Thursday 3 August – Trip to Beaumont’s ID Clinic

And on Thursday, I had to get up from home to Dublin to attend Beaumont Hospital’s Infectious Diseases clinic. I was told that my CD4 was 128, which is rather low, and my viral load was no longer undetectable – at least, it wasn’t in March when the tests were done. So, more tests done and a referral to the respiratory clinic from the doctor who reckoned when we were looking at the medications list that I have, that my use of the Salamol inhaler needed looking at. The doctor was also concerned about a bruise on my upper left arm, and some marks on my lower left arm. The former made him concerned that I was being hurt at home, and the latter that I was abusing myself with cigarette burns. Neither of those were true. I was told it was a safe space and I could say if I wanted, but I reiterated that no, neither was the case.

Monday 7 August – A visit to the ED

After a relatively quiet weekend, it was back to the dialysis grind. With the ongoing enlarged spleen situation, there have been days when I have not made it to dialysis on the right day. That happened on Monday of last week. I diverted to the Midlands Regional Hospital at Tullamore Emergency Department, as that is the general rule if you don’t feel well. So, into the ED I went, and a few hours later they discharged me. Bascially, the doctor reckoned that i had not been taking enough Paracetamol, to help with the pain from the spleen. So, instant increase to 2 tablets four times daily.

Tuesday 8 August – Dialysis as normal but also another emergency

Having missed dialysis on Monday meant I had to go to dialysis on Tuesday afternoon instead. That went reasonably well. But, I still had the continuing pain in my side. So far, so good…

There was another medical emergency, but not one from me or Andrew. No, Niamh, the white daughter cat at home managed to have some emergency. Andrew arranged for her to go to the V.E.T. I returned to dialysis (regular day, regular time). Whilst on dialysis, I got a message that the vet thought she had either dislocated her jaw or broken it. After an X-ray more details would be known. If it were a dislocation, our vet could sort it out, if a broken jaw, there would be a referral to another practice. After another couple of hours, news came in that no jaw was broken or dislocated. She had managed to lose a tooth and it was sitting at an awkward angle. Phew, is all I can say. She came home that evening, but then we had the fun of getting antibiotic pills into her.

Saturday 12 August – 600 year old bells

Saturday, I went to Dublin for an event at St Audoen’s Parish Church, celebrating mediaeval bells and specifically the 600-year-old bells in the tower. There will be a proper ringing celebration of them on Saturday 26th August in the afternoon. Assuming I am well enough, I hope to be there – even if not ringing.

Sunday 13 August – nearly falling off the organ bench

On Sunday morning, I got a lift to church, as I did not feel well enough for even that short walk, but thought I was well enough to play the organ. It turned out that i very nearly wasn’t. I nearly fell off the organ bench.

To be continued…