Thursday… post 301 – time for a change of name?
Apr 3rd 2008PeterGetting My Life Back!
At post 301, I did consider changing the name of the blog. It is something I have considered before, as the blog was originally designed to allow me to update my progress during my last stem cell transplant. That was over 2 years ago (!) but the blog continued to chart the ups (and downs!) of the treatment.
The last hospital stay was over 15 months ago, and since then the blog has concentrated on aspects of “getting my life back” in all its various forms. So it is no longer a “Hospital Diary” as such.
The name change I considered was “Peter’s Digital Diary” but, as you will recall in that last post, WordPress is a content management system. In simple terms, this means that if I change the title, it is reflected in the last 300 posts – including those that I wrote while I was in hospital – which seems a bit of a pity. So for the moment I have left the title alone, but I have made some minor changes to the ‘strap line’. Any thoughts from the readership would be welcome!
My appetite continues to improve and I have put on a little weight. However I mentioned (in the comments to the last post) that I was looking forward to sardines on toast – something I used to enjoy as a snack. Sadly they weren’t quite as nice as my imagination lead me to believe. They were OK, but were missing something. I have a bit of a problem with the smell of fish anyway – so this was a gentle reminder that although my sense of smell and taste are slowly returning to normal (or a new normality) – I’m not there yet! On a plus note, I can smell the blossom on the lemon tree! (Shown here in all its glory!) And I enjoyed a mild curry for lunch today – progress indeed!
On a more serious note… Patients who, as a result of the drugs “post code lottery” or rulings by NICE, have been denied expensive but potentially life saving or prolonging drugs have always had the option to get those on private prescription – BUT – the sting in the tail is that ALL NHS provided drugs then have to be bought privately – so the cost of treatment escalates dramatically. The rationale has been that it is “unfair for wealthy patients to ‘top-up’ their treatments” in this way and would lead to a “two tier system”. I personally disagree with that – if the NHS can’t or won’t supply a specific drug, then someone should be able to buy that themselves.
It now appears that the legality of the the government stance is dubious, and group of doctors are proposing to mount a legal challenge. They are looking to establish a ‘fighting fund’ to pay for any legal costs should they lose. Details are at the Doctors’ Forum.
One of the pleasures I had when convalescing was watching the variety of birds at the garden feeder. I was able to chase away the “Tree Rats” (Grey squirrels) that attempted to raid the feeders, but now I am not at home all day, these vermin have become a greater pest. So I visited my good friends at The Really Wild Bird Food Company for a squirrel proof bird feeder. And it seems to be working! The food and feeding stations are protected by a ‘cage’ which allows the birds in – but keeps the squirrels out. While I am doing a shameless plug, they do have a range of excellent value bird foods, much of it grown on their own farm – the prices even include delivery. Richard and Lesley are lovely people – so please have a look at their web site!
A longish post, so in time honoured fashion – Onwards and Upwards!
7 Responses to “Thursday… post 301 – time for a change of name?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Jaki - squirrel proofing on 04 Apr 2008 at 2:22 am #
Yep, caged feeders are one alternative.
I had problems with squirrels myself and did some research on this topic. Maybe my tips will help out your readers squirrelproofer.com
Richard on 04 Apr 2008 at 8:02 am #
I like feeding the ‘tree rats’ lead, sort of high powered takeaway 🙂
On the NHS top up I can see no problem in the way you called it but might if it were the other way round. By that I mean that if a private patient asks the NHS to pay just for the expensive part of their treatment whilst using private facilities.
I have no problem with private medicine, schools etc but I do think what the systems need to be separate and that for example the past practice of some consultants having a private consultation and then feeding the patient into the NHS. This in effect made it possible to pay to short cut the waiting lists.
As with schools the best way is to make the state system good enough that there is no educational or health reason to ‘go private’ other than a matter of choice and perhaps to have some medically or educationally unnecessary extras, like riding attached to a school.
Rand rant rant………..time to take it out on the ‘grey’ visitors.
Richard
Simon (BT) on 04 Apr 2008 at 12:00 pm #
I hate the fact that we have 2 tier systems at all – BUT given that we do why can’t I simply buy the drug I need if it’s not funded or approved by NICE (now there’s a name full of irony) and maintain having rest of cocktail or whatever on NHS?
If want to top up my state pension I simply purchase AVCs – and if I do, then I don’t have to totally fund my own pension.
On a less ‘ranty’ front – I am not toally out of the woods – CT scan showed enlarged gland in chest so now I am due another PET scan at St Thomas’ – watch out Peter I’ll be catching you up!! Very fed up but hey ho O and U
S
Peter on 04 Apr 2008 at 12:39 pm #
Simon, Great to talk to you today, and thanks for the comment. Bit scary having to have the PET scan – but it is a terrific diagnostic tool (as we discussed) so whatever the result it gives a way forward – but all digits crossed! Meanwhile O&U!
Richard – yes – wouldn’t that be wonderful – an NHS and state educational system that made the private sector obsolete in terms of facilities? As for the ‘tree rats’ – one was on the ground gazing at the new feeder. (And an interesting comment from someone else who must have picked up on the squirrel theme!)
Richard on 04 Apr 2008 at 7:43 pm #
Lemon tree……….I feel a calypso coming on…………I’ll spare you,
Good to ‘see’ you Simon try not to be fed up. Go to the Phoenix and have a pint……….I used to use it when in the sixth but amazingly didn’t get caught even when late to say grace for lunch.
No binge drinking then we all learnt to behave in the presence of adults…………having paused I realise that after the Tower do perhaps we did not learn much at all in control etc. The world kept going round and round.
Simon and Peter keep crossing stuff and remember we are thinking of you.
Richard
Simon (BT) on 05 Apr 2008 at 11:03 am #
Richard – thanks for wishes – I am/was a frequewnt visitor to the phoenix – me and guys at work love it for a Friday lunchtime drink = massive plates of food at very reasonable prices too.
Now I shall think of you whenever we go there!!
Richard on 05 Apr 2008 at 4:56 pm #
Although a long time ago we didn’t still have short trousers although we did have to wear uniform……..the 6th we allowed not to wear caps. That saved a lot of fights with the locals who liked nicking them etc to taunt us.
I hope that you are able to enjoy the odd tipple like Peter.
Take care everyone
Richard