(Monday) Carol came with me to my first appointment with one of the cardiology nurses at Milton Keynes Hospital this morning. We've walked through the cardiology department quite a few times because it's immediately opposite the entrance into the oncology department which is where Carol came to have her 12 sessions of chemotherapy, so we know it fairly well, usually acknowledging the lady on reception as we walk through. So it was rather off for me to be there for my own appointment this morning. At least we could park the car easily because we were so early and we went into the Macmillan unit which is further along the corridor to get the parking ticket clipped so we didn't have to pay to park.
We sat down in the waiting area, having reported to the reception desk. There was one other person waiting. Which I assumed would mean I would be next to be called in. But a couple came in, a woman in an electric wheelchair, and her husband (I presume that they were husband and wife.) was called in almost immediately. The letter I'd received giving me the appointment (although I had been telephoned to giving me the appointment. They sent the letter as a reminder.) told me I should arrive a good 10 minutes in advance of the appointment so they could do the, by now, routine observations, such as blood pressure, temperature etc.
Then I was called in by the nurse, Lucy is her name. I had bought all my medications with me in a carrier bag, along with the discharge information from the John Radcliffe. I discussed what had happened leading up to my recent heart attack two week's previously. It didn't seem to follow any particular pattern, for example, I had difficulty distinguishing between angina, indigestion and any other sensation which lead to it happening. We went through all my medications and discussed any problems I had with the, including the fact that the Ramipril was giving me an annoying cough. She also checked my blood pressure, which appeared very good, considering. She then went through the rehab course, which I can join, but at the moment I can't start because it would appear they don't have any space so it's not likely to start until the end of October. I can't give a clear date to begin this because we don't yet know what Carol's treatment plan is likely to be and probably won't know anything until we've had the consultant's appointment on Friday. So, it's rather open as to when I can begin, but I will go to the hospital gym for this. I wasn't even aware that there was a gym in Milton Keynes Hospital. But when I go I will be checked out to see whether it's safe for me to do this by having a cardiogram done. Then we went on about food and diet in general and then the appointment was over, but it's nice to know I have someone to go to if I need advice since having my heart attack. I will receive a letter soon confirming the day and time I have my first cardiology rehab session.
I saw a piece on BBC Breakfast on Monday morning, before we went off to the hospital for my appointment, about the Highways England campaign called 'Don't Be A Space Invader,' which is to attempt to stop tailgating, something which I have experienced and mention in my blog posts, where a driver will come up far too close behind me when I'm driving. It can be extremely intimidating and in some cases, really frightening. There are, apparently, around 100 people killed or seriously injured in crashes caused by drivers who drive far too close to other vehicles, Highways England says. Around 9 out of 10 people say they feel 'victimised' by this. Police would fine motorists £100 for driving too close to the car in front, in response to concerns over an increase in antisocial driving on motorways and A-Roads. As a result of this, I'm glad that something is being done about this. Apparently you are supposed to give a 2-second space to the car in front when driving on any road. There are markings on the M1 coming south when we come down the motorway, chevrons, that is, markings on the road, which are supposed to give you an approximate distance to keep from the car in front.
We sat down in the waiting area, having reported to the reception desk. There was one other person waiting. Which I assumed would mean I would be next to be called in. But a couple came in, a woman in an electric wheelchair, and her husband (I presume that they were husband and wife.) was called in almost immediately. The letter I'd received giving me the appointment (although I had been telephoned to giving me the appointment. They sent the letter as a reminder.) told me I should arrive a good 10 minutes in advance of the appointment so they could do the, by now, routine observations, such as blood pressure, temperature etc.
Then I was called in by the nurse, Lucy is her name. I had bought all my medications with me in a carrier bag, along with the discharge information from the John Radcliffe. I discussed what had happened leading up to my recent heart attack two week's previously. It didn't seem to follow any particular pattern, for example, I had difficulty distinguishing between angina, indigestion and any other sensation which lead to it happening. We went through all my medications and discussed any problems I had with the, including the fact that the Ramipril was giving me an annoying cough. She also checked my blood pressure, which appeared very good, considering. She then went through the rehab course, which I can join, but at the moment I can't start because it would appear they don't have any space so it's not likely to start until the end of October. I can't give a clear date to begin this because we don't yet know what Carol's treatment plan is likely to be and probably won't know anything until we've had the consultant's appointment on Friday. So, it's rather open as to when I can begin, but I will go to the hospital gym for this. I wasn't even aware that there was a gym in Milton Keynes Hospital. But when I go I will be checked out to see whether it's safe for me to do this by having a cardiogram done. Then we went on about food and diet in general and then the appointment was over, but it's nice to know I have someone to go to if I need advice since having my heart attack. I will receive a letter soon confirming the day and time I have my first cardiology rehab session.
I saw a piece on BBC Breakfast on Monday morning, before we went off to the hospital for my appointment, about the Highways England campaign called 'Don't Be A Space Invader,' which is to attempt to stop tailgating, something which I have experienced and mention in my blog posts, where a driver will come up far too close behind me when I'm driving. It can be extremely intimidating and in some cases, really frightening. There are, apparently, around 100 people killed or seriously injured in crashes caused by drivers who drive far too close to other vehicles, Highways England says. Around 9 out of 10 people say they feel 'victimised' by this. Police would fine motorists £100 for driving too close to the car in front, in response to concerns over an increase in antisocial driving on motorways and A-Roads. As a result of this, I'm glad that something is being done about this. Apparently you are supposed to give a 2-second space to the car in front when driving on any road. There are markings on the M1 coming south when we come down the motorway, chevrons, that is, markings on the road, which are supposed to give you an approximate distance to keep from the car in front.
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