On this mild day, I finally got a proper medical examination and diagnosis of my ails and two problems are now being dealt with but a visit to see a specialist is advised for my urinary tract problems. This before hearing of Diana’s problems with me being around and also helping my cleaner with her past employment issues and managing some little activity before regressing to my bed coughing after some much appreciated, but poorly cooked, fish. A horrific ‘Clockwork Orange’-type assault of the vicar of Ealing and rape of his daughter disgusts everyone, The London Metal Exchange no longer exists to trade Tin and Vickers are bought out by management but there is little hope of Leyland being allowed to be saved likewise
Awake feeling fragile, but a bit better. I had slept well and was not coughing at first or feeling hot and uncomfortable. I forwent the paper and got up with slow determination, washed, shaved, bathed and dressed so as to be ready for the trip to the Doctor. Di got the car ready, loaded up Della, and off we went. I had taken some drawing pads and pencil and Di some reading books to keep her happy. We arrived a little late and were soon seen by Dr Swainsco. I explained the problems and then Di launched into a statement of how it was ridiculous that I had been ill for three weeks, which was quite true. He called for the results of my urine test (which should have been to hand) and examined my back with a stethoscope for chest congestion. The outcome was as I expected – two separate illnesses, the first, acute urinary tract infection (which was eventually cleared up by the antibacterial tablets) and a chest infection, for which he prescribed yet another treatment of antibiotics - oxytetracycline 250mg. But, as men are ‘not supposed to get’ urinary infections, he also prescribed a visit to a specialist for ultrasonic investigation.
As far as I can see the implication is that something is wrong with my kidneys, a stone or something else. For years I have felt that my waterworks were poor (ever since childhood) and often thought I was consuming kidney health during my engrossing business career & education. Anyway, happy to see the thing in hand and in good spirit home. Started my tablets and relaxed in the sitting room, reading mail etc., whilst Di did some more shopping. Lunch on her return of mushroom soup and bread, apple crumble & ice cream to follow and back to my post. Joan came in to ask after my health and then confided in me a long story about her previous job, the unjust nature of her dismissal and her progress to date in resolving it. I had advised her before and was happy to do so again, drawing on my experience of employment law. She should succeed in a tribunal next month by my reckoning and I agreed to look over the papers on Monday. Tea of smoked salmon salad, as I had requested, and Di had provided. Poor thing, she always expects to get the food wrong and this time the smoked salmon was obviously dry with curled edges, but this time I said nothing! My appetite in taste, if not quantity, has not been diminished by illness and my partiality for fish (being, I think, good for convalescence) is not easily satisfied by someone repelled by the breed. After, I was increasingly week and reverting to coughing uncontrollably and so retired to bed. Took several hours and into the night to stop. Watched television for most of the time and again critical of some of the more prejudicial of them. Before sleep, chatted to Di at length and heard of her fears and tensions that lead to her headaches. Prime amongst them is me! Now being home (and even without illness, housebuilding and the like) she was previously used to going out at will and not worrying about my ‘disapprovals.’ I can see her reason and will try to ameliorate it, but I am not planning to go to work again! With kind thoughts and much peace to sleep and less torment from illness than hitherto. The news today was of a horrific rape and assault that took place at a vicarage. Three intruders beat up the Vicar and a young man, leaving them with severe head injuries and then raped his daughter. Sound descriptions give the police some hope of apprehending them, but what a decline in our civilisation has seen this trend. Orwell’s 1984 and later films such as ‘Clockwork Orange’ foresaw this ugly trend and I am confirmed in the wisdom of our house security measures. The London Tin agreement now seems beyond salvation and the London Metal Exchange ceases trading. Members were unable to agree on its reference and much legal recrimination will ensue. A management buyout at Vickers Shipyard has been approved by government instead of a takeover by Trafalgar House. This gives some hope of a change of mind over Land Rover, but we shall see. England test team slump against the West Indies in their first innings of the second test in Trinidad. This after a comeback by Gower and Lamb. I had listened to play on the radio for much of the day. The weather mild today and better forecast for tomorrow, but no building work took place today.