I wanted to bring you a blog post about London today. I had it all planned out and was going to write it a couple days ago. But I was unexpectedly hospitalized over the weekend and I haven’t had the strength to sit down and put the hours in. So instead I’m going to share about my hospitalization in London.

London Ambulance

Hospital in London

As many of you know from my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and monthly newsletter, I spent most of this week in the hospital. I was there for a kidney infection, which was pretty bad.

At the moment, I don’t have the energy to write about the details of my hospital experience (which ranged from painful to hilarious, depressing, confusing, entertaining, and back again).

I might publish a blog post about it in the future if anyone’s interested in reading about an expat’s journey through a British hospital (I learned so many words!).

Time will allow me to process the whole thing and collect my thoughts so I can share them with you properly anyway.

If you want me to write about it, you can leave a comment on this post and I’ll gauge interest that way.

Thank You for Your Support

What I really want to do is use this post to say thank you for all your support during my hospital stay.

It was a pretty scary experience, especially in the beginning when my fever hit 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40C), I was in a lot of pain, and I couldn’t stop shaking.

But I got so many messages from you on social media that it cheered me up and gave me something to focus on other than my sorry state.

It really meant a lot to me that so many people from all over the world sent me their love and well-wishes.

I got messages from places as far flung as Argentina, Belize, and Australia, and it was overwhelming to feel so much support from so many people.

I’m grateful for good friends, too. I got a lot of texts and emails with messages of concern, and a couple friends even made the effort to come visit me in the hospital.

That was incredibly kind and helped make my stay go by faster than it would have otherwise.

London Hospital

On the Mend

To give you an update on where things are now, I was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday and I’ve been at home recovering since then.

I’ve been trying to get as much rest as I can while catching up on mission-critical work (running my own business means I can’t just lie in bed all day even if I’m supposed to. Sigh!).

I hope to be back to my usual self soon, and will try to get you a shiny new blog post about London on Monday.

Please bear with me, though. I’m guessing there will be ups and downs to the recovery, so I might not be as quick as I think I will.

In any case, thank you again. Your support has meant so much to me, and I hope to show my gratitude by bringing you more blog and social media posts about all your favorite things soon.

Here’s to good health and not taking it for granted!

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100 Comments on Lady’s Hospitalization in London and a Big Thank You

  1. Get well soon!
    When you have the time, energy and strength again I would love to read about your hospital experience.
    I am a nurse in New Zealand but I grew up in England and visit as often as I can. I adore England, particularly London and use your blog to decide where to visit next.

  2. I’d like to hear about the whole”getting through the medical/administrative process”. I’m glad you’re doing better but sounds like you need to be careful to not overdo!! Take care!

  3. I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been ill……hope your recovery goes well. I love your blog posts. I’ve gone to London every year for over 40 years but still learn of more neighborhoods and walks to take. Thanks!

  4. A post on your adventures in an English hospital sounds interesting, particularly for your American readers who may not know the advantages (and disadvantages!) of a national health service. I bet you’re glad you didn’t have an enormous bill to pay at the end!

  5. Best wishes for you
    My son and i love your blog and it helps us for planning our annual trip for london! This year we will go there from the 6th to the 12th of august
    With a lot of love
    Tristan and celine

  6. Julie – So glad you are out of the hospital, please take it easy and get better! I am sure it was quite the tramatic experience and would make for an interesting read.

  7. Get well soon! Take care of yourself first, but would love to read about your experience when you’re well again. Love your posts!

  8. take good care and get 100%ly well soon!
    and yes, I too would like to read about your experience.

    on a side-note: I’ve been so many times to London by now, but your blog posts always give me new ideas on what to do and where to go. I love them!

  9. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been unwell and in hospital. I would be interested to read about your experience navigating a British hospital. Take it easy first and get fully better. Your newsletters are gems! I love them! Thanks so much for them.

  10. Glad you are on the mend! I would be most interested in hearing about your hospital experience. I love your blog. I admire your creativity in creating such a wonderful resources ❤️

  11. Glad to hear you are doing better! Healing can be easier at home. I once had a blood infection, ran a temperature of 105, and spent a week in the hospital, and recovery is a bit slow. Please don’t push yourself.

    Thank you for your Twitter feed. So many wonderful ideas and tips! You have inspired my travel. I’m currently in London on my first trip ever to the UK, and second trip ever out of the US. I feel so welcome here, and everyone has been lovely, truly. Thank you again!

  12. Dear Julie,

    I was shocked to hear of your unexpected hospital stay. I’m so happy to see you writing again! You seem the sort who never gets sick so I bet it was quite a set back. Best wishes and big hugs for a speedy recovery!

    Venice

  13. Please care of yourself. Rest and heal – everything else can wait. And I agree with the person who said that your experience will be fascinating to we Americans stuck in a for-profit system. I’ve twice visited an emergency room and both times the first person I talked with was the financial person wanting to know how I would pay.

  14. The most important thing is your health, we don’t always recognize this in our busy lives. Take time to mend. We will wait for your posts.

  15. Happy to hear you are on the mend, take it easy though, don’t try to do too much too soon. I’d love to hear the whole story when you’re up for writing more. Love your blog and look forward to your posts! 🙂

  16. Take care – no fun being laid low. Sending you good wishes for a complete recovery Sonia
    Bayswater Nova Scotia Canada 🇨🇦

  17. So glad to hear that you are home and convalescing–as much as you can while trying to work! I’d love to learn more about your NHS experience from an expat/American perspective.

  18. Hiya, just wanted to say I hope you feel better soon and don’t push yourself too hard to do work, health is way more important! I found your blog about a year ago and I have started reading it from the beginning, I’m mid-way through 2012 just now! Hopefully work doesn’t check my computer history as there are alot of your posts there, oops! Sending healing vibes your way 🙂

  19. So sorry to just hear of your hospital stay. Hope you are feeling better today and tomorrow and the next….
    I so enjoy learning of new places to visit on trips to London but I, especially, love to hear of your personal adventures. My kindle is full of books about expats and their lives in other countries. So, I’d love to hear of your time in hospital but only when you are ready to share, of course. Take care.

  20. So glad to hear you are on the mend. Definitely interested in hearing about your hospital experience. But like most folks above said, get better and try not to over do it. I know, easier said than done…

  21. Hope you feel better soon. It is very important to get some rest and follow doctor’s orders. Look forward to your future update.

  22. I’m so happy that you’re on the mend, do take care ! I’d love to read about your British hospital experience. I’m sure being from the U.S. you’d be appreciative of the NHIS. We have similar health care here in 🇨🇦.
    I’ve been following you for over two years and love your London posts, used some great info on my two brief visits to London so far ! Thanks so much … 😊👍❤️

  23. Sending wishes for a quick recovery your way! Don’t feel rushed at all to create new content – getting healthy is more important!
    I would be interested in a post about British hospitals.

  24. I wasn’t aware of your hospitalization! So sorry you had a kidney infection, but apparently you survived it and being hospitalized. I’ll be looking forward to some of your photos of, “Sluice rooms are looking lovely in London hospitals today.” 😉 Glad you’re okay!

  25. Yes, please share your experience in the London hospital. Always like to hear about other counties health care programs. But first rest, rest, and rest til you are back to 100%. We want many more of your very interesting posts about travel, and life in the UK.

  26. Thank God that the worst is over and the healing has begun.
    This may take a little time but take it in small doses.

    Warmest wishes to you

  27. Yes! I would love to hear the American perspective! I’m glad your feeling better! Take care and giver yourself time to heal!!

  28. We love you and I personally, look forward to your posts! BUT your health is wealth. Take care Lady in London!

  29. Dear LIL
    Pleased you are home again. Remember that kidneys love celery, parsley, and cranberries and plenty of filtered water. Blessings from Fremantle

  30. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Once you’re back to yourself, I’d definitely enjoy reading about your hospital experience. I’d love to know how things differ in a country with national health care.

  31. Glad to hear you’re on the mend. Would be interesting to hear about the NHS experience and to know if it’s similar to that of Medicare. Nursing staff etc. Thanks again Lady x

  32. I’m interested in hearing about your experience with the system and how they treated you. Of course when you are up to it! So glad to hear you are doing better! Dont push urself too much!

  33. So pleased to hear you are on the mend. I am visiting London from Wales this week and always love to read your blogs on the train

  34. Get well soon Julie. I’m sure you had some great treatment from the NHS. I’m a lifelong Londoner but your blog always gives me great ideas for things to do. Wishing you all the best.

  35. Glad to hear you are getting better. It sounds like you have been very unwell so take it slowly and get well soon. I absolutely love receiving your email each week and reading about my favorite place in the whole world! London/England. I have learnt so much and used many of your suggestions on my travels there. Take care

  36. My goodness! Being sick enough to be in the hospital is terrifying regardless where you live. But you make it sound as though it was terribly fascinating so yes, I’d love to hear about it . . . but only when you’re better and secure.

  37. So sorry to hear about your hospital visit but glad to hear that you are convalescing well. My husband (a Kiwi) also had a kidney related stay in an English hospital while we were living there so it would be interesting to compare hospital stories!! Take care, and wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

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