My expensive husband

 On Thursday, I took David over to Lower Hutt to Boulcott Hospital, a private establishment, so that I could spend more of my hard earned cash ...

Thursday's operation was to remedy two cases of trigger finger on his right hand - the middle finger and thumb. Part of the cost for private treatment is the outfit provided: gown that at least goes around the body and doesn't gape at the back ($19), a dressing gown ($25), perky red socks with non-slip soles, and a fetching blue net cap. That mess on the bed is comprised of the clothes he removed.

 

What the best dressed private patient is wearing these days ...

The operation was short but the waiting for theatre was not. David was the last of the day, in part I think, because his was a local anaesthetic rather than a general. I am pleased about that because he takes a while to wake up from a GA, and as you know, I am not the most patient of people... Really though, he's had a number of GAs since 2019 and they do have quite an effect on us oldies.

I managed to do an hour or so of work over the phone while I was waiting for David to go into theatre and on the way back in the car - handsfree and on speaker: remote meetings can be very effective - COVID conditions have taught us that!

I had a chat with Julie, the woman I am working with and she asked how much this operation was costing: 5 days, I said ...

To be fair though, when the finger and thumb started playing up a few months ago, David said he would wait for the public system. But give they are far from urgent, I knew the wait would be extensive in these COVID times. So I said if it's less than $x to go private, just do it.

So he now sports a large bandage covering his hand and up past his wrist. No getting it wet for two weeks and the dressing has to stay on that long. And he's not allowed to use the hand all that time! 

Dammit! He cannot wash dishes, do the vacuuming, cut or peel vegetables, fetch and carry anything that requires two hands...

He's decided he's going to see if he can learn to print with his left hand in the meantime. So that will keep him busy for a bit.

I am working and, to be honest, there is not much of an additional load with David away from kitchen hand duties. My biggest issue STILL is learning to cook enough for two people, instead of over-catering hugely. Our freezer is jam-packed and a fair amount of that is leftovers. Do you know how difficult it is to cook a vegetable curry that is just enough for two?

Try it: take one potato, one kumara, one piece of pumpkin, a carrot, a small bit of cauli and broccoli, one onion, a cup of chickpeas, a cup of veg stock and a can of coconut milk - and already there's enough for 6!

So today I have been to breakfast with the guys - no point in David coming as he cannot eat with a knife and fork at the moment - been to Bin Inn for nuts, dried fruit, almond butter, and then to the supermarket for the groceries. I've swept and washed the bathroom floor - we've got a few people coming for a mini neighbourhood watch get together for a drink and some nibbles tomorrow arvo. And some housework is required - fortunately David vacuumed the day before his operation ...

It's a beautiful day and I think a walk may be in order. I'll go and see if I can prise David away from his left hand printing practice.