Bad Episode!

Twenty-four hours after my return from Ireland to Victoria, I was in pain. I didn't recognize the pain. It was new and different. I tried to ignore it, sometimes a very powerful pain control method. I went to bed at the usual time but awoke at 2 am with unforgiving and constant pain. It was so severe that bouts of nausea would sweep over me and I would struggle to get to bathroom in time.

By 9 am I decided it was time to seek help and Louise took me to emergency. Once again, words can't express enough praise for the kind of loving care that our doctors and nurses are able to show in ER. Our much maligned health system has consistently taken care of me with great compassion. I was quickly out of pain with an unprecedented and almost overwhelming dose of IV morphine.

A CT scan revealed that I had acute appendicitis and would have surgery as soon as possible. A merciful surgeon came to reassure me I was on his list and he would get to me by midnight.

Sure enough, at 11.30 pm, I was lying helpless and vulnerable on the operating table. By 1 am I was back in the recovery room and slept until 4 am. On waking, I decided I would demonstrate independence as early as possible in the hope of early release! I was so successful that I was home at 9 am!

I am now two weeks into recovery. All dressings are gone. I had no stitches. I was simply taped together! I am itching to get back to exercise. As the appendix had ruptured by the time the operation took place, I had to take heavy doses of antibiotics to ward off peritonitis. Lassitude and weakness are always the result, but I am now starting to feel as if I can get back to normal very quickly.  What joy to be alive, well and without pain!  

Summer is in full swing. Every day is long, warm, bright and perfect!

Here are two pictures from an Irish ditch! A superb place to party!