Breakfast of Kings…

Actually it was fine :-))

So, I slept better than I thought, even with the many interruptions to have BP, heart rate, temperature and oxygen levels checked, as well as fluids and antibiotics being put through the IV. I must have been lying awkwardly as my machine kept beeping. Eventually a nurse positioned a pillow against the side of the bed that let me rest my arm and get comfy.

I have a vague memory of a doctor appearing in the middle of the night to feel my tummy. Had a very dull headache that I couldn’t get rid of but it felt slightly better by morning.

Thankfully all the comings and goings and beeping from my side of the room didn’t disturb Elizabeth, who slept well.

We chatted as we ate our breakfast. A nurse asked her to confirm her date of birth and I was absolutely gobsmacked to learn she’s 97 years old. I thought 75 at the most. I told her this and she was quite chuffed. She told me the bed jacket she was wearing (one of the nurses hadn’t heard of bed jackets :-) was 70 years old and she’d worn it when in hospital having her children. We talked about some of the changes she’s seen in her lifetime. It really is a completely different world.

After breakfast I felt well enough to go for a shower. I was exhausted afterwards but felt better for it.

The Doctors were doing their rounds but the senior doctor was called away just before he got to me so it was the junior doctor who spoke to me ( he was lovely. Every nurse or doctor I’ve met here so far has been lovely )
There had been talk of an MRI but they’re happy with my progress so that’s been put on hold for now. IV antibiotics and fluids will continue and the aim is to get my low BP up to more normal levels.

Elizabeth was also expecting to go for a scan but was surprised when she was told she could go home. Her daughter-in-law arrived at the same time as David and the four of us chatted together. Told her we couldn’t believe Elizabeth is 97.

Her daughter in law had a couple of bags to take to the car so David gave her a hand as he had to put another ticket on ours. She told him on the way to the car park that they’d just been told that Elizabeth has terminal cancer and has at most, three months. Elizabeth had also been told.

When they returned to the ward her daughter in law told me too. I couldn’t believe it. I know she’s 97 but she’s so sharp witted, intelligent and sharp as a tack. I’m so taken aback at how upset I was to hear this news. I’ve only know this wonderful lady for 24 hours and she made such an impression on me. It’s amazing how small interactions in the unlikeliest of circumstances sometimes have the biggest impact.

As we said our goodbyes I laughed as she told me she wasn’t going straight home, but going via the chippy as “it’s Friday and I can’t see past a fish supper.” What a wonderful lady and I’m glad she has a large and loving family to see her through her last days.

Elizabeth wasn’t the only one to be discharged today. It’s Friday so chucking out day in the ward. Not me though, I’m still here. I’m in a bay of four beds and there’s only me. The other three bays only have one or two patients in them.

My treatment of IV antibiotics and fluids has continued throughout the day although I’ve not had any more fluids since tea time. I’m feeling much better today. Sepsis was confirmed so I was right to trust my gut instinct. Not sure how long I’ll be in for and with it now being the weekend, I’m not sure if the main consultants will be around so might be here till Monday at least. I suppose they won’t let me home till they know the infection has been treated. Oh well, the food’s not that bad.

Oh something funny that happened today, David’s shoes made the most hilarious noise when he was walking in the ward. With every step it genuinely sounded as if he was passing wind! Childish I know but I was actually crying laughing. I kept asking him to get me things from my locker just so he’d have to walk to the other side of the bed! It’s the little things! :-)))