Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Saw everyone l need to.

So it's waiting apparently I have lost my top of the list slot. Seen the gas man and the radiologist and feel really tired. I am alone I am room full of beds. Sod this I am on one and have an hour a halves kip. I emerge feeling humanoid, and two staff jump on me for an ECG.

First on the list

P was Pole position fully clerked in just need to see anaesthetist and doc to consent me. Saw top staff nurse and pharmacist. Lost 7kg by their reckoning in a month. I am not putting to much store in different scales. They may need to wake me up for the anaesthetic the shock of two 5 oclocks in the same day has left me reeling.

Game on (I hope)

Monday, June 24, 2024

Eureka aka the Sandown.

I spent a lot of time in the Sandown 77-79. Mind you so did half the Students of Mabel Fletcher Technical College. Its mission was to churn out mainly girls Iand women to vocational roles like nursery nursing, dressmaking, some arts and drama and people like me who was deemed not bright enough for nursing yet. I was sold a pup when I rocked up at the careers office after leaving school.
What's your plan laddie? The careers master with the waxed moustache asked. I looked and felt baffled. He stunk of St Bruno. Nursing Sir Nursing said a sweaty boy quivering at attention. WHAT! Nursing for a man.
Don't worry Sir not till I am 18. AND TILL THEN??!! Dole sir. 9 quid a week I will make it last. He made a phone call shoved a paper in my hand and said you'll get a letter to start in September. The leaflet said people remember nurses. That always stuck with me. Anyways what is a Greek restaurant was where I spent two hours a day around lunchtime. The Sandown the bar never the
lounge.

Half all over (and the beard)

Thought I better get a trim prior to my op tomorrow. Kev is old school in his seventies and spends more time in Turkey than the UK. It's a tiny two chair shop. His grandson covers half the week for him. We talk about his cardiac problems which are now sorted. Also 40 degrees is hot for a Turkish holiday.
Kev bought the shop off Frank who I was a loyal customer of for many years. Next door is a tiny gym seems to be women only.

Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield

Another disturbed nights kip.

Restlessness and bizarre dreams are the order of the night. Tomorrow is the big day. I have to rock up at Walton Neuro at 7am.

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Off to Britains largest Cathedral

At times like this I often make a trip to one of our cathedral's to contemplate and spend some quiet time. I am very anxious and it helps, even if I am not sure why. I pass on the bistro and gift shop. I head off to somewhere less full of tourists

One app that’s useful

I am really over apped at the moment. Eating drinking motivational meditation mood and meds. I keep saying i need like an app portal "one app to rule them" as Tolkien may have said. I use steps and pedometer++ on a daily basis. Before I started my latest campaign I was lucky to hit a 1000 a day. I started to up it and now aim for 3500. Apparently I have walked 10 miles already. Go slow and steady and build up gradually and get used to the smell of embrocation. Ralgex ( other brands are available).

Finished work when?

Well in theory it was 5pm Thursday. Still looking at my open tasks in Reminders and the list is longer than a Leonard Cohen song.

Prof Hardman giving her inaugural lecture

Charlottes done some great work and it was good to some supporters of her local food production activity in the audience.

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Prof Hardman

At the Yoko Ono building listening to Charlottes inaugural address. Few stars in the audience sat next to Emma B. Carl Roberts had a nice few words with me. I rock up here now and again to give a talk.

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

My my thats a thick set of case notes Mr Clare

If Walton did a frequent flyers program I would be on it. I always like lounge access and fast pass. Unfortunatley today I am sneaking slowly to the front of the queue where the screens tell me the man in room 17 is on time. The gasman seems a nice chap, though he ominously locked the door I wondered what was coming next but he tried some chat first - got to respect the man for that. He had a very jovial style maybe too jovial. He ascertained what I knew and the risks - and we had a long chat about what I am facing. My non-compliance with my CPAP was a source of concern. He was surprised I haven't got the full metabolic syndome hit going on. My HbA1C and BP and cholesterol are strangely low. Had I been in ITU before - after my previous visits had to confess to not knowing - I might have kipped in the bus stop on Long Lane for all I know. He asked me a couple of times when I having this done - we mainly because the MDT suggested it - but was I sure? Yep I trust that team doc I will do it. So I asked what would happen if I said no now - wouldnt I be at risk. You cant say no now you are those anticoagulants and you are really at risk. It was a bit up and down but I think we got there in the end - I said I looked forward to seeing him on Tuesday - no, it wont be me I do Mondays. Well tara unlock the door and get out of here.

High risk hurdles

I am extremely mindful if I don't get the green light from the anaesthetist today I am going to have a problem. I am trying not to focus on the negative thoughts but to be honest I am struggling.
Local anaesthesia is clearly not an option, neither is a spinal.
There is a program on the telly about a zoo and they are struggling to weigh Monty a portly little koala. I know how he feels.

A lost clipboard

Quite sad.

Walking again

Lovely morning taken an early lunch break to get some steps. Playlist is Walk 23. BTO, Doobies, Ike and Tina, Soft Cell and the TRB (saw them live in Birkenhead before they were big). Rock against Racism tour.

High risk Anaesthetic clinic today

Off to this fun gig this afternoon - hope it is more fun than it sounds. Will report back.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

All you need

Liverpool F2F

Really great group at the Bridge Chapel. 27 people attended but what is more important is the rich quality of discussion. I didn't get to speak to everyone but as ever came away thinking this is one of the best, most important, regular things Obesity UK things I am involved in. Fantastic to see more blokes than ever too.

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Labour war chest

Sent Uncle Keir a few bob towards the battle. He has asked me to volunteer in our twinned constituency of Southport (long time no sea). I suspect given my recovery, I should be having a quiet election this time around.

Made up

Saw everyone l need to.

So it's waiting apparently I have lost my top of the list slot. Seen the gas man and the radiologist and feel really tired. I am alone I...