1973 was a bit hazy, but I think that must have been the year I found myself in Westminster Hospital because I would have been living with Giles. My crafty body/mind realised that I needed a legitimate reason to let go when I was desperately trying to hold everything together. It gave me what I am convinced was a psychosomatic appendicitis. The pain was no more than a niggle I would normally have shrugged off. I drove to the hospital, parked in the street outside, and presented myself. I was given the then welcome diagnosis.
The surgeon who removed the allegedly offending organ expressed puzzlement when he told me that there had been a “slight lesion” but otherwise it was in good order.
A day or two after surgery an attractive young nurse bent over me and said that she was going off for a few days and that she hoped I would still be there when she returned. Perhaps I should have been flattered, but I was ambivalently relieved when I was transferred to a convalescent bed, I think in a different building.
Just five days after the operation I had had enough, and discharged myself after signing the document stating that this was against medical advice. My car was where I had left it, giving another reminder of how times have changed. Not only would the car not have escaped removal today, but I would have had to park in hospital grounds and paid a fortune for the privilege.
I drove across London to what was now Jackie’s door and asked her to look after me. She did. Sadly, only for a short time.
Ouchie .. and mine are still inside me… iis that good or bad .. !!
Good, I’d say, Ivor. Many thanks
That’s reassuring Derrick
Oh gosh, poor you, Derrick. What a sad time in your life! (Were the children with Jackie then?)
You must have been really been in need of rest and a break.
Yes, the children stayed with Jackie. I visited every weekend until I was able to have them stay over with me.
?
Thank you so very much, Merril
“A legitimate reason to let go when I was desperately trying to hold everything together” I could so relate.
I thought you might, Bridget. Many thanks for doing so
I was 7 when my appendix was removed, 68 yrs ago. I still remember the awful stomach ache leading up to it. The, 11 days in hospital in a children’s ward with many beds. Yes, times have changed and patients go home in a day, or so. Nice story, all of it.
Thanks very much, Steve
I was moved by your post. Such a sad time in your life.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
You have captured the sadness so well Derrick. My heart goes out to this part of you ?
Thank you so much, Val
Glad you recovered and that Jackie took pity on you in your hours of need. Looking forward to the chapter when you get back together. Have a lovely Remembrance Day.
Thanks very much, Pat. That is a long way off
Well, true love did eventually win out. Glad there is a happy ending.
I am looking forward to that, also. But I think there is a lot of life to get through before that happens.
You are right, Yvonne. Yet we have enjoyed another 12 years since then. Such is time. Thank you very much
I hear a chord: when I am most tense, or run off my feet, or anxious about the people I love, I revert to a vision of lying in a hospital bed where I can do nothing but succumb to being looked after. These days too they would probably have sent you home with your appendix intact.”Sadly, only for a short time.” Your cliffhangers are well placed.
Thank you so very much, Anne
Poor both of you. I believe we can make ourselves genuinely physically ill by being distressed about something, and quite rapidly too.
Yes, Susan. Thank you very much
I’m glad that your surgery was a success! Paying a fortune for the privilege is what happens when I leave my truck at the airport for a week… ?
I’m sure, John. Thanks very much
Such a difficult time, Derrick. We all have them in some shape or form. I’m glad you came through it, stronger and wiser no doubt, but also sans your appendix!
Thanks very much, Sandra
Our bodies often tell us when we need complete rest. Sometimes we listen, sometimes we don’t.
Yep
Thanks very much, Laurie
Jackie was there for you when you needed her. Sadly, there are times when we need to be apart from those we love.
Thank you so much, AnneMarie
Better to have taken it out when it was still healthy than not take it out and it ruptured.
Thanks very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
Aw. 🙁 What a tough time…in several ways. I feel for you. 🙁 So glad Jackie was there to care for you.
Yes, sometimes we are “forced” (in someway) to just let go.
The ending of this makes me sad. Even tho’ I know we are gonna’ get to a happy ending.
(((HUGS))) <3
PS…I had my appendix removed in 1981.
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
It sounds like a hard time for you both. I am glad Jackie took you in, even if it was only a short while. Your eventual reunion was one of those fairy tales come true. Referring to love, I think it was Joni Mitchell that said if you hold onto someone too tightly, they will run through your fingers like sand. Sometimes if one lets someone go and they come back of their own accord, then it was meant to be.
What a lovely reply, Lavinia.
Joni has a wonderful way with words. They touch the heart.
So true, Lavinia. It was love that gave me the strength. Thank you very much.
This was such a sad time in your life Derrick, a life that has had many periods of sadness and difficulty.
I suppose is has been a classic roller coaster, Clare. Thank you very much.
Though inconvenient, it’s good that you got a rest. Our bodies will only take so much stress before rebelling. I’m glad Jackie looked after you, if only for a short time. It’s like a foreshadowing of your reunion, though it took some time.
Thank you so much, JoAnna.
That was both pleasing and sad to read. As for the change in times, we have managed to complicate our live to the point of being irretrievably sick. And no, it can’t be attended to either like an irritant appendix.
Quite so, Uma. Thank you very much.
There is a heavy sadness in this post, Derrick. I’m sorry for these difficult years.
Thank you very much for your insight, Alys
I remember when I was with you nearly two year ago and you hinted at those times. But I never saw two people so content with each other. I was envious.
Thank you so much, John. “so content” is so right.
Such a black time for you.
Yes. Thanks a lot, Sue
Psychosomatic appendicitis is one for medical books, no doubt.
Yep. Thanks a lot, Dolly
Oh dear, you’ve got me hanging for the next episode…
Thanks a lot, Lindsey
Derrick, my goodness, the things that you have been through. It just boggles my mind. Hugs to you and Jackie and the kids. <3
Thank you so much, Jodie X
XO
Thanks a lot, Jodie X
Days spent in the hospital are always painful memories ?
Indeed, Ribana. Thank you very much
I am sure you are right that your body did that to you on purpose to force a rest upon you. Surgery seems drastic, but I think the times called for it.
Yes, indeed, Crystal. Thanks very much