Wednesday 18 November 2009

Mike's Operation And Other Things




I might as well start with the other things. The weather was so awful over the weekend, rain was falling in absolute sheets and the wind was howling. Our old sun room must know that it is going and was getting its own back on us.


I was doing the daily Trivial Pursuit online and then remembered something I wanted to tell my beloved. He was sitting at the table in the sun room reading the paper. I opened the patio door to go out there and immediately heard a large plop! Looking at the floor, there was a huge puddle on the carpet and, on looking up, I received a large drop of water in the face. My beloved had not heard nor noticed a thing. The roof had sprung a very large leak.


He had to go out in the most foul weather and do something about it. Luckily in our garage we had a very large green sheet, more like a tarpaulin, that we have hung on to for years just in case it came in handy. Well, it most certainly did. Mike had to get the ladder out, climb onto the roof and spread the sheet right across and then anchor it down with bricks and slabs. He found the place where the roof had deteriorated - a small patch where it had gone soft and caved in.
He was drenched when he got back in. However, it did the job and no more water has come in.

We have left it as it is because it is raining again today with more strong winds. Next Monday demolition work is due to commence providing the weather allows. Obviously the workmen cannot attempt it in the pouring rain. Just as well we decided to have it rebuilt. Now the roof has gone, it would be pointless putting a new roof on when a lot of the wood has gone rotten and been repaired so many times it is a wonder it is still standing.
It was originally built by the first owners (we are the third or fourth) and it has been there for over forty years so the man must have done a good job, it has lasted well. It will be strange to see it come down and have nothing outside our lounge for a couple of days until they begin erecting the new one.


Mike had his eye operation yesterday and is now home. He admitted to being very scared. They lasered away the cataract that was at the back of his eye. He thought that was all they were going to do but no - they implanted a lens as well. They say if all goes well, he will no longer need glasses after wearing them for 65 years! Mike was amazed. He did not enjoy the procedure but felt no pain. He now has a clear plastic cover to wear over the eye for four days and has to put drops in four times a day for a couple of months. He goes back for a check-up in three weeks.

Next year, they will do the other eye. Just cataract removal in that one because the sight in it has always been so poor they do not think a lens will help but he will undergo further eye tests beforehand so they are absolutely sure.
Anyway, at the moment he is not wearing his glasses and can see perfectly well. He says everything is crystal clear. He was warned that it could come and go at first as the implant has to really settle in but eventually his eyesight should remain clear.


So full marks to the National Health Service. He said he could not have received better treatment and had not expected the added bonus of the lens and being able to dispense with his glasses. People run our health service down and I know our American friends, or some of them are worried about social health care as they are referring to it, but I cannot praise ours highly enough. Everything Mike had done did not cost us a penny either for the surgery, the implant, the drugs he had to take, the eye drops or the eye shield. I had wonderful treatment when I had my diagnosis two years ago.


Yes, health care has to be paid for out of taxes and National Insurance contributions made by working people but our health care is free to all, nobody is ever turned away. I would not have it any other way. I would hate the American system where you have to have health insurance and if you do not have it, they refuse to treat you. Maybe our health service is not perfect but I would struggle to think of anything better.


Anyway, it is almost lunchtime, so I will leave it there for now.

Take care everyone.


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25 comments:

  1. What wonderful news that Mike is doing so well. Last time I had an eye check up they said catarats were starting to form and maybe in about 10 years I'd be a candidate for that surgery. It's so true that our health programs are a mess. We have medicare for those 65 and older, which is supposed to cover 80% when we retire and still have to carry additional insurance to cover the other 20% It costs alot of money too. It has made it very hard for me to retire as where I work currently pays for the insurance. I guess it is good you are getting a new sun room. That must have been a shock having that water hit you in the face like that. We've been blessed with unusually good weather here for November. A little rain coming in later today, but I don't think it'll be much. Thank you for sharing the news from your house. I've been praying and am glad to know Mike is doing just fine.

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  2. GLAD TO HEAR THE OP WENT WELL AND WHAT A BONUS!!

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  3. Pleased that Mike is doing well post op, Jeannette. Hope the weather improves in time for your building works.

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  4. Glad to hear that Mike's surgery went so well, please pass on my best wishes. Hope the weather calms down so that your old sun lounge can be safely taken down. We have rain and strong winds up here too, oh roll on Spring! Can't wait to see photos of your new sun lounge! Bet it will be wonderful. Eileen x

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  5. i agree with every word you say about our NHS jeannette.how the USA treat its old health wise is awful.i cant praise my local health authority enough.they saved my life.take care,good luck with the new sun lounge,love mort xcxxx

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  6. Glad to hear Mike's eye op went well....stay dry!!
    xoxox

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  7. I am glad everything went well with his surgery.. My MIL couldn't believe how well she could see. And blue was so blue. Hope the roof gets fixed soon.

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  8. So glad Mike's surgery went well =), good news! It is so good to hear you praise your national health care. Being in the US, I am a bit worried about what is in store for me and my loved ones, as I have had top notch care for free for the past 20 years. Hopefully it won't take too long to work out the wrinkles and everyone will have good care in this country. It is a shame we have those who don't have care in a country that is wealthy. You take good care, my dear. Love, Val xox

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  9. so glad that you made a post! xo

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  10. happy to hear mike is doing well, after his surgery. hope he conts to improve.
    can't stay up long, but wanted to let you know that i have him (& you)in my prayers.
    huggies...

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  11. Good to read your input on insurance. I think most of us older people here are confused about it all. So glad Mike is doing so well.

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  12. What a fright you must have got when you saw the water !! Thank goodness for good old Mike and the old tarpaulin, lets hope it keeps on till they men come to take it down alltogether..It really is an amazing operation the one for cataracts. My good neighbour was the same, no need for glasses after wearing them for over 60 years, she gae us a laugh though when she coudn't get used to not wearing them she got a pair with clear glass in them LOL
    Much Love Sybil xx As for our National Health Service there is nothing to beat it.

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  13. Glad that Mike did so good with his surgery and can now see so well. Helen

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  14. Glad to hear Mike's op went so well.

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  15. Glad Mike is doing well. I had that surgery this time last year and was good in a few days. so he will be too...

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  16. I am so glad Mike's sugery went well ~ and he is making a good recovery ~ Ally x

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  17. I am so pleased to hear Mikes treatment went well ,isnt it amazing how far this procedure has come ,I can remember when patients would be in hospital for two/three days ,So were you singing rain drops keep falling om my head all day ? ,hope they are able to build your new sun room ,with no setbacks ...love Jan xx

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  18. Hi Jeannette,

    I`m so pleased that Mike`s surgery went well. How wonderful that he can see so well now too. I can only praise the NHS because all my experiences with them have been first rate, Jim is exactly the same. There will always be faults as in anything in life but I wouldn`t change the NHS for a "get what you pay for" system.

    I hope it won`t be too long before you have your new conservatory built. It will be lovely once its done. Take care and give our love to Mike. :o)

    Love and Hugs

    Sandra xxxx

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  19. That is so wonderful that Mike is able to see so clearly so soon after the surgery. My doctor now thinks if my ear infection persists as it has this entire year, he will be able to refer me to a Ear,Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor locally that will accept my Medicaid card. I have a wick in my ear again, like I did at the end of July so that the anti-biotic ear drops will be able to flow into my badly swollen right ear canal. I am on a steroid pack to take down the swelling again. I can say that I am treated very well by my primary care clinic/doctor. You know the problem I have been having from the email I sent you. I hope you will get a good contractor that will charge a fair amount to do the building work. mark/salty

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  20. I'm so glad that Mike's surgery went well and that he'll have such good vision in that eye.

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  21. happy to hear mikes surgery went well. so sorry about the bad weather and the leak. when it rains it pours doesn't it? Keep well, and (((hugs))) to you both.

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  22. wow! Get Well soon Mike! So sorry that you had to venture outside to fix that roof! hope all goes well!
    hugs, natalie

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  23. i am so glad mike's surgery went well and he got that added bonus.......clear eyesight. and sorry to hear of the diluge of rain, both inside and outside the house. glad you are getting the porch replaced.

    have a blessed thanksgiving, even though you are overseas.

    hugs,

    regina

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  24. Hi Jeannette
    I am pleased Mike eye op went well and he's getting on alright .Sorry you have sprung a leek .I know you will love your new conservatory as we do ours .Its great to look out into the garden but keep snug and warm in doors .Enjoy the weekend ..love and hugs ..Jeanxx

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  25. So glad all went well for Mike! I think there are horror stories in any health care system. I am so relieved to know that yours have served you well.

    We are some of the poor, the uninsured in the U.S. It takes a month just to get to see the doctor at the sliding scale clinic...so don't think you can go just for a cold or rash or something else that comes up suddenly.

    The best thing to ever come about for us regarding health or medicine was Wal-Mart initiating their $4.oo perscriptions. A large list of drugs that have been around and are tried and true that our doctor can choose from and save us money. No proof of income needed.

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