October 2015, Manchester, London, Thornton-Cleveleys
“Every sickness has an alien quality, a feeling of invasion and loss of control that is evident in the language we use about it.” Siri Hustvedt
The lump had peeped out following a first and hysterical attempt at skiing on an indoor slope, ChillFactore at the Trafford Centre in Manchester. I spent most of my time like a water boatman beetle that had found itself upside down, legs flailing and unable to flip over.
You may think I'm exaggerating but the Health and Safety manager actually came on the piste and, after asking if I'd been skiing before,(teenage blushes) said I was a danger to myself and others (fair comment). My middle son, Dan and I laughed so much on the way to the car. Glad to see the back of the dangerous slippy place that made me dangerous. End of my skiing career.
Later that year my friend Sue and I went to London for the weekend. Mr Y was happy I was going away again to 'spend more time with your friends'
Sue and I were staying with my eldest son, Matt and his fiancée Katy. We had been really looking forward to it. We had been friends since our first babies were born. I wasn't feeling too good when we left home and continued to feel worse as the weekend wore on.
A bladder infection. I rarely take medicines. I bought some over-the-counter treatment.
I googled bladder infection cures. Result: drink lots of water and cranberry juice. No change. It was raging and all I wanted to do by the last day of our break was to lie in bed and sleep the pain away.
When I arrived home, Mr Y took me straight to the walk in centre and I was seen quite quickly. The nurse took one look at me, by this time, rather pasty-looking with a fever. She carried out a few tests and prescribed 'strong antibiotics' I was so relieved that there was something that would help me to get better.
Not had antibiotics for over 25 years. I stay away from medication if I can. As I was leaving the consultation room a fleeting thought passed through my mind. The lump on my left leg was now more swollen and red and hurt. Shall I ask her to look at the lump too? No it's busy, lots of needy patients waiting. I can pop along to my surgery. It's not an emergency.
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