I'm hoping that in order to send this I have an internet connection sometime today. If I do, then that alone would be enough for me to feel very thankful this Thursday because I've had no really usable internet since Monday morning. A great deal of my communication relies on an internet connection not just because of the computer but also because the mobile/cellphone signal here is such that we cannot get data and therefore cannot use many of the apps on the phone without wi-fi.
So I may or may not be visiting blogs depending on my access but I'm doing my best.
The other thing for which I am thankful is our wonderful health service. I know that many of you in the US are not in favour of the public national health service we take for granted here in the UK (and some other countries in Europe too) but I owe my life to it and yesterday I benefitted, yet again, from the services of a first class surgeon and the team who provided her backup and support.
I had a cancerous growth removed from my neck. It wasn't there six months ago and when it was removed yesterday it was affecting an area of about 20 x 15 mm - perhaps more. Certainly the area of tissue removed was larger.
It's removal will allow the treatment for my prostate cancer to carry on without any complications.
So this morning when I woke from a remarkably good sleep in the circumstances I was very thankful indeed for our health service and the people who staff it.
Now all I have to do is wait for an opportunity to get this post into the ether.
Wishing you a very speedy recovery and the best of health!! When I first learnt of NHS on arriving at UK, I thought it was the best idea and the best thing a government can do for its people. And whatever one may hear in the news, I was very impressed with the service offered, the free routine checks, the pamphlets we would receive and the routine checks they encouraged and reminded us of from time to time.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent thankful post GB!
Thanks Ruby. For some reason I've not been seeing your own blog in my sidebar (and you blog is not the only one) so I popped over to see what is happening and was amazed. When I have a fully restored or even sufficient internet to explore fully I shall leave comments there. At the moment it can take me 10 minutes or more to download a comment when the system has a 'good' moment. The rest of the time I can't even pick up emails.
DeleteThanks for your lovely, thought provoking comments. I enjoy getting to know your view!! I know about the internet pain, in my country unless you are in the terrace the internet speed is horrible no matter what your 4g plan claims.
DeleteI'm so glad you had a goodish night Geeb. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate. I had an even better one last night: 7 solid hours without even moving a muscle.
DeleteI'm so glad you've had such a positive experience, and I hope you recover very quickly, Graham.
ReplyDeleteThanks Frances. I have noting but praise for the NHS as an institution. Like all institutions there are flaws and there are many people who abuse the privilege that it grants to us as well.
DeleteSo glad to read the procedure went well GB. Take good care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol.
DeleteGB,
DeleteSending wishes that your health continues to improve, thankful for a system of medical care (accessible on more than one plane) that makes it possible. We have "universal health care" in Canada; we have long admired President Obama for his courage in his on-going battle with an equality issue that challenges politicians to set aside party politics for the better interest of the disenfranchised who are also part of "we," in "We the people . . .." McGregor
Thanks McGregor. I am an admirer of President Obama and I never cease to be amazed at some of the people who oppose his reforms: those, in particular, who are in the sector which, if they fall ill early on and their insurance runs out, would benefit. Democracy run by big business interests and equality for those with big pockets.
DeleteGlad to hear they are looking after you.
ReplyDeleteAdrian I wish BT were taking as good care of me as the NHS at the moment. At the moment I have the blisteringly fast download speed of 0.09 and, believe me, at the moment that is blisteringly fast simply because we are connected.
DeleteIf you will excuse the expression my dongle is running at much more than that. I uploaded 28.7MB in under two minutes and it isn't expensive. I'm sure Hutchison 3G works at your house. Better than BT anyway.
DeleteAdrian I know a number of people (including Gaz) who had Three 'service' that just isn't up here. I checked and they don't even officially serve my area.
DeleteGood to hear that things were looked after and I hope everything goes well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Red. So far so good.
DeleteWell, the post is here for us to read, which means you have internet access again - hooray! And another hooray for a successful surgery. Like you, I can only be grateful for how I have benefited from Germany's national health service so far. Of course, I do pay a lot of money every month, so one could argue that I am due some of it turning back to me in the shape of services, but I do not take it for granted. None of my health issues have been very costly yet, but I know that if I needed major surgery or a long, complicated treatment, it would be covered by them. One of our closest family friends is HIV positive and has been for many years. He certainly would not be alive anymore without our version of the NHS, and he is so well nowadays and able to work, that nobody would guess at what he has been through.
ReplyDeleteMeike the access is incredibly erratic. I started these comments at 0822 and it's now 0957! You are correct, of course, those of us who can pay in our taxes and National Health Insurance payments pay a lot and some win and some lose just as in any private insurance scheme. The difference is, as you again so correctly imply, those who can afford to pay less or even nothing also get the care.
DeleteGlad you've had the op and that all went smoothly GB.
ReplyDeleteHope your neck is not too sore and that it heals quickly, xx
Thanks Helen. I slept for 7 solid hours last night without even turning over once. My neck is really good this morning and I haven't even had to take a pain killer. A tablet that killed itches would be nice though!
DeleteGraham, as far as I know it doesn't come in tablet form. It's a kiquid taken orally with discretion. Okay forget the discretion.
DeleteI am very glad the op went well and I share your gratitude for our health service ... not just for myself at times but for others. I hope you are a hundred percent
ReplyDeletevery soon - it sounds as if you will be!
Thank you Jenny. I often think that the people of the UK have no concept of what it would be like not to have an NHS.
DeleteGlad all went well Graham!
ReplyDeleteI'm incredibly thankful for the Public Heath System here in Aus which enables me to be "bulk-billed" for most of my regular treatments and my scans & MRIs. I am also extremely grateful for the Private Health System too (which I pay for) but it allows me to have the necessary surgeries and other treatments, which I would otherwise have to go on an 18-24 month wait list for. Sure, I pay handsomely for it! But in all my years of single parenting, I never allowed it to lapse.
In the UK Liz one can have private health insurance as well (provided, of course, one isn't too high a list at the onset) but whilst you may well get preferential and speedier treatment for, say, a hip replacement when something goes wrong after the operation you are immediately shipped to a state hospital for the emergency treatment because private hospitals don't cater for emergencies.
DeleteGlad your op went well, GB. I've been testing our public health services again and am very grateful for them. As for internet connection, would you believe my new wireless connection is super fast? That's close to a miracle compared with what I've had in the past.
ReplyDeleteOh no, Pauline, I'm sorry to hear that. I shall call you during the week to find out what happened. I'm envious of any constant broadband at the moment because ours is so atrocious at the moment.
DeleteI'm glad your health service is working better than your internet! We have a similar (I think) tax based kind of health service in Sweden. Sometimes easy to forget what a privilege it is (one often tends to just make note of the things that so not work out as well as they should!)
ReplyDeleteI think that happens, Monica, because it is easier to complain than to praise: more's the pity.
DeleteWhat clever human being you are! More cancer cells...........you ratbag!!!! Those cells are just too comfy in your body. I am pleased they have been removed and the prostate cancer cells being beaten down again.
ReplyDeleteStay strong, eat well, lots of antioxidants,don't forget the pomegranate, plenty of red wine (cancer hates it), no extra puddings (cancer loves them) and plenty of wonderful rest. You deserve a longer and healthy life GB. Best wishes, Jaz
Thank you Jaz. I just love your approach! As for pomegranate I took your advice ages ago and have taken it ever since and I've used antioxidants for years and years. I drink more red wine than the nurse who always does my annual well-man check-up thinks is good for me and I almost never eat puddings. So I'm being a good boy.
DeleteWishing you a speedy recovery GB, and I hope that all will be well with you now that's it been removed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Virginia I have now speedily recovered!
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