Wednesday

Morning.  What a lovely lot you all are; thank you so much for your kind and supportive comments yesterday.

It looks as if I will have time to write this blog.  Dad's likely to remain in hospital for a few days for tests and so on and I've cancelled pretty much all of the week so I can remain here.  I just have to pop home on Friday for a delivery that I can't cancel but will be back again.  Beth's staying over mine to keep an eye on things, bless her. 

Obviously, I can't discuss Dad too much.  It's not my story and he would hate it.  But I can have a mini rant about getting an unwanted guided tour of his local hospital when I tried to visit.

Thankfully, you can visit.  It's all hedged about with rules and regulations though - one hour a day, pre-booked over the internet, same person each day, a form to fill in each time you visit and they 'strongly encourage' a lateral flow test within the last twenty four hours.  I have the necessary - I stopped off at a chemist yesterday and picked up two boxes, enough fourteen tests.  I know there are clips online about how so I must access one and learn!

So I got there half an hour early, as asked, to find the ward and do the required covid stuff.  Don't start me on the parking; suffice it to say I found a slot eventually.  If that's that it is like when visiting is limited . . .
I sussed out what you have to do to pay and asked a nice, helpful volunteer where to go.  He directed me back out, along the road and in another entrance.  When I got there, dear me, no, I had to go back and  . . . etc.  I followed those instructions and found myself back with the nice, helpful volunteer!  He said he'd come with me so we went through the hospital this time.  Blimey, it's a whoppa of a place and very confusing! Around ten minutes later (no kidding) we arrived at the ACU ward and he left.  I went in but no Dad.  They were very nice, very helpful, sent me somewhere else but no Dad.  This happened about three times until someone thought to look up on the computer and it turned out he was still in A&E.   I was getting a bit stressed by this point.
It took me rather a long time to find my way back to A&E - their signage is not helpful - and yes, there he was.  However, no visiting in A&E!  Anyway, a lovely lady on the desk took the things I had brought (hearing aid batteries, reading glasses, etc) to Dad and we exchanged a few messages, I gave them some important paperwork and that was that.

I exchanged a few texts with Dad later.  He only has an old talk and text type phone so finds them very awkward to use.

I gather he is now in the ACU ward and I have a visit booked for today, before which I will do the lateral flow test.  At least I now know where to go (I think).  I also need to do a bit of food shopping and generally sort some things out.

And that is that!  Funny how quickly things can change, isn't it?  Anyway, have a lovely day and take care, everyone.  xx