Here we are coming out of lockdown and taking stock.
Our first outing last night. To neighbours’ garden. Fire pit. Sunshine. Chatter. Wow. I talked too much. I was too enthusiastic about the fire or fizz or snacks. But I loved it all. Especially such fine company.

I’m hoping you are all doing the same and maybe have been for some time. Pre-hospital admission isolation ( covid precautions) have delayed our re-entry into the world.

What news on the medical front? The SNS bladder implant has been reprogrammed and normally nice sometimes grumpy nurse has rung me every few days to try to get it to work.
As for the foot with a pin and a plate in it – all much better as long as I don’t trip nor catch the pin on anything.
This is all going so much better and as the fog of anaesthesia clears I realise it’s best not to answer emails let alone texts whilst coming round.
A publication of treatment of urology patients during covid days was picked up by the Sunday Mail and as a co-author I am delighted that this has somehow gained recognition and the traction we wanted.
Then…post anaesthesia I agreed to my quote being published concerning NHS offering ( or not) patient choice ahead of the White paper being published. I am hoping no one reads it. Because actually it is not quite how I would say it and I really don’t want to irritate nor have to declare conflict of interest. I am of course unpaid of any of this.

Finally and after so many messages expressing concern. Yes it was me. The Sunday Times last weekend published an edited version of my story of prep schooling. The email from the journalist popped up asI lay recovering from foot surgery. She had asked if I would agree to her publishing my story. I did. It was edited and was an attempt to show what some schools were like. 50 years ago. Unsupervised not inspected and where well being, mental health and empathy simply did not exist.

Why did I write it? For the same reason I write this blog. My reason is that it is cathartic. I write it in a sense downloading. Then wipe it. The random access memory in my head is cleared. Ready for the next chapter. I am not angry. My hope is that maybe in writing about health we can change things for future patients. In writing about education maybe future children will be better supported. This is nota view shared by all. My recent work at N.I.C.E. illustrated the anger and bitterness directed at the NHS over past treatment plans. I struggle with that wasted energy. Likewise one of my siblings directed her anger at our shared school experiences. Anger directed at me for writing about it and at my parents for having made that decision some 50 years ago.

The link to the Sunday Times article is here : https://atomic-temporary-78913287.wpcomstaging.com/blog/another-bit-of-the-story/

The link to the Continence Report is here:

https://www.pelvicfloorreport.com/


Finally, in answer to lots of enthusiastic messages. I will try to publish my blog. Pre-covid is ready and I am asking my friend the cartoonist with whom I am sharing fizz next week and my friend the preface writer to whom I will send some beer. There really is no rush and I’m working on the covid years now. The promise I make is not to make decisions under the influence of anaesthesia . ! Have I said that before?

Have a great weekend fire- pits and chatter seems like a great start.