Now, where were we? A week last Thursday we moved the short distance to Hampton Bank where’s a handy lay-by right alongside the towpath.
Whixall Moss (Prees Branch) Junction.
The long straight across the moss.
Local sentry keeping an eye on things…
In the afternoon I collected an Enterprise hire car, then first thing Friday morning we were heading north for Yorkshire and another visit to Mags’ GP. I think I mentioned that the blood samples taken on the 5th indicate a possible return of the liver problems she had last autumn.
Anyhow, we were there in good time but it took a while and several attempts to get a blood sample, she’s not keen on parting with it…
Blood pressure, temperature a wee sample and weight all OK. so we set off back to Seyella in optimistic mood, only to have it shattered by a phone call that evening. The blood tests showed marked deterioration in Mags’ liver function and she needed urgent medical attention, go to A&E!
Of course, I’d taken the hire car back and here we were in the middle of very rural Shropshire.
Mags wouldn’t hear of an ambulance as she was feeling fine, so we set off for Ellesmere at sparrow’s fart on Saturday, met our indispensable and very obliging friends Val and John there who took us over to Wrexham to collect another hire car. It was a short trip from there to Wrexham Hospital.
Past Blake Mere
Ellesmere Tunnel.
We spent the day in A&E, with steadily increasingly qualified medics trying to obtain a blood sample from Mags’ veins, until a very apologetic doctor suggested trying to get some from the femoral vein in her groin.
Undignified and intrusive, he explained, but with almost 100% chance of success. By this time Mags was getting a little tetchy (we’d been there 9 hours and her arms and hands were looking like pincushions) and told him to “just bloody well get on with it!”
He was right, a good sample was recovered easily which went off to the lab. Ninety minutes later we were informed that Mags was to be admitted to stay in overnight.
Up in the ward two very nice nurses got her settled and the night duty doctor came toddling along with the blood test results and told us there was nothing to worry about, levels are a bit elevated but it’s not life-threatening. But she would stay in to see the consultant in the morning.
The upshot of this assessment was that she was discharged and I picked her up at just before ten on Sunday morning. So that was a total waste of time and effort.
We spoke to Mags GP early in the week and she’d been in touch with the surgeon who’d installed the stent which sorted out the problem last year. He didn’t want to get involved at this point as any further intervention would require surgery and we’re not there yet, so she’s now on a two-week course of antibiotics and we’ve registered as temporary patients at Ellesmere so we can deal with blood and urine tests without having to trail up to Yorkshire. So that’s where we stand at the moment.
All through this we’d been moored in Ellesmere on the arm, so last Thursday we untied and set off back to Hampton Bank.
A calm chilly morning on the Ellesmere Arm
Out onto the main line, with Beech House and the wharf on the right.
We stopped on the moorings near the winding hole at Hampton Bank, then on Friday moved the short distance under the bridge to moor alongside that convenient lay-by again.
Yesterday we had a delivery of smokeless, diesel and Calor gas from Richard and Ruth (Chamberlain Carrying Company) who are delivering up here by road until they get Hurleston Bottom Lock rebuilt. Then Mags’ son Howard turned up with friend Penny in tow to have lunch and spend the afternoon with us. Very pleasant.
Getting itchy feet again and despite the rather gloomy weather we moved off this morning, topping up with Welsh water at Bettisfield Bridge. We crossed the border just short of Clapping Gate Bridge, into the tongue of Wales know as The Maelor that extends down to Northwood. The canal crosses back into England half-way along the long straight across Whixall Moss.
Fuzzy picture of a cheeky magpie standing on a sheep’s head!
It’s that buzzard again…
I think we’re being stalked!
We turned around at the junction and moored in the open just this side. We’ll maybe stop here a couple of days before heading back towards Ellesmere.
Boats and buses; see none all day then they all arrive at once!
Locks 0, miles since last post, 15.
3 comments:
So sorry to hear that Mags had such a trying time in hospital :(
Good to know that they have checked her over thoroughly though :)
Please give Big Hugs to Mags from me please ;)
Was getting worried Geoff about the lack of a blog post and were shocked to hear of the 'emergency' regards Margaret's health. Although you say that it was all a waste of time, it's always good to know that everything is as ok as it can be. Please give Margaret hugs and kisses from us both. Stay well yourself too!
Well that was the week that was! Glad to hear that Mags is under control ( and her blood tests) hope she continues to improve.Cheers
Post a Comment