vivdunstan

21 days post gynaecological surgery, and we've just done the last daily anti-coagulant injection. Martin is going to walk round to our nearby chemist to hand in the sharps bin. And we've also just uncovered the last surgical incisions. I had 6 surgical incisions from the robotic keyhole surgery, and they were slow to heal, unsurprisingly given my severe immunosuppression. As the days have gone on we've slowly uncovered more and more, rather than redressing. But it's taken until today to uncover them all. Some are still a bit scary looking, but no signs of infection. So progress.

Down to just 6 of 21 anti coagulant injections left to go, so I’ll be done by Friday. Martin’s not keen on needles, but has proved very good at injecting. Though my upper thighs are, inevitably, covered with bruises. We were given a sharps bin by the hospital to put the used injections in. That will be handed in to our local chemist after we’re finished. Very possibly when I’m at the neighbouring health centre if my repeat repeat kidney function test this coming week is still too low and they ask me to come in again the following week!

And recovering well at home after my robotic keyhole gynaecological surgery to remove all reproductive organs apart from cervix, also two cysts, a wall biopsy, and peritoneal washing. A 5.5 hour long operation.

A week on I’m still on co-codamol four times a day, but am comfortable, and moving around well. We are now 7 days through the 21 days of at home anti coagulant injections, and getting very good at them. We also have a good stock of surgical dressings and sterile wipes to keep my healing incisions (six I think, though it may be more!) clean and comfortable.

Eating has been a very slow thing to recover. Even by two days ago I could only manage a few small slices of multi seeded bread plus half a sweet treat. Last night I managed some noodles as well. And tonight I’m going to try tackling a Cornish pasty. Well some of it anyway!

I spent most of today asleep. Even when I got home last Saturday afternoon sleeping was difficult because I’m not happy sleeping on my back and felt my tummy was very uncomfortable, too stretched out. However by Monday I felt able to very carefully lie on my side, and have been racking up sleep well since then.

Martin has been an absolute rock. He’s helped me in so many ways, and coped with my very grumpy moments when the pain got too much. He was very worried internally before my operation, and crashed physically after I got home. He is much happier now. My octogenarian mum in Fife had a similar physical reaction, and is also now much better!

I have a follow up U&E (kidney function) blood test early next week at the health centre near our home. I expect that will be fine. I haven’t been dehydrated since Monday or so.

I will get the full pathology results of the operation in another 5 weeks or so by letter. The surgeon is hoping it isn’t cancer, but did lots of extra tests to be sure, including rinsing the cavity to check further for cancer cells. So I can be sure they’ve checked me right.

It’s going to take me another 5 weeks to recover from this major surgery. But I’m off to a good start.

And enormous thanks to the NHS medics, nurses and other staff. My gratitude is immeasurable.

Planning a pre surgery rewatch of Batman Returns this weekend. That was our very first not quite a date, when I was in the New Picture House in St Andrews, preparing to watch it a second time, and Martin came in with some other friends. This was in summer 1992. I lived in St Andrews permanently by then, and Martin was still in St Andrews over the summer holidays.

More clearing out another part of the study, filled with too many things as my progressive neurological illness worsened, alongside finishing a history PhD & being a research fellow. Digging down piles reminds me of stratigraphy in archaeology. Found books on witchcraft and werewolves. Keeping them!

A lot of other things are being disposed of including more CDs to go to charity. But some things are being moved elsewhere, such as an academic book history book with a chapter from me in it. That hasn't quite got to my proper bookshelves yet, but has more chance now it's been dug out of the depths!

A very careful consideration though is pile stability e.g. as I dig through one pile I must make sure that the next pile further in - still to be tackled - is stable and won't suddenly topple! It feels a bit like a never-ending process, especially with my illness. But I am getting somewhere with it.

And I just suggested Martin glance towards the newly largely dismantled pile. "Chasm!" was his response on seeing it.

Crikey I'm behind with updating this list! Lots more finished since my last post.

( earlier books )
1. Dante's Inferno graphic novel by Hunt Emerson
2. The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan
3. The Casebook of Stamford Hawksmoor graphic novel by Bryan Talbot
4. The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
5. A Beachcomber's Journal by Seonaid McGurk
6. Restoration London: Everyday Life in the 1660s by Liza Picard

In terms of the new books, the Dante's Inferno graphic novel was a chance spot by Martin in our local public library. As he rightly guessed I might like that! It's a very funny adaptation, with interest-filled visuals and lots to see.

Jenny Colgan's The Christmas Book Hunt was a short read, but fine enough. Including a very unexpected appearance by my "other" home town in the Scottish Borders.

I loved Bryan Talbot's Grandville prequel about detective Stamford Hawksmoor, but with my memory problems struggled to keep up with the complex plot as I'd put the book down one day and pick it up another. The artwork is divine though, and the world building of course. Highly recommended, though it helps if you have a better memory than me.

Emily Tesh's The Incandescent was what I would describe as a school procedural with magic. It's written from the perspective of a teacher in a magic school, and overall I found it frustrating, albeit good in places. It breaks the general tips about how to handle the emotional beats in a novel, but not in a good way. As a result the pacing was often off. And I found the ending extremely unsatisfying. But glad I read.

Seonaid McGurk's beachcombing book is about her finds here in Monifieth and surrounding beaches. Thought provoking. Another Monifieth library borrow.

And, finally, Liza Picard's Restoration London was a reread, nearly three decades after I first read it in print. A good read, with insightful assessment of the historical evidence and a snappy presentation. But some problematic framing aspects, and far too in-depth a later section about law at the time (the author was a qualified lawyer).

Sorting my repeat prescriptions, and marvelling at how many empty pages were included in my latest prescription slip from the health centre. "How hiv thei gien is a' thae bits o' paper?" was promptly uttered. "How" as in Hawick/Teri Scots speak, meaning "Why". Luckily my husband understands me! I speak more Teri when more tired. Not always knowing how things are spelled but know the sound.

Our front garden grass is now getting its second cut of the year so far. At this rate it won't be cut again before August, and that might be the third and last cut of this year for us.

It does look lovely a bit longer, and with clover and some wildflowers. But given the rainy weather due soon it's probably best Martin grabs the chance today, on a day off work too.

We're rewatching (or for Martin for many stories first time watching) the Peter Davison era of Doctor Who. Starting up with Castrovalva, which we watched last Sunday night and tonight, fitting in a couple of episodes at a time. We are watching on the remastered Blu-ray release, albeit opting for the original special effects.

I remembered enjoying this on original TV watch, and a couple of decades later. But this time I found it really dragged in the opening two episodes. Way too much wandering around the TARDIS, and Tegan and Nyssa repeatedly climbing up rocks. I've never worn high heels, but I felt huge sympathy for both actresses re the climbing, especially Janet Fielding. I don't blame the director so much for the poor pacing, I just don't think there was enough content in the written scripts for these episodes to make sufficiently satisfying episodes.

Things pick up once they reach the city, and there are some fantastic ideas in here. I've long loved Escher's art. But even here there are too many not fully shown scenes, e.g. Shardovan swings into the web, then there's a cut, then we see an aftermath (again note I'm watching the original SFX).

I wasn't sad to see Adric sidelined. And his “wardrobe malfunction” was, erm, far too noticeable ...

Things get so much better when the Doctor takes a more active part, though I suppose that’s the intention.

Watching the the making of documentary (nearly 40 minutes long!), which is steered by Mark Strickson (Turlough), for much of his life a television producer, I was amused that Mark is refreshingly frank on how boring he found watching the opening two episodes! Also in the "making of" documentary I was frustrated that the BBC clearly didn’t get permission to show the relevant inspiring Escher art prints on screen, so they could only be talked about instead.

We plan to watch a couple more of the mini documentaries included in the Blu-ray's bonus special features - the one with Tom Baker discussing the large TARDIS crew back then, and also Peter Davison explaining how he tackled his new Doctor. But we'll fit those in sometime over the coming week, ready to swap discs and carry on to the next story next Sunday.

I wonder how many people in my local Scottish constituency will be caught out by not having suitable photo ID for voting in the Westminster by-election taking place here next week. Photo ID wasn't needed for the recent Scottish parliamentary elections, though it was needed at the local council elections in England happening at the same time. If I wasn't voting by post for a new MP - already done - I'd be ok, with my passport and Blue Badge. Martin has a passport and driving licence. But my Mum doesn't have anything suitable. And I would be surprised if some other folks don't too.

P.S. There are two Westminster by-elections in Scotland next week, one here in Angus, and another in Aberdeen.