13 January 2011

Lucy from Papworth hospital, kindly dropped in early this morning to readjust the respirator. Hopefully, when I try it  to night it will be a little more efficient. I must say I am extremely impressed with the service given by this particular hospital over what must be irritating little problems for them which, in a normal way, they would hope to be able to sort out over the telephone. When it comes to something as important as the respirator, when the life of the patient may depend upon it, they take the matter very seriously.

I must say, after 20 years, I am beginning to miss attending the Arbitration Club lunches, not only the Mother Club but also the various branches I attended from time to time. Whilst the weather is so cold Alice will not even countenance the idea of someone taking me in my wheelchair on the train to London. I had sort of pencilled in, in my mind., the possibility of attending the March lunch, hoping by then the weather will be considerably milder. However, as it happened I was speaking, on the telephone today, to the chairman of the Mother Club, Tim Reynolds, and he  told me that the whole Mother Club committee would very much like to come down, at some stage, and give me lunch. I was extremely touched that so many really busy people are prepared to spend, what will be in effect, the best part of the day, coming to me rather than the other way around.

This afternoon, two of ‘my lovely’s’ old friends, Bar. and Rosemary came to tea. Although tea was served in the breakfast room both of these dear ladies came and spend a little while with me in the study. I certainly appreciate a bit of company, from time to time, as I spend almost every day, from early morning until 10 o’clock, when it’s time to go to bed, in the same chair, unless, of course, I am off on some hospital appointment or other. I’m not complaining, ’my lovely’ does her best to make life interesting for me but it’s not easy. Thank heavens for this blog, at least, that gives me something to think about every day.

Speaking of which when ‘the girls’ asked me what I wrote in my blog I had to admit that it was eclectic, in other words anything that came to mind at the time, woven in and out of various medical updates. For example, today I came across a figure of speech which was totally unknown to me. I had in fact previously included this in the 16 October 2010 entry under the heading of  Some Interesting Definitions.

(The full list of these definitions can be found under anecdotes,) The figure of speech in question is  a paraprosdokian. and is used  where the  latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first  part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect, sometimes  producing an anticlimax i.e.

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.

To finish up I must give you access to 100 really historic photographs I received yesterday you will recognise many famous scenes and people from the past. An absolute treasure trove of memories. Erinnerungen (Memories).pps doctors (6 MB)

England won the first of the 20/20 cricket series, as a warm up for the 7 One Day International matches (50 overs each side) in a thrilling finish, by one run