On the Road Again!

I know it's par for the course if you are a YouTube follower to see clickbait headlines!   If I knew how they make those outrageous banners to draw people in I'd have a go. My experience today, October 27th, was a disaster. At the surgery I went in for my appointment.   I go regularly as I am on active surveillance for prostate cancer. Every three months. The person that usually draws blood has either left or was simply not working on that day. The nurse couldn't find a vein.  She had two goes in the fold of my left elbow.  Then she went to see if someone else was free to have a go.  No. "One last try".... No success. It was suggested I try and get an appointment at one of the hospitals in the area.  One is only five miles and the other twenty. So with my forearm throbbing I set off and went online to get an appointment.  Both nearby hospitals have full time phlebotomy wards and as long as you have a chit of...

At least I am in good company. Even King Charles III is on the same road and went into hospital to have an operation on his enlarged prostrate. This should be a wake up call to all men over 55. Get in quick before it's too late. Get a blood test for PSA.

The whole journey started on November 2nd 2023 when I went to the surgery for a blood test.  This one was for my diabetes type 2 test. I had booked it online and someone who booked it at their end hadn't said what tests to do. The phlebotomist took blood and then ticked all the boxes on the computer.  Luckily they did. A few days later I had a call from the surgery with news that my PSA (prostate specific antigen) was on the high side. As a result they were referring me to the Urology department at the local hospital. So far the NHS was working well.  The referral was to the Urology department at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone for November 17th. Here we almost entered the world of farce theatre. The doctor was very good and explained about PSA and possible outcomes. He only mentioned the Big-C once. "Go behind the curtain and drop your trousers and pants, lie on your side facing the curtain." I did. WTF! The window was fitted with vertical blinds. E...