It’s been a while since I last wrote a blog; actually 3 long months. Life can throw you curve balls, and I recently had one thrown at me. A bout of pneumonia saw me rushed to Exeter’s A&E, then onto Plymouth for surgery on my lungs. Recovery was going well until I picked up a secondary infection. Looking back I am in awe of the NHS. Plymouth were unable to help so contacted London’s Brompton hospital, who drove down to collect me and take me back to the capital. Being sedated in ICU I have no memory of the Brompton, only waking up back on home turf at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital.
Follow up appointments are on the horizon, and I will have a chance to thank the staff of each hospital for taking care of me. Free healthcare at the point of delivery is a gift from one of the UK’s greatest institutions, a gift that should not be taken for granted with each political change. I still struggle to believe the mighty efforts and specialist care I received. Now I’m in recovery and feeling stronger each day. After 2 months in hospital, including weeks asleep in ICU, physio is intense but worthwhile in getting moving again.
So it was an unintended break from writing, and now I’m slowly getting my head into gear to return to what I love. Keep watch for a recent interview I did on writing my debut. And after catching up on some loose ends, I will return to the Blood Gift Chronicles. The first loose end is a guest blog I did just before being admitted to hospital, including the first 500 words of Return of the Mantra. Click here. Thanks to friend and author, Jenny Kane, for having me.
In the meantime I feel thankful to the NHS, and to friends and family for their wonderful support; in particular to Kate who hasn’t left my side throughout. And I’m reflective. Since none of us know what’s around the corner, the saying, ‘don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today’ feels apt.
Wishing you a healthy, happy weekend!
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