The poor NHS is totally buggered.

I managed to survive the wrath of Rottweiler Receptionist. I secured an appointment with the one person saintly GP ( who has moved on) recommended. 

The appointment was 5:30. He rang at 9:30 pm.Way past my bedtime . He disagreed with all the protocols we had set up with hospital. He recommended once a year urine tests. Once a year kidney. He refused to give forms and refused to be persuaded. We used to be on monthly.
I photocopied an old form and sent that off with sample. No blood tests in Bedford as they run out of phials. You couldn’t make it up

Some other GP rang. You have an infection. No shit Sherlock. I’ll send antibiotic s he said. Which one? I asked.

Cipro he said.

Er I’m allergic to that. Don’t worry I’ll self treat. I’ve got everything I need. He wouldn’t listen. I gave up.

Next day I signed up with new gp. Hopefully it’s better. At least the receptionist was lovely. I took all my pieces of paper round. She sorted my enlistment with empathy and kindness. I nearly fainted with shock the difference between new receptionist and old Rottweiller was stark!. I passed the entry test…and have new log in. Fingers crossed. 

Meanwhile I spent£150 getting two urine samples to a London private clinic. Then I booked an appointment with Jerome. Except his team didn’t actually book it. Much confusion. No progress. They apologised for sending me a reminder message in error. But forgot to tell me the error was they had not actually booked it. argh.

All London consultants are on leave. No one around.

I travelled up to London to get the ambulatory Blood pressure machine fitted. And back again next day to have it removed. Dr Nephology wanted that not least because of lack of GP. What a waste of everyone’s time money and resources. I did get a blood test there though. so I guess that is good. But I bet my BP is high after all the shenanigans.

My Dad ? Complicated. I have managed to get his GP to see him. Face to face. Then he was sent to hospital. I took him. Then he has to endure various tests on fast track procedures pathway. arghhh. Exhausted and

Bonkers.

Meanwhile in lockdown 1 I had started to learn the Ukelele. A great friend taught me weekly on zoom. Well. in truth it has been a lot of chatter and a little Ukelele.

In a rash moment I signed up for a uke workshop nearby, at The Stables. ( as in Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth) !

I thought I, was struggling to stay on task, but the lady next to me was left handed, dyslexic and French. Teach had to put multi coloured stickers on her Ukelele to try to help. I was worried she would be colour blind! We giggled along and somehow got through. A new experience a. learning in a group b. being in at theatre c. no masks post covid rules or pre next wave of lockdowns.