Tuesday 8 September 2015

Hospital visits.

More hospital visits - after the marathon last year we both hoped we were on the roads to recovery.   The farmer had X rays of hip and knee three weeks ago because both were giving him a lot of trouble.  He went for the results yesterday and found to his relief that he does not need new joints but does need intensive physiotherapy.   As I write this he is receiving just that from our physio, who luckily just happened to have a cancellation today.

I had to go yesterday all the way to hospital forty miles away in Middlesbrough (one of the down sides of living deep in the country).   The farmer's joint problems mean that driving is painful at the moment, so I drove until we hit the town bit (I no longer drive in towns), but had to contend with the farmer sitting on the edge of the passenger seat, gripping his knees with his hands and giving a pretty good impression of a white knuckle ride!

The upshot is that I have to have a fingernail removed on my left middle finger to check whether the malformation of the nail is melanoma.   This will happen as a day patient in around three weeks time - so another white knuckle ride on the outward journey, although the return journey will no doubt be a different matter.

Chimney sweep to the woodburner this morning - now, after lunch, the room is sparkling clean again and it is a good job done before winter.

18 comments:

Frances said...

Hospital visits or even visits to doctors' offices can be tricky. Yes, the experts at these places can give us all sorts of help, treatment and adivce, but sometimes can be upsetting. You and the Farmer certainly seem to have a good outlook on the need for your recent visits.

I hope that the Farmer's phys therapy will give him much more ease of movement. And, as someone who has a certain medical history with my own skin and now has semi-annual checkups, I hope that your shedding of that fingernail won't lead to additional procedures.

Now. Having typed that, I want to let you know how delicious your meal of stuffed marrows, broadbeans and berries with ice cream sounds. Perfect late summer meal, celebrating nature's bounty. I might try a variation of stuffed marrows myself!

Best wishes. xo

Rachel Phillips said...

Keep away from all doctors is my motto. They will always find something. Surely they could do a test without removing the nail. Don't they have needles in Middlesbrough?

Heather said...

I hope the physio will be gentle with the farmer and that he will soon feel more comfortable. I also hope your finger will recover quickly and need no further treatment.

Joanne Noragon said...

It never rains, as they say. Best of luck on all counts.

Mac n' Janet said...

Know the feeling, every time I go to the doctor seems like find something else to hem and haw about. I don't drive in town any more either and I can't get my husband to let me drive if he's in the car.

Gwil W said...

You may not recall it but my original diagnosis was correct (see my reply on your post about spending too long looking behind on the tractor). I am delighted for him. About 10 sessions over 4 weeks should do it. Or failing that, another 10. From personal experience I can recommend a combination of massage, mudpack, and ultrasonics.

donna baker said...

I feel your pain. When I have to go to the doctor, it is as if I'm that young child that has to be dragged kicking and screaming. Though I don't act like that anymore, I still feel it inside.

Terra said...

White knuckle drives are never fun, for the driver or the passenger :) I hope your future test with your finger nail will show it is not a problem. I assume the finger nail will grow back?

Wilma said...

What Rachel said! Don't they have needles? Hope it is not as painful as it sounds and that the tests are negative for melanoma. PT can often work wonders on hip pains.

Anonymous said...

I think no one really likes hospital visits.They are one the many things in life that have to be endured.But its not for long!God bless you and the Farmer and keep you safe.

Cro Magnon said...

That sounds awful... sorry to be such a pessimist. I only visit the doc (for renewed prescription) when I'm feeling really well. I float in with a big healthy smile, and tell him that I feel great; otherwise I'm sure he'd find some foul torture for me too.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for the commiserations. Apparently they have to send the nail to some lab somewhere for analysis - as to whether it will grow back - I sure hope so.
Farmer came back from the physio feeling so much better thatI do hope it last.

thelma said...

Well I do hope your finger nail comes back, and that the problem will be solved. Good news for the farmer as well. X

The History Anorak said...

I hope both of you emerge fit and well - and in the very near future.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for calling in.

Terry and Linda said...

Terry is a back seat, white-knuckle rider as well, drives me bats. He doesn't want to drive so I do. Only I draw the line in the cities and towns. I hope both of you get to feeling better...it's hard not really feeling well all the time.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Good luck with all these things on you medical list. Hope that nail turns out to be nothing.

CK Physiotherapy said...

Seems like you've both had a bad time of it! At least he doesn't need an operation and physiotherapy can do absolute miracles. I had a short course for a trapped nerve in my shoulder that had driven me crazy for years- the pins and needles were unbearable! Anyway after only a couple of sessions it was already massively improved.

Emmett Fletcher @ CK Physio