Receding Hospitals

 Hooray it seems the latest approach to Pembro side effects is now starting to work. The Dext is being phased out completely and the new pill dosage doubled up. Don't quote me on medical names but hequinel comes to mind. It has been a month and it seems at least three months is needed for this stuff to ramp up.  If it all works this means it is only standard MRIs, skin checks and blood tests from now on. That's a four year hard work distraction that you don't need. 

artwork while you wait

Another Shot in the Arm

 There was one more present I was still to get after my 70th birthday. This one comes from the government in the form of a pneumonia shot. I went to the Doc's just to check up on how my face is going. Apparently it is being gnawed at quite nicely by the face eating cream. I really don't like that cream. I tried to ease the number of coatings from twice a day to once a day but no way was that happening. He wants it as red raw as possible.  The shot is generally handled well by the body he says. I think it is searching for every nook just to make it ache for a day. The only answer to this is to go over to the beach this afternoon. That is the happy place but keeping a wide brimmed hat on.  

Travel Pills

 We had an appointment today to discuss travelling to exotic locations.  We have been into the backblocks of the Pacific before and I can't remember any emphasis on disease prevention.  We did get a series of shots before an Asian trip one time but it seems Papua New Guinea is a sesspit of germs.  We are getting Malaria tablets and Stemetil as well as the old faithful antibiotics.  We have not been on a ship for 5 years and never into the big bathtub as it has always been in or around the small European bathtub.  After just having flu and covid shots as well, there is no way it will be us causing any medical issues on board.

plain sailing

Have Coffee

 The delivery man came today with a load of coffee pods. So now with coffee, fruitcake and a new shirt anything can happen.   I also had an outing to the physio.  It seems this elbow problem is progressing nicely so I can increase the weight on the exercises and as well, try a flatish 5km bike ride, as a way of giving it a real tester.  The elbow is a bit tender after todays pummeling but that was to be expected.  So now I have to find a flat 5km, which does not really exist around here.

Skin Head

 I have forgotten what it is like having one of those all over aching sensations, fortunately it was only bad for a day, although I still have plenty of symptoms.  I was supposed to go for another medical outing today however anyone with a cold is banned from entering the Doc's.  The top of my head is starting to get a bit red and sore. I am two weeks into the scalping treatment that is supposed to clean up my scone.  The instructions say apply twice a day for four weeks or for as long as you can still bear it, whichever is the shorter.  At least the weather with its persistent showers over the last three days is keeping me out of the Sun. 

Elbow is connected to ...

 I went back to the physio on another out of doors experience.  I have not made much progress with the inflamed elbow as it is now involving the rest of my arm. So I have an additional set of exercises to perform for the shoulder. The overall strength in my right hand has improved from 43 last time to 48 this time around. Not sure what the units are that are being measured. Of course trying to grip and squeeze with arthritic fingers is probably complicating the whole thing. At least I avoided the CATARRH going around here.  Not a cheery post this!

The Invalids

 We have not had a cold or even a sniff since we moved to this house three yar ago, however there is now a throat tickle that got sore, then travelled to the head and chest and is now back to the throat. We have  confirmed that the COVID test is not always correct. Debbie had a test last week and was Negative for COVID however the doctors surgery does not pay any attention to the results. They do not allow anyone with COVID symptoms into the building even though the test says you don't have it. In the meantime a raking cough has moved in.  After a phone consultation it was agreed that she could be seen OUTSIDE the building and even then they were quick to get her out of there.  So don't get a sniffle as you are left out in the cold.  Doctors are being encouraged to delay issuing Antibiotics so we are going to try a second time to see if something can be done.

I spent a week in this chair once and now it is Debbie's turn for the last three days

Golfer's Elbow

 Just when I thought I can't have any outings it is now two days in a row I have been on a trip, this time to the Physio. I have been putting up with an on/off type of elbow pain but it was never really going away. I have had this some years back but then it was tennis elbow for a different part of the arm, this time it is golfing elbow.  I call it lawn mower elbow.  I now have some exercises to do to try and strengthen tendons on the inner arm.  Bike riding was an ongoing factor even though it started with a lawn mower.  So no more riding for a while.

New Skin

 I have been putting off getting the mega dose cream which burns your skin off then lets it regrow. I have used this stuff before but could not bring myself to covering my whole head with it last time, so this is phase two where I will apply it to the back half of my scalp.  Let's see how long I last before I stop. I think it was two weeks last time as it was getting hard to sleep if I remember right.  The doc was upbeat about the COVID jabs. He said in France they stopped people sitting at cafes if they weren't double dosed. The take up rate exploded after that.

I think we have all forgotten what happens at airports. I remember these TSA guys. They almost made us miss a plane once.

Via Dentata

Two events to get excited by. We had a new toilet installed. There was a silent dribble down the bowl sending our water bill up. I am just flushed with that success but there was also the visit to the dentist.  Nothing like an outing to get you out of the house even if its down the via dentata.  (Tooth Road).  I had a filling done, a scale and clean, a fluoride coating and a general checkup for $60.  Dentists are cheap in the country.  It seems my use of tooth picks is ok but I am too rough and damaging on the gums.  She recommended I use a Pikster. I've never heard of it either. It seems I need a size 0. What are these baby teeth?  

Phone Consultation

The Prostate Doc is now doing his followups via telephone due to virus demands although I think its getting a bit old hat.  The PSA is continuing to be a reading of zero so that is the main point of the followups.  The next appointment is for six months. He can churn thru these phone appointments and I bet they might become permanent.  The 5 minute call cost $110 so $1330 per hour.  I went back for the run again today and had no sign of yesterdays hammy.  It was a slow 20 minute jog and the low tide is keeping the flat sand available.

Not enough posts

Forehead Update

I'm sitting here at my perch and I can see pieces of lemon tree disappearing from view and some erratic swinging of the brush cutter.  There was a lemon tree overhanging our fence back at Essendon, and I remember James from time to time reaching in and plucking a lemon for the fish and chips. Anyway there was no report of the vicious one inch spikes that I have just encountered. In my haste to volunteer for the very top of the branch lopping, I was not prepared for the tree to fight back.  I now have gouge marks on already sensitive skin. Ouch.

I can't believe I just did this an hour after writing that last bit.

Forehead Ho

I can't manage any more skin dissolving cream.  I got to 19 days which was yesterday but now I have ceased the application of it.  I had already stopped a week back for the area around the cheeks and nose. It has become a pinkish area and no longer shedding dead bits but now that will start above the eyes and at the back.  The treatment now is just covering the whole lot with moisturiser .

Some parts remain unaffected

Face Time

I have been applying Efudex to my head for the last 11 days and I have been counting those days.  The higher cheek bone area has copped it.  Sleeping is now a problem, as I am bleeding in spots and sticking to my pillow case each night. I am washing it out and drying it every day.  Knowing when to stop and trying not to scratch are the tricks. I am dithering over the coatings on my cheeks and nose at least but definitely continuing on with my forehead and the top of my scone. The guide says to keep up the applications twice a day for another 10 days if I can.  Healing can take weeks.

Chrismata Dentata

Turns out I was the last customer for the dentist after they jigged their schedule to get me in.  I had to see a different one as Ricky Muk was not available. But no problem she filled it up but warned that I should not crunch anything very hard on that tooth ever. Not sure how you eat to avoid one tooth. All this for just $88.  We spent the rest of the time on the deck and doing some packing for the three day Christmas layover.

Happy Prostate day

It has been one year since the Prostate incident and before it all happened it was suggested that one year later, significant healing would have taken place.  The year is up and there have been numerous pills, tests, blood letting and injections.  I'm hoping that Monday will be the last quarterly follow up that I have to do. 

Scarred for life

I have lost count of the scars I have.  Today's must have been at least No 245.  Yet another Skin irritation that had to be removed.  It is 12 months since the "Hole in the Head" incident, so after this annual check up I should be glad it is not another job for the surgeon. In this case the local doc did the excision and I have 5 stitches in my shoulder and no swimming for the next 10 days.  The last skin doc we had left to upgrade to a fully qualified Dermatologist so in the mean time these guys are on the job.

The cold shoulder - Can you pick the problem?

Drysdale Medical

Had a medical checkup at Drysdale Village today including a skin check.  All the vital signs are still vital but the skin check never seems to be completely clear.  I'll just put some dry ice spray on this one and a bit more over on that one.  "OK this one is a bit more interesting it will need cutting out and a few stitches, so we'll need another appointment".   They are better out than in.  Then he goes "good quads, it's an excellent thing to take muscle mass into older age groups. Studies have shown that muscle mass in older generations allows for greater cognitive function". OK muscles can help you think better I don't think I have heard of that one before

Titanium Eyes

It has taken awhile however the new glasses have turned up. Like previously, they arrived in conjunction with a dental appointment. This time the new dentist has really got down to business. I have never had a tongue examination. He has found spots on my tongue! So tongue photos were taken using eleborate mouth stretching tools which I had to use while he aimed his camera.  I do like his prices though as today's half hour cost $0.  Over at the Ocean Eyes the bill has ballooned out over $2000 but hopefully BUPA will bring that down when the sunglasses finally turn up.  I hope that is not in three weeks when the next dental appointment is on.

These are very light weight

Ocean Eyes

Today was the last of a raft of appointments being an eye examination and a pocket gouging.  Hopefully BUPA will bring this bill down below $1000 but we wont know until I pick up the two new pairs of glasses which are bi focaled, polarised, transitioning glasses and maybe I will be able to see out of them.  In the end the test said there was not a lot of change. I did get some photos done which captured an image of a floaty with its tail that I notice occasionally when I am looking at a white background, like a book.  The optometrist says just ignore it.  At least we can go for lunch as part of this trip, like to the Olive Pit.