MEDICAL MATTERS

[Whyperion]

I got it when I was about 7, my cousin for some reason, was much older about 42 from memory.

Just noticed about Moh, will much miss her.

[Tizer]

`Testing the water: asbestos in old pipes raises a call for action: Residents of one English village are pushing for an overhaul of the mains network and more research into the health implications' FT LINK
A very long article in the FT explaining the debate over whether or not asbestos water pipes are a hazard. The WHO claims not but the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a specialist arm of the WHO which has its own governance and budget, is more concerned and lists a wide range of cancers that could be caused by it. The presence of asbestos water pipes is much more widespread than we'd think and, of course, rarely mentioned by the water companies. The biggest danger is when pipes begin to disintegrate and the FT gives an example of a pipe being clogged by asbestos.

[Stanley]

I thought I was fairly well versed on asbestos after my personal experience with it and reading but I wasn't aware of it being used for water pipes Tiz. Thank you for alerting me. At least two of my friends have been killed by the asbestos we were exposed to, I often wonder how I survived (If indeed I have, there is time yet!). When they did the big scan of me at Airedale I told them the fact I was perfectly clear of any abnormalities was a bloody miracle.
As for MMR, I have an idea I had a precautionary vaccination later in life but I am not sure.... If I was offered it I would have taken it.
No jab is foolproof but it's like the BCG treatment I have just had, the potential benefits far outweigh the possible drawbacks, thet's the standard that has to be proved before they are allowed.... (Mind you, one does remember disasters like Thalidomide....)

[Marilyn]

Saw the surgeon today.
I'm booked in for a discectomy on Saturday. Hallelujah! Relief from pain at last. I've been in pain since January 6th. Don't rupture a disc folks...nothing but grief.
I'm to stay on the painkillers until they wheel me in to theatre. I should only be in hospital two or three nights, and up walking the day after surgery.

[chinatyke]

I've just been looking at the pictures on:
discectomy

Ouch. Best wishes for a successful and pain-free outcome.

[Stanley]

I hope it works for you Maz..... Best of luck.
I see the NHS has decided to back a new blood test which is a more reliable indicator of Pre-eclampsia than current tests.

[PanBiker]

All the best Maz I hope all goes well, I'm sure it will.

I shared a bay in LGI with a bloke who had broken his back in three places due to an industrial acciden. He had six plates and 30 odd screws in his back to hold them in place. They had him out of bed and walking 3 days after surgery, amazing what they can do today.

[Tizer]

Great news, Maz. You'll be back and fighting fit soon!

Stanley, you may have avoided health problems from asbestos because you were probably more cautious than your friends, having a bit more technical idea of the danger ad how to avoid it.

[Stanley]

Or the fact that I smoked a pipe and the mucus in my lungs protected me. (valid theory accepted by many medical practitioners).
Airedale for pre-op assessment at Noon.

[PanBiker]

Good luck Stanley, may your MRSA assessment be low.

[Tizer]

Or the fact that I smoked a pipe and the mucus in my lungs protected me. (valid theory accepted by many medical practitioners).
Airedale for pre-op assessment at Noon.

Does that mean cigarette smokers would be protected too?

[Stanley]

No, because they have to contend with all the nasties added to cigarette tobacco and the burning paper to contend with. The pipe is nothing but tobacco and my pipes have a condenser system that removes most of the by products of combustion.
Airedale.... Vicky was on time and we were in and out like a dose of salts. Verdict is I am like a 16 year old lad. Less than two hours door to door.....

[Cathy]

[Big Kev]

MRI scan booked for Friday morning at the Beardwood Hospital in Blackburn, they've given up on physio

[Stanley]

I hope it's a good result Kev.....

[Marilyn]

My turn. Op tomorrow at a private hospital. Two hour car drive to get there, and must present myself at 10.30am. Op is at 12.30 and takes an hour (discectomy and spinal decompression). I will be up walking the next morning so long as I haven't lost any spinal fluid...if I lose spinal fluid I must lay flat and still for 24 hours.
I'm not bothered about the op at all. Can't wait to be pain free.
Slightly nervous about the anaesthetic of course...everyone worries about anaesthetics. There is always a risk of not waking up!

The funny thing was that I saw the surgeon on Tuesday and was in pain as usual, and the operation got booked for Saturday. I noticed late Wednesday afternoon that I was in less pain than usual, and Thursday I didn't need any painkillers at all. I was wondering if I should phone the surgeon re cancelling the surgery. Had I suddenly become healed after 4 months of agony? But Friday morning, in the wee small hours the same old pain was back with a vengence, and I was reaching for the pills. I came so close to cancelling surgery.

[chinatyke]

I hope everything goes according to plan tomorrow and you have 100% recovery. Keeping our fingers crossed for you.

[Stanley]

Best of luck Maz and I hope you get the relief you need. I quite like anaesthetics.... what an improvement on a slug of brandy and a leather gag to bite on!
I had an interesting interlude yesterday. I got a text asking me to call a number at Airedale. Leaving aside the fact that the operator who answered (eventually!) was evidently having a bad day, I was put through to the ward where I shall be on the 15th and they said that my blood sugar was below the range at which they recommended Metformin and asked me not to take any on that day. Interesting.... Evidently they have different criteria than the surgery, perhaps due to the operation. This isn't causing me any concern because I feel so well on my regime but I thought it was interesting.

[Wendyf]

Best wishes for the operation Maz, I hope all goes well.

[PanBiker]

All the best Maz, crack on and I hope it gives you the best outcome. See you the other side as they say, you will be a new woman.

[Big Kev]

A friend of mine had the same op a few years ago, best thing she ever did apparently.

[Stanley]

She should be arriving at the hospital about now I think.....

[Cathy]

Well after calling the hospital three times over a few hours to see how Marilyn was then finally getting thru to her, we spoke for about 30 seconds then she had a nurse visit so that was that, but she tells me she is fine, just very hungry... That was about an hour ago and hopefully she has been fed and is now sleeping.
Will visit tomorrow. I'm sure she will have posted OG by then.

[Wendyf]

Good news Cathy, thanks for the update!

[Marilyn]

I'm getting so frustrated because I keep trying to post on here and they aren't showing up. Every time I get half way through a sentence my nurse comes running in to check something else and ask another question. He has been driving me insane all evening. I'm sure I don't need such intense attention. ( he goes home in an hour and perhaps I will get some peace!)
I've been up for a short walk with him and everything feels much better. I'm very pleased. Just over stimulated by an enthusiastic nurse...