The Medical Thread

Pretty sure I contracted this at my grandson's Year 6 School assembly last week. Outside it was nudging 90 degrees and inside the small hall was jam packed with no Aircon and quite a few people coughing. The last 15 minutes were really uncomfortable, I wonder how many others have gone down with this just from that one event...

 

Super spreaders

 

Got an invitation for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening ultrasound a few weeks ago. Surprised me as I had never heard of this, but they are offered to men (only, we are at hugely higher risk) in their 65th year around here, and have been for the last 13 years- apparently not consistent around the country.

Just had the scan and not even a hint of an aneurysm, yippee. No more scans as a result. If your aorta is over 3 cm you get annual checks, over 4 every 3 months, over 5 you are in for surgery. Big surgery, but it’s a life saver.

If invited I’d suggest going, takes 10 minutes and they give you the results immediately. It seems a lot of blokes don’t bother. At least it’s cheap for the NHS when they drop dead on the spot….

 

Same here in South Wales - I was invited 2 years ago just after my 65th, and similarly a lot of guys don’t bother turning up for their appointments.

I was ‘clear’ so no further scans or appointments for me.

 

I had one of them a few years back and was all clear.

A good friend was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer after a random blood test. Caught early and treatable, although he's opted to have it removed, which has certain repercussions. Screening really can be a life saver.

 

Had another ultrasound test done for prostate. Had to go in with a full bladder. The nurse keep pressing / rubbing the hand held device against my bladder, making me need a piss really bad.

Nurse said l can only pee for 10 seconds and to come back for more screening. Out l went & back on the bed for more screening ….. had to go again….. couldn’t hold any longer….nurse said, hold for on & on & on …. I’m shaking & jigging holding on. Doctor came in, still more screening…. FFS….. back out for another pee.

Wow, that was tough. End result, slightly enlarge but ok for a 64 year old.

Next test, cyst on kidneys ……