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For latest news please click link to;
blog.bignoseontour.org
Weds 1st April
GP seen and Statin changed to one that will hopefully not give me the side effects. Also
managed to get a prescription for 6 months supply, which should take me to South Africa before I need any more. Got my oil
dipped for another Blood test and need another next week for kidney and liver function before I go into the wide blue yonder.
Per Ardua Ad Astra.
Monday 30th March
Have seen Cardiologist and he has given me permission to travel saying that I have more
chance of being stabbed in Africa than having another coronary. Have also got my LGV licence restored. Could not get a word
in re drugs, so am seeing GP weds after my (last) blood test. Had a run down to the ACE Cafe in London with some members of
Enduro africa 2006. Good turnout in spite of crap weather, and many thanks to my mate Vaughan for taking me down there and
and supplying a superb weekend.
Don't forget, Vic Hotel Sunday eve 12th April. Pip Pip!
Thursday 12th March.
This is a bit of a rant, so here goes...
I have had lots of problems since my medication was changed when I got back to the UK. Obviously
my cardiologist disagreed with the medication I was put on when in Morocco, and changed two of the drugs and added yet another.
This has given me problems with stomach pain, pins and needles in the hands,nausea, and culmonated in me being taken to A&E
in the middle of the night with severe abdominal pain followed by massive drop in BP. I had some blood tests that where all
found to be OK and told that it COULD be Gallstones but if it happened again to contact my GP! I was then told to go home,
so therefore was standing in the foyer waiting for a taxi dressed in jogging bottoms, t-shirt and slippers. luckily there
was someone in when I got back so I could get in and pay the taxi driver.
So, I then wanted to ask the cardiologist about the medication as I had an appt on Thursday
(today) only to be told, after an hours walk into Long Eaton, that the clinic had been cancelled. They said that they did
not have a contact number (bollocks) and to see my GP if I had any questions re medication. I then walked around the corner
to make an appt with my GP only to be told by the Nazi on the desk, motto "They shall not pass", that I could see her on the
1st of April, THREE WEEKS AWAY!!! I have therefore done my research on the net, and stopped taking the drugs that I believe
are causing the problem. Before I am accused of being rash and not knowing what I am doing, I would like to say that you are
almost correct. BUT I am not a) living my life in a bubble, and b) no tests were done to ascertain what drugs were needed
before they were prescribed, and when I was a scientist we always took readings before changing dosages or parameters. So
fuck it. The next few days will tell if I am right or just incorrect. Watch this space.
Am still going on the 15th April come hell or high water.
Friday Feb.20th
Have started cardiac Rehab at Derby City hospital and am walking 5km a day with two stints
at the gym a week, so feeling OK at the moment. have booked flight back for April 15th. I will be in the VICTORIA HOTEL Beeston
on Sunday 12th April from early evening onwards if anyone would like to pop in and say "bugger off you old fool".
Monday Feb.3rd.
Have got appt.at DRI for tests next monday, so should get my HGV licence back, fingers
crossed.
Grey Team had a whip round, and are having a ride out to the Ace Cafe in London on
the 28th of March, Saturday, and I will be there to say thankyou in person for all of their help. I am aiming to fly back
to Morocco on the 16th of April and staying in Ouazarzate at the Bikershome for a few days before carrying on to South Africa
via The Gambia.
Thursday 18th December.
Sorry to say that this is a bit f a rant, but here goes.
Have been back in the UK for two weeks after my enforced repatriation. I had a heart attack in southern
Morocco, and was subsequently fitted with a stent in Marrakech. While I have no complaints in regard to my medical treatment,
I was left to my own devices for four days after being released from hospital while I arranged for the paperwork to be done
so that I could leave the country without my bike. I had to pay an agent to do this and also arrange for the bike to
be stored, as it was over 5 hours drive away. I was informed by the Medical agents that I could not stay in Morocco
to recuperate as I wanted and would have to be repatriated. This involved then flying a doctor out from England, flying
the two of us back from Marrakech business class (three seats required- one for the equipment) and a private ambulance from
Heathrow to Nottingham. All this at obvious huge cost, and after being on my own in a Marrakech hotel for four
days with not a doctor in sight. I asked to be left in Morocco as I have nowhere to live in the UK, and am at present living
with friends.Now I am told by the insurance company that they will not pay my expenses in Morocco, nor will they pay for the
storage of my bike (£7 per day), which is under customs seal and will be confiscated if not collected in person by me by May
15th 2009, the cost of which I will also have to pay for. On top of this, I cannot drive anything for six weeks,
and am told I will not get my HGV licence back for moths.
As you can imagine, I am not a little pissed off at all this,
on top of which I am pretty sure that the Dept.of Work and Pensions will not pay me anything as I have to much money in my
travel fund.
By the way, I arrived at Heathrow with the clothes I was wearing
and my laptop. Everything else, in other words all of my posessions, are on the bike in Ouazarzate, southern Morocco. I will
now fight the insurance company. Apologies for appearing negative. I will be carrying on with the trip, just don't know
when and it may have to be cut back owing to cash restraints, but it will happen. Watch this space.
Saturday 17th January 2009
Have had appt with Cardiac specialist and the upshot is that I cannot travel until April. Whilst this is a little disappointing,
it still means that I will beat the deadline of the 18th of May to collect the bike. I have to undergo more tests to check
me out, then a six week programme of excercises to get me fit enough to carry on. Still no news from the Dept. of Work and
pensions re my claim. Heard from Grey team from Eduro 2006 that they are having a whip round for me, and a ride out to the
Ace Cafe in London sometime in March to my benefit. This has come as an extreme boost to my wellbeing, as well as a shock.
How can I repay such kindness? Probably by carrying on and doing it, which I intend to do in spades. Thanks for everyones
help and support. It really does mean so much.
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