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Oct. 3rd, 2022 04:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsOne hospital trip down, two to go.
Things went well this morning. Because it was so early it was easy to get a parking spot and we were at the pre-op assessment unit well in time. Thankfully, no bloods needed to be taken though it was close as James' questions scored him just high enough to test for diabetes. But, the nurse checked his records and saw that it's really difficult to get blood from him, plus, he'd had those tests twice already this year, the last at his previous pre-op assessment and the results had been fine for both, so she was willing to say he didn't need it.
They also had a good natter as it turns out she used to work at the orthopaedic hospital ward James went to when he was a baby and through his childhood, so she explained about a lot of his early years operations and why they would have been done which was interesting. She also explained the process for Friday and the only downside is it looks likely he's going to be on the afternoon surgery list, so I can see us getting home late that day.
But, and this was a surprise in a good way. She also gave me a carer pack and included was a card which I need to keep in my purse or somewhere I can access easily. It's given to carers who need to be around in the hospital to provide support, in James' case, physical. And as she said, it should cut down on all the explanations to various departments that the situation has been assessed and that I am there for a reason and shouldn't have to explain those reasons each time.
Before going in we were talking to the unit receptionist who was so frustrated at the latest mail strikes. She said many people have missed appointments due to not getting letters about them, and in fact, James still hasn't had his letter for the appointment today. So if he hadn't checked his phone he would have missed his too, and then no doubt his op due to not having the pre-op. It is worrying when you think about so many important letters going missing or being delayed badly. Then on the way home and on the nurse's advice, I called into the doctors to cancel our flu jabs which we were supposed to get tomorrow. Because as she said, why take the chance of having a reaction that would put things off.
While at Kayleigh's yesterday I remembered Bodhi is getting christened at the end of this month. This means I need to go buy a new dress as I doubt sundresses are appropriate for a Catholic service. I really do need to find that money well.
Last week we saw a recipe for sweetcorn soup that sounded delicious. Today, as we were home by midday, I decided to make it. Had all the ingredients, had them happily simmering away when I realised I had no idea where the stick blender was. But that was okay, it's more faff but I could use the big blender and I knew that was in the freezer-cupboard. Except, when I got the box I realised it was only the attachments inside and the actual blender had been on one of the countertops that isn't there now. I'm sure I've seen the blender base sometime in the last week in the jumble of stuff still waiting to be put away when all the shelves are in. But could I find it? No I could not. So I keep going at the soup with a potato masher and squashing the kernels which seems to be working to an extent. The result may be a bit chunkier than expected, but it should hopefully still taste nice.
But next time I may just open a tin.
Things went well this morning. Because it was so early it was easy to get a parking spot and we were at the pre-op assessment unit well in time. Thankfully, no bloods needed to be taken though it was close as James' questions scored him just high enough to test for diabetes. But, the nurse checked his records and saw that it's really difficult to get blood from him, plus, he'd had those tests twice already this year, the last at his previous pre-op assessment and the results had been fine for both, so she was willing to say he didn't need it.
They also had a good natter as it turns out she used to work at the orthopaedic hospital ward James went to when he was a baby and through his childhood, so she explained about a lot of his early years operations and why they would have been done which was interesting. She also explained the process for Friday and the only downside is it looks likely he's going to be on the afternoon surgery list, so I can see us getting home late that day.
But, and this was a surprise in a good way. She also gave me a carer pack and included was a card which I need to keep in my purse or somewhere I can access easily. It's given to carers who need to be around in the hospital to provide support, in James' case, physical. And as she said, it should cut down on all the explanations to various departments that the situation has been assessed and that I am there for a reason and shouldn't have to explain those reasons each time.
Before going in we were talking to the unit receptionist who was so frustrated at the latest mail strikes. She said many people have missed appointments due to not getting letters about them, and in fact, James still hasn't had his letter for the appointment today. So if he hadn't checked his phone he would have missed his too, and then no doubt his op due to not having the pre-op. It is worrying when you think about so many important letters going missing or being delayed badly. Then on the way home and on the nurse's advice, I called into the doctors to cancel our flu jabs which we were supposed to get tomorrow. Because as she said, why take the chance of having a reaction that would put things off.
While at Kayleigh's yesterday I remembered Bodhi is getting christened at the end of this month. This means I need to go buy a new dress as I doubt sundresses are appropriate for a Catholic service. I really do need to find that money well.
Last week we saw a recipe for sweetcorn soup that sounded delicious. Today, as we were home by midday, I decided to make it. Had all the ingredients, had them happily simmering away when I realised I had no idea where the stick blender was. But that was okay, it's more faff but I could use the big blender and I knew that was in the freezer-cupboard. Except, when I got the box I realised it was only the attachments inside and the actual blender had been on one of the countertops that isn't there now. I'm sure I've seen the blender base sometime in the last week in the jumble of stuff still waiting to be put away when all the shelves are in. But could I find it? No I could not. So I keep going at the soup with a potato masher and squashing the kernels which seems to be working to an extent. The result may be a bit chunkier than expected, but it should hopefully still taste nice.
But next time I may just open a tin.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-03 05:08 pm (UTC)It's very cool that she used to work in the orthopaedic hospital ward James went to and could give you some insight into the various surgeries he had.
Also, yay for the carer pack, which will make things easier for you in the future. I wonder why no one thought to give you one previously?
Good luck finding a dress you like (and the money well).
I hope your soup is delicious!!
no subject
Date: 2022-10-03 05:26 pm (UTC)The surgery insights were really interesting and a lot James didn't know about himself due to them happening when he was a baby and very young. She kept throwing out technical terms and then explaining, and told us more in easy-to-understand terms than most of his actual doctors.
I wondered why they hadn't given a carer pack out earlier too. It would have made things easier because while the day case surgery staff were fantastic and happy for me to be there, we still had to talk to multiple people beforehand to make sure they were aware I was going. Now all I'll have to do is show the card if asked.
Thank you, and especially for the money well. I could do with finding one *g*
It was tasty, I think I went a bit heavy-handed on the garlic and I suspect it would have been better blended, but it was a very satisfactory meal.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-03 06:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-04 06:56 am (UTC)Would Catholics be ok with a 90s-style T-shirt under a sundress or cardigan over it, maybe? Otherwise I hope you find a dress that's so pretty it rewards what you spend on it!
no subject
Date: 2022-10-04 08:39 am (UTC)I was wondering about a cardigan over a sundress. I have formal dresses, like the one I wore for Kayleigh and Lucy's wedding, and informal like the sundresses but an official church service seems like in the middle. I think I will play around with adding a cardigan or even the t-shirt which I hadn't considered.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-04 08:43 am (UTC)The soup was nice, James didn't like his though, which is typical as he was the one who wanted it.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-04 06:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-07 04:00 pm (UTC)I agree with Lesa, try combining one of your sundresses with a cardigan or a tshirt. I'm sure there must be at least one combination that will let you look presentable enough for a Catholic service!
I have a couple of recipes for sweetcorn soups but I haven't tried any of them so far. I hope yours ended up tasting nice despite not being the "proper" smooth consistency.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-09 01:43 pm (UTC)NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has taken to sending letters out earlier, and then either texting or calling reminders through, because even though that costs more it's saving against the losses of missed appointments, but I do wish they were scoped to email, too.
My mum's had a lot of luck with an M&S thermogen poloneck (they're super thin, fine fabric) under a summer dress with or without a cardi over it, to dual season a dress. I don't have any summer dresses, but do the same to winterize an autumnal dress, and it can look really smart with the useful addition of yet another warm layer for colder days with other outfits.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-09 02:59 pm (UTC)She really was excellent. She gave so much good advice and I liked how she looked at the facts and made decisions based on her expertise and not what was on a computer check list.
Sending reminders via email would be such a good thing. It always surprises me that some trusts don't send out text reminders because paper mail is so unreliable and has been for a while now. I know some people don't check texts but at least it's some backup against the cost of missed appointments.
I like the idea of that poloneck and am glad I posted about needing to finding a dress for the christening as otherwise I would have bought something new without considering adding layers to the dress that I have. I can see a shopping trip at some point in the future.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-10 03:07 pm (UTC)It was cool, and it was really interesting to hear why they would have done the ops that they did when he was young. Of course, knowledge has moved on since then but at the time the procedures were cutting edge about a very rare condition.
I'm thinking of going for the sundress over a t-shirt combo for the service. It'll keep me covered up but will also be smart and comfy. The fact I'll save money by not having to buy a new dress will be a bonus too.
Well, I enjoyed the sweetcorn soup but think it would have tasted nicer if it was smooth. I may have to buy a new stick blender if I can't find the old one. They're cheap enough and are handy to have around.