Philip (Phil) England

  Blog Entry: Saturday 23 rd July 2022 Had a doctor’s appointment on Thursday just gone, well actually it was with the diabetic nurse, I’ve lost weight, 5kg, so happy with that. As you know I suffer with brain fog and tend to forget taking some tablets during the day, so have been put on to time release Metformin instead of the normal one. This should help my diabetic control.   I found out today that a very dear friend of mine, Angela Byrne, has passed away. I volunteered with her at Dragon Bands, a youth project she established. It was a community project for the youth of Torfaen. I really enjoyed helping out there, gave me a purpose in life at a time when I needed to keep busy.   After my Mum passed away, Angela was there for me when I needed to talk to someone, she was like a mum to so many of the youth in the area. Angela had her own family, and I felt like an extension of it. I was planning on meeting up with her just as Covid hit. Covid really has a lot to answer for.

  Blog Entry: Tuesday 12 th July 2022 Yesterday I went to Singleton Hospital to have my bloods done, I have got a doctor’s appointment on the 21 st to see the Diabetic Nurse, will find out the results of those then. Been to dentist today, had three fillings. No other planned dental work to be done right now.   Blog Entry: Saturday 16 th July 2022 Been dropping things a lot the last few days, not really too sure why. Messiest mess was pasta and sauce with cheese on top…. what a mess, not sure how but it ended up all over my landline phone, the side of the sofa, the phones USB charging cable and even found a bit of pasta in a pot plant! It was lucky that I had a friend’s two dogs here this weekend to look after (they looked after me, more than me look after them!), they are really good at cleaning up dropped food!

  Blog Entry: Monday 4th July Morning everyone, back killing me, neck feels tender, hay fever seems to be appearing again Later that day: Pain flare up 😭 going to try and lay down and attempt to get sleep. Blog Entry: Tuesday 5th July Didn't sleep too well, pain kept waking me up. At this moment in time it's at about 8 out of 10, think at its peak it was 9 out of 10 so a slight reduction Later in the morning: Pain slowly subsiding, its about a 7 out of 10 right now as of 11:30am Edit - 5:40pm: Still in great pain, it's at about 7.5 out of 10.   Edit - 8:30pm: Still in pain, it's at about 7 out of 10 now, going to put a CBD patch on, few more CBD oil drops and head to bed for an early night.   I have got a hospital appointment coming up on the 7 th July, you watch, I will be in a good day that day THOUGHT You know, trying to voice track a show when in pain takes a while to do, and can really hurt, yet I keep pushing myself. I enjoy doing radio, gives me

  Blog Entry: 23 rd June 2022 Since the last entry, my pain has been between 3 and 6 out of 10 . I did have a flare up on the 17 th June , that came on in the afternoon, which my friend’s dog, Nero, picked up on, he stayed by my side all afternoon until he went home. On the 18 th June my left knee decided to give way, and was weak for most of the weekend. I dog sat a friend’s 2 dogs, the biggest of the two, Cosmo (pictured), really looked after me, my following me around the flat and standing right by my left knee, I think he was trying to hold me up! I had a dentist appointment on the 22 nd June, a check-up. I have to go back on the 13 th July for three fillings. Say hello to Cosmo!

  Sunday 5 th June Woke up in pain all over today, and to some bad news. A friend of mine that I met at a Cuppa & Chat group had passed away in the night at Morriston Hospital. Nothing prepares you for that news, its like getting punched when you open a door. The older I get; the more people seem to be passing. At school no one warned you that when you get older people you know, even around your own age, will pass on. I am feeling depressed, helpless, fed up and wondering who’s next? My father isn’t getting any younger, next year he will be 80, he seems to be full of energy and always on the go, I am sure I don’t take after him, my sister seems too though! I spilt boiling water when making my morning cuppa this morning, missed the cup, I have been doing that an awful lot of late thanks to my left eye being all a blur. A bit of good news today, finally, England have one the first test in the cricket, its best of 3, they were playing New Zealand.

Phil's Video Blog 245 - https://youtu.be/spcbfdNgdBE Disabled bays at Swansea's Parc Tawe Retail Park, that were outside B&M and Iceland's Food Warehouse, have been removed and replaced with parent and toddler. I am going to email the company to find out their reasoning behind it and see if they plan to turn some of the regular bays in to disabled. Donate and support me on Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/philipengland Don't forget my radio shows: Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Tuesday - 9pm til 10pm via www.broradio.fm or catch-up via www.radiocatchup.uk Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Special pages: Offers - www.philengland.com/offers Health Blogs - www.philengland.com/health-blogs Online at: www.

  25th May 2022 6:50am -  Up early.... Ok, ok, I'm just awake, still under the duvet here. Got to get up though as I have got a hospital appointment this morning.  It is just a bit wet outside this morning. Let you know how I get on later (once i can see what I am typing!, it's an eye appointment) 9:45am - Just got to the hospital, corridor 7 here I come.... phone going on flight mode 1:50pm - Been home from the hospital since 11am, but only now seeing what I can type! So, had the eye appointment, actually saw the one that would be doing the op, the main consultant surgeon.  Now I know 'what they' will be doing. Removing the eye gel and the blood from the eye, then doing laser zapping to sort out the floaters at the back of the eye, and then put a new lense in for distance. The 'when they' is a long way off... September towards October, depending on the waiting list.  I just want it done, want to enjoy my life and the world again. 2:30pm - Feeling a tad depr

  19 th to 22 nd May 19th May Fibromyalgia is at it again, I had a feeling it would yesterday, pain up to about an 8.5 out of 10.   As I have mentioned before, Fibro is like an amplifier for the pain that I suffer with anyway. I have learned to live with it, I just carry on. Ok pain.... I'm going knock you down, or at least block you out!... it's all about pain management and learning to try to deal with it and not let it deal with you. Edit 1:45pm; finally starting to ease, been trying to focus my mind on other things to get my brain to turn down the pain it's at 6.8 out of 10. Edit 8:30pm; pain down to a 4, will it ever go down lower? I'm always in some kind of constant pain   20th May Thumping head this morning, is there a storm on the way? Sure do feel like it 21st May Not long up, very achy this morning but will get by, fighting the pain again, trying to take my mind off it, it's a difficult thing to do, but it can be accomplished if I t

This week has been mental health awareness week.  I suffer with physical issues; Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia acts as a kind of amplifier, boosting the pain, and other issues.  These physical issues really affect my mental health  I get frustrated and stressed when I fail to do every day tasks. Currently, I have a problem with my left eye. Started off with floaters, and at the end of last year went blurry. I am awaiting an operation, that was due to take place, as I was led to believe, earlier in the year. I was then  told that my good right eye needs to deteriorate before they will do any operation.  Having a blurry eye is really reducing my enjoyment of life. Even though I have been given the green light for driving by the DVLA, I am unable to enjoy it and therefore find myself staying as local as possible. Going for long drives has gone out the window, so I can go to see friends and family. I contacted my local councillor, Paul Ll

Feeling fed up right now. My blurry eye is pissing me off right now and the floaters I can see too, the 25th May can't come soon enough. Fed up of my aches and pains. On the 8th May it was my birthday, I needed to get out. Managed a short walk around Clyne and then the Marina, all the time in pain, but trying to keep going. My left hip has been playing up for a while, and now the right one seems to want to join in. It's like my entire body is ganging up on me. Co-codamol, Gabapentin and CBD oil - the three things that help reduce, but not much. Now, why is CBD oil so expensive? Monday I went to see Juliet, she understands what I am going through. Had a hot chocolate and a catch up chat. I wonder when hospital appointments are going to start back up again? I really need a letter to get me moved out in to a ground floor flat. St Thomas or Mount Pleasant would be cool for me.

For the last few nights I have been waking up at about 2am and going back to sleep about half an hour later, not sure why. I seem to be getting around 7 hours sleep a night. Pain wise today, it's at about a 6 out of 10. The Fibromyalgia seems to be playing it cool and not pushing it's self too much so far today, but one thing I have learnt is it can turn just like that.  I try to keep  positive thoughts , which seems to help me manage to some degree, but even then it don't help much. There is always underlying pain every day thanks to the Ankylosing Spondylitis , Osteoporosis and the Carpal Tunel in my hands. Why do I keep a blog? I find it useful for keeping a record of daily struggles of life and my health. Keeping it is also a useful tool to help the DWP  my GP and hospital specialists understand what I am going through. You can visit me onbline facebook.com/philengland and twitter.com/philengland1 also my website philengland.com #staysafe

Phil's Video Blog 241 - https://youtu.be/iZ3bQ0KDLrY On this video blog I take my drone for a test flight... around part of my living room!, plus a photo of a strange looking car I found on Facebook Don't forget my radio shows , which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.uk Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Tuesday - 9pm til 10pm via www.broradio.fm Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Special pages: Offers - www.philengland.com/offers Health Blogs - www.philengland.com/health-blogs Online at: www.philengland.com www.itsmyvoice.me.uk www.itsmyblog.me.uk www.grumpyoldgitsguide.co.uk Don't forget, missed something? www.radiocatchup.uk

Phil's Video Blog 240 - https://youtu.be/DjGnFbHNZuI In this video blog an update on my eye following an appointment on Saturday, plus something I brought from Ideal World! This vlog was recorded over two days - Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd Don't forget my radio shows , which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.uk Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Special pages: Offers - www.philengland.com/offers Health Blogs - www.philengland.com/health-blogs Online at: www.philengland.com www.itsmyvoice.me.uk www.itsmyblog.me.uk www.grumpyoldgitsguide.co.uk Don't forget, missed something? www.radiocatchup.uk

9th & 10th MARCH Yesterday afternoon (9th March) : Not feeling too good, back killing me to the extent it is painful to breathe, was alright when I woke up. Feeling really drained and a little sick. Pain killers just not helping  Laying on my bed, hot water bottle in middle of back, heat is helping a little, this could be a very long afternoon This morning (10th March) : Back a bit better, after about 6 hot water bottles and a nights sleep, still hurts when I take deep breaths, so even that's an improvement.  Wednesday 30th  MARCH So, another day in excruciating pain (9 out of 10), tingly skin, thumping head, took me a while to pick my phone up  and type this... it is only 3am. Hate this feeling, no amount of CBD oil or co-codamol will have any affect and being woke up by it really sucks. It's 7am and I am still in great pain all over, can hardly move, so fed up.  I must try and get up... somehow, can't spend all day in bed, knowing the kitchen needs a clean is dr

Phil's Video Blog 239 - https://youtu.be/cOd7FseE3iM In this video blog an update on my left eye and my health in general, plus what else have I been up to, and happy birthday to my sister (card on its way!) Don't forget my radio shows, which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.uk Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Special pages: Offers - www.philengland.com/offers Health Blogs - www.philengland.com/health-blogs Online at: www.philengland.com www.itsmyvoice.me.uk www.itsmyblog.me.uk www.grumpyoldgitsguide.co.uk Don't forget, missed something? www.radiocatchup.uk

Phil's Video Blog 238 - https://youtu.be/PTB6_6xmlqA A bit about my eye and my views on the Ukraine I would like your views in the comments section of YouTube To find out how you can help the Ukranian's visit cnn.com/impact Don't forget my radio shows , which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.uk Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Special pages: Offers - www.philengland.com/offers Health Blogs - www.philengland.com/health-blogs Online at: www.philengland.com www.itsmyvoice.me.uk www.itsmyblog.me.uk www.grumpyoldgitsguide.co.uk Don't forget, missed something? www.radiocatchup.uk

Phil's Video Blog 237 - https://youtu.be/15NXTYsVtYA In this video blog my eye health, a look at what's happening in Swansea and why not take a look at my website? Don't forget my radio shows , which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.uk Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Special pages: Offers - www.philengland.com/offers Health Blogs - www.philengland.com/health-blogs Online at: www.philengland.com www.itsmyvoice.me.uk www.itsmyblog.me.uk www.grumpyoldgitsguide.co.uk Don't forget, missed something? www.radiocatchup.uk

27th Jan Covid has scared me in to online shopping, I've not been able to see friends I love, not been able to cuddle or hug friends. I know friends who haven't had their jabs and am constantly worrying about them, I've lost a few dear friends too, just last week two funerals on one day, I couldn't go due to numbers and my health, my heart felt like it was being pulled two ways. I need to hug people, I need to see friends, I need to be happy, right now I feel fed up, stressed out, pissed off with everything, life seems right now to be a big pile of crap. 30th Jan The last few days have been awful, been in agony, also have had to put drops in my left eye and keep it covered up. I've spent most of the time in bed, in and out of sleep. 1st Feb So the start of a new month, nothing changes. Woke up with neck in agony and most of the upper part of my back. Feeling sick with the pain. My mood is really low right now, feel so depressed and useless. I want my lif

Phil's Video Blog 236 - https://youtu.be/4JegBXsSyrM On this video blog I dog sat a cute westie dog, and I give you an update on my eye problem Check out my health blogs at www.philengland.com/health-blogs Don't forget my radio shows , which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.uk Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Special pages: Offers - www.philengland.com/offers Health Blogs - www.philengland.com/health-blogs Online at: www.philengland.com www.itsmyvoice.me.uk www.itsmyblog.me.uk www.grumpyoldgitsguide.co.uk Don't forget, missed something? www.radiocatchup.uk

First one of 2022 ! On this video blog an update on my health - my eye still playing up awaiting appointment and operation on that. My back has been bad as well, and I have been sleeping a lot. Don't forget my radio shows , which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.uk Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Special pages: Offers - www.philengland.com/offers Health - www.philengland.com/health Online at: www.philengland.com www.itsmyvoice.me.uk www.itsmyblog.me.uk www.grumpyoldgitsguide.co.uk Don't forget, missed something? www.radiocatchup.uk