leukaemia-limbo-dance

Not a great deal going on today. John has slept for much of the day, either in bed, or on the sofa, although he did do a bit of clearing up in the kitchen this afternoon, for which I was grateful.

I did housework-y things this morning – includng sorting out the washing, then doing the ironing. It had glowered at me for long enough so I thought I’d better get on with it. Pretty much everything is washed and ironed now, but I doubt that it’ll be long before I find more. I am not sure how that happens – it seems to be one long laundry session in our house.

John stayed in bed until lunchtime but managed to rouse himself long enough to down the drinks and tablets I’d taken him about ten o’clock, before slumping back into bed. Not sure if he’s feeling much better yet, but it’s early days, I think. One positive this morning, though, was the news from the department that had been reviewing the situation with his back, which is often painful. The MRI scan showed nothing more than the previous time they’d had a look at it which, as I recall, told us that there was some degradation around a couple of the bones. A referral to the spinal physio is planned, and s/he will do a video physio session as soon as they can fit him in.

I was going to wake John up so he could speak to the doctor on the phone, but she knew all about him having been in hospital and said, no, if he was sleeping, let him sleep. Naturally, she wouldn’t reveal a great deal of detail to me, but promised to send a letter in the post with the results of the scan and the plan of action. Yay. Something else to look forward to.

I went to a prayer group meeting this afternoon up at the church hall and, if nothing else, it was very nice to see everyone. I am currently on a faith wobble, so finding it all a bit hard. However, it was good to share those wobbly thoughts with everyone and be offered some sage advice in return. The theme of the afternoon was to debate the philosophy of good/evil, God/devil and temptation. Hell, I know all about temptation. In fact, it’s the only thing I can’t resist…..

It was so good to be reminded of the goodness of people though. The members of the prayer group are all very good and supportive and kind. So that raised my spirits. It was also good to be reminded that we all face challenges – nothing is unique to me and mine – and it’s how we face those challenges that dictates our lives, to a certain extent. (Rummages in bag for a positivity mask.)

We had a flurry of delightful photos from the Sutton Sleaths today as they explored rockpools in Devon. So lovely to see, and to know that they were still enjoying themselves. It was Michaels birthday today, so I hope he had a good time.

After we’d eaten this evening we watched TV again – that is all we seem to do – there must be more than this? When John is feeling better we may find other things to entertain us. Fingers crossed. Anyway, we went back to an old ‘Inspector George Gently’ and I confidently said he couldn’t possibly be shot because there’d be another programme. Only to find they were all shot at the end as it was the last in the series. Crumbs – that’s one way of killing off a series, anyway. But we enjoyed it.

And that’s it. Another day draws to a close. Another day of people falling sick and dying from this pesky virus. Today, 15,650 people were confirmed as having been infected – which is fewer than yesterday so that’s slightly better news, but still an awful lot of people – and 136 people died in the community. A heck of a lot of people were admitted to hospital, however. In the last twenty-four hours 844 people went into hospital, with 58 people having been reported as dying on 14 & 15 October.

Take care everyone. God bless.

How blessed we are with glorious weather at the moment. The sun was shining beautifully again this morning which prompted me to sit outside on the patio to eat my breakfast. Admittedly, the sun was low in the sky and there were long shadows but, nonetheless, it was balmy and beautiful. I even had Shadow for company, stretching out alongside me, purring loudly at the warmth of the sun. This is what I like. Listening to the birds in the trees, turning my face to the sun and, for a moment, feeling carefree.

I had slept well. John had suggested that I might like to use the spare room last night as he had lively legs. I didn’t need telling twice. To be woken up with a start in the middle of a deep sleep, having been kicked in the back or the legs is something I can willingly forego. So I had an undisturbed night’s sleep and felt the better for it when I woke up this morning.

John on the other hand, had had a ‘divil’ of a night. His lively legs had kept him awake too. As I went through to wish him good morning, his first reaction was, “It’s a good job you didn’t stay here last night. I was all over the place.” He was exhausted, poor man. I took him a cup of tea and some tablets but let him sleep on.

We were in a dilemma, of course, as to what to do about picking up on our planned getaway down to Devon. Should we still go, just for the weekend? I was doubtful. John is still not very well, and we didn’t want to be spoiling anyone else’s fun if we couldn’t join in. Equally, what’s the point of spending hard-earned cash on a trip away if you might just stay indoors all day? We mulled it over and, having thoroughly thought it through, we decided against the trip after all.

So we are here at home – but we had fish and chips for tea as a nod to the fact that we should be on ‘us ‘olidays’.

As it was such a pleasant day, I managed to go for a walk today. Something I had promised myself yesterday but I was too lazy to do then. Had a really great time wandering round the local park in ‘Katherine’s Wood’. So peaceful and enchanting. I snuggled up to inviting trees and gave one or two of them a hug; I crouched down to inspect the wondrous fungi emerging from the earth; and looked up through the canopy of leaves towards the sun to revel in the great outdoors. Smashing.

Just as I was nearing the end of my walk, Michael phoned to chat about whether we were planning the trip down to Devon or not. William was there, too, and he wondered where I was. I told him and showed him that I was wandering in the woods. He said he’d like to be wandering in the woods with me too. Yep. Sometime soon, William. Sometime soon.

John got up late morning, still feeling breathless whenever he moved. So, basically, we have both sat around all afternoon, doing nothing much at all. We wore our fingers out on the remote control, flicking through the channels, though. And I threatened to do the ironing which is cowering in a corner. But I only threatened it. Didn’t actually do it. Just kept adding to the pile all day. I don’t know where it all comes from, I’m sure. The pile seems high enough to clothe a hundred people and yet there are only the two of us here. Oh, I know! It was all those jumpers I found in John’s cupboard yesterday, wasn’t it? One of which is now my jumper – shrunk to fit…..

I left John watching a film this evening as it was soon time to make my way upstairs to the computer room to Zoom-chat with the college girls. Had a nice chin wag. So good to see those who could make it this evening. Great to see Linda’s new puppy; to sympathise with Liz and offer advice over her half-sliced off finger (Ray to the rescue!); to extend our sincere condolences to dear Sue, whose cousin has recently died; and to celebrate with Janet now that the kids have moved out and she and Trevor have their house to themselves.

In other news, there have been 18,980 people confirmed as infected with COVID-19 today. 138 people have died in the community. An average of 700 people a day are being hospitalised with the infection, and 48 people died in hospitals of it on 13 & 14 October.

The infection rate is one thing with temperatures rising apace, but everyone is now getting very hot under the collar about how to manage the situation, with Andy Burnham, the Mayer of Greater Manchester, openly opposing the plans for Tier 3 in his area. Anarchy beckons, I reckon, and the warlords are amassing.

Sharpen your swords everyone. And, if you can’t do that, keep washing your hands, keep keeping your distance and wear your masks etc. etc. Take care and God bless.

Another glorious morning. The sun was shining and it really was lovely outside. Unfortunately, I didn’t take advantage of it and go out for the walk I’d promised myself. That was because I got stuck into one of the books I’d ordered, and the time just disappeared from me this morning. Enjoyed myself though.

Not only did I while away the hours reading, but there was a threat that John might come home today. I had promised I’d clear this or tidy that, so I got a bit of a scoot on to do what I’d promised. As it happened, John phoned for a chat just as I was transporting children’s toys upstairs. Clearly, having done absolutely nothing since the beginning of lockdown, I am not at all fit and the ol’ man could hear my heavy breathing as I trundled up and down the stairs. He wondered what the heck I was doing.

I was also on the phone to him as I put away all the washing in the bedroom. Well, that was amusing. John’s cupboard was a bit of a muddle so I thought I’d just tidy it before popping the clean jumpers onto the shelves. Grabbed all the jumpers that were in the cupboard and put them on the bed. ‘Oh, that one’s been worn,’ I noticed, ‘I’ll put it in the wash’. There seemed to be a few like that. Soon, I had a big pile of ten jumpers that had been worn and were ready for the wash. John’s philosophy is that a jumper might do a second or third time, so he has a shelf of jumpers that have been worn but not yet in the wash because he’s going to use them again. Hmmmm…….. nah, I’m washin’ ’em!!

John was on a promise. He could come home. Just wait for the prescription to arrive and off you go. In the end, it was about three o’clock before he got the green light. I quickly cleared the work surfaces, and checked on the washing and drying before I put my jacket on, grabbed the car keys and set off. The journey to the hospital was via the air machine at the petrol station however, to reflate the tyres. One of them has a horrible habit of slowly, but surely, deflating much more quickly than its sisters and, true enough, it was well down.

All pumped up and ready to go, I set off and had a good journey to Heartlands, despite the flow of traffic building up to rush hour. John was there, at the entrance, ready and waiting when I arrived, so his bags were bundled in the boot, he was bundled in the car and that was it, we were heading home.

Once through the front door it was a nice cuppa and a sit on the settee for a while before John decided he might have a snooze while I cooked our meal. He lay down, wrapped himself in a blanket and closed his eyes. Ah… bliss.

I woke John up about an hour and a quarter later to come and eat. “Gosh, that was quick,” he said. Oh? No. You’ve been asleep sweetheart, so it just seems like that.

After we’d eaten, John opted out of Quiz Night. He was too tired and thought his little grey cells weren’t up to it. I decided that I would join in, and I am jolly glad I did. I am feeling rather meh, and it did me good to have a natter to dear friends.

Mid-way through the quiz, John came up to go to bed and called into the computer room to say hi to everyone. He is still a Puffing Billy and struggled to speak as he arrived. This bothers me, but the discharge letter suggests all’s well, so we’ll see. I am going to keep my beady eye on him.

So, there we are. Fingers crossed we’re on an upward trajectory to better health.

Talking of upward trajectories, the numbers of people infected with COVID-19 today is 19,724 of which 680 were admitted to hospital. 137 deaths in the community. Nearly five thousand people in hospital, with 516 of those on ventilators. 45 people died in hospital on 12 & 13 October.

The government has introduced the new ‘tier’ system today, too. This tells us that the risk in our particular area is high and we are in Tier 2. We can’t see anyone indoors, but we can operate the ‘rule of six’ now, and meet others outdoors, including in our gardens. Yay!!! That makes me happier than I was before.

Locally, the number of cases in our village is now 16 in the last seven days, inevitably higher than before. We gotta keep washing our hands, folks; keep our distance; and, of course, wear our masks. This is now a new way of life – sad, isn’t it?

Take care everyone, God bless.

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.

We are COVID-free. How about that? I am relieved that John’s illness is not that, although we are still wondering what’s going on.

The doctors have been round and prodded and poked; stroked their chins and chatted amongst themselves. They’ve sent nurses along to take his temperature, oxygen levels, blood pressure, blood samples and swabs from various areas of John’s body (don’t ask). They’ve trundled him along to the X-ray department for a CT scan and dosed him up with antibiotics and nebulisers. They’ve built plastic barriers between the patients, and fed and watered him all day.

So they are researching and checking and monitoring. We await the results. Maybe tomorrow?

He says he doesn’t feel too bad unless he has to get up and walk about, and then he’s very puffed out still. But he’s entertained himself with the TV and chatting to me – although I haven’t been great company. Not feeling awfully motivated, I haven’t done a great deal today, so there hasn’t been much to talk about.

He tells me that it’s not particularly pleasant in the ward with other patients vomiting or soiling themselves there. Poor John. Must be horrible for him. He’s amazingly stoical though, and philosophical about the wait for results, or a cup of tea, or his dinner, or the fact that he was looking forward to his lunch only to be told, fifteen minutes beforehand, that he’d be ‘nil by mouth’ because they’re going to take him for a scan. Bless him.

I am still feeling a bit daft. Can’t decide if it’s fatigue or a bit of shock or anxiety – or a bit of all three. However, now that I know I don’t have to self-isolate any more, I shall go for a walk tomorrow if the weather permits. I would quite like to get out of my own head.

I must confess though, that it was rather lovely to wake up this morning very naturally at half past eight, knowing that I didn’t have to rush around. I am hoping that another good night’s sleep will ensure I am fully refreshed and not quite so ditsy tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

John has a bedside landline at the hospital which he uses to phone me, as it’s free. However, we have one of the call-minders here at home, so if an unusual number phones you have to press ‘1’ to talk to the person on the other end. I first picked up John’s call in the bedroom and programmed the phone to accept the call in the future. What I hadn’t realised is that you have to do that on every hand set. So, when he phoned me this afternoon and I was in the lounge, I had to go through the whole rigmarole again. Then had a bit of a kerfuffle later on when I’d left the phone down the back of the sofa, couldn’t get to it in time and tried to answer on yet another handset. Eeeeh…… first world problems, eh?

Talking of phones, I spent a goodly while on the phone to HSBC this afternoon. Having browsed the Lakeland catalogue the other day I thought I’d order some stuff for Christmas. The total expenditure ran into three figures so, when I tried to pay, the ‘puter said ‘NO’. Tried again, and the ‘puter still said ‘NO’. My phone beeped. It was a text message which I ignored. I was far too busy trying to pay. It beeped again. Ignored. Let’s try one last time…. more beeping. Oh, it was HSBC trying to tell me that they’d detected possible fraud. Someone was trying to buy stuff from Lakeland!! Ah……

A lot of faffing about with the automated system at HSBC. What’s your sort code? Account number? Date of birth? Inside leg measurement? Dad’s father’s mother’s maiden name? Colour of your eyes? “And the third digit of your telephone banking number.” I don’t ruddy know!!! Heavens above!! Put me through to a real human being, purlease.

Michael and Danielle arrived safely in Devon and sent some photos of the caravan they are staying in. It looks lush. Do hope they have a lovely time and the weather is kind. Not jealous at all. Much rather be at home.

Still, I have been ordering books, so have got plenty to choose from to read over the next few weeks, which I am really looing forward to. A great eclectic mix of stuff so they should keep me on my toes. If only I could locate some grey cells. They are very elusive at the moment. I’ll look for them tomorrow.

In the meantime, horror stories all around the country, I believe, with lockdowns slamming into place in some areas and more threatened. People’s opinions are divided about the best way forward on managing the pandemic in this country, but mostly, I note, not the scientists. They are pretty much united. If only we could listen and ‘follow the science’.

13,972 people have been confirmed as infected with the virus today and there have been 50 deaths in the community. The NHS figures haven’t been updated today as far as I can see, with yesterday’s report detailing 36 deaths in hospitals. A little confusing – perhaps it was the weekend wot did it?

Locally, there are now 10 cases of COVID in the village. So, although I don’t have to self-isolate any more, I think we have to be even more careful than we were, if that’s possible. *Leafs through the selection of books*. Which one shall I start reading to avoid going out, then?

Take care everyone, God bless.

I just need to get my brain into gear. It’s been a fuzzy old day today. Haven’t quite been able to think straight.

I had planned a bit of a lie-in after yesterday’s excitement, but the nurse arrived at seven o’clock despite the phone call yesterday to cancel them. I was sorry she’d had a wasted journey, and she was sorry she’d got me up. I went back to bed and had a little doze but it was fitful and I was soon awake again wondering whether to get up or not.

Michael and William did a video call to see what was what about eight o’clock, and Michael said he’d deliver the forgotten items to John in Heartlands. That, and the phone call with John shortly afterwards, got me out of bed, because John said he didn’t want his dressing gown after all, so I had to unship it from the bag that it was in.

I also wanted to give Michael his birthday present, as it’ll be his birthday next Friday. We had, of course, planned to be with him so I would have been taking the gift with me but, as we’re not going now, I thought he could take it today. So wrapping was at the ready.

Michael called in late morning to collect the bits and pieces. He also took delivery of another item we’d bought for William and Thomas, and one of which we’d given to Freddie the other day. While we were at the garden centre with Danielle last week, we had seen a plank of wood, nicely shaped and marked up with measurements, to hang on the wall to track the growth of your children. In the centre of the plank was inscribed, ‘From little acorns do mighty oaks grow’. It might be corny, but we loved it and thought it would a great keepsake, rather than scrawling the kids’ heights on the walls.

John has phoned through a few times today, and he is feeling a little bit better, although very out of breath again this afternoon until they put him on a nebuliser. He was able to use a landline first thing, as his battery on the mobile was flat. It transpired that he was stuck in a wheelchair until 2.30 in the morning before they found him a bed in a ward last night. They trundled him up to the general admissions ward but, later on today, they have moved him to another ward. We have no idea what sort of ward it is, although John thinks he is probably the youngest one there.

A haematology consultant came to see him, but John wasn’t totally sure what was discussed, other than the fact that there is no more Ward 19 at Heartlands, as all haematology is being moved over the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. They may move him over there but we’ll wait and see.

I decided to rest today and was sitting watching a programme we’d recorded that I thought John wouldn’t be very interested in, when Michael rang the door bell. Ha! I thought I was sitting watching it, but I was only asleep wasn’t I? I’d nodded off watching the programme. After Michael had left, I sat down to watch a second episode of the programme and found myself dozing off again. Oh, my days.

Not long after that, the doorbell rang again, and it was dear Margaret, calling in to see if there was anything she could do. Well, it suddenly dawned on me that I’d collected some tablets for Mum yesterday and I hadn’t yet taken them round. And I wouldn’t be able to take them round now until further notice. So, yes please. “Would you mind dropping my Mum’s tablets in please, Margaret?” Not at all. How wonderful – thank you, thank you.

The advice on self-isolation is that you can’t take yourself out for a walk. A pity that. It was just the thing I needed today and the weather was so beautiful. I spent some time out in the garden instead. I know we’ve got a big garden, but walking round it isn’t quite the same, is it?

I also watched the men’s tennis final, but only caught the last set. Disappointingly, our TV is a bit on the blink and it had failed to remember to continue the recordings today. So, when I went to watch the ‘recording’ it wasn’t there. Never mind, the last set was good and I enjoyed it.

I am very grateful for all the good wishes we have had today and the offers of help. What wonderful friends we have. Lucky, lucky us.

John has yet to have the result of his COVID test, but others clearly have had their results back, because 12,872 people are confirmed as infected today. 65 people have died in the community, and 37 people have died in hospitals. 9 people have been confirmed as infected in the village in the last seven days. Blimey, it’s ever closer.

Take care everyone. God bless.

It had all been going so well. Sort of. I had been worried about John being a bit of a ‘Puffing Billy’ for the last few days, and I had asked him to get the nurses to check there was nothing untoward. Every day, they’d take his temperature, blood pressure and oxygen levels. Generally be surprised at how low his blood pressure was, but temperature and oxygen levels were in the ‘acceptable’ camp. Even this morning it seemed OK.

But, you know, the day goes on and the ol’ man does a bit of manual work and his body probably hasn’t got the capacity for it, what with having an infection an’ all. So it wasn’t really a surprise when I got back from Mum’s this afternoon to find he’d taken himself to bed, to get over having moved the trailer from one side of the drive to the other, and having had to do a fair bit of pushing and pulling.

“OK,” I said, “I’ll cook tea in a bit and let you know when it’s ready.” It was ready at seven o’clock and I went to wake/get John up. Only to find he was pretty delirious with a very high temperature – and he was wheezing well. Hmmm.

“I’ll phone the Triage nurse on Ward 19, but whatever, I’m taking you to hospital.” I declared, as I whizzed round the room grabbing all the bits and pieces to pack into the suitcase to take with him. John felt too ill to care. And I couldn’t get through to anyone on the Triage team so, having hung on for twenty-three minutes, I decided just to bundle him into the car and set off for Heartlands A&E.

I was a bit anxious as to whether I was doing the right thing. The last time John was struggling to breath, the Triage nurse had advised that I should call an ambulance. The problem with that, though, is they take him to either Walsgrave or Warwick, and neither hospital really knows his case well enough.

Anyway, we got to the hospital, and John stumbled in. They could see he wasn’t well, so took him immediately to the high-dependency emergency room. They let me explain the situation before they ordered me out. But not before they said that, given the symptoms, they would have to treat it as a possible COVID infection and would be moving him again to different unit. Oh, and I would have to self-isolate for fourteen days.

Great. Bang goes the holiday we had planned for next week in Devon with Michael and Danielle. And if I am self-isolating, how am I going to make sure John’s dressing gown and phone charger get to him now? Both of which I’d forgotten to pack in the rush. Slowly dawning on me that I can’t go out until further notice. Crumbs.

So, please excuse me if I don’t natter on about how the day went otherwise or exclaim about how the COVID infection and death rates are rising. (15,166 infections today, 81 deaths in community and 34 in hospitals on 8 & 9 October). My mind is full of the events from seven o’clock onwards and feeling bothered about the current state of play with John. More news tomorrow.

In the meantime, take care and God bless.

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A rude awakening this morning. The alarm went off at six-thirty as normal, but I snoozed it and the next thing I knew was that the front doorbell was clanging away and echoing around the house. Startled, I leapt out of bed, stuttering to John that it was the nurse arrived, as I struggled to pull on a pair trousers before hurtling downstairs to let her in. Not, however, before she had rung the doorbell twice more though, and was a-hammerin’ on the door when I got downstairs. Crikey! And it wasn’t yet seven o’clock.

I unlocked Fort Knox and, on opening the door, I said, “John’s still in bed, just getting up. He’ll be down in a minute.” I might also have made mention of the fact that she was early. She looked at her watch. Honestly, it was five to seven by then – but, I suppose, what’s five minutes between a patient and a medic? She was a bit terse, and replied, “Well, the appointment is at seven o’clock isn’t it? Is John coming?” All I could do was nod and repeat that he was on his way. Too early for an argument…… but I so wanted one.

After John had had his treatment, I dozed on for an hour or so and listened to some meditation and prayers, and John settled for a bit more sleep. Once I was up, though, I was fannying around. I couldn’t concentrate as I was still discombobulated from being woken up and from the nurse’s rather abrupt tones – despite the meditation and prayers.

I had a little plan of things to do before I was due to Zoom-chat to Sue W, all the way up in the Lake District, at eleven o’clock. I had planned to pop the washing in, put clean cushion covers on, pay Mum’s bills, get meat out for tea and clean the downstairs cloakroom. None of which got done at that time. I ate a leisurely breakfast instead, listening to Classic FM and browsing the Lakeland and Traidcraft catalogues that had come in the post. Before long, the time had passed and there was no time to do those little chores.

Had a great chat to Sue though. Absolutely brilliant. It was so lovely to see her and to chew the cud a bit. I think we both had thought we might natter for maybe three-quarters of an hour or even an hour, but one and three-quarter hours later we thought we’d better abandon our chin-wagging and get on with prepping our lunches in our respective homes. A great interlude in the day. Mwah!

I did do a few chores after our chat, and also sorted out some bits and bobs to take to Mums. John had been pottering in the garage when he came in for a spot of lunch, “What are your plans for the afternoon?” he asked, as he plonked himself on the sofa. I pulled a bit of a face. “Got to take that stuff over to Mum’s. Can’t decide whether to go now and catch up on the tennis later, or watch the tennis and go tomorrow.” In the end, I decided that I’d check on the tennis. If they’d started playing, I’d watch. If they hadn’t, I’d go to Mum’s. Ooooh, guess what? Had a lovely afternoon watching the tennis.

John spent the afternoon putting the final mending touches to the trailer which he’s planning to put up for sale, and then pottering in the garage and doing bits on the car. Consequently, he came in late and I was still engrossed in the French Open, so we didn’t sort out anything to eat for a while. In the end, I hadn’t got any meat out for tea, so it was up to John to sort out re-heated take-aways from the freezer. He’s an expert at that.

Before we sat to eat though, I took a lovely phone call from Catherine. They were at their home in Norfolk for a week and had just arrived, pleased see a bottle of gin on the table waiting for them when they got there. Had a great chat and I was pleased to hear all her exciting news. I was touched to hear that she’d been up to Coventry recently, too, to scatter Aunty Mollie’s ashes and to hear her say that her Mum and Dad are together now. May they rest in peace.

So, we were running late what with one thing an another. Neither of us had looked at the clock and I was just about to get myself a Magnum as a dessert, when the house phone rang. It was Dawn, wondering if we were OK. Gosh! Is that the time?? Yes, yes, we’re OK. Just hadn’t realised it was eight o’clock. It’s not – it’s a quarter past. Oh. We were supposed to be Skyping at eight. Sorry. sorry.

We ran upstairs to log on to Skype in the computer room – well, I ran, John puffed his way up and looked blue when he got there. Thought it’d be quick and easy upstairs as we hadn’t set John’s laptop up in the lounge. Ha! Quick and easy? No, it wasn’t. I don’t think we have previously Skyped Pete and Dawn from that computer, so it was a proper set up job. I panicked as usual, “I don’t know how to do it. I’m not sure I can get the link. It’s not working.” etc. But we did get it to work and what a lovely evening we had.

I know I am a soppy old soul, but I do so love my friends. Our evening was so comfortable and friendly and easy. No edge. Just being us. With laughter and sharing and comfort. Another mwah!!

And so to COVID. What now? In the last twenty-four hours, 13,864 people have been confirmed as infected. 87 people have died in the community. 38 people have died in hospitals on 7 & 8 October. The infection rate is doubling in some areas every week. One in 240 people have COVID (apparently). Lockdowns are a-coming. There’s going to be a North-South divide. That’ll cheer us all up, won’t it? Ah, well, HS2 will soon sort out the North-South divide I’m sure…….. and there’s no panic here, folks. Keep calm and carry on. (Never thought I’d say that.)

My daily diary: written with love and hope. Peace be with you all. Take care.

I decided to take myself seriously today and at least try to get back on track with a bit of healthy exercise. Although we’d had another disturbed night, we were, of course, up with the lark awaiting the nurse’s arrival at seven o’clock. But, instead of going back to bed and pulling the covers over my head, I thought I’d follow the plan I had set out for myself yesterday.

The plan was to do a bit of yoga since I had missed class on Tuesday, and then take myself a walk to see if the fresh air would chase away the blues. I did feel better for having done both of those two things, and I even came back home and had a little go on my swing in the back garden. John, in the meantime, took himself back to bed and slept on for a while. It is he who has the disturbed nights – always very restless – and we never know how to ensure he gets the requisite amount of sleep, no matter what we try. His restlessness spills over onto me too, so both of us wake up bleary-eyed most days.

However, we both faced the day with relative enthusiasm and John was in the garage for much of the day faffing about with his car. He put the doors on the other day, to much fanfare, but when I asked him what he’d been doing today, he said, “Taking the doors off again.” We both giggled. Life’s often like that, isn’t? You just think you’ve got it all sorted when you realise there’s an essential something missing, and you have to start all over again.

One thing I have to start all over again is a haircut. I was due to go to the hairdressers today and I was very much looking forward to it. A little punctuation to my day, so I thought. Only to find that I was an hour out, and the hairdresser phoned me to say I’d missed my appointment, and no, sorry, she couldn’t squeeze me in today, or any day before we go away on Monday. I wasn’t half cross with myself!!!

I had proposed to call in on Paul after I’d been to the hairdresser today. He was ‘wfh’ today. Wfh? Working from home…… I decided to go anyway, despite the fact that the visit to the hairdressers was no longer viable, and cheer myself up by looking at his lovely face. I had a little gift for Freddie that I wanted to drop in. John came with me too, and we had a lovely little interlude over in Kenilworth for fifteen minutes or so.

On our return, I had to find an excuse to sit down and watch the tennis at Roland Garros again, so the knitting came in handy for that, and John went back to wrestle with his car doors before our evening meal.

I think the doors were just as much as he could handle, however, as the ol’ man came in, puffing rather well. We’re not sure what’s going on with his chest, although it’s clear that the infection is healing up as he isn’t coughing so badly now. Yay!!

After our meal, we trawled the TV for anything decent to watch and plumped on the film ‘Just Mercy’, which is based on a true story about a lawyer fighting for a black man wrongly convicted of murder, and the attempts to get him off death row. It was very tense and a horrible reminder of how black people continue to be treated in America – and probably here too. I felt exhausted after I’d watched it. Heaven knows how they all feel, or felt, going through it.

What with one thing and another today, I didn’t watch the news. However, I did overhear the shocking number of 17,540 people having been confirmed as infected the with virus today. I heard the number and had to double-check, nay, triple-check as to whether I’d heard right. It is.

Locally, in the Solihull area, we are at the ‘R’ rate of 1.4, and there are now 6 cases in Balsall Common. 77 people have died nationally in the community in the last twenty-four hours and 32 in hospitals, on 6 & & October.

The virus now seems to be rampant again and the government is looking at a three-tier system of classifying the risks. Our area is already high risk……. help!! Mind you, if you listen to Trump, the virus is ‘a blessing from God’. Nearly choked over me cup of tea when I heard that!!! The fact that he’s got over the virus so easily is the worst of all scenarios in my view – heaven help us and save us from lunatics.

WYH. KYD. WYM. OK?

All new abbreviations filtering into our conscious…. Wash Your Hands. Keep Your Distance. Wear Your Mask.

Wilco – over and out! Stay safe everyone. God bless.

Punctuation. Life needs punctuation. If it doesn’t have any, it’s flippy and floppy and sloppy.

That’s how we’re feeling today – flippy, floppy, sloppy. “What shall we do today?” we say, first thing. “I dunno. Whaddya wanna do?” And, like the vultures on a branch in The Jungle Book, shoulders shrug, feet shift and bleak eyes stare out at the rainy season.

Punctuation adds meaning doesn’t it? I mean, if you don’t get the punctuation right in a sentence, it can be gobbledegook. Our lives are actually punctuated with great things mostly, but there are some times when they’re not. And today was one of those days. Just the nurses calling in and mealtimes was all we had planned today, so it was another case of shoulder shrugging and deep sighing.

In the end, we looked at our lists of ‘things to do’ and thought we’d better tackle some of those. John took the opportunity of the sunshine this afternoon to get outside for five minutes and ‘weed and feed’ the bit of lawn that is growing an abundance of weeds. He was disappointed that he was unable to seed the area though. That’s going to have to wait until the springtime apparently. The instructions on the lawn treatment tell him to leave any seeding the area for at least six weeks. We’ll be well into cold weather by then I should imagine, so no go.

Me, I sorted out John’s tablets and took a stroll up to the pharmacy to ask if we can have them delivered in blister packs. It’ll save a job every couple of weeks and the panic of running out of anything. John was going to come with me, but we just got to the bus stop when we both realised we’d come out without our masks. As we turned back to get them, John was out of puff and he realised, with the nurses coming soon, that he wouldn’t be able to rush, so he decided he’d go back home. Success at the pharmacy though.

I also did a lot of appointment cancelling. Unexpectedly, and rather thrillingly, Michael has booked next week off work, so Danielle suggested we hire a caravan each in Devon for the week. John is exceptionally keen to get away, being bored of our four walls, so we said yes, what a good idea. Obviously, John would have preferred jetting off to some winter sun – he’s been on about that ever since we got back from Norfolk – but beggars can’t be choosers, can they? Fingers crossed the weather will be kind to us – and John will be well.

In addition to his foray into the garden today, John spent some time in the garage with his beloved car. It’s a while since he did anything on it and I think he had a happy hour or two in there pottering about. While he was doing that, I found an excuse to watch more tennis. I did the ironing in front of the TV and then carried on trying to sort out the square of knitting I started the other day. Very sedentary, but I enjoyed it.

And thus passed another day. Tomorrow, we’ll no doubt start the day with the same question, ‘what we gonna do today?’ but I have no doubt we’ll find something. One thing I know, is that it will be punctuated tomorrow. I have a hairdressing appointment to get my haircut at lunchtime…….

In the meantime, I can hardly look at the stats for the latest virus infections and certainly don’t want to watch the news to see what the clowns have been doing now. Oh, sorry, did I say clowns? Silly me, slip of the tongue.

I did, of course, steel myself to check the virus figures today. 14,162 people confirmed as infected and 70 people have died in the last twenty-four hours. 26 people have died in hospitals on the 5 and 6 October. The NHS figures really don’t add up and are not consistent from day to day, so I am not sure how accurate that is. And 5 cases in Balsall Common now.

Please take care everyone. The invisible is attacking the visible, and it ain’t nice. God bless and peace be with you.