Runnin On Empty

I've recently been contacted by a number of rather upset patients that come under West Herts Hospitals NHS trust, who while waiting for their Op date for medical conditions have suddenly received a letter to basically inform them they are too fat and can't have the Op after all.  The Trust have seemingly rolled out a new policy with a total lack of communication between departments, meaning even those at the hospital that should know about it......didn't. As a regular reader & follower of the Column I used to write at the Watford Obs, I know one of the patients involved and was shocked to say the least when she contacted me on this matter, because while like most of us she could do with losing a few pounds, which she readily admits herself,  she is not what you would describe as fat or obese.   When I started getting contacted by other patients with exactly the same issue I felt it needed bringing to public attention so that others can ...

As some of you will know, I've had Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) for 28yrs, M.E is a chronic complex physical debilitating illness. I also have other stuff like Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, Scoliosis,  hunchback, yada yada...apart from that, as most would say " I'm fine ".  On Sunday 22nd April  2018 I began having breathing problems, it's common with my conditions and impossible to pinpoint what causes what exactly. The muscular weakness seems to lead to inflammation and spasms where the back and chest feel like concrete and there's an inability to take a full breath and then due to the exhaustion it all becomes rather distressing.  I'm usually able to ride this out  but it became worse as the day went on and by the evening, with raging pins and needles shooting up my spine like fire and spreading throughout my body I asked my mother to call an ambulance. I was also at a bad level of M.E at this point, trouble with processing thoug...

So a leaflet just dropped through the letterbox with  "George for Mayor, Let's Work Together" emblazoned on the front. My first thought was......... But it was accompanied with a picture, turns out it wasn't the George I was thinking of after all, but someone called George Jabbour. So he was born in Watford right?  Has Watford running through his blood? Loves the town and its people with a passion that only a Watfordian can and that's why we know he'll do the best for us huh?   Er...no,  He c ame to the Uk 13 yrs ago and has a degree in Engineering from Damascus University though? So....where's the  connection to Watford? He did start up a small business to help governments with their finances? Yep, but what about Watford?  He  become a British Citizen in 2011 because they accepted his a highly skilled migrant? Yes, well done him an all that, but Watford? He campaigned for Scotland to stay in the UK? Yeah but what about.........

Good Morning, bring a cuppa and the whole freakin packet of biccies with you, you're gonna need them...ready? .........  Until recently I didn't have a dentist because as per usual, I couldn't find one to accommodate a few basic needs due to health issues, like not being able to lie completely flat because I can't breath. I don't don't know about you, but breathing comes in quite handy?  So last Sunday at midnight ,spitting poison with three infected back teeth, excruciating pain and a  red shiny fat face that had me resembling a Puffa fish I   found myself at Watfords A & E . There were only about five people waiting but a few had bought the whole family along for a jolly. Nobody could understand the wait when it was so quiet but for Nurses  strolling around, a few with an evident  chip on their shoulders. By 3am I was  shuffling uncomfortably on the  bright blue metal seat while a lady with  mental hea...