Friday 25 September 2009

Of Ben Hur and Polly

Now, where were we? Oh yes, struggling manfully against terrible illness. Right, done that. I'm utterly wiped out but well on the mend. The nasty green gunk has faded to white and there is less of it. The steroids seem to have kept the worst of the irritation caused by continuous coughing at bay and my temperature is back to normal. I know from experience that it will probably take at least another week to regain lost stamina, but, unless the children come home from school with Swine flu or typhus this week I'm probably in the clear, for now.

Thank you for all the 'best wishes' and 'get well soon's. As well as the occasional 'What? Your doctor follows you on Twitter? Cool.'

As previously mentioned, on Sunday I literally dragged myself from my sick bed to go and see Ben Hur Live! at the O2 arena in Greenwich. To be honest, had it been virtually anything else I would have forgone the experience, but how often do you get to see a Roman based theatrical extravaganza? It even promised a real chariot race. You'd have to be sick indeed to miss that.

I haven't been to the O2 since it was the much maligned Millennium Dome. It has changed a lot but the disabled parking is still rubbish. According to my wheelchair, the £10 reserved disabled parking slot we had pre-booked was 1km from the actual arena. Needless too say, we missed the very start of the show where Judah Ben Hur is born in Jerusalem on the same night as another baby is born in Bethlehem. We joined the story when Judah is reunited with his Roman childhood friend, Massala.

The stage show pretty much follows the plot of the Charlton Heston film and includes a spectacular sea battle against pirates, a Bacchanalian party, gladiatorial fights and, of course, the famous chariot race. And yes, four teams of four horses pulling chariots raced around the arena in a (carefully choreographed) thrilling race, complete with wheel falling off accident. I loved every minute and would heartily recommend it to you when the show returns in early January next year.

I paid the price for my Roman adventure in terms of exhaustion but it was worth it. Polly bought the tickets for our 16th wedding anniversary and has spent the week explaining to anyone who would listen that I am a grown up and she can't actually forbid me from risking my health in pursuit of entertainment. By the way, our actual anniversary is today. No, I didn't forget. I have bought Polly a rather stylish lamp for the living room.

So finally, happy anniversary, darling. I don't know why you love me, but I give thanks everyday that you do. All my love, always.

Until next time. Bye.

3 comments:

  1. I had to go see the Police reunion in concert a week after a major surgery--almost passed out there, but the concert was very worth it. :) So I absolutely understand that the Ben Hur was more of a necessity than a wish.

    I think it's great your dr. reads your blog--more physicians should read blogs by their patients. The medical and social aspects of disability go way beyond what I can explain in a short appt. devoted to immediate health needs--and I find many doctors just don't know about how much we deal with with insurance, vocational rehab or work accommodations, trying to get appropriate equipment, etc.

    Happy anniversary to you both! An understanding spouse makes life much easier.

    Have you heard of a Volkner air mattress? You'd mentioned sleep issues and I just ran across these again yesterday--a friend with MD uses one.

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  2. Happy Anniversary! You both are such inspiration!

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  3. Watching a "Bacchanalian party" on your wedding anniversary with your wife probably didn't do you any harm at all. Who says romantics are no more. But are you sure it wasn't your stag night? Have to have a chat with my wife about watching this sort of thing,I know what she'll say though.

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