A cruise to the Amazon was Susan’s Christmas present. Sadly, from the 28th of December onwards, both Sue and I became very unwell, and on the 3rd of January, we had no choice but to cancel the trip after Sue’s GP strongly advised against travelling. In truth, we had resigned ourselves to this decision days earlier, but we needed medical confirmation and documentation to support it.

After the family left Willow Bank on the 28th, following our Christmas celebrations, things deteriorated rapidly. Sue’s pre-Christmas pneumonia began to resurface, and I developed severe abdominal pain from what had started as mild bowel twinges. By New Year’s Eve, we were both either bedridden or slumped on the sofa, growing weaker by the hour. Although we managed to keep hydrated, neither of us had eaten for several days. By midday, I was struggling badly, and Sue appeared even worse. With the local radio reporting ambulance delays of three to four hours, I called Charlotte to take her mother to the hospital, as I was in no state to drive. Once they left, I collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep.

The hospital was overwhelmed, as widely reported in the news. Ambulances queued for hours to offload patients, corridors were lined with stretchers, and A&E was at full capacity. Sue’s condition was quickly recognised as serious: she was placed on a drip with antibiotics, and X-rays confirmed her pneumonia had returned.

With no beds available, she was prescribed stronger, more specialised antibiotics and prepared for discharge. Unfortunately, it was late in the evening, and no pharmacies, not even the hospital’s, were open. To complicate matters, the medication could take up to two days to source. A new prescription was written, and the tablets were eventually obtained from one of the wards. Charlotte and Sue returned to Willow Bank around midnight, utterly exhausted. Charlotte stayed the night.

On New Year’s Day, Charlotte woke me at 7 am and took me to the walk-in centre in Corby. We arrived as it opened at 8 am and joined the back of a long queue. Thankfully, I was seen quickly; it was clear to the triage nurse that I was more unwell than most others waiting. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis and prescribed antibiotics. After collecting the medication in Market Harborough, Charlotte tucked us both into bed before heading home. The following days passed in a blur of sleep.

We kept the family away to avoid spreading infection. Even so, I caught a milder version of Sue’s illness, which added a chesty cough, a streaming nose, and profound fatigue to my existing symptoms. Charlotte has since succumbed to the flu herself, needing antibiotics after two GP visits, and little Lucas has also been struck down.

When I saw my GP the day after cancelling the cruise, I was told that earlier tests had also revealed a urinary infection. More antibiotics were prescribed, and these brought immediate relief, restoring my appetite and energy. Sue, meanwhile, remained in limbo, not deteriorating, but not improving either. Our friend Doreen kindly delivered homemade soups to the doorstep, carefully avoiding contact with the “plague-ridden.”

A rare trip to Tesco for milk led me to the ready-meal aisle, a revelation. Small, tasty meals, ready in minutes, proved a godsend, sparing me the effort of cooking. Long live the ready meal!

By the 10th of January, I was beginning to feel like myself again, albeit weak and fragile. Sue showed glimmers of improvement too, but this hope was dashed when her GP, after an appointment, instructed me to take her straight to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester for specialist care.

Parking was difficult, and by the time we reached the CDU department, it was clear how much Sue was struggling. The unit was overcrowded. After checking in, Sue found a seat while I waited in the corridor. Periodically, I checked on her, but the queue of patients seemed endless. Tests were eventually carried out, though the backlog meant hours of waiting for results. Sandwiches and drinks were at least distributed regularly, which helped those able to eat.

By 2:30 pm, with no update and my next dose of antibiotics overdue, I told the staff I needed to return home. They provided me with a direct number for updates. At 7:30 pm, Lee brought Sue home: she had been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis on top of her pneumonia, and prescribed steroids. The poor woman now rattles with every move!

On the bright side, dosed up with tablets, we are both gradually improving. On the 12th of January, I saw my GP for blood test results, and was relieved they came back clear. A precautionary urine sample also showed no infection. For now, at least, no more appointments or prescriptions. Sue’s chest is finally beginning to clear, and coughing is less painful. Fingers crossed things continue to improve.

Other News: Uncle Stanley’s condition deteriorated while he was awaiting respite care, and he had to be admitted to Salford Royal Hospital. Although he initially improved, he remains there as his home is no longer suitable for his return. Plans to discharge him to a care home have been delayed following a further decline in his condition.

We had taken out insurance for our cancelled cruise and are currently waiting for an invoice from the cruise company to confirm the cancellation. The GP completed the necessary medical form promptly (for a £50 fee), and all other supporting documents are ready. Hopefully, the reimbursement process will be straightforward, fingers crossed!

Jamie and Ashton spent New Year’s Eve at a London hotel, dining at the exclusive Oxford Tower. Unfortunately, they began celebrating a little too early and somehow managed to miss the fireworks along the Thames. They intend to try again next year, determined to make it to midnight this time.

Mia now has a dog walker while Sarah and Lee are working. Earlier this week, she went out for the first time, joined by two new companions, a Beagle and an Alsatian. From the photos and video Sarah sent via Messenger, it’s clear that Mia is thoroughly enjoying her new routine.