Tommy Toes in Trouble!

Cheers Pumpy.

Hahaha! I only had 3 meals whilst in there HRH because they had me 'nil by mouth' for so long - unnecessarily for about a day and a half, which didn't bother me, but it was not being able to have any water for so long (again totally unnecessarily) which was the big bug-bear.
I managed to down about 3 jugs full in a couple of hours once they finally let me off the fast when there was no chance of me having the endoscopy I'd been put down for 36 hours before.
By heck, you have to have some semblance of your wits about you in these places or you have no chance.

When the second meal was offered the woman shouted through the door; Lentil cottage pie, some pasta nonsense or something to do with eggs.

Faced with such a gruesome threesome I asked "What's a lentil cottage pie then?" "Er, cottage pie made with lentils" came the reply.
I had to laugh!
It was the only thing which seemed edible to me so I had that.

It wasn't bad to be honest!

For the third meal I was given what the bloke who'd been in the bed the day before had ordered, which was a pork chop, green beans and rice.
The bloke who brought it to me said I could order something else if I wanted. When I asked what the other choices were they were some Pasta nonsense and the egg thing again!

I said I'd stick with the pork - which again wasn't bad, nor were the green beans - but just WHAT is the point of rice? It makes as little sense as an aubergine.

If the chooser the day before had ordered spuds (which he could have done) it would have been just the ticket.
I see no reason whatsoever to waste time chewing some hard, bullet shaped, tasteless, almost valueless in nutrition grains when you can have spuds!

Hahaha!

Think he played during what many consider was our best ever time. We drew 0-0 and 1-1 with Benfica when they were at their greatest and were the first club ever eliminated on away goals. We were also the first team ever to take a point off them at the Stadium of Light in a  European trophy. We'd a load of other big results around that era, I think Conroy was part of the squad before his move to Stoke.

I was in London 1969 and staying at Finsbuty Park which was very close to Aresnal's ground. They had a midweek match in the old Inter City Fairs Cup I think it was, so we went along to tick off another ground on our attended list. They were playing Glentoran. Can't remember the score.

I'm off to my local Italian to try out this pasta nonsense dish. Or is it's full title pasta nonsensico carbonara?

Nice to hear you're doing well Tommy.

Do you and the docs know exactly what the problem was, is?

Somebody remind me to send a get well soon card...to the hospital staff.

Arsenal won 3-0
Sammy Nelson made his debut in that match ( when I bought my first house his name was on the deeds as a previous owner )


Glentoran won the second leg 1-0  a match the great Ray Kennedy made his first team debut in

Haha! I think it was something to do with 'nonsense ravioli', HRH!

Very funny Sparky!

Thanks Treble.

It's the bleedin' weather in Stoke which has been my downfall.

Glad you're feeling better Tommy.

Were you in the same hospital as your mate Derek?

well remembered pumpy

that's quite a coindidence about Sammy

Cheers Colly.

I was.
And when the nurse came around to ask me what I wanted for breakfast at 6am on the Wedneday morning I said "Nothing".
"But your endoscopy isn't until 2:30pm, you have loads of time" she said.
"My neighbour had one a few weeks ago, aspirated, and was dead 6 days later. I'll do without thanks. Just give me some water please", I replied.
"Oh. Er.. hmm.  Okay, but you can only have a few sips of water and then will have to go without until the endoscopy."
"Jeeeeez! Are you SURE about that?!" I asked.

She then asked another nurse there who said I could have water up until 2 hours before - which I thought was the case (I've had endoscopies before) - so at least I wasn't parched, yet again.

As I said earlier - if you don't have some semblance of sense about you when you're admitted, you really could come a cropper.

- This was a staff nurse, by the way - not an auxiliary.

- the one who said I could only have a few sips of water.

Oh dear, glad you got out in one piece Tommy.

We all welcome you back Tommy, except Nibbs.

He has ony moved you from 'hate' to 'intense dislike' on the swingometer.

Clungehungry
23 Jun 13 13:20   
Somebody remind me to send a get well soon card...to the hospital staff.

I had an endoscopy maybe 6 years ago, as I had been getting very unpleasant indigestion for quite some time. I risked it without an anaesthetic and it was not toobad. Before I had it the nurse asked me the usual questions, do you smoke how much alcohol do you consume etc. After it was over the Doctor said there's nothing wrong with you. I said you mean I have to go on tolerating this awful indigestion! He glanced at my notes the nurse had passed him. Well you could cut down on the beer he said. lol

very funny sparky.

Me too, Colly, but a nurse 'phoned me on Friday and they want me to go in again tomorrow for another one (endoscopy), so it's fingers crossed again time.

I really don't want to moan as I know the tremendously hard job it must be for the nurses (especially) at the ever-busy hospitals these days, but it's so easy for patients to be given the wrong steer because of the high volumes of admittance (especially via Accident & Emergency), many different changes of staff/doctors in that time and the possibility of wrong notes being taken.

I take Ramipril for high blood pressure.
I was asked what medicines I take, continuously, from the first arrival of the roaming paramedic before the ambulance was called.
It was obviously written on my notes and from the second day I was told by a nurse in the morning that my medication of Ramapril was about to be given - irregardless of what my blood pressure had been since the Monday evening.

My blood pressure was through the floor and had been since I first dialled 999.
"Er, are you sure I need that judging by my blood pressure readings?" I had to ask on both the Tuesday and the Wednesday.
"Oh. Right" said both nurses on reading the notes.

When you're in there you begin to realise just how easy it is for some catastrophic (not my case, I'd have just been feeling even more rotten) mistakes to be made if you don't have your wits about you - but how many people are  compis mentis when they're rushed in?

Very funny SF!
Mr Nibbs 'hateometer' has kept me going!

*Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Totally agree Tommy, that's why I pay into BUPA. Private medical cover gives you more choice. You can likely choose a consultant and will be seeing the same person and you won’t be shifted around with your notes as you could be in the NHS. The patient should have more of a say in timing and any procedure will probably take place earlier than it would with the NHS.

work paid half, and I've kept it up since I left.

kenny, I don't really know if you have much choice in these matters if you're admitted via 999 and A&E, especially if it's just a short term stay.
Perhaps it would kick in if you have to be in long term, but for 3 days I would think BUPA cover wouldn't be any good at all?
I really don't know though.

From the time I was admitted (at about 7pm on the Monday) until the the day I was discharged (Thursday am - which entailed me finally getting home at about 4:30pm) I saw 5 different doctors - all obviously just 'doing the rounds', which isn't very good for continuation of care or note taking.

From the night I was admitted I'd been written up for 4 units of blood for a transfusion (my HB [haemoglobin level] was very low as I#d lost so much blood) but they kept delaying it, daily, and said they'd wait to see what it was on the next reading.

On the Thursday morning this strange woman who appeared bouncing on the bottom of my bed at quarter to nine in the morning (who I thought might be a cleaner but was in fact a doctor) said I could go home later if my HB level hadn't fallen again.

I was discharged and could hardly stand up as I waited for my taxi on the car park in my dressing gown (with my coat thrown over me, which I'd asked one of the paramedics to take with us as we left my house when I first called 999, she saying: "Oh you don't need a coat this weather"  With me replying "What when I come out?").

It amazes me that people don't think beyond the end of their nose.

I then felt so ruddy shocking when I got home that I 'phoned my doctor on Friday afternoon to ask if I should be on iron tablets.
He couldn't believe that the hospital had discharged me without prescribing any - as my HB was half of what it is usually (he had figures on his computer automatically sent via the path lab at the hospital since I'd been admitted - not that he was aware until he looked for them).

My HB had actually dropped one full point since the Wednesday, so I can only think whoever it was who'd looked at the numbers must have been as numerate as me!

Great to see you back TT after being in the wars for so long, hope the road to complete recovery is very swift china.

Thanks Slippy.

Good to see you back, Tommy.

Will you, in commemoration of your time in hospital, be renaming Toes Towers "Lentil Cottage?"

that's a good point Tommy, may look ino that.

Haha!
I just might do, Muntz!

As you know, I'm a firm believer in 'listening to your body' on what it requires - and the very first thing I looked for on my release from hospital on the Thursday afternoon was a tin of lentil soup, which I thought I had in.

I didn't even know at the time that lentils were a high source of iron - and I haven't had any lentil soup for about 3 years - yet, that's what my body was telling me to have.

Unfortunately, I had no lentil soup in, so I had some tinned meat instead (I could only stand up for a short while and it was a matter of 'as needs must'.

I then had a sleep and had some beans on toast later - again, not a thing I have very often, yet I really desired it at the time and have had 3 portions since then (about 9 rounds of beans on wholemeal toast).
Another good source of iron.

Listen to your body!

*into

Eat WEETABIX every day

kenny, I would if I were you as it's a bit pointless paying a high premium for something which is automatically given to you via our excellent NHS - and which is something that BUPA can't even begin to offer; ie comprehensive health care when you may unfortunately succumb to an emergency situation.

After 9 rounds of beans of toast I imagine all of Bucknall is listening to your body right now.

Hahahahaha!!

it's already on my "to do" list Tommy. except I've placed it at the top as I'm a world class procrastinator.

At least you actually have a "to do" list Kenny. I haven't got around to doing mine yet as I keep getting distracted by other stuff.

lol, it's the thief of time as they say.

'Unpunctuality and procastination are similar transgressions'

was the standard lines given for being late for school.

Persistent perversity provokes a perfectly peaceful prefect to perpetrate particularly painful punishments, is what I had to write out in detention 100 times.

I'm never late ever, a lifetime of meeting clients, quotas and deadlines and me being a fastidious git has got it ingrained in my noggin never to be late. I do however put things off when I can't be bothered. The upstairs bathroom needs a couple of tiles replaced, if it gets done by September I'll amaze even myself.

what do you do slippy, broadly?

"Procrastination is the thief of time" was Beaky Johnson's (teacher) edict at Hanley High.

My mother died 4 years ago in July and on her not leaving a will it was a right mither to clear things up afterwards - and I was lucky.

I said at the time the most important next step would be for me to leave a will, yet I still haven't done so.

This latest escapade has made me realise just how much it really needs to be done.

Especially if you don't have any 'next of kin' as such and don't wish to have whatever your assets are squandered amongst a solicitor and various relatives who mean nothing to you at all.

Beaky Johnson, what a great name. I haven't made a will yet either and I must be 12 years older than you, Tommy. Money scattered all over the place (not a lot of it) must put that 2nd on the list.]

As you 2 appeear to have no direct next of kin, can you both be my stepdad? 

I'll have whatever's going after your demise, escpecially money, bonds and guitars, anything apart from cats.

Definitely put it on the list pronto, kenny, if you can be bothered.

I think most people can't be @rsed with making a will as they're happy enough with their wife/husband being the sole beneficiary (usually) if they die intestate - which is fair enough - but if it's any more complicated than that and you want your estate to go exactly where YOU wish it to go, a will is extremely necessary.

Sibaroni was most helpful to me when my mother died in explaining the legalities of everything, for which I'm ever grateful.

When I spoke to him, my brother being very ill at the time too - who died 6 months later - Sib also explained how the intestate procedure would apply if I too died intestate.

The mither of it was ridiculous to think about - involving aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids.

I was determined to write a will - I already had (have) a Will form to be completed, but after 14 year of 'stuff' you just want to have a rest.
Well, I did so (have a rest) - but it now needs to be sorted out.

If I die in the meantime - Sparky can have everything!

Very good SF!

My sister is my direct line of kin. She's 69  and has muscular dystraphy. Has 2 daughters, might leave them something, rest is definately going to Haworth Cat Rescue. Other sisster's 86!

kenny, that will only happen if you have it written down and it's legally acceptable.
You can't just imagine that what you say before you die to some relative (or on here) is what will happen.
It MUST be legal to apply.

I know, as when I mentioned to Sib before my brother died that if she killed me whilst driving (she was/is the most insane person ever let behind a wheel - and there were at least 2 instances that Christmas when she very nearly  had me deaded) - she would have been the sole recipient of anything I had after my brother died (if I died intestate) - which was just a few weeks later.

yes i realise that Tommy. Better get it done after I've phoned Bupa.

Hahahaha!!!

All I can say is; it's easy to put off as we as mere mortals don't think it's going to happen - but it will.

I'm not preaching to anyone (especially after not having done so myself) - but if you have relatives and want to spare them a load of red tape grief after your demise and/or really are bothered about who gets what out of your estate, writing a will really is a "must do".
You can always alter it later.

You can buy a Will form from the Post Office (one which I have but not filled in yet for 20 years) or do it online to keep the costs down.
Just as legal as paying those shyster solicitors an arm and a leg to scribble a few things down.

Kenny mann, I have sent you a p.m.

Just read back and realised I didn't mention 'the insane one' was my ex sister-in-law.

I'm just very content in knowing that she will get nothing, nada, zilch upon my demise - as that's all she was ever concerned about for 20 years before my brother died.
Truly.

Good to see you are back home Tommy. You must be pleased the taxi driver knew where you live, otherwise you might still be driving round the outskirts of Stoke!

I would endorse your comments about making a Will, perhaps even more so for people who have a wife and kids. The intestacy rules even for them are not simple, and in the case of children there is guardianship to be considered. Imagine a fatal car crash killing husband and wife, leaving two sets of warring grandparents arguing over who should look after the kids. Doesn't bear thinking about.

If you do it with a Will form, just make sure you know what you are doing, and do complete the formalities correctly.

Cheers Fenners.

I had to ask the nurse in charge of 'The Departure Lounge' at the hospital just where I was exactly before I called  for a taxi.
She said I wasn't to bother as she'd call for me.

She was then taken up with a plethora of various 'departures' which I couldn't stop laughing about - so even though I could have 'phoned myself for a taxi about 10 minutes before she did, I didn't bother as the entertainment was so funny!
I can heartily recommend 'The Departure Lounge' at Stoke University Hospital (or whatever it's called these days) as a great location for anyone looking for a 'short break' holiday!

They'd certainly never forget it!


Can't agree with you more about the Will stuff.
It's probably an automatic rejection of such things because of our innate desire to live that we put these things off - but it really is very important. Especially where kids are concerned.

Please think on anyone reading this and not being bothered to do anything about it so far.

I was perfectly healthy on the Monday morning at about 7am and planning on doing a load of gardening that day.
I was then watching the telly when I all of a sudden felt ill - at about 10:50am.
I thought I'd better lay down for a bit, when, upon doing so, I felt even worse, so I sat up.

The next thing I knew I was flat on my back on the living room floor - with my head pounding and my ears ringing (I think, judging by what was on the tv at the time, I'd passed out for about 5-10 mins).

I had no idea what was going on nor why I was down there but knew my nose was running.
So I put my hand to my nose and it was bleeding.
I then sat up (still on the floor) and as soon as I did I vomited a load of black blood - twice.
I then had the undeniable urge to go to the toilet - the details of which are better not disclosed - but they include blood, sweat and black!

I finally made it back to the living room about 20 minutes later and knew I really ought to call for some help, but I just wanted to go to sleep - which I did for about 5 hours until 5pm.

When I woke up I instantly wanted to go to the toilet again - and once again, only just about made it there and back.
So I called my doctor - who was busy at the time. His receptionist passed on the message of what was going on to him and she called me back telling me he said to 'phone 999.

Which I did - and there we have it.

No warning at all - perfectly healthy one minute, the next, not so.

Cheers Fenners.

I had to ask the nurse in charge of 'The Departure Lounge' at the hospital just where I was exactly before I called  for a taxi.
She said I wasn't to bother as she'd call for me.

She was then taken up with a plethora of various 'departures' which I couldn't stop laughing about - so even though I could have 'phoned myself for a taxi about 10 minutes before she did, I didn't bother as the entertainment was so funny!
I can heartily recommend 'The Departure Lounge' at Stoke University Hospital (or whatever it's called these days) as a great location for anyone looking for a 'short break' holiday!

They'd certainly never forget it!


Can't agree with you more about the Will stuff.
It's probably an automatic rejection of such things because of our innate desire to live that we put these things off - but it really is very important. Especially where kids are concerned.

Please think on anyone reading this and not being bothered to do anything about it so far.

I was perfectly healthy on the Monday morning at about 7am and planning on doing a load of gardening that day.
I was then watching the telly when I all of a sudden felt ill - at about 10:50am.
I thought I'd better lay down for a bit, when, upon doing so, I felt even worse, so I sat up.

The next thing I knew I was flat on my back on the living room floor - with my head pounding and my ears ringing (I think, judging by what was on the tv at the time, I'd passed out for about 5-10 mins).

I had no idea what was going on nor why I was down there but knew my nose was running.
So I put my hand to my nose and it was bleeding.
I then sat up (still on the floor) and as soon as I did I vomited a load of black blood - twice.
I then had the undeniable urge to go to the toilet - the details of which are better not disclosed - but they include blood, sweat and black!

I finally made it back to the living room about 20 minutes later and knew I really ought to call for some help, but I just wanted to go to sleep - which I did for about 5 hours until 5pm.

When I woke up I instantly wanted to go to the toilet again - and once again, only just about made it there and back.
So I called my doctor - who was busy at the time. His receptionist passed on the message of what was going on to him and she called me back telling me he said to 'phone 999.

Which I did - and there we have it.

No warning at all - perfectly healthy one minute, the next, not so.

good to see you are a bit better Tommy

Cheers BB.

thanks slippy, i'll put it on my "to do" list

thanks for the earlier advice Tommy.

will try and respond tonight Slippy, I'm just on my way to the last night of the World Curry Festival in Bradford.

Nice to hear you're on the road to recovery, TT. It sounds like a deeply unpleasant episode.

If you're writing a Will, the DIY route is fine, as long as things are simple, but if there's any complexity (much as it may hurt to support 'shyster lawyers'!) do go and see a solicitor.

Just to clarify from earlier about the cause of it being the weather:

I've taken aspirin for as long as I can remember to counteract the pain in my gammy knee.

Over the last 10 years or so I've found that taking 2-4 'Anadin Extra' (a combination of aspirin, paracetamol and caffeine) per day have more or less seen me right - although I've taken the equivalent in Tesco's own brand, as they're about £4 cheaper!

However, with this ridiculous, never-ending cold weather for the last 8 months or more, I have realised (since I've had time to think about it) that I've also been taken additional aspirin when my knee has been painful.

From the commencement of the original paramedic who came to me  when I first called 999 and all my time in hospital when I was asked what medications I took you'd have thought I was a heroin addict when I said I took aspirin every day.

I was getting totally fed up of it by the time the surly A&E consultant came to see me at midnight - some 5 hours after I'd first been admitted.

"How many years have you been taking aspirin?" he asked at one point.
"About 23 years" I said - although I don't know why.  I was very light-headed at the time and thought he was asking me how old I was when I first had an ulcer - and even that was a year out, as I was 22 (my numeracy being spot on as usual!).

"TWENTY THREE YEARS?!" he spouted "You've been taking aspirin every day for 23 years?!"
"No, it's longer than that" I replied as I then realised I'd got the numbers wrong again.

As he looked like I said I'd been swallowing a hippopotamus for fun in the intervening years I then whipped off my blanket, pointed at the 5 inch scar on my knee and said:

"It's my leg. I was born with it!"

Which made me laugh - as it did he - even though he was a pain in the backside 'look at me' primadonna.

I then asked him what I was supposed to do for the pain when paracetamol on its own is useless and codeine just gives you constipation.
He couldn't answer and began to be a decent medic, finally.

Anyway, the top and bottom of it is is: I've been taking more pure aspirin here and there because it's so bloody cold (which affects my knee).
So, if you have a gammy knee - don't live in Stoke!

tommy in olden days the doc would prescribe you moving to warmer climes,just saying likes.

Lentil cottage pie! only a gayer would eat that.

Hello O.
Yes, I totally agree with you.
I was mentioning the Will situation from a limited viewpoint.
Most people have far more considerations to make and really ought to think about seeing the 'shysters' - for their own good!

MadVlad, a doctor recommended that to me when I was about 4 years old and couldn't breathe because of the cold weather in sodding Stoke!

Very funny Roy!

Welcome back Tommy - the place hasn't been the same without you!

Haha! Cheers Glee!

Blimey Tommy you have been through the mill, sounds awful.

I've got a good carpet cleaner if you want to borrow it...

Nice that you are back TT hope all goes well .

Hehe!
Funnily enough, Colly, I haven't been able to move much since my 'happening' - so have had the blood on the carpet covered up with some paper towels since then.
I Googled what to do about it with 'Vanish' last night, which has provided some good advice - but I really haven't been in the mood to get down on on my hands and knees to do some blotting yet.

My mother's blood was like pink, chip shop vinegar, so there was never any bother in getting that up.
Mine looks like a Sparky 'lived in' curry - with extra faux smoke!

Cheers Mincepies.

Mesmerick stuff in the cricket now!

welcome back tommy gun

Thanks AyersRock.

Good on you TT !

I bought some lentil soup a while ago after enjoying a chicken danshak. My thinking being I could add it to chicken curry. NOT THE SAME THING AT ALL TT !

Though I can recommend most chicken danshaks.

Around my way some Indians do dall shamba which is a veg curry with lentils ... I occasionally mix this with a Madras as I like hot curries.

Forgive me if this is not your thing.

Nice to have you back Tommy.

Who was I going to hate if you choked it?!

Current Nibbs 'Hate' Scoreboard

Tommy Toes
Nigella Lawson
Ant & Dec
Prince Philip
tobermory
Sting
Fenway

Yet another scoreboard where I feature near to or at the bottom

Nibbs, what has Fenners done to make that list? He is the salt of the earth

It can only be jealousy Slippy.

CC, I don't like curries but I do like lentil and tomato soup. Heinz used to do a very fine one but I haven't been able to buy it for a few years.
So last week after I'd had some lentil soup delivered, I mixed half a tin with half a tin on Tesco tomato soup. Not the same, but not bad. Had to add loads of black pepper to give it a bit of flavour though.


I can confirm that The University of North Staffs Hospital (or whatever it's bleeding called these days - it'll always be 'The City General' to me) appears to be trying to kill me off.

You may have to rearrange your 'Hate List' Mr Nibbs!

stay one step ahead TT !

maybe North Staffs are peeved with the publicity Mid Staffs have r'cd

I'm up for virtual visits .. either on here or a dedicated thread.

Will a bunch of grapes and a get well card do ?

CC, it's probably because Mid Staffs is such a shambles and everyone from that area is being re-routed from there to here that our hospital is in such disarray.

A bunch of grapes would be just the job. Thanks!

Only read page one, was it a bad dose of the farmers then? I'm glad you're all better but in case you relapse I've arranged for the chit-chat ladies to record you a few songs to sendyouonyourway^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H get you better.

Hi Tommy. Long time no speak. Sorry to hear about all of this. Hope you're feeling better.

Welcome back Alex.  Tommys fine, a minor case of the sniffles, thats all.

You call it minor. Four power stations and the talking clock would say otherwise.

Cheers chaps.

I'm not deaded yet - even though the daft bints at the University Whatsit Hospital (whatsit being the operative word) seem to be doing their best to finish me off!

After Monday's aborted attempt at another endoscopy because there had been 'a breakdown in communications', ie; my notes hadn't been updated as to why they'd called me in again so quickly - and when the endoscopy woman finally saw me 3 and a half hours after I'd arrived (the delay being because her computer had broken down, amongst other stuff - she should have called me in to remedy the problem with the 'technicals'!) I was sent home, as she thought it was just to check whether my ulcers had healed - which it being only 10 days after my discharge was stupid to even bother with.

At 9am on Tuesday some woman called me from the hospital again and said I must come in ASAP, could I get there in the afternoon.

I snorted with derision, told her about the day before's pantomime, how it had set me back again as my iron levels were so low and I wasn't going anywhere until I felt a bit better and had been to the bank to get some dosh to pay for yet another foray to the hospital.

To cut a long story short - they made an appointment for me at 11am today. I found some money in my old coats and stuff to muster the taxi fare there and back and set off again this morning.

After the 'booking-in' nurse had seen to all my details she asked "Are you here to check if your ulcers are healed now?"

Christ on a bike [acknowledgement to the much missed Frasier].

She had my full notes in front of her rather than just pared down out-patient jottings, as I'd given the woman who 'phoned me up on Tuesday such a round of damns about no one seeming to know what anyone else was doing up there - yet she was still asking what I was there for.

After explaining to her what was what, I was then led into another room (where I'd been stuck for 3 hours on Monday).

Do you know, I really can't be bothered to type any more!

Top and bottom of it is: It was another waste of time and I have to go back again on Monday.

I'm having  some bloody wine now!

Oh and by the way - the marvellous taxi drivers of Stoke are to be treasured.

Even though I haven't been in much of a mood to chat, the various ones I've been with in the last few days have insisted on it (do I have a secret sign of "I'll listen to any nutter" stamped on my forehead, I wonder?) - which has ended up being a cracking thing, one way or another.

I was with a 'real Iraqui Freedom Fighter' this morning, and someone who I wouldn't be surprised was an EDL member this afternoon who was "So stressed out, I really wanted to have a fight now!".

I couldn't stop laughing at him and it ended up a very entertaining journey - as did the Iraqui FF journey!

By heck, there's no place like Stoke!

Very funny Tommy!

:-)

Tommy I'm relieved to know that you are well and that Stoke City Hospital provides an alternative source of accommodation for me in case your gaff is not up to scratch!

I am wondering whether Tommy has had so much excitement on his trip to the hospital that he may be tempted to fake an illness to rekindle the buzz with none of the pain...?

Hello Kamikazee old friend.
I'll book you into the Gastro unit - it's the best place in there! Lots of daft people about who look like something from a cross between a Hammer and a Carry On film.
Good fun though!

About 5 of them were waving to me when I was taken by wheelchair (backwards) to 'The Departure Lounge' by 'Bazza'.
Bazza asked "Have you been in here a long time then?"
"No, only since last night" I answered.
A very friendly bunch!

Plus the food is AMAZING!

I'll also get the overwrought taxi driver to ferry you about. He's just the ticket!
I was still laughing about him when I woke up this morning - especially when he was chuntering away to me through his driving mirror and saw me puffing away on my e-cig.
"What's that?! he proclaimed "Your bong?!"

I was laughing all the way to Hanley!

Haha! It really wasn't bad at all, Sparky - except for the rice. Just what IS the point of it?!

It should be banished from the face of the earth - Eat more Spuds!

Got to admit, foregoing spuds for rice with a pork chop is a bit naughty.