Being a doctor

What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.

I would have to be 40 years younger, have the education to be able to train for the length of time required. I guess it would also be good to come from a well off family. If those things had been my reality I might have liked to be a doctor. I enjoy helping people and trying to solve their problems. That’s why I like these prompts, it means I can think of alternative career paths, or different outcomes.

But to be honest I’m quite happy with my life as it has panned out. I’ve always been an artist, whatever job I’ve had. I’ve painted and created, used my imagination. I might not be famous but a lot of people have bought my work and also commissioned me to paint things for them. I’m just glad I’ve had the freedom to do that.

Medicine

What profession do you admire most and why?

I admire the skills and knowledge you need to practice medicine. That’s not just doctors and nurses, but radiographers, sonographers, physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational health, and not only those that deal with human health, but veterinary experts and their skills and knowledge that is essential to the care of so many animals. Without these skilled people how would many of us would  survive? We would be plunged back into the pre industrial ages or further back in time perhaps to the dark ages, where scam remedies and quackery might take over.

Having knowledge of basic first aid is a good thing too. You never know you might save someone!

Medicine

What is something others do that sparks your admiration?

After my recent dealings with the NHS I have to share my admiration of the doctors, nurses and anciliary staff that work for it.

Many staff cared for my hubby, and he told me they were wonderfully caring, I can only echo this feeling.

I cannot say that all staff are the same, but the ones I met were so very helpful, I only wish we had sought medical advice earlier. But the illness he had was one that is difficult to detect and can be hard to treat.

The amount of knowledge and skills that they require is immense, having had some medical training myself I’m massively admiring of what they do. I only hope the NHS doesn’t fall apart under all the stresses and strains thrown at it by the pandemic, cost of living crisis, and cuts in funding including privatisation that robs it of some of its most important workers and skills.

Bad news

My hubby is ill. If I’m not around much it’s because I’m sorting things out. I wasn’t going to say anything, but I just thought I should let people know.

At present I don’t know much. But I want to say how much I am grateful to the NHS. After ringing their helpline we were advised to go to Accident and Emergency. My hubby was triaged within half an hour. He was taken to a very busy set of cubicles. Blood was taken and he was given painkillers and seen by a doctor. I left after three hours because he was booked for a CT scan.

I saw him today on the ward. The nurses were so kind and supportive. I don’t know the prognosis but I’m hoping to get the information tomorrow. I’m very worried, but life is what it is. But I want to salute the NHS. Thank you.

Don’t ignore!

,

The wound in my leg is infected. I’ve got to keep it clean and raised. Not easy. It started as a cut but I thought it would be OK after dressing it. Now it’s sore and red and weeping. Don’t assume that if it looks clean it’s OK. Who knows what the car door shoved through my trouser leg into the wound. I can’t physically see it as its on the side, round the back. But hubby insisted I got medical treatment.

Things like this test relationships. The roles you slot into can be reversed. I’m used to caring for him, now he’s got to sort me out. I realise why patients need patience. Can’t make him do things unless it’s in his own good time. But we will get there as they say, in sickness and in health. x

Gout?

My friend sent me this information about gout (I’ve not been diagnosed yet). I have a face to face appointment tomorrow. I hope it will sort out what’s causing me pain in my joints. So fingers crossed (ouch!)

When you are dependent on using your hands to be creative its a real pain (pun intended) to have to stop. I will be really grateful if this can be sorted out. I’m hoping for a positive outcome on this. So it’s a thumbs up (lol) from me. X

Eyes digitally drawn

IMG_20190427_170833_110

Don’t look at me like that. It’s scary, she said. The screen stared back, green glaring eyes and red scaled skin. Only the slow movement of its pupils indicated life. The screen had been blank up until a few minutes ago. A voice had said humans were under control by the Jranson Collective and if all people worked with them they would be spared destruction.

She scanned her phone. The same image was being sent to it. All computer services are in our power, said the staring eyes. Do not attempt to attack us.

What the devil can we do? She thought. Nothing came to mind, but maybe? She picked up the land-line phone, a steady dialling tone greeted her. Now what’s the Doctors number? she thought.

 

Sleep aponea

IMG_20180827_014301_887.jpg

This is the mask I have to wear every night. It’s to help my breathing by pushing air into my mouth and stopping the soft pallet at the back of my throat collapsing.

A couple of years ago, I was tired all the time, falling asleep at work. Couldn’t keep my eyes open. I felt awful and was having other health issues. Luckily my doctor sent me for tests and it came back that I had sleep aponea.

What’s that? Well as I say it stops my soft  pallet from falling down into my throat and effectively choking me. Instead of getting good deep sleep my brain was waking me into light sleep so I could breathe but the lack of deep sleep is harmful. The condition can cause heart problems and diabetes amongst other illnesses.

I thank my doctor for getting me sorted out. I don’t know what I would have done or how I would have been without his intervention .

Thankfully I’m much better now,  and although the mask can be a nuisance I’m glad I’ve got it!