A small triangular bed separates our land from that of the care home next door on Downton Lane. Concrete blocks and bricks have so far failed to deter their visitors from driving across this strip. This year, Jackie’s plantings of daffodils and primulas seem to have done the trick. There will be tulips to follow.
I have not ventured down this end of the back drive since my surgery. One of the benefits of driving to Milford on Sea is that we pass this display.
The purpose of our journey was to keep an emergency appointment with Dr Neil Moody-Jones at the GP surgery. As indicated yesterday, I had been unable to shake off what I had thought to be a virus. A thorough examination resulted in suspected diverticulitis – a consequence of constipation from codeine based medication.
Where else could one expect to be given an emergency appointment on the morning of the phone call, and walk out of the surgery with a prescription which was immediately translated to antibiotics at the pharmacy next door?
This evening I felt slightly better than last night. My choice of sick room dinner was scrambled egg and baked beans. Jackie had toast with hers.
No wonder that virus didn’t go away!! You two take care!
Many thanks, GP
Was the choice of neighbours coincidence or advance planning?
Hope your health is improving with the medication.
Coincidence – very few residents 🙂 Thanks very much, Quercus
🙂
So much on your plate these days, Derrick. Get well soon.
Thanks very much, Donna
As long as you are taking painkillers, you will probably suffer from constipation. Eat lots of fruit, especially dates and figs. Try high fibre bread with a fibre figure of at least five, preferably seven or more. Meat will make you worse and so will anything without lots of fibre in it.
Thanks very much, John. Interestingly, I’ve gone off bread
Rest and get better soon.
Thanks very much, Carol
Look after yourself. Best patch of daffodils so far.
Thanks very much, Dad
No wonder you didn’t get better … Whatever next? The beans will help 🙂
That’s why I chose beans, Pauline. Great minds again. Thanks very much X
Get well soon.
Thanks a lot, Rupali
Jackie’s daffodil solution is beautiful, Derrick! Glad that works.
I hope you will be feeling better soon, and be up and about. 🙂
Many thanks, Lavinia. Sam is coming from Oz today, so I’d better be 🙂
It’s fortunate you were able to see someone so quickly, Derrick. I hope you’re feeling better soon. I hope the sight of daffodils cheered you up. I enjoyed seeing yours. We have a few that are beginning to poke their way out of the ground–which today is covered in snow.
Thanks very much, Merril. It was good to see that particular host of golden daffodils
Oh so sorry – and hope you feel better soon – the daffodils look great and the tulips are a nice thing to follow
Thanks very much, Prior
Glad you got that sorted, Derrick. Feel better soon. Jackie is clever with the flowers as a deterrent. Who would drive over such a beautiful display?
Thanks very much, Sylvia
Lovely splash of colour! Hope you’re feeling better soon Derrick.
Thanks very much, Sheree
Oh, gosh! Glad you were seen quickly.
Had I still been in London it would have been a different story. We are so fortunate here. Many thanks, Laurie
It’s good that you’re feeling a bit better. It can take some time to sort things out when side-effects make their appearance. I’d say those flowers as a traffic deterrent are perfect. They may provide a side effect or two of their own — perhaps someone will take not of them, and smile.
Thanks very much, Linda. Hopefully
Codeine is dangerous stuff. I am glad that you have got an antidote.
Many thanks, Tootlepedal.
At least you now know what’s wrong. I dare say that’s gone quite a long way toward helping you feel better. Hopefully the antibiotics will work quickly. Along with some other (unsolicited) advice above, I’ll just say “live yoghurt”. 🙂 Hope you feel better soon. And – those daffs are lovely. What a great idea.
Very many thanks, Val. All advice gratefully received
I’ve been down that road with the complications from painkillers. Doctor’s need to tell their patients they need to take stool softeners while on those drugs. Sorry if that’s TMI, but I found out the hard way…it was horrible. I hope you feel better soon, Derrick xo
I did take those softeners, Jill, but they weren’t a great deal of help. Thanks very much
Lovely flower bed, Derrick. I sure hope that you continue to feel better!
Thanks very much, Becky
You’re very welcome!
I am glad to hear that you are feeling better.
Thanks very much, Sylvie
🙂
Gosh I hope you’re back to feeling good soon. Getting a glimpse of those flowers very day can’t hurt!
Thanks very much, Lisa. The garden does help
I’m glad you’re starting to feel better. Those codeine based medications can be tricky. Drink lots of juice and water. Sending healing energy.
Many thanks, JoAnna. The doc agrees with you
Scrambled eggs and beans is great comfort food!
Quite. Thanks a lot, Andrew
Oh, I’m so glad you know now what has been going on…and you have my prayers and best wishes to get well soon!
Your dinner sounds like a good meal for your tummy and ’tis comforting food.
Jackie’s flowers are so cheery and summer-sunshine-y! 🙂
(((HUGS)))
Very many thanks, Carolyn X
Sorry to hear the additional bad news – if i’m not wrong that’s the 3rd of your scheduled bad news trifecta? (Although i suppose really your knee operation was ‘good’ news?) 😉
Hope the anti-b’s do the trick and you’re soon enjoying long walks.
Seems there are 2 distinctly separate diets for initially treating diverticulitis and ensuring you don’t get a recurrence. Don’t confuse the two!
Has the Doc booked you in for any scans?
Love Jackie’s car problem solution – A beautiful display! 🙂
Thanks very much, Bob. Actually the diverticulitis is a repetition of what happened with the last knee replacement. Obviously compounded by my other symptoms. He is a very thorough GP and he didn’t suggest any scans.
If you’ve had it before then it’s likely to be the same thing – the diverticula do not go away, they hopefully just don’t get inflamed (very often!) . The scan is just usually done once to confirm. 🙂
My hats off to you for continuing your blog, which I always look forward to. I haven’t been able to do mine. Take care and get well.
Thanks very much for that encouragement, Sherry. I’m sorry you haven’t been able to work on your own blog
I’m sorry to hear that your recovery has been a bit complicated, Derrick, but glad that you’re feeling a little better. And the power of flowers! That was a great way to save that little divider, and beautiful.
Very many thanks, Diana
Derrick, I’m happy that you’ve learned the cause of your recent malaise. Unfortunately, our pain relief medications do come with undesirable side effects.
Love the bed of daffodils 🙂
Very many thanks, Rosaliene
Avoid peas! Get well soon Derrick. In all areas you’ve been through the mill lately.
Very many thanks, Sue
Jackie has the best ideas! I hope they continue to work as a deterrent.
Continued best wishes for a speedy recovery. I will also recommend lots and lots of water. My husband had a bad reaction to codeine as well, though it doesn’t appear to affect me.
Thanks very much, Clare
Ohhh, I had that a few times … it’s NOT fun! … usually when I’ve been on opiate-based painkillers, which is why I avoid them if at all possible these days. May your bowel flow freely as soon as possible.
Love the daffs. Great solution by the Head Gardener! 🙂
Very many thanks, Widders. I am grateful for such solidarity. Enough to put you off surgery for life.
Have you not tried a poached egg on baked beans? Absolutely fabulous. .
I’m sure. Thanks, Brian. I’ll try it
Beware of viruses. They can be very powerful.
So I have discovered, Micheline. Many thanks
Be very careful. I hope your mother is well.
Mum is settling in well to her care home. We are optimistic
I’m glad to hear she is fine. At her age, one may feel insecure. 🌹
Indeed