Cairns

Well I had a restful night, but I wasn't too good in the morning. After an abortive attempt to nibble at toast, I made the big decision to make a doctor's appointment to check why my stomach is feeling worse each day. Got an 8:15 appointment at the local 24-hour clinic, but the doctor wasn't much help (it turned out she was sick). She prescribed some anti-spasm pills, told me I didn't have appendicitis and sent me home.

We hired a cabin in the park with TV and air-conditioning, but no bathroom, and I spent the day in there. The tablets did nothing but gave me a severe bladder cramps which were worse than the stomach. We were back of the doctors at 4:45, and after a good examination by a fit doctor, I was diagnosed as having appendicitis and taken to Cairns hospital in an ambulance at 5:30.

At 6:15 Terry arrived to take Brendan home, who had slept since four o'clock. After an x-ray, a resident's examination, a surgeon's examination and a pre-med, I was taken to the ward at 7:30 and theatre at 7:50. Mandy went back to the caravan park to put Brendan to bed and then returned while Jill babysat. I was out of theatre at 9:30 and with it enough to give Mandy a wave. After being wired up with two drips, we talked about 15 minutes before I tried to send Mandy home and fell asleep, though Mandy stayed till 10:30 I am told.