Back in July, Steve received a letter from our GP inviting him to come in for a free NHS health check to assess his risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes. Apparently, it's a service offered to people between 40 and 74 years old once every five years - not that either of us have ever been invited to attend before, even though we've been in that age group for some time now!
Initially, Steve did not feel inclined to accept the invitation given that he has an incurable cancer. However, I pointed out to him that as he is already beating the odds in terms of mesothelioma survival rates*, it would be a pity to be killed off instead by some other disease that could be treated if picked up early enough. Persuaded by the logic of this argument, he finally attended the surgery this morning where he was weighed, measured, sample taken for chloresterol testing, blood pressure measured, and questions answered about diet, smoking and exercise. The whole process took less than ten minutes. We were able to do a bit of food shopping and be back home in time for coffee at 10. 30 am.
If only the car service tomorrow is as quick and smooth!
Tonight we will be celebrating again - photography this time; I have just been awarded another FIAP (Federation de l'Art Photographique) gold medal for a picture of the Guggenhiem Gallery in Bilbao, taken on our visit there back in June :-)
* On the subject of mesothelioma survival rates, in December 20120 Cancer Research UK published updated key stats on the disease - the good news is that one year survival rates have increased by about 30% since the late 1980s. For patients 2002-2006, the one year survival rate was 34% for men and 40% for women. It's good to know that Steve - and many of the other meso warriors diagnosed during that period and since, and still going strong - are pushing those survival rates up much higher. And long may it continue.
Initially, Steve did not feel inclined to accept the invitation given that he has an incurable cancer. However, I pointed out to him that as he is already beating the odds in terms of mesothelioma survival rates*, it would be a pity to be killed off instead by some other disease that could be treated if picked up early enough. Persuaded by the logic of this argument, he finally attended the surgery this morning where he was weighed, measured, sample taken for chloresterol testing, blood pressure measured, and questions answered about diet, smoking and exercise. The whole process took less than ten minutes. We were able to do a bit of food shopping and be back home in time for coffee at 10. 30 am.
If only the car service tomorrow is as quick and smooth!
Tonight we will be celebrating again - photography this time; I have just been awarded another FIAP (Federation de l'Art Photographique) gold medal for a picture of the Guggenhiem Gallery in Bilbao, taken on our visit there back in June :-)
* On the subject of mesothelioma survival rates, in December 20120 Cancer Research UK published updated key stats on the disease - the good news is that one year survival rates have increased by about 30% since the late 1980s. For patients 2002-2006, the one year survival rate was 34% for men and 40% for women. It's good to know that Steve - and many of the other meso warriors diagnosed during that period and since, and still going strong - are pushing those survival rates up much higher. And long may it continue.
Posts
Congratulations on your photography prize - your picture is stunning. Enjoy your celebration too. Tess x
ReplyDelete