prescription roulette

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In my ongoing quest to sort out my various prescriptions I decided to return to the scene of the crime this week because trying to call, as suggested by the ecocardiagrama doc, was not doing anything for my blood pressure. After trying several numbers, over and over and over, someone finally picked up and insisted they couldn’t understand a word I was saying. Aaaaargh. So yesterday I went to the Duques del Infantado hospital to see if I could speak to the Cardiologist. And… nope. I would have to make an appointment via my GP. I told them I was having problems with my meds, not feeling well with the Flecainide (the scary drug) and they said to go to emergency at the general hospital or go see my GP to have the prescription modified. Aaaargh again. I mean, it takes two weeks to even get a phone appointment with the GP. Finally I convinced them to leave a note for the Cardiologist to call me asap and it turned out he’s away until Monday.

I didn’t see any point in going to the hospital so decided to try the emergency dept at my health centre today in the slight hope that my GP would see me. In a moment of desperate hope I also tried to make a phone appointment via the online app but there were no available dates. I mean… none. So I sent the request in anyhow, saying I was having trouble with my meds. And what do you know? Got a call early this morning saying the GP would call me at 6.30 this afternoon. I asked if there was any way I could come in instead and they said “oh yeah, sure”. What the hell! So I showed up with my notes, etc, to make sure I wasn’t being “misunderstood” and almost lost it when the GP said she couldn’t change my prescription, that I would have to see the Cardiologist. I think she must’ve spotted my look of desperation (even though all she could see were my eyes above the mask) and she wrote up a “preferential” request for an appointment. Which I had to book downstairs (good thing I went in!) and then that was that.

I really don’t know what to do but as everyone (nurses, eco-doc, GP) has told me not to stop any meds without consulting the specialist I guess I’ll hang on. Even though I’m still not taking the Bisoprolol (beta blocker) because, yep, couldn’t get a straight answer on that one either. Meanwhile, with the Flecainide I am feeling light headed, my pulse has dropped (~65), I feel pressure in my chest (off and on), some difficulty breathing and my head hurts. To clarify, it’s not a headache, but it’s like I have pressure, esp around my eyes, and if I touch my head it feels like it’s bruised. And all this is scaring the fuck out of me. Well, hopefully the Cardiologist will call me when he gets back on Monday (he’s probably off doing the Rocío). Meanwhile, if there’s a doctor in the house, please help?

too many hobbles

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I think I really overdid things this past week. I mean, I try to get out for a hobble each day, as well as doing my chair workouts five times a week. But between Málaga-Marbella and Jerez I worry that I may have actually done some extra damage to The Knee. Because now it seriously hurts (even more) like fuck. Today I wanted to go to the market and gave up half-way there. The thing was, once out and about you just kind of have to keep going. Especially if you are in the centre of pedestrianised Málaga (no taxis!) or when your lunch location in Benalmádena ends up being at the bottom of a very steep foot path (ouch!).

But I persevered then took a couple of days off before heading to Jerez. I don’t know if that was a mistake or not, or if all of it was wrong to do, but dammit I’m so tired of not being able to do things. And with NOBODY helping me with info about what I should or should not be doing (other than go to the pool, ride a bike, lose weight). Not one doctor has told to either keep walking or stop walking. And so I keep on, not exactly walking, but hobbling on my trusty crutches. Clocked over 15,000 hobbles in Málaga and another 12,000 in Jerez. And each one hurt so much. I just want my life back.

wine wine wine

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So two big time wine events in less than a week. First up was Vinos de España Una Pasión last Thursday in Málaga and then this week’s final of the Copa Jerez in Jerez de la Frontera. Both offered a chance to meet up with old friends and make some new ones. And enjoy some fabulous wines! More on each trip a bit later. Just to say how much I love being a part of this community, feeling a part of it, being accepted. Love it so much. 

tapas bar royalty

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So pleased to see my friend Reyes Morales receive the Medalla de la Ciudad 2025. Upon receiving this recognition for her iconic tavern and her place in the history of Sevilla she said it was also a tribute to those who are no longer with us.

“It moves me to talk about this because my family lived through a civil war, a postwar period, very difficult years… And now it’s my turn to collect this medal, it’s an immense honour. For them. For those up above.”

You can read my article on Casa Morales here…
Casa Morales – Celebrating 175 Years