30th March 2018

Leicestershire had snow and freezing temperatures from the 16th of March, which thwarted my attempts to dig over the vegetable allotment. Instead, I busied myself with cutting, stacking, and burning the wood I had collected over the summer. The once-huge pile of picture-framing wood I had bought on eBay was beginning to dwindle, and if this dreadful wintry weather didn’t relent soon, I would be forced to forage for more.

On the 18th, Sarah and Lee came to Harborough to see Charlotte, and afterwards Lee joined me on a clay pigeon shoot near Welford. On the journey there, the rural roads were treacherous, and many were choked with drifting snow. I must admit, I secretly hoped the shoot would be cancelled, but of course it was not. Only thunderstorms, it seems, are enough to bring such an event to a halt.

The shoot was held at the Outdoor Adventure Park near Welford. We eventually arrived, sliding and jolting along the rutted, muddy, snow-covered access road, and it soon became clear we were not the only ones mad enough to brave conditions that might have given even a polar bear pause for thought. Passing through a quarry, we spotted several 4x4s inching along tracks that could have been lifted straight from the Somme. Shortly afterwards, we crossed paths with a cavalcade of mud-splattered quad bikes. Though their riders seemed to be enjoying themselves, I knew better: in such temperatures, fun was impossible. Fingers and toes were surely being sacrificed in the name of camaraderie.

It was just Lee and me, together with a father and son duo from London, who had chosen to stand in a windswept field firing a twelve-bore at little clay discs. To test our resilience, we endured an hour in an unheated portacabin before our instructor completed his quad bike duties and joined us. The cold was punishing, as was the half-mile tramp through deep snow to the shooting field.

After the safety briefing and a few tips on how to achieve a good ‘kill’, we took turns shooting at clays launched at various angles. Ironically, two hares sat unconcerned in the corner of the field, nonchalantly scraping through the snow to nibble at the grass beneath.

Did I enjoy shattering little discs of clay? Yes, just. But I cannot recall being so cold in years, and I have no intention of repeating the experience, unless, perhaps, Mr Putin decides to send his troops over to test our British mettle.

Meanwhile, despite an increase in medication and a confirmed MRI date, it became painfully clear that Charlotte was not coping with the severe pain in her back. Something had to be done. After a family meeting, we agreed the best course was for Charlotte to go to the hospital, where her pain could be better managed and there might be a chance of securing an earlier MRI to identify the cause.

Charlotte was reluctant at first, but eventually consented, and late on the evening of the 21st, Sarah took her to Kettering Hospital. It proved to be the right decision. The doctors immediately recognised the seriousness of her condition, and she was admitted to the Acute Pain Ward. She underwent an MRI scan the following day, after which her medication was adjusted.

The scan revealed that the L5 and S1 discs had slipped and would not return to their proper position. She was referred to the Spinal Team for further assessment. The options included a spinal injection to shrink the discs; failing that, surgery would be required. She was moved to Barnwell Ward and, on the 28th, underwent a spinal injection under general anaesthetic.

While Charlotte has been in the hospital, Sue and I have been supporting Suraj by taking the boys to and from school and helping out wherever possible. Even so, the strain on him has been considerable. The situation has also taken its toll on the boys: both have been unwell, and Ellis even required a short stay in hospital with a high temperature and pain in his knee. Thankfully, they both seem well at present.

On the day of Charlotte’s operation, I took Lucas to the area cross-country competition at Wicksteed Park. Although he had consistently finished in the top three at previous events, this time he was much further down the field. It was evident that his mother’s illness had weighed heavily on him.

Charlotte had hoped to be discharged in time for Easter, but the physiotherapist wisely decided she should remain in hospital until she was able to walk and manage stairs unaided.

This has been an incredibly difficult period for the whole family. Watching Charlotte in such pain has been profoundly distressing. Anguish and sleepless nights have become the norm in recent weeks, and though we know this ordeal will eventually pass, it does not feel imminent. Her injury is likely life-changing. She may not be able to continue her gardening business, and no doubt other challenges lie ahead. For now, my greatest wish is simply that my eldest daughter might be free of pain and no longer dependent on the powerful, potentially addictive painkillers she has been prescribed.

On the 29th, we awoke to a miserable, damp and dreary day. Sue went to visit Charlotte before staying with the boys, giving Suraj a chance to do some much-needed shopping before seeing her himself. Meanwhile, I spent the morning repairing the posts supporting my grapevines and strengthening their framework.

When the battery in my electric screwdriver gave out, I decided to take my bicycle to Hall’s Cycles for a new chain, cartridge set and gears. The winter’s mud and snow had worn the moving parts down to the point where they slipped alarmingly, making cycling awkward and at times dangerous. With the bike seen to, I returned in the afternoon to continue work on the vines.

Partway through winter my carpentry, Sue rang to tell me that the hospital had gone into ‘meltdown’ due to a flu outbreak. Visiting was now limited to fifteen minutes, with patients only allowed to meet relatives in the corridors. I had planned to see Charlotte at 3 p.m. but decided against it, opting instead to finish my repairs. As if to punish that decision, the weather worsened, the drizzle I had been enduring hardening into a downpour. Soaked, chilled and thoroughly dispirited, I finally completed the job, drove home to change into dry clothes, and lit the wood burner for some much-needed warmth.

The rain continued through the night, and by morning the River Welland had breached its lower bank, flooding the field opposite. I had intended to plant onions that day, but after the previous day’s drenching, I chose to remain indoors. Instead, I spent the morning in my study, watching the river slowly subside despite intermittent showers, and put together a video of our recent trip to Cyprus.

After lunch, I went to see Charlotte, though I had to delay my visit by half an hour as a friend was already with her. To pass the time, I browsed my way around the shops in Kettering and, somewhat pointlessly, emerged with a packet of peanuts.

While I eventually got to see Charlotte, the physiotherapist arrived to take her for a session on climbing stairs. I decided to accompany her and observe. She undoubtedly found the exercise exhausting, and it was plain to me that she was still unsteady, particularly on the way down. To my great surprise, however, the physiotherapist declared the attempt satisfactory and deemed her ready for discharge.

Returning to the ward, Charlotte was delighted she could finally go home. A nurse quickly set about arranging the special equipment required for her transfer. Before long, we had accumulated three Zimmer frames, two commodes, and a sturdy shower seat, with more items promised for delivery later, an impressive arsenal of aids for negotiating a three-storey house.

While the nursing staff organised her medication, I loaded the equipment into my car and delivered it to Rothwell, much to Suraj’s surprise.

As expected, because it was Easter, there was the inevitable difficulty of getting the prescription filled, made worse by a junior doctor having completed it incorrectly. Poor Suraj was forced to make two trips to the chemist in Kettering: the first to discover the error, and the second to acquire and fulfil a corrected prescription. However, he succeeded, and a relieved Charlotte was able to return home with the correct medication.