MEDICAL MATTERS

[Big Kev]

I wonder how many think 'I don't need to get my child vaccinated, no one gets measles anymore'? There's a risk of 'tens of thousands' catching it in London.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66200444

[plaques]

Back on harness, well almost. A three day journey courtesy of the NHS. Part 3.

Today's, Blackburn Hospital visit was a bit long winded but relatively stress free, Still trying to get to grips with the prostrate problem we went Nuclear. That's what they call this branch of investigation.
Into radiography for my tracer injection. Technetium-99m. Wait 2 hours for it to circulate then onto a scanning X-ray + CT machine for the actual bone scan. Lie back and snooze for 40 minutes until it done its stuff, over 1000 images taken from scull to ankle. Results should be ready in just over a week.

During the waiting period we took advantage of the restaurant. Much better than the cafe at the entrance. Mrs P with beefsteak pudding and myself with fish and chips. both to be recommended. Tizer please note! cheap but paid for

[Stanley]

Kev, I heard the same report. They need to be shown films of the consequences! That might make them go for their jabs.
Ken, I look forward to good news from you later this week...

[plaques]

In our latest Pendle news sheet we can see our MP Andrew Stephenson alongside Steve Barclay the health minister saying how he secured a re-build of the Airedale hospital Built in the 1960's using an unsuitable concrete it had a design life of 30 years. (now over 60 years old)

But then in the Yorkshire post we have,

Robbie Moore, the Conservative MP for Keighly, said: “Today is a landmark day for Keighley and Ilkley and one of the most significant investments announced for our community in decades.
“A new Airedale Hospital will make an unprecedented difference to the lives of so many across our community for generations to come.
“Having visited the hospital many times for meetings over the last few years, I have seen first-hand just how bad the structural condition is, and that’s why I made it my number one priority.

Anybody else for the bandwagon?

[Stanley]

Funny thing is that I remember it being built and opened in 1970 and in my head it's always been a new hospital. See THIS for a potted history and its connections with the disgraced architect John Poulson and 'autoclaved aerated concrete. Reputed to have the biggest flat roof in the UK.....
I think that at the moment Tory MPs are looking for any good news story they can link their name to. Bit Like Jenny Purcell and potholes in Barlick.

[Tizer]

I'm into the 5th week of a treatment with Efudix cream for curing benign carcinomas on my face. These are the result of too much time in the sun as a youngster. That might sound odd for a lad born and raised in Blackburn but we were fortunate enough to live in a council house on the western edge of town so out of the smog. Add in the fact that my mother came from South Africa and had us out soaking up the sun at every opportunity and you can see why I've got this trouble now. I asked the surgery's dermatologist if there was cream to alleviate the problem. There is and it's called Efudix but she warned me that my face would look worse temporarily before it all healed. The cream causes inflammation of the skin as it works. I decided to take the risk and get rid of the scabby blemishes. It's supposed to work in 3 weeks.

Here I am in week 5 and still have a face like Mars - red and cratered, and it's itchy and painful! After 3 weeks I saw the doc and she said `give it another 2 weeks' so I'm hoping to be finished with the treatment by the end of this week. It's been a difficult time. I have to apply the cream every morning and mustn't cover it with any kind of dressing. I've been avoiding social activities because I look like a carrier of some dreaded disease. At night the scabby areas exude lymph and blood and every morning the pillow case has to be scrubbed and washed to clean up all the dried stuff. The cream had better work!

[Stanley]

Once again I realise how lucky I am! My cancer causes me less trouble than that Peter. I wish you all the best and I hope it works. It sounds horrible.
Remember that old song, 'Count your blessings'...... I shall do it!

[Cathy]

I’m thinking of you Tize and wishing you all the best.

[Tizer]

Thank you both for your concerns. It seems to be getting slightly better and I'm seeing the doc again on Friday for a review of that and also my breathing problems that I've had since 2010. I had a number of tests over several weeks and there should be results from those. I'm booked in for a chest X-ray so I hope the radiographers don't go on strike yet! I've been doing daily Peak Flow measurements (blow as hard as possible into the tube and then take the reading). A normal reading for someone with my weight and height should be around 450 but I average only 330. it's been like that since 2010 and the docs couldn't find a reason for it in 2010 so it'll be interesting to see if they do any better this time round! My blood oxygen levels are OK and extensive blood tests show nothing unusual. It's not just difficulty breathing - when I walk uphill my legs get tired and very painful, like cramp and a sort of muscle weakness. At least I'm getting attention from the NHS!

[PanBiker]

Best of luck with all that Peter. With regard to the cream, a similar mechanism as chemo, you have to get worse before you get better. I hope you have turned the corner and continue to improve.

[Tizer]

Thanks Ian, there are people who have much more serious problems but I'll be glad when mine is over.

[plaques]

Another fun day at the new Burnley Urology investigation clinic. The appointment was accompanied by a map which was as much use as a treasure trove map on some unknown Pacific island. Parked up in what I thought was the general area and started to ask directions. Finally found someone who thought she'd seen a sign. Booked in and straight to the toilets as one does trying not to make a fool of myself. 1st question " Have you brought a water sample?"Explained the circumstances "well we shall wait and see what happens".
Into a consulting room. Usual blood pressure, temp etc taken. Good news your bone scan is clear, no sign of metastasis.
Called into the examination room. Expecting to see a bench but surprised to see a Gynecological examination bed with four very pleasant nurses in attendance. Probably to calm me down or hold me down whichever came first.
Doctor explained the procedure which led up to the biopsy removal. I kept thinking of some eye watering experience but relieved to know it was all under local anaesthetic. The biopsy 'gun' was explained and demonstrated with a loud clicking noise. Down into the abyss he went. About 12 samples were taken all done in 10 minutes.
Then true to form Ms P and myself were offered a FREE cup of tea and biscuits.

Eat your heart out Tizer.

[Stanley]

Don't like the sound of that Ken. Include me out! Bit worrying finding you had four nurses under the circumstances, perhaps they've found some behind the sofa....
Glad to hear your bone scan was OK. Now you need a negative report on the samples...... My fingers are crossed for you.
On a much lower scale of importance.... I have heard nothing from the surgery about the second blood test or the results. My instinct is to send a sharply worded email to Hassan but then I decided to keep stum, no news is good news! I shall find out if the prescriptions have been reinstated before the end of the month.

[PanBiker]

I have heard nothing from the surgery about the second blood test or the results. My instinct is to send a sharply worded email to Hassan but then I decided to keep stum, no news is good news!

Or you could simply ring the surgery. If your results are back they will tell you the outcome.

[Big Kev]

I have heard nothing from the surgery about the second blood test or the results. My instinct is to send a sharply worded email to Hassan but then I decided to keep stum, no news is good news!

Or you could simply ring the surgery. If your results are back they will tell you the outcome.

There is an option for test results on the surgery phone line

[PanBiker]

Indeed Kev, I forgot about that.

[Tizer]

I have heard nothing from the surgery about the second blood test or the results. My instinct is to send a sharply worded email to Hassan but then I decided to keep stum, no news is good news!

Or you could simply ring the surgery. If your results are back they will tell you the outcome.

There is an option for test results on the surgery phone line

Or if you register with NHS Access on your PC or smartphone you'll find all the test results, letters, prescriptions etc listed for perusal at your leisure over a cup of tea at home. Although some of my pre-2010 data still has to be digitised all the subsequent data is there in impressive detail.

[Big Kev]

Or you could simply ring the surgery. If your results are back they will tell you the outcome.

There is an option for test results on the surgery phone line

Or if you register with NHS Access on your PC or smartphone you'll find all the test results, letters, prescriptions etc listed for perusal at your leisure over a cup of tea at home.

I wasn't sure if Stanley had the app so didn't mention it.

[Stanley]

I'll keep stum until there is a good reason for complaining.
Saw my friend Steve this morning, he has been AWOL for a few weeks. He looks terrible, he's been struck by a savage fast acting cancer and it shows. He starts chemo this week. Once again I have reason to think I am lucky.....

[Tizer]

Kev, he can create an account on his Ubuntu PC from this web page: NHS Access
There are three levels of access (shown on that web link) and to see his health records he'll need Level 3. There are various ways of proving your ID for Level 3 and the simplest for Stanley may be to ask his surgery for a registration code. He should register because it's an easy way to get all your medical information.

[Stanley]

He already has access to that Peter but when I ask about repeat prescriptions it wants to know what the medications are. I'm not a pharmacist! Are they not capable of just repeating the prescriptions that have been in place for years? The clue is in the name! If they don't get it in place by the time it is needed it's easier to just walk into reception and ask the lady behind the counter!
My mind isn't on that though, it's on my mate who is deteriorating so quickly. Frightening.

[Big Kev]

He already has access to that Peter but when I ask about repeat prescriptions it wants to know what the medications are. I'm not a pharmacist! Are they not capable of just repeating the prescriptions that have been in place for years? The clue is in the name! If they don't get it in place by the time it is needed it's easier to just walk into reception and ask the lady behind the counter!

My NHS app has a list of my repeat meds, I just have to tick the box next to them...

[Stanley]

Mine hasn't got any.....

[Tizer]

He already has access to that Peter but when I ask about repeat prescriptions it wants to know what the medications are. I'm not a pharmacist! Are they not capable of just repeating the prescriptions that have been in place for years? The clue is in the name! If they don't get it in place by the time it is needed it's easier to just walk into reception and ask the lady behind the counter!
My mind isn't on that though, it's on my mate who is deteriorating so quickly. Frightening.

Stanley, I was referring to the discussion about you accessing your medical records etc, not about your friend.
And as Kev says, ` My NHS app has a list of my repeat meds, I just have to tick the box next to them.'

[PanBiker]

And as Kev says, ` My NHS app has a list of my repeat meds, I just have to tick the box next to them.'

I use the MyGP app which is linked to the NHS app, both have my meds listed and I can order via either. The online pharmacy I use sends me a reminder text for the repeats which of course still have to be authorised by the doc but that is a formality. For mine normally done the same day if ordered during the working week.