Rocky road

28 June Wednesday

Not a good day emotionally yesterday for Rodney. The question 'How are you?' from the surgeon consultant Mr Healey on his rounds triggered a breakdown - a general feeling of helplessness. The other patients in the ward rallied round with offerings of apples, mandarins and agua con gas. One, John, just a young man, had a motorbike accident and has had his leg amputated above the knee.

Heavy rain going up on the bus. It wouldn't have been a pleasant drive. Yesterday Ruth, the microbiologist doctor, told Rodney that the cultures had identified the infecting bacteria s Streptococcus intermedius. Formerly known as Streptococcus anginosus or Streptococcus milleri is now composed of three distinct species: S anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus, and Streptococcus intermedius. During my visit she explained that now the bacteria had been identified she was fine tuning the antibiotic treatment, staring that evening. The treatment is two weeks of intravenous antibiotics - because the infection is deep-seated - and then oral for a further two weeks. St Vincent's has asked for a bed in Wexford Hospital as soon as it is available. At this stage it isn't clear how much longer Rodney will be in hospital.

I arrived at the hospital about 12.30 with yoghurts, pears, plums, prune juice and teas - earl Grey, green and jasmine. Rodney was having lunch - salmon - I kept him company eating my sandwiches. He asked me to bring nail scissors to cut his nails, so next was the manicure. Then we went for a walk along the corridor and met the nurse-in-charge, learning that work to get a bed for Rodney in Wexford Hospital was underway - Wexford have a patient needing to come to St Vincent's so it might happen, hopefully soon. Then it was back to bed for the intravenous antibiotic. He dropped off and I left him sleeping peacefully.

Shopping list for next time: lens cleaner for his glasses and strength 3 reading glasses.

Checked County Clare planning website. Decision date for Canal Bank is 20 July. Haven't felt like viewing further properties here. I feel that Killaloe is the place for us and when Canal Bank - if we get planning permission and all goes well - is the place for us.