Just never travel with me! It does not usually go well!

Today was the annual kidney check up.

North London. Usually quick easy.

Got there no problem.

Waited AGES. The donor co-ordinator saw me. Big hugs.

---

We chatted away. She always seems to remember. Always makes a point of saying how well and grateful the recipient is.

Eventually got seen by the big transplant head honcho consultant. I cannot remember what I call him for the purposes of the blog. He is normally grumpy. So I’ll call him Mr Crabby for now.

In short. He blahhed on about my two kidneys. Asked me which side was most painful over the episodes of pyelonephritis.

I hate to tell you I said oh, only the left side!

I did NOT tell him I only have one kidney.

I did not say that my right kidney was given to a patient of his team 7 years ago.

He, Told me I should get a ring binder for my ( carefully) filed copious personal notes.

I chose not to tell him it would be so heavy I wouldn’t be able to carry it.

I found myself apologising for having left a crucial summary at another hospital yesterday.

He asked me what drugs I am on.

I gave him every one verbatim. ( from my notes! )

He asked why I was not on a blood pressure med he had prescribed a year ago.

I told him my Consultant Respiratory Surgeon had written to him requesting assistance as this drug might be an issue. So we had to stop it As we had not received a reply. I had also rung his registrar who promised to help and ring back.. But he did not.

Ah yes. Your consultant did contact me. was the reply. Crabby then fumbled about trying to log onto his computer. To to avail.

I did not tell him to try a restart. A password. Nor a swipe of his NHS login card. Nor did I suggest a ring binder!

By now his medical student was smirking, I just stared out the window hoping I could remain polite.

Eventually I managed to get away. Utterly useless appointment. TIL next year I mumbled.

Headed for train. You might not be surprised to hear. The North London Overground was closed. A fire! Nooo. So it was Uber through FourWheelDriver Prix to West Hampstead and eventually home…too late for the research Ed I should have been at.

Shit.