What was your fasting blood glucose? (full on chat)

[ianpspurs]

Our 4 year old granddaughter has had scarlet fever then tonsillitis then chicken pox and is now in hospital with pneumonia. Her parents were told there would be a 15 hour wait for an ambulance despite the East of England area not taking industrial action. Goodness knows what the rest of the country is like. He parents took her to Addenbrookes themselves.

 

[gennepher]

Can't sleep. Too too overtired
Falling out of this bed, it is bouncy as a trampoline. I have my coat down the side of me to stop me rolling out. I would move the bed against the wall, but it is fixed

I had brought a few comforts from home, my neck cushion, my hand massager, got the massager going now on my weary hand from pushing my wheelie. But there is one snag...the bed in the next room is going to think I have a vibrator going. Who the heck cares...

Used some lavender essential oil, dinking CBD oil tea, taken amitriptyline, taken pain killers. Waiting for sleep to descend...I have a bit more stuff in my medicine box

I'll have a look through your posts... dictating here so you may get some funny looking words

Walking to the hospital from my parked car, there were so many people asleep/sitting/lying/sprawled in the pavements. I would have take photos to record this, but I didn't feel safe. There was one naked guy with one sock on, and a dressing gown which didn't cover his decency, half sprawled on the pavement. He looked at me. What could I do? It wasn't even safe to let him know I had money to give him. Nearly every shop was boarded up.

I managed to get in the bath in my room to have a shower, I thought if I fall over, I will just have to yell for help. I stood under it for a full 30 minutes. I needed that to try and soothe my aching bones and joints...still not sleepy, still over tired...

 

[gennepher]

Very moody

Thank you @dunelm

 

[gennepher]

Good morning everyone from a tropical 7 degree pochette of warmth here in the dark and dangerous north. Despite rumours that half of Yorkshire is under avalanches of snow, that is at least two miles away on the road to Whitby and of course The Dales. Little going on today, not a good night so will be trying to catch up with some Z’s later. Art bit, monochrome and a hint of blue. Hope you all have a wonderful day. I shall drink koffy and then wonder why I can’t have a kip.


View attachment 58261

Interesting steps to some unknown place... @dunelm

 

[gennepher]

Good morning everyone from a much less cold Exotic East. Spreadsheet says make today laundry day since heating won’t be so eagerly devouring the power budget. When JKP awakes, arises and becomes Monarch of all she surveys I’ll see if it is correct or needs a stern lecture. Today there is a little homily, a sonnet, a piece of art and some music here https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2021/12/20/. A year behind as he updates his blog later in the day. @dunelm thank you for sharing that stunning finish to your art and I do hope you manage some catch up sleep. @gennepher thanks for sharing that creative. At first glance very brooding but then the brightness makes it redemptively hopeful. @SlimLizzy a winner indeed. Enjoy the now free festive goodies. From what your posts do and don't fully say you two are richly deserving. @lindisfel you are doing amazingly well for 84. @alf_Josiah your theme tune must surely be I did it my way but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Enjoy your day everyone. I need more tea and BCP morning prayer - my IIABDFI - feel free to rofl, join in, ponder my sanity or whatevs. Your life, your choices.

Thank you @ianpspurs

 

[gennepher]

Afternoon.

Seems I'm bucking this winning trend with a losing one . Aagghh.

FBG 7.3....has good reason, so trying not to be to stressed over it.

Lauren has Facebook friend.
They hit it off years ago and regularly meet up for a good chinwag & to go to restaurants .

Pandemic meant they couldn't, then one thing leads to another so they hadn't met up for a few years now, only calls & texts

Arranged to meet at hers last night (Islington)

I said I'd pick her up.
Got warned to be ULTRA CAREFUL of the LTN restrictions

(Local traffic networks set in place under covid rules )

I crawled at low speed once nearby, checking every sign
and still caught out ..(twice, I think )

A nice £300 + fine heading our way

Will be appealing them, signage abysmal..clearly intended to catch as many as possible .

Not against such things per se , but make signage clear.
Not every journey can be made by bicycle, those not local need clear guidance so as not to cause harm or inconvenience .

Her friend & her husband came down to meet me on arrival

Tell me Uber, taxis & minicabs won't come to local streets
They have to arrange pick up and wait outside local pub, just outside the zone .

On plus side, her friend had cooked a fabulous spread of Chinese dishes .

She had kindly given me a doggie bag of dishes.
Smelled gorgeous & tasted even better.

A little joy at the end of a stressful drive.

So fbg compounded by that small pleasure, and my inner rage at the imbecility of people being scared to drive in areas they don't know that well....aagghh.

Calm, breathe, repeat.

That's the pits @jjraak

 

[gennepher]

Glad you finally found somewhere to stay that you feel is suitable and secure. Accommodation is so expensive these days. At least, when we have to go away for treatment, there is a hostel attached to the hospital. Unfriendly looking place, but clean and secure.

That sounds good, at least it is somewhere right by it to stay @Annb

 

[gennepher]

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and those who plough their own furrow through life, which incidentally we all do in our own fashion.

Blood sugars this morning were a straight 5.0

A bit of a busy morning in Tilehurst Towers, starting with over sleeping, rushing around sorting out some recycling, then covid test, breakfast and medication. Pause for breath, stand in local rain cabinet, dry, throw some clothes on, jump in the cage ( motorcycle slang for car ) and get driven to Bracknell hospital for my skin clinic appointment disrobe get examined all over for skin cancer, a side effect of the transplant medication I take. All clear thankfully, have repeat in 12 months time says the consultant. Celebrate with a safety koffy, after getting dressed….. That was appointment 6 of 6 no more medical stuff until next year.

Next get back into the cage and get driven to an area of Reading called Caversham, well known for traffic snarl ups and onerous parking restrictions, to the cemetery where our middle son is buried to lay a wreath, never a happy trip. Then a truly forgettable low carb lunch.

At last back in Tilehurst Towers for an afternoon nap.
Now perhaps I can start my day, plinky plonky practice, but first catch up on other stuff, which must remain unspoken or me, me’s and myself must kill you, unofficial secrets act etc, etc.
Stay safe, stay warm and feel for the post men and ladies who are still wearing shorts.

A lot of extra special hugs for you Alf

 

[Annb]

Our 4 year old granddaughter has had scarlet fever then tonsillitis then chicken pox and is now in hospital with pneumonia. Her parents were told there would be a 15 hour wait for an ambulance despite the East of England area not taking industrial action. Goodness knows what the rest of the country is like. He parents took her to Addenbrookes themselves.

That is shocking Ian. I don't really understand what is happening to the NHS services. All the news bulletins have said that it is shortage of personnel, bed blocking, is that down just to insufficient cash, or are there deeper problems? From what I can see, the health service needs a massive input of cash, but whatever is given will just be swallowed up immediately with no obvious resolution. The ones who really suffer though are the ones who have to pay for it - the public.

Walking to the hospital from my parked car, there were so many people asleep/sitting/lying/sprawled in the pavements. I would have take photos to record this, but I didn't feel safe. There was one naked guy with one sock on, and a dressing gown which didn't cover his decency, half sprawled on the pavement. He looked at me. What could I do? It wasn't even safe to let him know I had money to give him. Nearly every shop was boarded up.

I managed to get in the bath in my room to have a shower, I thought if I fall over, I will just have to yell for help. I stood under it for a full 30 minutes. I needed that to try and soothe my aching bones and joints...still not sleepy, still over tired...

So sorry to hear how difficult your hospital appointment has been and how worrying for you, having to walk that extra distance and through a frightening environment. Some of the problems you had to face were nothing to do with the health service as such, but down to lack of concern on the part of the people at the hospital. They must have a record of your disabilities and somebody should have given you more information and advice.

When the NHS was set up, it was a great idea but it was designed for the way things were back in the 1940's and is just not fit for purpose these days. I think it needs a thorough overhaul or (heaven forfend) dismantled and a new one set up. Can't see that happening, unless they employ the current CEO of Royal Mail who, it seems, is willing to do just that with the mail service in this country.

I have a photograph somewhere taken by a newspaper photographer of Aneurin Bevan trying to look good by talking to a little girl in 1948 at St Helier hospital in Morden (Surrey) but she was having none of it and was staring owl-like at her mum wondering why this strange man was being allowed to talk to her (and what was she supposed to do?) It was not the best poitician/baby shot ever. Trust me to spoil it for him! He always seems to be credited with establishing the NHS, but he was only in at the end - it was someone else's idea.

 

[lindisfel]

Our 4 year old granddaughter has had scarlet fever then tonsillitis then chicken pox and is now in hospital with pneumonia. Her parents were told there would be a 15 hour wait for an ambulance despite the East of England area not taking industrial action. Goodness knows what the rest of the country is like. He parents took her to Addenbrookes themselves.

I do hope the youngster. recovers quickly, she is in the right place and we will pray for her.
God bless you and yours, Ian
Derek

 

[ianpspurs]

I do hope the youngster. recovers quickly, she is in the right place and we will pray for her.
God bless you and yours, Ian
Derek

Thanks Derek. The wider issue is obviously those waiting times. What happens to people without their own transport? That one incident with B hammers home the meaning of the personal is the political.

 

[lindisfel]

I am afraid reorganising the health service is not the solution.

I happened to say to a wealthy Christian business man, I would gladly have 3p put on my income tax if it improves the health service for all, free at the point of delivery.
He nearly went ballistic.

The politicians are crippling the health service not the staff. They want it privatised and paid for by private insurance hence it's starved of cash.

I had my right cataract done by a company that takes work from the NHS.

The guy who did it, tore the new lens in the process. As a result I was one eyed for almost 18 months but it was free.

I paid out c.£3000 to get a new lens put in plus laser treatment. Paid to the right man and now both eyes are equally good.
Its sad that funding is so tight that not all patients in Cumbria can get the very best ophthalmology care within a couple of weeks instead of years. But that's what we are given.

 

[gennepher]

I cannot do this again.
Attending this appointment is beyond my capabilities in many ways.

It has already broken the bank getting a decent hotel room for one night with secure parking, and a very long stay in my room. I still have more than 10 hours I can rest in this room. And I still need all of that.

I wish I were back at home where I have more stuff like analgesic cream, and a massager whick would help my swollen leg and ankle. But I could not have brought that massager, it lives on my bed.

I am so glad I don't live here any more, it would have been an horrendous impossibility to get out of the road where I used to live, into the main road, and especially because of the bus lane. It was bad enough 20 years ago.

Back to the hospital, there was no provision for a taxi rank outside. It is difficult to describe the site, With the old hospital, there was a massive taxi rank on the main road outside the hospital. With this new hospital it was a very long way into the site before you got to the main entrance. And the pavements/walkways were chock-a-block full of people struggling to get to that entrance, they weren't wide enough.

There were security guards saying, oh you can't come in this entrance, you have to go further up. And then at the next entrance, the next security guard, said, this is not the main entrance, you have to go up there and round the corner, And I get to that one, and that security guard says you can't come in here, you have to go up there and then blah blah until you get to the main entrance. There were many other people totally bewildered and flummoxed on how to enter the hospital.

I was ready for collapse at this point and the security guard took pity on me, she said come in this way and I'll get you in here, the other way is a long way...

The security guard had to ask directions which corridors and lifts to use. I think she took me through 3 lots of lifts.

There was no WRVS any more anywhere.They used to run main reception, and the tea and food places. Starbucks ran the food and drinks in this new hospital. And there was no available wheelchairs to get you to far flung departments. So, the WRVS are now an outmoded institution, relics from WW2.

I hadn't been able to use my mobility scooter because it had been pouring with rain.

I did notice in the waiting room, that everyone was able bodied. In the old hospital waiting room, there were loads of people who had difficulties walking. None of that at this new hospital. Everyone in that waiting room was able bodied.

Also where were any of the original staff? I have seen the original staff for years. All gone. Totally new teams of staff, many of them wearing a new uniform of red.

It was a longer trek between departments in the new eye hospital. The nurse apologized to me, saying she wished the designers of the new hospital had got together with the actual hospital staff and asked them what they actually needed..

Back to sleep...

 

[gennepher]

Why I put my witch hazel in my carrier bag of medical stuff, along with all the other stuff, I will never know. But I have been using it on my left leg (knee and ankle) that was bruised and swollen with all that extra walking. And it is improving it. I still have nearly 5 more hours left in this room. And I am using every minute of that for rest...

The room behind me still has 'do not disturb' on their door, so I went to reception, and asked her to let me know when they had gone because I had a hand massager which I needed to use (I took it to reception to show her, and she had never seen one!), and I didn't want to disturb them.

The walls are paper thin here, I can hear everything with my processor on. I pity hearing people getting a good night's sleeping.

And I thanked the receptionist, but it was a different one, because she had been so helpful, and had brought me some deaf fire alarm equipment. I'll text her now she said, she'll be delighted to hear that.

The long winding approach to the new Liverpool Hospital on that site was totally abysmally inadequate in many ways. Even for the A&E department. No signage, for the general public.

As I left yesterday, there was this middle aged woman in a temper, walking in front of, leading her blind husband using a white ball on the end of a stick. "Where's this bl00dy hospital?" she was screaming, "This is a nightmare". ....


Wildlife Nighttime Trail Camera...
Cat, Jade, watching the fox...

Creative...first painting of Winter...done on my Pixel 4a...hard to do on a small screen..but I am in my hotel room...

Have a cuppa. The nice receptionist gave me extra tea bags...


I'll catch up with you later...at home, hopefully...

 

[dunelm]

Why I put my witch hazel in my carrier bag of medical stuff, along with all the other stuff, I will never know. But I have been using it on my left leg (knee and ankle) that was bruised and swollen with all that extra walking. And it is improving it. I still have nearly 5 more hours left in this room. And I am using every minute of that for rest...

The room behind me still has 'do not disturb' on their door, so I went to reception, and asked her to let me know when they had gone because I had a hand massager which I needed to use (I took it to reception to show her, and she had never seen one!), and I didn't want to disturb them.

The walls are paper thin here, I can hear everything with my processor on. I pity hearing people getting a good night's sleeping.

And I thanked the receptionist, but it was a different one, because she had been so helpful, and had brought me some deaf fire alarm equipment. I'll text her now she said, she'll be delighted to hear that.

The long winding approach to the new Liverpool Hospital on that site was totally abysmally inadequate in many ways. Even for the A&E department. No signage, for the general public.

As I left yesterday, there was this middle aged woman in a temper, walking in front of, leading her blind husband using a white ball on the end of a stick. "Where's this bl00dy hospital?" she was screaming, "This is a nightmare". ....


Wildlife Nighttime Trail Camera...
Cat, Jade, watching the fox...

Creative...first painting of Winter...done on my Pixel 4a...hard to do on a small screen..but I am in my hotel room...

Have a cuppa. The nice receptionist gave me extra tea bags...


I'll catch up with you later...at home, hopefully...

View attachment 58277

Smashing winter scene. Not a good experience with this hospital visit. Just had a look at a map and if this is the one, and the signage is poor then I can see why people are having difficulty navigating round such a Huge site.

 

[dunelm]

Good morning everyone from another balmy start to this weeks pre-bin extravaganza here in the dark and dangerous north. Appointment at the GP surgery this morning and I am so excited that I almost forgot to sort out my free sample of the day. Interesting isn’t it that one day you are at deaths door and by the time you get seen, you are either on the mend or in a hospital ward with pipes shoved into every available orifice - don’t forget to clap! Still, thank goodness for secret stashes of little pills and potions that may or may not be well past their use by date - I stopped looking at those things years ago. Art bit, outline for some arches (no - not those on the wireless). Have a wonderful day if you can, if you feel bored, you can ponder on this:
.... .- ..._ . .- --. .-. . .- - -.-. .... .-. .. ... - -- .- ...
Time for some koffy.

 

[gennepher]

Smashing winter scene. Not a good experience with this hospital visit. Just had a look at a map and if this is the one, and the signage is poor then I can see why people are having difficulty navigating round such a Huge site.

Yes it is @dunelm
The signage was virtually non existent.
Nothing that I could see.
And every visitor was having severe problems. So much confusion...
Also the signage inside this new designer hospital was abysmal. Nothing. So many people wandering around lost and confused.

No indication of where to go, or where departments were. No signage

I had a security guard lead me where to go, and she did the lifts for me. Even she had to ask the way several times...

When I came to leave, my appointment was done, they were absolutely NO signs leading to an exit. I had to ask how to get out of the place, and I actually said to the receptionist "how do you escape from this place", and she did not appreciate my attempt at humour one bit.

Thanks for the painting compliment. I appreciate that

 

[lindisfel]

Yes it is @dunelm
The signage was virtually non existent.
Nothing that I could see.
And every visitor was having severe problems. So much confusion...
Also the signage inside this new designer hospital was abysmal. Nothing. So many people wandering around lost and confused.

No indication of where to go, or where departments were. No signage

I had a security guard lead me where to go, and she did the lifts for me. Even she had to ask the way several times...

When I came to leave, my appointment was done, they were absolutely NO signs leading to an exit. I had to ask how to get out of the place, and I actually said to the receptionist "how do you escape from this place", and she did not appreciate my attempt at humour one bit.

Thanks for the painting compliment. I appreciate that

The signage is not the responsibility of medical staff it's likely the responsibility of the probably privately owned estates department.
D.

 

[gennepher]

Good morning everyone from another balmy start to this weeks pre-bin extravaganza here in the dark and dangerous north. Appointment at the GP surgery this morning and I am so excited that I almost forgot to sort out my free sample of the day. Interesting isn’t it that one day you are at deaths door and by the time you get seen, you are either on the mend or in a hospital ward with pipes shoved into every available orifice - don’t forget to clap! Still, thank goodness for secret stashes of little pills and potions that may or may not be well past their use by date - I stopped looking at those things years ago. Art bit, outline for some arches (no - not those on the wireless). Have a wonderful day if you can, if you feel bored, you can ponder on this:
.... .- ..._ . .- --. .-. . .- - -.-. .... .-. .. ... - -- .- ...
Time for some koffy.


View attachment 58278

Thank goodness for secret stashes...

Interesting arches @dunelm a secret within each one, is the floor going to open up, or is something deadly going to drop from above...are you going to be able to navigate them all safely?

 

[alf_Josiah]

Good Morening Ladies and Gentlemen.

Blood sugars this morning were 5.1

Me, me’s and myself alway look for something positive in most situations, but reading @gennepher ’s posts leaves me wondering how I would cope in your situation. Probably spending the night in the local police station.

Buying a present for my much written about wife Mrs J is always a challenge, but this year was easyish.

Mrs J has secretly been looking for a specific book, sadly out of print now, but being the caring, much maligned, put upon husband that I am I have found a 2nd edition good condition copy and it should arrive next week.

What book you ask?

“ 100 mathematical equations “ .

Don’t panic the book uses the old Imperial units, not the modern SI units.

Stay safe, stay warm and don’t shoot the carol singers, I’m told tasers are quite effective.