow.

He is feeling a bit better and only out of breath when he does anything. But I think they think that it is just the chest infection that’s causing the problem now (apart from the bronchiectasis, of course) and the antibiotics will sort it out eventually. Apparently, there’s not only a ‘crackle’ at the bottom of his lungs (which always seems to be there), but also at the top, too. I don’t think there’s much room in his lungs for air at the moment. Personally, I think there’s an argument for John to have nebulised drugs for his chest every day instead of an inhaler, but we’ll see.

I did see eldest son today though, instead of the ol’ man. That was wonderful and a breath of fresh air. Very unexpected and very wonderful. Paul was working at his office, but hadn’t got a mug there to drink from, having taken it home for a good wash. As we are only ten minutes or so down the road, he thought he’d call in and take one of ours, just so that he had a sufficient caffeine injection this afternoon.

He stayed for about half an hour and we had a lovely, relaxed and easy socially-distanced natter. It were luvverly. The only thing missing as we said goodbye, of course, was the hug. But you can’t have everything, so I was just grateful for anything. And we did an air-hug and blew kisses so that was OK.

I was grateful for a phone call from George P today too. So lovely to speak to him – he is such a thoughtful man. After he’d spoken to me, he phoned John too, which really gave John a boost. I think John’s fed up of talking to me as I really don’t have a great deal of conversation. He doesn’t have much either, so we’re um-ing and ah-ing at each for a while before we sigh, and say, “Right, then, speak to you later?”

I had threatened a walk today, but the day wore on and I hadn’t ventured outside. I was still catching up on the TV programmes that I know don’t appeal to John this afternoon, as well as browsing through the books I’d ordered. Two of them arrived today – one of them, called ‘Wordperfect’, is by Susie Dent, the wordsmith. She provides a word or phrase, with explanation, for every day of the year. It’s interesting and amusing and informative all at the same time. And she has certainly kept me amused during lockdown with her ‘word for the day’, usually poking fun at the latest government cock-up. ‘Mumpsimus’ being one of my favourites. ‘A five-hundred-year-old epithet for someone who insists that they are right, despite clear and incontrovertible evidence that they are not.’ Love it!! And I think I might have told you that all before….. oooh, but it’s such a good word that I can’t help but share it again!

Eventually, I roused myself as the day was drawing to a close, and finally dug myself out of my chair at about five o’clock to go for a walk. It was lovely, because at that time of day the light was changing into twilight, and the clouds were all sorts of shapes and sizes. Walked for longer than I thought I would, taking the reverse route on the Yellow Brick Road and across the fields. Nice. See below.

After my walk, which was a success, I had another triumph. I got out my needle and thread and mended the elastic that kept coming undone on a couple of masks. What with that and knitting, I’ll be domesticated yet….. watch out, I’ll be dangerous then!

While the politicians wrangle with each other and the scientists about what to do for the best, 17,234 people succumbed to the virus and were infected in the last twenty-four hours. 143 people also died in the community during that time period. 54 people died in hospitals on 11 & 12 October.

I know I say it every time – but I mean this sincerely folks – take care. God bless.