The Furry Monkey

05 august 2011
lymphoedema clinic, uch, london

It's amazing how quick these six months go isn't it! After arriving for my appointment I realised I'd forgotten to take my tablets, so asked if there was a space could I go in early as I'd arrived earlier than planned due to not much traffic (yes I know, less traffic in London, amazing!).

My lovely friend there, P (sorry no names!), did something even better to help. She arranged for a Doctor (there was only one on at the time!) to write me a prescription for the one main tablet I needed). If I don't take this one it makes me feel very ill and I'd already nearly tripped over coming in as I was feeling dizzy when I got out of the car! I could manage without the others but not this one. How brilliant is that for personal treatment and care of patients. You can always rely on P to help you - she's a brilliant lady and the NHS should never let her go!!!

After discussing other matters, my legs were finally looked at. However I didn't get the full measurements I normally get which was a shame as the stockings have been killing me lately.

I know in the summer months my legs suffer more, but they've almost been cut in half by the stockings and my toes have been turning purple. Luckily I've not had any more leaking fluid (sorry that sounds disgusting!) at the moment, but I have some dressings in the cupboard for just such an emegency this time! Like a good Boy Scout - always prepared!!!!

I was told I'd be getting a different ankle type this time which might help the cutting in. My legs are bigger this time, not a surprise to be honest as I can feel them getting bigger and tighter during the day.

It's wonderful to get to bed and take the horrible things off! I'm supposed to be putting some more stockings on at night to help the swelling at the moment, but it's just tooooo hotttttt for that!

I'll just have to put up with it for now and hope that the weather improves. Now you can see why I love the winter months, so much easier on my legs!

 

12 august 2011
meeting up with an old friend...

It's nice to catch up with old friends. I used to work with Lisa years ago and we still keep in contact via phone and meeting up every now and then.

We had a lovely coffee and lunch out by the river. I even managed a short walk but boy did it make my legs ache later on! I do what I can then collapse later, which is not the best way to pace myself, it's a fault I have and know about. It's difficult to change though.

On leaving Lisa gave me a wonderful present of some fruit (she was pleased to see I'm back on the fruit again!) and also some gorgeous sugar free chocolate. Her other half is Diabetic and he said it's really nice for sugar free.

It's in the fridge at the moment, so will try it when life gets too much and the only thing that will help is CHOCOLATE!!!!

 

15 august 2011
back at the dentist

Back for my filling - well I thought it was a filling, but in the end it turned out to be a composite on the small chip I have from a visit to a previous dentist. I never went back there, it was an awful place and not one I'd ever recommend.

Mind you it still cost me £47 so didn't save me that much in the end did it.

 

16 august 2011
dr w, local gp surgery

I'm hoping to get some answers about the Diabetes here. How wrong was I...!

All I was told was the numbers are OK, nothing to worry about (that's good then!), keep doing it and writing them down. No double digits so a good thing. Come back in two months time for a special blood test and then see him again.

So no visit to the Diabetic Nurse, no other info about if I'm doing OK or what to do now. Just wait and see what happens.

Strange, but nothing I can do really is there. Unless I change GP's, if I see Dr W it's fine he's a brilliant GP, but the actual surgery is useless. They never give us the right amount of medication, despite us going in six times to correct it in person. They give John the worng amount of dressings and medication too.

I've been given eight lots of one medication I didn't need, and the one I needed I couldn't get. Now their system won't allow us to order repeat medication too soon, so why wasn't it picked up that they'd given me eight lots of medication of one drug???!?!?!

Oh well, if it continues then I might think look at other GP surgeries in the area.

 

17 august 2011
happy birthday mum!

Yes, it's Mum's birthday today. She is the grand old age of 76. Strange to think of her being that age but she is. My Aunt is 80 and seems a lot younger in years! It's all to do with the mind I think.

I made a handmade card and I got her some flowers for the garden which a friend of ours is going to plant for us. We can't do things like that anymore so it's handy he's offered to help us.

We had a lunch out today which was nice, no cooking is always good isn't it! I do like cooking don't get me wrong, but it's more painful on my legs. I do most of it sitting down now which isn't always easy! Makes it better on the old pins though!

 

20 august 2011
happy birthday sheila!

I don't think Sheila will see this as she's not on the internet, but I just wanted to say Happy Birthday. She is my friend Lyn's Mum.

We all miss Lyn and 45 is way too young to die. Her Mum and Dad miss her a lot and it's lovely to know that she was well loved by her family and friends.

Remembering the good times and hope you have a great bithday Sheila!