Thursday 9 July 2009

Another Great British Summer…

…another blight on my life.

For over 20 years, I could never enjoy the sunshine* because summer was my busiest period (all the other French translators being away for ‘les grandes vacances’), then, when that work dried out and I was free again, the gods decided I should be preoccupied with health scares instead.

So here I find myself once again ‘under the doctor’, in front of X-ray machines and soon inside an MRI thingamabob, for symptoms that are making my life a misery. I used to be a hypochondriac, but not any longer. That’s what chronic ill health does for you.

Slapping the gods!

* of course, since I live in London and recently bought a new pair of sunglasses, the sunshine is most often replaced by torrential downpours, which, at least, are in tune with my mood. Trust me on this: going for tests and receiving bad news is worse when the sky is blue and the sun is shining.
It is one of the secrets of Nature in its mood of mockery that fine weather lays heavier weight on the mind and hearts of the depressed and the inwardly tormented than does a really bad day with dark rain sniveling continuously and sympathetically from a dirty sky. (Muriel Spark)

13 comments:

  1. J, do hope it all works out, and preferably before summer is done and gone. I hate MRIs.

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  2. Oh, I'm sorry. I hope they find whatever causes the pain and aggro. That's truly miserable.

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  3. Sorry to hear about your health problems.

    I generally find everything is more bearable and easier to cope with when the sun is shining - but then I'm a solar-powered person.

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  4. So do I, R. Thanks. I try to make the most of the odd sunny patch, but it’s not easy. I’ve never had an MRI before. I shudder at the thought whenever I see someone having one on TV, for instance. I’m actually having an open MRI so, with a bit of luck, I won’t want to tear off the restraints and rush out of the room screaming. Still… not a happy bunny. :-(

    Thanks very much, B. I hate ‘poor-me’ posts, but thought I should explain why I’ve been a bit elusive lately (on other people’s blogs, etc.)… just in case anyone missed me, LOL!

    Thanks, S. I miss the sun every single day of my life here (what on earth made me leave Nice), but I remember staggering out of the consultant’s practice – after being told I had cancer – into a ‘baking’ Harley Street and wishing passers-by would stop looking so happy and relaxed when I’d just been given the worst news ever. It was unbearable. So, I’m afraid I want grey skies next week.

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  5. I would slap the gods too, but I don't want to make them angry when I'd rather they give you an answer that is easily remedied. My fingers are crossed for you!

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  6. Bela

    I havent been on a certain website for awhile due to a parent and her poor health and I lost my job.

    I heard you had left and I wanted to tell you I miss your missives but am so glad you are here.

    Hope your health issues can be managed properly( I have had an MRI and it isnt the greatest experience but can tell so much)

    I will be checking here to see how you are.

    LindaM perfume lover

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  7. Very sorry to hear this.

    MRIs aren't too bad - just very noisy. My hospital lets you listen to music during them so take a favourite CD just in case because otherwise you'll be stuck with their selection (Clannad...)

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  8. lady jane grey20/07/2009, 22:48

    I hope you're well, Bela and you can enjoy all the sunshine of this summer.

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  9. Gosh I hope you'll be feeling better soon. I had a MRI a few yrs ago and one last year. They asked me if I was claustrophobic. I said not until you asked me. It's like airplane flights - boring and uncomfortable. The key is not to move. If you do, they make you repeat the whole thing.

    Be well!

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  10. I keep hitting your site, hoping and praying there will be a saucy update to this post. If it's bad weather you want, you should be here-raining so much, and when it is not raining it is so overcast it might as well be raining.

    Hoping for the best for you,

    Carole

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  11. I don't really blog anymore, but I think about you still.

    I hope that things go as well as they can for your health and for your happiness.

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  12. Thanks very much, Trina. :-)

    LindaM, I’m so sorry about what’s happened to you. I hope your parent’s health is better now and you’ve found another job. It must be so worrying for you.

    Thank you so much for your kind words. :-)

    GSE, I turned down the offer of music. I’m afraid music wouldn’t have made the experience more bearable for me. I’m not sure I would have been able to hear it anyway: the damn thing was so noisy!

    LJG, thank you very much. I’m going out as much as I can whenever there’s a ray of sunshine.

    I’m sorry, Carole: I wasn’t up to writing until a few days ago. The weather was suitably dark and rainy when all that stuff was going on.

    Thank you very much for your good wishes. :-)

    Dear TLP, I think of you too. You’ve been the source of so much fun. Thank you for that and thank you for your kind wishes. :-)

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  13. Sorry, Janey: I never received notification of your comment (it was hidden in the depths of Blogger).

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