Five days ago, on the 24th, I wrote an update on the illness. One thing I was unsure about – whether or not to mention the hospital’s provisional date of 7 September for the PEG operation. Clearly, given the pressures on the NHS these days, and the need to tackle the backlog of non-virus operations, the date was quite likely to change. Unwisely I did mention it, and almost inevitably the date has now changed: the new provisional date is 14 September. That might change also.
This can get ridiculous and tiresome – and perhaps humorous – so there will be no further mention of a PEG operation date in these blog entries until it’s confirmed.
One thing I will add though is this: although I wasn’t much concerned about the operation itself, which seems to be somewhat routine, I was rather anxious about the after-effects of the general anaesthetic. I’ve had a general anaesthetic only once, about 15 years ago, and there were unpleasant complications later. The hospital has just told me that their process includes sedation and a local anaesthetic. Much relief.
Dear David,
The time has come to share confessions with you. We both know that drinking alcohol should never be done in Saudi Arabia.
Today I discovered my Saudi Arabian hospital card. Yes, a large number of us were welcoming the sailors from an American warship. It was a hot day. We were thirsty and the fruit juice was delicious. Unfortunately, someone had spiked it with home-made alcohol. I ended up in my university hospital with tummy trouble.
My Saudi doctor asked me what might have caused it. I confessed to her that we had been drinking punch. ‘Banch???’ she said!
I expected to be sent home on the next plane, but nothing happened. They kept me on for many years, even beyond the retirement age.