..... which I've nicknamed Bill and Ben, say hello Bill and Ben are bloody miserable to live/work with doing what I do as you can imagine so if I've been slow to respond or I'm offline don't panic, I've not disappeared to the Bahamas or Bognor, for a few weeks now I've been doing as much as I can do right now and the rest of the time I've been holding myself together, in more ways then one

Op date predicted for the 10th May, then the recovery so one step at a time as they say

Thanks for the update Joe, a relief that the date is now imminent

Hope all goes well pal. Ain't it fun doing that therapeutic manual work!

Some days my bill and bens are hanging round me ankles!

Sounds like you need sorting as well Joe.

Yes and me Simon, Monday I'll be chasing to see if I can get bumped up the list as I can tell when I stand up out of bed whether it's going to be a good or bad day, yesterday was proper poorly, enough to send me home which was the first sick day off in..... can't remember

Good luck Joe. Sounds painful.

Good luck Joe and hope all goes well and you're feeling better soon

Best of luck with the op Joe.

Sounds painful , Joe

NHS Choices suggests that you'll make a full recovery in six weeks, but can drive and carry out light activities after two. Best stick to this and avoid juggling gearboxes for a while.

If you're having the op done in Hfd I could bring you some more biscuits, but I guess you'll be Worcs bound.

All the best for a speedy recovery

All in the detail

So long as he's better by 17th June !

As you have two, does that make you Bi Ingual?

Thanks for the info on the recovery Huw, op is planned for Kiddiminster, apparently that the main hospital to me for key hole surgery, been told I'll need dropping and and picking up so straight to the Drum and Monkey... home to bed after I suppose.

Thanks

I've Llandow on the 6th May so that'll be one I won't want to miss.

Yes.... send Wagon wheels, those will keep me rolling

Best of luck Joe. I've had 2 done. The 1st side in my mid-20s keyhole; the 2nd traditional 3 years ago.

Each time everything was fine for the 1st few days which kind of fools you, but then expect things to tighten up a bit. Hence a couple of weeks enforced rest I'm afraid whether you like it or not. Especially when you're our age. But just think of all that daytime telly and those episodes of wheeler-dealer reruns you can watch...

PLease get well soon Joe, for many reasons...

Very best wishes, Joe, hope all goes to plan.

...... well isn't that just typical of the NHS appointment system, found out at the end of last week that my operation is scheduled for the end of August, first week in September

I pushed the point then why was I told.... and was cut dead on the phone by the lady saying whoever informed me that it would be the 10th May was wrong to do so, and told quite sharply that I would have to wait leaving me feel rather irate at the system.

Bill and Ben continue to give me good and bad days, this, personal stuff being juggled and being quite mentally exhausted atm is pushing me to taking a break...... needs must so selfishly I'm taking off for 10 days from the 13th May, back in the office as normal from the 23rd May.

Sorry to hear that Joe, got to look after number one at the end of the day...

Was diagnosed with one myself several months ago and had Op scheduled for last Thursday - then contacted the day before by the hospital to cancel. Apparently surgeon no longer available. No date set yet as to when mine will be sorted...

Its not strangulated or causing me massive issues yet but it does impact on lifestyle and I just wonder if it has to get complications before I finally get in on the NHS.

Thinking of going private but i've not had so much as a broken bone before and want to get something back.

Sorry to know you're suffering as well Pete, I did enquire about going private and was told it would cost me around £3500.00, and there stood a very good chance the surgeon doing the op would be the same guy performing this for the NHS, that seriously pissed me off Friday I can tell you

Feel angry for you Joe. So frustrating.

This is why I would be in favour of paying a little more tax/Nat insurance to get the NHS back from the brink. I know money isn't the whole solution, but it's certainly part of the problem.

Can you get on a list for a cancellation ?

Operation date only a couple of days away now, Monday 7am I'll be on the ward to join all the other day cases over in Kidderminster hospital. Mango is off with friends for a few days, freezer and fridge will be stocked and I've a list as long as my intestine of things to watch or stream while at home.

..... what will probably happen is I'll be bored by Wednesday and walking to work to get out the house to do admin stuff, I know I can't drive so that's off the list definitely for the first week, light cycling maybe by Friday, we'll see.

Good luck Joe, speedy recovery....

Good luck Joe ! hope it all goes smoothly

Good luck Joe.

Try not to do too much too soon.

Hi Joe

Hope it all goes well for you (with no more delays) and you are soon on the mend.

PS I'll try to remember the wagon wheels next time we are over!

All the best Joe