21st November 2024
After Jackie had de-iced the windscreen, swathed in our warmest garments early this morning we drove into a curtain of ceaseless swirling snow and sleet all the way to Southampton General Hospital for the last of my current spell of BCG vaccine installation, only to be told once we had walked through steady precipitation to the main entrance and up to the Urology Department that I had no appointment today.
I needed to be at my firm persistent best, barely concealing my frustrated anger, to persuade the rather abrupt receptionist to check with the nurses. My appointment, despite my having been sent two reminders for it, was not on the system. Eventually, Fiona, who had been attending to another patient, came out. She of course knew I should have had one and confirmed that, although it wasn’t on their spreadsheet, she would fit me in as soon as she has seen two more people. She did and was most apologetic, as was Anna, who joined in at the end of the smoothly undertaken procedure.
The next step is for the camera to check whether all is well. This will be undertaken probably in the first week of January. I will be sent a date for that. Hopefully.
Our return journey was uneventful, except that the precipitation had turned to slush and snowballs slid from the trees overhead, slapping the windscreen. We regretted not having a camera on board as we observed that we had never seen trees bearing festive flakes and autumn splendour simultaneously.
As my concentration is more than somewhat hampered by the usual urgent after effects of this procedure, I prepared this clutch of culling a couple of days ago:
This picture of Michael & Piper from June 1977 appears in each of https://derrickjknight.com/2012/06/22/geoff-austins-shoes/ and https://derrickjknight.com/2012/06/30/piper/
These images are survivors from https://derrickjknight.com/2012/10/16/cricket-in-the-street/
These pages are survivors from https://derrickjknight.com/2014/11/27/teenage-creativity/but since I still have the originals, perhaps they should be deleted.
These pictures were a surprise from https://derrickjknight.com/2014/02/11/sneaky-little-becky/
and these from August 1964 featured in https://derrickjknight.com/2014/01/22/a-link/
So hampered was my concentration that I didn’t actually post this after we enjoyed Jackie’s wholesome chicken stewp and fresh bread
I’ve noted the late time of post. But understand why. Hope you have a restful day and winter goes someplace else.
Thank you very much, Catherine
A frustration you don’t need. Hope your next appointment is on the books.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
It shouldn’t have to be such a battle, Derrick and one you and Jackie could well do without. Hope the side-effects are short-term and wearing off. No snow here yet in East Anglia but very chilly. The photo of the bride and her windswept wedding veil is lovely! 😀
So frustrating to have to go out in bad weather and then almost not getting the treatment. I’m glad Fiona was there. I did wonder at the timing of this post, I hope you’re soon feeling better!
Thank you very much, Merril. Somewhat better today. I must have pressed the wrong thing last night
I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better.
Hope the appt. in Jan. works out.
Try not to delete anything, whenever I do that, I’m sorry later on.
With 58,000 pics I have to do something soon :). Thanks a lot, GP
Reduce the size of them.
I’m afraid I don’t know how to do that, but Peacock Computers now do it automatically for me
I’m glad you finally received your treatment at the hospital. It beggars belief that the computerised systems are not synchronised regarding appointments and the reception desk.
I enjoyed reading the old posts. I also learnt to type on a similar typewriter; I believe it was an Olivetti.
I especially like the poems.
Thanks very much, Andrew
I have stored all of my pictures onto an 800 gigabyte external hard drive. They are quite safe there.
Well done and thanks very much, Andrew
Thank goodness for Fiona! Holy cats, what a drive you had in bad weather. Utterly adorable pictures to brighten even the most dismal day.
Thank you so much, Laurie
What a horrible situation to be in, to weather the horrible sleet and snow and then be told that you didn’t have an appointment that day! I am happy you were seen and taken care of with the BCG Vaccine installments.
I love love love the thoughts about the “examination” of time ticking. Wonderful composition.
Thank you so much, Zakiah
It is getting terrible I know of patients in our Hospital, with similar experiences…. My Daughter in law was admitted into the Major Ward for a very urgent problem … They gave her a prescription after 8 hours of waiting .. To be told she had been overlooked.. She took the prescription back to her local Chemist. Only to be told it had not been signed… She then had to travel back to the hospital and wait again until a Dr could sign it.. She took it back to the Chemists only to be told again, He couldn’t give it her as the Dr had not put the prescribed dosage on the prescription by that time she was in tears.. As she had been in acute pain…
Sending you thoughts and prayers Derrick… and Lots of Hugs xx <3 The snow still hanging around her further North… 🙂 xx
Good grief Sue. At least the medics I deal with are all first rate – only the administration falters. XX
I would probably not have been as gracious as you after driving in a snowstorm to be informed I had not appointment. Fortunately hopefully all’s well that ends well.
Oh, believe me, I was not gracious – more like contained. Thanks very much, Pat
I am glad the clinic still took you for your appointment! That was bad weather to be out in.
I love the photo of Michael & Piper from 1977. Your Michael’s tree is still growing well, and is much taller than me now.
Thank you so much, Lavinia
So glad that you were finally able to receive your BCG vaccine 🙂 It’s very frustrating when someone slips up at their task. Photos add so much magic to our lives, don’t they?
They do. Thank you very much, Rosaliene
That sounds like a rough day from so many angles. Derrick, I have been appreciating the details that you share with us about your challenges with care, with desk attendants, with weather, with frequency of obstacles, with the after-effects of treatment. These are things that should be discussed because otherwise how will the rest of us ever know? I am getting to the age when I need to start paying attention to how persistent self-advocacy needs to be part of my toolbox, humility as well, and deep patience for all the many steps required in a serious health regimen.
On top of all that, you both take time to marvel at snow on autumn leaves. All my love to you both.
Thank you so much from each of us, Crystal. That is exactly why I am detailing the progress. XX
So frustrating. (sad face)
So glad you got your treatment and could get on with life. 🙂
So happy you had such beautiful trees (“decorated by 2 seasons) to bring you joy! 🙂
I enjoyed the photos and poem…I like seeing poems written in print or long-hand. 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
Well done for the persistence. It was a pity that it was needed.
Thank you very much, Toolepedal
Your teenage poem captures the exam room experience perfectly.
Thank you so much, Liz – so pleasing coming from you
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Sorry for the frustrations
Thanks very much, Garry. No more procedures until January
I like the Examination Room poems – all four versions. Mine would have more scratches and rewrites. You’re a better penman than I.
Thank you very much, John. You tell a better story
Thank you Derrick but we tell different stories neither are better
Indeed
You would expect the receptionist to be more helpful ☹️. Lovely pictures
Yes. I did let the nurses know. Thanks very much, Robbie
I’m glad Fiona made it happen for you!
Thank you so much, Barbara
So delightful, to look through older photos, recollections… 60’s to 80’s vintage air, and so elegant, truly a treat. I enjoy doing that too, on my own or with my son, going down memory lane a bit, he is often impressed by black and white photos, older film cameras… and so 🙂 Also, sneaky little Becky is super sweet! 🙂
Thank you very much, Nicole
Thank goodness someone was on the ball at the hospital
Indeed. Thanks a lot, Sheree
That’s an excellent poem Derrick. It’s frustrating to hear that you had problems at the hospital again.
Thanks very much, Kim