It's been a while since my last blog. Unfortunately I haven't been very well and have only just managed to play a round of golf.
It started in Dundee, I came down with flu like symptoms on the Thursday before I was due to come home to go on holiday. The symptoms got progressively worse until one night I was so cold and shivering that my teeth were chattering. A couple of hours later I was burning up.
On the Sunday morning, I managed to see a doctor, who said I just had flu and should take paracetamol for the headaches.
I don't know how I manged to go to work, but as I was the only one on site, there wasn't really much choice and as I was going home on the Wednesday, I carried on. Wednesday came, and i drove 500 miles home and virtually went straight to bed. Next morning I dragged myself along to see my own doctor, who took one look at me and said she was sending me for blood tests. She decided to test for lots of things, including Weil's Disease and Legionnaires! I was prescribed some hefty antibiotics as a precaution. As we were going on holiday to Cornwall the next day, I asked whether I should go, she replied that there were doctors in Cornwall so I should be ok.
Next morning, at 6 o'clock we set off. Michelle drove all the way to Bodmin while I slept. At Bodmin we stopped for breakfast, after which I took over the driving for the last 20 miles. It was at this point my doctor rang saying my blood tests were 'all over the place' and asked Michelle if I looked yellow! Apparently my liver functions were wrong and I had tested positive for the Epstein-Barr Virus. This is the virus which causes Glandular Fever. We were told to see a doctor ASAP. Michelle then rang the local doctor's in Padstow, where we were staying and we went straight there. My doctor faxed across the test results and the local doctor examined me and said I should go to the hospital in Truro the following day for more blood tests.
Having spent the Friday resting, well dozing on and off, Michelle drove me down to Truro for my blood tests. These were done and we waited for the results. They confirmed the EBV but also showed that my liver functions were getting better and the general level of infection was down; the antibiotics were doing the job.
The rest of the holiday was a bit of a washout for me; I spent most of the time sleeping in the flat and going to bed at 9pm! I had hardly any beer; which, considering the nearest pub was 10 feet away and there are 5 more within 2 minutes walk is unheard of for me. By Wednesday I was feeling a liitle better and managed a few pints and was able to enjoy out last day on the Thursday before driving home on the Friday. We left early as I had arranged a hospital appointment for the Friday afternoon. This was because my Keratitis had flared up in my left eye, a nasty little viral problem which lurks waiting for the immune system to drop before striking.
Still feeling drained of energy, I went to see my doctor on the Monday morning, more blood tests were arranged and she signed me off sick for 2 weeks. The results had come back on the Weil's Disease test and were negative but she was still waiting for the Legionnaires results.
I have been steadily improving over the last couple of weeks and was even able to play a round of golf at the end of last week; however it did leave me knackered and I was hardly able to swing a club on the last 2 holes.
The above was written in September, I lost my inspiration at that point and so it has taken until now to complete the post.
Much has happened, a small amount of golf has been played, and a lot of just bat swinging. I've been back to Dundee a couple of times, indeed I'm writing this in my Dundee hotel. In between has been a trip to Belfast, a fabulous city where I had a great time. I've now completed the set and visited all four home countries, actually all four home capitals. If you ever get the chance, go to Belfast.
Unfortunately I've been up here for my birthday, mind you it means I can also have another birthday when I get home, an official birthday if you like, just like our own dear Queen, God Bless Her!
When I get back a trip down the driving range is required to build on my visit last week. I managed to hit the ball consistently straight, not far, but straight. I think I can remember what I was doing so I'll make sure and then try and put it into practice on the golf course, weather permitting.
I'll also celebrate my second birthday, unfortunately it doesn't come with a second set of presents, well at least I won't have to sit through a trooping of the colour!
