Three nights, all expenses paid trip ....

...to the Cumbrian Hospital. Monday night Dennis was in intense abdominal pain and decided we should go to the hospital. After some tests they suspected gallstones. The next morning an ultrasound confirmed the preliminary diagnosis of gallstones. Each day they kept saying they wanted him to stay one more day for more blood work due to high white cell count and fever. By day 2 Dennis was feeling just fine and ready to move on with his week. Today, day 3, he likened the feeling to a caged animal. He bargained with the doc by offering to take oral antibiotics as opposed to the iv antibiotics and would come back for another blood test if he could just go home. The first doc agreed but then this afternoon we got a call saying the main doc wanted to see Dennis again and needed another blood test - could he come back tomorrow morning? They have put him in the 'cue' to have his gall bladder out as he is young and not a profile candidate for gallstones. It's about an 18 week wait. So for now 'the diet Nazi' aka Julie will prepare a more lowfat fare for the Thompson family to keep the attacks at bay.

The second largest employer in the world, NHS or National Health System, worked out fine for Dennis. He was in a ward with 3 other older guys - very Cumbrian, in a giant room with curtains around your bed as if a thin piece of fabric constitutes privacy. No one in his ward drew their curtains anyway - they all just sat on their beds and had a good chat or crack as they say here. Meals, meds, and medical attention totalled $0. Why? Taxes are 17% on everythiing which covers the NHS. Dennis had plenty of visitors and good care but he's oh so glad to be back home!