28 March 2011

After doing my blog and dealing with my e-mails. I spent most of the day working on my reply to the defence from the dentist about whom I complained previously. (See 12 July 2010 entry). The General Dental Council have taken all this time to get the case to a hearing.. Heaven knows why, except I suppose, being fair, the dentist could be found ‘to be unfit to practice’, as to my mind, he made a fraudulent claim, i.e. he claimed and charged me for carrying out descaling whereas he clearly had done nothing of the sort. I obviously have to be very careful at this stage, in what I say, as the matter is sub judice.

I’m still trying to find out just how hearing is conducted and exactly what comprises the tribunal. I was told yesterday that there were that there is a panel of five people, two dental practitioners, a hygienist and two lay member and I am also told that the whole proceedings are carried out in accordance with the laws of England. Having said that the process is carried out on documents only, so it is very important to get these right and cover all the points that one wishes to make. I have acted as an arbitrator in well over 200 cases on documents only and in a few instances found it necessary to go back to the parties to ask some subsidiary questions. T No doubt, this will be the case here, if the panel, which I gather is called the investigating committee, considers it necessary

My readers might wonder why I’m bothering over such a relatively small matter. It certainly has nothing to do with the chargers extracted from me -they were, in any event, minimal. Readers may recall that I said previously that my main reason for pursuing this is that I have always fought injustice, not just for myself but also for others, less capable than myself.. In this case for elderly. perhaps disabled persons, who are less articulate than.I am who would not dream of challenging a professional man.. Someone has to champion their cause is so they do not get taken advantage of.

27 March 2011

After doing my blog and dealing with my e-mails. I spent most of the day working on my reply to the defence from the dentist about whom I complained previously. (See 12 July 2010 entry). The General Dental Council have taken all this time to get the case to a hearing.. Heaven knows why, except I suppose, being fair, the dentist could be found ‘to be unfit to practice’, as to my mind, he made a fraudulent claim, i.e. he claimed and charged me for carrying out descaling whereas he clearly had done nothing of the sort. I obviously have to be very careful at this stage, in what I say, as the matter is sub judice.

I’m still trying to find out just how hearing is conducted and exactly what comprises the tribunal. I was told yesterday that there were that there is a panel of five people, two dental practitioners, a hygienist and two lay member and I am also told that the whole proceedings are carried out in accordance with the laws of England. Having said that the process is carried out on documents only, so it is very important to get these right and cover all the points that one wishes to make. I have acted as an arbitrator in well over 200 cases on documents only and in a few instances found it necessary to go back to the parties to ask some subsidiary questions. T No doubt, this will be the case here, if the panel, which I gather is called the investigating committee, considers it necessary

My readers might wonder why I’m bothering over such a relatively small matter. It certainly has nothing to do with the chargers extracted from me -they were, in any event, minimal. Readers may recall that I said previously that my main reason for pursuing this is that I have always fought injustice, not just for myself but also for others, less capable than myself.. In this case for elderly. perhaps disabled persons, who are less articulate than.I am who would not dream of challenging a professional man.. Someone has to champion their cause is so they do not get taken advantage of.

27 March 2011

National Census Day. The National Census has been carried out every decade for over 200 years but this one apparently is the last. As it’s costing in the region of half a billion pounds and takes five years to fully analyse, I suppose the government have decided that there are more cost-effective ways of obtaining the same information or forecasting. One of the main purposes of the Census is not only to discover how many people there are in this country but what ages they are and therefore what provision has to be made, such as schooling or care homes for the elderly but, in addition, it covers such basic issues as religion, ethnicity, etc, but no longer asks questions about whether or not you have an outside loo on the assumption that now we all do. I just can’t help wondering what they do, or indeed how they provide in their statistics, for the many tens or even hundreds of thousands of illegals in this country. For those people that we hear about who fraudulently obtain, two or three houses from their council and stuff them with illegal families, or other such people, in addition to the significant number of benefit fraudsters, who are clearly not going to submit the correct information. Do the statisticians. just add a few to each category to allow for these anomalies?

The main event for today, is Griggsy’s 80th birthday party. This was laid on by daughter Sophie and husband Chris, for mainly locally surviving friends, including half a dozen also from the golf club. There was apparently an earlier party for family only.

We engaged Barry to take us there and bring us home, as he is so good at the movement from and to the wheelchair and it takes the pressure off ‘my lovely’. We arrived just after midday and left around 2.45. Sophie’s house, which I must say was very attractive, bright and sunny.. Chris and Sophie were ably assisted by her lovely grown-up daughter, Emma and her school friend as well as by Daniel, the younger son and his wife Katherine, and Simon, the eldest son and his wife. Lizzie. From my point of view it was lovely to see them all again. Tony and Jill are fortunate in having such great children – I say children, they are all knocking on 50 or so but they are a great example of a loving and united family.

As one might have expected, there were people from all parts of Tony’s past, most of whom had known him far longer than I have, a mere 30 odd years. Nevertheless, it came down to me to say a few well chosen words. Off the cuff speeches are so much more sincere and less contrived than those that one works on and I was able to keep Tony’s friends amused for a few moments. It was not difficult because he really has been a good old mate. There were half a dozen members of Worlington golf club and their wives present, but I was particularly pleased to see Wendy, John Gray’s wife who is honestly picking up after having had a bad patch following our week in Elba on their lovely boat, the summer before last..

 

26 March 2011

|Another uncomfortable night. At three o’clock this morning I had another 10 min struggle trying to turn over. It is a very unpleasant feeling to be stuck and too weak to turn. Maybe when we get a satin top sheet. It will get a little easier. I seem to be dreaming quite a lot these days. Most of them could be classified as anxiety dreams. Not seriously anxious, just late for something or just lost and unable to find my way, and so on. Last night I can’t remember precisely what the dream was all about but I clearly recall realising that I was able to walk at quite a crisp pace across the countryside and being surprised at my own mobility.

We started today on the last of the nose sprays. we have been recommended to try.If ihis one doesn’t do the trick,. after a week or so I’m going to make an urgent request for a consultation with a senior ENT man. The runny nose is really very debilitating particularly with my weak arms finding it difficult to raise a hanky every few minutes.

The day did not improve by watching England in the quarter-finals of the World Series Cricket in Colombo.

They were annihilated by Sri Lanka and no doubt will pack their bags tomorrow and come home.A very disappointing match after the way England has managed to scrape its way home through some of the more exciting contests of this World Cup.

To cheer up for my readers. I include two new jokes, both politically incorrect! Paddy and Mick and Never Mess with an Australian Woman .

25 March 2011

This afternoon I had the scheduled video conference with Richard Redmond, the Interim Director of National Care for the MND Association. The purpose of our call was to examine the efficacy of lending equipment from the Association to MND patients, in my case a laptop and software. We also discussed the process of training and backup all of which is under review by the Association at present, so the lengthy discussion was apposite.

There is nothing quite like feedback from a patient whose is hands-on, so to speak, or in my case, I suppose voice on! I hope that by closing a number of questions for the Association to consider, they may well be able to save a considerable amount of money both on hardware, software and training in the future.

It was another one of those days with a lot of to-ing and fro-ing. First of all ‘Bill and Ben (Bill and Paul!). the handymen’ dropped in to pick up a list of minor jobs that require doing around the house and office. We are extremely lucky in these two amiable and skilful souls. They can turn their hand to anything and we are extremely fortunate in being able to call on their services. Then, in the late morning, my faithful secretary Doreen came in to sort out the part of paperwork which had accumulated over the last two or three weeks. As I am no longer really active I’m amazed at the amount of bits and pieces I still have to deal with, but fortunately I have Doreen on hand who knows her way around my filing system and therefore requires a minimum of supervision.

I think it’s about time I gave my readers something to chuckle about.

Now, this should be watched right to the end (you think its over but it isnt!).  It is absolutely brilliant for anyone who have travelled by one of those cheap airlines. Any resemblance between the airline referred to in this clip and a an actual airline is entirely coincidental!
 

Check out the you tube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPyl2tOaKxM

24 March 2011

My videoconference, scheduled for this morning, was again postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Better luck tomorrow afternoon!

I managed to watch a bit of the quarter-finals of the World Series cricket this morning, between Australia and India and then the end of that match later in the afternoon. India triumphed and are now in the semi-finals.

The main item on the agenda today was a visit from Mary, from social services, who came to assess me for NHS Continuing Care. Not that we need help at this very moment, but as soon as I get to the point where I can no longer bear my weight on my legs. we will be into hoisting me in and out of bed and, at that stage, ‘my lovely’ will certainly need some outside assistance. We spent quite a long time with Mary going through the questionnaire, which needs to be completed so that she can make a formal application. She was very kind and sympathetic and I believe may well recommend that we do receive this assistance in due course. However, nothing is certain in life, so we must just hope.

What impressed me enormously about our discussion with Mary is that one of the criteria for receiving this help is to maintain as greater a quality of life as possible, not merely to assist you to live. In my case, she seemed to recognise that I have a need to get out and about and that in order to do so there could come a time when we might need some help to achieve this. I say this because Alice and I were under the impression that the most we could hope for was a couple of kind nurses coming in. perhaps in the morning and again in the evening, at a time which suited them, rather than me, to get me up and dressed and, in the evening to put me to bed but  In the event, it turns out that the possibilities are far wider and more attractive than that. Watch this space.

23 March 2011

Budget Day. The first for the new Conservative government. I feel for the Chancellor of yhe Exchequer. He finds himself between a ‘rock and a hard place’. The Labour government left him with an enormous debt. (See 19 January 2011 entry) Added to which he has the continuing drain on our resources for the war in Afghanistan, the new Libya crisis reputedly (costing us 2 million pounds per day-and for how long?) plus the spectre of Portugal’s economy collapsing and needing support from the EU, our share of which, despite not being deemed the Euro camp, apparently will be around £3 Billion. In the light of this scenario the Chancellor had to craft a budget for growth, albeit slow and steady. The objective being to get this country out of the mess it’s in. by the time of the next General Election, four years hence. Don’t hold your breath!

Jane’ the sheep’ came as usual, massaged my hands and stretched my arms. After which we looked at the solicitor’s defence on behalf of the dentist about whom. I have complained. (See 26 July.entry) We cannot really prepare comments on this until we receive the attachments which apparently will be with us. by the weekend The defence was, as one might expect, a denial all allegations, although in fact, I only made one substantive complaint and that was the dentist failed to de-scale my teeth but charged me for doing so, which I suggested at the time, might be considered fraudulent and thus complained. My purpose. In pursuing this, at the time, was not so much on my behalf as I am articulate and able to defend myself in such situations, but more for the less articulate you might be intimidated by the professional and accept what he was told or treatment that he received, without complaint or comment. The complaint process at the General Dental Council grinds very slowly as the best part of the year has gone by since the original complaint.

On the medical front I should report that the new regime of painkillers has lessened the discomfort, in bed at night, but not completely eliminated it. Talking of bed, I got into a bit of a panic last night as I could not turn over, at least, it took me a great deal of effort and time to do so. Lying there in the middle of the night I realised that if anything happened to ‘my lovely’, and God forbid it does, for example, she leaps out of bed to quickly slips, bangs her head and knocks herself unconscious, or, most unlikely. I agree, has a heart attack or a stroke, I would be totally helpless and unable to attract anyone’s attention and unless there was someone to come and check us out by could lie there for a day or two. I realise that this is an entirely unlikely scenario, but nevertheless, if the possibility exists, we should have some contingency plan in place just, in case. I have the assessment for continuing NHS care, tomorrow afternoon, and will discuss this with the assessor. Whilst on medical matters, I should mention that the Otravine spray for the nurse has proved to be utterly useless and we have now stopped it, try the alternative from a couple of days time.

22 March 2011

At last the weather improved sufficiently for me to return to my old golf club at Worlington, Mildenhall.. It was a mild day, not sunny but very pleasant. Barry took me and I arrived just before 11 to be picked up by Griggsy in his buggy and was driven around the second nine holes by two other semi invalids, John Stevens and Karl Creasy, who is suffering from a number of broken ribs caused by a collision on the ski slopes by a mad out-of-control Frenchman.. Tony Griggs (Griggsy), now 80 years old, in a show of bravado to show us all how young and fit he is,. Insisted on walking the entire 18 holes, 6 miles. or so Good for him. I remember when he returned from home living in Spain,. some years ago, having played all his golf riding in a buggy, he was physically incapable of walking that far, so all credit to him. He has certainly improved his. physique since returning to the UK. We then sat outside for half an hour or so before lunch where I was able to have a cigar and a drink with. many of my old mates, most of whom were kind enough to come up and say how good it was to see me back. Then lunch with everyone being extremely kind and helpful. I managed to feed myself with a spoon and a great deal of effort but in the end, the major (Guy Hipkin) kindly gave me the last few spoonfuls. In any event, it was great to be back.

The situation in the Middle East is becoming extremely tenuous. The UN agreed to imposing a ‘no fly zone’ for Libyan aircraft over Libya to prevent Gaddafi from bombing those people who are opposing his regime.

Unfortunately, the UK, together with France the USA and Qatar are policing the air space over Libya, but for how long? I hope to goodness we are not being sucked into another expensive long-term commitment and that somebody has worked out plan B! It is a real moral dilemma. As caring human beings we are caught between a rock and a hard place. How can we stand back and watch innocent people being murdered? Yet, on the other hand, getting involved in the affairs of another country could well find ourselves committed for a long period for which we are not financially or physically able to do. Then there is the nightmare scenario that the same situation won’t care in other surrounding Arab states were minor uprisings have already started. What on earth do we do then?

I have just finished watching the third episode in Wonders of the Universe on BBC television. It was absolutely fascinating and so well presented by the professor Brian Cox (cCan he really be a professor when he looks so young!?. In any event encyclopaedic knowledge of the universe clearly warrants the title). He made the most complex of thermodynamics physics and other scientific phenomena relatively easy to understand. Two things remain with me. Firstly, everything in the entire universe, which comprises billions of galaxies, each with billions of stars is made up of a combination of the main 92 elements starting with hydrogen as a lightest moving through the spectrum to the heaviest. (Chemical element 118?). Secondly, every single thing in all of these billions of stars is made up of atoms with a nucleus and electrons. That goes for 99.99999% recurring, of every item is universe, including humans in the animal kingdom, so that most of everything in the universe has to be almost entirely space. Professor explained this by saying that if this space in the atoms, which make up in every human being on this planet, was able to be removed ,the entire population of earth could be fitted into something the size of a sugar cube which would be so dense that if it was dropped, onto the earth. it would slice through it like butter.