The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

monnagran

Hi all,

Can't join in with your doctor horror stories, (I just don't go) but a dear friend of mine has had an awful time. Three years ago she was given 6 months to live (cancer) but here she is still and leading an active life and keeping everyone laughing. The Hospital told her that she needed scans every 3 months to make sure nothing was rampaging around. For the first year everything was fine and then the personnel changed. The new woman told her that she had no right to still be alive and she was being a drain on the NHS by demanding(!) such frequent scans that cast £1,000 a time. I have never seen my friend weep before but she was inconsolable. She has just had her scan 8 months after the last one. They have previously given her the results an hour after the scan, this time she was told that she could ring up on Dec 9th and they would give her the results if they were available.
She is terrified that the cancer will become rampant again and to have to wait three and a half weeks to find out is intolerable. Fortunately a mutual friend has taken this on, and she is one feisty lady. I wouldn't want to cross her. If anyone doesn't deserve this treatment it is my friend. In spite of her illness she is bringing up her stroppy teenage granddaughter (parents can't cope!) running her Brownie pack, organising Christmas stockings for all the residents in a local home and helping me organise Christmas parcels for our clients at the Drop-in. There are some wonderful people out there.

I was made very humble last night at the Drop-in. A man who comes regularly isn't homeless, he has his own flatlet but finds managing very challenging, brought me a jar of his homemade jam. He said that I gave him food each week and he wanted to give me something instead. He has also promised me a jar of homemade marmalade for Christmas and I have promised him a jar of my HM boozy mincemeat.

Right, back to my ironing mountain.

x

PS. Fuddle - you grubby little urchin. Get into that bath at once, unless your DH is a rugby player it should be fine.

Pinkdebster

Ah FairyPrincess, thank you for thinking of me!!! I don't post a lot (I feel my life is SO dull in comparison!) but I read several times a day.

The new routines are going well thanks........I have a list on the fridge of just over 20 things to do each morning (instead of sleeping) and it does seem to help. The depression doesn't feel as bad but I don't know if this is as a result of the new regime or the increase in ADs!!! Whatever it is, I'm not complaining.

I can't remember if I said or not but my OH took me to see a private nutritionist in Surrey a few weeks ago. She has drawn me a new diet to go alongside the feeding tube - starting with two teaspoons of a food at a time. Baby steps but so far so good. She is so knowledgeable that I'm happy to put my trust in her. The hospital are pushing for me to have more surgery and this may mean I can escape.

Sorry to read that everyone is still having such a hard time - I don't think this time of year helps. I know I always feel much better when the sun is out and there is a blue sky - grey miserable days do nothing for me.

Fuddle, my OH and I always share a bath but I insist on going first!!! He showers most days but if he ever wants a bath then he jumps in mine. (Baths are my guilty pleasure I'm afraid - most nights for me!)

Am starting to think I should be thinking about Christmas now - it seems to have crept up on me all of a sudden. It's a "difficult" time of year for me because obviously there is such a huge focus on food etc which I don't eat. But maybe this year I'll be able to have a couple of spoons if all goes well. I'll still cook the whole works for everyone regardless.

Again, thanks for thinking of me............I'm always here in the background!!!

Love and hugs to all xxx

lillibet_dripping

savingqueen wrote: »

Morning all and Yeehaa CC!

Coming down with something me thinks. Felt a real grotbag yesterday and forgot I promised to take boys to the park - DH volunteered to go in my place and cook dinner (though a simpler version of what I had in mind), he can be thoughtful sometimes and I really appreciated him yesterday. In bed before 7pm just couldn't stay up any longer.

Had a minor wobble at docs this morning. So difficult to get through by phone for an appointment Monday morn (and not an easy task for me at the best of times) so decided to call in after school run and drop DH's prescription in as well. They had literally no appointments all week and as you can't book any further in advance that means my ADs run out on Thursday eve and none until Monday again at the earliest when the whole appointment rigmarole starts again.

I could feel myself getting really anxious and said to the receptionist who kept just repeating the same thing - I need my prescription which is not on repeat by Fri latest otherwise I will get awful side effects. She said she will "see what she can do" and to phone later this afternoon. A friend is on the same ADs and I know will lend my some if she has enough to spare. it has made me realise I am struggling more than I sometimes admit.

DH is taking boys to meet MIL and FIL after school for dinner, they are very excited. Crossing everything for their sake they don't cancel. DH said as soon as he woke up "Hope mum doesn't start up in front of the boys". We are giving her a chance to see her grandkids so lets see if she can behave for a couple of hours.

Well as much as I want to stay home, the fridge is nearly empty and shopping I must go!

take care everyone
sq

SQ - it is a well-known fact that you should NEVER, NEVER stop AD's just like that. You will suffer horrendous withdrawal symptoms, like going cold-turkey! Ask me how I know!!!
Go to where your scripts are filled and explain. They will normally give you an emergency supply i.e. enough to get you from Thurs to Mon until you can get an appt.
Then rant at the receptionist.
We have a prescribing nurse with whom you can always get an on-the-day appt. Could she help?
HTH
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

FairyPrincessk

I'm so pleased that the fridge list is helping and to hear about the nutritionist, what positive news!:j

savingqueen

thanks guys for your support re the docs. Been told to go to there this eve at 6pm and hopefully they will have a prescription but no promises. I have already decided I will not go until I get either a prescription or an appointment. Will mention the nurse appointment and having a smaller supply of tablets if needs be.

DH has gone off to the dreaded meal with his dreaded mother so he was all over the place before he left. That means I have to walk in the dark to the GPs which is already putting me on edge. I could leave it til the morning but I just want to know I won't run out of ADs and won't sleep well tonight otherwise.

Not having a good day - just went to make myself beans on toast and DH has eaten all the bread grrrr. Never mind will have some soup and crackers.

Am annoyed at myself. I emailed SIL to say a parcel of books were coming for nieces and nephews Xmas gifts. I ordered them as cheaper than vouchers and more personal and choose the books carefully, felt pleased with what I had ordered. SIL then asked what the books are and I told her.

Now she emails books are no good as nephews have theirs already and niece doesn't like reading. Could we keep the books for our boys (who are several years younger) and send vouchers instead? I really don't have spare cash to leave books in storage for a few years and spend even more money all over again. Feel stupid I didn't check now. In-laws are wealthy and kids don't need any presents at all and last lot of birthdays we didn't receive a thank you either. If it was up to me I would simply say we cannot afford to buy a second lot of gifts and we will have to leave present exchanging this year but that means our boys miss out and DH would never agree. I will just send vouchers. Feel a bit put out tbh especially as they still owe us £20 from ages ago and when we have received duplicate gifts from inlaws we say thanks, stay quiet and regift them. Sorry for the rant, I probably sound petty, just worried about our finances and not havig the best of days.

sq

sq

greenbee

monnagran wrote: »

Hi all,

Can't join in with your doctor horror stories, (I just don't go) but a dear friend of mine has had an awful time. Three years ago she was given 6 months to live (cancer) but here she is still and leading an active life and keeping everyone laughing. The Hospital told her that she needed scans every 3 months to make sure nothing was rampaging around. For the first year everything was fine and then the personnel changed. The new woman told her that she had no right to still be alive and she was being a drain on the NHS by demanding(!) such frequent scans that cast £1,000 a time. I have never seen my friend weep before but she was inconsolable. She has just had her scan 8 months after the last one. They have previously given her the results an hour after the scan, this time she was told that she could ring up on Dec 9th and they would give her the results if they were available.

Something similar happened to me at my last appointment. A registrar (another one I'd never seen) was taking the clinic rather than the consultant. He asked me why I was on 3-monthly appointments and annual biopsies, as I don't have cancer. I pointed out that it was in my notes, but as far as I was aware, it was because oncology had requested it, and that if anything had changed in regards to my diagnosis and treatment plan could he please let me know. My GP is NOT impressed and is supporting me in requesting (as a regular patient who will be attending this clinic until well after the current consultant has retired...) that the consultant and NOT his registrars sees me in future.

PM me if I can help...

ArthriticOldThing

Not petty at all SQ. I personally think she has a nerve to order what she wants as presents from you. I know you say your OH would not go along with not exchanging presents but perhaps you can suggest that for future years as they don't need gifts and don't say thank you.
Like you if I receive duplicate or unsuitable gifts I just say thank you and gently regift it later to where it will be appreciated - as I suspect most people would - after all the point is supposed to be in the giving!

Glad to hear you feel you can be strong at GPs - our local pharmacist will give out a few days supply of meds if this kind of thing happens. Perhaps yours may do that?

gailey_2

Hi guys,

not posted in a while.

not sure if its the weather, fact husbands working 6 day weeks and nights are darker but my moods slumped.

Taking each day at time.

Taking sleeping pills whilst trying to avoid anti depressents.

on positive we have plenty of food in cupboards and freezer still the big shop at farmfoods has been worth doing and although not gone on the hunt as much managed to find few reduced bargains.

The kids have been little terrors meal time so tonights tea for them was

reduced co-op spagetti ready meal feeds wit co-op value garlic bread total cost£1.29 reduced plus 39p=£1.90 or 60p each.They ate it all and had jelly for afters. jelly is great value as one packet at 44p using sall plastic pots about 8servings.

Hubbys not home until late but he can have reduced fish and potatoes with frozen peas

Trying to make life bit simpler

preschool cant give dd2 extra days so shes staying in nursery for y own sanity

dd1 is doing breckfast club 4 days out of 5 so hubby can drop her off save me 2 long walks and struggle get her there on tie but of course costs us extra money.

went in small sainsburys today and they had tree up already.
Most of fb freinds seem to done half their xmas shops already
missed school xmas fair as cost me quite bit last year and 15th nov i not feeling xmasy, Maybe im the grinch but surly 1st dec when it all starts .

got couple small bits but no way prepared

went dentist had my teeth cleaned high on valuim but feel no better still need a filling think im fixated with teeth and dentist cost £49 on nhs.

Keep seeing things about bad cold winter and worrying im not prepared.

other day at spar saw bargain milk reduced we get through so much but in my head dident think ok 30 pints milk heavy to carry but made it home ok!

talking of gps saw a different one who seemed surprisingly nice and actually gave me the meds i wanted and for 28days as explained its nearly 8quid per prescription.

bit axious about pay day as now pay is variable.

hubby has work appeal friday.

small boy still not talking and repair an asked if he was autistic which upset me.

got 2free trial nappies corner shop tonight here shoping happy shopper nappies are good.

After 8 weeks tax credits awarded me nothing as ignored he was unemployed on form, that younger 2 kids exists so and took last years income as income which was too high. numpties guess need to ring the hoping now im in blooming system they can adjust on phone but overall reveiw of inland revenue is they useless. which reminds me hubby has to take his payslip to council on friday.

Sad news in today i like way they adressing real issues like cost of living and cses of malnutrition in uk have gone up and so any going hungry 170%rise in food banks over last 12months very sad.

Our energys gone up.

looks like landlord wants to sell.

washing machine fixed cost £52 to fix but finally caught up on washing.

doing my best to stay strong and positive,

hope ever yones ok and wrapping up warm.

[Deleted User]

Evening Toughies, been orf on me travels again and just back home after walking the Lurcha. Hugs to everyone with health problems, and also to everyone else.

Raclettes are super, we aquired one when we lived in Germany and usually do strips of steak to cook in the pans, strips of chicken and pork are very nice too. Buy the proper Raclette Cheese to melt over everything, nothing else will give the right flavour. We always have nice crusty bread, cooked new potatoes, lots and I mean LOTS of gherkins to go with it. To cook alongside the steak/chicken/pork strips we have sliced onion, mushrooms, peppers, silverskin pickled onions,celery,green olives and always make a big green salad to accompany everything. Cook what you choose in the pan on top of the grill and when it's done to your liking add the cheese and pop it under the grill to melt. It's nice to have some fresh herbs to pop in too and things like chilli seasoning and curry powder are nice additions if you like them. The other retro meal we love once in a while is Fondue, I've got a cast iron fondue pan and spirit burner and you can make the sauce from as humble ingredients as cheddar cheese and cheap cider, it's a fun way to entertain.

FUDDLE we always share the bath water, it's much more sensible than running two separate baths. None of us really get smelly and dirty these days do we? I'm not counting the mud from the garden in that, none of us get bodily dirty so I don't see the problem in sharing the water. Mind I always go first as I like a hot bath and He Who Knows prefers it cooler so is happy to go second.

Will try to post more often, sorry if I've been awol, life gets busy sometimes and I get tired in the evenings these days, Look after yourselves, Lyn xxx.

floss2

savingqueen wrote: »

...Am annoyed at myself. I emailed SIL to say a parcel of books were coming for nieces and nephews Xmas gifts. I ordered them as cheaper than vouchers and more personal and choose the books carefully, felt pleased with what I had ordered. SIL then asked what the books are and I told her.

Now she emails books are no good as nephews have theirs already and niece doesn't like reading. Could we keep the books for our boys (who are several years younger) and send vouchers instead? I really don't have spare cash to leave books in storage for a few years and spend even more money all over again. Feel stupid I didn't check now. In-laws are wealthy and kids don't need any presents at all and last lot of birthdays we didn't receive a thank you either. If it was up to me I would simply say we cannot afford to buy a second lot of gifts and we will have to leave present exchanging this year but that means our boys miss out and DH would never agree. I will just send vouchers. Feel a bit put out tbh especially as they still owe us £20 from ages ago and when we have received duplicate gifts from inlaws we say thanks, stay quiet and regift them. Sorry for the rant, I probably sound petty, just worried about our finances and not havig the best of days...

SQ I would be brave, text or email her and say "Sorry, no, we can't afford to do that." And then log-off your emails