To quote an old tabloid headline: 'Phew! What a Scorcher!'. I did my hour's gardening early this morning before the heat became too oppressive, I've done all my usual Monday chores, worked my way through a mountain of ironing, been for a swim (the Lido was heaving!) and now I'm sitting in front of the fan, with half an eye on Wimbledon (is it just me or does Centre Court look very bare without its customary linesmen?) and half an eye on my camera as it slowly uploads the photos from the last couple of months. We don't cope very well with the heat in this country. For one, we aren't used to it, and for another, we have a distinct lack of air conditioning. If this carries on, I'll actually look forward to the supermarket shop tomorrow, just so that I can stand in the freezer aisle for a while.
This last week has been a bit rubbish to be honest. Without going into too many details, I have a long history of bowel issues! My GP referred me to the GI consultant last August. I eventually received a date for a telephone appointment, which took place a week ago last Friday. After a little chat, she informed me that I needed a gastroscopy, colonoscopy and probably a CT scan. Not being overly keen on the idea of the former 2, I consoled myself with the idea that if it had taken them 10 months to get around to a consultation, it would be a similar length of time before the endoscopy date materialised. Imagine my surprise when, on returning from a trip to the library the next day, R informed me that the endoscopy unit had rung with a date for the following week. Luckily, it was at our little community hospital and we didn't have to trek to Reading.
A few days before the designated date, my bowel prep pack arrived, along with a list of low-fibre foods that I would be permitted to eat from 3-4 days beforehand........... R is still laughing. When I had eliminated anything that wasn't vegan and gluten free, I was basically left with white rice, white pasta, white bread and tofu. It was a grim 3 days. I love tofu as a rule, but I really think that having it as my sole source of protein for 3 days tested even my love of the stuff. Looking back, that was the highlight. The optimistically labelled 'mango' and 'fruit punch' flavoured laxative that I had to take the day before the procedure was truly disgusting. I had been concerned about having to fast from 8am on the Tuesday until after the scopes on the Wednesday. It turned out that I need not have worried; the mixture made me feel so sick that I had no appetite whatsoever.
The effects were also a bit of an experience. I spent the night on the bathroom floor and it's a good job that we have a downstairs loo, because there was no way that R was getting anywhere near the one in the bathroom! I had to weigh myself in order to fill out the admission forms and, just out of curiosity, I reweighed myself after the laxatives had done their job - I had lost 1.5kgs, nearly all of it water! I was horribly dehydrated and couldn't keep up my water intake as it rushed straight through. If there were a Formula One for GI transit, I'd be world champion! I even injured my ankle jumping up off the floor at 5 minute intervals, so that when I eventually limped into the hospital reception, they nearly directed me to the X-Ray department!
If you've never had the delight of an endoscopy, the prep really is the worst bit. The unit was lovely, the staff wonderful, and, as well as a sedative, they also gave me some Entonox when it turned out that I have a small capacity colon making the procedure a bit tricky and uncomfortable. Next time, apparently, they will use one designed for teenagers. Imagine me having the colon of a teenager; makes sense I suppose - moody and unpredictable! :O) Anyway, the gastroscopy was normal and the colonoscopy revealed ulceration and inflammation of the terminal ileum, indicative of Crohn's Disease. We will, however, have to wait up to 6 weeks for the biopsy results to confirm it. I also have my CT scan booked for the end of July. I'm not worried about that one, apart from the fact that it will take place in Reading and parking will have to be negotiated. So, all good fun at this end. In the meantime, I am trying to reduce my stress levels, which basically involves more yoga, breathing techniques and a refusal to watch the news, an activity guaranteed to raise my BP.
Apart from the medical issues, the last couple of months have been a bit on the quiet side. A birthday concert to attend, a couple of plays and some jigsaws and general gardening and crafting. I'll try and whizz through the photos as the Alcaraz/Fognini match is getting rather interesting!
A trip to Tyntesfield, a National Trust place near Bristol. I have been here a couple of times before with a friend, but R had never been. He really enjoyed it:
