Walking into another chapter ...

TallGirl

Fab process on the to do list. Happy belated birthday 

benbenandme

Morning, so today is the day I should have been off on my cruise Going to try to keep busy and not think about it too much. Yesterday I planned a pottering day but ended up being super productive - food shop, bed stripped, washed and remade, yet another trip to the tip with various bits from the garage, then I decided to tip all my clothes onto the bed and sort them. Two more bags for the clothing bank, drawers and wardrobe all nicely sorted and I really don't need to get much for the winter - I do need a black jumper (I binned all 4 that I had), and probably a long length padded coat. Possibly some shoes for work just to get me through until we're back in boots weather territory.

I also had an email from work yesterday, every tear our annual support staff payrise is due in April. The unions always battle it out and we tend to be awarded it (plus the back pay) in November, nicely in time just before Christmas. Anyway, this year the union accepted the offer so we are getting it this month instead. I think it will be an extra £70ish a month, very welcome, and £300-£350 in backpay. I think I will put the backpay into my Birthday/Christmas gift fund as that is always a bit tight, so at least there will be some spare in there.



 

pixiechick99

Yes, I'm excited to see how much my back pay is this month😁 I will stash it in a separate pot too, ready for Christmas shopping (urgh, just the thought of that...!)
2 weeks left to go of holidays and this is when I get a bit more productive - realising that I haven't done as much as I planned😂😂

Sarahwithlove

We don't get ours until end of September pay! So annoying my council always takes an extra month to everyone else. Im trying to rack up the overtime hours ready for extra on those as well. 

benbenandme

So Sunday teatime I was feeling down as I knew my cruise was departing without me  
Within a couple of hours I had the worst gallbladder attack I've had to date. Basically spent 6 hours vomiting every 3/4 minutes, in agony. Had nothing inside to bring up after about the first ten minutes but it just wouldn't stop. Would've gone to A&E if I thought I could even make it down the stairs ...

Anyway, have been in bed ever since, stomach muscles / sides, lower back are agony, literally feels like I've torn all of them. Last night I rang 111 who told me I should've gone to A&E, but now sounds like just slowly recovering. Told if it gets worse again to go straight there. I called the med secretary for my consultant to ask how long the waiting list is now and she was so rude ... told me I've only been on it 4 months and I've got at least a year to wait. I asked if I could be moved up as my symptoms are getting worse, she said I could ask my GP to write to them but it would only save a week or two, "there are lots of people waiting". Now I'm not suggesting there aren't, or that I'm a special case, but she was just so dismissive. 111 and my GP have both advised me to go to A&E as its the only way to get seen quicker and they both agree I need to be.

It has made me think I might divert my new payrise to private healthcare, it won't cover this as its a pre existing condition, but the NHS is just not fit for purpose anymore. Funny how extra money comes our way just when we need something new

Blackcats

Sorry that you are suffering with your gallbladder.  It's a terrible set of symptoms that it brings with it when it flares up.  One of our grown up kids was told a year's wait for an op but their GP kicked up a fuss and they got it done at a private hospital who are helping with NHS waiting lists.  3 weeks from referral there to the operation.  Fabulous care before, during and after.  Might be worth asking your GP if there is a similar waiting list initiative in your area.
in the meantime I hope you start to feel a bit better.

benbenandme

Thanks Blackcats xx

A much better day today, I managed to eat a slice of toast last night and it helped me sleep, not having an empty tummy. Today I have managed to shower, get dressed, and potter about doing bits and pieces. I've had to rest regularly but haven't had any naps today. I did manage to strip the bed and ds helped me remake it with clean bedding, so that feels so good tonight to get into a clean bed after laying in it for so long.

I had some more toast for breakfast and had beans on toast for tea. I've been sipping water and peppermint tea throughout the day too. Feel much more like myself, hopefully a good nights sleep tonight will have me pretty much back to normal tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Jellytotts

I went private for my gallbladder removal, the waiting list was 2 years and I was having attacks every few days even on the ultra low fat diet. Saw the private consultant on the Wednesday and was booked in for a week later (he had a few days leave or I’d have been in within 3 days).

Best thing I ever did. Couldn’t cope with the pain of those attacks. I can’t eat much fried food/eggs or lentils now but every thing else is fine.

Consultation was £300 and op (keyhole) cost £6k but included any follow up surgery or more complicated surgery if it was needed. In at 7am, home by 5pm (it did take a good few weeks to recover though)

in_need_of_direction

Money well spent

benbenandme

So the holidays are coming to an end, we aren't back in work until Wednesday but it feels like it's drawing to a close, plus its the last day of the month today, so banking has been sorted and the holiday list will be updated below. There is a lot on it that hasn't been achieved but overall I feel like progress has been made - ds room being done being the main bit.

Today I am going for a nice walk with a friend I used to work with, other than that not much is planned. I did do a food shop last night, mainly stocking up cupboard staples, the fridge isn't looking too full but there's enough stuff there to keep me going for now. I did buy a tumble dryer this week, I've been thinking about getting one for quite a while and having a third person here means there is more bedding and while we have been able to dry everything outside all summer that won't be the case in the winter, so I treated myself. It arrived yesterday and is in the garage, I love it already This afternoon there is a free electricity hour (Octopus) so I will be using it then. It won't be used for all washing, mainly towels and when ds and friend need uniform dried quickly for work. 

Right, updated list to follow ...