We planned this Scotland trip in November last year. We had been looking forward to a four day backpack with a day in Oban and then a day somewhere else at the end of our walk before heading back home.
It didn't come to fruition.
We were leaving home last Friday, but the day before I walked the 9.5 miles into Manchester with a few miles wandering around to buy a gas canister.
During the day I had a bit of a sore spot in the roof of my mouth, I thought nothing of it and on getting home applied some numbing gel and forgot about it.
We set off for Tyndrum early Friday morning before the rush hour started and it wasn't too long before my mouth was really sore.
Leaving the car in Tyndrum we got the train to Oban where we were to start a walk up Loch Etive and spend some time having a look at Glen Noe and Glen Kinglass.
We checked into Oban hostel and looked at the TGO Challenge sign out sheet to see who had set off. There was a surprising few withdrawals too.
During the evening the pain in my mouth was getting ridiculous, like every tooth in my upper jaw had toothache. I took quite a few pain killers and anti inflammatory pills. They didn't help much.
I didn't drop off to sleep until 2.30 am and was awake at 5.30am.
I checked dentists, none open Saturday. I checked the Walk in clinic, not open Saturday. We went to a chemist and found out that the hospital has a dental dept but it didn't open until 1.00pm.
We had booked the train to Taynuilt and it left at 12.11pm.
The decision was made. We would get the train all the way back to Tyndrum and give it 24 hrs to see if there was any improvement. If not we were going home.
I was not in a good place at this time.
We pitched the tent on By the Way site and went to bed.
We had a few hours needed sleep. The mouth however was now quite swollen as well as painful.
Eventually the morning came and I decided to give it until tomorrow. After all it was Sheila's holiday.
We drove to Bridge of Orchy, parked and walked the West Highland Way to Forest Lodge and then down to Clashgour Hut in Kinglass. Then walked the return.
We bumped into 3 challengers. Denis Cullen, Lindy Griffiths and Tom from Minnesota. We also walked passed Bertie, Mick and Gayle's beautiful camper van.
Monday morning brought about the obvious decision that I had to get my mouth looked at. We packed up very quietly at 6.30 am and set off home. Sheila rang my dentist and I managed to get an emergency appointment.
Being a little succinct here, 4 dentists looked at my mouth and were stumped at what they saw. There was a lot of whispered talk, prodding, X-rays and the diagnosis was 'erm we don't know but it's not an ulcer, it's not an abscess and it's not a dodgy tooth or jaw, it's a swelling caused by something else but I think I can confidently say it's not cancer.
They took photographs and were sending them off somewhere for analysis. And thats where we are today although the pain has decreased.
Such a shame for Sheila as holidays are precious. I feel a let down.
Hi Alan, So sorry for you both. As you say Holidays are precious, hope you get to the bottom of it all as quickly as possible, and the pain goes completely.
ReplyDeleteAlistair
So sorry to hear that Alan. Hope there are some positive results soon
ReplyDeleteI do feel for you as I am having sleepless nights with my arm, and another four weeks to go with the plaster. The important thing for you is to get things seen to asap and knowing Sheila I reckon you have the best support there. All my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. Today, Saturday, I'm actually feeling human again. The pain has subsided and according to Sheila the swelling has reduced. So things are looking positive.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you are still suffering Conrad. We hope you improve soon.
Sorry to hear about all this Alan. Why do these sorts of things always seem to happen when on holiday? Good that the pain and swelling have eased now so let's hope it's completely resolved soon.
ReplyDeleteI admire your resolve to stick it out for so long before heading for home.
Thanks Gibson, Sheila reckons that its Scotland that causes the problem. When we went to Glenelg last year i pulled my achilles tendon. Its really annoying all the same as the travelling and overnighting isn't cheap as well as Sheila being disappointed at loosing a holiday.
ReplyDeleteWe were really looking forward to the area and trying to get a feel for what it must have been like prior to the clearances. The industrial archeology too, which we had read about was also on the agenda. We had given ourselves plenty of time to stop and investigate rather than just a passing glimpse. Ah well, there will be a next time.
I'm actually feeling a lot better now, almost back to 100%. As for my resolve, it put it down to the pain killers clouding my judgement.
A distressing story Alan, I guess it's just Sod's Law that it happens at the worst time on holiday with nowhere open. I hope the cause is properly diagnosed, mysterious flare-ups like that are worrying. It sounded like an interesting walk too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Geoff. It was very disappointing but these things happen. I'll build a bridge and get over it. The hills will be there for next time and I hope the weather will be just as good.
ReplyDeleteWhat bad luck - best wishes for a speedy recovery. I'll bet you weren't even able to eat any of Sheila's delicious cakes.....I may be able to help here ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks JJ. I'm ok now. It seems it was either a burn or a sting but I would imagine if you had either of them you would instantly know about it. This wasn't the case. Sheila's cake is very moist so I just managed to eat it all.
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