Tuesday 08/10/2009 to 20/10/2009 - Up to my neck in it

It all started back on the 15 September when my Granddaughter twin came back from holiday with Salmonella which is a type of bacteria and is usually found in poultry, eggs, unprocessed milk and in meat and water. It may also be carried by pets like turtles and birds. The diagnosis was confirmed by sampling her poo. However, the particular bacterium was “unclassified” which meant the doctors couldn’t confirm the origin. One Doctor suggested it might have come from Rabbit or Duck droppings from the holiday site. After seven days she improved, but then struck down with a complication which affected her urine – I spent four hours at the Children’s Hospital A&E (Heart Break Hotel) with her. It was obvious she was in a lot of pain. The Doctor needed a sample of her wee so I was following her around for an hour with a plastic tub (I was not alone with this one as many of the parents were doing the same – not easy). Once we got a sample it was quickly analysis and the correct antibiotic given. Two days later she was fine, then the other twin contracted the same Salmonella – seven days later and after the same complication antibiotics were given and she was up and running about again. Then their Farther Steve went down with the same Salmonella. He was really bad with it for seven days and still needed antibiotics to help him recover.

As I mentioned in my previous blog I had a phone call to take the first twin back to Heart Break Hotel as she was in terrible distress due to not having poo’d for two weeks! Another four hours in the A&E, medication was prescribed (did you know that a hospital doctors prescriptions can only be dispensed from a hospital pharmacy). Four days later and we are up to our necks in poo – but what a relief!!

I always believed that you could only contract Salmonella directly from the original source, but apparently not as I was next to get it. I have been to the toilet well over a hundred times and flushed at least 200 gallons of water in the seven days. I also lost 8lbs in weight. Still I didn’t have it as sever as my son Steve. I think this was because I had some immunity from a similar illness when working in Port Said – Egypt (contracted from drinking water (or non drinking water). It started during the drive from Port Said to Cairo at night. I just managed to make it back to the Sheraton Hotel where I spent one on the most miserable nights ever, drinking seven litres of water in six hours). Seven days later I had complications; the Salmonella had affected the protein in my body (the body being a complex chemistry set) and subsequently produced vast quantities of Uric acid. For all those who have suffered chronic gout will immediately recognise this acid and will loathe it. For three days I have been crawling around on my hands and knees as I could not even bear to stand on my feet! I have not slept for three nights. Apparently the pain is comparable with that of child birth – why do Women have kids I am wondering. In any case I feel as if I am now in a special club. The tablets I have been prescribed are very difficult to use as they cause sever indigestion if not taken correctly (I know, it happened to me).

As I write this I am on the mend and hoping to get out fishing this week – subject to permission from “The Special One”.

I do like to add a photo with each of my blogs and thought of using a picture of my burning red feet – but who wants to see them plus I like to keep to the subject matter, however, I found something just as scary!! Has anyone seen him recently?

Finally; I do like to use fellow anglers for jobs that are too big for me. I needed a new garage side door and used Paul Haines (pictured bottom right fishing Newbridge 2005) as he did a really great job on my Porch. One again he did not disappoint with a great price and excellent quality door and workmanship. Paul can be contacted on 07711363859.