h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Saga of Sho continues...

On Tuesday I took the day off. took the Gruesomes to Center Parcs (not too far away from us, in Holland) and I got on the 9am train to Koblenz (via Düsseldorf). Koblenz is a Roman town, at the junction of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. Very nice old town, and lots of nice places to sit and talk.

I ran out of the house without my usual "going out all day" stuff, because before I left I did an emergency hair cut on . still, I grabbed the first part of LOTR to read on my 2 hour journey, and just made my train. (the fact that I didn't have my toothbrush, towel and emergency knickers is important later)

Uneventful journey, and a fab meeting up with Trillian's Child (who I have 'known' for nearly the whole time I've been on here - nearly 5 years) as well as Lucky Star and ReddyFreddy who popped over from Luxembourg. We had a 3 hour lunch (salad for me, and a small beer) and a walk around, followed by another beer in a beer garden, mosey back to the train and a nice coffee until the two went back to LUX.

I started to feel very uncomfortable, and thought it was indegestion. A stone-like feeling right under my sternum, and it felt like someone was squeezing my ribs.

We still had 2 hours until our trains so TC and I had some soup in the cafe, then wandered back to the station. The whole time I was uncomfortable, but got on my train. Where I promptly began to alternate with shivers and sweats and to feel as though I was about to throw up.

I made it to Cologne, and had 2 more wee trains to get. (my plan was to get home - ETA 23:45 - and go right away to the emergency doctor) So I walked around until the first one - but when we were nearly at the 2nd stop, I felt really bad and stood up. The ticket collecter was right by me, and said he'd get a doctor - next thing I knew this woman (a nurse as it happened) was holding my hand, while we sat by the door waiting for the ambulance. I felt really sick (that watery feeling in my mouth) but the best I managed was a massive burp.

The ambulance was one run by the fire service, so they stretchered me into it, and did the blood pressure, eye, pulse checks - and took me on a hair-raising blue-light (unnecessary) ride to the hospital. Where I was hooked up to a heart monitor, and had an armful of blood sucked out of me.

Because we were about 100 kms away from where I live, and because it was midnight, they recommended that I stay overnight, and have a gastric exam (yep, the camera thing) - is that an endoscope? - and ultrasound the next day.

Next day I called work and told them, but couldn't reach in Holland - so I told the office not to tell him until I could tell him myself. I didn't expect him to call, but he did. Next thing I know I'm coming round from the anasthetic in the hallway outside my room (being wheeled back) and and the Gruesomes are there.

He'd called work, then called the hospital - who wouldn't give him any info. (I gave them a real earful about that) so he packed up the kids and cut short their holiday and came right to the hospital. They went home, then came back to get me today.

The tests show nothing out of the ordinary, and so I'm off to my own doc tomorrow. The bosses, of course, are disappointed that I won't be back right away, but the German manager told me to get written off sick for the whole of next week. So I think I will.

End of drama.

for now.

ing Nora, Sho!!

Rest, rest, rest and try not to dwell on it too much - I find my head makes things worse going over stuff that's happened.

Thinking of you

Jules

aw thanks - I'm feeling a bit embarassed about all the fuss I caused

Well don't. You needed seeing and you got seen. Now they decide it wasn't serious - but you didn't know that then.

Hi Sho and welcome back to the land of the living. You forgot to take your emergency knickers and toothbrush? Tsk! Shame on you and how embarrassing! Still, you'll remember to take 'em next time, won't you?

Take things easy and put yer feet up lots.

Glad things turned out okay and you are safe Sho.

very about the emergency knickers & stuff, especially that I didn't have a with me

Apparently I have a hernia (?) - a hole in the top of my stomach. ho hum

What an eventful weekend!

Aren't other people lovely those on the train sounded like real troopers.
God Bless 'em for being there for you

Thank God you're alright and you have such a wonderful family I can't believe the hospital wouldn't giveany information?!?He's your husband and next-of-kin, right?He must have been going off his head with worry

I'm so thankful you're alright and I bet your girls spoil you rotten while you're off work.

You are staying off for a while, aren't you?

Of course they used the blue lights, Sho, any excuse for a bit of fun

Take care over the next few days.

I discovered why they use the blue lights... when we got there the night duty nurse handed over two mugs of coffee. And then they were all flirting all over the place. (but treating me at the same time, so that's ok)

And discussing which DVD they should watch. Finally, with my input, they chose Life Of Brian (in English).

Actually, I'm back to work on Monday - I know, I know, but I hate to be off. I will be taking it easy. And since I had a mild version of the attack again today (very mild, and was with me) so I'll be back to the doc for my happy pills.

I did give the hospital a big telling off. On Wednesday they were messing me around a bit, so I said I was going to discharge myself. This wee slip of a doctor was all huffy and saying how it was "against doctor's recommendation" and all that, so I told her that since there was obviously nothing to report about me to my NOK, that obviously I could leave. She had the grace to

But I have to say that the emergency crew, the guy on the train, the off duty nurse, the other passengers (especially a really scary looking punk guy who was about to pull the emergency cord when the ticket collector came up) and the two old biddies in my room were fantastic.

The annoying thing about not being told anything was that when I rang the hospital, they were quite prepared to get the doctor to speak to me and tell me about it. I said that it wasn't my place to be told the details of Sho's condition and I just wanted to send my best wishes. (They never did get passed on)

Do look after yourself, Sho!