This blog is a journal of my own medical ness. Every so often a very private family event occurs to interrupt that.

Before I explain, a brief update.

Bladder bonkers. Appointment with Dipstick following ‘procedure’ ‘MRI’ and ‘ MDT’ was cancelled. Doctors strike. But reinstated after Jerome intervened. Not only but also because last appointment was 2019 Dipstick rang. Nothing to say.

Benign conditions remain lower than low priority. It’s not fair on anyone.

Meanwhile infection just will not budge. I responded to GP request for me to ring. Having just been a speaker at conference about anti microbial resistance, infection prevention, mixed growth cultures etc etc. I was so irritated not only was I at a standstill on the M25 but also, receptionist told me I had no ‘sensitivity’. ! Eventually a GP joined the call. She tried to convince me that a. Mixed growth was my fault.

b. I had contaminated my urine sample

c. As a mere patient I knew nothing

d. In all her years she’s never heard of sensitivities for mixed growth.

It did not end well. Through tears of total frustration I inched my way home

Jerome, Mrs Micro and two profs helped me get my case back to the gp

surgery. Their emails, letters and sheer speed of response cheered me up no end. Letters to GP have been dispatched. Jerome and Mrs Micro once more fighting my battles.

Meanwhile MRI is scheduled on account of the last one being on the wrong bit.

New uromune vaccine postponed ( doctors strike)

New asthma biologic treatment may start next week.

New sci fi infection stuff is available from Georgia. They’ve been emailing. Are we allowed to travel to Georgia? Anyone know?

Teeth wires ever tightened- another hold up on the M1 there and back. Arghhhhhh. .

Watch this space.

But now to tell you the best news.

BFG stag do started here. 12 men overnight. airbeds and beer BBQ and Ice creams. Then they flew to Lisbon. Oops

Safely back to UK, BFG wedding in South London. Most of New Zealand had flown over. ! We were all in various Air BnBs adjacent to lovely Clapham Common. SW11. Where our family story had begun! Where we had worked and lived and our children were born how fitting to gather here for such a wonderful occasion.

We then, as is the modern way (!) family moon ‘d in Cornwall. The Kiwis showed the Cornish a thing or two!

Suffice to say it was wonderful. Four weeks of loveliness. Bladder erupted on the morning of the wedding. Behind the photos is the truth.. bunging in every bloody antibiotic in my armoury. Somehow got through. Shivery and painful but what the hell. BFG nor anyone knew.

Raise a beer to BFG and J.