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27 February 2011

Posted by DMC on 27 February 2011 in Diary |

A few medical pointers for my MND readers, other readers can skip the next five  paragraphs.

I started the day  badly by choking on a piece of toast at breakfast. I think it’s what you call ‘going down the wrong way’. I believe that means that food gets into the bronchial tubes. It was only after 5 or 10 minutes of serious coughing and choking that I managed to dislodge it. This has prompted me to include a query about choking on my next visit to Papworth and Addenbrookes. I know the procedure for someone who can stand up.

A good hard thump on the back  may do the trick but the most effective way is to grasp the patient from behind, locking your arms around his stomach and give a sharp squeeze.

In this way you squeeze the person’s diaphragm and hopefully dislodge whatever it is causing the poor soul to choke. What the procedure is for a wheelchair patient or someone in an armchair, heaven only knows. I shall have to find out.

I received a pretty unsatisfactory letter from the consultant at Addenbrookes follow my visit recently to investigate the reason for the painful joints. No mention was made whatsoever of the hip or shoulder  which are the most serious, or indeed, no comment was made of what the x-rays showed. The bone scan, which was a bonus, so to speak, did not reveal any evidence of metastatic (cancer related) bone disease, with only some mild changes suggestive of some degenerative arthritic change in both knees.

As I say no, mention of the shoulder or hip which are the most painful, or any suggestions as to how this pain can be relieved at night,  so I shall have to follow this up and request more information.

Compare this with the consultant’s report I received from Papworth concerning the problems I’m having with my runny nose. As a result of a letter I sent to my GP, Dr Lort, who passed it onto them, this problem, which occurs first thing in the morning and usually around 12 hours later in the early evening, could be a real problem when it comes to breathing through a respirator, and, for this reason, I thought it sensible to raise it and try and resolve before it becomes a real problem. This consultant was most helpful and speculated various possible allergies – although he thought them unlikely – and suggested various forms of treatment we could try and then said they would review the whole matter when I attend next on 7 March. Enough now of medical nonsense.

In the middle of me writing up this blog I received my first video call from my darling daughter, Chloe. We had one or two technical problems on the sound to start with but between us we resolved them quite quickly, so now we have a much more fun way of communicating with each other and for me to see the grand children. In fact, I sent my mother and Richard a web cam yesterday so that they too can join in. I know my mother will be particularly thrilled to be able to see us all. It is so much more enjoyable than  just a rather boring telephone call.

Finally, I cannot resist a brief mention of yesterday’s cricket match in the World Series When England played one of the favourites, India. India chose to bat first and left England chasing 339,  they reached 281 for 2, thanks to a wonderful knock by Capt Srauss (158) ably supported by Bell, until both were out in successive balls. A collapse followed and England slumped to 299 -6, then 307-7 in the 48th. over when, with only 2 1/2. overs to go it looked very much as though it would be India’s game. 32 was needed from these 15 balls then, after two 6’s from the tail-enders, it got came down to England needing  14 runs from 7 balls but then we lost another wicket. It looked as though the game was up, then another 6 left England needing 4 runs from the last two balls and finally needing 2 runs from last ball to win. The Indian fielders were brought  in England only scored 1 run. The teams were tied. A fair result from one of the best 50 over matches ever played in international cricket. Come on you non-cricket lovers, who was it who said that cricket is like watching paint dry!

8 Comments

  • barbara says:

    Dear Mark,

    Where the devil are you?
    It’s March 1st and no word from you.
    Leaving us in the lurch this way… It’s not cricket.
    (There it is: the length and breadth of that topic, for me.)

    I hope you are well; I worry about you when you are silent for even one day.

    b

  • DMC says:

    Dear Babs

    I sit in this chair for 12 or 13 hours a day looking out of my window onto the cold wintry weather beyond. If I have no inspiration or anything of interest to say I quite deliberately miss the odd day. I really must not rabbit on about nothing and bore my readers, so forgive me, not everyone is such a fan as you are.

    Don’t worry, if anything should happen to me, I have already made provision for my readers to be informed.

    Best wishes

    Mark

  • Hello Mark
    Re. the weather.
    In Scotland re. the month of March-we say “In like a lion out like a lamb / In like a lamb out like a lion. Hopefully this year we are in and out like a lamb.
    I trust you are doing well/turning with ease/comfort with the silk sheets.

  • DMC says:

    Many thanks Alison. As to the weather, that Scotland for you!

    I have not actually purchased silk sheets but the special Wendlyett Sheet with a satin centre. If you go back go my blog will find descriptions of it. We are thinking however purchasing a satin sheet to go on top. To answer your question I am turning with more ease and comfort them before.

    Best wishes

    Mark

  • This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality information. Thanks for sharing.

  • DMC says:

    It’s a pleasure.

  • kminfo says:

    Thanks. it’s amazing…

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