Purpletigron

Today has mostly been about sleep, work and Mater.

I am excessively tired, but about to go to bed and do something about that.

Work was reasonably productive today - I got to write to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, anyhow.

Averted crisis at hospital with sterling work of Staff Nurse and physiotherapists, who told misguided doctor that Mater would definitely NOT be safe if discharged back to her flat ... finally on the waiting list for the next available female bed at an appropriate rehabilitation hospital.

Took me 3.5 hours to travel and spend 1 hr visiting Mater. Le sigh - probably can't manage that again tomorrow ... especially not as I need to buy her some bits and pieces.

I am eating some very tasty home-made smoked paprika salsa, thanks to G. Wong! is delightedly being bashed about by Boof! too.

I am feeling slightly better today.

The Flooger seems to feel almost back to normal, and quite content - he's going for a blood glucose check-up tomorrow.

The Wong! did a serious double-take when the strange smelly fluffy black and white cat walked straight past his back end just now!

Just had a telephone consultation with one of the GPs at the joint practice where I am registered.

I first reassured the doc that my 'flu-like symptoms have been continuous since January, and I've not knowingly been in a chain of contact reaching Mexico.

The doc encouraged me to carry on resting, going for daily gentle walks, eating well, sleeping properly etc. But we've agreed to review my vitamin B12 and homocysteine status along with my regular thyroid review this month. Reasoning: (1) I've been taking high-dose oral vitamin B12 for 6+ months since I got bottom-end serum B12 and 10%-above-top-end homocysteine readings; (2) pernicious anaemia runs in my family, and my cousin needs B12 injections 4 times per year; (3) vitamin B12 problems can contribute to a wide range of other conditions before overt p.a. manifests; (4) none of the other blood tests we tried showed anything abnormal.

ETA Doc also thinks that echinacea is (a) proven helpful and (b) unlikely to cause problems for auto-immune conditions, but is doing some more reading up to check that - ETA2 Can anyone access the text of this: "Alternative remedies may activate autoimmune disorders." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15551470

Am at home with fuzzy nurses and t'Intanetz inc. Pete Seeger Last.fm - Wong! still in hiding, Boof! relaxing.

X DW-> LJ