8am.
Not the best start ever. After finally getting to sleep at 3am I was woken up to have my obs done at 5:30am. Even though I have my own room I’ve been really struggling to sleep and people who know me will know how grumpy I get when I do not get enough sleep (sorry Charlie). Even so, I tried to stay positive, freshening up with a shower before FaceTiming my boyfriend, friends and family. The time difference means that it’s later in the UK and US so the earlier I get up the more I get to talk to them which was the only plus side of the early wake up call. I am so lucky to have all the support I do and got a little boost in the form of a video Charlie made after roping in my friends to record little messages for me. It was the first time I’ve cried happy tears since being here so thank you for that. Thank you also to everyone who sent messages of support, Netflix and book recommendations. I feel overwhelmed and less lonely today which was needed. Because I was rushed into hospital, I was totally unprepared, meaning that I did not bring any shampoo or conditioner with me (gross, I know). Can I wash my hair with body soap or do hospitals have shampoo?! Does anyone work in hospitals and know any tricks of the trade – who do I have to befriend (apart from the tea and coffee lady). Help! At the moment I’m trying to detangle a mane of frizz!
9am.
Breakfast is my absolute fave meal of the day and normally I struggle to decide between toast or cereal but when you’re in hospital there’s no need to decide – just have both! I had cornflakes with full fat cream, jam on toast, a yoghurt, apple juice and of course… a cup of tea! (I’m seriously sick of the sight, smell and taste of it now). It’s the most I’ve eaten since being in hospital (and probably Australia) but I know it’s good because they are worried about me losing weight. When I was last admitted to hospital I dropped over a stone in two weeks and weighed less that 49kg (7.7stone) which was not healthy. I can confirm that my appetite is back with full force today though!
9:30am.
A visit from a doctor knocked my spirits slightly. After being admitted I was told they would probably keep me in for three days minimum. Now it’s looking as if it’s going to be another three days minimum from now. They tried to switch my intravenous steroids to oral ones yesterday but this was too soon and set me back to where I was before I came in. So I need to reintroduce the steroids through my cannula to then hopefully kickstart my admission. Let’s do this!
10am.
So many visitors this morning, aren’t I lucky! This time it was for a blood test (as though they needed anymore after 10 vials yesterday!?). It wasn’t that easy though… After poking and prodding me with various needles in multiple veins the nurse had to go and ask for assistance. I was overly dehydrated and lost a lot of blood so my veins were not playing ball this morning. I lay there ferociously pumping my hands into fists, willing the blood to follow suit. No luck. Another nurse. More needles. More pumping. Some tears and gritted teeth. Finally we are in! They managed to find a small vein in my hand and get the blood they needed. Phew. Just before I felt like I could have passed out. All this time I was having flashbacks to my time in hospital in London when it took 5 people (2, admittedly, were holding me down) to get a cannula in because, again, they couldn’t find a suitable vein. If I don’t have another blood test for a long while it will still be too soon. Now for a power nap because I feel like I’ve been sucked of all my energy (and blood).
11:30am.
I managed a short nap before someone came in to make up my bed. Literally, so much better than hostel housekeeping.
12:30pm.
Another visit from specialist doctor. He has contradicted earlier doctor and wants to keep me on oral steroids. I really don’t care what they do at this point, just so long as it helps me get better and get out of here.
1:30pm
Lunch time! Wooooooo. Definitely have my appetite back today. Which was good as lunch was actually super nice. I had roast turkey with mashed potato, roasted pumpkin and a cranberry gravy and then jelly and ice cream for dessert. It was like a Christmas dinner mixed with a children‘s birthday party! And guess what… a cup of tea too!
6pm.
So I pretty much napped all afternoon after starting a new series on Netflix – thanks to those who recommended ‘the Stranger’, I’m already hooked! Dinner was lasagna, my all time favourite home-cooked meal (hint hint for when I get home mum). Dessert was ice cream and jelly… again, there seems to be a recurring theme and then a coffee flavoured milk box! Not too bad if you ask me. Two cooked meals a day is more than I’ve been used to for the past few months. It’s basically a luxury!
Going to binge watch some more of ‘The Stranger’ and probably sleep some more. Fingers crossed it won’t be too long before I’m back in the sun- I can feel my tan fading already!
Annabel x
The Blonde Backpacker 