Philip (Phil) England

New year, same shi.... ...you know what, let's change that bit, there are some things we can't change in our lives, but there is so many things we can, so lets put a positive spin on this and let's do it! Same old issues to start the new year. Still no change with the vision in my left eye, and still no change with other bits of my health either.   As the new year went on, and as we hurtle towards the end of the month, have been getting woken up with pain. Managed to speak to my doctor, who is going to be writing to the hospital specialists to sort out a further appointment for my aches and pains. She says it is inflammation causing me pain.   I’ve been on Imraldi injections :-   This information taken from www.ema.europa.eu Imraldi is a medicine that acts on the immune system and is used to treat the following conditions: plaque psoriasis (a disease causing red, scaly patches on the skin) psoriatic arthritis (a disease causing red, scaly patch

  Looking back 2022, Looking forward 2023 As 2022 comes to a close, a quick look back and forward. I'm thankful for having my friends and making new ones, Carl and his two dogs, Cosmo and Harley. Dog sitting at home for Hannah's dog Nero, and looking after Gilby for Del, also looking after Cosmo & Harley for Carl. There are loads of people I've not seen this year due to various reasons, mostly down to eye sensitivity to bright lights and being unable to drive safely. I want to and must rectify that in 2023. Online, new friends include Wozzey, Steve and Jake. I've reconnected with a childhood friend from Ipswich, Jason. On Twitter with the star of BBC sitcom No Place Like Home, Dee Sadler; also former BBC news reader and star of the BBC's The Real Marigold Hotel series, Jan Leaming. I feel so proud to have connected with them and be in their universe. My health isn't good, but one thing has changed for the good, I'm no longer on insulin 😊. Going down to

  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

I really do have very little sympathy for strikers across the UK right now, sorry I just don't. We all went through the Pandemic, all facing fuel and food price rises.  A large proportion of the public are not on index linked occupational pensions, and can't strike or have no means of redress.  The country is deep in debt thanks to the Conservatives, there is no 10 Downing Street Money Tree. At least you have a job, lots still don't after getting laid off during the pandemic. If you are not happy then vote for another party, get the Conservatives out of power, make your voice heard, write to your MP, don't bring what is left of this country down and disable it any more than you have done.  Keep pushing forward, write those letters. Your MP will listen, they will take notice, they have to, it is their job, it is why we vote for them. If we all write demanding an election and also a vote on getting back in to the EU, they will have to pay attention. Together w

  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