Welcome to 2025

Well, not the exciting start to the New Year I was hoping for or expecting.

Just before the event I had a chat with my GP. I think I am slipping back into AF (Atrial Fibrillation), where the heart misses beats and basically dances to its own drumbeat! It’s not totally life-threatening but it does make you fell rough, with tiredness and shortness of breath.  Well, that’s how it makes me feel. This happened about 2 years ago and I ended up going for cardio-version. Basically they zap you with the paddles used in EDs etc. This has the effect of shocking the heart back into sinus rhythm. With me it only took one small shock to get mine working as it should be.

So went to see him. He ordered blood test, ECG and a 24hr monitor to confirm the diagnosis.  Already had the first two but got to wait for the 24hr one as its done by the hospital. Along with this I’ve (finally) got an appointment for laser eye surgery. I had cataracts done in both eyes about 3 years ago.  The right one is clouding over centrally, which apparently is common after cataract surgery. Easily rectified by lasering the fitted lens and that is scheduled for 22nd which is about 14 months after I was referred by my optician!

My wife, Dawn, has a hospital appointment on 27th for a cortisone injection in her foot. She has Morton’s Neuroma which is inflammation of the nerves in the foot that cause her pain. She’s been waiting about 4 months for this since we last saw her Consultant.  The NHS isn’t what it used to be. Staff shortage, lack of funds and over-paid higher management are the main problems, and unfortunately there is no quick fix.

Christmas Eve our next door neighbour was confirmed to have Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer coupled with lung and lymph node mets. He’s having chemo, but prognosis is not brilliant. I think they’ll be lucky if he sees next Christmas. Such a shame cos he’s a really nice guy (late 70s) with a good family and we get on well with them.  It’s a cruel  life sometimes.

My eldest daughter, Paul, has just celebrated her 42nd birthday, earlier this week. Eldest grandson is 23 later this month. I am feeling old! LOL.

So on those happy notes, I shall sign off.

Hugz

RNBiker

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