Horse therapy required.

Perhaps it was the anticipation of getting up early, but Baggy woke at 5.15am and could not get back to sleep. When Calum left at 6.oo, he asked why she didn't just get up - but it was still dark, so why would she? Naturally, just as she finally fell asleep the phone alarm went off, causing Hormonal Hannah to swear, and Pepper Pooch to leap from his position at Furry Mama's feet and land on her chest. 

'Wos 'appening mum? Iss very early - is the mens coming again?'
'We're off to the beach pooch.'
'Oooo, goody.'

As planned they were on Southwold beach by 8.00.

Having the beach pretty much to themselves, with virgin soil to make foot and pawprints in is rather special. Of course Clever Bird mucked up her timings, as by 9.15 the pooch was worn out from all his hurtling about, but it was a bit too early to head back for Baggy's doctor's appointment. Fortunately, one of the cafes on the pier was open!

Yes it was a little chilly, but the view was worth it.

Of course, Hormonal Hannah was still twenty-minutes early for her appointment. Sadly the appointment was thirty-minutes late!

'I know that you said you didn't want to see me again, but here I am. Sorry.'
'I'm always happy to see you. I love your boots.'
'Oh thanks. They're Fly.'
'Love the colour. Sorry, that wasn't very professional. So how are you?'
'Actually I'm great thanks, but I thought for once I'd better come and see you before whatever it is that's going on with me gets serious, because I've ignored it for too long, like I usually do.'

Clever Bird described all Baggy's symptoms, explaining that she was concerned that maybe she had another bleeding ulcer and was anaemic again.

'Well your iron levels are seriously low again. That might be enough to account for your symptoms.'
'I don't understand why though! It's not as if I don't eat iron rich foods. My body just doesn't seem to absorb it.'
'No! But then you're never normal are you?'

Now Hannah took no offence to this remark, because it's all true. Baggy laughed. Durmoid cysts - rare; on the ovary - even rarer; triggered by a trauma - rarer still; not found years earlier - pretty much unheard of. Trapped ulnar nerve - not uncommon, if it's carpal tunnel syndrome - but Baggy had to have cubital tunnel syndrome - rare. Ulcers caused by antidepressants - rare. So, nope - not normal.

Creative Clara likes to think of Baggy as 'special.'

'I must admit that I have stopped taking the iron pills because they don't seem to like me. Sorry.'
'Will you please stop beating yourself up?'
'Sorry, I just don't want to waste your time.'
'You don't. And you're going to have to have a series of meetings with me while we try to figure this out; before I release you back into the world. Can you come next week?'
'Well I can, but I doubt I'll get an appointment.'
'Good point. I'll make it for you. And we'll try you on liquid-iron, although it's a bit expensive. Have you had it before?'
'No.'
'And would you be prepared to take Omeprazole?'
'Of course, if you think I need it.'
'You see, that's why you're not a nuisance! You always do as you're told, and even when you don't, you tell me that you haven't.'

Baggy did a little preen. 'I'll see you next week then.'

She popped into the pharmacy to get her prescriptions. No problem with the Omeprazole. Much debate about the liquid-iron.

'It's rather expensive. We need to check with the doctor which one she meant.'
'Okay.'
'Yes, the drops are £400 a bottle, and you'll need a few.'
'What? Crumbs! No, I'm sure she wouldn't have meant that.'

Baggy went to get blood tests done, while the pharmacist spoke to the doctor. 

In the end, having resolved nothing about the liquid-iron prescription, Baggy decided to take Grotty to the yard and wait for a phone call. The pooch, who had been patiently waiting in Billy Bob Jalopy campervan for nearly ninety-minutes by this point, was extremely relieved. 

Grotty Groom was delighted to see her Boys. She gave Wesley a good brush and was impressed with how quickly the wound on his nose had healed. Then wondered how long it had actually taken.

'Wessle's nose has healed well.'
'It has,' replied Pauline.
'I'm surprised, because it was pretty bad.'

'It took a while.'
'Did it? When was I last here then?' asked a worried Hormonal Hannah.
'When the farrier was here, wasn't it?'
'Yes. So when was that?'
'About a month ago.'

What? Grotty couldn't believe it. Hannah instantly felt so bad that she started to blub.

'You have had a lot on though.'

True - but still. 

'So sorry Wesley,' sniffled Grotty, as her horse attempted to groom her hand with his lips,' I'm determined to come regularly now.'

And she is determined! Baggy as always felt much happier for just spending some time with her horse. Tomorrow, Joey will get a fuss and if Grotty feels confident enough, she might take them for a wander around the school. (In-hand of course Baggees; let's not get ahead of ourselves).

When Baggy got home, the pharmacy had called. Freda Fretter called them back. In brief, Baggy will not be taking iron for now. The doctor will decide what to do once the first set of blood tests are back, as she had no idea how expensive liquid-iron was...



Note to readers: For the avoidance of any doubt, every character in this blog is Baggy! No Baggy was harmed in its writing, although some of them get pretty confused!