It started with an early taxi ride to the Ronda Health Centre in the north end of Sevilla for a 9 am appointment to get my knees x-rayed. That done I stopped in at the mammogram department to ask about my results because I didn’t receive a report and could only find the images online (not helpful). That was when I found out they want to do a follow-up test, most likely an ultrasound… but why? They couldn’t say as it could be for many reasons, but I was told there would probably be a long wait as the Women’s Hospital is totally backed up these days. Though I was also told that if they considered it urgent I wouldn’t have been waiting this long. The nice woman there gave me a phone number to call at the Women’s Hospital but as I was going straight to Virgen del Rocío Hospital I said I’d go there in person.

The Virgen del Rocío Hospital is a sprawling university hospital, one of the best in the country. And I know my way around there like I wish I didn’t. What can I say? Anyhow, I was still trying to track down the elusive second colonoscopy appointment after the last botched one in March (don’t ask). My new oncologist (no idea who he is) called me a couple of weeks ago and said he would arrange another one and send me the papers by mail but I would have to hand in the papers in person myself at the Digestivo Department. Trust me, I know the drill by now. So I thought that since I was already out and about doing hospital stuff today, what’s another taxi ride?

And so, after my knee x-ray I crossed Sevilla from the north end of the city to the far southern edge. Went straight to Digestivo, handed in papers, was told they’d call me with the appointment date, picked up my next batch of the dread SOLUCIÓN EVACUANTE and headed over to the Women’s Hospital behind the main buildings. Sneaky. The Outpatients entrance was being hidden by a bunch of what looked like garden improvements, but I found it and got in line at the mamografía secretary’s office. Only to be told that I had to go down the hall, turn left past the elevators and then right where I would find the radiografia secretary’s office. No problem. You cannot imagine how many times I’ve had to do these things.

Found the secretary who ended up telling me the same thing the nice woman at the health centre had… that I’d have to wait. Thing is, until I asked this morning I had NO IDEA they wanted to test me again. It would have just come out of the blue. So I am glad I asked “nice woman” because she did her best to put me at ease and said this isn’t unusual and could be down to many reasons. And now I know I have to wait for another boob test.

MEANWHILE… omg I was sick at heart to see almost nobody wearing masks today. Not at the health centre or at the two hospitals I visited later. I mean, I passed through the waiting room FOR FUCKING ONCOLOGY and hardly anyone had masks on. Oddly in Digestivo at least half the people waiting were masked. BUT NOT THE STAFF. Honestly I despair.

After two taxi rides it seemed like a good idea to get some walking in as it was still earlyish and not yet blisteringly hot, so Peter and I shambled back to the centre, staying mostly in the shade, and not really enjoying it but dammit STEPS, right? Finally decided to stop off for a much needed cold drink and popped into the first place that looked nice and omg… check the photo. A small mineral water and a lemony soft drink cost fucking 7.20€. It was like we’d been transported to Madrid.

Then a stop at the post office and then the supermarket for some omega-rich fish for lunch (more on that later) and I am so done. Over 12,000 steps before it got up to 37º (it’ll be over 41º today).

How was your Monday?