Philip (Phil) England

  In to the fifth month of the year , still getting tired a lot, my blood pressure seems to be improving, and my diabetic blood sugar levels seem to be within a good range. Eye wise, I am due some laser zapping again to clear up as one specialist called it, frosting behind the lens that was put in, after that my vision should be ok, so am now on a waiting list for that!   5 th May 2023: Woke up by great pain in my right arm, right shoulder, top of my back and neck, feeling sick with the pain again too. Pain is at 9 out of 10 I would say.   8 th May 2023: Well, it’s my 48 th birthday today, kind of a quiet one, uneventful, but that’s ok. Pain at a capable level, felt a little queasy this morning but not sick though.   9 th May 2023: Managed to venture out today with Neil. Had a little walk along the beach foot path, got some good fresh sea air and some moody photos, here is one of them.... photo © Philip (Phil) England MMXX!!! 16th May 2023: Last week I managed to

  Oh damn, fibro flare up, can hear the pain in my head, painful tingle all over... welcome to the new month 😓 Well, 1 st of the month, and after being woken up in the early hours, I got some cleaning bits done! Then I was looking in the hall cupboard for a trowel which I thought I had, as was going to go outside and take out dead growth from my tubs, and came over sick and seemed to have made my pain levels rise again.... damn it! I had such good intentions for this afternoon.   2 nd day of the month, its update time! Eyes: got more laser zapping tomorrow on my good eye to keep it good, will chase my bad eye appointment at the same time! Health: feeling better today than yesterday, I didn't really pace myself yesterday, as soon as I felt better, I threw myself into doing things, will I ever learn? Friday 3rd Feb: at the diabetic eye clinic for more laser zapping on my right eye, the good one to keep it good, but also had a scan of my left eye. It seems something

  December - the start of Winter... photo taken by Philip England And since the start of this month I have been without my Imraldi injection, this has seemed to cause more issues for my body to deal with, seems the fibromyalgia has taken note of this and been playing with me. I couldn't get my Ozempic, once weekly injection for my diabetes. Nowhere in Swansea had the 1mg dosage I normally have, I phoned NHS111 and even they couldn't locate any stock in the whole of South or West Wales. My GP, Dr Burke, managed to find out that my chemist had the 0.5mg dosage variety, so will have to double up on that one for now. This cold weather hasn't helped matters. My breathing has been hurting, I've been in pain my back and other parts, and haven't really been able to keep warm and stay warm. I’ve once again had issues with sickness first thing, especially today, Friday 16th December. Not too sure why, but took half a day to clear. Speaking of things clearing, my left eye is s

  1st November 2022: Not much changes with the month, aches and pains continue. My eye is still a blur, no real sign of improvement, which is really pissing me off now big time. I'm supposed to be driving down to Surrey on 20th December to dog sit, at this moment in time I fear I won't be doing that. EDIT: I've been passed for driving, given the all clear by a field vision test So fed up with life, fed up of not being able to go places driving my self.  22nd November: For a while now, a number of years, I've been sick at least once a day. Not sure why, but there is no pattern to it, no set time of day. It's annoying, and a bit worrying, I also hear my stomach and intestines making noises. On top of this my left eye is still all a blur. 29th November: So as another month comes to an end, I am due to start more zapping of laser this time on my right eye (when my left one isn't clear to see out of yet!). On the plus side I am no longer on insulin and the doctor

 EYE OP Thursday 13th October, 5:45am  Well I am up, not sure if I'm awake yet, but out of bed and getting sorted. Eye op this morning 7:23am  In Singleton ward 2... Got butterflies in my stomach!,In case I get lost ... It's got my name and address on it! Im 2nd on the list, should have the op at about 10:30/11am Well the op went OK, the worst bit was having the anesthetic put in to numb the eye and have it frozen. Had to lay on my front for an hour, then on my side for 45 mins. At the time I was due to be picked up, everyone vanished, I was still on a trolley beside my hospital bed, couldn't  get off it to get to my phone! Eventually I was released from the trolley and was told I had to eat something, so had an egg sandwich and a decent cup of tea!,  At home now, got to sleep on my left side, and for next 4 days when awake I have to spend 45 mins out of every hour laying down or with my head resting to the left. Currently have a hard plastic patch on (which is soooo annoyi

October, and Autumn seems to have really arrived  with wind and rain! The early part of this month I felt very sluggish and tired, spent a lot of time in bed, I really think I have the seasonal blues!. Friday 7th: Had Nero as always during the day time, then in the evening had Cosmo and Harley, but before they arrived decided to invite Neil up to help me with them. Saturday 8th: Had a pain in my side when I woke up, it was there a little bit yesterday but only slight. Run Neil and the dogs over to his. In the evening pain was still there but worse, not bad enough to warrent phoning NHS111 or out of hours doctor. Sunday 9th: Feeling cold, and still have that pain, but it is easing. Monday 10th: Monday morning, start of a new week, same old problems. Back, neck and shoulders up to their usual thing, pain at a so-so level of 5 out of 10. I'm feeling cold and drained, but I must get the milk in though, so must summon up the energy to get out of bed! Tuesday 11th: The pain continues

  In to September we go, and not a good start to it really... I haven't been feeling too good the last few days, not too sure how I am today yet either, but I was just sick, so that's not good. I just want to be well and not in pain any more, and have the vision back in my left eye. At long last, got my eye surgery appointment date . 14th Sept to have pre op check, 19th for Covid test (I think), then have to self isolate so I don't catch anything until 22nd Sept - operation day. 8th September: The passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II , what a massive part of life she has been, always there to look up to, and who's kind words soothed the nation, especially during the pandemic. It really feels like part of the world has been taken away, my heart is aching. 11th September: Slight pain flare up, not too bad, about a 7.5 out of 10 12th September, 4am: Just woke up and was sick, don't feel too good. On the plus side the pain seems to have subsided, its at about a 6 out of

Blog Entry: 24th August: Fibromyalgia pain flareup again - pain level 8 out of 10, I'm in agony, lower back and hips seem to be the worst  Not too sure why, but with each flare up I seem to get a few days either side of it when my back goes itchy and all I want to do is scratch until I can scratch no more! Blog Entry: 25th August: Well, it's Thursday, and after pain killers and CBD oil before an early night, I can say I'm ready to tackle the day. The flare up has well and truly been knocked down, pain level at about a 3 out of 10.  So it's a case of up and at it. Have a good day everyone. To those affected by the Liverpool shooting the other day, my thoughts are with you, it's a nasty thing to have happened, and God willing, it won't happen again.  But life goes on, and if we let things like this get to us we will just give up on living.

7th August - Blog Entry: Heat is building! Had a funny feeling I had over done yesterday, down and upstairs a number of times sorting my plant tubs out in the garden, before doing that going to Home Bargains and Tesco's, I ignored my limits and just kept on going, and now I am paying for it, not as bad as it could have been but still enough to stop me from doing much today. Should be popping to see some of the Cuppa and Chat group later this morning (if I can manage it!) 11th August - Blog Entry: In a scorching heatwave!  Woken up by a thumping headache, feeling a bit queasy, and my neck and shoulders are killing me! I hate feeling like this, just feel like hiding away when I feel like this, the heat isn't helping 17th August - Blog Entry: Finally it feels fresher! So I may have over done sorting out cupboards today, my back and shoulders are starting to play up!         I seemed to have only just moved things out and right back in, nothing got thrown away.... Pointless really.

  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!

  The mind is a strange thing, a few days ago a name popped in to my head, that name was Jason Campbell. I did a search on LinkedIn and found him, dropped him a message and we started chatting. Another name entered my mind then, Andrew Sampson, he was a strange kid, he had a strange family set up, he used to sit in the passenger seat of the family car and change gears, he was a strange kid. Sadly found out from Jason that Andrew was getting off a bus, slipped, hit his head and sadly died. RIP Andrew Now , why can I remember things from the past, yet can't remember what I have to do or what medications I have to take? We are currently in a bit of a heatwave, its too hot to move or do anything. Trying to stay cool and keep hydrated. I'm a fragile flower in the heat, I will probably wilt! Got a bit of a tingle at the moment, its kind of a sign a flareup is on the way, just what I need extreme heat and pain... not good. EDIT 18 th July 2022: I was right about the flare up, in gre

  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!

  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

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