Location: Los Alcázares and Cartagena, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A frightening and painful week dominated by a rapidly worsening ankle injury, sleepless nights, hallucinations from pain, emergency hospital visits, blood tests, antibiotics, and finally being admitted to hospital. Friends and neighbours rallied around you, and by the end of the week you were finally receiving proper treatment and some relief.
Monday, 24th March
I woke several times in agony during the night and ended up taking painkillers at 05:00 and again at 10:00. I slept terribly, and although I could now put weight on my foot, the pain was excruciating. I stayed in bed until 14:00, took more tablets and finally got up.
I felt sick and could not face coffee, so I drank water and tried to stay awake. I had planned to go to the doctor, but I could not manage the walk, so I stayed in my armchair and drifted in and out of sleep. Martin messaged throughout the day to check on me, and Christine let me know she and John were both suffering with colds. By 18:00, I could not stay awake any longer and went back to bed.
Tuesday, 25th March
I woke at 04:00 in pain and took more tablets. I slept in short bursts until 10:00, then shuffled to my armchair. I tried to work on my website, but between the pain and the exhaustion, I could barely see the screen.
I watched TV all morning and forced myself to eat something at lunchtime — a couple of slices of cheddar and a slice of ham. It tasted awful, but it was the first food I had eaten since Sunday. Martin kept messaging to check on me, and I spent the rest of the day drifting in and out of sleep. At 22:00, I took another painkiller and went to bed, hoping for a better night.
Wednesday, 26th March
I woke at 04:00, fell asleep again and woke at 05:45. I felt slightly better and managed a coffee and Wordle before the pain returned. I took another tablet, but soon my leg was throbbing again, and I began hallucinating. I knew the visions were not real, but it was unsettling. I decided I had to see a doctor.
I booked an appointment online for 13:30, slept until my alarm went off at 12:45, and slowly got ready. When I arrived at the surgery, Rosa told me I had accidentally booked the appointment for tomorrow. She spoke to the doctor, who agreed to see me immediately. I must have looked dreadful.
The doctor examined my leg and told me I needed to go to the hospital in Cartagena as an emergency. She explained that they could run all the tests immediately, whereas the local surgery would take days. I thanked her and went home to ask Liz for help. She agreed straight away.
By the time we reached the hospital, the pain was worse, the rash was brighter red, and my leg was swelling. Liz helped me check in. I struggled to find my insurance card, but eventually the receptionist got everything sorted and sent me to triage.
A nurse took my details and arranged immediate blood tests. The first nurse struggled to get blood, trying five times before getting just enough for one test. Another nurse tried again, injecting fluid into my arms to test the veins. He told me my veins were “broken” and that they might need to take blood another way if required.
The doctor examined my leg, asked about my medical history and sent me for a Doppler scan. Liz and I waited until my phone buzzed with an appointment time. The scan was done quickly, and I returned to the waiting room.
The second doctor explained the results. No blood clots, but my CRP level — Proteina C Reactiva — was dangerously high. It should be between 0 and 8. Mine was 246.5. He prescribed antibiotics, antibiotic cream and strong paracetamol, and told me to return in 72 hours.
Liz drove me home, we collected the medication from the pharmacy, and I took my first dose before collapsing into my armchair. I sorted the tablets into my pill box, set alarms and fell asleep. I woke in agony but had to wait until 23:00 for the next dose. After taking it, I went straight to bed.
Thursday, 27th March
Thursday was a miserable day. I kept my feet raised as instructed and only got up for drinks or the bathroom. The painkillers helped a little, but not enough. I spent the entire day in the armchair, exhausted and uncomfortable.
Friday, 28th March
Friday was much the same, except the pain was worse. Jill dropped off bread and milk, and I gave her a spare key. Later, an Avatel engineer arrived to install my new router. I stayed awake as long as I could, hoping it would help me sleep better. It worked — I fell asleep quickly and slept well.
Saturday, 29th March
I stayed in bed after taking my tablets. The painkillers were barely touching the pain. Eventually, I got up and worked on my laptop for a couple of hours before meeting Liz in the garage at 14:00. She drove slowly to the hospital because she could see how much pain I was in.
At the hospital, a porter brought a wheelchair. The receptionist recognised me and helped me check in. After a short wait, I was taken for more blood tests. I barely remember what the doctor said — the pain was overwhelming. I told him I could not take any more, and he agreed to admit me.
I was sent for a chest x ray for reasons unknown, then waited for hours as cyclists from a nearby race were brought in with injuries. Eventually, I stopped the doctor in the corridor and asked when I would be taken to my room. He said the room was ready.
A porter took me upstairs, and I was put on a drip with painkillers and antibiotics. The nurse increased the dose when I told her I was still in pain. I accidentally pulled the drip out at one point, and she had to reconnect it.
They brought me a meal — salad, potato soup, chicken with vegetables and strawberry yoghurt. It was the most I had eaten all week. Kate messaged to say she would bring anything I needed tomorrow, so I asked her to bring my phone charger and Kindle.
I drifted in and out of sleep as nurses changed the drip bags through the night.
Sunday, 30th March
I woke around 06:00. The nurses continued to monitor me and adjust the medication. Breakfast was coffee, tostada with tomato and orange juice. The morning dragged until Kate and Aria arrived with my things. Aria was upset to see me in hospital and became distressed when the nurse treated my leg, so I asked her to fetch me a coffee while Kate took her for a walk.
The nurse applied antibiotic cream and dressed the wound. After Kate and Aria left, I had lunch — salad, chicken in salsa and lasagna — and fell asleep soon after. I was woken repeatedly through the night as the nurses changed my antibiotic and painkiller drips.
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