Nearly March! I actually had to find my sunglasses on Tuesday ! 

But to start at the beginning of the week 

Monday telephone appointment with the wonderful Mrs Microbiology Consultant. Between us we found the positives. 

Haven’t had hospital admissions ( for uti) since 2024. 2025 saw four hospital admissions for other broken bits though. Oops.

New micro hole catheters seem to be making big difference 

Cultures showing less resistance less mixed growth ( bugs) 🐜 and whilst the ever present symptomatic bonkers bladder we can maybe tweak and add back in the antiseptic stuff called Hipprex. Weirdly the letter she sent to GO P has instigated a face to face appointment with a random GP , to ‘discuss’ the clinic letter. There is nothing to discuss. Just do what she says. Please.

The negatives 

Where is the MDT post MRI of August 2025?

Where is urology appointment ?

Where is SNS annual review appointment ?

Where where ??

We also had a chance to discuss a research project we are both involved in. The challenge is to suggest patients are maybe randomised to self catheterise to instil medication. It’s the language. We could say to self administer medication. 

This reminded me of a conversation on Radio 1 or 2 or something. The male dj and his female colleague had gone to a health clinic for iv vitamins. He started to explain that “the catheter in his arm administered the vitamins ” No no giggled the lady colleague. It’s a cannula, not a catheter. She then explained … he was horrified. Catheters instil fear and loathing. But iv vitamins s do not? Maybe we can change the narrative.

Tuesday another drive to Luton. Maxfax. Another positive. The wires are all off. The drawing pin sensation in my mouth has ended. Wow. Now it’s retainers , injections for the numbness and a rebuild of the broken teeth. Whoop three years to this point.

Wednesday was a train ride to London. Such is the frequent my travels the station man thinks I am a commuter. I hate to tell him its usually travelling for a « pee and flee, » urine test or appointment! – he’s nice. The Mr Perks as in the Railway Children. He gets proper grumpy with the non commuters who ask him stupid questions. 

He was chatting to me about how my ‘commuting to work’ must be hard with all the numpties on the platform asking if the train went to London. They ALL go to London. 

Tell you what, he said next train is 4 carriages. Not the usual 8. You go to the front I’ll tell everyone to go to the back. As the train came in he announced : “This is a short train please move along the platform to the back of the train“. That left me on my own at the front. In truth to my embarrassment I was a bit slow getting on so discombobulated was I. Nearly missed the actual front carriage as I was so far down the platform!

Thursday I commuted into Waterloo with Daughter number 2. Lovely! To arrive at the old County -Hall- now -hotel for conference leaders in Urology. It is quite a memory to think of the old GLC, Greater London Council, led by Ken Livingstone from this huge edifice. Living in London as we did, we went to a concert on the South Bank to mark the last night of the GLC. As that ended we were guided to the balconies. Ken must have used up the rest of his sizeable budget on the biggest fireworks display ever produced on the the River Thames. Using barges for the launch of the pyrotechnics, It was magnificent..Whatever our political beliefs.!

Anyway, the conference at County Hall was brilliant. Other speakers were incredible. One CNS/matron shared her insights on managing frustrations and stress at work under NHS pressures. She was very honest, emotional and suggested some strategies, including her experiences with the local ICB. I will definitely use those strategies. Also, there was a talk on ketamine over-use in young adults, which was alarming given the statistics.

My part was my story, and the questions from the floor were amazing. What would I change? I had a lot to say on that, and made them laugh too. The urodynamics test was like fifty shades of grey, which got them giggling. I never quite know what I can add to all the fantastic delegates, I do prepare and rarely stick to my draft notes; it just kind of rambles on. 

As I type I am yet again on a train to London. I will update next week !

Top secret…hint …

…Big Ben