July 2022

The COVID rates seem to be dropping again which is good news (the cynic in me thinks this is probably connected to the schools breaking up).

July was a stressful month, starting with a hospital visit, followed by a leak in the bathroom, then of course the heatwave.

NHS Inefficiencies

I think the NHS is fabulous in an emergency situation, but in other areas the inefficiencies are there for all to see.

I had to have a small op done, I was told it was under a general anaesthetic, but when a queried that they agreed it could be under a local (much better!).

I had to go for a pre-op assessment, followed by a second one as the op wasn’t carried out within the 3 months of the assessment.

Eventually the op was booked, and I was told I was on the afternoon list so needed to get there for 10am. I queried why and was told it was then they had time to assess everyone on the day.

I arrived for 10am and 90 mins later a nurse went through the forms, and I was told the surgeon would come to see me, then I can sign the consent form.

At 14:45 the surgeon arrived, went though the forms and checks, “you aren’t taking any blood thinners are you?”

“Yes, I’m in Apixaban for recurrent DVTs”

“Oh! We normally tell people to stop taking these! Did you have a pre-op assessment?”

“Yes, two!”

The surgeon then disappeared for a while, when he returned he said it wasn’t clinically unsafe to go ahead, but it might affect the chances of success, and did I want to come back in 2 weeks?

I said I was here so might as well go ahead and try, so went down to theatre just after 4pm. Luckily, it all went well.

What was the point of me having 2 pre-op assessments were I detailed my medication, plus it all up there on the SPINE for people to access, if nobody bothers to look at it?

Random gestures of kindness

There’s a local circuit I do most days to try and keep fit (unless its raining or over 30c!).

Recently, I bumped into a couple I often see walking their dog, and they commented that I had a Lord of the Rings hoodie on (I have several!), and it turned out they were also huge fans of LotR.

He very kindly offered to let me have some memorabilia from when the films first came out, asked me where I lived. A few days later turned up with a lovely selection of magazines containing features on each of the films.

What a lovely thing to do!

Run, Hedgie, Run

Zebs has surpassed his personal best again and his now done 6.98 miles in a night!

Amazing for a little creature the size of my hand, with the tiniest of feet.

Take care

Julia xxx