The recent bank holiday weekend was one I would not care to repeat. It was full of bad news.
It started on the Saturday morning, when my daughter Kay rang me to say she had had an accident at work the day before. Two people (one being my daughter) were coming in opposite directions along two separate corridors that meet at right angles. At the right angle, they swerved violently to avoid one another. Fortunately my daughter was not injured, but the other person swerved and fell rather dramatically, maybe dislocating their shoulder or breaking their arm. They were screaming in agony. My daughter with others helped scoop her up on a trolley and took her to A&E, whereupon she had to leave her, as she was already late for a meeting with her consutant boss. My daughter then met up with her consultant boss and promptly burst into tears - she always feels guilty, even if it is not her fault. She has been plagued with guilt ever since, even though witnesses to the accident said the other person was looking behind them, just as they approached that rightangle, so there is no way my daughter should blame herself.
The second piece of news involved G, a very dear friend of mine who was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago in September and given a rough two-year life sentence. He texted to say he had been taken into hospital with shortness of breath and fluid on both lungs, as well as blood results getting worse. I am rooting for him to get better.
The third piece of news, also on Saturday was that my 93-year-old neighbour was taken into hospital again, only having been discharged a month ago, as she had a suspected deep vein thrombosis on her leg. She was in hospital all day for tests and x-rays. She was then sent home by ambulance transport at 1 am in the middle of the night. Who sends home in the middle of the night a 93-year-old who lives alone? I've been popping in to do more odd jobs for her. She remains amazing given her age and frailty.
The final piece of news on Sunday morning was that one of my birthday girl group (see here) - namely 91-year-old J - who was admitted to hospital last week, having slipped in the shower and banged her head, had taken a turn for the worst. She had aspirated overnight and now had pneumonia to add to the list. Sadly she died on Sunday afternoon.
I spent all weekend on my own, so it was hard to digest all that sad information happening all at once.
