Location: Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A week of slow recovery, gentle walks, dressing changes, football highs and lows, insurance admin and the steady return to normal life, with friends, cafés and Kindle reading helping me regain my rhythm.
Friday, November 19th
A dressing change, a cheap cappuccino, and a tiring walk
I started the morning with a sausage sandwich before walking to the doctor’s surgery for my dressing change. The nurse saw me quickly, changed the dressing and told me I didn’t need another one before seeing the surgeon on Tuesday.
I walked along to the Rambla and stopped at the café that used to be Seb’s bar. I hadn’t been in since it changed hands, so I tried a cappuccino, very good, and at 1.50€ the cheapest I’ve had anywhere. My stomach was sore from the dressing change and the walk didn’t help, so I rested there for a while.
On the way home I stopped at La Playa bar for another coffee and some Kindle time. It felt good to be out again, even if the short walk wore me out more than expected. I decided to rest completely for the next couple of days.
Saturday, November 20th
A quiet day and a tough match for Arsenal
I spent the day resting in front of the computer and TV, flicking between football matches while waiting for Liverpool vs Arsenal in the evening.
Liverpool deservedly won 4-0. Arsenal didn’t play terribly, but defensive mistakes cost them, giving the ball away in front of goal is never wise, and Liverpool punished every error. Hopefully they learn from it. I’m looking forward to the next matches against Newcastle and Manchester United.
In the evening I channel hopped before settling on a classic, The Wizard of Oz.
Sunday, November 21st
Antibiotics, Arsenal Women, and an evening with Adele
I took my penultimate lot of antibiotics, checked my emails and updated my website. In the afternoon I watched Arsenal Women beat Manchester United 0-2 to stay top of the WSL.
In the evening I watched An Evening with Adele. She’s a fantastic singer, and a beautiful woman.
Monday, November 22nd
Breakfast out, insurance admin, and a business meeting
With no milk for porridge, I went to the Tipsy Thistle for a small English breakfast, lovely and worth the trip. Afterwards I rode my scooter to the ASSSA office to confirm my bank details for the ambulance reimbursement.
I also asked again about the hospital bill ASSSA had initially refused to pay. It turns out the hospital hadn’t sent the bill to ASSSA and had also under billed the number of nights I stayed. ASSSA are querying it before paying.
I then went to La Sombra Pizzeria for my regular business meeting with Martin. The staff were surprised to see me drinking only coffee and soft drinks, but once we explained I’d just come out of hospital, they let us get on with our meeting. Afterwards I went to Mercadona for milk and a pizza.
The afternoon was spent resting and watching TV before tomorrow’s hospital visit.
Tuesday, November 23rd
A reassuring check up and empanadas to celebrate
I was up early for my check up with the surgeon in Cartagena. Lesley picked me up and we arrived in plenty of time. The surgeon removed the dressing, inspected and cleaned the wound and said it was healing very well. A nurse removed the stitches and told me I no longer needed to return to the hospital, just wash the wound carefully and apply Bentoline after showering.
Lesley and I stopped at a nearby café for coffee and empanadas, then she dropped me home. I ate my empanadas with a pot of tea.
In the afternoon I contacted Amazon again to try to get my account reinstated. An English speaking lady told me another department was handling it and would email me within 24 hours. Fingers crossed.
Wednesday, November 24th
Blood tests, wound care, and a good lunch with friends
I walked to the doctor’s surgery early for my regular sintrom blood test. An elderly couple came in looking for another surgery, I gave them simple directions, though they’d already missed their appointment. Hopefully they were seen later.
After my test I stopped at Bar Espejo for tostada and coffee, reading my Kindle before heading home. I played a computer game until the pharmacy opened, then rode my scooter to buy dressings, iodine and wound cleaning solution.
Back home I showered, cleaned the wound, dressed it, then realised I’d forgotten the iodine and had to redo it.
At lunchtime Martin and Kate picked me up, along with Aria, and we met Dave and Viv at Oishii in San Javier. The 10€ Menu del Día was excellent. Afterwards we visited two large Chinese stores. I bought warm, soft pyjamas for lounging around during recovery and some incense sticks, some for scent, some to keep mosquitos away.
By the time I got home I was exhausted and spent the rest of the day watching TV.
Thursday, November 25th
Blood test results, an Asiático with Baileys, and an early night
I rode my scooter to the doctor’s surgery to collect my blood test results, then went to San Juan bar on the promenade for coffee and Kindle time. Afterwards I went to the supermarket for milk and a few bits.
Once I worked out my new sintrom dose, I realised I needed more tablets. I arranged to meet George for coffee at the café next to the pharmacy. When the pharmacy reopened, I collected my tablets and joined George and Yvonne. Now that I’m off antibiotics, I treated myself to an Asiático with Baileys instead of brandy, beautiful.
I walked home slowly, worn out again despite the short distance. I rested in front of the TV before going to bed early.
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