Black Dog 10

Hi, good to read about you all and your GC.

Doodle same here about concentration, in my case I think its because I don't have enough to focus on, I'm better when I have to use my brain.

I finally escaped last night after having a real hissy fit at them. I had been endlessly patient and understanding, been in 13 different beds plus scans etc. After 5 days they still hadn't managed to get my standard, necessary, medication from the pharmacy and it took 4 days to get the MRI scan. Different docs said different things and 3 times I was told I could go home then told I couldn't. Had the MRI on Monday morning and was told to wait for results in less than an hour, didn't come. In the afternoon a doc kept coming to ask me questions and then going to talk to the stroke nurse who I had been told 3 times would come and see me but never did. Asked Sister if they would go off shift and not tell me and was assured they wouldn't. They did. I was left being told I hadn't had a stroke but they had found a couple of things they were talking about. So I am left wondering if I have a brain tumour or whatever!

It all boiled over and I ended up telling them that I mattered too. I forced Sister to come and listen to me and poured out all the above plus much more. She got a doc to talk to me and he said I hadn't had a stroke, no clots and no bleeds, just a couple of arteries/blood vessels had softened which is perfectly normal for my age. He said I had to wait until the morning for a discharge letter. Soon after Sister remarkably found the missing meds and gave me my discharge letter. Son took me to buy chocolate on the way home!

Having said all that, all the individual staff were helpful and kind, the paramedics were wonderful too, It is simply that there is no coordination and no one to follow up and see that appropriate things get done. It is hugely inefficient and wasteful of resources.

Now know I have had a full MOT and that I am doing very well. Unfortunately the first thing they look at is my DOB but I can now laugh at the OT who wanted to sort out the aids for me to cope at home and the physio who thought I needed help managing the stairs, even the nurse who asked if I lived in a community!! Never mind, they meant well

Hi all x Nonnie great you are home! I felt the same the morning I was discharged after spending the night in hospital because of sky high BP! Yes I am familiar with the comedy of errors as my MiL used to spend many weeks in and out of hospitals. Take it easy now. All the best x

Nonnie- just to say glad you are home safely after what must have been a nerve wracking and frustrating time. Hope tonight you have a good sleep back in your own bed- always lovely after being anywhere but especially after Hospital.

Oh Scaredycat I am so sorry. Nothing upsets me more than one of ‘mine’ being upset. Your poor DGD. I hope she feels a bit better soon.
Be nice if we had filing compartments in our head. Somewhere we could post a worry and say I’ll look at that in a month and if it’s still a problem I’ll think about it then. A sort of pending file. I bet so many of our worries would disappear if we didn’t have to think about them for a month.

Nonnie so glad to hear you’ve escaped. Oh what an upsetting time you’ve had. Fancy not telling you what’s going on. No wonder your mind was in overdrive. Good to hear it wasn’t a stroke or blood clots. I bet that chocolate on the way home was the best you’d tasted ?
I do so agree with you about the staff being brilliant but no coordination. It was the same when DH was in hospital before Christmas.
Hope all the gang are ok.
DH has a bad back so not done much today. Went for a short walk but my little toe is still painful so we had to come home. I need to find a pair of shoes that don’t touch my feet anywhere ?

Hi all x

nonnie so glad to learn you are home, sounds you were in a
nightmare, do take care x

Scaredycat sorry your granddaughter is distressed, we do get
so distressed if ours are so x

Doodle hope your DH’s back and your toe are on the mend x

Sympathy needed please, I haven’t been able to receive or send emails for a few months, mini tornado sorted it out for me, have over 2,000 emails ! can’t delete then in one go, some are from firms I shop with and some are from friends, am tapping away then have many apologies to make , hope I will
be forgiven.

Been in wheelchair this morning, no way am I using the banana board, did try but moving from sofa to wheelchair I was sitting on the board an because my hands are so twisted I
couldn’t get the board away from under my bottom.

No laughing please, I get motion sickness in it when I have to
turn right around, !

Hello Annie. 2000 emails ?. My goodness that will keep you busy for a long time.
Glad you’ve been in the wheelchair again. If you can’t use the banana board does that mean you can’t get into bed still?
Are you able to get in or out of the wheelchair without help?
Thanks for asking, DH S back still painful but only causes a problem when getting up. Sitting he’s ok and in bed he’s ok it’s just standing up that it hurts. My little toe is still causing problems. If I put something round it my shoes don’t fit if I don’t put something round it then my shoes rub it. I am thinking (seriously) of making a little toe version of a finger stool. It’s either that or walk round in my winter boots all summer ?
Nonnie how have you been today, bet you’re glad to be home?
Scaredycat hope your DGD is ok.
Take care all. Haircut again for me tomorrow.

Doodle do you think your feet might have softened during lockdown?

Wow Annie will it even end?

I have now read my discharge letter. It is a great work of fiction! Admitted because I was 'generally unwell'. Hmm how likely is it that 111 would have sent the paramedics for that, how likely the paramedics would have taken me to hospital or that I would have been admitted?

Diagnosis is 'dizziness' but I kept telling them I wasn't dizzy. Apparently I have an allergy to a medication I have never heard of. I have been assessed as being at risk of falls. No, not assessed and could have shown them my Pilates balances if they had done.

I am 'estimated' to be obese, BMI 30.73, weight 71 kg and about 3 inches shorter than I am. My BMI is actually 24!!! No one assessed me and if they did estimate it they were clearly not looking at me.

Oh, my details washed off my wristband during my first shower!

Decided I was not letting this all go on my record so requested a call from my doc. Explicitly said that I would be going out at 1030 to take my husband to physio/ Doc phoned my mobile at 1034 and would have got a message saying I didn't take calls while I was driving. Got home and he had left a message on the house phone too!

You really couldn't make it up but I have it in print on my desk. Writing to give them feedback!

The good news is that the physio has signed DH off.

Nonnie don’t know about softened but they have certainly spread. ? I am now buying half a size bigger shoes, I have put weight on but didn’t realise it went on my feet as well as my stomach. ?
Glad to hear the physio is pleased with your DH.
We too have been subject to incorrect medical details being logged. I had a real battle with one hospital who called my DH in because he had an abnormal result on his blood test when in A&E for high blood pressure, I told them he hadn’t had a blood test. Hospital said that maybe he wasn’t aware of it but he had. I told them I had been with him all the time (this was pre lockdown) and that there was no way they took any blood. I told them DH is a prolific bleeder and if they had taken blood he would still have a plaster or pad on his arm and would also have a bruise. It took a long time to convince them they had made a mistake. They promised they would amend their records. They didn’t ?. Next time DH went to hospital they nearly cancelled his pre op assessment due to the abnormal blood test result showing on his record. I hit the roof. They re tested his blood, apologised and removed the incorrect data. You have to be on your toes all the time.
Annie are you making any headway through those emails yet?
Hope you are managing ok with your chair.
Will be out tonight at The AGM for our Residents meeting. Lots to discuss so could be a long night,
Take care all and sleep well. X

Evening all
Doodle- Oh you andDH are having a bit of a painful time . Hope DH back eases off soon. It’s horrid when you have anything painful on your foot - especially when you enjoy walking . Have you tried Skechers Go Walk shoes they are really soft and comfortable. I have recently acquired a hammer toe and got some very soft sort of rubbery toes separators that take all the discomfort away when on - wonder if they would help you.
Can’t believe your haircut has come round again - hope you are really pleased with it.
Nonnie- what a nightmare! Its scary how sometimes the NHS can get things so wrong and potentially dangerous. They certainly need your feedback - could be a few pages long!!
Good news about your DH they must be very pleased with him.
Annie- wow it’s going to take a while to plough through all those E mails! Well done to MT for getting it sorted though.
That banana board sounds a bit dodgy. Maybe there is another technique to help you use it in a way you can manage. Can you get in your wheelchair without it?
I think it will be a while before my GD feels better but she is trying very hard and is surrounded by people who love her.
Sleep well all BDG xx

Doodle a friend of mine who was very overweight lost quite a lot and needed smaller shoes so I think it does affect shoe size. Mine are half a size smaller than they used to be and I take a smaller dress size but that is nothing to do with me, shoe and dress size inflation, definitely

Further info on the NHS saga - finally got to speak to my GP this morning and told him what I thought of the discharge letter. He kept telling me to tell them but I still made my points. I told him I am writing to them and copying him so it can be on my record. He did concede that he knew my BMI was 24 after I said I was happy to go into the surgery to be weighed and measured. I think a good rant made me feel better.

Hi all x

nonnie good for you, I would so like a good rant but unable to contact physiotherapy dept .

Now waiting for test results, possible ITU, sleeping a lot in the day,

Hi all x Feeling rather low for no particular reason but mustn’t let DH know as he doesn’t understand ‘low for no reason’. So trying not to show it. I’ve been trying to lose a couple of pounds but there’s no way, yet I know I’m about a stone overweight and the doctor said it would help with the pre diabetic, fatty liver etc. Yet honestly it’s not what I eat, I do 8000 to 10000 steps every day, so it must be down to genetics. The nurse said I would be much worse off if I didn’t do all these things!
Annie no you don’t need the UTI on top of everything else! Have you anything on prescription you can take?
Nonnie good for you good job too as we tend to accept what we are told by medics as Bible truth.
Doodle I don’t think they listen when you mention amending records. In our case they always have an ancient phone number which I told them numerous times to amend. Fancy if surgery or hospital were trying to contact us urgently!
Hope you’ll all have a pleasant afternoon x

Annie hope you are ok. Uti s are horrible!
I’ve been struggling with my mental health this week. No particular reason. Tomorrow I have a hairdresser appointment and am dreading it. I hate seeing myself in the mirror. I don’t know what to have done except roots need doing. It’s quite long and I can’t decide whether to leave it or get a bob. Making even small decisions is so hard just now.

Scaredycat I don’t know what DH has done. He was fine, then stood up and somehow hurt his back. It is still painful on standing and he is taking painkillers to help.
Thank you for mentioning sketchers. I will certainly look into that. I am of an age now where I need comfort for my feet.
I have got the toe separators and a bunion thing and little sleeves to out on the toe. The trouble is everything I put on or between the toe pushes it into the side of the shoe. I have bought some shoes in a bigger size hoping that will help.
Yes another haircut. I am gradually getting back to normal
Nonnie it does do you good to get your point across. Hope your records are corrected.
Well done you for sticking up for yourself.
Annie sorry if you have a UTI. That’s painful and uncomfortable. Hope you feel better soon. Sleep if you need to, the best cure. Much love and cwtches x
Bluesky I’m sure if you feel low there is a reason. Maybe not one you want to acknowledge. I understand about not sharing that with your DH. Some people just don’t understand that dismal feeling. If you are trying to lose weight, persevere. I have been trying for months and nothings seems to have worked but recently I have lost a bit,
I’ve been eating more vegetables and less meat and potatoes, rice cakes and an apple for lunch and one piece of chocolate with my coffee after dinner. If you are cutting down food wise that could cause the low mood too.
EllieAnne ask your hairdressers advice. Sometimes a new look can lift the spirits. Hope you feel better soon.
Take care all x

Annie I hope the results show something minor which can be easily treated. I think that being told there is nothing wrong can be worse. Sleep is good, we heal when we sleep.

BluSky all the BDG feel like that at times and it usually passes. I don't think 'normal' exercises has any effect on our weight. I remember hard cycling at the gym for 20 minutes worked off 30 calories. If your walk is brisk it will do you good even though you don't lose weight. I have a condition which means I put on weight if I eat like normal people so I am very strict but I don't diet. What works for me is not what I eat but what I don't eat. PM me if you would like to know more.

EllieAnne you and BluSky in the same state right now. I think going to the hairdresser is a faff so I just go in and tell her to do what she thinks is best. I point out that I wouldn't tell any other professional how to do their job so I trust her. Makes life so much easier if you don't have to make those decisions.

I'm working hard on motivation. Having had the hospital scare I keep wondering what is next and just want to make my family happy and leave everything as organised as possible when I did.

Feeling very blessed that yesterday DS & DiL asked us to go on a July break with them and then another DS & DiL called to say they want to come over for a week in October and go away with us. I have the best family.

Morning all x
Nonnie that’s interesting so it’s what you don’t eat that works. In my case being a strict veggie doesn’t help as I tend to have carbs at every meal. Will PM you thanks!
How lovely you have something to look forward to with your family, I think that’s what we need and DH keeps telling me just that. Terrible lack of motivation at the moment.
Hope you’ll all have a nice weekend x

Nonnie- glad you got to have your say re the discharge letter fiasco. Maybe from now on your GP will actually listen to you.
Yes keeping our families happy is what makes us happy too- I so understand how you feel.
Great that you will get to spend time with your Sons and their families this year- lovely times to look forward to.
Ellie Anne- good idea to ask your hairdressers advice- it,ll take all the stress away. I always take off my glasses at the hairdressers so my reflection is in a bit of soft focus as Looking in mirrors is not my favourite thing either!!
BlueSky- you sound like you are doing everything right so try not to worry over a few pounds. Maybe you just need a bit more protein and a little less carbs. Hope you feel brighter today.
Annie- hope you,ve got some meds by now to help clear up your UTI- they are so unpleasant. You obviously need your sleep so hope it has done you good. Sending hugs.
Doodle- are you pleased with your new haircut? Hope DH is more comfortable today and your pinky appreciating the more roomy shoes.
Hope everyone has a good weekend- at last the sun is shining here. X

Nonnie how nice of your family to include you in their trips.
Bluesky we all need something to look forward too. Why don’t you try and book a trip to the coast or something with your DH. The sea air is very healing.
scaredycat hair is fine thanks. I have quite a lot of it so tend to stick to the same style. My new shoes in a bigger size seem to be helping my toe. Hopefully some tlc will sort it out.
DH has been taking some ibuprofen which has helped. Thanks for asking.
Have you been out today? It is due to rain here tomorrow so we walked today and will stay in tomorrow and do some tidying.
Annie how is the UTI ? Hope you are feeling better.
Sleep well all. X

Here is a link to the morning service from the Dean at Canterbury Cathedral. I thought you might like to see the little chicks he is rearing. They are all sorts but mix together well and all snuggle up for warmth. So sweet. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYwW8GWU_BM

Scardycat that is a good point you made for BlueSky I'm thinking about whether it affects me too. Is there something missing in our diets? Could that be the problem? Perhaps I should eat carbs?

Doodle glad the new shoes help. If our feet are painful it affects everything.

I'm trying, unsuccessfully to persuade DH to do some touristy things while there are fewer people around. Places like Stratford on Avon would normally be heaving with tourists at this time of year so it seems like a good time to go. Couldn't even get him to an event in a local park yesterday. Going to be a long work in progress.

Nonnie I agree it would be a good idea to get your DH out and about a bit. We all need a change of scene sometimes,
Had an at home day today. DHs back still painful but I have ordered him an iPad stand as I think he spends a long time with his head down and shoulders hunched looking at his iPad on his lap. I’m hoping if he straightens up his back will improve.
Annie how have you been today?
Hope everyone is ok .

Evening all x Nonnie I think I’ll go and have a cup of tea with your DH while you can run around with mine!
Doodle I took your advice and spent the day by the seaside, lovely to see places open and people out and I enjoyed it. I just need a push sometimes!
Wishing you all a peaceful night x

Bluesky so glad you had a good day. A breath of sea air does us good. Hope it helps you sleep x

Anniversary today. We ignored it. Glad the day is almost over. Coped with the hairdresser ok. Now have a bob .
Annie hope you are feeling better.