Having picked up our turkey we spent several of the evening hours of Christmas Eve at Tameside General Hospital to get treatment for a very nasty rash on Noi's back which turned out to be shingles. We're hoping to have caught the outbreak early. It seems that treatment in the first 48 hours is key to a good recovery. On the up-side, the rash is irritating but generally free of pain, at least for the moment. Of course, we're hoping it stays that way, but the doc prescribed plenty of pain-killers, just in case.
This wasn't exactly an optimal way to spend the day, but there were several fortunate aspects to our unwanted experience: we had a bit of a wait to see the doctor, but it could have been a lot worse, and the hospital was warm and comfortable; we managed to find a pharmacy to obtain the medication prescribed open late at night and the service was friendly and obliging; there were no problems raised at all related to Noi's status as a foreigner, and hardly any forms to fill in.
Just after we arrived at the drop-in centre next to Accident & Emergency, a lady arrived with her two children. I think it was the younger of the two, a little girl, who wasn't too well, but she was keeping cheerful, obviously full of anticipation for Christmas Day. Her older brother was clearly doing his best to keep her entertained and her mum was a model of uncomplaining patience. Somehow or other they gave the impression of being quite content about the situation when you suspected it would have been very easy not to have been. A telling reminder of how you make your own happiness.
So for all who keep this festive season, here's hoping you create your fair share of peace and contentment, regardless of circumstance.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment