'Flu Jabs and Wild, Windy Weather

It's that time of year when I have to go for my free 'flu jab. I knew it was coming up and eventually I discovered they would be holding the annual 'flu jab clinic at Ashfield Medical Centre. It would be held this Saturday and next between 8a.m. and 12 noon. I always want to be there as the doors open at 8 so as to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. Alfie was disappointed that I couldn't take him out for his walk around Eaglestone Park, but it wasn't light enough at 7.20 as well as a howling gale lashing the trees outside. I wasn't going to be able to get round the park and back in time to leave for the surgery at 7.45, so he was going to have to wait until I got back.

As I came out of the house and ready to drive off to Ashfield it was bright sunshine over the tops of the houses and a really amazing rainbow across the sky. It was a complete arc and quite unusual because you never seem to see a complete one, probably the end as it touches the ground, but this one seemed to arc over all of Milton Keynes. I rushed back into the house to find my digital camera and attempted to capture it, but it wasn't easy. I couldn't manage to fit the entire rainbow in but i think I got some of it in. Such a rare thing to see and it was gone very quickly so I'm glad I managed to get some of it before it disappeared.

I drove to Beanhill and got to the Ashfield Medical Centre carpark in good time and parked at the rear of the unit. (There is also a dental surgery as well as a Cox and Robinson pharmacy within the block of premises with Ashfield Medical Centre being the largest unit.) I prefer to park at the rear as generally there is more space and it's easier to park and get out than at the front.

As I got to the front of the surgery there were a few people gathering, one lady had an umbrella up because it began to rain. Thankfully the practise manager came to open the door up so we could go inside to wait. I really didn't fancy getting soaked so it was as well we didn't have to wait in the rain, although I don't think it lasted long.

They couldn't begin giving the jabs until 8 o'clock. Would it have mattered if they had? What reason was there to not begin? Some formality or other. I won't ask, being Ashfield Medical Centre. Anyway, they allowed us to register, or at least, report to the reception desk to sign in which would at least record that we were there. Then, to have to sit and wait until 8 before the flu jabs began. I wasn't bothered at all that some people went before me. Who cares? They had tea and coffee to drink before and after you'd been for your injection, but, to be honest, I wasn't bothered. Then the clock ticked over, 8 o'clock and bingo! People were called, or at least there name and which person was doing the injections and which room came up on the digital screen. You'd have thought it would have been in alphabetical order, but no, a sort of random name came up, although, now thinking about it, the names were probably just in the order of people being signed in. About ten minutes later my name came up on the digital display, to go to Room 4. One of the doctors. She asked my name and date of birth (which seems to be the standard way to identify you in the N.H.S.) and I sat on a chair and she administered the injection into my left arm, without me feeling a thing, which should be how it's done and I was out and driving on to Sainsbury's.

It wasn't 8.30 when I got to Sainsbury's store in Witan Gate and it was great to be able to move around the store easily without hoards of other shoppers. Having completed my shopping I returned home and because it had, by now, shown signs of being quite bright outside I decided to take Alfie for his delayed walk, much to his complete and utter happiness. It was quite windy and we came across quite  few bits of twig and benches which had been bought down by the wind. But by the time I came to leave the house to see Carol in hospital the skies opened and it rained, so there was absolutely no way I was going to walk, which was what I had intended. It is, after all, a mere ten-minute walk there along the Redway and it would at least mean I wouldn't have to pay parking (you have to pay, because the Macmillan Unit isn't open over the weekend so you can't get your parking ticket clipped which means you can't get free parking, which is a bit mean.) But by the time I'd got to the park park near Cardiology, which is where I generally park, and then walked in to Ward 9, it had stopped raining and the sun was out!

Cardiology Nurse Appointment

(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.

Fine and Sunny Weather

Having said in yesterday's post that it was getting chilly, today it's fine and sunny. Typical for this time of year when it can be chilly one moment and the next sunny and warm.

 Carol was due to have an appointment with Dr Saka at the Macmillan Unit this morning, but there was a telephone call from his secretary to say, because Dr Saka was on holiday they'd have to reschedule the appointment. It made sense really, because a week on Saturday Carol has another scan it it seemed more sense having the consultant's appointment after the results of the scan were available for him to look at rather than having the appointment before the scan. So, as we didn't have to go to the hospital we decided on a visit to Milton Keynes shopping centre. We parked in the multi-storey carpark near Debenhams. It is currently undergoing renovations so we couldn't park on the lower floor and had to drive to the top to park. The whole place is gradually looking spick and span with generous amounts of paint being used and the whole surface of each floor relaid. Much better as a result. We couldn't use the escalator to go down within Debenham's and had to use a lift. We were surprised how busy the whole place was, perhaps due to the weather being warmer or no doubt because it will be the last day of the school holidays. As we walked past several shops, notably Clark's shoe shop, many were heaving with parents and children being fitted out with new shoes or school uniforms ready for the new term which begins on Monday.

We walked as far as Middleton Hall, by which time we were ready for a refreshment break and went to Cafe Nero and we queued up to order lattes and chocolate slices. I was somewhat shocked by the attitude of the girl who served me. Scowling and not interested in what she was doing. Carol noticed so it wasn't just me. I don't think this girl was a good example of good customer care and if I'd been doing a secret shop I'd have mentioned it and she would have been disciplined by her manager. Miserable girl. It was more than obvious to me that she really would have rather been anywhere else but where she was at that precise moment. If that was the case she should let someone else do her job and at least concentrate on what she was doing.

We sat near a window so we could watch as people passed by in the shopping mall. The coffee wasn't by any means the best we'd had. Far too strong and not as good as what we'd had the other day in Frost's garden centre in Woburn Sands. By comparison their cafe was far better. I stood and watched as a member of their staff made us lattes. The girl who did this job was being very accurate with the way the lattes were being made as well as even cleaning the saucers and placing the rather nice design in the froth on the top of the lattes as well as wiping the cups and placing biscuits in the saucers as well as spoons. They have very well run restaurants and cafe's which are staffed by people who seem to take a great pride in their work, unlike the girl in that branch of Cafe Nero.

When we'd finished in Cafe Nero we walked back the opposite side of the shopping centre, visiting The Works to have a browse and then walking back towards Debenham's and the multi storey carpark.

Two Hospital Appointments

Carol was due to have an appointment with the stoma nurse on Thursday morning at around 10.15. We arrived in good time, deciding to walk as the weather was fine. We got to out-patients in plenty of time and Carol signed in at one of the self-service screens. Well, the one that was actually working as sometimes they don't function. We were sent through to the correct area. You get assigned a place nearest where your appointment is booked. There were two staff members on the reception area and there were very few patients waiting. One man near us, filling in a form. Another man in the next area doing the same. Presumably you have to fill in these forms if you are a new patient. Why don't they send them out in the post, or via email (for those who have access to a computer of some sort.) so that you have the form filled in when you arrived at your appointment? They probably had, but it does seem far more logical if you arrived with the form already completed. Carol attempted to join in the conversation the two staff were having, but one of them, a really cross-looking of woman in her late 40's or early 50's totally ignored her. A lady came in with a child and needed some assistance, but this staff member was somewhat abrasive with her. Well, I thought so. Not exactly the sort of manner you expect from N.H.S. staff. Most are extremely polite and pleasant, but this woman was really rude.

Carol was eventually called in by the nurse. She knows us well, so it was quite an easy appointment. Afterwards we went to have coffee in Costa, which is in the new entrance area of the hospital. Nice to be able to relax after the appointment.

Before we left, Carol walked back towards the main area of the hospital through the long corridor and we ended up at the hairdressers. I've walked past on several occasions and noticed this. She managed to book a hair appointment for 3 o'clock this afternoon. It has been quite difficult to make such an appointment, when she has so many various hospital appointments, along with chemotherapy sessions.

We went back to the hospital for Carol's hair appointment. The lady who did the hair-trim was very efficient and the job was done very quickly. Carol had looked on-line to find a hair style that suited her and eventually found exactly what she wanted and we printed it out to take to the appointment. Unfortunately we didn't have the correct money to pay for the haircut, and they didn't have a chip-and-pin machine to pay and didn't have the cash on us, so I had to go to an A.T.M. machine. The machine at the hospital entrance was 'out of order,' and I realised that there was a machine near the restaurant which was a long walk through those endless corridors, but I managed to get the cash out and walk back to the hairdresser's salon. Done and paid.

On Friday Carol had a further appointment with one of the oncology consultants at the Macmillan Unit at Milton Keynes Hospital. It was another bright and fairly sunny day so it seemed a sensible idea to again walk, avoiding having to park the car.  We got to the Macmillan unit far too early. We saw the colorectal nurse we've seen on many occasions. Infact she was there at the time of Carol's original diagnosis but we haven't seen her that many times over the past year or so. Then we were called in to see the consultant. We had been told that things were going well, that the chemotherapy was successful, that the tumors were shrinking considerably. We had been told that Carol was to have two operations, one in Milton Keynes to deal with the lower bowel tumors and then she would go to Oxford for the liver operation and that some radiotherapy would be used. That was what we were expecting when we went to the Churchill in Oxford a few weeks ago. But when Carol mentioned all this on Friday she was told that they had never promised an use of an operation. We are beginning to get very conflicting responses from both Oxford and Milton Keynes. Carol was told that she needed to have a P.E.T. can in Oxford, and that they had attempted to ring her during the week but couldn't get through, hence the cancer coordinator who rang the other day. She had been told that Oxford wanted the scan done before her next Chemotherapy cycle (which will be the final, twelfth, one, starting this Tuesday.) before they can go ahead with the liver operation. But then the consultant in Milton Keynes said he knew nothing about this. We are going to Oxford on Monday, having got the scan appointment there at about 3.30 in the afternoon. (On Monday morning Carol has to go to the Milton Keynes oncology department as usual to have another blood test to check that she can continue with chemotherapy on Tuesday.) So you can see why we are so confused as to what is actually going on and what the next stage of treatment will be. I would say that both sides need to sort out any communication issues which is what is causing all the confusion. We spoke to a nurse who has now gone out of her way to attempt to find out what is going on and we will have a meeting with the lead consultant who will be able to rectify any confusion which should put our minds at rest. Unfortunately after the consultant's meeting on Friday, we left feeling somewhat negative about things, which didn't exactly help matters.
's 

12th Anniversary of Heart Attack and Consultant's Appointment

I forgot that yesterday (Thursday) was the 12th Anniversary of my heart attack. I can't believe it was 12 years ago. I have to say I feel fine. It's unfortunate that we're visiting hospital more than ever, dealing with Carol's chemotherapy. I haven't had any dealings with the cardiology department for a couple of years now, although we enter the hospital through that department to get to oncology.

It's yet another mild and sunny day. We're currently putting wood bark chips down in the garden, near the house. We've put down weed control fabric first and then the bark chips on top. We bought four bags of this in Bunnings yesterday. There's a possibility that we're going to need a couple more bags to complete the job. This has been planned for quite a while, so it will be good to complete it whilst the weather if fine. After all that work the grass needs cutting again. 

Carol had a consultant's appointment arranged for this morning at 11 o'clock. Being fine, it seemed a good idea to walk. Only about a ten-minute walk to the Macmillan's unit at the hospital. There were few other people waiting, but we got there in plenty of time but were eventually called into the consultant's office at around 11.20. There wasn't actually a lot to add to what was said when we visited Churchill Hospital in Oxford two weeks ago. He told us that it was quite usual for a patient's blood test to show a low count of the antibodies that fight infection, which was why the last two chemotherapy cycles were postponed. He says that the prognosis for a cure are excellent. The chemo sessions should continue until all 12 are completed.

Alfie has been keeping an eye on our neighbour's cat. It has been coming into the garden more than ever, no doubt because of the warmer weather. It has the habit of sitting on the roof of the shed and then staring imperiously into the house, just to see whether Alfie is watching. He has had the habit of sleeping on the sofa or at least sitting and not taking any notice or just looking in the wrong direction. It amuses me when he does see the cat and then starts up barking and then rushing out into the garden but the cat sits in such a position so he can't possibly see it when he gets closer.

More Mowing and Oncology Appointment

Another really warm and sunny day. I've done a bit more of the mowing of the grass, but there's still a bit more to do. The grass is exceptionally long and somewhat wet and the mower really moaned. Who can blame it? It's designed to cut nice, neat grass, not grass you would ordinarily find in a meadow and eaten by cattle. The machine is still sitting on the grass, waiting for me to complete the job. At the moment it's really far too hot. Not a good idea if you have a heart problem as I do. I have used my G.T.N. spray to alleviate any angina attacks, which is always possible if I'm exerting myself, which is definitely the case pushing the Flymo back and forth across the garden. I shall continue the job when it's a little cooler, which makes sense.

Carol had an oncology appointment with one of the consultants at 11 this morning (Friday). As it's been so warm and sunny it seemed a good idea to walk to the hospital. After all we only live around 10 minutes away. So we set of at around 10.30 and got there, having walked along the Redway and then into the hospital campus. Carol insisted we scramble up a slope which lead into the carpark behind the cardiology department. I had to climb it first and I helped her over the hump. On arrival in the Macmillan Unit it was exceptionally busy. Nowhere for us to sit together at first. As people went in for their appointments, this left vacant chairs, so we were able move around and to sit together. All a bit like a game of musical chairs. When the music stops . . .

Overhearing people's conversations. Well, it's just impossible to not hear. One old man, he must have been in his late 80's, if not older. Sounding a bit like Jones the butcher in 'Dad's Army,' who kept going on about his time in the desert during the First World War. This old man had been 'in the desert, in North Africa.' He'd been a chemist, so he knew a lot about the various chemicals they were using for his chemotherapy. He'd also worked in a paper-mill or somewhere and they'd used his skills.  Rather like being in the midst of an Alan Bennet play. He did go on and on. Got the other waiting people smiling. He did go on, though. But then he was called in for his appointment.

One of the volunteer men came round collecting mugs. Then he asked people if they would like tea. I didn't, but Carol did. By the time Carol was called in for her appointment at 11.20, he was coming around with a tray of tea, so Carol took her's into the consultants appointment. The surgeons have yet to see the results of the last M.R.I. scan from Wednesday afternoon, but they have discussed Carol's treatment. It looks likely that she will go to Oxford for radiotherapy on part of the cancer whilst the rest will be operated on in Milton Keynes and it's likely to be within the next four weeks or so. So everything is very positive. The warm weather definitely helping and the fact that we walked and didn't have the stress of driving and having to park the car.

On the way out of the unit we bumped into the cancer nurse we had been assigned when Carol was first diagnosed, and whom we haven't seen in quite a while. She said she didn't recognise Carol, as she is looking so much better. The fact that we've been out and about, that she is walking further and further is probably one reason.

So, a really pleasant walk back home, going through the hospital campus and back along the Redway.

We had a grocery delivery during the afternoon from Sainsbury's. It was easier to order on-line and have it delivered. We'd booked it to come between 3 and 4. It was efficiently done and saves so much bother of going to the store and trudging around picking up everything ourselves. It's great to let someone else do the work for us, and you don't end up buying stuff you don't need. As the site 'saves' your list of items, it's easier next time to do your shop faster.

I did a further bit of mowing, but there's still another section to do, mostly around the edges. I refuse to describe this scrappy bit of grass a 'lawn.' It no more resembles one, it may be grass, but not a neat and tidy piece of turf. Perhaps we should tear it up and have some artificial grass as someone has obviously had a bit further down our road. Oh, gracious! It would save time and effort, but I don't think our landlord would approve.