Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week that began with routine blood tests and quickly spiralled into hospital panic, emergency appointments, injections and a looming operation, all balanced with coffees at the chiringuito, neighbourly support and the comforting rhythm of reading, films and football.
Friday, October 15th
Blood tests, sad news, and a thoughtful film
I got up early for my blood tests at the local doctor’s surgery. The “vampire lady” knows me well by now, she avoids my useless left arm and goes straight for the freckle on my right that always gives a good supply. Afterward I walked home along the beach, made tea and updated my website.
At lunchtime Jim picked me up and we went to Oishii in San Javier for a Menu del Día, very good value. While waiting for Jim in one of the shops, I received a message saying a friend had taken his own life that morning. I’d seen him only days earlier at the chiringuito and he’d seemed fine. A stark reminder that people often carry hidden struggles. Be kind, keep an eye on those around you.
In the afternoon I watched A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, a Tom Hanks film about a children’s TV presenter and a journalist. Odd at first with its mix of animation and film, but thoughtful and touching. In the evening I picked up my blood test results, ready for the hospital on Tuesday.
Saturday, October 16th
A quiet day, good company, and a gardening haul
I had a cappuccino at the chiringuito while reading my Kindle, then spent the afternoon with Frouk and Reindeer. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, so it was lovely to sit in the sun and catch up.
I admired a plant in their garden and asked its name, they dug up a large piece for me to take home. They also gave me a hose connector after hearing about my watering hose mishap. I must have looked like I’d just raided a garden centre when I left. In the evening I watched football and had an early night.
Sunday, October 17th
A full breakfast, laundry day, and a relaxed afternoon
I cooked a full English breakfast before heading to the chiringuito for coffee. Elizabeth arrived with my sunglasses, they’d fallen off in her car last week and I’d been searching everywhere for them.
Back home I washed bed linen and two loads of clothes, then spent the afternoon watching films and football.
Monday, October 18th
A lazy morning, a late equaliser, and an early night
I had a slow start, then went to the chiringuito for coffee and Kindle time. Elizabeth stopped for a chat before heading to the pharmacy. When it got hot, I went home, grabbed the scooter and went to Mercadona for a few bits.
Lunch was beef stew, followed by a film before the Arsenal vs Crystal Palace match. Arsenal started well and went 1-0 up, but Palace dominated the second half and deservedly led 1-2. Lacazette rescued a point deep into injury time. Palace deserved more, but I was relieved Arsenal didn’t lose. I went straight to bed afterward, I had a busy day ahead.
Tuesday, October 19th
Hospital panic, a TIE appointment, and a worrying phone call
I got up at 06:30, showered and had a fruit and protein shake. Lesley picked me up at 09:30 for my hospital appointment with the anaesthetist in Cartagena.
The blood tests from Friday showed my blood was “extremely runny”, meaning it wasn’t coagulating at all. He was very worried and didn’t want me to leave until I’d seen a haematologist. I explained, via Lesley, that I’ve been on anticoagulants for over 30 years and know the signs of danger. He eventually let me go but told me to stop taking the tablets immediately.
We drove to Murcia for my TIE appointment. It was incredibly quick, documents checked, fingerprints and photo taken, and done. While we were there, Lesley received a message asking me to go to my local doctor first thing tomorrow, with no explanation.
It was during this time that my friend’s wake was taking place. I couldn’t attend, but he was in my thoughts.
Back in Los Alcázares, Lesley and I had a coffee at the chiringuito before she left. Later she messaged again, the anaesthetist had phoned her, still extremely concerned, and asked her to bring me back tomorrow so he could give me medication to counteract the anticoagulants. I spent the rest of the day on the sofa, trying not to cut or bump myself.
I messaged Elizabeth, who agreed to come with me to the doctor in the morning in case I needed help understanding anything.
Wednesday, October 20th
A false alarm, a frustrating breakfast, and emergency injections
I walked to the doctor’s surgery with Elizabeth. The receptionist didn’t speak English, so I was glad she came, the message had been sent by mistake and they didn’t need to see me.
We walked to the bank, then to La Encarnación for breakfast. We waited ages to be served, sitting right next to the till, but were ignored by both waiters. We left and went to Alaska bar instead, then walked home along the beach.
At 17:30 Lesley picked me up and we returned to Cartagena. The anaesthetist explained again that they couldn’t operate with my blood levels as they were. He gave me a phial of medication to counteract the anticoagulants and prescribed injections I must give myself twice a day for four days. The good news, the operation will still go ahead on Monday. I still need the COVID test on Friday and must arrive early on Monday for more blood tests and prep.
In the evening I watched a programme about a man rebuilding his home and adding an annexe for his brother in law after a stroke. Stories like that remind me how lucky I am, alive, cared for and surrounded by good people.
Thursday, October 21st
Injections, breakfast at The Tipsy Thistle, and a day of rest
I woke early to give myself the first injection. After a pot of tea, I worked on my website for a while, then went to The Tipsy Thistle for breakfast, still the best in Los Alcázares.
I popped into the new supermarket, Economy, but still don’t like it. No logical layout, tills at both ends and nothing where you expect it to be.
Back home, I put my shopping away and went to the chiringuito for coffee and Kindle time until it got too hot. Then I rested, as advised, and spent the afternoon watching Black Sails again, Anne Bonny (Clara Paget) is still gorgeous.
At 20:00 I gave myself the second injection and had a Spanish style tuna pie followed by a custard tart. I watched TV until late before heading to bed.
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