Re-Posting in advance of a new Hospital Visit adventure 🥴
Well, there we were in 2020 and it’s been a long time since I wrote anything under COPD. I make no excuses because that’s exactly what they would be, excuses; seeking to lessen the blame; but the blame is all mine :-).
Until 2020, it had all been a bit of a roller coaster all starting with arthritis of the hip, worsening to the point of needing prescribed Codeine for the pain culminating in me needing to have the left hip replaced. This was of course after much discussion with doctors and nurses the first of which went something like this:
Doctor: Good afternoon Mr Stirzaker, so, you have another hernia do you?
Me: Yes, I missed the last one that you took away so I went and got another
Doctor: Ok, drop your trousers and I’ll have a feel
Me: Erm, ok then.
Doctor: (pressing where I don’t want him to press) Cough
Me: Cough. Ouch, that hurts
Doctor: And again
Me: Cough, Ouch, that still hurts. I’m not doing it again.
Doctor: Hmm, you haven’t got a hernia, it’s just some sort of bulge.
Me: But it hurts so much. Could it be related my gammy hip?
Doctor: Yes, that’ll be it. Maybe you need to see an orthopedic surgeon – I’ll write to your GP
Mr: Can I have a new hip then
Doctor: If it makes it better
Me: So, when I’m driving and I cough, it really, really hurts where you’ve just been touching me
Doctor: Sounds like you’ve got a hernia. The only real way to find out is to operate and have a look
Me: Oh
Doctor: Obviously with your heart and lung problems, we should avoid it if possible but, I’m happy to operate if you want me to.
Me: Well, I know what my wife would say if she was here.
Doctor: Oh, I’m sorry, when did she pass away?
Me: She hasn’t, she’s in the office at work.
Doctor: Oh. Phew. Well you discuss with your wife and let me know.
Me: What about my hip?
Doctor: Hip, you mean hernia don’t you?
Me: Yes, I suppose so. Well, I’ll be off then.
Doctor: Ok then. Bye bye.
Me: Bye ByeQ: Is it me?
The first hernia was a bellybutton hernia which was resolved: The second was a little further south but we all agreed it wasn’t bad enough to worry about so we let that go but, the hip just worsened and the codeine beckoned. Fortunately, my doctor was happy to repeat prescribe so I simply got 100 full strength tablets every month and it was good. I found that Codeine, Paracetamol & Ibuprofen dealt withe the pain and ensure I had a good nights sleep. NB: I did need to supplement all these painkillers with Senokot sometimes, boosted with Senokot Max.
Note: – Codeine, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen & Senokot is in no way a recommendation from me or anybody else. Codeine in particular can be a respiratory inhibitor especially for those with Asthma or an Obstructive airways disease! Also, Codeine is an opioid and can therefore be addictive! And, Ibuprofen isn’t recommended for those with Asthma!
Poor Podge
The Adventures of Podge & Tubbs 