A Written Post!
What a strange week I've had, now let's see what I can remember...Monday, I received a letter from my heart hospital informing me that they had a bed provisionally ready for me at the end of April.
'WTF!!!!!?!?' is what sprung to mind at first also it was with a doctor I had never seen on my previous visits nor heard of and the letter didn't say why either.
So I phoned up and got put on hold and transferred here and there before learning that I had been booked in for a bivalve defibrillilator/pacemaker to be fitted. The only time this had been discussed with me was as a possible precautionary measure for any future irregular heart rhythmns should I need it. Now I was under the impression that after my initial operation I was to be monitored and then it would be decided whether or not I needed one to be put in and since post surgery I was doing fine so I didn't need it. Except now four months later its been decided that I need one without any preliminary tests like a 24 hour ECG tape and not forgetting I still haven't even had my supposed 6-8 week check up with my surgeon which happenes on Wednesday after 15 weeks! Oh and the doctor to who's care I was meant to be admitted called later that day and I expressed my concerns and the suggestions for at least a 24 hour ECG tape to which he replied...'So we'll postpone until you've seen your surgeon and had a 24 hour ECG tape'
Sheesh! Who's running the show!? I'm sure there are patients who don't question their appointment letters but if I hadn't I would been an inpatient for a few days having a debfibrillator put in regardless of if I still need the thing or not (I still might do but if I don't have to that would be preferable)
I'll say it again I can't fault the care that I received while I was in the hospital but the post care has been absolutely and utterly shambolic! I shall have to do my best not to express my disappointment and irritation this Wednesday coming.
The water boiler packed up at the start of the week leaving the house with no hot water or heating for four days. A trip to my grandparents house was arranged after a couple of days! This has since been repaired and in the continuing adventures of things going wrong this week. A gas pipe has a crack in it outside the front of the house causing gas to leak which lead to the house having to be evacuated on Thursday and the gas company digging up a very big hole in the road. We can go back in the house but the hole remains outside and they will return on Monday to repair it.
Further adventures with the NHS took place on Wednesday when I attended an appointment at another hospital and turned up at the time on my appointment card which stated '1430' only to be told that the computer said '430' and 'Would I like to wait?'. So off I went to kill a couple of hours all because some putz couldn't write the correct time on an appointment card or type the right numbers into the computer. I guess it really is true that some people don't understand a 24 hour clock!
I thought I might like to get a new pair of jeans as well this week and was somewhat horrified and surprised at just how expensive jeans have become. It seems strange that an item of clothing that was originally made as work wear has become such a universal item of clothing and also so expensive. I tried numerous pairs on this week and came very close to spending a pretty large amount of money but was saved by the bell when I had a telephone call while in one of the shops. So I remain without new jeans and still in a quandry over which pair made by who should I get and how much is too much to spend on a pair of jeans...although I do practically wear jeans all the time even to work when I work. I suppose I could justify expensive jeans by calling them 'Dress/Going Out jeans'...hmm
My DVD rental company sends out DVDs at random on my list but I think whoever picks them occassionally looks at the list and sends the ones that similar one after the other. The reason I say that is because I got 'Le Cercle Rouge' directed by Jean Pierre Melville and then 'Bob Le Flambeur/Un Flic' also directed by Melville afterwards. However I think it just depends who's working that day and its more by coincedence than anything that I got films by the same director in succession. I wonder what these faceless DVD rental by post places look like, are they in a non descript warehouse or in somebody's house and how many people are opening envelopes and sealing envelopes and where do they keep all the DVDs?!
So not that much has been going in my life that's particulary interesting but I just thought I'd let you know...although I did accomplish filling out an application form for financial assistance to do a course to improve my job prospects and I got a cool book from Ladymissmarquise
I like to think I am getting closer to finally putting most of last year to bed and to getting out of the woods and crossing the 't's' and dotting the 'i's' and to restarting things with gusto...almost, not quite, nearly...?!
'WTF!!!!!?!?' is what sprung to mind at first also it was with a doctor I had never seen on my previous visits nor heard of and the letter didn't say why either.
So I phoned up and got put on hold and transferred here and there before learning that I had been booked in for a bivalve defibrillilator/pacemaker to be fitted. The only time this had been discussed with me was as a possible precautionary measure for any future irregular heart rhythmns should I need it. Now I was under the impression that after my initial operation I was to be monitored and then it would be decided whether or not I needed one to be put in and since post surgery I was doing fine so I didn't need it. Except now four months later its been decided that I need one without any preliminary tests like a 24 hour ECG tape and not forgetting I still haven't even had my supposed 6-8 week check up with my surgeon which happenes on Wednesday after 15 weeks! Oh and the doctor to who's care I was meant to be admitted called later that day and I expressed my concerns and the suggestions for at least a 24 hour ECG tape to which he replied...'So we'll postpone until you've seen your surgeon and had a 24 hour ECG tape'
Sheesh! Who's running the show!? I'm sure there are patients who don't question their appointment letters but if I hadn't I would been an inpatient for a few days having a debfibrillator put in regardless of if I still need the thing or not (I still might do but if I don't have to that would be preferable)
I'll say it again I can't fault the care that I received while I was in the hospital but the post care has been absolutely and utterly shambolic! I shall have to do my best not to express my disappointment and irritation this Wednesday coming.
The water boiler packed up at the start of the week leaving the house with no hot water or heating for four days. A trip to my grandparents house was arranged after a couple of days! This has since been repaired and in the continuing adventures of things going wrong this week. A gas pipe has a crack in it outside the front of the house causing gas to leak which lead to the house having to be evacuated on Thursday and the gas company digging up a very big hole in the road. We can go back in the house but the hole remains outside and they will return on Monday to repair it.
Further adventures with the NHS took place on Wednesday when I attended an appointment at another hospital and turned up at the time on my appointment card which stated '1430' only to be told that the computer said '430' and 'Would I like to wait?'. So off I went to kill a couple of hours all because some putz couldn't write the correct time on an appointment card or type the right numbers into the computer. I guess it really is true that some people don't understand a 24 hour clock!
I thought I might like to get a new pair of jeans as well this week and was somewhat horrified and surprised at just how expensive jeans have become. It seems strange that an item of clothing that was originally made as work wear has become such a universal item of clothing and also so expensive. I tried numerous pairs on this week and came very close to spending a pretty large amount of money but was saved by the bell when I had a telephone call while in one of the shops. So I remain without new jeans and still in a quandry over which pair made by who should I get and how much is too much to spend on a pair of jeans...although I do practically wear jeans all the time even to work when I work. I suppose I could justify expensive jeans by calling them 'Dress/Going Out jeans'...hmm
My DVD rental company sends out DVDs at random on my list but I think whoever picks them occassionally looks at the list and sends the ones that similar one after the other. The reason I say that is because I got 'Le Cercle Rouge' directed by Jean Pierre Melville and then 'Bob Le Flambeur/Un Flic' also directed by Melville afterwards. However I think it just depends who's working that day and its more by coincedence than anything that I got films by the same director in succession. I wonder what these faceless DVD rental by post places look like, are they in a non descript warehouse or in somebody's house and how many people are opening envelopes and sealing envelopes and where do they keep all the DVDs?!
So not that much has been going in my life that's particulary interesting but I just thought I'd let you know...although I did accomplish filling out an application form for financial assistance to do a course to improve my job prospects and I got a cool book from Ladymissmarquise
I like to think I am getting closer to finally putting most of last year to bed and to getting out of the woods and crossing the 't's' and dotting the 'i's' and to restarting things with gusto...almost, not quite, nearly...?!
posted by fb at
12:03 AM
9 Comments:
Hey you, good to get a written update from you! I am off to cycle to Kingston today so that should be about 30-mile roundtrip. Lovely weather today, too! Should stop at Hampton Court for some coffee and cake and sit in the gardens :-)
If you email me your address, I can post a copy of LofW s/track before I leave for Egypt on Tuesday.
Sounds like you are having a hard time at my favourite hospital. :( I would certainly say something when you see your consultant on Wednesday. Still up for lunch, by the way?
My rule on jeans is that I won't pay more than £40 unless they do magic things to my body. Hope that helps you make a decision.
I get the impression that the hospitals desperatly want you there to keep their staff company...you must be good company ;)
Hospitals are a mess, you should see the ones in Portugal (hope you don't have to, of course)..
I hate buying jeans, it's too much work, they never fit correctly and they're uncomfortable in the end so I've given up. :P
Dealing with hospitals is a chore no matter where you are in the world. It's amazing bad things don't happen often, not to scare you or anything.
As for jeans, I refuse to go with the style tide, and will not buy anything above $30. Three times that just for a pair that look 20 years old, is crazy.
it is so nice to hear again your personality in your reading voice. Bless you for all the Urban Living Troubles you have had to endure. That is horrible and when dealing with it, nothing helps does it.
i think you are better off without my advice on the denim ; ) bottom line: don't pay a pence if your butt doesn't look good in them!
fb;
Sheesh is right; what a scary thought that you might have had an unneccesary surgery. I think you should really put everything out there at your Wednesday appointment; perhaps even put everything in writing and bring that; not to be a pain in the ass, tell them, but this is your health, your life here!
Good luck.
Wow - The hospital experiences don't sound fun at all. I hope you can express your disappointment and irritation to someone who can help make changes there.
I agree with Stephanie and miss golondon about the jeans.
Yes...nearly...any day now!
isn't it insane how expensive clothing is? my two pairs of jeans have ripped. one at the knee (and then i mutilated it further because i like to rip things) and the other is getting a hole right on the bottom pocket! argh! maybe that's the style, though.
that's pretty crazy about your heart hospital! how intensive is putting in a bivalve defibrillilator/pacemaker? i'd talk to someone in charge for sure. and i hate feeling like you can't trust hospitals and doctors because they're money grubbing or something. *sigh*
anyways, post a pic of your new jeans, eh? when you decide to spend the money. and jeans and button up shirt is always dressy.
i love written posts! like the good old days.
Finn, is there anybody else you can consult about your health? a private doctor or clinic? Just to get another opinion and/or validate yours?
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