On the Road Again!

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...

Another visit to the clinic to have my eyes scanned to see if there are any signs of diabetic retinopathy.  I had some pretty intense eye tests earlier in the year when both eyes were treated and new lenses inserted to remove the cataracts. But this is all "free" on the National Health that I have been paying into since I was 17 years old and in full time employment for the very first time. It's a different clinic this time but hopefully the same result as last year. Update 14:02:00  All clear at first look but now gone to deeper scrutiny.

It seems when you get to 65, and as a male, there are quite a few things that can go wrong and you could end up dead or maybe just seriously unwell. Luckily the NHS in the UK has a lot of different screening systems in place.  Today I have a letter from the NHS to inform me that now that I am 65, I am invited to go for the screening to see if there is a problem with the wall of my aorta. At least the poo-stick search for bowel cancer was clear last year. May 27th is the date I have been given, More information: www.nhs.uk/aaa www.gov.uk/phe/aaa-screening-leaflet www.circulationfoundation.org.uk

Not for my camera but my right eye. The surgery on Sunday went off pretty well. Another success for having a National Health Service funded by payments each month out of our pay. Everyone working should pay national insurance and this is deducted before you see the money  in your bank or pay packet. It covers so much. My eye operation done privately and not on the NHS would have been around £3500 upwards. After four days my vision is very good. I can see equally well with both eyes. I have to avoid bright light and am wearing sunglasses. Luckily I have a pair of non prescription sunners. I have to keep putting drops in six times a day for two weeks and then four times a day for another two weeks. I have a checkup on March 7th and then the option to go ahead and have the left eye done.

Hurrah. After waiting for year since she had the referral she was finally admitted to hospital early on Saturday morning and later that day they operated and she has a spanking new metal and ceramic hip joint.  It is a wonder of the National Health Service that gives us the chance to have "free" medical treatment.    I put free in quotes as of course it is not free.  Those of us that work pay directly from our wages/salaries into "National Insurance". This funds our pensions when we retire from work and also pays for the NHS.   It's not a perfect system, but it works pretty well.  It sometimes creaks under the pressure of numbers at certain times of the year but manages to keep going. There are so many that like to criticise and try to bring it down, but at the end of the day the NHS is a fantastic service. A credit to this country and everyone that works in it. I'm sure there are countries across the world that would love to h...

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/be-healthier/check-your-health/heart-age-test/ From a few questions it worked this out. I am obviously below average.  As I managed to beat the estimate of 80 by 21 years.   Oops.