Philip (Phil) England

Another new month, we sure are zooming through 2023 aren't we! August started with a visit to Neath Port Talbot hospital and an appointment in the Rheumatology department. I had to score my aches and pains and the Fibromyalgia. I think I may have under scored them some what! Time to keep taking a record for this month starting with 2nd August! WEDNESDAY 2nd: Feeling run down and achy, about 5 out of 10. I did have an appointment to see the nurse at the surgery, but emailed to cancel as feeling less than well enough to venture out. BP FIRST THING 124 / 83    BLOOD SUGAR 6.9 THURSDAY 3rd: I HAD to venture out to get some bits. Went to Home Bargains, was pushing the trolley and my hip started playing up. My aches and pains this morning started as about a 4 out of 10. By the time I got back to the car it turned in to 6 out of 10. Still not finished I made my way to Morrisons. By the time I finished in there I was feeling very run down, every bone in my body and every joint was...

October, and Autumn seems to have really arrived  with wind and rain! The early part of this month I felt very sluggish and tired, spent a lot of time in bed, I really think I have the seasonal blues!. Friday 7th: Had Nero as always during the day time, then in the evening had Cosmo and Harley, but before they arrived decided to invite Neil up to help me with them. Saturday 8th: Had a pain in my side when I woke up, it was there a little bit yesterday but only slight. Run Neil and the dogs over to his. In the evening pain was still there but worse, not bad enough to warrent phoning NHS111 or out of hours doctor. Sunday 9th: Feeling cold, and still have that pain, but it is easing. Monday 10th: Monday morning, start of a new week, same old problems. Back, neck and shoulders up to their usual thing, pain at a so-so level of 5 out of 10. I'm feeling cold and drained, but I must get the milk in though, so must summon up the energy to get out of bed! Tuesday 11th: The pain continues...

  In to September we go, and not a good start to it really... I haven't been feeling too good the last few days, not too sure how I am today yet either, but I was just sick, so that's not good. I just want to be well and not in pain any more, and have the vision back in my left eye. At long last, got my eye surgery appointment date . 14th Sept to have pre op check, 19th for Covid test (I think), then have to self isolate so I don't catch anything until 22nd Sept - operation day. 8th September: The passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II , what a massive part of life she has been, always there to look up to, and who's kind words soothed the nation, especially during the pandemic. It really feels like part of the world has been taken away, my heart is aching. 11th September: Slight pain flare up, not too bad, about a 7.5 out of 10 12th September, 4am: Just woke up and was sick, don't feel too good. On the plus side the pain seems to have subsided, its at about a 6 out of...

  Blog Entry: Tuesday 12 th July 2022 Yesterday I went to Singleton Hospital to have my bloods done, I have got a doctor’s appointment on the 21 st to see the Diabetic Nurse, will find out the results of those then. Been to dentist today, had three fillings. No other planned dental work to be done right now.   Blog Entry: Saturday 16 th July 2022 Been dropping things a lot the last few days, not really too sure why. Messiest mess was pasta and sauce with cheese on top…. what a mess, not sure how but it ended up all over my landline phone, the side of the sofa, the phones USB charging cable and even found a bit of pasta in a pot plant! It was lucky that I had a friend’s two dogs here this weekend to look after (they looked after me, more than me look after them!), they are really good at cleaning up dropped food!

Really fed up with my left eye. Floaters and blurriness.  Went to the hospital on Monday, had eye drops and then pictures taken. Went in to get eye examined. The specialist confirmed that there had been a bleed at the back of the eye, but couldn't see the source of it, so decided not to zap with laser to fix the issue. My eye seems to be producing lots of gunk, keep having to wipe clean, some mornings have to unstick my left eye. Using gentle eye drops which seem to help. A further appointment for Monday 13th December has been made, so this blog post will be updated further then. Now, the eye problem is diabetes related, on the Friday before I saw the diabetic nurse, good news, blood sugars are down close to where they should be, it is still the intention to get me off the Insullin as soon as is possible. Also my cholesterol is in a good place.  While in with the nurse, I chatted to her about how I was feeling. Told her that I am fed up, and that I can't bring myse...

  Mental Health & Covid-19 With the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns easing and the continue rising of cases in some areas of the UK, it is natural to feel stressed, to feel anxiety and confusion. First of all, it is ok, more than ok to have a cry. Crying is a good way to release pressure, and to help get things out in the open. No one is weak if they cry, and don’t let anyone tell you any different. I have been suffering with depression for years, not being able to fully shake it. I have found talking to friends a good way to help. At the moment I feel the NHS is under more than enough pressure with things to deal with. There are a number of mental health charities out there that can give help and advice, such as Mind. You can contact them via social media platforms, as well as going to their website at https://www.mind.org.uk and this page can make sure you get the right help that you need   https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool Back in 2020, arou...

  Great Back Pain – 20 th August 2021 Last night I went down stairs, knees popping and left hip hurting, to put the milk bottle out, on putting it down I somehow kicked off my bad back pain. It was a shooting pain that really stopped me dead in my tracks. I slowly made it back in to the flat, every move sending shooting pain up my back. Pain at a 8 I took some pain killers and also some CBD oil and went to bed half dressed Woke up a number of times in the night in agony, but managed to get back off to sleep. Pain at a 7 Finally woke this morning at about 8:45am still in pain but not as much, took my morning medication with a cuppa. Started to get back to normal manageable pain levels – Pain at a 5 , so went down to get the milk in. It happened again, bad back pain again, shooting up my back. So once again I slowly made it back to my flat, sat down and had a cry. Pain at a 8 This is no way to live, and knowing nothing can be done does not fill me with any kind of excite...