Way back in 1978 I turned up in London. Found lodgings with Chrissie and Tony. We’ve remained friends to this day. Tony called me Jacq-Jacq and their children and grandchildren still do. He sadly died during Covid. The most miserable zoom funeral ever. Chrissie is now downsizing to Chiswick and last night she held a last party in W11. The champagne flowed. The chatter. The laughter. The stories we swapped. Staggering up a zillion flights of stairs at 2:00 am I looked out over London and grinned. Love London.

As ever there’s a story a drama. One lady arrived in her tight leather trousers. Stilettos and perhaps it was the fizz or the leather or the shoes but whatever she slowly collapsed to the floor. Those nearest her sort of stared. Why did I get involved? Dunno. But someone had to. Got her on the floor. Feet above head. Opened front door for air. Sat with her til she came round. Turns out I knew her from way back. Had even had supper at her house. Poured her into her car with her poor husband looking panic struck. They’d refused paramedics. Back to the party I went. Good job you’re a doctor the various guests said … me ? Not me. I’m just a patient. Trained in dramas.

Meanwhile a calmer week in the care of the elderly despite the absence of district nurses who told me they would do TWOC for Dad Thursday. ( trial without catheter) but never showed up. OT the ‘will make an appointment soon’. Phoned GP to chase referrals re Dad’s sudden loss of sight. Oh yes they said but Northampton has 3 month waiting list for urgent eyes. Plan B tomorrow. This was all happening minutes before I was due to chair a meeting. 10:29 I spoke to mum. 10:30 I leapt onto the call. All smiles. Hoping I didn’t say optical when I meant urological.

As for me bladder is bonkers. We’ve diverted via the private lab in London on our way home, to leave yet another sample. Then I’ll use my last gentamicin and hope that one day phage or any other potion will get me fixed. I’ve been fortunate to be included on some phage emails. The clinicians maybe can talk to the researchers and maybe we could just try.