Heavenly Beverley : Waiting...Waiting...Waiting...

Here we are again...back in the Mount Hospital for the second time in 2018. We have been coming to this private hospital for over seven years. Two shoulders, a wrist repair, two arthroscopies, ankle surgery, a carpal tunnel, a knee replacement and a partridge in a pear tree for me. Two shoulders, two carpel tunnels for Michael. He'd spread himself across other hospitals as well...Hollywood, Joondalup Private and an unforgettable stay at St John of God in 2014.

Michael's carpal tunnels in both his wrists need releasing again. This is the result of using his hands for his artwork and undertaking the lengthy renovation of the Forbes Building. This minor operation doesn't hold any fears for him; just a means to an end to relieve the numbness and pain he's had this year. I cheekily suggested that perhaps he could have both wrists done at once - the look of horror on his face was enough to convince me that was a Bridge Too Far.

We've had a wonderful few days with Callum and Bronwyn. Our grandcat Ragnar is as feral and regal as ever. Adored by the kids, his automatic response is to attack anyone else. He also has a habit of silently appearing on a chair right next to us, investigating what we are doing with his enormous blue eyes. The only times he was actually civil towards me was whilst I was preparing dinner and he liked the look of the ingredients.

This morning we were up at Sparrow Fart so Michael could have breakfast before enforced fasting began at seven o'clock. After that, he was allowed one sip of water an hour until admission at eleven. Having stated I was boarding with Michael on multiple occasions prior to his admission, this instance was still a complete mystery on the ward. Worse still, I was subjected to the Third Degree regarding the "overnightness" of his stay. Why were we staying in? LOTS of people from Beverley go home on the same day. When I reiterated we had been booked for overnight by the Boy Wonder, Sullivan's Hotel next door was suggested as an alternative. Tariff in the city on a pension, when we are paying private health insurance and I had informed the Mount of the circumstances...

Eventually, two cups of tea and a bit of soothing by other nurses saved my somewhat stunned demeanour. The only remaining issue was that, as of three-thirty, Michael was still waiting to go to the theatre. He hadn't slept well the previous night, so he was fairly comfortable just snoozing. At least his hunger wasn't an issue when he was asleep.

Phonecalls from both Vanessa and Callum broke up the boredom. Due to my own anxiety, any skill at unlocking Jumble Word went out the window. I was too distracted to try the crossword. *sigh*. And so, the afternoon wore on.

Eventually, Michael went to theatre at a quarter to five. A very long day thus far. As he was being ferried upstairs, the ward cleaning lady came to change the spare bed in the room, now that a very nice chap named Glen has gone home. That boosted my spirits immediately. I had a bed for the night!

Even better was to come. Back on the ward, Michael's nurse, the incomparable Cathy, organised me a glass of wine with my dinner. Oh, my giddy aunt! If they gave out Nobel Prizes for nurses, I'd nominate Cathy immediately.

Michael was wheeled back into the room at half past six. He was as high as a kite and very pleased with himself. I'd guarded his dinner with my life and fed him as soon as he was settled. He was delighted to eat again and thoroughly enjoyed his lamb shepherd's pie and vanilla pannacotta. I had mellowed with the vino arranged by our Nurse Superstar Cathy.

We are very close to signing off for the night. We are both bone weary. Sleep will hopefully come fairly easily. Tomorrow morning, we will get out of here as soon as we are able.

We have a Sundowner to run in three days!