Tuesday 21 January 2014

Where's the tooth fairy when you need her?

I think this photo reflects my mood today.  I went to the Oral Surgery thinking that I would get my root canal filling done, after all, he had x-rayed it last time, but no, he made a chart of my mouth.  I find this ridiculous in this day and age and considering that I have gone to the dentist every six mouths for around 57 years. I would have thought that it was possible to transfer a chart electronically.  I was then sent for a full mouth x-ray. 
I expressed my concern that the next appointment would be months away.  The consultant went into a big explanation about staffing levels.  Somewhat patronising.
The photo is Windy Corner.  If you have travelled over Saddleworth Moor on the M62 you may have seen this mast.

Monday 20 January 2014

Alternative Energy

 Along with trying to get daily exercise I am trying to get regular picture taking in.  These were taken on the Cliviger moors, were the West Riding of Yorkshire butts up against the Lancashire moors.  Not only is it windy up there, it's also several degrees colder than in the valley.  It was bitterly cold the day I took these.
Each walk I have done, has of course, this being the Pennines, involved going up a least one hill.  Each one leaving me breathless.  One of the consultants at the Christie said that it could take up to a year to get full lung function back. 
My only other medical complaint is that I have sudden, random, stabbing pains in the operation side.  These are unpredictable and can make me cry out.  The oncologist had said to ask my GP for Gabapentin.  So I am now taking that three times a day.  Although the pain has reduced it has not gone all together.
I joined the march at Barton Moss to protest against 'fracking' one Sunday.  I can't see that fracking will be the answer to our energy needs that the government thinks it will be.  The operators are in danger of polluting our vast underground water supplies here in the North West.  If you don't know about fracking, please find out.
I have been seeing a counsellor at 'Oldham Cancer Support'.  I self referred myself after a massive anxiety attack.  My anxiety was about some house maintenance that is needed.  A bit barking really, you would think that I would be anxious about cancer returning or my life being shortened by it. 
Tomorrow is Oral Surgery day, so hopefully my holely tooth will be sorted.
Once again, circumstances have made me think about the fragility of life and I think the best I can say is 'Seize the Day'.  If there's summat that needs to be said say it because you may not get another chance.  Let people know how much they mean to you.
Take care, love one another and love where you live.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Goodbye Christies.

I was discharged by the Christie today.  I will still have to visit the Nightingale centre at Wythenshawe hospital for the next 10 years which seems a hell of along time.  I will be 72 by then which in itself seems impossible.  I do have a feeling of being adrift at sea now.  
I joined an online breast cancer group recently.  This is a bit of a two edged sword.  Reading other peoples experiences highlights how lucky I have been but also there are so many cases of the cancer reoccurring that it doesn't help my anxiety.
On a positive note the Oral Surgery at the Royal Oldham have managed to get me an appointment this month-a bit better than their original one of July.  I am trying to figure out a way of complaining about their appointment system that will result in them looking at their shortfalls.  Unfortunately I feel this is a system that is not capable of listening.  I really think that we need to point out,constructively, the failings of the NHS.