Flower of passion

We went out this afternoon for a shopping trip because I need new shoes. I managed to drive myself to the shopping village in Trentham. It’s been a month since I have been allowed in the car because of my eye operation. It’s only a couple of miles but it could have been fifty. I felt so anxious, but so pleased to get the skill back. Luckily I was with my sister so felt more confidence.

While I was at the village I saw this lovely passion flower. A good reminder of the day.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Have you ever had surgery? What for?

When you get pain in your wrist and near your thumb, when your thumb, index finger and middle finger start getting numb when you hold things. When you start dropping things, and sleep with your hands turned outwards to reduce the pain?

Go and see your doctor. You may have carpal tunnel syndrome. In my case it was that. My job was using machines to print with and holding a heavy box to type information into. After 5 years the pain got so bad I sought medical help.

My radial nerves were being trapped by a band of muscle round my wrists. I could have had an injection. But the problem was severe. 75% reduced nerve conductivity in one wrist and 43% in the other. I couldn’t hold a teacup for long, never mind a paintbrush.

I elected to have local anaesthetic as I could get the operation done sooner. So one morning I was wheeled into an operating theatre and watched with interest as the surgeon operated on my wrist and hand. A few weeks later I had the second one done.

Now twenty or so years later both hands are still fine and I am so glad I had it done!

Cataract check up

Today I had a check up to see if I was suitable for cataract surgery. I went to a clean, bright, smart clinic. I had to have transport because I was not allowed to drive.

After a short wait and having read the booklet about cataract surgery I went to see the technician to have eye drops put in and then photos taken of my lenses. She also did a check of my eyes looking at an eye chart with and without a small grid that you had to try and focus through. I found I could see the chart better with it, less fuzzy. Finally they checked my blood pressure which was a bit high but the bottom figure was OK as I managed to relax.

A short wait and then I saw the optometrist. This time she checked my retina and also the pressures within my eyes that would indicate glaucoma. Everything was OK. Now I just have to choose when I have the operation as I have other things to deal with before I can get the first eye done.

Wish me luck. X

Yes but not telling

Have you ever had surgery? What for?

All stitched up?

Why should I share this information? Can I trust the person who is asking? Or the people who are reading this blog?… Sometimes we share too much information. It’s too easy to trust everyone on the Internet. And yet I wouldn’t tell people in the street my life story, my insurance details, if I’ve ever been in hospital. True I do share some information but as far as I can tell it’s of little use to others. I appreciate that it’s good to talk about your life, but I think you shouldn’t go too far.

Someone will be out there looking at your details putting two and two together, finding out about me. Well I’d rather not be too informative, I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Yes, why do you want to know?

Have you ever had surgery? What for?

I’ve had surgery a few times in my life. I won’t say what for, you can share too much information. I may have to have more.

Surgery can be frightening, I’ve had general and local anaesthetics. You don’t know anything has happened until you wake up. Then you have to deal with pain. I prefer local anaesthetic to be honest. The surgeries I’ve had have really helped my problems. I would say have it if you need to.

I don’t know what else to say except its amazing what surgeons can do today, and in some cases they are bringing in robot surgeons. Probably a good thing as they don’t have hands that can shake!

Doctors

You used to be able to ring the doctors and get an appointment. It was simple. Not so much these days….

My calf muscle is still causing a lot of pain after pulling it on Sunday. So after another night of no sleep I tried ringing my GP (General practitioner) this morning but I couldn’t get through. So I rang the NHS 111 number (non emergency) and they did an assessment. They said they would tell the doctors (GP) that I needed to be seen within 2 hours. They said ring surgery and tell them I had spoken to 111, the surgery would see a referral on their computer, so I did. But the surgery said 111 is only for out of hours cases? That I should always ring the surgery in opening times. I explained that I only rang them because I couldn’t get through. Then Dr’s said they hadn’t had a referral from 111! So I explained I hadn’t slept properly for three days. The receptionist suggested going to a walk in centre. I’m afraid I burst into tears so she said she would get the on call Dr to ring me. Then a few minutes later she rang back, as my leg isn’t swollen the Dr has prescribed cocodamol and ibuprofen gel. If it gets worse I have to ring back. I’ve got to persuade hubby to collect them from the pharmacy later. I’m more tired than anything else now….

Windows

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Sitting in my car on a sunny day. Waiting for an appointment with the vets. They had to phone me while I was outside because I wasn’t allowed inside with my cat. The problem was that my phone signal wasn’t good. I was ten foot away from the vet and she couldn’t hear me! I stood outside the car and shouted, she still didn’t hear me. But I know the layout of the surgery. Beyond the door is a short corridor, at the end is the consulting room. If she had opened the consulting room door, she would have heard me. Meanwhile my cat was quiescent in his travelling bag. We’ll, eventually the vet came out. The cat was carried in. Then half an hour of waiting. That’s when I took this photo.

Next stop? Ultrasound scan on his heart next week as he has a heart murmur. Also antibiotic liquid, that was fun. It took ages, but I got him to take it in cat milk. Cats don’t know what’s good for them!

Fingers crossed he will be a bit better when he has the scan.

X