Good morning all from a sunny Glasgow, where Alexa tells me it's foggy. Like me, I fear she has lost the plot!?
Yesterday, much to my surprise, I received a letter from the well known, Swiss pharmaceutical company, who manufacture the biologics I inject.
The letter asked for permission to contact my RA consultant and have access to my medical records, due to the fact I had serious side effects and they were legally bound to report it to the UK Drugs Standards Agency.
I spent the afternoon trying to find out, who had reported it, because I was wary of filling in the form. No-one at the hospital knew anything about it. My consultant's secretary said she had never come across this before, ? I knew I was special.
However, I did find the whole thing very unsettling.
DH thought I might get a trip to Switzerland out of it, unfortunately no-one will insure me! ?
At dinnertime, I received a call from the company, who supply my injections, to warn me that I would be contacted by the manufacturer. The person I spoke to, was horrified that I had already received the paperwork, prior to giving my permission for the company to contact me.
Apparently, the supplier also had a legal obligation to report the side effects, hence the letter.
It's reassuring to know that these safeguards are in place.
Please bear with me with the following mini novella. There is a point to it, I can assure you.
Yesterday I went to pick up my much needed heart pills and decided to get petrol in Morrisons on my way home.
Its ages since I bought petrol, so was disconcerted to find new pumps had been installed.
There was a nurse at the pump beside me, who couldn't get the pump to work. She was becoming quite agitated, so I offered to help her, but couldn't get it to work either.
I said I would try mine first and then help her, but mine lso didn't work.
I went into the kiosk to ask for help, The young man said they were having problems and he would reset the pumps. Still nothing happened! Grrrrr?
Really annoyed now, I marched back in to speak to the assistant. In the kiosk were two lorry drivers and a white van man, who mistakenly thought I was a dittery old lady and proceed to offer advice on how to use a petrol pump.
WRONG MOVE! ?
I looked at them with my steely, scary, teacher face and told them that I had been driving for longer than any of them and could teach them a thing or two!!
The three of them took it very well and burst out laughing! ?
Out I went again and eventually got my pump working. As I went to help the nurse, who was becoming more anxious, because she was way behind schedule, my Blue Badge fell out of my car and under it!
I then noticed something shining on the ground, the missing earrings, I had bought weeks ago, but couldn't find!
I had stuffed them in the badge wallet for safe keeping and forgotten, I had done that. I am indeed a very silly, old lady.
The moral of the story: a good deed is always rewarded, I found my earrings!
I cannot make use of my empty today, as I need to pick up essentials, after that I shall be in the garden, pottering.
DH and DS2 are going to a whisky tasting this afternoon, thank goodness SIL isn't going. They all get on really well , but DH is easily led astray by them.
I shall worry until he is home safely.
Have a good day, folks and as always, my thoughts are with those, who are struggling. It's so difficult, sad and frustrating and often lonely, when you aren't able to do much. ?
. Mr C will need mitral valve repair or replacement at a time yet to be determined. Very reassured by the appointment and now waiting a whole host of more minor procedures. Just wish the centre of excellence wasn’t in the middle of a bustling city where I detest driving. 
