Welcome to Another Weekend Coffee Share!
Well, I have to warn you upfront that last week wasn’t the best and was actually rather difficult. However, it improved as it went on and I was filled with an over-riding sense of gratitude. An appreciation of the love and support that people have given us. I’m also quite conscious of how different things might’ve been, which suddenly made everything look rosy especially after the general anaethesetic.
It’s funny how just putting on the hospital whites makes me look like I’m on death’s door.
Last Thursday, I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. The results were fine and I didn’t expect anything nasty. Yet, I guess there’s always that caution when they send the camera where the sun don’t shine. By the way, I’d like to encourage anyone who has been putting off have either of these procedures to face the music. I’d heard horror stories about taking the stuff and let’s face it, most of us are rather private about our privates. However, I was knocked out for the procedure and it was worth it for the peace of mind.
However, the lead up to the colonoscopy was quite stressful. I was freaking out about stuffing up the preparations. In hindsight, they’re not that complicated but I was quite worried I’d forget and eat something I shouldn’t. However, I was on my best behaviour and a good little Vegemite after all. No dramas.
Unfortunately, one of my kids became quite stressed about the whole thing and let’s just say “needed to have a chat”. This resulted in a day waiting for him to be assessed by which point, he was fine and had perked up. Meanwhile, I couldn’t find a parking spot at the hospital and was driving round and round the multi-storey carpark. Not finding anything, I was heading back down and hit a concrete divider on the exit ramp. Talk about things going from bad to worse. I’d cracked the radiator and my kid tells me that the engine’s on fire and smoke’s rising out of the bonnet. By this point, I was totally paralyzed, numb and couldn’t even consider where the hazard lights or the button for the bonnet were located. Fortunately, child stepped in and went for help. Don’t laugh but the tow truck was already there! Problem solved. Car parked.
I felt absolutely shell-shocked after all of that and am still in recovery mode. We went to a friend’s place for a birthday Friday night and that was fantastic and yesterday I was on duty at the sailing club.Well, somewhat on duty. I ended up sitting upstairs in the restaurant venting my spleen in ink. I also managed to get some photos of Geoff on his sailing course. I really wished I could’ve been out there sailing as well but these small boats are too much for me physically and I need more of a champagne yachting experience.
While I was at the hospital, I managed to finish a fantastic book by investigative journalist, Leigh Sales, called: Any Ordinary Day. It looks at how people respond to extreme trauma and also looks at the interaction between chance and destiny. It really got up close and personal to a series of truly shocking tragedies and unravelled at least some of the threads. I highly recommend it!
In terms of blogging last week, for Thursday Doors I walked up Bridge Street, Sydney up to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, a route my mother followed for many years as a music student at the Con: Bridge Street Sydney- Thursday Doors.As I was walking up the hill, I particularly noticed the imposing clock tower peering over the Department of Lands building and thought of my mother and other students racing up the hill and being taunted by the clock: “You’re late! Late for an important date!” I also participated in Friday fictioneers with Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Well, I feel myself running out of steam now so I’ll head off. How was your week? I hope you have a good one.
This has been another Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Eclectic Alli.
Best wishes,
Rowena
So a fairly normal week then? Glad it all came out well… hmm ok I could have phrased that better.
Yeah–the prep for the colonoscopy is the worst part. I’m glad everything is OK–except your car.
I’d laugh, except I could see myself being totally stressed out looking for parking. 🙂
Lovely photos of Sydney.
Take care Rowena.
Saw the photo and so was relieved that it was just a normal procedure that we all have to do (after a certain age…) and that you weren’t at death’s door. On the other hand, it sounds like your car could be better! Hope that doesn’t become a big issue! And I also hope this week coming up is much better 🙂
Oh wow you had quite a week. Good thing only the car is in trouble.
Thanks for the book recommendation. It sounds interesting and I have to check it out.
Also thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your memories of the Cologne Cathedral. If you are an architecture lover you might like the follow up post I wrote about my favourite Cathedrals/Synagogues.
Happy new week to you,
Tobia
I’m glad you’re OK. I love the pictures of the sailboats and the clock tower.
Thanks, Dan. The sail boats were lovely and I was quite mesmerized seeing the sails ready to go up, in ways looking like a soft-serve ice cream and yet flapping in the breeze.
I should do a clock tower tour. I’ll have to start collecting.
Best wishes,
Ro
Thanks, Tobia. I’ll have a look.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks, Trent. I thought I’d mention the colonoscopy to encourage others. It’s one of those things that are so easy to put off. I also think the visual impact that gown has on your perceptions. It wasn’t a big deal and yet it seems quite ominous especially when you know my medical history. I have given considerable thought lately to the whole thing of being able to enjoy life despite your circumstances. That in the midst of despair, there can still be joy, love, hope just as Keats lamented that melancholy invades and takes over your joy. I’m trying to put some more thought into this. See what I can come up with.
Best wishes,
Ro
It is the combination of gown and your history that caused the short, “oh no” when seeing the photo. Awareness is good. something we all have o do.