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!

 

Ireland

An idyllic country scene close to my home

On May 13, I arrived in Dublin by air from Toronto. I rented a car and headed for the beautiful city of Birr in the middle of the country. I stayed with my brother and sister-in-law in their very old and beautiful townhouse, three floors of elegance and style. A young nephew was also kind enough to accompany me to Birr and the four of us had a good time together, walking, reminiscing and relaxing.

Two days later I drove to Co. Wexford, where I was born, and stayed with a beautiful cousin and her family. From there I was able to visit with many more relatives and catch up with their stories. The weather was unusually kind to me and we enjoyed lots of sunshine and very little rain.

I had a chance to review some family history documents and gather some information that was new to me. For a long time now I have been gathering information about our family history.


During my visit I was struck anew by the heart-aching beauty of Ireland, the fascination of its complex human history and the natural friendliness of its people. I feel very lucky to have been born in such a wholesome, safe and healthy environment. I give thanks frequently for the loving care of my parents.


I returned to Victoria on May 28. Summer appears to be well under way! Hooray!