Tag Archives: rheumatology

Narcissi

Schindler’s Lift

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Spring in the Mencap Garden

It was my six monthly Rheumatology review this morning. It all went well. They are keeping me on 6 monthly reviews as my right forefinger (despite having mainly recovered) is still a little swollen and sore but apart from that, all is well. It would have been different if I’d gone last week, but today, I was fine. I will just have to be careful.

Using the lift in the Treatment Centre, I noticed it was made by a company called Schindler. hence the title.

The actual experience went very well. I drove down, anticipating there would be plenty of parking under the Treatment Centre at 8.30, and there was. I was booked in by 8.45, seen at 8.50 and was out and passing the shop by 9.15. I could actually have gone to work, but having arranged the day off (which is only a half day on Friday)  I decided to return home with sausage and egg McMuffins and surprise Julia (who is on holiday this week).

Spring in the Mencap Garden

Unfortunately, when we move, I may have some disruption with my prescription as I will have to be transferred between hospitals, not just doctors. Another part of the rich tapestry that is the National health Service. At lest it will stop me worrying about the practical aspects of the move.

I felt able to relax my dietary regime a little, as I appear to have lost weight again, according to the scales. Mt waistband feels comfortable, but not excessively slack (having been a little uncomfortable a few weeks ago) so I thought I as still doing OK, but wasn’t sure until the scales confirmed it.

Despite this, I am more determined than ever to drop more weight and not become complacent, as I have done in the past. We finished off the ginger nuts, agreed not to buy more biscuits, and had a very light lunch.

In time i will need to buy more trousers, which will be an act with mixed feelings, as I hate spending money on clothes before they are worn out. However, sometimes you have to do these things.

Spring in the Mencap Garden

At the moment my new belt is a matter of concern. In the old days I was once told that the reason I couldn’t get a decent leather belt was because they don’t make cows my size. This was a sobering thought but turns out to be untrue, as these days you can get big belts for the fuller figure. I needed a new one, and recently ordered one. It was longer than my old one, but they allow for this by giving a range of lengths in the description, so I merely punched a few extra holes in it and started to use it. Unfortunately, the surplus length is becoming annoying and I am going to cut it down. This is mildly annoying, as they should be more consistent. I ordered a belt, not a build your own belt kit. Even worse, having punched new holes and worn it I now notice that it has a label by the buckle and it is actually a size up from the one I ordered. That explains it.

Spring at last!

Working from Home and Aimless Chatter

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Julia is busy on a conference call at the moment. People are taking it in turns to talk about their “case load” on a poor connection. I use the word ‘load’ with my tongue firmly in my cheek – talking to people on the phone is not hard work. It isn’t very interesting for an eavesdropper and is far less detailed than the reports she submits each week. In fact, it’s useless, but I suppose, like weekly meetings, it makes management feel like they are doing things,

There are, according to the manager running it, three more people to report in, and then they will move to “something else”. Julia rolled her eyes at that announcement.

One of the manager’s kids is now being told to be quiet because mummy is talking to people at work.

Such are the pleasures of working from home.

One of them is currently answering questions from his wife about his lunchtime ham sandwich.

I’m glad I don’t have to do it, I’d probably end up being rude to someone. Instead of that I’m being rude about them on my blog.

I just had my telephone appointment with the rheumatology nurse about my new medication. It involves side effects and a lot more blood testing. They have, they tell me, reorganised the phlebotomy department to allow for social distancing. I’m dubious about this, as true social distancing would involve a three foot needle.

woman in gray sweater sitting on wooden floor typing on portable computer

Photo by bongkarn thanyakij on Pexels.com

Somebody on the conference call has a dog barking in the background.

The telephone appointment was eventful.

First, they rang me early. I didn’t have my phone with me and they disconnected after four rings. Eventually they rang back. I had my phone with me. Unfortunately I had it with me in the toilet. We had to break that one off when they had a fire alarm. Finally we reconnected and discussed the new medication. Side effects may include loss of appetite, which would be quite useful. Two of the others are drowsiness and hair loss. I told Julia this and she just laughed.

The conference call is now suggesting weekly calls as a way of keeping in touch.

I can hardly wait…

The photos are from the free photo library – the reality is not quite so attractive and organised.