02.40 a.m. on the last day of September. This is sounding more like a diary than a blog. I rather resent reporting on health yet again (after a decent gap) but typing takes my mind off the pain whether anyone would ever be reading this dross or not doesn't matter actually.
Statement of fact (boring as it is, bored as I would be, reading this non-writing stuff):
- Tried to induce a decent night's sleep last night with one 6 % + "Leffe" (delicious Blond Belgian Lager) followed by one 8+ % one, a new one to me "Duval" - nice name - not very nice taste but naturally I coaxed it down. It had the expected, if not desired, affect and I turned-in rather early for me at about nine thirty only to be awoken, not with the usual shoulder pain, but with a lot of pain in my right foot - on the bridge of it.
- I was proudly off any pain-killing tablets for about 14 days or more as the pain lessened in my (still) frozen shoulder - although movement of it is still severely restricted.
- Thought I was slowly 'on the mend' but I have had this foot pain (actually in both feet previously) and I await the results of blood tests - seeing the very thorough (newly met) doctor this coming Thursday (also booked for the physio).
I do have a few friends who have been offered links to this blog (doubt any look at it much, if at all) but I am going to bear my soul (what's changed [?] I hear you say) ...
I live in Lincolnshire in a very rural location near the East Coast of England (put that way for the benefit of the thousands upon thousands of international blog readers that I have accumulated - ha ha). - Notice the careful deliberate insertion of those all important little ha has (not has but 'hars' - plural of ha). Here, six years or so ago when moving into my village I joined a surgery in a little town called Alford (not the Scottish one - the Lincolnshire one of course). I witnessed it go from a reasonably good service down to a "not fit for purpose" practice whereby one could rarely get doctor's appointments without great difficulty, so I ventured to change surgeries. It was not easy. I applied for one in the heart of The Lincolnshire Wolds. I have not had a doctor visit me at home (I don't think) ever in my life - so although my home is probably around 10 or more miles from the (new) surgery that I applied for, I stated that I would not expect any home visits when I applied to join. I was refused. I appealed formally in writing - a lengthy letter and I was quite amazed by how I was then told that I had joined the surgery (by telephone, very matter-of-factly).
What is different (here in The Wolds - the more affluent Wolds) compared to just 10 or so miles away in the town of Alford? - Alford being a sadly run-down but charming old market town that just about supports a small twice-weekly market.
- Well-staffed with (at least three) doctors and at least one (probably more) efficient nurse(s). - Compared to Alford that had probably two to three doctors but some only part time ( for example one had retired and returned for a while part time) - so clearly Alford was understaffed.
- Quite newly-built purpose-built attractive light and airy premises. The other was an old rather dark, slightly dingy if architecturally interesting building (a former large house).
- An excellent dispensary with at least two staff sometimes - one others and both with an attentive pleasant manner - appearing keen to oblige. This was totally the opposite to Alford where the staff hid around a corner and seemed loathed to take any attention (same for the 'back office' staff - reluctant to attend to patients is my impression).
- Superb attitude and attention from all staff including Reception staff - quite different at Alford (except one Receptionist was good).
- Doctors that show caring and that thoroughly exam one. Not what I experienced generally in Alford.
- There was another thing that I found rather irritating in Alford (haven't yet found anything similar in The Wolds): the doctors' parking spaces were very clearly and boldly marked out and there was always at least one very large BMW or similar parked in the space - a statement of wealth?
03.15 now and I took a tentative, reluctant, single fairly strong pain-killing pill but I still have the foot pain.
What the hell is wrong with me?!
Age? Let's just say that I was born after the second world war but what amuses me and is so curious to me is that as I approached normal retirement age here in The UK (which was 65 years old until fairly recently when for many, especially women, it became later) I was pretty healthy apart from genetically inherited health issues (like heart 'trouble'). I have a theory ... - don't know how HMG - Her Majesty's Government - achieves it, but I reckon somehow 'they' induce sickness into the populous as soon as one receives a pension - as it is costing them money. They want to get rid of us.
My poor wife - I feel so sorry for her - she was awakened again - my fault - she has an all day equestrian event that she is judging at later today - I hope she went back to sleep. I really think that we'll have to sleep separately.
I know that this scenario is very bad indeed - waking - getting-up - blogging (to distract from the pain). Sleeping in the daytime when usually there is no pain - very slippery slope. If and when this pain lessens I'll try to go back to bed - problem is - getting there as I have to hobble rather unavoidably loudly. I look and sound like 'Peg-leg'!
Finally - this is not an old bloke moaning about his health - it is trying to say something about the UK and its health service too - but yes, it is, as a recently departed former reader put it - about my blog and me - "egocentric". - Well of course it bloody is! - It's a blog; my blog. Something else for him to get pissed-off about (oh he won't - 'cause he's gone for good). Interesting expression isn't it - "gone for good?"
Decision time ...
... Write something (not the blog)? - Or try going back to bed and sleep? Foot still hurts ...
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