The visitor...

Playlist

Lee Morgan - The Sidewinder

Rheostatics - 2067

Various Composers - The Art of the Countertenor

Brunetti - Symphonies 26, 22 and 36

Fretwork - Portraits

Monteverdi - Scherzi Musicali

Up at 7:45 after my first uninterrupted night's sleep for a long time...

A call from Pam first thing...

She asked if I could get to the hospital as early as possible as she wanted me with her when they told her what they were going to do...

Left Hemel around 9:40 and arrived at her bedside at 10:20, having parked in a side street near the hospital - an option only available on a Sunday...  

She was pleased...

However, it turned out the consultant surgeon wasn't now going to speak with her today but would do so tomorrow, just prior to the operation itself...

So, still all we know is that she has a brain tumour...

After an hour or so of chatting and deciding it won't matter what is said tomorrow she just wants to get on with it, I left, planning to return for the normal visiting hours of 4pm to 8pm...

With Pam having raved about the excellent breakfast at the Royal Free and with my not having had time for anything before leaving (having taken the time instead to respond to all the messages of love and support in the inbox), I made my way over the road to Dominiques and enjoyed a hearty brunch (which is probably now resting around my heart)...

With time to kill until 4, I bought an Oyster Card (which I will need for future visits re the 30 minute bus journey from the free car park at the Brent Cross shopping centre) and hopped on the number 24 to Pimlico, alighting at Camden Town, where I found this wee cat in a charity bookshop...

This reminded me just how much I am missing Meg the Black Cat (and Annie of course!)...

Then, on up Camden High Street...

...to Camden Lock and its 364 days a year market...

In this book shop, I purchased my first CDs of December - three classical titles for just eight of your English Pounds (see playlist)...

The market was chocabloc with excellent stalls and food possibilities (of which I felt unable to partake given the belly stuffing brunch of a couple of hours before)...

Part of the market was once a horse stable and hospital...

...and some of the wares on display were quite original - like these arty deckchairs...

Then, I stumbled across "Cyberdog" - a very strange shop indeed which seemed to specialise in pretend impants a la 7 of 9 in "Star Trek Voyager" and clothing which is both suggestive and susceptible to the effects of ultra violet light...

Leaving Camden Market behind, I started walking back to the hospital, passing Camden Art Gallery - currently looking for exhibitors - perhaps I should make a submission...

..and the Roundhouse - the venue where Hawkwind's seminal 1972 single, "Silver Machine", was recorded - and where Alice Cooper held court over Halloween this year...

Finally succumbing to the cold, I hopped on a No 168 bus, which took me back to the Royal Free... 

The beast was about its business in Hampstead...

I enjoyed a coffee pre 4pm while trying to liase with Pam's chum Debbie re her own proposed visit...

Sadly, unbeknown to me until a break from Pam's bedside a bit later, as there is no mobile reception inside the hospital, she had become hopelessly lost and had had to give up and make her way back to Hemel...

During the break outside, it was sad to see the number of patients hanging around in their dressing gowns having a fag...

This pour soul had resorted to dragging her intravenous drip with her, such was the lure of Mr Nick O'Teen...

I spent almost the entire four hours provided for visiting at Pam's bed, laughing and joking with her, the way we used to do before the shock of this new and frightening situation...

It seems over the past week, we have come to terms with matters and are ready to deal with it...

I must advise I have nothing but admiration for my little sister for the way she is coping with this...

At 8, we said our "I love you"'s and I left with the promise of seeing her again as soon as possible after her op - I will check tomorrow and, if possible, will head back with Debbie...

I walked through the darkness back to the car...

...and, within around 30 minutes was back at Pam's home in Hemel, soundtracked by music from across the centuries, reporting to various concerned family members and friends, not to mention people from around the world who've never even met Pam, on just how she was doing today...

And I was proud to report she was on top form and is going to beat this, starting with her op tomorrow...

Some girl!!

Highlight of the Day : Time spent with Pam...

PS Pam has lived in hemel for 30 years and has NEVER been to Camden Lock.  She advises she will rectify this as soon as she's fit and well again...

PPS I must look ill because the lady in the next bed yestreday thought it was me who had a brain tumour and was in for an op...

Charming...