The unexpected

Birthday of St John the Baptist. Wednesday 24th June, 2020

I love teasing and wit and cleverness. A friend recently sent me a series of emails wishing me a happy 70th birthday. His greetings, his play on words, his references to Methuselah and to Melchisedek and to the 'favour of the Lord', a biblical comment to the old and ancient as age was seen as a special blessing of God, were perfect. I laughed and chuckled.

Someone sent me a card ' for an old banger! You may feel clapped out...but you are still a classic'. It had a Ford Cortina on the front, not even an Aston Martin Volante!

Then those who know my weaknesses, my predilections: a melt in the mouth chocolate and cream cake from Betty's, a box of 9 cup cakes peppered with chocolate and fudge pieces and icing galore....other foods and packets of coffee as well as books to read while scoffing and growing plumper. Lovely...they know me well.

Perhaps most telling were the box of laxative pills, the padded incontinent pants, the Zimmer frame, the false teeth container and an application form for a Care Home.

They made me laugh and chuckle. I love the surreal, the ridiculous, the absurd..they know me well.

Yet this may all be prophetic! To keep me grounded I had a phone call from the Urologist Consultant at the local hospital. I await a prostate operation which has been much postponed over the pandemic period. Recently my catheter has been 'traumatised' with bloody consequences, well dealt with by District nurses. I did write a letter to the Consultant and the call was his acknowledgement. I was to be listed as semi urgent. He explained a whole new paraphenalia of Covid testing. 12 days before the operation I would be tested, then have to isolate completely, then another test 2 days before going to the hospital etc....rightly protecting Staff and patients. The pandemic has made us appreciate more exactly, rather than take for granted, our friends, our frontline workers, our freedom and much else. Please may we remember to continue our gratitude.

Life is ever unexpected. After the phone call I realised I was bleeding again. So I cleared it up without panic. Yes, prophetic friends....incontinent pants, and zimmers! I muttered to myself ' who would have thought'

I had just written the above when the phone went again....a possible date of 14th July mentioned and instructions, special hospital entrances and much else talked of and letters to be sent and information. Naturally I am a little nervous...so laxatives not needed!