Update on oggbashan's health

[oggbashan]

Or maybe they could use some common sense and have them include diabetes tests on the list the next time the oncology team wants blood. One would think that one MD could talk to another...

Hang in, sir.

They don't talk to each other. An earlier blood test before chemotherapy showed low white blood cells so that delayed chemotherapy by a week. The GP surgery got a copy of the results and rang urgently for me to see a doctor - NOW! I couldn't get there because we we looking after grandchildren that evening so they suggested sending an emergency ambulance to admit me to hospital at once.

I declined. The oncology team weren't worried. They GP surgery sent a paramedic who was surprised to find a very fit and active patient who was not in distress and whose test results were excellent. The parmedic went away shaking her head...

 

[TarnishedPenny]

They don't talk to each other. An earlier blood test before chemotherapy showed low white blood cells so that delayed chemotherapy by a week. The GP surgery got a copy of the results and rang urgently for me to see a doctor - NOW! I couldn't get there because we we looking after grandchildren that evening so they suggested sending an emergency ambulance to admit me to hospital at once.

I declined. The oncology team weren't worried. They GP surgery sent a paramedic who was surprised to find a very fit and active patient who was not in distress and whose test results were excellent. The parmedic went away shaking her head...

Keystone Cops or Notional Health System, they all have the same writing team. My sympathy and admiration, Ogg.

 

[oggbashan]

Keystone Cops or Notional Health System, they all have the same writing team. My sympathy and admiration, Ogg.

When I first went to my GP in January with some mild symptoms she wanted to summon an emergency ambulance to take me to the ER NOW.

That was awkward because I had driven myself to the surgery. We compromised. I drove home and she ordered an ambulance. The ambulance service rang me twice to check I wasn't dying or in immediate distress so they could prioritise other more ill people. When they finally came the ambulance staff checked me over and couldn't find anything seriously wrong but took me to the ER and left me for three hours before I was checked and told to go home - by myself, and come back tomorrow to see the stroke clinic.

The consultant at the stroke clinic checked my reflexes and muscle strength. Apart from knee reaction to a hammer which I haven't had for thirty years he was stunned by my responses and muscle strength. At one point he wanted me to push up with my arms. I lifted twelve stone of doctor off the floor. He concluded that I hadn't had a stroke.

The best result was the speech therapist. She tested me extensively and concluded that my brain was interfering with my speech. My throat, vocal chords and voice production facilities were excellent. It was just the messages from my brain that she couldn't fix. She has discharged me because there is nothing she can do for me. But she noted that my problem was caused by Lambert-Eaton and took a video record to help her colleagues if they ever meet someone with my symptoms.

The consultant in 'Care for Older People' - concluded I was the fittest and most active patient he had ever seen - just dying!

 

[NaokoSmith]

Oh dear, I'm sure they won't make you go for a stressful unnecessary extra blood test for diabetes. So annoying.

 

[oggbashan]

Success!

As part of my chemotherapy apart from taking pills on day 2, 3 and 4 I have to self-inject in my stomach for five days.

I have been finding that difficult because of eyesight problems, particularly in a mirror.

But tonight I successfully completed this session of five. Ignore mirror - just stab!

 

[LoquiSordidaAdMe]

Ignore mirror - just stab!

There's a seppuku metaphor in there somewhere, I'm just sure of it.

 

[Javahead]

There's a seppuku metaphor in there somewhere, I'm just sure of it.

Beat me to it!

“Is that a dagger I see before me ...? “

 

[NaokoSmith]

Ignore mirror - just stab!

*Hugs* dear Ogg.

 

[Handley_Page]

When I first went to my GP in January with some mild symptoms she wanted to summon an emergency ambulance to take me to the ER NOW.
.
I lifted twelve stone of doctor off the floor. He concluded that I hadn't had a stroke.

The best result was the speech therapist. She tested me extensively and concluded that my brain was interfering with my speech. My throat, vocal chords and voice production facilities were excellent. It was just the messages from my brain that she couldn't fix. She has discharged me because there is nothing she can do for me. But she noted that my problem was caused by Lambert-Eaton and took a video record to help her colleagues if they ever meet someone with my symptoms.

The consultant in 'Care for Older People' - concluded I was the fittest and most active patient he had ever seen - just dying!

I don't know about anyone else in the UK reading all this but I'm sure I can hear a ghostly voice saying:
"The Health Service is safe in our hands".

Thoughts & Prayers, Ogg.

 

[JamesMiehoff]

But tonight I successfully completed this session of five. Ignore mirror - just stab!

Congratulations! Sticking yourself with a needle and knowing it is going to hurt, but doing it anyway is the true definition of courage.

I tried a self-injection system for migraines years ago. The first time, I didn't know any better and just stabbed and pressed. The second time, I thought about it for several seconds before stabbing. In the end, it turned out I was allergic to the medication and nearly had a heart attack. So that was the end of my days as a needle junkie.

My wife (who needs insulin) says that if you pinch some skin in your hand and inject into the fold of skin, it doesn't hurt as much. She says it keeps the needle from going into the muscles and you inject into the subcutaneous fat under the skin where there aren't as many nerves.

I am surprised (not surprised) that they didn't spend some time teaching you how to inject the medication properly.

James

 

[oggbashan]

Congratulations! Sticking yourself with a needle and knowing it is going to hurt, but doing it anyway is the true definition of courage.

I tried a self-injection system for migraines years ago. The first time, I didn't know any better and just stabbed and pressed. The second time, I thought about it for several seconds before stabbing. In the end, it turned out I was allergic to the medication and nearly had a heart attack. So that was the end of my days as a needle junkie.

My wife (who needs insulin) says that if you pinch some skin in your hand and inject into the fold of skin, it doesn't hurt as much. She says it keeps the needle from going into the muscles and you inject into the subcutaneous fat under the skin where there aren't as many nerves.

I am surprised (not surprised) that they didn't spend some time teaching you how to inject the medication properly.

James

They said pinch a fold of skin.

If I do that I can't hold the neddle correctly. my fold of skin keeps slipping.

 

[ThisNameIsntTakenYet]

Glad to see Ogg still kicking around after returning to the forum after a little break. Keep going.

 

[oggbashan]

Glad to see Ogg still kicking around after returning to the forum after a little break. Keep going.

I'm still around when I'm not in hospital to see someone else.

Physio today. Scan for progress of cancer tomorrow. Optometrist on Thursday, who won't be able to do anything for me.

Foot clinic next week and so on.

Physio and foot clinic are at my own cost. Everything else is NHS (except their exorbitant car parking fees for patients).

 

[Handley_Page]

I

Physio and foot clinic are at my own cost.
Everything else is NHS (except their exorbitant car parking fees for patients).

Agreed.
They charge far too much for so very little.

 

[oggbashan]

Agreed.
They charge far too much for so very little.

Last year I used to park on the street about half a mile away and walk. Now I can't but I have a disabled badge. That's not much use when all the disabled bays are full. You'd think they might assume there would be a need for a number of disabled bays at a hospital?

 

[BelleCanzuto]

Last year I used to park on the street about half a mile away and walk. Now I can't but I have a disabled badge. That's not much use when all the disabled bays are full. You'd think they might assume there would be a need for a number of disabled bays at a hospital?

When my dad (or my mom for that matter) goes to the doctor, whoever drives drops them off at the front, and then gets a parking space. When they're done, driver goes and gets the car and then picks them up. I know it's hard on your wife too, but that's an option, I'd think...

 

[oggbashan]

When my dad (or my mom for that matter) goes to the doctor, whoever drives drops them off at the front, and then gets a parking space. When they're done, driver goes and gets the car and then picks them up. I know it's hard on your wife too, but that's an option, I'd think...

Not at our hospitals. ALL the car parks are full and she can't walk as far as I used to be able to. She, like me, is elderly. Before I developed cancer I could walk twice as far and nearly twice as fast as she could.

 

[Handley_Page]

Not at our hospitals. ALL the car parks are full and she can't walk as far as I used to be able to. She, like me, is elderly. Before I developed cancer I could walk twice as far and nearly twice as fast as she could.

When I was getting my treatment, I managed to get official "transport" to & from the Hospital.
Any chance for you that they might ?

 

[BelleCanzuto]

Not at our hospitals. ALL the car parks are full and she can't walk as far as I used to be able to. She, like me, is elderly. Before I developed cancer I could walk twice as far and nearly twice as fast as she could.

When I was getting my treatment, I managed to get official "transport" to & from the Hospital.
Any chance for you that they might ?

I'm sorry. That does make things extremely difficult. HP's idea about transport is a good one. Here there are organizations with volunteer drivers. Your "medical daughter" might know of options, or the staff where you're getting treatment.

 

[oggbashan]

I'm sorry. That does make things extremely difficult. HP's idea about transport is a good one. Here there are organizations with volunteer drivers. Your "medical daughter" might know of options, or the staff where you're getting treatment.

Our local volunteer transport drivers seem even older than me and doddery. I have difficulty getting into a smaller car than our Volvo estates and public transport shakes me up so much I have to spend the next day in bed.

Even a ride in an ambulance is painful.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Our local volunteer transport drivers seem even older than me and doddery. I have difficulty getting into a smaller car than our Volvo estates and public transport shakes me up so much I have to spend the next day in bed.

Even a ride in an ambulance is painful.

I was pretty shocked at how difficult the free transport was to organise when Outlaw Dad was in hospital a few years ago and I went up to take care of him. I think I used it once, then I just got him taxis - cuz he is quite well off.

So sorry you have all this to consider on top of other problems, Ogg.

Hope all the visits go well.

 

[oggbashan]

Telephone The Hospital Urgently - Or Not!

On my appointment letter for this afternoon's CT Scan they had a note in bold type:

"If you are a tablet controlled diabetic please telephone number xxx urgently before attending."

I have difficulty using a telephone even though I have a large button phone with volume control. I tried and failed three times last week through a voice-controlled automated system which couldn't understand my voice.

Today I tried again through a number I knew went to a human operator - eventually.

First choose one of four options for which type of scan. All options lead to the same person. He then asks: "Which hospital?" (of three). He then puts me through to a receptionist who has to transfer me to a ward sister. At that stage the line dropped out three times and I had to start again from the beginning. Finally the receptionist said 'that line's engaged. Do you want to hold?'

I held. Eventually the ward sister answered. I explained why I was calling. She replied. 'Keep taking the tablets and tell them when you arrive'. Exactly the same message as I got for the urgent telephon call before the previous scan. When I arrived I told them then and they said 'Don't worry. It only applies to a very few.'

On my notes it says that my speech is compromised and I have difficulty using a telephone but the system doesn't allow for that.

 

[vanmyers86]

That sounds extremely frustrating, Ogg, and exactly the kind of experience you don't need when you're already struggling. I am sorry you're having such a difficult day.

Sending you a big hug from Texas!

 

[NaokoSmith]

On my notes it says that my speech is compromised and I have difficulty using a telephone but the system doesn't allow for that.

Yesterday was actually National Disability Day. If you have the energy, maybe it would be worth a sarcastic letter to the hospital board mentioning this?

That's really appalling, so sorry.

 

[oggbashan]

Returned from the CT scan. I told them about diabetes tablets. Their only advice was to drink more liquid for the next 24 hours.

Maybe I'll have a whole bottle of wine instead of a half or third. The idea is to flush the iodine used for highlighting the images. Wine is a liquid or I have a few bottles of the local craft ales.

As usual the staff actually treating me were professional and helpful It's the admin systems that are useless. As for their computer systems? Back to the 1960s when they work...