Hi guys just to tell you I’ve had Covid since last Friday. It’s brought me down so much I’ve got Shingles too round my middle and back. It’s ok until I feel I’ve been shot. As shingles shoots every so often. I had an op on my leg for a carcinoma a week ago on Friday. It’s my second op. I phoned the Drs today to book a call from the District nurse to come and take the dressing off and check it. I was told I won’t get a district nurse to come in and they said I would have to book an appointment and go down. I did protest because I can never walk far because of my 7 spinal fractures. I normally drive up there and I can walk down the corridor. But I haven’t now got the strength. I will be 80 this year I have got attendance allowance. Not that that helps me to walk. Having Covid has taken all my strength anyway so walking and doing things is even worse. She even took it to the Duty Dr who said I will have to go down. I was furious. Its not right that somebody feels so helpless but can’t get help. There just isn’t any out there anymore. It makes you wonder where this world is going. It’s as simple as! I can’t do it. Luckily my lungs have stood up to Covid. That’s the thing that always worried me.
Anyway guys I wondered if anyone has any advice for me.
im feeling really down at the moment. I was in tears when I spoke to the receptionist.
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How awful for you dear Mavary. You have enough to deal with without all this. I’m so sorry you have covid but why can’t someone come out to you? They seem quite happy for you to go down to the surgery. Can anyone take you with great care of course because of the covid?
I’m at a loss to be honest and would advise a strong complaint be put to the surgery manager.
Thank you Sassy. I will be speaking to my Dr on Monday. I have been pretty rough since last weekend. I’m stil positive and it’s now eight days. But I think the line is fading. I think the fact I’ve got shingles as well shows how run down I am. My side keeps jumping like I’ve been shot with the shingles. I think it’s disgusting that someone who is disabled is treated like it. The Duty Dr the receptionist went out the back to see used to be a lovely Dr. She said I’m not disabled therefore have to go down. I can walk from the car into the surgery and down a corridor in normal circumstances to see someone. Normally I would but I’ve now got such a job to do things I can’t do it. Hopefully I will get my strength back but it’s certainly not coming back by Monday. I’ll see what my Dr says and if he agrees with them I’ll be taking my own dressing off. Xx
I'd complain if the Dr said you were not disabled!! You are also 80 and have other conditions as well. Also I'd let the person who operated on you know that they would not send out a nurse!
well I can’t do a full lot of washing up. I have to do it in stages. I can’t clean my place any more and I can’t do my ironing. I can’t walk far as well because of back pain. Perhaps that doesn’t count as disabilities. Even getting a meal can give me pain. So why has she said I’m not disabled. It’s about time they changed the label if it only apples if you can’t walk.
I'm sorry for the situation you find yourself in Mavis and wish I had some suggestions but I'm afraid that I haven't. It really is a poor do that you can't get a home visit. Sending love and a hug for what it's worth xx
Have you phoned 111 ? Tell them you are in pain and emphasise you can't move. Wish you better and urge you to get the leg seen - even if it's a wait for an ambulance to A&E. If the 111 team are on the ball they can arrange support at the hospital, I know I could in a receptionist capacity in a private hospital. If you can afford it I'd look into care at your local private hospital.
my advice would be complain to surgery by email ,it’s got to be looked at then ,,,and send email to your MP saying exactly what’s been happening,,,,they will contact your surgery asking for answers ,,,I’m sure ,,,,hope all goes well ,,
I’ve already had a go about my hospital where I had dreadful treatment. I first phoned PALS I had a letter from one ward with bullet points that made me more angry. Then the following week I had a phone call from the first ward I was in and she wanted the story from start to finish. I told her and she agreed with me I had very bad treatment. Anyway I had made my point and she thanked me because she said if people don’t complain they don’t know what’s going on.
Aww! Hon you’re a little way away. I’m in Somerset. Not too far though. You’ve got Gloucester Keys and we’ve got Clark’s Village. Thanks for the offer. It just makes you want to crawl in to make a point. Why are we treated so badly. Is it. Age. I’ve never been treated like it before. Xx
Good thinking Truckergirl. I’m giving my usually lovely Dr who has come over from Holland a ring. I’ll speak to him and if I get no joy I might contact my MP. And if that doesn’t work there’s the Media. They can’t get away with it. I don’t usually have trouble with the Drs but then usually I go up. That you for giving me ideas. My Son wanted to ring the surgery but I’d probably be looking for a new Surgery. I know what he’s like when he starts. X
I despair sometimes seeing where our health service is going. I am sending best wishes to you, hope you feel much better soon, no thanks to your surgery. Don't let them off hook. Practice manager, health board for area you live in, MP, whatever it takes. Shame on them for someone of your age. 😡
Thank you Cloudancer. I really don’t know where to go from here. I’m still positive again for Covid. It’s clinging to me like a limpet. I have never known things get as bad as it is now with the NHS. When I was in hospital I had a dirty chair in the room, I wasn’t allowed an extra pillow even though I’ve got seven spinal fractures. They lost my jumper and I went home in my pjs. They charged through the doors of the room I was in at 1.30pm shouting were going to move you were going to move you. They charged across the hallway to another single room which they made into two. They charged into the lady that was already there and woke her and I told them this is not on. The bathroom door wouldn’t shut together and the window wouldn’t open for fresh air. At lunch time the next day the Dr said I could go home. So when I got my discharge letter and medication I asked a nurse if she could find me a wheelchair as it was a long way to go out. She didn’t even come back to say she couldn’t so I asked another nurse. She said I’ll go and look. She did come back and said she couldn’t find one and I would now have to wait until after dinner. I then snapped and said No!! I’m calling my Son and I’m going to walk. I don’t care how far I get but I’m going. I did say if I ever come in again it will be feet first. I was so angry. I called my Son and he luckily came up with a wheelchair. Needless to say I put a complaint to PALS.
I just wonder where all this is going. Nobody even cares any more. It’s not the NHS I’ve always known. I can remember the day it first started.
Bless you Mavary - on one admission I took the last available bed in the hospital.As a severe asthmatic I was initially put on to a gynae ward and had 3 ward changes in 24 hours at one point my lunch was taken away mid spoonful and got transferred again so the target of 4 hours could be maintained. Am still waiting for my pudding!!!!which never caught up with me.The poor ward clerks spent endless hours trying to find my notes!!!!
I do hope that you feel better soon thinking of you
Oh that’s awful. I was told I was goingbto be moved. I went over the opposite side to say goodbye to the lady I had befriended. I looked back and the porter was there and the nurse was ramming my things into my bag. Hence my jumper wasn’t there when I got to the other ward.
Nope. I bought another one. It wasn’t annexpensive one anyway but it was new. It’s just a sign of the times. Our hospitals can’t handle the volume of patients any more so what does that say? To me it’s we haven’t got enough hospitals Doctors or nurses. I don’t think they have realised that though.
I dont live far from you but I am very fortunate as in my area we have a fantastic Respiratory and COPD team who will call to my home whenever I ask them. They even dropped off a new Nebuliser when mine broke . I know it is rare thesedays so I count my blessings . xxSheila 💕⚘
Lol 🤣👍you're welcome I have a big house mind you Hubby daughter and Granddaughter live here also. Our doctor is great she is new. My daughter wanted her to see my Granddaughter but she was finishing half day. She said to bring her in immediately but Darcy had her Mock exam until 11am .she agreed that was important and she stayed behind until she finished her exam and my daughter took her. Brilliant. My Respiratory team Sorts everything for me. Even e.mails surgery if I need anything and gets it delivered from Pharmacy. I am not housebound but its difficult parking in town and long walk from car park. I know I am fortunate and others have problems so I feel for them .
I cant complain and am always grateful for every single day. Life is good even if I am limited. Slowly but surely is another one of my Mottos and Positivity. Always remember theres someone somewhere worse off. Enjoy your day and you're welcome anytime. The more the merrier I say lol 💕⚘🤣👍
Thank you Garshe. I’ve never asked for visits before but I’m just getting over Covid at my age. I’ve got Shingles to go with it. I am still wobbly on my feet and don’t feel 100 per cent yet. It’s both very contagious. Hopefully on Monday the Covid will be gone. It still leaves people at risk of catching Chickenpox. I’ve only got to shed some skin from it on a chair and I could cause an epidemic. I think they are very unreasonable.
I really feel for you Mavary and its hard to stay postitive when you have been so poorly and have these problems to deal with. I hate to see people treated so badly especially when older and living alone x
I was fortunate as didnt even know I had Covid .only slight headache for a day and sorted that with paracetamol.I have had all 5 vaccines so that helped also had The Shingles one, I refused it at first at 70yrs old but was offered it again at 73 I think. I decided after the nurse explained how serious it can be. I am 79 this year and look on the bright side and consider it a privilege to reach old age as it is a luxury many dont get to experience. Good luck and I really hope you get sorted as must be so frustrating for you . This causes stress and anxiety so not good . Fingers crossed everything will work out for you. Sending healing. 🙏🙏💕⚘xxSheila
same age as me Sheila. I certainly knew I had Covid. Was in bed for nearly four days. I’ve had all my vaccinations including my shingles one. It made a b line for me.
Dreadful state of affairs when you are treated so disrespectfully, and I wish I could help you, if I lived closer I would jump in my car to come to you but I’m in Nottinghamshire wish ther was something I could do. Best wishes to you and hope you feel better soon.
I'm so sorry for the way you are being treated. Alas, I think you could only get proper treatment by going private, which is not satisfactory. I don't know if Social Services could help. I hope you will have the strength to take this further, but that doesn't help now when you really need help. Thinking of you and hoping that the love and support on this forum helps a little. xxx
I already took it further about my stay in hospital. It doesn’t get you anywhere. All the apologies in the world don’t make up for bad treatment. I’ve got a lovely Dr who wasn’t there on Friday but will be probably on Monday. I’ll have a word with him.
I couldn’t afford Private treatment and anyway it’s become a matter of principal now. I’ve been treated like dirt once too often and they won’t get away with it.
I’m so sorry to hear this, I agree 111 and try and get someone out, you shouldn’t have to suffer, this country is going backwards , wishing you all the best
This made me so sad to read this Mavary. I know things are different after Covid, but to tell you you have to go to the surgery is cruel. Definitely a letter is called for to the practice manager.
Its a dreadful state of affairs now Mavary when you can't even get a district nurse to change a dressing. My doctor wouldn' t come out to my Mum when i brought her home from Spain after having a heart attack. Could your son take you or does he live too far away. There just isnt the level of care nowadays and feel it is only going to get worse. I wonder why some enterprising person hasn't though of opening up a business providing this service, if I was younger. I do hope you find a way through this and get that dressing changed, I am like you and would end up doing it myself but please take care x
Im so sorry to hear this Mavary. I thought they didnt want people to go to surgery with covid and also dhingles is contagious also. That is so wrong and uncaring. Please if you can put a formal complaint to your Practice Manager and tell your dr also. Its not right especially given your age, not that age should come into it. I hope you feel better very soon.
I don’t think they may be want me up there with Covid and I wouldn’t even think about going while I’ve got it. But to be turned down so rudely I’m not happy.
Have you had the necessary vaccinations for Covid. Also I had the Shingles Jab a couple of years ago. Hope you recover soon as you really are having a tough time .xxSheila 💕⚘
I have had them and am up to date. I had a shingles one years ago now. I think I might have been one of the first ones. I shouldn’t even have Shingles or bloomin Covid.
If the surgery rules are intended to keep Covid positive people out then they should at least make some alternative arrangements for you, a District Nurse at the very least. I am fortunate that I have ever needed a home visit but if my efforts to get an appointment are anything to go by it's likely that I never will. Have you any involvement with adult social services who might be able to help you or a cancer support group that could add weight to your complaints? x
Hi I am new on this site and having read through all you are having to put up with I feel so sorry. I cant offer help only to complain to the practice manager. Things are really bad now and its like trying to move a mountain to get help in the NHS system. Sending you a hug and hope you get sorted on Monday. Do a bit of shoutng xxx
oh so different! Covid hasn’t done any favours at all. It’s just made people even more selfish than they were. I’ve seen a trend towards that for a few years now. You’ve only got to see the behaviour of a lot of the kids now. They don’t care two hoots about anyone else. The parents seem the same. It does make you wonder where things are going. Especially when you are older.
so sorry youve got covid. I caught it on my 4th stay in hospital I was moved to the covid ward very quickly I qualified for a new medication called Covalax which prevents the virus making a clone of itself so I didnt have it as bad as what i wouldve done if i hadnt qualified .
Thats terrible what youre going through there. I hope things end up good for you in the end
I don’t know why I’ve had it really badly. My Sons have had it at different times and have been nowhere near as bad. I know I’m older and that’s probably why.
I'm so sorry that this is happening, you must be feeling rotten. And added to that the disinterest of your gp surgery. Our gp surgery is the only thing that makes me cry. I can't believe they won't send a district nurse! I hope Monday brings better news.
I already fought about my stay in hospital. If you read what I wrote for clouddancer you will see. When I get my back up I do something about it. If not for me then others in a similar situation.
It's just so wrong that we have to fight. Recently I spent most of the day on the phone to my gp surgery - I still haven't managed to get an appointment!
my Brother in Law worked there for a few years. I’ve been up to the factory as it’s not far from here. I can walk to Clark’s Village from here. Or I could before my back went.
Mum and Dad used to always buy us Clark’s shoes and sandals in Summer. I think mine were always red.
I can well understand your position. I was asked if I can go outside and said yes. However I have a blue badge and unable to drive following a hernia operation. I was told to get a taxi. Compassion, sympathy and understanding are no longer considered. Adopting such an attitude obviously makes matters worse for you, possibly causing anxiety and depression. An obvious thought is nobody cares about me any more. But many people get the same response, regardless of age. Perhaps asking to speak to the Practice Manager might help. I sincerely hope you are able to resolve this. Take care 👍
You musnt take too much notice of them. At the end of they are paid to help people. If they don’t want to they shouldn’t be in the job. I was certainly very depressed when a Dr I used to think was caring showed she wasn’t at all.
This all happened a while ago and I had spoken to my lovely Dr who was very angry that she had said what she did. I think maybe he had a chat with her after. But she will never be trusted again by me.
Anyway it’s a while on for me I’m obviously still not able to do a lot because of my spinal fractures but I muggle on.
Please don’t feel down about the way you have been treated. Do something about it. The manager of the practice is a good place to start. Or you could always go to PALS which is what I did when I came out of hospital. After a really bad stay.
I just won’t be treated like dirt any more. I’ve always been a meek sole but this worm has turned. You’ve got to too. I vowed after my Mother had bad treatment in hospital that I wouldn’t be treated badly like her. I had to stand up for her in the end.
I did eventually speak to my lovely Dr and he said “ she’s wrong “ ifvyou want a district nurse to visit you can have one. He sounded really angry. So all got sorted in the end. AND! I took the dressing off myself I was so cross. Luckily it had healed well.
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