The Doctor will see you now.

[John Gill]

Every year, similar to some aboard here, I am invited to attend my local health centre for an annual review. I’m familiar with the routine, off to the blood bank, donate an armful, then make an appointment for results. The hallowed portals of the Doctors surgery are never entered, instead the Practice Nurse awaits. My experience last year almost left me traumatised. I’m almost 86 and have the usual list of age related issues, but when they are analysed one by one with dire warnings if I don’t comply with her suggested lifestyle for me, makes me nervous. As mentioned, the nurse was female. Well, think Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest or maybe Kathy Bates from Misery, and you’ll have some idea of my experience. My next review is next month usually around my birthday (May4th) , hoping the force be with me and I encounter a gentler experience.
Gilly.

[Johnny Kieran]

Hope all goes well for you Gilly.
I understand how you feel about medical things. Our local surgery send out letters about 4 times a year for an "annual" blood pressure reading done at home. I often wonder how educated they are. Also, an urgent check up for 13 months time.
Everything is done on line, but I've told them I don't do on line with my phone. I went in to ask them how to do it on my phone, they were stumped to find it was an ordinary mobile phone and not a smart phone. I fell over laughing when they tried to connect it to their system. I said for them to email things, but no, they can't do that, it's not how they do things.
I think the NHS in the UK is finished.

[j.sabourn]

#1 I have on my long list of medications , faults and things not being what they used to be John , the notation among all the serious stuff , “ will not wear his hearing aids” just like a naughty little boy. This came about by my first visit to this female GP of mid eastern origin who spoke very stilted English behind a surgical mask. when I said pardon a few times my wife butted in and said “ he won’t wear his hearing aids”. I am now a marked man for every specialist and would be do gooder who has a copy of my defects knows my bad habits.i still refuse to wear them when I think they are not necessary and still waiting for the GP to learn better English and maybe take off her mask. Cheers JS
PS my next geriatric meeting with a specialist is in August I was told this in January , have put on calendar in case I forget but won’t tell them that unless they keep me in . JS

[Doc Vernon]

Similar to you JG
I am turning 85 this coming June, and again have to g and see the Doctor and Eye Specialist, for Testing etc. Also at same time have to have Medical for Yearly Driving Test, which involves Blood Testing , and the Normal junk! LOL

Then the Eye Test with Drops in the Eyes that make you blind LOL

After all that, the Actual Driving Test (85 and over) Manual , thankfully with my own Vehicle!
Thats for Two Years at least, so a Break after this .

Oh this age thing is not always so good is it! But still Happy as Larry, and life goes on! How i dont know , as i feel i should have gone long time back with all my Trials and Tribulations of the Dark past! Eeeeeek!!!

[Des Jenkins]

Hi Vernon.
If you don't drive out of Blackhath you can get a limited licensee say ten or fifteen miles distance, then you don't have anymore driving tests'.
I think I will lose mine in July as at 93 My eyesight is not getting any better, though I don't wear glasses when walking around , only for TV and Driving, and the Comp all different lenses, when doing things around the house I don't wear glasses, only thing is I have a pair for the computer a pair for watching TV and a pair for trying to read the paper or book. It's a bugger but one must prevail. One thing we have here is a free taxi service two and from the RSL we get cards from the Council that pay for it.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Told by my GP that the gov says all over 75 must have annual medical.
I have for many years now had an annual FBE with no worries.

So off I go to see the nurse, nice lady I know from Flu shots.

Usual bits, blood pressure, MCG, weight, Height ect.
Then into the office for the oral bit.

First thing she says is remember these three things, Apple, Tap, penny.
So into it, copy this drawing, write a short sentence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stop I said, I do not have Dementia so no good you looking for it!!!!!

She looked at me and said,
'you are the first patient to have worked that out, how come'


I am not stupid i told her, I worked in aged care for 6 years so i know all about it.

Seen her every year since and we chat after she has done the basic stuff, she just fills out the form, normal, see you next year.

Thankfully I do not take any regular medication, have normal blood pressure, apart from when our PM come son TV, and am still fairly fit.
Eat a good diet, get plenty of exercise by doing 6 klm walks at week end, but glasses are a bother.
Reading ones fine, but wear some for distance and had them made as sunnies.
Wear them every where, no one can see my eyes!!!!!

[John Gill]

Told by my GP that the gov says all over 75 must have annual medical.
I have for many years now had an annual FBE with no worries.

So off I go to see the nurse, nice lady I know from Flu shots.

Usual bits, blood pressure, MCG, weight, Height ect.
Then into the office for the oral bit.

First thing she says is remember these three things, Apple, Tap, penny.
So into it, copy this drawing, write a short sentence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stop I said, I do not have Dementia so no good you looking for it!!!!!

She looked at me and said,
'you are the first patient to have worked that out, how come'


I am not stupid i told her, I worked in aged care for 6 years so i know all about it.

Seen her every year since and we chat after she has done the basic stuff, she just fills out the form, normal, see you next year.

Thankfully I do not take any regular medication, have normal blood pressure, apart from when our PM come son TV, and am still fairly fit.
Eat a good diet, get plenty of exercise by doing 6 klm walks at week end, but glasses are a bother.
Reading ones fine, but wear some for distance and had them made as sunnies.
Wear them every where, no one can see my eyes!!!!!

Compared to my experience John, you’re very fortunate to have such a caring nurse- especially during ‘ the oral bit’

[j.sabourn]

Perhaps the other John is referring to a different type of Oral John. Maybe why his eyesight is getting a bit blurry. 0r just maybe he keeps his sunglasses on ? Cheers . The specialist I see for the aged , originated in Aberdeen so will have to get him talking about the granite city and keep him off my bad points. JS.
PS That’s Aberdeen Scotland and not Aberdeen Hong Kong thank goodness.,JS.

[happy daze john in oz]

We had our Flu shots today with the same nurse.
Being the time of year I crossed myself just before the injection.
She laughed so mush it took twice as long.