Sunshine On Milton Keynes!

 Monday. 6.15 a.m. It's May Bank Holiday Monday! For a change, it's dry and mild. Not so sure if it's going to remain dry, although traditionally (sorry, a bit of irony creeping in here!) it's supposed to rain.

2.15 p.m. I had to buy milk and dog food for Alfie. He would be most upset if he didn't get his dinner, so I went to Sainsbury's. Being a Bank Holiday, the underground car park was virtually empty, so it was easy enough to find a space. 

I am currently reading a book I have recently bought on Amazon, about the 'Ascott Martyrs', some of the ladies involved were ancestors of mine on my mother's side, and I discovered this when I was doing family history research. The book is entitled 'The Ascott Martyrs: Why Did the Rural Establishment Imprison Sixteen Women and Two Babies in 1873?' and it is edited by Keith Laybourn. It's actually a series of essays written by historians and others who have a background in the various elements of the story of these women.

Tuesday. 8.00 a.m. I woke up, went to the loo, went back to bed and, instead of remaining awake, I went back to sleep because when I eventually woke up, it was around 5 a.m. Alfie had to go out, so we went out briefly as we usually do. It's mild as I write this and the sun is out.

Wednesday. 5.25 a.m. I was surprised to find it was foggy when I took Alfie out about half an hour ago. It's not thick, but nevertheless, hanging over Oldbrook. It is mild and quite pleasant.

9.14 a.m. I had a text message from Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre a couple of days ago, telling me that an appointment had been arranged for me, for 8.20 this morning. I had no idea what it was for, but I imagined it was for a blood pressure test or something, I arrived in good time and found out that I had to go to room 21, which is on the first floor. I went upstairs and waited and, no more than five minutes later, I was called into the room. I then discovered that it was to have a blood test, blood taken to check my cholesterol level. The nurse told me that it was supposed to be a fasting blood test, but I hadn't been told, I decided to go ahead and let her take blood, but she couldn't find a vein in my right arm, so I had to lay on the couch, with my feet on the raised bit, where you normally put your head. Fortunately, she was able to find a vein and take some blood. Now I'll have to wait for the results and see if I have to go back for another blood test and make sure I haven't eaten anything beforehand.

From the surgery, I drove back along Witan Gate and went into Sainsbury's. (I seem to spend a lot of time, and money, in there. I was thinking, as I was driving, perhaps I should buy some shares in Sainsbury's, because of the amount I spend there. Just an idea. Anyway, having parked, I had to use the infamous travelator, and then discovered that the UP side wasn't working, and I had to walk, which was odd because you think it's supposed to move.

Doctor's Surgery Visit

As mentioned in an earlier blog post on here, I have transferred doctor's surgeries from Ashfield Medical Centre to Central Milton Keynes Medical Centre. My first doctor's appointment lead to me having to have blood taken for a blood test, to check my various functions and in particular my cholesterol levels. So the appointment for the blood to be taken was today, at 9.50. I was concerned that I would be late and, knowing the level of traffic in Milton Keynes and the aggression of some drivers, I left at 8.40, giving me plenty of time to gently drive along Witan Gate and directly into Bradwell Common, location of the surgery. There are several sets of traffic lights along Witan Gate and each set seems to take a long time to change. Why is this? There isn't a need for them to take so long, the flow of traffic is relatively light, so why does it take this length of time? When I eventually got inside the surgery, I thought to myself 'I'm far too early! I'll have to sit and wait for over half an hour! How boring!' But to me, in some ways, these opportunities aren't in the least bit boring, because they're an ideal opportunity to observe people, which can lead to story and character ideas.

So, I signed in on the computer screen (it seems most surgeries have these self-service screens) and then sat and waited. It was at this point that I needed a toilet. I was dying for a pee (I'll be honest. Well, we all have to, so there!) I scanned around the reception area and the waiting area and the old toilet I could see was thorugh a door which required a Radar key, which are usually held by those with some sort of disability. We got some for Carol's use, and one used to be on my key-ring, but I took it off because it was too large and got caught in things, and the chance of me needing one was unlikely- until now. I then saw a door a little further into the building and headed for it, only to find a notice attached to the door saying, 'Out of order. If you need a toilet, ask for the Radar key and use the disabled toilet.' (Incidentally, I have no idea why it's called a Radar key, although it is probably going to have some sort of meaning based on disability.) So, I didn't feel inclined to go to the receptionist and ask for he aforementioned key. Who wants to be seen or heard to do so and then be seen opening the door to the disabled toilet? Well, it's not exactly discreet and private.

I was surprised when my name came up on the digital display. It was 8.55 and I wasn't scheduled to have my appointment until 9.20, but I wasn't complaining. It seems getting to the surgery early was worthwhile. I had to explain to the nurse that I would need to lie down to give blood, which wasn't unreasonable. Which is what I did and she managed to extract the required amount without too much trouble. I was told it was to be a fasting blood test, meaning I wasn't supposed to eat for 12 hours before hand which was exactly what I had done. I still don't know why you mustn't eat for this particular blood test. I was told that the results of the test would be ready by Monday afternoon and if I went on-line I could see the results and if necessary, I would have to have another doctor's appointment. I am most concerned about my cholesterol levels, which have been low (around 5, whatever that number indicates, I have no idea.) As I have been eating plenty of fruit and veg recently there should be no problem, or at least I hope not. Measured in Mol or something, but not entirely sure what that means, per Mg or something.

I was still in need of a toilet. I thought that I could wait until I got home. It wasn't far. I had wanted to shop in Aldi, which was directly opposite the doctor's surgery, but I knew there was no toilet inside the store. So I aimed to go to Sainsbury's and avail myself of the conveniences there. I could also do a small shop, for something for lunch and Alfie's mixer was running low. Which is exactly what I did, but the traffic lights along Witan Gate were being particularly aggravating and preventing me from reaching the necessary facilities within Sainsbury's, around three sets of lights away. As I've already mentioned, why DO these particular traffic lights take so long to change?

I parked in the underground carpark beneath Sainsbury's. It's relatively easy to park at that hour of the day, fortunately. I grabbed a 'bag-for-life' out of the boot of the car and rushed into the store, availing myself of the plumbing arrangements (don't be to detailed on this aspect of my visit!) and then wandered around the store in search of, first, a bag of mixer for Alfie and then something for lunch, a loaf of bread (entitled 'artisan,' which really means handmade and looks somewhat rustic with a crunchy crust.) and then some paté to spread on it. With few items to pay for, there was no point queuing to use a human-operated checkout, so I plumped for the self-service tills. But some items in my basket would not scan, so assistance was required. I think the thing wouldn't scan because the barcode was printed on shiny paper. I am put off these self-service tills because they rarely work as you would expect, some just refusing to scan correctly and then  you get a stroppy voice telling the whole world that you've made some sort of mistake. I wish they'd just turn the voice off.

A Slight Glitch

I went to Camphill as usual on Tuesday. Teo, the drama leader (if that's his title, I'm not sure.) so Paul was in charge. We started off in a circle of chairs to do check-in which is done at the beginning of each session. A good way to find out any problems with the residents. There weren't. A couple of new faces from the support staff who I haven't met before. Then we did a line rehearsal, making sure that the actors put in as much effort as possible and standing up to deliver their lines. Then we split up into two groups to do work on various sections of the play. Some of the residents were away, mostly on holiday, so some of us support staff read in for them. Then we showed each other what we'd achieved during these sessions. Extracting as much comedy out of the piece as possible and some of the residents concerned that when Teo comes back next week he won't appreciate what we've done.

Then, in the final ten minutes before the lunch break at 12 o'clock we were doing more wolf and piggy movements, getting as much as possible out of this.

Then we broke for lunch. I have been taking a pack-up for lunch for the past few weeks. I have used the café on a couple of occasions, and, although it is very good, it's vegetarian. I don't have a problem with that, but I find their menu a bit limited. Not a very wide selection of food that I would want. I really don't want a full-scale meal, just a roll or sandwich. I did have a toasty on a couple of occasions but as I say, the menu is a bit limited, which is the reason I take a pack-up, usually a sandwich, which I make the evening before, an apple, banana or other piece of fruit, yoghurt, a packet of crisps and sometimes an oaty, churchy, biscuity thingy. I forget the name, crazy I know, but when the name of these items comes back to my memory, then I'll put it on here.

As I sat and ate, I suddenly got a really bad pain in my chest. I didn't immediately think much about it and went on eating and drinking. A cold fruit drink in one of those cardboard cartons with a straw stuck to the side which you have to carefully peel off and then stick in the hole in the top and which then means, if you're not careful, the juice squirts out. This discomfort didn't go away. Then I began to think 'is this an angina attack?' which means I use my G.T.N. spray (glyceryl trinitrate) which I always carry around in one of my pockets, either in my Regatta jacket or my trousers pocket, for such an eventuality as this. Three sprays under my tongue and then wait with your mouth closed for around five minutes, usually sitting down until the spray takes effect. On this occasion it didn't. The pain didn't go away. I had moved from the foyer area into the hall, the main body of the Chrysalis Theatre. I sat on a chair. It was at this point I began to panic slightly. I'll be perfectly honest and say that it's incredibly difficult to differentiate between an angina attack, a bout of heart-burn or 'reflux' and an actual heart attack. I can't explain the differences, but they are definitely similar. With an angina attack you know if you exert yourself a quick burst of G.T.N. spray it is going to go off after around five minutes; with heart burn it generally goes off after a while, the discomfort usually goes if you use a medication such as Zantac or even peppermint capsule. With a heart attack you get a pain which centres in your chest and spreads out to your arms and probably your legs, you sweat and your heart rate increases. I had neither the angina sensation or the angina sensation, because I had used the G.T.N. spray and it hadn't worked. Also, with the G.T.N. spray you get a sort of head rush (not unpleasant) and it's no use using it again as it's use won't have such a profound effect. When the discomfort hadn't subsided I asked someone to call an ambulance as I was in by now a bit of a panic.

The ambulance arrived within about 15 minutes. I wasn't timing it, but it soon arrived. The paramedics ran through the whole situation, from the moment the discomfort in my chest began through to how painful it was, as they always do, on a scale from 1 to 10. It started at about 8 and by the time they took me off in the ambulance it was around 4. They went through my medications and did a finger-prick blood test. Much as Carol would have done when she had to test her blood sugar because she was diabetic. I don't like it, but it was over quickly. I suppose it shows basic things in a test that can then be relayed to the awaiting doctors at A and E. By the time I got to A and E it had virtually disappeared, which reassured me that it wasn't actually heart-related, but they still took me to check me out. They did an E.C.G. as I sat in the theatre and gave me an aspirin tablet to start sucking and then to swallow. It didn't taste as unpleasant as they can sometimes taste, a sort of mint flavour. Certainly not the horrible taste of G.T.N. spray. I had to take my lunch box with me in the ambulance, all packed up and leave my car in the carpark at Camphill. I was concerned about loosing the car keys which were actually safely zipped into one of the pockets in my Regatta jacket.

I was surprised how quickly we got to Milton Keynes hospital. When you're in the back of the ambulance you can't see out, see exactly where you're going, which was the case after my second heart attack in September last year. You're obviously aware that you're moving, but you can't see any scenery as you are speeding along the road. At the A and E entrance I was transferred onto a wheelchair and taken ito the unit and the paramedics handed over the information about my incident. One of them had been writing up  notes on a sort of touch screen tablet computer, so I imagine that links into the computer system at the hospital and no doubt they could see my notes from past hospital visits rather than use a paper system, because I was soon issued with the obligatory wrist label with my name on it along with a bar code which the nurses use to identify me before doing any observations which include temperature, blood pressure and so on. The paramedics asked me if I was allergic to anything (which I'm not, fortunately.) and a list of the medications which I'm on, which I'm able to reel off without any problems. Also, I mentioned the stunts I had fitted in the John Radcliffe in Oxford and other details of my two heart attacks.

Once my information was handed over to the A and E staff I was put in one of the cubicles and lay on one of the trolleys, making sure my belongings, my jacket and lunchbox, were somewhere near by. I had my mobile phone and was able at a later time to text Garry, my neighbour, and ask if he could go into my house and feed and water Alfie and make sure he could get out. I later got a text back from Shelley to say she would do this as Garry was at work. So, at least I knew that Alfie would be fine. Garry and Shelley have a key which they've had for quite a while just in case of an incident that I'm now describing.

More 'obs' done. I was left for a while in the cubicle. A lot of staff scurrying about. Not particularly busy. I would imagine it would be busier in the evenings and more than likely at the weekend. A nurse comes in and says she's come to take blood. Not what I like to hear, particularly as I have an aversion to needles (if you've read any of my previous blog posts you will know why.) She manages to find a vein in my right arm. I keep my eyes tightly shut and the slight sting as the needle goes in is slight, but at least she has taken sufficient blood for it to be tested. It's supposed to show up if you have had a heart attack by a substance which is in your blood called triplin. Then I was carted off on the trolley and parked around the corner near the X ray department. I wasn't sure whether it was just to move me out of the way because they wanted my cubicle or whether I was going to have an X Ray. Someone was wheeled out and I assumed I was in the queue and then I was wheeled in and had to sit up, with this board put behind my back and an X ray was done. Over and done and wheeled out. Back to the cubicle and before I knew it, a doctor was closing the curtain around me (not that it would have made a lot of difference because you can still hear conversations with other parents, but I suppose it's to give a certain amount of privacy. I was informed that nothing showed up  in either the blood test or the X ray that suggested I'd had had a heart attack or anything heart-related. He asked me about my previous heart attacks and the sequence of events that had led up to the incident at Camphill, what medications I was on and so on. Fortunately I can remember fairly accurately what meds I am on and the list is on my iPhone. After that I was allowed to walk to a waiting area. Nowhere to lay down, just a couple of chairs that would allow you to lay down, but not particularly comfortable. I suppose if they had discovered something more serious, then I would have been able to remain on the trolley in the cubicle, but because it wasn't serious, I was expected to sit in the waiting area. I then was told that, because of my history of heart attacks, they would need to keep me in the unit for a further 6 hours and then do another blood test, just to make sure that there was nothing more serious going on.

I had my iPhone with me. I fortunately had the Netflix app installed and I was able to watch an episode of Upstart Crow, the sitcom based loosely (and I mean loosely) on the life of William Shakespeare, and that followed by what must have been the first episode of 'Porridge,' which I have seen several times before, but which stands the test of time brilliantly. Unfortunately I didn't manage to see to the end because the battery of the iPhone died and this meant I was left stranded with nothing to read and absolutely nothing to watch. A mother and daughter came in and sat opposite, paying a game on a tablet or mobile phone, and I attempted without success to snooze, but the chair I was sitting in, although it tipped back so I could lie down, was very uncomfortable and not really designed to allow me to sleep or snooze. Boredom crept in by now. By 7p.m. I would be able to give a further blood test, by time ticked by. I think it was time for the shift hand-over. I could see staff coming and going. There was a door which kept banging shut every time someone entered or left the A and E unit. If I needed the toilet I had to go through this door and the only way back in was to press the button to release the door (going out) and wait until and member of staff went through, using a swipe card to release the door. I asked a nurse when I was likely to have the blood test, being told it was necessary, six hours after the first (it certainly seemed longer.) Then a nurse came in to do take blood but couldn't find a vein in my arm. I have narrow arteries. This has always been a problem. She made an attempt at taking blood, but had to give up and got another nurse to attempt and after a while she managed to get a vein and took the necessary amount to be sent for testing. At last! I could see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. The final hour ticked by, and at around 7.45 a doctor came in and asked me to join him in a near-by office. He told me the results hadn't shown any signs of anything in the least heart-related and the pain I had experienced was most likely caused by heart-burn or acid reflux. A relief and it was really as I expected, but they had to follow the correct procedure in case it had been a heart related pain. Which meant I could leave, although I had to walk the relatively short distance home along the Redway, which takes about 10-15 minutes.

I went to Shelley and Garry's house to tell them the good news and Shelley said she had been next door to let Alfie out and took him for a walk, which I expect he would have loved. I cooked a plate of chips because I wasn't in a fit state to cook anything else at that precise moment. Oven chips and Heinz tomato ketchup was just the thing I needed after my several hours in the Accident and Emergency department. I was annoyed in some ways, because I was never offered anything to drink or eat, even a cup of tea would have been nice. I didn't have any money on me, so I couldn't have bought even a Mars bar out of the vending machine in the main waiting area of the A and E department. When I was taken to the John Radcliffe back in September after my second heart attack I was at least given a sandwich and a cup of tea. I appreciate that the staff are busy, but it would have been nice to have been at least asked. Just glad it all had a positive end. I think Alfie was more than pleased to see me when I walked in the front door of the house.

The following morning I rang for a taxi and drove to Camphill to collect the car, being surprised that it cost £6 for the privilege. 

Another Unpleasant N.H.S. Experience

On Monday Carol had to have a blood test done. She was told this when she was on Ward 20. There was no particular time she had to go to the Maple Centre at Milton Keynes Hospital. On arrival we went to the reception desk, to be told that the Blood Unit wasn't open on a Monday. Just made us feel annoyed to learn this, but once the lady on the desk looked at her computer she told us that Carol was going to be in the Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit (A.E.C.U), which is through a door and along the corridor. So, we followed the signs and landed up at another reception desk. Carol was on the system and we had to wait in the waiting room. Another of those bland rooms with bland decoration with the standard N.H.S. fittings: sink, rubbish bin (with 'silent closing.' I can't in all honesty what's so 'Silent' about a bin closing. Just don't use your hands to push the lid down when you've put your rubbish in. It's supposed to close itself automatically, but not many of them do, so the lid will stay half-closed.) a water-cooler, a few uncomfortable plastic chairs (although there were a couple of better padded chairs, again, standard N.H.S. furniture) and it appeared that the room wasn't originally intended as a waiting room as there was the trunking you find in N.H.S. wards everywhere, with a row of power points and places to plug in oxygen and other things. We sat and waited. People coming and going. Some in wheelchairs. People trying hard not to make eye-contact with others, low voices. Nothing to keep you occupied. The television on the wall not working, and a pile of really ancient and very tatty magazines. After about 20minutes Carol was called away by a nurse. I was left to twiddle my fingers. One man quite intent on talking, fortunately. 

After around half an hour Carol returned. She said that the results of the blood test would be known after an hour. We could either wait where we were or go home and wait to get a telephone call from the department. We chose to go home. Fortunately the car was parked over the road from the Maple Centre. We drove home, only a short distance, fortunately. We had some housework to do, for example changing our bedding. Changing a duvet cover is not exactly my favourite occupation, but it needed doing. Had coffee and then, after an hour or so the phone rang. The doctors wanted to see Carol, and could we come back to the Maple Centre? Yes, we could, even though it meant paying to park yet again. On arrival back at the Maple Centre we saw the doctors, to be told that the blood test had shown up a slight problem. It might mean Carol having to be readmitted to Ward 20. She had got somewhat dehydrated. The alternative was to return home and drink plenty, which is what we decided to do. We would need to return the following day (Tuesday) for Carol to have another blood test to check that her kidney were working properly. So we went home.

The next day we returned yet again to the Maple Centre.  We waited in the waiting room. More poor souls with pained expressions, waiting for whatever procedures to be done on them. This time the television was on, so we could at least watch that to elevate the boredom. The blood test was done fairly quickly and because Carol was experiencing so much pain she went into the Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit and allowed to lay on one of their beds, or rather, one of those trolleys they have in A and E, but with parts that could be raised or lowered. So at least we didn't have to wait in that miserable waiting room.  We were told that it would be an hour before the results of the new blood test were available. So we waited. Apparently, the doctors who would give the information were not permanently assigned to the department. They could be doing ward rounds, in A and E, or even in theatre doing surgery, so we wouldn't get an immediate response. A crazy way to use doctors. Why not assign doctors permanently to this department? Was it a shortage of cash? It's quite obvious to me now, having spent so much time in Milton Keynes Hospital, that they are short of funding, particularly for staff. When I was with Carol on Ward 20, I was able to help her with her personal care, no doubt a job that would have been done by a Health Auxilliary or whatever the staff title would be, probably Assistant. So why would have done this work for her? Helping her move about with the drip stand on wheels, which it would be difficult to manage on her own.

A good six hours after we arrived in the Maple Centre the doctors appeared. We were at the point where we had decided if we didn't get a response soon we would go home and wait for them to telephone us and possibly come back to the Unit to see the doctors in the morning. But it turned out that the blood test hadn't shown up that there was a problem with Carol's kidneys, so it was fine for her to go home. Thank goodness! All that time sitting in that place, with no clear idea when we would get a result. After all that, we could have received the news via a telephone call. So fortunately Carol didn't have to endure another night on Ward 20.

I really begin to wonder whether they missed some of Carol's medication on the ward, as she was supposed to be on antibiotics, because Carol got that call when I was at church on Sunday and then had to fetch the prescription from Ward 20 and then had to go and get it made up in Boot's at Kingston and she was supposed to be on a drip to dehydrate her but this was left off. What on earth were they doing? A lack of proper care? Probably all this not doing her kidneys much good, although, with all the medication she's currently on, it wouldn't surprise me if it didn't upset her kidneys. There's o point on being on antibiotics if the course isn't completed. It can make things worse, but as I'm not a healthcare professional, how would I know?

'Mission Impossible' Squirrel and Blood Tests

A far more relaxed Monday morning. Carol is now at home, so none of that walking along that interminable hospital corridor on my way to Ward 20.

I was sitting on my own with Alfie on my lap, giving him some attention early this morning. He's been quite confused over the nearly three weeks with Carol in hospital. He usually sleeps on our bed, but with Carol sometimes finding it far more comfortable on the sofa downstairs, the poor little dog has had divided loyalties, spending half the night upstairs but then trotting off downstairs sometime in the wee small hours. But even more confused with her not being here at all. He's been following me around the house when I've been here on my own, almost being like a shadow, even when I got to the toilet or have a bath. The other day he was looking really depressed, laying on our bed, in the place where Carol would have been, and downstairs on the sofa, laying in the corner of the sofa where she would have been. It's been quite sad really.

Anyway, returning to what I had intended to write on here. As I looked out of the window towards the garden (which isn't a fair description if it as it's just grass and more grass with a few trees over-hanging the fence and a tatty shed covered in bamboo screening because it looked so awful. You can get into it as the door is hanging off and it's full of some previous tenant's ancient and mouldy mattress which you could see through the cobwebby windows, enough to put anyone off, so totally useless for us as a place to store anything, such as a bicycle.) As I sat in the lounge I saw a squirrel on the top of the shed. It was twitching it's tale, which I believe means a threat. I think it was aware that Alfie was nearby. Perhaps it could see us through the window. Alfie wasn't aware of it and was looking the wrong way. Then the squirrel ran along the left-hand fence, down the fence and onto the grass and then up the central pole of the bird feeding station. Quite amazing that it could climb this metal pole. It than began to climb onto the cross-pieces and eat from the nut-feeder. At one point it hung upside down from the top-most branches, a bit like someone out of a movie like 'Mission Impossible.' Even then Alfie didn't notice what was going on. It was certainly quite entertaining. Then it climbed back down the central pole and shot across the grass, up onto the fence and away into the trees behind the fence. I could see it leaping about in the branches of the tree. It came back a couple of times and then flew across the back fence and off.

When Carol was discharge from Ward 20 last Friday she was told that she would need to have a blood test and that she would need to go to the Maple Centre at the hospital to have one done. I still can't see why they couldn't do it on the ward, as the phlebotomist was always coming to her room to take blood. Not exactly a job for me because needles and blood for me don't go together. Well, of course, they do in order to take blood from a patient, by my propensity to pass out when I give blood.

We drove back to the hospital, fortunately living only a short distance, it's not far. We parked in the ground-level carpark and I managed to park virtually opposite The Maple Centre, so it wasn't far to walk. On arriving at the reception desk, we asked the receptionist about having to come in for a blood test to be told that the blood centre wasn't open on a Monday. So you can imagine our annoyance at being told to come in when we left Ward 20, but were soon told we had to go to another part of the centre, the Emergency something-or-other department. We waited in the obligatory waiting room, with other people. I have to talk everyone I meet, wherever possible, and I spoke to this lady who was there with her daughter. Pity I had to open my mouth, as she had to tell me absolutely every detail of her daughter's illness. Some rare disorder, part of which was being managed by the hospital we'd been to on Friday, The John Radcliffe. Some people seem to make a full-time career of their illnesses and relish telling anyone who will listen the ins and outs of their illness, the therapies they have to use, even their medications, operations, all the details that, frankly, you don't want to hear. I couldn't get a word in sideways, and it was just as well they left for their appointment, otherwise I think I would have gone slightly doo-lalley.

Then Carol was called in to have her blood test. She was gone about ten minutes and when she came back she said that the results would be known in about an hour. We could stay in he unit to then get the results but we decided to go home, as it's only a short car journey away. So we decided to go home and await a telephone call with the results. We had to go through the ticket-machine routine once more. One machine wasn't working, and the other one had a queue of people using it. Fortunately we didn't have to wait long and managed to get home quickly.

We did some house work, changing the bedding (duvet-changing is my least enjoyable task. Putting a duvet cover on is difficult enough, but a king size one is perhaps even more difficult, and we couldn't find all the matching sheets and pillow cases, but we eventually found them and the job was done.

Almost on cue the phone rang. My mobile. But, on running downstairs and almost breaking my neck in the process and finding my mobile in the lonuge I wasn't too pleased to find out it wasn't the hospital, but someone attempting to sell electricity and gas or something. I have to say I gave the man on the other end of the line a piece of my mind, wasting our time and effort.

But then the call did come from the hospital. They wanted us to go back as the doctors wanted to see Carol and have a word with her.

We drove back, I dropped Carol outside the Maple Centre and a parked the car and then I walked back into the unit. There were several more people in the waiting room, but one man, who was there earlier, was still waiting. I have to say I was somewhat sad for him, having to wait patiently to be seen.

It was excessively hot. It's the old thing again, which I couldn't but help but notice on Ward 20. The heating was turned up far too high. It might be November, by why run the heating at full blast? In the ward we had to have a fan on full-time and the window open, to reduce the heat. But in the Maple Unit I was beginning to get really hot and beginning to wilt like a lettuce. More like the temperature you've expect in a hot-house, ideal for growing tomatoes or the more exotic fruit such as pineapples or oranges. Surely the N.H.S. can ill afford such profligacy and it might solve a lot of their financial problems if they cut the temperature in such places.



After some considerable length of time Carol was called in to see the doctors. Not just one, but several, together with a nurse. One was sitting working on a computer and I wasn't entirely sure whether she was part of the consultation. One was doing all the talking (a doctor) whilst another was standing at a sort of metal stand writing notes on yellow paper. It would appear, from the blood test, that Carol's kidneys weren't functioning properly. No surprise considering all the medication she has to take. They wanted her to come back into the hospital, but we weren't happy about this, considering she'd only been discharged on Friday. For me, the thought of having to keep coming in, walking all that way to the ward, would have been too much, but they said it would be O.K. for her to go home so long as she drank plenty and she came back tomorrow (Tuesday) for another blood test so they could keep an eye on her kidney function. So that is what we agreed.

Thankfully we could go home and on the way we went to the Coop in Netherfield, just over the road from the hospital, to buy some few items for lunch and our evening meal.

So, Carol has to drink plenty of fluids for the next 24 hours. Then we have to return to the Maple Centre tomorrow morning and they're going to do yet another blood test to find out if her kidney function has improved. I just hope so as I don't want her back in hospital. I know they have to get on top of all these things before the chemotherapy begins, but that place is a nightmare.

Trip to Seizencote

Having spent the past two days indoors avoiding the roasting heat it was great to get in the car and go out for the day. We had planned to go out on Tuesday after Carol had been to Ashfield Medical Centre and had a blood test and a medication review with the doctor. She wanted a repeat prescription and was told by the receptionist that a doctor would ring to speak to her before writing her the required prescription. Actually, this doesn't happen. You don't now usually get a written prescription unless it's more urgent and you need your meds immediately. If that's the case you can take the paper prescription into Cox and Robinson, the chemists, who have a branch a few units along from the surgery in Beanhill and it might take them ten or fifteen minutes to make up the order if you wait. But other than that your prescription can be done electronically if you ring your pre-arranged pharmacy to order over the telephone (as I do. My pharmacy is at Sainsbury's.) and the order is usually made up within a week. Less paperwork or that's what they hope. Having said that I have an additional medication, Lyrinel.  I try to have all my medications ordered at the same time, which makes common sense, but because the Lyrinel doesn't seem to coincide with the rest of my order, I have to order it separately. The petty administration at Ashfield won't allow this, which is becoming annoying. It would surely make their life easier and save time and paperwork. So, as my stock of Lyrinel runs out, I will ring Sainsbury's pharmacy and order, but it means having to make another journey into town for this. No wonder the N.H.S. is in crisis with this sort of petty behaviour from the pen-pushers who run the organisation.

We drove away from Milton Keynes, having set the new SatNav to direct us to Seizencote, a house and garden we haven't visited before and as members of the H.H.A. (Historic Houses Association) allowing us free entry. It took some while to decide where to visit because not everywhere in their handbook is open all week or at least the days we want to visit. There were a number of places we selected but then found they were open on that specific day and then because it has been so hot over the past few days we decided we didn't fancy going out. It's quite nice being able to merely programme the SatNav (a Garmin model which I bought on Amazon.) and just following the nice lady's voice as she directs you along the road. Certainly a good deal less stressful than trying to follow a printed map in a road atlas.

We know the road out towards Buckingham fairly well. We use this road regularly, usually, when we're going to a National Trust property such as Stowe Landscape Garden, which is just outside Buckingham or going towards Bicester, which we visit regularly (as you would know if you read this blog on a regular basis.) The SatNav, interestingly, took us through the centre of Buckingham. Which was strange, as this town has a by-pass? This is the route the bus takes when we have used it when deciding to visit Oxford and leave the car at home.

We were making initially to Moreton-In-Marsh, which is the nearest town to Seizencote. The house and garden weren't due to open until 2 p.m., so it was no good arriving too early. We decided to park in the centre of Moreton and spend some time looking in the shops near the market square. Not an easy matter of finding a space, as the place was already busy with cars. It seems a very busy centre with traffic rumbling through the middle. I know this route well as I drove through it years ago on a very regular basis when I worked at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. My parents used to visit me on occasions and we often went to such places as Moreton-In-Marsh and Bourton-On-The-Water to visit the attractions such as the model village there or go to a very nice pub. My mother had lots of friends in and around the area who we visited also.

Moreton-In-Marsh main street

There are plenty of really nice shops to browse, some selling toys, gifts, cards and similar. Just the sort of shops you'd expect to find in what I imagine being a tourist-trap. I'm sure it is, because it's slap-bang in the middle of traditional Cotswold territory, and sure enough we saw a coach turn up and disgorge a load of elderly folk who looked the sort of people who would make straight for the nearest tea shop and enjoy cream tea, scones, jam, and cream. We found a Tesco Express ( a pity in a way, they seem to be everywhere, even in a classic Cotswold town centre.) and purchased sandwiches and crisps and found a bench to sit on in a shady place under a tree on a grassy area and munched our sandwiches.

It was then time to move off towards our destination, although we had plenty of time to kill. I had to reset the SatNav for Sezincote and we arrived in the carpark at around 1 p.m., giving us a little under an hour before the house and garden opened. Carol suggested we drive to Broadway Tower to kill the hour before Sezincote opened. We were there in minutes. We have visited it before, a rather imposing folly, built for no real practical purpose, and standing on a hill which means you can see it for miles around. We visited it a few years ago when we'd visited a National Trust property near the village of Broadway, Snowshill Manor. It seems they have developed the site where it stands with a sort of shopping outlet as well as upgrading the parking facilities as well as the paths towards the tower as well as a decent toilet block in what was a shepherd's hut. A really practical use for a traditional item.

Broadway Tower

We drove back to Sezincote and found by the time we returned that it was opened. The carpark had filled up considerably in the time we'd been away.

This property turned out to be really interesting. Very different to any of the other properties we've visited, run and protected by either the National Trust, H.H.A. or English Heritage. The gardens are quite amazing. Lots of little rivers and streams as well as canals and pools. The place has an oriental feel to it and the house itself has an onion dome on its roof. The whole place is reminiscent of the Brighton Pavilion and it's no surprise to learn that the Prince Regent is supposed to have visited Sezincote and it inspired him to have the Pavilion at Brighton designed in a similar style.

Garden at Sezincote

Having meandered about the gardens for approximately an hour and a half we decided we needed a cup of tea or at least some sort of refreshment and so wandered into the Orangery which has been converted into a tea-room and ordered a pot of tea and some very tasty chocolate cake. We had meant to tour the interior of the house and the next guided tour was due at 3 p.m. But once we got inside and the rest of the party were gathered in the entrance hall we found it to be exceptionally hot and so decided to decline and left. We did a bit more wandering in the garden and then returned to the carpark and drove home. It's actually quite a walk from the house and garden to the car park. Most properties have some sort of transport which allows visitors to be taken on a vehicle of some sort, such as at Stowe which has a sort of train arrangement, but no such transport at Sezincote and it's quite a hill walking to the carpark.

The weather has been exceptionally hot and sunny, as I have already mentioned. The scenery through Oxfordshire is quite stunning. The villages throughout and through which we drove are of that beautiful golden-coloured stone and in some respects, they might be considered stereotypical of what you'd think of as 'English,' with many of them thatched. In the countryside, the fields of corn are ready  for harvesting and we saw a few combine harvesters hard at work, usually followed by a cloud of dust as they work. Also, the tractors and trailers which assist in taking the grain from the combines and delivering their loads of wheat, oats or barley to whichever place for storage and in some cases driving slowly and as a result causing long traffic queues which no doubt cause some drivers some frustration.

We arrived back in Milton Keynes at around 4.55.

Hot, Hot Day

So, here it is. Summer. It's arrived. Make the most of it. Because if you blink, it'll be gone. How long will the heatwave last? Probably only a few days.

Anyway, however long it lasts, it's been an extremely hot day and to be honest, I'm not sure I like it. I do like it warm and sunny, but if it's too hot I frankly can't cope with it. Just sweaty and unpleasant. I don't want to be out in it too long and just want to be in the shade. Our dogs don't know how to cope and flop around the house. 

I had to get to the doctor's at Ashfield Medical Centre in Beanhill before 8 a.m. as I had a blood test booked. It was a fasting blood test, which meant I couldn't eat for 12 hours previous, which can be difficult. Carol came with me and there was already a queue outside when the doors eventually opened. I checked in (the computer system you use to self-check-in was working, surprisingly, as it wasn't working last time I came in. 

As you will know, if you follow this blog on a regular basis, you will no doubt know that I have a problem with blood tests. I hate needles. But this time there wasn't a problem and the nurse was able to find a vein in my left arm and it was over very quickly. Efficient and effective. Thank goodness. This blood test was for cholesterol, because when the doctor did my medication review a few weeks ago he said I should have to have a blood test to just keep an eye on my cholesterol levels.

Carol had booked a blood test for herself and had to check when it was on Wednesday. She also had to get a repeat prescription for cream from the doctor. The receptionist said that the doctor would ring during the course of the day to give her a sort of review and have a prescription made up and sent to Sainsbury's pharmacy to have it made up but we waited in all day and no telephone call came which was somewhat annoying. Maybe he will ring tomorrow.

Doctor's Surgery Appointments and Weird People

I have had a nurse's appointment booked for today a week or two ago at Ashfield Medical Centre. I went with Carol on the Monday of Half Term and was seen by the doctor who wanted me to have a blood test so I had made this appointment then. Carol needed her own appointment today so we got to the surgery at around 7.45 and queued up. The weather was building up. It had been raining earlier but as we stood and waited it was fortunately dry but the clouds were threatening rain. She was able to get her own appointment fairly quickly. As I've mentioned in earlier posts, there is the option to ring in after 8 a.m. for an appointment but you will never have any sort of guarantee that you will actually get through and then get seen that day.  My nurse's appointment was supposed to be at 8.20, but I didn't actually go into the nurse's room until around 8.35. It gave me plenty of time to observe the people waiting in the surgery and queuing up. A lady with some young children with her was just before us outside in the queue before 8. The little girl with her had a scruffy dolly with her and was running around full of energy. The two older boys seemed to do their best to try and ignore her or to at least appear that they weren't anything to do with them. A bit difficult. I think the little girl must have been quite a handful. Most certainly a very demanding little thing. Once we'd sat down in the waiting area the little girl was causing her mother further grief, running around and demanding attention, but not in an unpleasant way. They went off to the doctor when their name came up on he digital screen. When they came back several minutes later the little girl was wearing her mother's wooly hat and proceeded to slide up and down the shiny floor. The mum told her to get up in a commanding voice which lead to the child screaming loudly. They then sat in the waiting area, supposedly to see a nurse or get the results of a test or something.

A somewhat belligerent man came in. Short, stocky, Scottish accent. Went up to the lady on the reception desk and demanded to get an appointment. All at the top of his voice so everyone could hear. If he'd got to the surgery before 8 as we had done he might have been able to get the appointment he wanted (from what I heard, it was for his son who was at work.) I was very impressed by how the lady on reception handled it. The gentleman left, but I'm not sure whether he got his appointment or not, but he was in a far calmer mood than when he came in.

Another odd person wandered into the surgery while we sat and waited. A woman who looked drugged up to the eyeballs. She was dressed in a fleecy dressing gown, tied tightly around the waste and wearing slippers. It looked as if she had just got out of bed and had wandered outside, got lost and turned up in the doctor's reception area. I don't know whether she went in to see a doctor, whether she signed in (incidentally, the automated signing-in computer which is on the wall beside the reception area, was out of order. You had to sign in with either of the two ladies who were on reception.) but she hung around for a while.  Perhaps she wandered back out when I went in for my appointment with the nurse. Anyway, whatever she was there for, if indeed she was there for anything, perhaps to get out of the rain, she wasn't dressed appropriately. Certainly not for a rainy day. And where do all these odd people come from? At one point she went over to the window near the door and leant against the glass, putting her head on her hands. I couldn't tell whether she was tired, just resting there and waiting, thinking whether to stay where she was, or walk out. Just seemed a very odd sort of pose, but considering her odd attire, it might not have appeared quite so odd. 

Carol went in to the doctor's surgery when her name came up and I remained sitting in the waiting area for mine to come up to see the nurse. Then this weird gentleman came in. He was tall, around sixty five, bald, about 5ft 8in tall,  and slim. He had darting eyes. You really didn't want to give him any sort of eye contact. I didn't hear him talk or make any sort of noise. Just had a strange sort of body language. He had a carrier bag with him and came towards me, and moved the chair next to mine several feet away from me.  Why? What had I done wrong? Did he just not like sitting near other people? More likely other people didn't want to sit near him. He gave me a strange look. He had on a sort of wet-weather jacket, sort of zipped up and with a high neck. Also what looked like a bicycle lock on a chain and worn round his neck, so I assumed he had arrived on a bicycle. He then proceeded to sort out the items in his supermarket carrier bag which included a bunch of pink flowers and one of those folding umbrellas, black and glistening with raindrops. I didn't give him eye contact, but from what I could see from the corner of my eye he kept rearranging the items in the carrier bag. He then went up to the girl on the reception desk and was given another carrier bag or something like one and then went back to his chair and started sorting the items from the supermarket carrier into this new bag. 

My name then came up on the digital display and went into the nurse's room. I'm never sure exactly which room to go to as there is a long corridor with doors with 'Nurse's Room' with numbers on, but the one I wanted was the last one along the corridor. I had my blood taken, laying on the couch as I'm prone to passing out, or have done in the past as I have explained in earlier posts on here. Then I had an E.C.G. which I haven't had for quite a while. All present and correct and then left to wait in the waiting room. By now Carol was back, having seen the doctor and having been given two prescriptions for medication. She had been to the pharmacy next door to have the prescriptions made up but it wasn't open so we will have to go back later.

She told me, when we got into the car, that the 'weird gentleman' was behaving very strangely when I had been with the nurse. Apparently he had sat next to her and had sat on the small table in the corner where I had sat earlier and had tried to sit on her lap. Sounds very odd to me. Where was he from? Some mental unit, such as the Campbell Centre, which is within the grounds of the hospital and not far from where we live. I expect the staff in the medical centre are used to him and are aware of his odd behaviour, or at least I hope so. Could put you off if you were to encounter him. Carol told me he went off on his bicycle and had the bunch of flowers sticking out of his saddle bag, and with his umbrella up. Not sure whether he held it over himself as he rode along, but it would seem a bit difficult to ride a bicyle and hold up an umbrella. Weird. We were just glad to get away from the medical centre and to not be in the centre of some outing from some mental institution.

Later on, around 5.30 or so, I had a telephone call from the surgery to say that the doctor had requested me to come for a routing appointment, which has been made for 25th November. Nothing serious, just to get feedback no doubt from the tests that will supposedly be done by then.

Surgery Appointment

I had a letter from Ashfield Medical Centre a few weeks ago. Apparently they'd been trying to contact me by telephone but could get no answer. No doubt because they had been ringing the old number and we haven't got round to giving them the new one. I am supposed to have an annual check-up so I rang and got an appointment with the nurse for today at 12.10 p.m. I arrived in good time and was actually called into the nurses room well before the time booked. I sat down by the desk and my eye was immediately drawn to a dish containing a rather nasty sharp needle. I have mentioned in previous blog posts my almost total antipathy towards needles, syringes and anything sharp, particularly when they are intended for the purpose of sticking in my anatomy for the purposes of taking blood. The nurse told me it was just to prick one of my fingers for a cholesterol test. It was relatively painless and I she took the sample of blood, tiny as it was, into another room further along the corridor and around five minutes there was a result. My cholesterol level is 4.7 mmol/L which is excellent.  It's certainly a good deal easier than having a needle stuck in your arm, your behind, your leg or any other fleshy part of your anatomy and the results come back a good deal faster than the old method when the blood was sent off to be tested in a laboratory somewhere or other. It is therefore well below the 5  mmol/L which is supposed to be the best level for cholesterol. She took  my blood pressure which is 154/80. Not brilliant, as it's supposed to be 140/90. But it's getting there. 

My B.M.I. (Body Mass Index) is 29. This as far as I can see is measured by taking your height (mine is 6ft 2ins. Don't ask me what that is in metric.) and my waist is 107 c.m. (don't know what that is in inches.) I know it needs to be lower but as we do swimming and I'm about to buy a bicycle then I can safely say I do some form of physical exercise. 

Blood Test

I had my blood test this morning. I had to be at the surgery at 10.50. The automated check-in system wasn't working. If you know what I'm talking about, you may have one in your doctor's surgery. It is a computer screen with a touch-screen and you have to input your age, sex, date of birth etc and it will then end by telling you the doctor's name you are booked in with. As it wasn't functioning it meant queuing to sign in with the receptionist. If you don't do any of this then you don't exist on the computer system and then you won't be seen and will be wasting your time. I also had to collect a repeat prescription. I now do this 'on-line' and this time I managed to do it using the Samsung Galaxy tablet. It does save having to fill in a form and then physically go to the surgery. Mind you, it isn't always fool-proof, because last time I put in my repeat prescription and I went to the surgery two days to collect the prescription, it was obvious that the system had failed and the doctor had to do the prescription the next day, but it wasn't too much trouble.

As for the taking-of-the blood. There was no problem and it went very well. I think it helps if I have had plenty to drink as I was told that being dehydrated doesn't help the taking of blood. The result should be ready on Friday. Also, the nurse did my blood pressure and that was found to be normal, thankfully.

I wanted to get Carol a present, as tomorrow is her birthday, and I had intended going to Sainsbury's so that I could get the prescription made up at the in-store pharmacy whilst I looked for a present. I got to the store and took the prescription form to the pharmacy and handed it over and was told by the pharmacist that they didn't have one of the meds on the list, isoborbide mononitrate. I was told that there was apparently a problem with supplies, due to the manufacture or something, and they rang to try and get this med from another supplier, but without success. I was then told that I would need to go back to the doctor's surgery and get them to substitute a similar medication on the prescription. So I drove back to Beanhill, where the surgery is, to then be told that the next-door pharmacy, Cox and Robinson, had a supply. Which is what I did and got the whole prescription made up. Problem solved. I THEN drove to Asda in Bletchley to get the present for Carol. Entire mission completed!

Giving Blood

I had a letter in the post  this morning from my doctor's surgery, Ashfield  Medical Centre , telling me that they had made an appointment for me to have a blood test and my blood pressure done at the surgery. I'm not used to having an appointment pre-booked like this. You usually have to make such appointments yourself, which can generally be quite difficult as you have to ring the surgery the same day and it can take some time to get through on the phone during busy periods. I presume you get an automatic blood test and blood pressure check after so many months if you have a long-term health issue such as a heart condition as as I have. We changed our doctor's surgery because at the previous one we had a couple of issues, one being  the receptionist not dealing with personal details particularly confidentially when you went in to make an appointment.  I really object to having everyone waiting hearing my conversation when speaking at the reception-desk. I do recall when I worked for the N.H.S. (for the Learning Disability Service in Bedfordshire.) client confidentiality being a priority. So we transferred to Ashfield Medical Centre and have been with them around a year or so now and have had no problems.

I'll be honest and admit that I'm not good at giving blood. I can't think of many people who actually do, or admit that they do. I don't particularly like needles, and certainly when they're stuck into my arm, or, indeed, any part of my anatomy if it comes to that. Generally, if I have to have a jab, say, for 'flu, then I don't have a problem. It might be like a slight bee sting, a sort of tingle in the arm, but when it comes to having to give blood, then that is an altogether different ball-game, kettle of fish, call it what you will. I think this started when I lived in Bedford and had to go to Bedford Hospital to give blood for a test and it was a fasting blood test, meaning I wasn't supposed to eat for a good 12 hours beforehand. And it was early morning, which didn't help, so I was feeling hungry when I arrived at the hospital. I gave the sample and that bit was easy. I felt slightly queasy and left the clinic too quickly. I should have waited before leaving, but was really in too much of a hurry to go home. When I got outside I think the fresh air hit me suddenly. I found I had to sit down on a low wall in the carpark, but I didn't remain seated for long because I found myself keeling over and collapsing on the ground, with a mouthful of gravel in my mouth. At that precise moment an ambulance arrived in the hospital grounds and I could hear footsteps approaching as a group of paramedics came over to me to find out what was the matter. I think I had blacked out. I was taken into a room in the hospital and tended to and eventually was taken to the Accident and Emergency department at South Wing Hospital at Bedford and checked over and after a while went home. It was somewhat embarrasing, to say the least as I'm, not used to being fussed over like I was and being the centre of things.

On one occasion at the doctor's surgery in Bedford I was made to feel as if I had a major problem and was almost a trouble-maker when the nurse had problems finding a vein in my arm and the fact that I was liable to pass out because she was taking so long to take the blood from my arm, and that she had to get a second nurse in to help. I do find it easier if I'm laying down when they do this, so that if I do start to pass out I am at least laying down.

At our old doctor's surgery they realised that there was a problem with me giving blood because I apparently have narrow veins, making it difficult to extract blood, even after tapping a vein, getting me to drink plenty (as dehydration will make veins difficult to find.) and eventually using a needle designed for taking blood from babies! They had one of the doctors in their practice who was particularly good at taking blood, which is unusual as this job is usually done by the nurses in the surgery.

When I first had my heart attack and was in the C.C.U. (Coronary Care Unit) at Bedford Hospital I had to give blood several times a day. They had real difficulties getting a vein up, trying to take it from my arm, in the crook of my elbow and even said they could try in my hand or my foot, which I refused. I think it would be really unpleasant if it was from my hand. By the end of the week I spent in hospital my arm was black and blue due to the blood being taken, and looked more as if I had been bruised! The strange thing is I never seem to have any problems when they put a canula in the back of my hand or wrist when I've been in hospital, as you would imagine that that would be more uncomfortable than merely taking blood. I think the problem with giving blood is when the nurse takes ages and fiddles around, sticks the needle in, leaves the thing in a vein for what seems like ages then takes it out, then says she can't get any blood, then tries in another part of my arm, which is when I start to feel really queasy and start to feel faint.

Blood test and hot weather

I had yet another blood test at Grove Surgery. I had the results for the last one (it showed I had a low cholesterol level of 4.8.) No explanation as to WHY I needed a second one. A mystery, certainly. If I was going through that stress again I was going to ask to get the same doctor to do it, as it was not as stressful as it could have been before now, due to the fact he used a special thin needle. I went to book the appointment and found that the doctor who took my blood the last time was on leave, so it would be a good two, three weeks in advance, which I was prepared to wait for. So, yesterday, I went to the surgery. I decided to walk there (it's only about a 20-minute walk along the Redway, along the side of Saxon Street and then down beneath Standing Way, using the underpass and into the estate where the surgery is. I took my iPod, and plugged myself in using the earphones. I have plenty to listen to, having downloaded quite a few podcasts from iTunes. In fact, the weather being especially hot and pleasant, the walk there was quite enjoyable. 

You have to sign in at my surgery using the computerised system (I think most surgeries use this system, and if enough use them, will make the rather 'up-themselves' receptionists redundant.) The blood test was scheduled for 9.40, but I didn't actually get called into the surgery until at least 10.00, a wait of at least 20 minutes. I beg the question: why bother to have this system if it can't run to time and you waste 20 minutes just sitting at staring at a load of sick and injured people who inhabit the waiting room? Can they get a better selection of reading material to read, or even have a coffee machine or video on the audio-visual screens, which show such boring a repetative material anyway?

I enter the doctor's surgery. He doesn't seem exactly prepared for the process of blood-letting. He disappears off to find the required surgery, leaving me laying on the couch. He comes back and attempts to take blood. Success! He is able to find a vein, not in the usual place, inside the bed of my elbow, but much further down, almost on my wrist. I feel nothing, but the needle remains in my arm for quite some time. He removes the needle from the vein, places a bit of cotton wool on the place where the needle went in, and tells me to press the cotton wool with my finger, to help stop any bleeding. Meanwhile, he says he's managed to get blood down his shirt, while he tips one half of the blood he's taken into a second vial. I sit up, with my finger still pressed on the cotton wool. He is still fussing about trying to get the blood (mine!) off his shirt front. This has never happened before, not to me, not whilst a nurse or doctor is extracting blood from my arm. One expects a professional to be able to attempt this procedure without blood being spilt. Fortunately he manages to put caps on the vials to prevent any leakage.

He then has to print out labels for the vials, and this seems to cause some sort of problem, as he's not sure which way round the paper goes in the computer printer. I imagine it would need a certain amount of skill, as the label required has a tear-off strip, which must go into the printer drawer the correct way round, otherwise the label will not have the printed area in the right place (which is exactly what happens.) He screws up the mis-printed label and puts a second blank sheet in the printer drawer, but this time it comes out printed correctly. He hands me both blood vials with the labels attached, which I take to the reception desk.

I still don't understand the need to have this second blood test. I have been told nothing as to the reason, although, over the last couple of weeks I have been feeling light-headed, and think it may be something to do with blood pressure. The doctor took my blood pressure after I had the blood taken, and it shows a relatively normal result. It may be something to do with how my body is coping with the medication I am on that the second blood test was done. I won't get a result for a couple of days.

It is exceptionally hot today, very unseasonal for the final day of September.

Blood Testing- An Explanation

 I thought it might be a good idea to have some more details about blood tests. I discovered the following on the Fifty-Plus website. I have actually learned quite a bit from this, so for anyone else in a similar situation to me, you may also find it of use.

Having a blood test is not something any of us particularly want to have done,  it usually means that something isn’t quite right and the doctors need to find out what it is. Finding out what is wrong is all well and good but, did you understand what the doctor said to you as to why you are having, for instance your fasting blood test done?  The idea of this section is to try and explain in laymen’s terms what the doctor is looking for, however I do need to highlight:-

A)   This blood test information is for general purposes only and should not be taken in isolation. If you have a health condition which concerns you then you should discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

B)   The clinical ranges for what is stated as normal given here are typical figures. Different laboratories sometimes use slightly different ranges depending on how they work. Blood test results need to be interpreted by qualified healthcare professionals in combination with further investigations.

The Procedure for your Blood Test

In some surgeries or medical centers a doctor or nurse may take the blood sample, but quite often you are given an appointment to attend your local hospital to the Haematology (blood) department. This is where trained phlebotomy staff will take all the blood samples requested, this is sometimes more convenient as the blood sample can be transferred straight to the hospital laboratory .This will mean the blood analysis will be done promptly and the blood test results returned to your doctor more quickly. Blood analysis is undertaken by trained staff with the results being interpreted by your doctor with all your clinical notes to hand. Sometimes people can look at which blood sample is being taken and become anxious, often this blood test is being done to exclude conditions.

A trained phlebotomist.-(a specialised clinical support worker) will take a small blood sample usually from a vein near the inside of your elbow, if that is not possible they may take blood from the wrist. These sites are usually chosen as the veins run fairly close to the skin surface making them more easily accessible.

Occasionally people have a fear of needles or of blood or both and can feel faint at both the prospect of the blood test and the procedure itself. If you don’t want to end up on the floor let the phlebotomy staff know and they will be able to position you correctly. If you are taking any blood thinning medication ensure you have discussed this with your doctor prior to your blood being taken, otherwise you may have problems clotting and end up with a rather large bruise.

*The phlebotomy specialist will either wash their hands or use a medical hand disinfectant or wear gloves for the procedure.

* You will be asked if you have any allergies to adhesive dressings or latex, as sometimes the gloves used by the phlebotomy staff are latex.

* The arm chosen will usually be opposite the one you write with to reduce discomfort. A tourniquet will be placed around the upper part of your arm, this will be pulled fairly tight to reduce the blood flow causing the veins in your arm to swell this makes it easier to locate the vein.

* The area is wiped with an antiseptic wipe to reduce the potential germs on your skin surface (everybody has them) they will wait for this to dry; this is done to reduce the chance of introducing a skin contaminant.

* The needle will then be inserted through the skin to the vein this is like a pricking sensation it will not hurt excessively.

* If you are having a fasting blood test you may have a “cannula” or “butterfly” placed in the back of your hand and secured with adhesive tape or a dressing. It will be explained to you that as you will be having blood taken over a period of time, this method will reduce the need for repeated insertions of a needle.

* The blood will be extracted using either a syringe with a needle, or more commonly a needle attached to a plastic device where different vacuum vials-(small bottles). These can be connected allowing a small amount of blood into each vial for a variety of different blood tests, hence the different colour vials.

* The needle will be removed and a small spot plaster put on the site to reduce the chance of infection. The phlebotomist will press on the site for a couple of minutes or ask you to, to reduce the chance of a bruise.  If the site becomes inflamed, red and sore you will need to visit your doctor for advice.

* If you have been lying down for the blood test you will need to sit up slowly.

* The blood sample will be carefully labeled with your personal details and stored correctly by the phlebotomy staff.

* The blood samples will then be sent to the laboratory for blood analysis.

* The results of your blood test will be sent to your Doctor, you will then be asked to come in to discuss the results. When blood test results are explained to you it is a good idea to write down what is said or take a friend or family member with you if you don’t think you will remember what is said.  If you are expecting blood test results of a sensitive nature for instance the HIV test, counsellors will be available to you.

Blood Tests

A blood sample will be taken as part of an investigation into your condition for a variety of reasons:-

To see if there is any damage to any of the organs in your body

To see if you have an infection

To see if you have diabetes

To check your thyroid is working correctly

To measure levels of a variety of different chemicals, like enzymes electrolytes or oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood

To check your blood gas levels – imbalances can be indicators of possible respiratory (breathing) or metabolic (energy processes) problems

To check your blood group type

Genetic/DNA testing which tells you if you have inherited a condition or if there is a gene mutation which may result in a condition or syndrome which can affect your health

To check your cholesterol levels

To check that your liver is functioning properly if it not it will produce enzymes which can be detected

Blood is made up of two primary elements:

The fluid –This is called Plasma. This fluid is principally made up of water and supplies all the nutrients, proteins and hormones your body requires to remain healthy.

Cells –there are three kinds of cells that circulate constantly around your body

Red blood cells- deliver oxygen around the body – your whole body is a network of veins arteries and capillaries, which carries oxygen from your lungs around your body and exchanges it for carbon dioxide which they dispose of.

White blood cells- leukocytes –These make up part of your body’s defense system  / immune system respond to  infection

Platelets- These are the cells which form blood clots if you cut yourself

Blood Test Abbreviations

Below is a list of some of the blood tests which are most commonly taken with the abbreviations used and a very short explanation what the blood sample may be being taken for. Many of the blood tests do not require you to fast however for some specific ones you may be given instructions from your health care provider to restrict fluids, medication or diet. If you are in any doubt ask for advice as it can be very frustrating turning up for an appointment and not being able to have the blood sample taken. Many of the blood test results explained will need further consultation with your health care provider.

Albumin – This is the main protein which is in blood. low levels can indicate certain types of chronic illnesses such as liver disorders

Elecs / U&E’s – Urea and Electrolytes – This is done to assess your Electrolyte (minerals) levels There are three main electrolytes that can be measured with an electrolyte test, sodium, potassium and chloride. The test will show how well your kidneys are working

Ferritin – A protein – This is to check the levels are correct as they are important for red blood cell production, and the levels of iron stored in your body.

Normal range is:-
Male: 12-300 ng/mL –
Female: 12-150 ng/mL – nanograms per milliliter
(HCT) Haematocrit – This is a measure of thickness, viscosity, of red blood cell content called Packed Cell Volume PCV of your blood

(HbA1c) -Haemoglobin A1c – This measures the glycated haemoglobin which is where the glucose has attached it self to red blood it is often used to measure your management of your diabetes.

Normal levels are HbA1c of 6% or less

LDH – Lactate Dehydrogenase – This is an enzyme if the levels are raised this can indicate damage to cells and tissue. It is also used to monitor progress

LDL – Low density lipoprotein – Cholesterol – this is the “bad” cholesterol – it is protein which carries cholesterol to the arteries and blood vessels causing build up and blockages this can cause a heart attack or stroke

Magnesium – A deficiency in this basic element of the blood can be due to difficulties with absorption which can be due to medication, intestinal problems or heart disease. High levels may be due to kidney failure  

ALT- Alanine aminotransferase – This is an enzyme and the test is performed to check to see if you have a liver problem

Amylase – This is an enzyme and if the levels are raised this may indicate a problem possibly pancreatitis (the pancreas is important for secreting enzymes for digestion and regulating blood sugar levels with the hormone insulin)

(BNP) Beta-Natriuretic Peptide – This can be done to check fluid in your lungs and for deteriorating heart disease

(BUN) Blood Urea Nitrogen - This test is performed to assess the levels which if raised may indicate renal function impairment. If it is low it can indicate liver failure amongst other conditions

B12 and Folate – This is done to diagnose the cause of anaemia or nerve damage- Neuropathy

Calcium – Is found in bone and blood calcium is tested to monitor how much is circulating and affecting conditions of the heart, nerves and kidneys as well as bones and teeth

Card Enz –Cardiac Enzymes – This test is performed when a heart attack is suspected

Chol – Cholesterol –Lipid profile – This is to test if you have heart disease or circulatory problems this is a common test which is offered to people who have family history of high blood pressure or if you are Plus Fifty years old – high levels need to be treated otherwise you may be at risk of heart disease or a stroke. You will be told not eat anything and only drink water for 10-12 hours before having your blood sample taken.
There are different types of blood cholesterol tests, when combined they are referred to as a lipid profile.

good - (HDL) cholesterol
bad - (LDL) cholesterol
total cholesterol
triglycerides (other fatty substances)

Chloride – This is important for nerve and muscle function and distinct variations may indicate disease

Creatinine – This is a waste product and high levels can possibly indicate further tests will need to be undertaken to rule out poor kidney function

ESR Blood Test – Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate – This screens for infection and monitors inflammation.
 Normal results are :-

Men under 50 years old: less than 15 mm/hr
Men over 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr
Women under 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr
Women over 50 years old: less than 30 mm/hr

FBC Blood Test  – Full Blood Count / Blood Count – This is done to check your general health and to screen for disorders, such as anaemia, infection, and nutrition

Normal levels are:

Haemoglobin  

adult males 13.5-17.50 g/dL
adult females 11.5-16.5 g/dL  

Red cell count  

adult males is 4.5-6.5 x 10¹²/L
adult females 3.8-5.8 x 10¹²/L

Haematocrit  

adult males is 0.40-0.50  
adult females 0.37-0.47  
MCV (Mean cell volume) range for adults is 76-100 fL
MCH (Mean cell haemoglobin) range for adults is 27-32 pg, and the normal  
MCHC (Mean cell haemoglobin concentration) range is 31-36 g/L

White cell count for adults is 4.0-10.0 x 10⁹/L

The different types of white cells in adults are:

Basophils: 0.05-0.1 x 10⁹/L

Eosinophils: 0.02-0.4 x 10⁹/L

Lymphocytes: 1.0-3.5 x 10⁹/L

Monocytes: 0.2-1.0 x 10⁹/L

Neutrophils:2.0-7.5×10⁹/L

Platelet count for adults is 150-450 x 10⁹/L

 · FSH – Follicle Stimulation Hormone – This is done to check your pituitary gland which regulates the hormones, along with the trigger for your ovaries to prepare to release an egg · GGT – Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase test - This is an enzyme which is utilized in muscle, liver and heart function if this is raised it may indicate that disease is affecting these organs You will be told to not eat for at least eight hours before the test and not drink alcohol for 24 hours before the test. Smoking can also affect the test results.
 

 · Globulin - These are proteins you will need to prepare for the test by not eating for four hours prior to the blood being taken. It is important to discuss with your doctor any medication you are taking prior to the test. The results will help with the diagnosis of immunoglobulin disorders

 · Glucose Blood Test – Fasting Blood Test – This checks the levels of plasma glucose in your blood. For an initial reading you may have to fast (stop eating) for up to 12 hours/ overnight before the bloods are taken. If you have diabetes you can monitor your own levels.
The ideal values are: 4 to 7mmol/l before meals: less than 10mmol/l 90 minutes after a meal: around 8mmol/l at bedtime

 · (HGB) – Haemoglobin – This is a protein and transports oxygen around the body and is usually performed to assess anaemia if too low or heart disease if too high

 · Hepatitis A – This is performed to see if you have the infective hepatitis A virus (Hav) which affects the liver and to monitor your recovery process
 

 · Hepatitis B – This is done to see if the vaccine against hep B has produced an immunity or to monitor the course of the liver damage

 · Hepatitis C – Is performed to assess if you have this viral disease which inflames the liver

 · Hepatitis D – Delta agent – People who have this have Hepatitis B infection already. It can make the whole situation worse for a patient if not picked up

 · INR – International Normalised Ratio – This is to test your blood clotting mechanisms for people who take anti-coagulants (blood thinning medicine) like Warfarin. The normal range is INR of 0.9 -1.1 if you are high risk the values will be different

 · Phosphorus - This is a mineral and vital for muscle and nerve functionality conditions can be affected if levels are either too high or too low

 · PT – Prothrombin time – This is performed to check how well your blood thinning(anti-coagulants) medicine is working

 · (RBC) – Red Blood Cell count – Low levels of these cells which carry oxygen around your body can indicate Anaemia
 

 · RF - Rheumatoid Factor – This is a protein which is present in the blood when rheumatoid arthritis is suspected – some people have naturally raised levels with no rheumatoid disease present therefore these results need to be in conjunction with further tests

 · Sodium – This is part of your electrolyte levels. The ratio of these levels affect the kidneys and adrenal glands if levels are high or low it can be indicative of disease

 · TIBC - Total iron binding capacity This is a blood test which is used to detect anaemia, liver function and other blood disorders
 

 · Total Bilirubin – This is the waste product of your red blood cells and  it is what gives your faeces the brown colour. If levels are raised yellowing of the skin occurs and can be an indication of liver disease.
 

Normal levels are:-

Total bilirubin-0.3-1.0mgs/dl.
Direct bilirubin-0.1-0.3mgs/dl.
Indirect bilirubin-0.2-0.7mgs/dl

 · Total Protein – This is to measure all of  the proteins in your blood. Your doctor will be primarily looking for indications of liver or kidney disorders

 · TFT – Thyroid Function Test – Thyroid Blood Test  -To test for levels of TSH – Thyroid Stimulation Hormone this indicates if the thyroid is under active or over active, this directly affects  your energy levels

 · Triglycerides – this is a form of fat. If the levels are high it puts you at an increased risk of a stroke or heart disease. To measure these levels accurately you will need to fast (not eat) for up to 12 hours before bloods are taken. These fats should not exceed 2.0 mmol/l and may be done as part of your Lipid Profile.