What's a Normal Week?

It feels like a lifetime ago that the family were all here although it's actually only been three weeks. We all had a lovely time and Gila and I even went wedding dress shopping with Tali. Very special. My cousins and some of their children and grandchildren came on various days over the three weeks so although we didn't go out much we were all kept busy. It was so lovely to spend time together and for my parents and our children to see where and how we live. As hard as it was to say goodbye we already have dates in the diary for them to come back, Ben and Tali in August for a wedding and Mum and Dad in September for the Jewish holidays. They are amazing. We also hope to be back in the UK for a week in August - covid restrictions permitting!

There is nothing I like better than a summer of sport, but with Tokyo 11 hours ahead of us I'm not sure how much of the Olympics we'll be able to watch live. We've enjoyed cricket and tennis, but of course the highlight has been Euro 2020. We watched the England matches with friends, swapping between our homes, and I hung the nearest thing I could find to the flag of St Georges on our front door. Malcolm doing what he does best when he watches football!

I have bought some fabulous new tiles for my mosaic and Malcolm took part in a Zoom play. He also managed to fit in a 3 day trip to the UK to visit his Mother in Manchester. Arriving on Sunday and leaving on Wednesday he had to take his day 2 PCR test on the Tuesday - and his PCR to allow him to fly back also on Tuesday - 2 hrs later. Truly the world is crazy.

And so to the low point of the month. Sunday, a week ago, we went to Ashdod with friends. Forgetting it was jellyfish season I went for a quick dip in the sea. Within minutes I felt the searing pain of a jellyfish sting and only after saw a huge jellyfish. On a scale of 1 - 10 pain wise ( as they say in hospital) I would give it a 12. We went to a pharmacy for some cream, but managed to continue with our evening. Although it was painful it didn't look too bad at that stage.

By lunchtime the next day, although the pain had subsided significantly, my leg had become red and swollen and the stings had started to blister. It's lucky that we know where the A&E is in Netanya isn't it!!! The Hebrew for jellyfish is Medusa and I had to repeat it with each person I saw as no one could believe it had caused so much damage. I was seen by a nurse immediately who called in a colleague. We were then immediately seen by a doctor who took some photos and arranged for me to put on an IV antibiotic drip. While sitting there a number of passing staff asked permission to take pictures of my leg. The doctor returned and explained that I would need several days of IV antibiotics and would I be interested in 'Hospital at Home' rather than being admitted. It is covered by the healthcare system and would involve nurses and doctors visiting me at home every day. Obviously I jumped at the opportunity - well not literally. Before I had left the hospital that evening I had had a call from the service confirming that a nurse would be with me by 9 the next morning. So on Tuesday I had a visit from a nurse, morning and evening, and from a doctor at lunchtime, each of whom gave me IV antibiotics. In addition, the doctor prescribed me oral antibiotics and an antibiotic cream. She wasn't happy after a day so she prescribed something we had never seen before. It is a self pumping 24 hour IV drip. It doesn't need to be raised as it automatically pumps a drip into the line every second. I could carry it around and even take it to bed with me! Brilliant and it meant I was getting antibiotics continuously. Sitting with my leg up was tedious, but at least I had a good supply of jigsaws to do. Anyway to cut what is becoming too long a story short, after a week on a drip, the swelling went down as did the redness and with the stings themselves becoming paler I was discharged today from the Home Hospital. I'm still on two different oral antibiotics for another week, but am completely mobile and can get back to doing all the things I enjoy - well almost. No swimming in the pool until I see a plastic surgeon next week. Not for surgery, but for for advice on how to deal with the skin damage. Apparently a jellyfish sting is like a chemical burn. Who knew!

I have not included pictures of my leg as they are not suitable for polite society. And to preempt some of your questions:-

- No I didn't notice any jellyfish on the beach - as people helpfully asked, sending me their pictures - I wouldn't have gone in if I had.

- Yes they are massive but I didn't see it coming. Jellyfish don't attack you they just get swept against you by the tide. As one of the boys said ' Be thankful it wasn't a shark'

- No Malcolm didn't wee on it. It's an old wives tale and can make it much worse

- No I didn't put vinegar on it. Apparently the type of vinegar you should use depends on the type of jellyfish - another who knew - so best stick to conventional methods.

It didn't stop us enjoying the football although having my only alcohol for the final was perhaps not the best idea. With us being two hours ahead I struggled to stay awake during extra time. I'm still glad I managed it despite the result!

Zooming with friends in America last night, after Malcolm had finished telling the jelly fish saga, Glen asked 'Have you guys had a normal week in the last year and a half?'

Do I need to answer that question?