BoariJ

Condom shop

Saturday. Having watched one rugby match whilst I awaited the inevitable discharge delays, I eventually made it home.

Sunday: more rugby and chattering with some family home and friends popping in..
Monday: back to London for 2 appointments.
I had some time ago received a text reminding me to go to some strange clinic in Tottenham Court Road. When I looked it up it appeared to be a
mistake.

clinic in Central London for free health
services and specialist contraceptive care.

I naturally assumed it was a mistake. Ignored it and didn’t go.
A subsequent letter invited me to microbiology clinic. Warning of dire costs to nhs and consequences for failure to attend. The address? Of course the very same.
Oops.
So it seemed I should go.
It is in fact the Hospital for Tropical Diseases Clinic. Obviously. I’ve been before. It’s still located beyond the condom shop. It’s still a grubby clinic, radio blaring, malaria (or worse, as I discovered yesterday) victims wander about with drip stands injecting potions into blood streams.
The receptionists have changed. They were smiley attentive and knowledgeable. So there I was for an hour and a half. I know I fell asleep. Hopefully not snoring.
Eventually a Doctor called my name. She looked all of 12. Introduced herself. Announced that the consultant I was meant to see was not there. Introducing herself as registrar. She had read my notes. Swiftly and efficiently caught herself up to date using my notes. Summarised. Understood. Examined. Empathised. Explained she needed a little bit more advice… went off to see another consultant. She was in short. BRILLIANT. I hereby award her new Consultant-to-be top status gold star.
We have a plan. For antibiotics at least.
A start stop plan. First symptoms get pee to pot to lab. Fresh. Start antibiotics. Rotate to another if symptomatic. Stop if not. Use gent too. Hah that’ll fix anonymous gp who rang me in hospital .
Your repeats have been halted until we review them.
1. Why do you have gent on repeat?
FFS
Anyway. New Microbiology Registrar is also preparing education module on infectious diseases. She is the star of the week.
Once I’d got the ever willing receptionists to scan my wodge of paper results… I was good to go.
Next stop: review by respiratory Consultant. He was on time. Nay early. Clear concise kind and… Hatched new plan.
He also agreed I could go into hospital today for more spinal treatment. Phew.
Met BFG for a speedy supper and chatter…

So then, exhausted and coughing I went home! More anon!