The skin on my hands feels taut due to too much handwashing before entering Estuary ward. That's where mum is. Estuary ward. What a ridiculous name for a place filled with grey faced older women. Mum though, despite her kidney infection, looks well. These ailments of hers are leaving me drained to the point of exhaustion but but but we'll gather our laurels and get through this..

She's been a patient since last Friday when, on the advice from her GP, I took her to A & E where they asked lots of questions while thumbing through the faxed letter from her doctor, the very eloquent and charming Spaniard Dr Bajen.

And so...after a lot of disbelief mum finally agreed to go in...First to Acute Medical Unit 1 then along the bleached dreary mazelike corridors to the ward, which is painted yellow with insipid watery green curtains hanging tired from the high track.

Tests. Blood transfusions and drips. The whole medicine cabinet thrown down her neck. And still she has the temerity to give grief to the ward manager and HCA's by asking when she can go home.

No definitive answer. As you'd expect. And, as you'd expect, every one of the staff treating mum and the other old ladies with kindness and a firm hand.

I loathe Costa coffee because that's where I sit between visiting hours, makes sense you see on account of there being only ninety minutes between shifts. 2:30 till 4:30 and 6 till 8. Might aswell hang out in the coffee shop with a book and homemade sandwich, I couldn't and wouldn't pay £3 for a cheese sandwich so i take my own. Or. Enjoy a Marks and Spencer treats delivered by hand by my darling friend the ever so astounding Mr Hairy. It feels so good knowing I can rely on him in my hours days months of need. No questions asked, no thanks required, just good solid shoulders and a heart to match.

I'm going to bed now. It's been an ache of a day.

But after breakfast tomorrow, I'll make my face up, pour myself into something sensibly gorgeous have a sausage with Hairy then with my heart and tum filled head out once again to Estuary ward.


By the way I loved The X Factor  but was devastated beyond repair when Rylan lost out, I really enjoyed his theatricals, couldn't sing very well but entertained me no end:)