A trip to A & E

About two hours ago I was writhing about in pain in hospital. Now I am fine.

To backtrack a bit, this evening Jack had a check up at the vet. He is doing really well and has put on a whole pound in weight. He had some blood tests to check how his kidneys are coping, and we set off home in good spirits. However my tummy was cramping a bit, on and off. Here's where I made my mistake; I ignored the pains and ate a hearty dinner of pasta with tomato and basil sauce. Almost immediately the pains got a lot worse until the pain was severe and constant. I thought that I knew what had happened - very occasionally my gut seems to get blocked and similar pain has ensued. I remember one time when I was at Vindolanda at Hadrian's Wall with my Mum and the boys about twelve years ago, and I had terrible stomach pains which really annoyed me because I had really looked forward to the day. 

So this evening I ran a hot bath and jumped in, that usually helps. But no, the pain got worse and my back was in agony too; I felt as if I was being stabbed with knives right through me. James (who had been cutting the grass) found me rolling around on the bathroom floor shouting for my Mum! It seems quite funny now but at the time I was actually very frightened so I obeyed James when he decided on a trip to A & E. I arrived in the (busy) waiting room doubled up and groaning - how embarrassing especially as the hospital is very near my place of work and I could have been spotted by a colleague or pupil! I didn't care at the time and soon some nurses came through with a wheelchair and I was taken into a consulting room. The pain was terrible but luckily nature took its course and I vomited copiously. The nurse was impressed - three full sick bowls! My gut was still sore but much better and by the time the doctor came to see me I knew that the worst was over. He was very friendly and I told him about Jamie being about to graduate. He said that he has been a doctor for ten years and has never stopped studying but he loves it. He thinks I was dehydrated and that I need to drink a lot more water during the day. So home we went, and it was such a pleasure not to be in pain! I feel a bit silly for going to hospital, but my stomach and back were in absolute agony. I will try to keep myself hydrated this summer!