waiting (and listening)

We're at the hospital today; Anniemay is having a Pre-Op assessment before her knee surgery in a few weeks time.

Nurse; "When were you last admitted to hospital?"

Her answer to this seemingly straightforward question causes the nurse to put down her questionnaire in disbelief.

AM; "1986".  She clarifies; "when Dan was born".

Nurse; "you've never been in hospital since?"

AM; "No".

I listen to the exchange.  The nurse can't quite believe that someone of AM's age has not needed some sort of surgery or procedure, in the intervening years. The current round of eye injections don't count.

She's even more open-mouthed - bordering on shock - when AM explains how she spent much of those 39 years - jumping out of aeroplanes, abseiling down buildings, under-water caving .....

Nurse; "I've got to tell my husband about this".  

She explains that she has a fear of heights, then looks at me and asks if I do this sort of thing as well. My face is enough to reassure her that I do not.

The assessment takes about half-an-hour and having checked all her vitals, the nurse pronounces that AM has a physical age of someone 10-15 years younger. 

She hobbles out like the cat that's got the cream.