Update on Ken's state of health

I haven't gone on about this, but the last few weeks have been pretty hairy for us. Ken got quite ill in late January, and our GP ended up referring him to a lung specialist. The specialist was a lovely guy - spent nearly an hour with us, asking Ken all kinds of questions about his past health issues, his work, etc. and he didn't even look at the X rays for the first 20 minutes! When he did, it was just a brief glance, then he whipped them down and said "Well there's nothing there that is a surprise after what you've told me about your smoking in the past!" Bottom line is, Ken had caught a virus that was made a lot worse by virtue of his existing heart and lung condition. It is just something he has to be aware of, and try to avoid people with flu and colds when he can.

The doc. gave him two new medications which he thinks will help with the post-nasal drip, and the coughing. They will take about a week to kick in, so he gave Ken a medical certificate, and said if he needs one for the following week, to see our local GP. He asked Ken if he wants to go back to work and Ken said yes, and I interjected with "But he gets so tired!" To which the doc. said "It has to be Ken's decision about how much he can do before he gets beyond it. It is better to have a reason to get up every morning, than to retire and stay in bed half the day". Good point. Ken feels a whole lot better about himself now, and so do I.

I called his boss and explained everything to him, and he was very accomodating. I've been saying for ages Ken should have more regular time off - not a month off work then nothing for a year, and his boss said he would sort something out when Ken goes back the week after next. They may give him a week off every 3 months.

Now if we can get a few nights of unbroken sleep, I'll feel a whole lot better!! He was in and out of bed last night (as he has been for weeks) and I'm a light sleeper, so I get disturbed too. I get so cheesed off when I'm on the point of sleep and he bends down over me and says "I'm going to make a cup of tea, do you want one?" at bloody 3 am...or "I'm just going to have some icecream - do you want anything?" I feel like sitting bolt upright and screaming 'YES I DO WANT SOMETHING...I WANT SOME UNINTERRUPTED SLEEP". But I'm a loving and patient wife so I just mutter "No thanks" and roll over to try and fall asleep again...