New Kid On The Block!!

We have a new addition again in the pet doggy department. Well that’s not completely accurate. We are now “Puppy’s” new home. Judith went first thing this morning to take them both back to the dogs home after yesterday’s troubles. I know we were all upset with having to let Puppy go back as we had all got really attached to him as his nature is so loveable you just can’t help it. Well after arriving there Ziggy was up to the same thing. Just inside, right there in the corridor he cocked his leg, great start. When Judith explained to them about what he had been like including the attack on me yesterday they were so apologetic. They told Judith that they had both been out to 3 other homes before us and every time they had brought them back for all the same reasons, the dominance and the peeing everywhere as well as the growling, snapping. They actually suggested that she bring back home Puppy, which up till now they were adamant that they had to be re homed together. She just couldn’t resist such a temptation, then again I wouldn’t have been able to either, one look from them eyes and I’m under his spell. One of the staff at the home is going to take Ziggy home with her to give him one more chance. She does have 3 other dogs however so I hope she knows what she’s letting herself in for. So Judith arrived back shortly afterwards and said she had managed to get another little dog. Then in walked Puppy, tail going 20 to the dozen, big grin on his face and already looking so much happier. I must say that I had never thought for one minute that I would see him again and it was a lovely surprise. He’s had loads of fuss’s and of course lots of playing with his favourite squeaky toy, the squeak drives him nuts, he seems to gain this boost of energy when it makes the noise and his tail wagging almost lifts him off the floor. I guess we may have a few problems with him missing Ziggy a little, although if this afternoon is anything to go by then we have nothing to worry about. It will be a novelty for him to have so many fusses’s as, like I said before, Ziggy used to stop him getting any if he could.

So in a lot of ways it is like having a new dog around the house, BUT BETTER!!

See Ya!!

Sad News Unfortunately

As I said the other day we picked up what, at the time were 2 little bundles of joy, Ziggy and Puppy from the dogs home. Well right from the start there was no mistaking who the dominant one was as Ziggy was continually trying to stop Puppy getting any attention from all of us. He would use his added build to get in the way and on top of this he was constantly trying to mount poor old Puppy. He has been trying his best also to pee over everything that doesn’t move around the house despite the door constantly being open for him to get out. Sort a scent marking thing. We have been trying to stop him from being such a bully including a rolled up newspaper and a sharp hit with it whenever he does these things but he is one stubborn bugger and it has had no effect at all. Well this morning he was mounting Puppy and I gave him a tap with the shoehorn I had to hand on him bottom and he just ignored me and carried so I gave him another one and with that he just lunged at me biting and pawing me and growling relentlessly. In the melee I stumbled forward onto the floor from my chair where I had been perched on the edge and he just kept coming and coming at me despite me probably getting in a few punches that would have floored Mike Tyson to try and get him away from. Thankfully Judith was only out the back garden and came running when I shouted for her help. He was even going for her and she had to use one of my walking sticks to manoeuvre him out the garden and then shut the door. In the meantime because of all the stress etc my heart was racing like a F1 Engine and I was rather seriously struggling for breath. Judith came back and immediately got my oxygen out to help. I was very very close to the edge where just that little bit worse and you fall into the realms of panicking and loosing control. It probably took me around an hour or so to get my breathing back into control.

The upshot and the bad news I guess is that there is no way they can stay here any longer and Judith will be returning them to the home tomorrow morning. I will not feel safe around him any more. What if Judith wasn’t around I dread to think what would have happened. He is uncontrollable. It is a real shame as Puppy is such a loveable character. Happy, Playful, always wagging his tail with excitement, always pleased to see you and Ziggy is the complete opposite. I can’t believe that whoever had them before they ended up in the dogs home, for 8 years just let this behaviour go on un challenged. The behaviour is ingrained in him now and I guess he will never change.

So with a lot of regret they are going. Judith will have a look when she is there to see if there is another suitable little pooch. Gluten for punishment I know!!

I think I am on the verge of a looming chest infection too. Some of the usual signs are starting, increased coughing, slight sore throat, more wetter cough than the usual dry one. My temperature is just fine though which is a tell tale sign that all is not well. I may get an appointment at the GPs early in the week, but will try and get hold of Merlin or one of his minions more likely to get some advice and maybe get them to speak to the GP with regards to medication etc as I know what will happen, my GP will just send me up the hospital as they are somewhat scared of giving me any new medication as Merlin is the one who has had complete control over that all along. In fact I have only been to the GP a couple of times and that’s mainly for repeat prescription.

Okay I’d better go take my temp again as I’m feeling a little clammy and warm.

See Ya!!

The Week That Was!!

So what’s been happening this week all together, I don’t hear you ask? Well it’s tough I’m gonna tell you whether you want to listen or not.

The week started off just great. Remember I had said earlier about being given 6hrs care at home? Well we had employed a friend of ours to come and do the work etc. All was going fine for the first 2 weeks until she turned up on Monday only to quit and walk out. She had some emotional issues regarding my illness that she wasn’t comfortable with apparently. So it’s back to square one there. We have managed to employ another Personal Assistant who also is a friend and she starts next Monday, so hopefully this will work out a little better this time.

Tuesday was quite a busy day in all although I never went out of the house till about 6.30pm. The re-enablement team came back for a 3 month assessment in the morning. They could see that all is not well in the health and mobility department, so much so that I am in a worse condition than before they started working with me 3 months ago. They left, a lot more depressed than before they cam that’s for sure. It was nice to see them again though. They are hopefully going to see if their OT can do anything about this grant etc I have applied for as well as all the other bits and pieces like the Door Intercom, front ramp etc… We then had a visit from the newly employed Welfare Rights Officer from George Thomas Hospice to try and sort out all the problems with the benefits etc. Although it was a useful visit it was a bit of a waste for him. When we had arranged this some 2 weeks ago all was not well with the benefits. We were waiting on the Social Service and the Local Council to get their acts together and make a decision but on Friday last week both of these decided that we were entitled to the benefits and paid up at last so he wasn’t needed so much. Still at least we know now that we are getting everything we are entitled too at the moment. The local Labour Councillor, John Thomas came in the evening to have a look and discuss the complete lack of sloping curbs where I live. I had hoped to be able to get around on my scooter with him but of all days it decided to blinking rain, so we had to go in my car. He marked down all the places I had pointed out to him and others I hadn’t also as we made our way around. We have some problems though as because the estate is Ex-RAF and we have a management committee for which we pay a maintenance charge for stuff like lighting and grass cutting etc, not all of the roads and paths have been adopted by the council. There are a number of places which just happen to be at Key crossing areas where the slope one side is the responsibility of the Council and the opposite side is the Estate Managements responsibility which is going to be difficult. Although meeting him was of some good though as he is also one of the many people I had contacted hopefully to help with the OT assessment I’m trying to get. He could see first hand my condition etc, so much so that I think I had scarred him to death with my breathing difficulties in getting out to the car etc. He did say that he will get on to the people who can chase things up to pull their finger out.

Nearly there honestly. Wednesday was a trip to Heath Towers to sort out my dodgy Hearing Aid. It was pretty uneventful really. I turned up ½ hour early, sat in the waiting room till 5 mins after my appointment time, went into his room where he gave me the new pre programmed one then I was off home. All over in 20 seconds. I wish all my appointments were like that. Sometimes just getting blood from me can take longer than the overall time it took from when I left home to when I got back.

Wednesday as well, as you know we went and picked up the loveable pooches from the dogs home. They’re settling in great. We’ve managed to get them booked in for a pamper session at a beauty parlour nearby next week. They’re getting the works done. Shampoo, conditioner, hair and nails clipped, glands emptied, ears cleaned and probably will come out with neat little bows tied around their necks too. The week after though, they are having their bits done and I have this impression that they won’t like me as much after that, not that I blame them.

Apart from a trip into the local shopping centre for a few odds and ends yesterday that was it this week really. The Immunoglobulins are hopefully doing their job and keeping infections at bay although I haven’t felt quite right for a few days. My chest is somewhat wheezy and a bit phlegmy and I am feeling a lot more tired than usual. Both Judith and Tara have had colds for a while so I think I most probably have picked it up from them. I really must try and make sure is doesn’t get any worse as it’s Tara’s 21^st birthday on the 5^th May and she’ll kill me if I’m in hospital again as I was for her 18^th birthday.

So it’s no visitors, no going out the door, no eating in case I have something dodgy……..NAH!!!! Boring bugger!! Life’s Too Short.

See Ya!!

My New Furry Friends

Just a short blog today, to introduce a couple of new members of the Jonny5 Household. I have wanted a small dog for a while now as some company really more than anything and when Judith said the other day about maybe getting one I didn't hang around. I was straight on the phone to the local Dogs rescue centre in Cardiff to see what they had there at the moment. They told me about these 2 little Shit-Tzu's that were up for re homing. They are brothers and around 8 yrs old and as they had never been apart had to go together. Well they brought them out for a little walk around etc and we just all fell in love i guess, it must have been those sweet innocent eyes, I was fluttering!! So £80 lighter and 2 dogs heavier we headed off home. They are such characters and are very much chalk and chese. Lots of fun and games ahead i recon!!

So i have to get back to throwing the ball for them although only the smallest one "Puppy" chases it and his bigger brother "Ziggy" just stands around and watches.

I'll try and blog tommorow on all the things happening this week although not a lot has.

See Ya!!

Singing In The Rain!!

Well it took a long time coming. It’s been chucking down the wet stuff all day today. I can’t actually remember when it rained last, it must have been months ago. Although I don’t totally agree with the probably, soon to be ousted Leader Of The Welsh Assembly, Rhodri Morgan AM, he did have a point in what he said about there being advantages to Global Warming. Purely from a selfish point of view, health wise there is no doubt in my mind that the recent period of warmer weather and lack of rain has gone towards keeping me out of Heath Towers. I am yet to be convinced of the whole Global Warming /Ozone/CFC Gas thing all together. There is some pretty good evidence of the fact that the Temperature has always fluctuated throughout the lifetime of the planet and none of it really is in connection to mans abuse of it so to speak. Anyway that’s a blog for another day I think.

I’ve been thinking for a while now that I really wish I could read. What I mean is actually sit down and read say, a novel or a biography etc etc. It’s something I have never been able to do for a number of reasons I guess. Lack of concentration etc. I have tried al ways to do it but it always seems that I am forcing myself to do it and as a result it just doesn’t sink in. I could read a chapter some time just a few versus and I could not describe what I’ve just read. I think you will probably agree there is nothing wrong with my imagination after reading some of the drivel on here so it’s not that. On occasion I have really wanted to read something and all starts of well. After about 10-15 pages my interest just dries up and no matter how many more attempts I make I never get back into it. I feel at times that I have missed out on the whole atmosphere and stimulation etc that reading can give you as well as all the other reasons for reading such material. I have been toying with the idea for a short while about maybe trying out a Reading Book, which although not the same, is somewhere in between where I am and actually reading a book and if I do actually get round to it I’ll let you know.

Okay, health wise all is about the same I suppose. Everything that even as short a time as a month ago I was managing to do, such as washing, dressing, walking to the toilet or kitchen or even to the front door is now either not possible, or at the very least extremely difficult and requiring assistance to do. It is not looking too good right now and it’s at the stage where I am more and more not even attempting to do some things as I know that they will either be impossible, or cause me so much discomfort such as severe shortness of breath bordering on panic. There is no apparent reason for the downfall over the last month or so. It might be down to reducing the steroids too much. The other idea being banded around is that the GVHD is progressing a little as it is now affecting areas of the skin, previously untouched. Hopefully Merlin will manage to get the funding sorted out for the Extracorporeal Therapy and the OT department will pull their finger out and get this extension built so that I can bath and maybe even sleep too both of which are now dim and distant thoughts of the feelings both bring. There I go dreaming again, I really must stop that!!

See Ya!!

Boccia Or Bust!!

I dragged Judith out yesterday for a few hours, screaming and kicking as usual. I do wish she didn’t do that as it’s so embarrassing when we’re out. It Was suggested by my Social Worker a while ago that I might like to try out some of the facilities on offer at the nearest local, some 10 miles away, Day centre called “New Horizons” so yesterday we went and did just that. It is set in this rather nice Grade 2 Listed Building which used to be an old Teacher Training College. It brought back so many memories of the schools I had been to when growing up with the Parquet Floor throughout and that distinctive smell. You know the one, it’s kind of like a medicinal, almost Detol like odour. We had a good long chat with the Day Centre Manager Sue, although she, like everyone else will soon have to change her name so she is more in keeping with the rest of the characters on the blog, I’m sorry!! I guess if I hadn’t kept opening my mouth she could have told us all about whets on offer etc in about 20 minutes but you know what I’m like, give me an audience and I’m away, blabbing out my life story. If you read this Sue I am sorry for inflicting myself on you like that!! She took us on a tour of the building then to see first hand what there was to do as well as meet up with some of the other “Service Users” as they refer to the other Crips like myself. They all seemed like a right jolly, easy going bunch of people and right up my street. They have a load on offer too. Things such as, Exercise classes, good for the mobility, relaxation, much needed after the exercise classes ha ha!! A whole list of alternative treatment sort of like, reflexology, massage etc. There is what most people would think of things like craft making, Bingo and they do have trips out for lunch etc. They also take part in a sport called “Boccia”, very similar to the French game Boules, and they are very good at it by the look of it, having won various competitions. I can remember playing this game probably around 14=15 years ago when I was supporting people with learning difficulties in Cardiff as they used to play in a local leisure centre. The sport was very young then and the very little I remember of it was that it was more of a therapy/social thing than a competitive sport although it was fun. I will look forward to having a go at this, who knows I might just be good enough to take place in the Olympics one day. Isn’t Boccia an Olympic sport then?? I’m heading back there in a fortnight for the day hopefully to try out a bit more so I will have to brush up on my Boccia Skills.

I think there are a number of things I might like to do there and not just eat the food as some might think, as they have a Bistro there and the food is pretty good and cheap too so I’ve been told. I’ll have to convince the chef to try out the delights of the various Bacon Sarnie concoctions that have discussed on here and Peters Blog too lately. Then there are the Chinese dishes and the Suet Puddings, not to mention the Faggots and Liver & Bacon etc. I must stop this as its no good for my waistline. Oh yes!!! Did I tell you about being weighed when I went to see Merlin the other day?? Well, they had to weigh me as I hadn’t been weighed since I came out of Heath Towers the last time 5 months and 3 days ago but who’s counting? I was 12 ½ stone then. Well as I’ve been feeling a little, say, and plump of late, I thought that I had maybe put on a few pounds or so. When I got onto the scales the moan of displeasure that came from them should have told me that all was not well. I now weigh……………………..wait for it…………………….. 14 stone 13 pounds. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fat Git!!! I guess it’s gilled bacon from now on and also no more Chinese. We will see how long that lasts, I don’t hold out much hope. At least I can still have the odd packet or 3 of my favourite snack of the moment, Quavers as they are surprisingly low in calories, around 180 a packet I think. I could always try and give Mum some of my excess as she is still loosing lots of weight as she’s not eating much at all, but at least she’s home and not having to face the Hospital Slop they serve up. Dads tempting her with Cream Scones and stuff too, naughty but nice, and like Peter she is on the Supplements too, to at least stop the loss.

Right then that’s enough for now. Time to get up and watch some more cookery programmes just to wind me up!!

See Ya!!

Visit With Merlin Update.

Just got back from visiting Merlin at Heath Towers and what a day it was too. After arriving the usual 15 mins or so early it was looking good. I was called almost immediately to have my blood sucked for all the usual routine stuff. This all sounds good doesn’t it, but when you think what happened on Friday at the day unit you will understand why I was rather apprehensive. Justine shied away from taking it thank god as she is quite new at doing it so I guess has less chance of hitting the bulls eye first time. She handed over that responsibility to the steady handed Charlotte. She went straight for it, no hanging about for niceties. She ended up having to wiggle it around, always a rather unpleasant experience, but did manage to eventually find the old geezer, just!! By the time I got back out into the waiting area it was looking rather busy. The receptionist was giving out the usual message that “He is running a little behind today”. He’s always bloody running behind, it’s in his genes I recon. Well finally he called me in and only 1hour 45mins late too, wow that’s a record. He must have caught up a little!! He had a couple of young students, in fact VERY young students with him. They looked like they were just out of nappies, literally!! Well after all the usual poking and prodding and questioning etc etc which I wont bore you with as you’ve heard them all before, it was onto the nitty gritty, well what I would call the nitty gritty anyhow. Both myself and Judith, as she had come in with me as usual, didn’t hold back in letting him know that we were not at all happy with the level of attention and care I have been getting with regards to the Extracorporeal Therapy the he said I would be having back in January. Predictably he did say that it was in a lot of ways out of his hands and that it was yet again down to the various people who hold the purse strings. He informed us that they were in the middle of changing over the way that care is funded and that this problem should not occur again in the future, you’ll forgive me if I don’t have as much faith as you?? He was due to meet with the bankers so to speak on Friday this week anyway for a general chat but did give us his assurance that as this was now becoming a rather serious matter that he would contact them directly beforehand to discuss my case personally as well as pre warn them in preparation for Friday. A somewhat heated and in some instances comical debate took place too whereby Judith was stating hers and mine too for that matter impression that this is just another of the “If we left them wait long enough they might just die, so we won’t have to pay then” situations, to which Merlin feebly attempted to reassure us that this was not the case. There is no doubt nothing written down but the general feeling and verbal instruction passed between the people who have control over such things is very much along this wavelength. His face was a picture when I ended up telling him straight that it has now got to the point that I have given up and have no fight left. I am now on anti-depressants, I can sleep properly, my skin is getting rapidly worse with my lungs paying the price too, and need I go on?? He was gob smacked. First time I have seen him speechless I recon. Well this is the real life me, Merlin, not the same old happy go lucky, not a care in the world guy you have known all this time. Those days are gone, it is time for you to start fighting my corner again and getting things done. He did say too that he would contact the Chiropodist and the Eye Consultant directly as they have both been messing me around cancelling appointments etc, going on months now.

Well after all that, the usual 45 mins wait in Pharmacy for the usual potions seemed stress free in comparison. Back to the car only to find they have done their usual trick and left off one item, thankfully it was just the shampoo for the dodgy scalp which I can wait for. Blinking incompetent buggers!!! Grrrrrrrr!!!!!!!

I did manage to console myself by stopping off at our favourite Chinese Restaurant to pick up a take away on our way home as we were so late. It will have to be the last for a while though I recon as I had the shocking news today that I have put on a whopping 2 ½ stone since I got out of hospital 5 months ago. I was now banging on the door of 15 stone, well 14 stone 13 to be precise. So its lettuce leaves and beans and pulses for me for a while, god help anyone standing down wind though!!

See Ya!!

Top –Up Successful!!

6 weeks has finally come around and time for the usual dose of Immunoglobulins at Heath Towers. However much I don’t particularly like this visit, mainly because you have to sit connected up to the Drip Dragon for 3-4 hours. I have noticed the last few months that around a week to 10 days before the Immunoglobulins are due I start to feel a little run down and my chest is a little worse and quite often a runny hose too, so have decided to have the next dose in 5 weeks time and not 6. Merlin doesn’t know this yet, unless he reads this I suppose, but I will be seeing him on Tuesday anyway. He has in the past said I could have them every week if need be so there shouldn’t be a problem.

Okay then the visit…. Arriving just a little early for my appointment I was greeted by the lovely receptionist Hazel in her new little office. They have changed around the layout, not for the better I think really, as she is now somewhat cut off from the rest of the day unit which is very much open plan. The delightful Jane was going to be responsible for chucking the obligatory darts at me today, god help her, AND ME!! As usual there was no room at the inn and ended up slumming it in the old treatment room where you have to sit next to rotten corpses and other skeletons of past patients who went in and were never seen again. The skull & crossbones on the door and the huge vulture sat in the corner should have put me off I guess, but I took my chances. Right, sitting comfy??? Ummm NO!! Time for Jane to get some target practice. So, arrow in hand she picks out the only feeble vein stupid enough to poke up, aims then fires,,OUCHHHHHH!!!!! Bloody missed it, so a little wiggling around and then the inevitable happened, she popped it, so a nice huge bruise to look forward to tomorrow. Okay 2^nd time lucky. After a damn good beating on my hand, Jeeeez she’s got a heavy hand, I pity her kids when they were growing up being smacked by her, she aimed, shot and………….BLOODY MISSED AGAIN!! Another bruise after she popped that one too. This was beginning to irritate now as I don’t like them at the best of times but I’m not too bad if they get it in first or even second time. After 4 more attempts she managed to get one in the back of my hand. Phew!!! After connecting me up to the Drip Dragon we set about trying to get me a little more comfortable if that was possible. The odd pillow ruffle here and there etc. Whilst doing this I caught something out the corner of my eye and had to look twice. Arggg there was blood squirting out my wrist, where the Venflon, that sat there on the bed next to me, used to be. I can tell you I used some rather strong language to express me feelings at that time. Right then I thought. This is your last chance. If you don’t get one in now I am going to ask for a change of archer. So a quick wipe of the specs, and crouched down ready for the kill. I could see the outright concentration on her face. There were beads of sweat running off it and dripping down onto the target zone but it didn’t phase her in the slightest. She waited for exactly the right moment then let go her arrow. We were both praying for success as it hurtled through the air. Success it in, well sort of anyway. It was the most awkward place right in the crook of my elbow and it would only go in halfway until it hit a valve and refused to go any further. She flushed it to make sure all was okay and then started the first of the 3 bottles I was having. Because of the dodgy situation the Venflon was in I had strict orders to absolutely NOT MOVE MY ARM!!!!! What, you think I would move it and risk having to let you try and stick another arrow in me somewhere else?? After all the hassle getting going the rest of the time went off without a hitch, thankfully and 4 hours later we were off home.

So, back home and time to read through the latest correspondence from Mr Smith. Yes he has actually written to me eventually. I will have to let you know what he said later when I’ve taken it in.

Some other good news too. Mum’s home at last. She is not too good still as in she is still getting out of breath on very little exertion etc but her blood counts are all stable now. She will need to have some physio etc at home to build up some strength and lots of sit ups and press ups which I know she will love doing. “No Pain, No Gain Mother”!!!

See Ya!!

Why should I have to??

Why is it that I have to continually badger and harass people to even attempt to get anything done, I keep asking myself. I have as you know been trying to get this Grant for what I think is critically needed alterations to the house that will enable me to actually go to bed and most just as importantly, have a Bath or Shower. Due to my worsening condition I haven’t been able to get upstairs to where the Bedroom and Bathroom are for probably 8-9 months now and as a result of this it is and has been, causing so much stress and pressure not just on me alone but also on my relationships with my Judith and Tara. Just the whole psychological effect of not feeling clean at any time, although I quickly add that I am strip washing every day, but this isn’t the same is it?, is playing havoc with what little amount of brain cells I have remaining.

It seems all I get from people when I do eventually get to either speak to them or they reply to a letter or Email etc, or in the case of Mr Smith MP, NOT REPLY!!! Is the well practiced automated response that “We are looking into this matter and will let you know when we have heard anything”. My interpretation of this phrase would be something like, “BULLSH*T, BULLSH*T, BULLSH*T, BULLSH*T”, etc etc , I think you get the idea. Then it’s the 2-3 week wait or more in so many cases before you contact them again to pretty much be told a completely identical reply. This just goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on, Jeeez I sound like Mrs Doyle, “Do you want a cup of tea?”.

There is another phenomena that never fails to absolutely irritate me, that’s is apart from “Patientline”, which talking about them day light highwaymen you should all head off to visit, after finishing reading this of course, Peters new Blog called “PaytientCrime” on all things “Patientline” as well as anything else that causes hassle for patients/families etc. It will no doubt attract a lively debate as has his original post and comments on the subject which you can read on the new blog or on his “Peters Hospital Diary” blog. Okay lets get back to the rant shall we?? Oh yes “The Phenomena”!! It is The Benefits Agency, in all its guises. Whether it is The Benefit Enquiry Line, The Income Support Helpline, and The Carer’s Allowance Help centre etc etc . THE WHOLE BLOODY LOT OF THEM!!! I tried ringing yesterday to chase up a claim which has been ongoing since January now. They have already managed to conveniently lose one of my forms in the meantime as well as all the other hassle they are causing. I started to ring at 9.30am and finally after around 20 phone calls or so and lots of banging my head against the wall I got to the person I needed to speak to who was dealing with my claim at 12.45pm. What has been happening is that locally as in Wales I think it is, they have been moving responsibility for assessing and paying out benefits between one place and another and are happily using this excuse as to why things are taking their time. I know just from various people who have rang to confirm one detail or another on the forms that my actual application has been in offices in, Bridgend, Barry, Penarth, Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Newport and that’s just the ones I know about. The poor thing must be knackered by now. So when I asked the million dollar question, “What’s Happening With My Claim?” I sat there waiting for the dimwit on the other end of the phone to find the relevant response card entitled, “The Bullsh*t Answer” and recite off his part with the usual gusto. To my surprise he didn’t actually do this, instead he told me that all they have been waiting for is a phone number for Judith’s past employer as I never put one on the form and as I had spelt the company name ever so lightly wrong they had difficulties finding the number on the internet too. A BLOODY PHONE NUMBER!!!!! Is that all you want a lousy phone number. Why didn’t you ring and ask like all the other drones who have hassled me for information. He hadn’t even felt the need to write to me requesting the number either, so until I would have eventually rang they wouldn’t have done anything about it, which would have meant having to start the whole process over again. In about 2 mins flat I gave him the number which I got from the internet by changing the slight spelling mistake, (all it was, was instead of it being Synergy I had put Synergie) They were the only business in the area with any name that even resembles it in all the searches I did. Well, he gave me the usual assurances that the claim will now be processed, which will probably mean being sent to yet another department and area, “I hear it’s nice in Rhyl this time of year”. I am however not as optimistic as he is that it should all be straightforward now. Well for those of you mere “Normal people” and the odd few “Crips” like me, you will now, through bitter experience haw the whole system works or rather, like Mr Smith MP, Doesn’t Work!!!!!

Oppps!!! That’s 2 digs at the completely useless, hopeless, ignorant, pointless Mr Smith. I really must control myself!!

See Ya!!

Unusual Artists

I was watching a re run of a Billy Connolly series last night where he travels around the world. It was based around the north of England. One of the things he came across was an exhibition of artwork done by Miners and Ex-Miners in Northumberland. They were somewhat primitive although depicted the scenes of the era with some accuracy and were full of feeling and to be honest very well painted/drawn too. I know my father in law Ray, who was a Hard Working Steel Worker as well as a part Time Roofer all his life till he retired a few years back had taken up painting and sketching etc quite a few years ago and to be honest some of his work is pretty amazingly executed. I think what amazes me most is the thought of the typical shovel handed burly manual worker, fag in one hand and pint of ale in the other even attempting to do such a thing, but in reality I guess art in general is all about interpreting and putting to for example canvas your thoughts, experiences of which I guess this generation had experienced first hand. I will have to convince Ray to let me publish a few of his gems as an example as he is even after all these years still a bit embarrassed about it although he is getting better.

Health wise my blinking chest has decided it is going to play up again. I seem to be coughing a bit more than usual and it is a little tight at times resulting in having to use the oxygen a little more. I’ve put a lot down to needing to have the Immunoglobulins which are due this Friday thankfully. The skin is still extremely tight too and in my opinion is definitely not getting any better despite Merlin thinking it is. I hope to try and get some sort of movement on getting this new treatment started when I see him next week as it seems to just be going on and on now.

On the complaining front, due to the bank holiday and the fact that the local council need 1 more day off than anyone else, they are not back in work till tomorrow so nothing to report there although I am hoping to chase them all up at the crack of dawn of course.

Okay off to catch up on some well needed shut eye,

See Ya!!

The Easter Lull!!

Another day of twiddling with the blog layout and things I recon today. I’ve actually got a quiet week as in the only appointment I have is for the Immunoglobulins on Friday which are about needed now. It’s strange that it always seems about a week before they are due, (I have them every 6 weeks) I start to feel a little run down and not myself. It had been discussed in the past about playing around with the timings of them so I think I will mention it to Merlin when I see him either on Friday or next Tuesday when I am due to see him next.

It wouldn’t be a proper blog at the moment unless the good old Patientscam got a mention. I don’t like this idea that Patientline has on its web site referring to services offered, and that’s Electronic Patient Records being accessible from the bedside unit. There is no way that this will be secure at all and open to widespread abuse. What if a doctor just walks off and leaves your details on the screen for all to see. Once they are in there it will be easy to gain all sorts of information. Being able to put up surveys is a good idea though. Maybe they could take the lead and put up a “What do you think of the Patientline service?” as a starting point. Now that really would be fun!!!! Check out the ensuing debate taking place on Peter's Blog at the moment on the whole Patientline issue, which even has contributions from some Poor Employee’s of theirs.

Did anyone listen to The Five Live Report: Cancer Care Unplugged will be broadcast on BBC Radio Five Live at 1100 BST on Sunday, 8 April.

Another couple of alarming stories broke this w/e all in the cause of cutting waiting lists for cancer patients. You will find the stories Here and Here and you can also listen to an interview with an Oncology Consultant in Hull, explaining the reasons he is having to give patients totally un-needed treatment just so that they all fall into the nice and neat 1 month waiting list requirement. The other story is all about hugely expensive radiotherapy equipment not being used for around a year after being installed new in some instances. There was an interesting discussion about the state of cancer treatments which I did miss, yesterday on Julian Worrickers’ Radio 5 Live programme. It was called Cancer Care Unplugged and follows on from an in depth look into the treatment of cancer patients by reporter, Simon Cox. You can listen to it HERE and click where it says Listen Again: Sundays Show. The item starts at about 1hr 5 mins if you want to skip right too it although the whole show was worth a listen too.

Okay then I’m off to see what the day has in store for me. Lots of nice tasty grub I hope!!

See Ya!!

All Change!!

Hiya. You might have noticed that the blog has been transformed into its new guise. I decided on the change after being inspired by fellow Blogger Peter who has changed both his and Elspeth’s designs recently over to very Spring like themes they are nice. You can find Peters HERE and Elspeth’s HERE. It will no doubt change further over the next few days/weeks as I play around a bit more so bear with me if you encounter any problems. I have tried to brighten it up a little too. To match the current heat wave we are having. Judith sat out the garden for a while yesterday afternoon and she actually got Sunburnt, ha ha ha!!!! IN APRIL!!!! Check out the links to some of the videos on Google and You Tube. I’ve tried to make them all a bit amusing etc but the odd dodgy one is sure to appear eventually as it is out of my control.

Okay then I’d better get on with some more twiddling while I’m still awake as my eye lids are getting heavier by the second and don’t hold much hope of fighting it for much longer.

See Ya!!

p.s I just noticed something really funny. I use Microsoft Word to write my blogs and then copy and paste them to the Blog server. I just spell checked this before sending it and it queried Google and it wasn’t in the dictionary ha ha ha!!!

Chocoholic season is upon us yet again. I prefer the little Easter chicks myself or rather what they lay and what they become after a bit of fattening up, it has to be Free range of course as I have found this is one particular food product where there is significant differences in flavour etc between Battery and Free Range chickens. I tend to go for the Corn Fed variety. They can look a bit like they are need of a Liver Transplant with their bright Yellow skin but the intensified flavour is something else.

Okay on to business. As I’ve mentioned a number of times on the blog in the past I could not be accused of singing “Patientline’s” praises by no stretch of the imagination. They’ve made it into the news again this week and I think as it is a bit of a quiet time at the moment, somewhat due to Parliament having a rest, and I’ll come onto that subject later, it was covered by virtually every news channel all day and night. I know that this is a subject close to many peoples heart and also too close to many people’s wallets. Peter had written a rather good, straight to the point explanation of these conmen that masquerade as Patientline. You can get straight to it HERE or read the blog that he had written on this same subject the other day as the news was breaking HERE. He really does have his finger on the pulse, either that or he’s got “An Insider” leaking info?? In a nutshell they have decided that they are not ripping us off enough and as such have raised the cost of calls for Patients to Ring Out from 10p min (min 20p connection charge) to a whopping 26p min (min 20p connection charge) a mere 160% increase. They are mind you, being very generous and lowering the cost of their super efficient??? TV/Radio service from £3.50 per day to £2.90 per day, but it looks like the over 65’s, who would I’m sure mount up to a pretty large number are no longer entitled to a Half Price offer. The excuse they have used for the increases is that they have never made a profit in all the years of running the service and need to recoup their cost, (at the expense of vulnerable people) their Radio Service is actually Free although you do need to phone to activate it, which is also free for now but who knows what the future holds there, so if you were to purchase the TV which has around 8-10 channels although does change depending where in the country you are, it will cost you a staggering £78 per month. If you compare this to probably the most expensive home TV provider SKY TV which charge for their Full Package (Sky World) inc endless movie channels and sports channels etc etc and of course the terrestrial channels too, in comparison a meagre £43.50 (£34.50 Cheaper) you can see why people get so wound up by this. I guess for me what with the laptop and mobile they won’t be having any more of my money, not that that stops me from being outraged though.

You’ll be glad to know too that my friendly MP was again in the area this last week or so and I have the many (3) pictures from the Local Free paper to prove it. It did come as no surprise though when I read what he was actually here for. He was handing out Veteran’s Badges to a few local Ex-Servicemen in recognition of their gallant service for the country. I strongly agree that these men did a great job and I owe them all a debt of gratitude but sadly it just adds more fuel to the fire regarding John Smith and the way that he appears to be very blinkered the issues he will try and deal with. If it is to do with anything like RAF St Athan or servicemen or Flying in general, although he has spoken a few times on Deep Vein Thrombosis, which was though in connection to flying, then he will bend over backwards to help but anything else and he’s not interested. I emailed the other day to get an update on what he was doing regarding my problem with the council and I know he, or at least someone from his office, read it 10 minutes later but sadly no reply again and what with the bank holiday I won’t get one till at least Tues, if at all. This last week alone he could have attended the Local Citizen Awards recognising Local people for their hard UNPAID work in the community or maybe the opening of the new Heritage Centre and that’s just in the very immediate surrounding area let alone the rest of his constituency. I wonder if he will show his face when they come around canvassing for the upcoming Welsh Assembly Elections?? I do hope so!!!

Jeeeeez all this ranting is making me thirsty. I’m going for a cuppa and quite possibly I must just indulge in a light snack of bacon, bread, butter and mushrooms while I’m at it.

See Ya!!