Cardiology and Card Sharps

Today I was off to see Mum's cardiologist, with Mum, but acting as an extra pair of ears. Even better Laura is a specialist nurse in this field so I knew I could take the report back for her to digest and explain.

I was being allowed out on my own with Mrs Kirby today which was a little daunting - that car is too damn hi-tech for its own good at times.  I did ok though, no bumps and scrapes that I was aware of but I am still a bit confused by the handbrake which isn't a handbrake but a titchy lever!

So we got to St George's hospital easily thanks to some super instructions from some guy which meant we avoided all roadworks and found a place to park.  Mum's cardiologist is a lady, Dr Ariadne, and Mum struggles to hear her, particularly when she has taken her hearing aids out.

Mum suffers with leaky valves but amazingly shows no outward signs of doing so, the Doctor is amazed.  The Doctor has offered Mum surgery but at 87 she is adamant that she doesn't want to go there, so today she has suggested something else, a clip, which would still include a stay in hospital - Mum is not sure but I have told her not to dismiss it out of hand.  I will do as much research as I can and when we go back to Dr Ariadne in December she may have changed her mind.  Anyway apart from the sodium deficiency every other test was 'normal' - remarkably!!!

We stopped off on the way home to purchase one of those finger thingies that checks your heart rate so that Mum can keep an eye on it.  I showed her how to use it and it was 68.  Pretty good for a woman of 87 I would say, she is a walking phenomenon.

We were all off for a meze at Finnikas in the village this evening - this turned into something of a challenge when the electric went off in our neck of the woods so we were plunged into darkness and Philippos and Marina were trying to cook by candlelight and it was busy in there, I guess other holiday makers were affected by the outage and thought they would chance their arm in the village.  Then we had a shower of rain would you believe!!!  Fortunately the power outage was much shorter than they had anticipated so normal service resumed pretty quickly thank goodness.  It was an amazing meal and the chips were absolutely the best I have had anywhere, anytime, ever.

Tonight saw our annual Greenwood Road Residents Poker Challenge.  As usual Laura completely baffled the boys with her unusual and unorthodox play and as usual Laura was victorious in the first game.  She and I retired after the second game and left Mark and John to have one final challenge of this holiday.  The poker table and chips will be mothballed until next visit, hopefully next year!