Last week I had my 3 month check with the kidney specialists in my local hospital. He was quite a surprise for me in being so suave, dashing and definitely the maverick consultant. Quite entertaining really.
This was my regular check-up in the Renal Unit, all to do with my dodgy kidneys. As usual I previously went to the hospital so blood samples could be taken ahead of my appointment. When I arrived, I got weighed, my blood pressure was taken by a nurse and then I was duly plonked onto a chair in the corridor outside of the consultant’s room. I felt like the naughty school boy outside the Headmaster’s office!
“Come in Mr Hook, nice to meet you. Tell me, I don’t think we’ve met before, you’ve always seen one of my colleagues before”.
We sat down. His office was bland, cold and stark. I was on one side of the desk, he was on the other where he could complain about his computer and the system it was meant to be connected to. There was a couch with a paper sheet covering the entire length. All quite old fashioned and, if I’m honest, a little creepy. Nevertheless it was functional and very NHS.
He said my blood tests were more or less the same as last time i.e. my creatinine and the estimated GFR readings. It seems my kidneys have now settled down to the level I can now expect. It still represents “moderate to severe damage” but, as he reminded me, they’ll probably see me out providing I stay healthy in general.
I had a list of things to ask him, which he thought was slightly amusing in saying “most patients just come in, listen and then ask if they can go”. He said he wished all his patients took an interest in their health and said I would be the fittest patient he would see that day.
Among the various points was about a dietitian.”My Doctor has kindly referred me to a dietitian, so I can make sure I’m eating the right foods”
“Oh really” he said in a slightly down beat way. “Why?”
I explained I wanted to fine tune my diet as much as possible to make sure my kidneys last me out. I added my GP had already told me how my vegetarian diet was kidney-friendly.
“Well, the trouble with dietitian is they’ll only tell you what the Government tells them to tell you. I know you’re a runner and because of that you need to eat accordingly, especially if you’re going on a long run as you don’t want to run out of fuel half way round”.
“So are you suggesting I don’t go?”
“Well that’s a matter for yourself to decide. All I would add is that you’re the healthiest person I’ll see today. Being proactive about your health is good but if you ask too many questions you’ll end up finding something to worry about. You could do a lot worse than simply carry on as you are”.
He gave me a smile and, I thought, half a wink. I took that as him suggesting he wasn’t saying outright that a dietitian would be a complete waste of time but nevertheless I should take anything they say with a pinch of salt!
So I think I’ll still go to the dietitian appointment later this month. It’ll be really interesting to hear what they have to say….
The comical side
I was amused at his manner.
The dismissiveness towards the dietitian service, his reference to Urology as “we leave the plumbing to those guys” when I asked about the possible stent which I almost had.
He was suave, smooth talking and slightly carefree and definitely irreverent. I liked that.
The serious side
I listened to The Food Programme’s podcast in the car today. To cut a long story short, there was a guest talking about the way in which Doctors are trained here in the UK. It was said that in the 6 years it takes to qualify as a Doctor, they only get a couple of hours input on the subject of food as medicine. That’s terrible. It just seems to support the NHS culture of prescribing pills all the time.
So on podcast, The Doctor’s Kitchen got a mention and he advocated food is positively under-rated by most Doctors when it comes to improving health. I’m definitely going to check this out.
I am starting to feel cross. The only reason why I’m in this situation with my kidneys and associated problems is because my Doctor simply prescribed some pills and just rolled the prescription forward until it was stopped by the hospital. If only he had stuck his finger up my bum a few years ago…. I feel cross. Rant over, feel better now. Thanks.
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