271. And into the New Year

I think we’re past firework displays reminding you it’s new year. In fact a whole week has passed so the best I can do is wish each of you a good, healthy and prosperous year ahead. I rather liked this: 

Maybe there’s a tinge of black humour (I know Dennis wouldn’t appreciate it) but that’s how it is. And, only a week into New Year and I’ve already had an MRI. I got a call Friday morning - could I come in tomorrow? Lorazepam? Check; Transport? Check. Yes of course, so Lisa kindly drove me (mildly stoned) for an 5pm MRI. It was done at St James’s Imaging Centre. Comfy chairs, hardly anyone there, so unlike the LGI’s bustling and overcrowded facilities. The young woman (micro bladed eyebrows, lashes a robin could happily perch on, immaculate skin (beginning to dislike her lol), nothing like a uniform on) who took my details took me through to the cannulating room where…nobody else. I’ve never been cannulated by someone in mufti before but I have to say she was the quickest!

Straight in for my MRI. I could keep my clothes on but remove my jewellery. Done. Quick word with the radiologist. “Let’s have a look at this lump on your neck.” Which one?? By now there are about a dozen of different shapes and sizes. Plus the ‘lump’ inside my throat that impedes swallowing but is probably psychological. He warmed to the one in my hairline that is by far the biggest now, tho it changes size frequently. 45 minutes lying absolutely still, trying to create music from the cacophony of thumps, screeches, squeaks and bangs and wondering how it is I can lie absolutely motionless for so long…and it was finished. The only blip came when a disconnected voice said “If you want to swallow, do it now please” to which I reply “what do you mean?” “Clear your throat or anything because after this it’s essential you don’t swallow.” I dutifully did a little cough and a swallow and thereafter obsessed about not swallowing. If he’d said nothing, I’d have been fine - I don’t think I’d swallowed up to then. Thank god for lorazepam because compulsive swallowing is part of my anxiety lol.

It turns out that was a neck MRI and I still have to go to my appointment at LGI on 27th to have my head/tumour done. Dammit, I was expecting to cancel.

This New Year’s Eve, by the way, was the first where my husband was not gently snoring and, for the first time since I don’t know when, I got a Happy New Year kiss and hug. I’d like to say it was the New Dennis but actually it was because the cat had woken him up and he got up to let Del out, forgetting about fireworks, so he couldn’t get back to sleep lol. And he STILL won’t let me have a middle aged, trained housecat to keep my company!

I’m not one for resolutions but, 8 days on, I’m doing quite well on my 1. Get washed and dressed even if you feel fatigued 2. Eat meals downstairs with Dennis 3. Don’t spend days in bed. I’m getting nowhere with 4. Tidy pockets of the bedroom till it is bearable. In fact, things are so bad that I cannot find 2 months supply of my medication which the pharmacy says I collected on 19th December. I am slowly going doolally now. I’m sure Dr T would issue another prescription but it’s the principle - and the fact that I swear I didn’t collect them, just dropped the prescription off. They are on or in none of my logical piles of mess! So I’m writing this rather than keep searching…