Thursday, 29 November 2018

Lots happening

First I must inform all who read my blog that I am beginning to lose the ability to speak, when I say this I must explain, this I find hard when talking to get my words out and sometimes I get the words mixed up but I am capable of writing them down.
 My mate and his Partner picked me up to take me to Outpatients at Boston which I thank them very much for I do appreciate them both very  much.
 As I had an old Nokia mobile which the batteries were getting worn out I asked my mate to get me another mobile. I had no need to worry about the quality and price for BOTH are keen on price. Anyway he bought me one and spent a couple of minutes with me explaining how to use it when they came to pick me up. What he omitted to tell me was that you had to hold the button to turn it on for about 10 seconds so that eventually when I had finished my Outpatients I could not get the mobile to turn on so I went to reception and after a couple of minutes the receptionist managed to get it turned on. My mate had it worked out to a tee, he told me that when I was ready to be picked up give him a ring for about 3 rings then turn off and when he was about 5 minutes from the Hospital he would repeat the process.
 Back to the Outpatients, first I had to self register and was informed to go to the main waiting area. In the waiting area there was a a couple of screens with notifications and soon I saw my name instructing me to go to the Eye department so off I went not exactly knowing where I was to go but well down the corridor a Nurse asked me for my name and asked me if I had registered which I told her I had. She soon found my name and told me to take a seat in the waiting area if I could find one. Every seat was taken but I presume a young lass immediately got up n]and offered me her seat which I refused but she insisted so I sat down. I was pleased because the wait was long. After I had been waiting some 35 minutes a Nurse shouted and asked if anyone had been waiting for more than 45 minutes.. A man walked up and heard him say that the Lady  he accompanied had been waiting for about 75 minutes. Th4e Nurse immediately checked her list found that he was correct and informed him that the Lady would be next.
 Eventually I was called in to see a Nurse for an eye test just to see if I could see letters without my glasses then it was wait for another Nurse who put drops in my eyes checked them and asked several questions then it was again wait. I eventually called to see what I presumed was a Nurse Practitioner but she was a Sister. She put drops which she told me would sting which they did but only for a minute or so, examined my eyes with a strong light then told me that my left eye was borderline so we agreed that we should leave it for now. If I had insisted I think I could have had the left eye operated on but to be honest it is having to ask someone to take me to Hospital. If it was straight forward it would not be bad but not knowing just how long you would be there is a bind. The day of the operation there are 2 appointments, one is 8.00.am. and the other is Noon, I was fortunate to be first and I was discharged from the Day care unit sometime after 3. 15.pm. but the operation took about 20 minutes but if you say 15 minutes for each patient that would mean if I was last the discharge time would be well after 4.30.pm.
 Anyway the Sister on Outpatients after doing the tests informed me that in about 2 weeks I should make an appointment with my Optometrist and gave me a letter to give to her. I immediately let her know that I would still be taking my eye drops but she told me that I would not so I told her that I was told to take eye drops for 2 months, all she said was 1 month, I then told her that the day care had given me 2 bottles of eye drops and she told me that if I was likely to run out order in good time another bottle so I asked her why they had given me 2 months supply. All she could say was that she thought it was in case I ran out.
 I decided not to do what she told me so I went down to the Opticians explained what had happened and the male receptionist has booked me in for an eye test on December 10th. I will still be putting props in my eye until the day of the eye test. As the appointment is for 1.30.pm. I will put drops in my eye early in the morning and see what she says. Mind you I have great difficulty in getting the drops in my eye but on ordering another bottle I should have enough.
 Talking of ordering, a week last Monday I made an appointment for my 3 monthly blood test for the Hospital at the same time I ordered some more eye drops and also put in my repeat prescription. As nothing had happened I decided to ring up Lloyds Chemist as to if they had a prescription for me. She went to check and when I asked her if they would be delivered the same day she informed me that they did not do a repeat delivery. I told her that I had not received anything at all and halfway through the conversation my old Nokia mobile packed in. I was pleased because I had when I first went to Boston a warning that the batteries were low although I had charged the batteries up completely. They must have got the message for a foreign Lady came and rung the doorbell, within seconds rung it again then hammered on my door and started to look for another entry. I was only some 20 seconds in getting to the door she was blunt and asked me to sign then left but at least I have my medication for another month. Thus endeth the long epistle. More I hope soon.

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

Problem.

These last 2 or so weeks I have been without one of my vital medications that prevent my Colitis from flaring up. I went to see the Pharmacist last week and pointed out that on my repeat prescriptions it stated that in the event of not getting the medication a suitable medication should be given. This morning I called and saw the Lass there and immediately she saw me she let me know that last evening there was a delivery of a replacement so I hope that this will keep my Colitis in check.
 The other day I had notification from the Hospital informing me that an appointment had been made for me to attend Outpatients but also it gave me instructions not to drive as drops could be given, also I would see several doctors and it could last for 3 hours. I was not best pleased for I had hoped that I would drive to the appointment myself. Anyway I sent an email to my mate and his Partner asking them if once again they would take me to Boston. To be honest his Partner has been very good to me thinking of my well being. Last Monday after my eye operation she suggested to her partner as they were travelling to Mablethorpe and going past my place they could ask if I wished them to bring anything for me. I was naturally ve4ry happy to accept the offer and asked them to bring for me some milk. Even prior to that she made me feel more than welcome when I went to Skegness to have my eyes inspected prior to having my Cataract removed. I could not fault her at all. This is addition to them getting gradually things sorted out for they are eventually going to consolidate by moving into one property but naturally over the years they have accrued many of items that are duplicated which of course means downsizing but she still thought of me and that happens rarely these days.
 My mate is still hogging the car which I can understand for it is far more up to date than my car and my car is only just over 2 years old. I guess when they come to pick me up he will drive but I will be pleased to see them BOTH. That is of course my Colitis is under check. More soon.

Thursday, 8 November 2018

Connection.

As mentioned before I was due to change Internet Provider on the same day I was due to go to hospital for my cataract operation so I went Online early Friday only to find that my previous Provider had disconnected me so I changed routers and connections and waited for 15 minutes which the new Provider had instructed. I guess it was nearer 30 minutes when I checked to see that the green lights were on but nothing was happening so I turned off the computer. I checked a couple of times later but found the same result. My mate with his Partner called to pick me up so I asked him to double check to see that I had connected the wires correctly and he told me I had, then he asked where the router was. Immediately he informed me that they hadn't activated the Internet yet so off we went to Hospital.
 He told me what to expect and where to go for his late Mother had been through the same routine, it certainly helped me. I booked in and was told to take a seat in the waiting area. No sooner was I sat down when I was called in to some checks, a Lady next to me told her carer that it was funny for I had only just arrived and I was being seen to.
 The initial check took about 10 minutes and I went out and the Lady told me that I must be first on the list for I had been seen straight away. I told her that I was a little early and we got talking so the time went quickly.
 A little later the trolly came round with tea or coffee which was a lovely surprise. In total there were 6 waiting for the cataract operation. To be honest we were treated like Royalty with undivided attention.
 Eventually after a few visits with the |Nurse the Surgeon came and I was taken to see him. He held out his hand to greet me and had a quick look at my eye so I asked him where I was on the waiting list and he confirmed that I was  first. That was about 1.00.pm. but it was just after 2.00.pm. when I was wheeled down to the Operating Theatre, in the annex next to the Theatre I was prepared and eventually wheeled in, the procedure took about 20 minutes and then I was taken back to the waiting area and the Lady next to me said to me that I was not gone long although it did seem to me it took a while.
 After sitting down for about 10 minutes an assistant came to ask whether I would like tea or coffee. I told her coffee would do nicely. Almost immediately she came back with a tray with hot water a sachet of coffee  together with milk and sugar. There was also a couple of rich tea biscuits all went down well.
 I was taken aback by what happened next, well I say next but it would have been some 30 minutes later, the Nurse who had shown such kindness and dedication went to fetch me and told me she would discharge me. She gave me some drops which she told me to take  4 times a day for the next 2 months but if I ran out I should get a new bottle from my Surgery. She also told me to keep my eye patch on for at least 24 hours. She also asked how I would get home so I told her my friend would pick me up. With that she asked how and I told her I would use my mobile phone so she offered to contact him if I wished but I did decline the offer and with that I was on my way and I guess it was about 3.15.pm.
 Eventually I got home and just before 5.00.pm. I went to see if my Internet was on, it wasn't for the ethernet light showed red. I switched off the router, changed the filter and waited for 5 minutes then turned on the router again. I had managed to get the red light removed but the ethernet connection was flashing but I did nothing that night.
 The next morning I contacted my new Provider and explained what had happened, after asking me to check my  connections he then did some checks his end, eventually informing me that he would send an engineer out on Monday between 8.00.am and 1.00.pm. I waited in vain for nobody came. I fung up later and informed the helpline what had happened, they were full of apologies and told me there would definitely be someone here to see me the next day.
 An engineer contacted me just after 10.00.am. letting me know that he would be at mine within 10 minutes. He duly arrived and immediately told me that he was out of his area so it took him a little while to find where everything was.
 I won't go into details but he was at mine for well over 2 hours not actually at my property but working to get me connected. He did tell me that I did not have a good line to mine. I did notice that he was up the pole outside near to where I live he also told me he had been to the exchange but finally after 5 days I was once again Online. More soon.

Thursday, 1 November 2018

Things

I have managed to have enough potatoes to last me until this month and as potatoes are expensive this year I am satisfied. With the hot weather not suiting the runner beans I have been surprised that the warmer weather in October has meant that once again I have managed to eat fresh runner beans into November. I guess together with the potatoes I will have enough for the next 3 or 4 days. Regarding potatoes when I bought the new freezer the lad came with me and I asked him to pick a 25 kg. of potatoes and I didn't take particular notice but when I went to the checkout one senior assistant informed me that the bag was not 25 kgs. but half a bag so I was charged I think £6,95p. but when we got home I did notice that it was a full bag so I have a bag for that price.
 My Best Pal called yesterday, his last visit for the year, his site closes now until early March next year. He told me amongst other things that he had bought a 25 kg. bag of potatoes for £10 from Farmer Brown  and they were taking a bag home with them for it was the cheapest they had found. I then told him about my bag of potatoes so I guess I had a good deal.
 Tomorrow I have a busy day, first I am switching my broadband and secondly I have to go to Boston to have a cataract removed from my eye. It is sods law that both happen on the same day so I don't know how things will work out for my mate is travelling up from Skegness to take me to boston, I have to be there for Noon so it means we will leave about 11.00.am. to be there in good time There is always a risk attached to this minor procedure but if I do not have it done I will gradually lose my sight but before that I would also lose my driving licence and as I live in the country it is vital that I am able to drive. I got my mate to take me because of the reliability of TSAL which has a dreadful reputation. When I went for the pre-op medical the Nurse informed me that the service was not good and I have read and also heard on T.V many patients arrive late for their appointments and are left stranded because they do not come and pick them up after their appointment so I offed to pay my mate to pick me up from my home and take me there also bring me back home which should be about 4 hours later. He knows what happens because his late Mother went through the same procedure some years ago. Anyway I will be in safe hands. Originally the next door neighbour told me he would take me to Hospital but to be honest I never felt comfortable but once I arranged for my mate to take me I was happy.
 Let us hope all goes according to plan. More soon.