After I broke my leg last year, I developed axonal polyneuropathy. This was diagnosed after I underwent Complex EMG (Electromyography) and Nerve Conductivity tests at King’s College Hospital in June 2024. This was followed up with a consultation with a neurology Registrar at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, in November 2024 and the promise of a follow-up … which never happened.
I waited until June this year … and then I contacted the hospital to find up when the follow-up was likely to take place. The reaction was a sort of ‘Oops! Sorry! We should have been in contact’. I was then given an appointment at midday on 14th August (i.e. last Thursday).
A couple of days beforehand, I received a text informing me that my appointment had been moved to 11.50am. Sue and I arrived at the outpatient clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in plenty of time for the appointment, booked in, and sat in the waiting area … and waited … and waited … and waited.
We finally saw a different Registrar from the last time over ninety minutes after our allotted appointment time. He apologised for the delay (apparently he had been massively overbooked) and then did an extensive series of tests on my arms, legs, and feet to check on what I could and could not feel and how much movement I had.
In conclusion, he said that there had been some improvement (which was good news), that they still had no idea why I had developed axonal polyneuropathy (no great surprise as most people who develop it are alcoholics with untreated diabetes … and I am neither), and that there was no need for any follow-up (which was a bit of a surprise). Apparently, there is no treatment and my best course of action was to carry on with the exercise regime I had been following for the last year. He also told us that I could ask for a further referral if I felt my condition was worsening … but that if I did, there was a year-long waiting list!
So, I’m stuck with a medical condition that affects my mobility and for which there is no treatment. It might improve and is unlikely to get worse, especially if I continue to exercise. I might qualify for some additional physiotherapy… which might help. On the plus side, at least I have an answer. It might not be the answer we hoped for, but now I can draw a line under this ailment and get on with my life.
Prorsum et Sursum! (My college's motto, which translates into English as Onwards and upwards!)
The title of this blog post has its origins in the half-remembered lyrics of a song that I heard as a child, SHORTNIN’ BREAD. It began life as an American folk song that probably had its origins as an African-American plantation song.
The original (and incorrectly remembered) lyrics included the lines:
Three little children, lying in bed
Two was sick and the other 'most dead
Send for the doctor and the doctor said
“feed them children on short'nin' bread"
According to Wikipedia, the song was collected in East Tennessee by E C Perrow in 1912. The traditional chorus of the song is:
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin'
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin' bread (repeated)
Good news that there's been some improvement...little victories!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the post title this is the song that came to mind...
https://youtu.be/9N1mEIR9ARo?feature=shared
Alastair,
DeleteCheers! At least I can now move forward, albeit with some restrictions.
Loudan Wainwright III! That brought back some memories! I last saw him live in Cambridge in the early 1970s! I remember him singing ‘A Horse with No Name’ but little else.
All the best,
Bob
Bob, good to see you bearing up with these frustrations with your usual fortitude. I hope you will soon regain your wargaming mojo. I've sent you my first contribution for Compendium 4 which may entertain you.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Arthur
Arthur1815 (Arthur),
DeleteThe best thing about my recent consultation is that I can now begin planning for the future. In the meantime, I hope that my mojo will return sooner rather than later.
Thanks very much for your contribution for PWC4.
All the best,
Bob
I remember that song from primary school. I don't know whether it was general in this country at the time, but the primary school repertoire that I recall heavily featured songs and spirituals from the antebellum Southern States of the US.
ReplyDelete'Put on de skillet,
put on de lead,
Momma's gwine to make
a little shortnin' bread.'
I had clean forgotten that thing until I read this posting. Makes me wonder about the process of memory, stored away for nigh on 70 years, and when called up: there it is!
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteI also remember learning quite a few ‘spirituals’ when I was a child. I suspect that it was something that was fairly common in the English-speaking education systems.
As to memory … I can remember my brother being born and going to hospital when he and my mum came home … in 1953!
All the best,
Bob
Bob,You could have had a worse 'result' but you might want to buy some new dice before rolling on the "Health" table again! :)
ReplyDeletebtw, we used to sing that shortening bread song, I "think" it "might" have been my mother that taught us...or an aunt? or...
Ross Mac,
DeleteThanks for the advice; I’ll order some new dice tomorrow!
The song seems to have been one that a lot of us learned in our early years … including The Beach Boys who recorded a version in the 1970s.
All the best,
Bob
Well, at least its not bad news. Hopefully your treatment program will continue to result in some improvement.
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteYou are right … and I am hoping that I will get some additional physiotherapy to help maintain my fitness levels.
All the best,
Bob
Wishing you well and improving health. My mother who was from the South, use to sing that to me all the time when I was a small child. I had not remembered it in years. Now it's stuck in my head. :)
ReplyDeleteWEK 3,
DeleteCheers! Sorry for starting off an ear worm for you!
All the best,
Bob
Well at least you have an answer sometimes not knowing is worse , at least now you can maintain your fitness regime- aging is no fun but a privilege not given to all.
ReplyDeleteThe Good Soldier Svjek,
DeleteYou are absolutely right. Having an answer is better than not having one … and it gives me the incentive to maintain my fitness regime.
All the best,
Bob
I know this same rhyme as a more recent British playground rhyme “No More Bouncing on the Bed” and the shortenin version is mentioned in the wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Little_Monkeys
ReplyDeleteMark, Man of Tin,
DeleteI must admit the until you pointed me towards it, I’d never associated FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS with SHORTNIN’ BREAD. Thanks for the link to the relevant Wikipedia article.
All the best,
Bob