MEDICAL MATTERS

[Stanley]

Good news China. As Maz says, take it easy and don't rush anything. I know what you mean about your own bed!
Best of luck.

[Big Kev]

Good news China. Onwards and upwards

[Tizer]

Well done, China. Now look after yourself!

[PanBiker]

Excellent news China, take care and take it easy for a while.

[Wendyf]

Looking forward to hearing that you are safely home (and that the hens have survived!).

[Stanley]

I'll second that!

[chinatyke]

Thanks everyone for your good wishes. I'm home at last. Yes, the chickens are OK and happy to see us (or the food we bring them!)

The whole hospital bill came to 27854.83 cny, £3186 at today's exchange rate. Not bad for double surgery and 27 nights in hospital. I've lived here for 15 years without any medical cover it so it works out at only £212 a year.

The big shock was thinking I was healthy and finding out I'm not. Old age isn't for sissies!

Now I can get healthy and carry on living for a bit longer!

[Stanley]

So far so good! You sound quite cheerful. Now you have to look after yourself! Don't be thinking you're healed too quickly.
Yes, old age is great in many ways, if only because you survive longer than your enemies! But, and it's a big but, there are drawbacks....

[plaques]

I knew there was nothing seriously wrong with Chinatyke and this image proves it.
.

Chinatyke.JPG

[chinatyke]

I won't live that one down!
Hopefully I'll never appear again in this section.

[Cathy]

Enjoy your bed China and ease yourself back into life. There’s no rush

[Stanley]

Can we have progress reports please? Has the wound closed up and is free from serious inflammation? (A bit is OK, all part of the process) I for one need details!

[chinatyke]

Hi Stanley.
I slept like a log in my own bed last night and woke up refreshed this morning. I even managed a proper shave.
I feel fine now, the scars have closed up and are healing nicely. My wife removed one final stitch this morning. There is some swelling inside my neck where they removed the lymph tumor but I've 3 more days to go on atropine tablets which they gave me when I was discharged, and that's to reduce any fluid retention.

I lost 15 pounds in weight whilst I was in hospital and now I'll make a serious effort to lose the same again. Overall I am in better shape than when I was admitted to hospital, just 28 days ago. It's been a tough month emotionally but now I can get on with my life again.

Believe me, OGFB members good wishes did me a power of good when I was in hospital, along with my daughters who kept in contact throughout, so a big THANKS to everyone.
Graham

[Stanley]

Good news and you're welcome China as far as I am allowed to speak for myself. Oneguy is a community and there are some good people in it. We'll let you know when you are out of line. Don't relax vigilance, you have suffered a trauma, re-enter slowly and carefully!

[Tripps]

Well done Graham - This site is a strange place isn't it. I'm glad it was some comfort to you during your ordeal. When I dine out next door, they always ask 'what's happening in Barnoldswick', but show no interest whatever in having a look for themselves.
I was trying to sort my photos last night and failed again, but I came across one of Mrs Chinatyke doing her neck stretching exercises. Had a little smile.

[Marilyn]

I remember a pic of Mrs China doing her neck stretching!
I'm so pleased you are feeling good China. Home is best.
I had another spinal MRI today. Happy to report it was not as traumatic as last time! (This time I got earphones and panic button) for the rest I just shut my eyes. Still noisy and not pleasant, but I managed by "thinking of other things". There was one point where I wished it was over (please) but they said only another 5 mins over the intercom...so I hung in there.
Results on Friday.
Needed painkillers tonight, but hanging on for Friday....

[Marilyn]

....and feeling so much better this morning after a good night's sleep.
The MRI I had yesterday was different, in that I was placed in the machine feet first. I asked the operator about that, because it had added to the fear last time that I was put in that narrow space head first. Apparently, my last MRI was in a much more high intensity/power machine which did 3D images etc. The previous machine also looked to be lined with kiln bricks...the small glimpse I allowed myself of yesterday's MRI machine ( before I shut my eyes for the duration)...this one looked like shiny white plastic. I didn't feel my insides getting sucked about this time either. It was still dreadfully noisy though.
So a slightly more positive experience...

[Wendyf]

Fingers crossed that you get a good result Maz.

[chinatyke]

I was amazed at the technology used in hospitals nowadays. On admission I was fitted with a plastic wrist band with a QR code on it and from then onward everything seemed to be done electronically. Scan the QR code with a hand held processor and test results are entered electroncally. Check the QR code, then the one on the medication, and mistakes are eliminated. Even the catering staff used these processors for ordering your meals. But with all their technology they still can't affix ECG leads to a hairy chest!

I hope your treatment goes well, Maz. Best wishes.

[Stanley]

Hairy chest no problem for Maz I suspect. Have a happy result!
China, I love the gay abandon with which they rip them off...

[PanBiker]

I was amazed at the technology used in hospitals nowadays. On admission I was fitted with a plastic wrist band with a QR code on it and from then onward everything seemed to be done electronically. Scan the QR code with a hand held processor and test results are entered electroncally. Check the QR code, then the one on the medication, and mistakes are eliminated. Even the catering staff used these processors for ordering your meals. But with all their technology they still can't affix ECG leads to a hairy chest!

Same regime in LGI but with bar codes. Laptop trolleys up and down the ward and on the medication trolley and the kit that came around with the duty doc each day. I had a red wristband when I was in the HDU and I got a white one as I was progressed up the ward. I think I had 12 press studs for the theatre kit, I know I was still finding them when I first got to go in the shower.

[Marilyn]

Stanley...I know you don't mean to do it...but you really must not put the words "hairy chest" "Maz" and "HAPPY RESULT" on the one line. I may end up on the wrong websites...offering services...I refuse to fulfill...

(And after the oil and rub down thing too!)

[Tizer]

Good luck with the results, Maz!

[Marilyn]

I could have got my results today, if I had chosen to drive the two and a half hour round trip back to the imaging place. They would have sent them electronically to my doctor by lunchtime, but will not send them electronically to a patient -they can only collect them in person. It seemed a long trip to make when I see my doc on Friday. So we didn't bother. Long car trips only add to my discomfort anyway.
I had to pay £130 to have the MRI.

[Stanley]

Maz..... on hairy chest, not cost of MRI.
One interesting fact popped out of the woodwork in the fight over the leaked negotiation documents. Not going off into politics Maz! It appears that on average drug prices in the US are two and a half times what they are to the NHS because of its bulk buying power. A scandal!