February.. 

Surgical option discounted after all. Phew. Dipstick was told by He -who -must -be -obeyed, that it’d be too complex with one kidney on left. Needs to be on right. Doh! Of course? Gawd. But of course I lost the one on the right. Careless of me I know.  So that is good. I think?  ( I’ve always thought the use of ‘lost my kidney‘ a bit odd. Like I left my kidney somewhere and now cannot remember where. Now if it were my keys..that’s another story) Kidney Anniversary is in fact this Wednesday ..it was 29th Feb 2012  leap year. Recipient and I … We exchange letters and cards, he’s doing brill , in fact he’s changed from a nearly dead to a nearly wed…(LINK)

Meanwhile:

Bladder infections rage on. Antibiotics I keep bunging in.  I cannot be arsed to appeal for help….I don’t want the hassle for the men in the boat.   Renal clinic visit was epic. Like other chronic conditions, the patients tend to be very patient. So used to the routine they have a favourite seat. Rottweiler on the desk barked orders. Blooded, urined, weight ed and heighted. Check.. Sat. Read. Wait. Check. Notice written up…clinic running 60 minutes apbehind. Not too bad. Check.So many Doctors in situ overflow went into another area. Uh oh. The patients didn’t hear the name call. Didnt sit in usual seat. OOps. Bloody chaos. Sweltering hot, it was unseasonably warm, outside, but winter heating on inside. Patients sat patiently. Not a murmur. Books, phones, staring into space……Eventually Consultant C staggers out of his room. He looks so unwell, I asked him if he was ok. Hair a mess, shirt hanging out, sweaty hot and flustered.. and that was me! How on earth do these doctors do it?

24/7 day after day. Night after night. I hope most patients are patient. I have just found out, thanks Jerome, GPs get paid more than surgeons. They  work 5 days a week. Extra for nights and weekends. errr…hang on a minute..that does not seem quite right. What business model would let that through?

Life in NHS Hospital-land  is tougher, stressier than anything. There was I thinking teaching was tough and stressy. I have started a book my nephew recommended to me… am slowly taking it in. Its called the’ Innovators Prescription’ Christensen, based really on USA but some brain challenging ideas  . The bit I am particularly interested in in ‘Disruptive Solutions for the care of Chronic Disease’. What I am beginning to appreciate is that the NHS was built to optimise management of acute crises or episodes. So, diagnose the chronic disease, evaluate its progression and sort ensuing complications. Check. But, what about monitor, encourage adherence to prescribed therapy. Does anyone have the time the capacity to give care during the adherence stage? Am I taking my meds correctly? Do I check interactions? Do I reduce unnecessary meds? Do I ask for help if it seems worse?. Could I check bloods, urines, height weight myself? Do I need to be checked? Do I?

I will read a bit more! Friggity. 

‘the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like. 2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: (Dictionary Oxf)