I thought I would share an update.
I had hoped I would have the procedure for the kidney stone I am suffering with yesterday, but by 3 pm, not all the ducks were in a row to let that happen. It was rebooked for tomorrow, and I was sent home.
By 9 pm, I was back in the hospital, in agony, again. I had not been given morphine to take home. It was a long night, with little sleep. Jacqueline stayed whilst I was again passed from pillar to post, but is now herself feeling ill, probably with fatigue.
The hope is that once I have ultrasound treatment tomorrow, things might get better.
Four thoughts.
Contrary to all your advice, I have written a blog post based on comments made about neoliberalism. I find it relaxing to write. This blog is my passion, vocation, or hobby, and crafting words is the art form I can do (sort of).
Given that, I have also been thinking in between the pain about what I really should be concentrating on now. Feeling frail concentrates the mind, and commenting on the politics of the neoliberal system seems less important than building narratives to replace it.
That said, don't expect too much at present. Even I admit this illness will take some getting over.
Finally, if I have not responded to a comment or email requesting an answer, it is because I don't feel able to do so right now. Apologies. I really am human.
Thanks for reading this post.
You can share this post on social media of your choice by clicking these icons:
There are links to this blog's glossary in the above post that explain technical terms used in it. Follow them for more explanations.
You can subscribe to this blog's daily email here.
And if you would like to support this blog you can, here:
Buy me a coffee!
” building narratives to replace it ‘
Tim Snyder, the historian, almost died from misdiagnosis in 2019. He did built a narrative to reform the American medical system, ‘Our Malady lessons in liberty and solidarity.’ If a govt is making people unhealthy, it is also making them unfree. He argues, for an American readership, making health care a human right is part of freedom.
You have already written about the NHS and politics of care but it backs up your point.
My best wishes to you and family.
Thanks
Thinking about you. Your words are an inspiration.
Look after yourself , let the younger generation do the actual fighting when the revolution comes next time
I may have to!
Thank you for the medical update. I’ve been checking 3 or 4 times a day hoping for this. It’s not good news, but any news is better than none when one is concerned. Thinking about you; hoping for good recovery, whatever that means. Best wishes.
Thank you
So, renal colic it was then. Your medical advisor will tell you, men who have experienced it, know something that matches the pain of childbirth.
Commiserations (and morphine) by the bucketful and best wishes for the ultrasound.
All good wishes to you and your family. Hope you feel better soon. Thank you for everything you do.
Thank you
Hope all goes well. Revolutions never start at the beginning of a heat wave, so you’re not needed immediately . This getting older lark is a bit shit, isn’t it, all sorts of odd intrusions in the old offal.
🙂
Richard, I am very sorry to hear about your problems and I hope they get resolved soon. However, it is important that you consider your health before everything else. Blogs and videos can wait. There will always be plenty to write about. Best wishes.
Thanks
Fingers crossed that you make a a full recovery and if writing helps you then, absolutely, carry on
Hope you’re keeping cool.
Craig
Hospital air con helps.
This too shall pass.
I have also had a kidney stone. I have realized what they are. Kidney stones are your forgiveness for all your sins, including those you have yet to commit.
Arise with renewed commitment.
Best wishes, looking forward to no longer being stoned.
Thanks 🙂
Good to see you can still crack a smile or two even if the real ones are still a bit harder than an emoji.
Being at least half a generation older than you, I feel inclined to offer you a little advice in return for all the good stuff I’ve had from you over the past couple of years or so. As I have aged I have found that my capacity for rapid recovery (from anything) has declined and I’ve learned that it’s a mistake to allow my frustration at not getting better as quickly as I expected to push me into going harder at whatever recovery programme I’ve adopted – that way further set backs usually result.
As your blogging etc is such an important and satisfying part part of your life, by all means indulge yourself but I hope Jacqueline will have recovered sufficiently from the inevitable shock and exhaustion to be able to persuade you not to overdo things.
Best wishes to the Murphy Quartet.
Thanks, Roger. Right now, and in pain, I get your point.
Sorry to hear of your setback, fingers crossed that everything gets sorted for tomorrow. Your health is the most important thing to worry about at the moment. Hope that Jacqueline is now feeling better as well.
All the very best wishes for your treatment and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Reading your wise words provides me with valuable distraction from any pains and discomforts so I am glad to hear that composing them provides relief for you. I just hope the necessity for that relief is soon over. Good wishes to you and your family.
Thanks
Take your time and rest. That doesn’t mean doing nothing, that means being more mindful of your limits and stop before them. If you want to write then do so, but stop if you feel tired, the world will still be here tomorrow.
Hope the operation goes smoothly and get well soon.
Thanks
get well soon, the revolution can wait a few weeks. In the meantime, I thought it might amuse you to know that my 34 year-old Son and I refer to you as ‘Uncle Wisdom’.
Do you want to tell my sons that?
Narratives to replace it please – whenever you can. I so appreciate that writing takes your mind off pain and medical issues needing to be solved. You and your family are a gift to humanity in these challenging times.
Thank you
Ouch! I had one of those a few years ago, quite unpleasant.
Looking on the bright side, I believe kidney stones are associated with men’s in their 40’s – perhaps genetics are on your side.
🙂
🙂
You are right – I am an old presentation, apparently.
‘Old presentation’ eh?
That’s almost as insulting as the condition of 35 years old first time mothers being called geriatric primagravida! 😀
Thank you for all you -including the rest of Team Murphy.
I hope you and your wife feel better and completely rested soon. And that Thomas can give the boot the boot!
It’s great for all of us that you love your blog writing.
It is my fix at the end of the day. I am getting so much more informed and more able to stand my ground on these topics.
It’s good to know you enjoy it but don’t overdo it.
Same goes for Jacqueline who sounds to have been a star.
She is a start.
But a knackered one tonight.
I wish you quick and full recovery.
Best wishes on a speedy recovery Richard. I hope that writing, or birding or whatever you are able to do will distract from the pain a bit. If it’s too much, perhaps watch some old feel-good movies. I think Local Hero would probably suit.
Good film.