The last two weeks have been dominated by pain. First, the sharp stabbing kind; second, the persistent all-conquering kind. My well-behaved body rebels in unpleasant ways. So I’ve felt elderly. I’ve felt exhausted. Not just the wincing and the grimacing, but also the mental effort required. To be constantly aware of one’s posture, being forced to calculate the effort-reward payoff of reaching for your cup of tea; it takes energy that is all too easily sapped.

I do try to be philosophical about pain: it’s not contagious and, although whining about it helps, I can usually stick through it. Sadly even co-codamol (the asthmatic’s only decent analgesic friend) is outclassed right now.

How frustrating. So much to do, so little I can do. At least I can blog and complain.