From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Dusty - and the PSB - said it all. My luck is showing no sign of turning for the better. I was out cycling again yesterday afternoon and decided to go along the river on the golf course. The path got a bit narrow and slopey at one point and I made the fatal error of slowing down - I should have kept the pace up - and off I tumbled, smashing my body in to a birch tree - boy did it hurt!
I eventually managed to get up, dust myself off and make it back home. Moving was painful and I knew sleep would be difficult - and so it proved. At 5 am this morning, I'd had enough - I got up and thought I would try to head to work as I'd originally planned, but any kind of movement was painful and I decided it would have to be Casualty for me, so I got Jo up and we headed to ARI.
If ever there's a good time to visit Casualty, it's early on Monday morning - we were the only ones there. I was examined by one of the Doctors - no ribs broken or cracked - just bruised - but he told me it could be painful for a few months yet - what? I've got my Spanish golfing holiday in 3 weeks' time - oh no!
So here I am, at home again, blogging and moaning away again about the state of my body. I was really enjoying the cycling as part of my recuperation after the knee ops and was looking forward to a trip to the gym and pool again today, but this has set me back again.
I should have stuck to better surfaces and not risked the tighter tracks down at the river. I'd also cycled on Saturday - up to Banchory Car Centre. Ross had finally spotted a vehicle - a Mazda 3 - that would do for his business and could take the "Banchory Techies" name and numbers etc - so that's his company's first acquisition. Now all we need to do is get rid of the old Merc from our driveway.
Ian R. Stewart Family Blog
Monday, 18 October 2010
Friday, 15 October 2010
Friday - end of my little "holiday"
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
I didn't go to work today after all - I was "persuaded" to leave off trying to drive until Monday, so I stayed at home again.
Archie came round and gave me his ankle weights to help build my leg muscles up again - I need to keep doing this - only 2 weeks to the wedding - and 3 weeks until I'm supposed to be golfing again in Spain - it's going to be touch and go.
Nothing much else to report, but, thinking baout Kelly coming home, I came across this old photo of her christening:
Some faces in here that some of you won't recognise - Austin Donohoe (Lucy's Godfather - or was he Kelly's?) and his then girlfriend Mary, are in the middle at the back, and Dawn's first husband, Reg is the one with the beard. Granny Banaghan (Lottie's Mum) is sitting next to the priest - but where is Barry? Jo's younger sister Margaret is bottom right and her husband Pat is top left.
Only Brian, Mary, Dawn, me, Jo, Lucy, Gary and, of course, Kelly, still around and in touch now - how sad.
I didn't go to work today after all - I was "persuaded" to leave off trying to drive until Monday, so I stayed at home again.
Archie came round and gave me his ankle weights to help build my leg muscles up again - I need to keep doing this - only 2 weeks to the wedding - and 3 weeks until I'm supposed to be golfing again in Spain - it's going to be touch and go.
Nothing much else to report, but, thinking baout Kelly coming home, I came across this old photo of her christening:
Some faces in here that some of you won't recognise - Austin Donohoe (Lucy's Godfather - or was he Kelly's?) and his then girlfriend Mary, are in the middle at the back, and Dawn's first husband, Reg is the one with the beard. Granny Banaghan (Lottie's Mum) is sitting next to the priest - but where is Barry? Jo's younger sister Margaret is bottom right and her husband Pat is top left.
Only Brian, Mary, Dawn, me, Jo, Lucy, Gary and, of course, Kelly, still around and in touch now - how sad.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Afternoon adventures
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
I got invited again to go along and watch Syd, Archie and Rob get lessons in bridge from Dan. This week it was held at Archie's house - up the Glassel Road, so I thought I'd be adventurous and try to cycle up there - it's easier cycling than walking and my physio stressed that I needed to keep stretching my knee and cycling - albeit on a static bike - was the ideal way to do this.
It was another fine day and off I set, through the park, past the cricket pitch and up the old forest tracks - and I coped OK. In fact, I surprised myself how well I did - and I really enjoyed getting out, and getting some fresh air and exercise.
Today, I worked at home this morning whilst Jo nipped back to Dobbie's to acquire the topiary for the wedding. It now sits proudly outside our front door:
Having finished most of my work in the morning, and encouraged by my cycling experiences yesterday, with Jo off to her swimming, I decided it was time to get the bike out again this afternoon. I headed off in the same direction as yesterday, up the old railway line and on to the forest tracks. I stopped for a break near the top of the hill:
The puffed cheeks were not posed - I had misjudged the timer! I then went beyond the houses on Glassel Road and up to the Hill of Brathens track - then east back towards the main Raemoir Road, which I crossed, heading towards Hirn. I stopped in front of the new Cowshed restaurant, which looks like it's almost ready to open:
I couldn't find my old safety glasses (nor one of my cycling gloves), and almost inevitably got a fly in my eye. I just couldn't get rid of it - I even tried photographing the eye to see if I could spot it:
Lovely photo, don't you think? Oh well, carry on regardless. Eventually, I was passing Wooden Barn and I thought - ah hah! - slight detour - stop for a cup of tea at the new Buchanan's Bistro there, and pay a visit to the loos. It worked a treat - I was able to remove the offending fly from under my eyelid with the aid of the large mirrors there.
Nice place too - and I enjoyed my tea and brownie. I read the Piper and sat in a nice sofa looking west out the window - this was the view:
What you can't quite see from the above photo is the new Tesco that is being erected at an incredible pace - it's due to open next month, having just started last month:
I wandered round Woodend Barn - I enquired whether they had had any returned tickets for Ed Byrne's concert next month - they hadn't, but I put my name on the waiting list anyway. They've also got Andy White (http://www.andywhite.com/) appearing in 2 weeks' time - an intimate concert, with a meal, in the Bistro - but I then realised that's just 2 days before the wedding, so it wasn't really on.
Cycling back through Hill of Banchory, then down to the Platties to follow the river back home - a nice way to spend a couple of hours on a very pleasant afternoon. I'll sleep well tonight - if the pain in my rear end doesn't disturb me too much!
Sitting here blogging away just now whilst Jo's at her weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in, I'm thinking I might try driving again tomorrow and nip in to the office for a short while. We're going to dinner at the Lings tomorrow night - and it's early so I need to be home sharp anyway.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
The Continuing Story of Town House Ian
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Well, you couldn't call me Bungalow Bill, could you? (Apologies to my younger readers for this obscure 60's reference).
Yes, I'm working from home again - 2 days in a working week is enough for any man surely? It was Aberdeen on Monday - Jo took me in early and Ross picked me up early afternoon - I had 2 late afternoon appointments at our Medical Practice. First of all, Dr. Doug Smith to look at the sun-damaged blotch on my nose. I'd had it looked at a few years ago and was told it was benign and the specialist had just given me some cream to lighten the dark brown colouring, but the anaesthetist at Albyn had made a point of telling Jo I needed to get it looked at again - hence this appointment.
Dr. Smith examined it and said there were now 2 levels to it - and he gave them both names, but, for the life of me, I can't remember what they were. Anyway, he said he could just freeze it now if I wanted? OK, I said - go ahead - and he put the eye masks on me and gave my nose 2 blasts - and that, apparently, is that. I go back in a few weeks for him to look at it again, but so far no noticeable effects.
Then it was the Nurse's turn - knee stitches out. Five of them were OK, but one of them on my sore right knee was a bit deeper and blood started flowing when she took the stitch out. She put butterfly stitches on and told me to leave them for a few days until they fell off.
That was Monday - on Tuesday morning it was back to the physio, and she was a little alarmed at the way I walked in, and, initially, she was going to call the hospital and have the surgeon look at my right knee again. However, after a while, we got the knee moving a bit and she seemed a bit happier with it. I told her about the severe pain I was getting when trying to move the joint and she did say it was still pretty swollen and raw and I had to be careful about not "loading" the knee - but I had to keep trying to move it.
From there, it was up to Fraserburgh - we had some Norwegian visitors. I got a lift up with Francis Clark and Ross picked me up at the Old Mill at 5pm - a full day's work!
I forgot to say I was out for dinner with these Norwegians at the Marcliffe on Monday night - and lovely it was too. Jo demanded a full description of what we'd had to eat when I got home - poor girl was envious!
Oh - I finished my Hunter S Thompson book - it was pretty interesting - he was a real cowboy, pushing the political, ethical, moral and legal boundaries - but he could write, and it was fairly entertaining in places. I've now started to read a short golf book I was given - Four Iron in the Sole, by Glaswegian Lawrence Donegan. It's about a year he spent acting as temporary caddy to a jouneyman pro golfer. I've an awful feeling I've read it before, but I'll carry on with it for a while yet - it's pretty funny - if you like golf, that is.
So that's been my week so far - a bit better, but still a long way to go. Hope you're all having a good time - let's hear from you.
Well, you couldn't call me Bungalow Bill, could you? (Apologies to my younger readers for this obscure 60's reference).
Yes, I'm working from home again - 2 days in a working week is enough for any man surely? It was Aberdeen on Monday - Jo took me in early and Ross picked me up early afternoon - I had 2 late afternoon appointments at our Medical Practice. First of all, Dr. Doug Smith to look at the sun-damaged blotch on my nose. I'd had it looked at a few years ago and was told it was benign and the specialist had just given me some cream to lighten the dark brown colouring, but the anaesthetist at Albyn had made a point of telling Jo I needed to get it looked at again - hence this appointment.
Dr. Smith examined it and said there were now 2 levels to it - and he gave them both names, but, for the life of me, I can't remember what they were. Anyway, he said he could just freeze it now if I wanted? OK, I said - go ahead - and he put the eye masks on me and gave my nose 2 blasts - and that, apparently, is that. I go back in a few weeks for him to look at it again, but so far no noticeable effects.
Then it was the Nurse's turn - knee stitches out. Five of them were OK, but one of them on my sore right knee was a bit deeper and blood started flowing when she took the stitch out. She put butterfly stitches on and told me to leave them for a few days until they fell off.
That was Monday - on Tuesday morning it was back to the physio, and she was a little alarmed at the way I walked in, and, initially, she was going to call the hospital and have the surgeon look at my right knee again. However, after a while, we got the knee moving a bit and she seemed a bit happier with it. I told her about the severe pain I was getting when trying to move the joint and she did say it was still pretty swollen and raw and I had to be careful about not "loading" the knee - but I had to keep trying to move it.
From there, it was up to Fraserburgh - we had some Norwegian visitors. I got a lift up with Francis Clark and Ross picked me up at the Old Mill at 5pm - a full day's work!
I forgot to say I was out for dinner with these Norwegians at the Marcliffe on Monday night - and lovely it was too. Jo demanded a full description of what we'd had to eat when I got home - poor girl was envious!
Oh - I finished my Hunter S Thompson book - it was pretty interesting - he was a real cowboy, pushing the political, ethical, moral and legal boundaries - but he could write, and it was fairly entertaining in places. I've now started to read a short golf book I was given - Four Iron in the Sole, by Glaswegian Lawrence Donegan. It's about a year he spent acting as temporary caddy to a jouneyman pro golfer. I've an awful feeling I've read it before, but I'll carry on with it for a while yet - it's pretty funny - if you like golf, that is.
So that's been my week so far - a bit better, but still a long way to go. Hope you're all having a good time - let's hear from you.
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Countdown to the wedding
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Here I sit - it's Saturday night, and, just for a change, it's me that's home alone. Why, you say? Well, it's Carole's Hen Night and Jo's gone off there - the theme is dark/satanic/vampires/goths etc - generally black all round. It took an age - and lots of stress, but here she is:
Here I sit - it's Saturday night, and, just for a change, it's me that's home alone. Why, you say? Well, it's Carole's Hen Night and Jo's gone off there - the theme is dark/satanic/vampires/goths etc - generally black all round. It took an age - and lots of stress, but here she is:
You want a close-up?:
Scary, eh? But then again, she always was!
Anyway, I had my fun last night at the headbang at Dave's - check http://banchoryheadbangers.blogspot.com/ for details. It was nice to get out and enjoy myself and not be restricted by the lack of movement in my knees.
The Sunday Times and the Challenge Cup semi-final between the Jags and Ross County should keep me fairly occupied tomorrow - then it's back to work Monday/Tuesday - that is assuming I can get a lift from Jo and/or Ross.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Friday on my mind
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Going to Dave's tonight for a headbang - something to look forward to anyway - and get me out of the slough of despondency I've been in since yesterday. My right knee has got a lot worse over the last 24 hours and the pain when I bend it is incredible, so I'm trying to do a lot less today and give it more time to mend itself.
Jo was going to Dobbie's today and asked me if I'd like to chum her along - so I did. Nice place, and we had lunch there too. When it opened earlier this year, I remember some publicity about the unusual urinals in the Gents - and I got a close-up look at them today:
That's your lot for now.
Going to Dave's tonight for a headbang - something to look forward to anyway - and get me out of the slough of despondency I've been in since yesterday. My right knee has got a lot worse over the last 24 hours and the pain when I bend it is incredible, so I'm trying to do a lot less today and give it more time to mend itself.
Jo was going to Dobbie's today and asked me if I'd like to chum her along - so I did. Nice place, and we had lunch there too. When it opened earlier this year, I remember some publicity about the unusual urinals in the Gents - and I got a close-up look at them today:
That's your lot for now.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Autumn Almanac
When the dawn begins to crack.
It’s all part of my autumn almanac.
Breeze blows leaves of a musty-coloured yellow,
So I sweep them in my sack.
Yes, yes, yes, it’s my autumn almanac
The first verse of Ray Davies' famous song came to mind when I awoke early this morning and noticed the trees outside turning - it's coming to that time of year again.
I had my first appointment with physiotherapist Joan McLoughlin - Jo drove me up, but I said I would walk back home myself. Joan briefed me on what I should and shouldn't be doing. She was very happy with my left leg - it's coming along nicely - but my right leg is stiff and sore - I need to get more movement in it. Swinging from a table top and cycling from a static bike with an elevated saddle were suggested. Also, use my walking poles to support my bad leg.
So off I trotted down the hill back home, trying hard to walk properly like I was told - "no peg legs". Well, it didn't work - I made it home, but several times I pulled up in excruciating pain. It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to be out walking - and they all spotted me, doubled up in pain. I assured them I was OK and I would make it home alright - and I did - but the sharp pains above my knee have increased in frequency and severity. I need to be very careful from here on in.
So that's been my day - I kept myself busy on the computer, reading and digitising some of my old LP's. Golf on the TV was from Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and St Andrews - all courses I know - and they looked terrific in the bright sunshine, so that helped pass a bit of time as well. Am I missing work? I'm missing the freedom to make that choice, that's for sure.
Sorry these blog postings are all medical reports just now, but that's all that's going on in my life just now - and I'm afraid it's likely to continue for a wee while yet.
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Wednesday woes
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
No real complaints today, so forgive the use of alliteration in the title. I had arranged to go to Fraserburgh this morning - Ross would drive me as Jo was heading back to Glasgow to pick up her dress for the wedding - it's annual Union negotiations, and, fortunately they went quite well.
We stopped off for lunch at the Mustard Seed coffee shop in New Deer of all places - it's attached to the church there. Very nice, but we were careful not to read any of the literature there - Jo might have appreciated it a bit more than us.
Ross bought what was advertised as "toffee", but, for those who don't have an affiliation with the North East, this would be described as "tablet" in the West of Scotland. Pure sugar.
Back home for the afternoon, I decided I would try and walk to the golf club for a beer - and I managed - eventually - not without some heart-stopping moments, but I got there - and back - OK.
Tomorrow is my first physio visit - and I've decided that I'm not going back to work this week - I can do stuff at home instead.
No real complaints today, so forgive the use of alliteration in the title. I had arranged to go to Fraserburgh this morning - Ross would drive me as Jo was heading back to Glasgow to pick up her dress for the wedding - it's annual Union negotiations, and, fortunately they went quite well.
We stopped off for lunch at the Mustard Seed coffee shop in New Deer of all places - it's attached to the church there. Very nice, but we were careful not to read any of the literature there - Jo might have appreciated it a bit more than us.
Ross bought what was advertised as "toffee", but, for those who don't have an affiliation with the North East, this would be described as "tablet" in the West of Scotland. Pure sugar.
Back home for the afternoon, I decided I would try and walk to the golf club for a beer - and I managed - eventually - not without some heart-stopping moments, but I got there - and back - OK.
Tomorrow is my first physio visit - and I've decided that I'm not going back to work this week - I can do stuff at home instead.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Tuesday goes too slow
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Sitting around all day doesn't burn up a lot of energy and so, despite the prospect of breakfast in bed for the 3rd day in a row, I was up at my usual crack of dawn today and have since been trying to while the time away with some work on the laptop.
I walked to get the paper this morning - fancifully, I thought I could manage along to the High St, but, after 20 yards or so, I realised that wasn't going to happen, so I stopped at the garage instead. My knees aren't strong enough yet to go any further.
It's going to be a long day today. At least yesterday I had the Ryder Cup to watch. Ross is driving me to Fraserburgh in the morning - that'll help pass the day. I'm so bored I'm even thinking of going along to watch a beginner's bridge class that Dan Corbett's running this afternoon!
Sitting around all day doesn't burn up a lot of energy and so, despite the prospect of breakfast in bed for the 3rd day in a row, I was up at my usual crack of dawn today and have since been trying to while the time away with some work on the laptop.
I walked to get the paper this morning - fancifully, I thought I could manage along to the High St, but, after 20 yards or so, I realised that wasn't going to happen, so I stopped at the garage instead. My knees aren't strong enough yet to go any further.
It's going to be a long day today. At least yesterday I had the Ryder Cup to watch. Ross is driving me to Fraserburgh in the morning - that'll help pass the day. I'm so bored I'm even thinking of going along to watch a beginner's bridge class that Dan Corbett's running this afternoon!
Monday, 4 October 2010
Monday at home
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
It's Monday morning and I survived the weekend boredom - thanks primarily to the Ryder Cup. A few "how are you" phone calls and a brief visit from Syd, who popped in after Sunday morning golf, helped pass the time as well - as did the Sunday Times.
Did a bit of planning for this Friday's headbang as well, and I was in touch with Kelly to start planning our time in Oz.
Today, Jo's driving me back to Albyn for my appointment with the cardiologist, and, later on, it's my GP to check my blood counts after a month of taking statins. Do I feel like an invalid? Well, yes actually.
Incidentally, the surgeon on Friday put some lubricant in my knees, but I didn't realise it was so much that I would be slurping up the stairs! Where does it all go, I wonder?
It's Monday morning and I survived the weekend boredom - thanks primarily to the Ryder Cup. A few "how are you" phone calls and a brief visit from Syd, who popped in after Sunday morning golf, helped pass the time as well - as did the Sunday Times.
Did a bit of planning for this Friday's headbang as well, and I was in touch with Kelly to start planning our time in Oz.
Today, Jo's driving me back to Albyn for my appointment with the cardiologist, and, later on, it's my GP to check my blood counts after a month of taking statins. Do I feel like an invalid? Well, yes actually.
Incidentally, the surgeon on Friday put some lubricant in my knees, but I didn't realise it was so much that I would be slurping up the stairs! Where does it all go, I wonder?
Saturday, 2 October 2010
More medical news
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Being stuck in the house on a beautiful morning, when I would otherwise have been golfing, what else can I do but blog some more and bore you with my medical progress?
A couple of photos first of all - me with my bandages on last night, on my new chair, with laptop table attachment, sitting in what Jo calls my "pod", surrounded by all my accoutrements and controls:
Being stuck in the house on a beautiful morning, when I would otherwise have been golfing, what else can I do but blog some more and bore you with my medical progress?
A couple of photos first of all - me with my bandages on last night, on my new chair, with laptop table attachment, sitting in what Jo calls my "pod", surrounded by all my accoutrements and controls:
and this morning, with the big bandages having slipped down my legs overnight, leaving just the 3 waterproof plasters exposed:
Did you know the stitches are real ones that have to be removed in 10 days or so? No more dissolvable ones apparently.
So, it looks like a weekend of Ryder Cup vegetation for me!
Friday, 1 October 2010
Home again
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
I'm home again and all seemed to go well - now it's rest and physiotherapy.
The surgeon briefed me before the ops and etched his "this way up" signs on my legs:
I'm home again and all seemed to go well - now it's rest and physiotherapy.
The surgeon briefed me before the ops and etched his "this way up" signs on my legs:
Jo thought my ankle bracelet looked rather fetching too:
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Fergus responds
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Following up yesterday's comment about my tax rebate, it's now on the BBC web site - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11437602. It's framed as a question and answer, but, in actual fact, realising I was a C.A., Fergus asked my advice on the matter!
Here's the narrative on the web site in full:
Q. I was watching your spot on television after the lunchtime news yesterday and I thought I would let you know about another error HMRC made in my favour. I was sent my Self Assessment - Tax Calculation letter last week, showing that I was due a substantial refund. I knew this was incorrect, but hadn't had a chance to check it out properly before the refund actually appeared in my bank account this week. I have two employers, and pay and tax details for both were submitted in my tax return, but they have completely ignored one of them (the larger) and I have therefore benefited by having the whole of my personal allowance applied against the lower of my salaries, plus the benefit of a lower rate of tax being applied. Ian Stewart
A. This letter raises an interesting point - what do you do if the Revenue makes a mistake, that you know is a mistake? It's one thing if they send you some money that you know you are entitled to, another if they send you money that you think you might be entitled to but how should you behave when the Revenue sends you a cheque that you know that you have absolutely no right to have in the first place?
Well the simple answer is that you should behave in the way you would expect someone to behave towards you - and in this case that means giving the money back. It's probably also true to say that there is no doubt that the Revenue would have noticed their mistake - even if it took a few years - and Ian would have had to give the money back then anyway, so better to be upfront and tell the revenue about their mistake - no matter how much it hurts!
Following up yesterday's comment about my tax rebate, it's now on the BBC web site - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11437602. It's framed as a question and answer, but, in actual fact, realising I was a C.A., Fergus asked my advice on the matter!
Here's the narrative on the web site in full:
Q. I was watching your spot on television after the lunchtime news yesterday and I thought I would let you know about another error HMRC made in my favour. I was sent my Self Assessment - Tax Calculation letter last week, showing that I was due a substantial refund. I knew this was incorrect, but hadn't had a chance to check it out properly before the refund actually appeared in my bank account this week. I have two employers, and pay and tax details for both were submitted in my tax return, but they have completely ignored one of them (the larger) and I have therefore benefited by having the whole of my personal allowance applied against the lower of my salaries, plus the benefit of a lower rate of tax being applied. Ian Stewart
A. This letter raises an interesting point - what do you do if the Revenue makes a mistake, that you know is a mistake? It's one thing if they send you some money that you know you are entitled to, another if they send you money that you think you might be entitled to but how should you behave when the Revenue sends you a cheque that you know that you have absolutely no right to have in the first place?
Well the simple answer is that you should behave in the way you would expect someone to behave towards you - and in this case that means giving the money back. It's probably also true to say that there is no doubt that the Revenue would have noticed their mistake - even if it took a few years - and Ian would have had to give the money back then anyway, so better to be upfront and tell the revenue about their mistake - no matter how much it hurts!
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Financial fame and pain
From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/
Did anyone listen to Fergus@bbc.co.uk on his weekly financial spot on the Scottish news at lunchtime today? I missed it but I think I got a mention. He was talking last week about the Revenue's recent cock-ups, so I e-mailed and told him about my recent experience of getting a substantial sum back that I wasn't due - and he phoned me back yesterday to ask for permission to mention my experience and my name.
That was the fame - later on was the pain when I had my appointment with the Oral Surgeon. He definitely thinks I should have the implant - but he would too, wouldn't he? £1,800 for the implant and a further £200 for a CT scan. He told me this was cheap - London was twice this price!
I had a full head X-ray, plus a whole portfolio of digital photos taken, then impressions of gums were taken, so it was a fairly long session. I've now got 4 choices:
Did anyone listen to Fergus@bbc.co.uk on his weekly financial spot on the Scottish news at lunchtime today? I missed it but I think I got a mention. He was talking last week about the Revenue's recent cock-ups, so I e-mailed and told him about my recent experience of getting a substantial sum back that I wasn't due - and he phoned me back yesterday to ask for permission to mention my experience and my name.
That was the fame - later on was the pain when I had my appointment with the Oral Surgeon. He definitely thinks I should have the implant - but he would too, wouldn't he? £1,800 for the implant and a further £200 for a CT scan. He told me this was cheap - London was twice this price!
I had a full head X-ray, plus a whole portfolio of digital photos taken, then impressions of gums were taken, so it was a fairly long session. I've now got 4 choices:
- Do nothing - there's no pain just now, but I was told the infection now has space in my gums and it's likely to return as the little buggers multiply.
- Have the tooth removed and leave myself with a toothless smile.
- Have him slit the gums and go in and try to clean it out.
- Go ahead with the implant - apparently the whole process takes 6 months before the implant is properly settled - and it lasts 15 years or so.
He's going to write it all up so I can consider what to do - and consult with my insurers to see if they'll pay for any of it. He then told me he's doing a Masters in "implantology" and did I mind if I became a cause célèbre for him?
Yours disgruntledly
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)