Learning New Things

Michelle stayed over with Caelyn and Nigel last night and she taught Wendy to give and receive things saying Ta! She is a bright little button and learns very quickly.

Wendy has an appointment to see an Allergist in January. We know she is allergic to Marmite (but not Bovril) and she goes blotchy with certain breads and biscuits. Fortunately she is fine with 'essential' foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken and meat. It would be good to get a clear understanding of what causes a reaction in her so that those things can be avoided. As I say, we are lucky that she is fine with 'essential' foods. Who needs hi-tech preservative and colouring stuffed foods anyway?

Caelyn is to see the Consultant Urologist tomorrow afternoon about her kidneys. All the new test results are in so it will be interesting to hear his opinion. She has asked me to go with her as I speak 'medicalese' AND 'Caelyn', both of which are an art form!

Nigel STILL has not got his appointment with a gastroenterologist for his Crohns Disease. In this area for an URGENT colonoscopy appointment, the waiting list is 326 days. His GP is giving him Codeine Phos to help control the symptoms and Caelyn is watching his diet very carefully but he is still suffering quite a lot. He is a proud, decent man who wants to get back to work but it won't be possible until his Crohns is under control. He is enjoying his Motor Mechanics course though and I'm happy about that. It is on a Monday night so it isn't too long if you aren't feeling well, but it is interesting and gets him out of the house and mixing with new people so it is doing his morale some good. People don't realise that poor access to health care can render a person effectively unemployable. Imagine the interview:
'Why did you leave your last job?'
'I was fired due to longstanding illness'
'Are you better now?'
'No. I haven't seen the specialist yet'.
'So you still have the symptoms that stopped you working in your last job?'
'Yes'
'When will it be sorted out?'
'I have no idea. How long is a piece of string?'
'We don't have a suitable vacancy for you at this stage. Next, please!'