Never underestimate the unexpected!

So following my last post an aweful lot has happened! Where to start?

A return trip to San Pedro in February ended disastrously with a phone call from my brother to say Dad had had a heart attack and was on his way to hospital! We flew home the next day and he had been stabilised but still in the Good Hope! Turns out he needed a couple of stents and after some rather farsical administration from the NHS he went to Heartlands and had them done. He was home a few days later and told he couldn't drive for four weeks and should rest up and take things easy!! Wrong thing to say to Mr B senior. He refused to take taxis and insisted on walking to the bus stop each time he wanted to go to Mere Green. He was duly christened SOS because of his obstinate attitude! (More of NHS later)!

So next disaster to strike was middle son (obviously) who was attacked in the mail box and had his jaw broken! We end up in A&E in the middle of the night at City hospital, then get moved to QE. All good so far except for the phone call by the A&E registrar to the QE about the transfer when it became apparent to me that he was reading off the wrong patients notes and not talking about my son at all!

So arrive at QE, time now 6am, immediately admitted and out in prep ward. He gets operated on that day and moved to a ward so visit him and find out he now has plates and screws in his jaw to hold it together! Whilst this is going on I am referred for an MRI scan on my prostate due to a slightly raised PSA.

Ed comes out and things settle for a week. I then get a phone call to summon me for a biopsy as there appears to be something showing up on the scan.

So in to Heartlands we go and the best description I can give of the procedure is a vacuum pipe is inserted up the rear passage and a long probe with scissors on the end goes up the inside  and there then proceeds several cuts each of which you can feel. Very undignified!
snipping begins! 20 snips later it's all over!

So back to work.

Then middle son gets infection in his jaw so back into QE for 2 days on drip with mention of plates coming out at a later date. So you with me so far? Ok so when Ed is readmitted through A&E at QE who were marvellous we experience second comedy admin of NHS. I leave him in A&E knowing which ward he is going to in order to fetch him some personal bits.

I arrive back at QE and check his ward, yes I have got it right. Arrive in ward and no one has heard of Edward Brain!! I question several times A&E info and main reception but they insist he isn't there. Whilst discussing this at the reception on the ward a nurse walking past overhears the conversation and says are you looking for Brian? No I said Edward. No only had one admission, young lad loads of tattoos called Brian. 

Let me see I say and sure enough there is Ed sat in bed with a sign above him saying - wait for it - 

"Brian Edwards"!!!!!

Hmmmmm, not impressed at this point. More later.
So what next? Oh yes I get the results of the MRI and as I expected it is cancer! So I get a date for a bone scan and escape to San Pedro to get my head round it all. Whilst in San Pedro I get a call from my cancer nurse to give me the "good news"! My bone scan is clear!
Sorry for my lack of enthusiasm I reply I haven't had mine yet! All goes quiet, sorry she says!
So get back and have said bone scan which involves a nuclear injection then another scan similar to MRI but not in a tube and herself was allowed in the room. Probably the only time I have been grateful for her endless prattling! ( Even if she did manage to throw the car park ticket in the bin just before we left which we had to go back and retrieve!) my life is never straight forward!
About a week later I get the call - bones are clear! I don't know whether to laugh or cry! Such a relief, so all now remains is to decide on the way forward, radiation or the knife?!
Anyway about the NHS!
I have been in most hospitals in the Birmingham area this year.
My overriding observation is one of excellence at the point of delivery overshadowed at times by administration of Fawlty Towers levels. Shame because the staff are doing a superb job of care but it doesn't hang together cohesively!
TO BE CONTINUED

So where's ya bin? I bin Hong Kong? No where's your wheely bin? I wheely bin Hong Kong!

Ok ok bit of poetic license, of course I haven't but it has been that busy it feels like it! After the last post went back to San Pedro and had an unbelievable week of sunshine and gorgeous food and wine as always. Some old haunts many new ones!
November and we were off to Mojacar for work reasons obviously! Lovely villa not too far up the hill so we could walk.
We also managed to fit in Rod Stewart in Sheffield and best of all Simply Red at the NEC. Now that is what you call a concert. A consummate professional but not shiny slick like Rod, more laid back and informal with the audience.
Then Crazy Christmas!
This year was very special as I had all my boys with me as well as my Dad and my brother. We looked a bit too macho for the Italian restaurant with just the 6 Brains round the table! It was a lovely day, great food but even better company - thank you boys love you all to bits.
Then Boxing Day drove to Woolacombe, stayed in a gorgeous apartment overlooking the beach, had a great meal with Gerald and Adam.  Went into Ifracombe the next day and had a look at the strange Damien Hirst statue -Verity! Hmmm not sure I get it. Then drove back to Brum.
Up next day and off To San Pedro. I had looked online and booked Ambrosia for NYE, bit unsure as it was an all inclusive price for meal drinks entertainment etc.
Wow what a pleasant shock! Miguel and his team treated us all to a regal feast, with no shortage of very good Vino! One of the best NYE's in Memory.
A lovely few relaxing days then back to work!
Been to San Pedro again in January with Dad, who enjoyed it this time and I think is slowly learning to enjoy the place again. Saw all his friends, ate a lot and finished the last day eating some gorgeous fish in a beach restaurant in t shirt watching the sea crash against the rocks! Can't beat it.
In between the trips phase 2 of the Studio project was completed and now the amazing bathroom (that all the contractors are taking pictures of), has been completed.
Bubbles are back!
So at weekend back to Mojacar then at end of March back to San Pedro for a week. Then off for usual weeks golf with the lads in Dunmore. 25th anniversary and possibly our last trip as a group.
As last year having a wind down in Malahide after the golf as her ladyship is flying out to join me.
So busy busy busy!
Where have I wheely bin?
I wheely bin all over!
Going back to work for a rest!