Women's Health Quiz

Women's Health Quiz Answers

Did any health condition prick up your ears? The first time I really experienced health issues was the awful, slow demise of my fabulous Mummy. Ten years later, as the first COVID lockdown commenced, I unexpectedly was whacked with became a waterfall of diagnoses of ill health issues which led to some quite frankly, Ms Shankly, scary tests & ops. I've crammed in research for some stressful medical issues (don't trust Dr Google nor Dr AI) and often fought for my health issues to be recognised (by some Drs) & to FFS, chase (sometimes lost) referrals & treatments. So I thought, I would add this women's health quiz which includes some start-off, help links, in the hope, that I might help someone.

"Don't keep me hanging!" ...

Women's Health Quiz Jumplink Answers:
Q1: Boobs   |   Q2: Aunt Flo   |   Q3: PMS   |   Q4: Endometriosis   |   Q5: Pregnancy   |   Q6: IVF   |   Q7: Ovaries   |   Q8: Fibroids   |   Q9: Cervix   |   Q10: Hysterectomy   |   Q11: Menopause   |   Q12: UTIs   |   Q13: Thyroid   |   Q14: Osteoporosis   |   Q15: HRT   |   Q16: Grey Hair   |   Q17: Diabetes   |   Q18: Cholesterol   |   Q19: Heart Failure   |   Q20: Martha's Rule



1. Boobs: 8 types of nipples have been classified:
* Normal nipples: protrude just a few millimetres from the areola (the pigmented skin that surrounds the nipple).
* Flat nipples.
* Puffy nipples: have the same appearance as flat nipples but the areola is risen above the breast.
* Protruding nipples: stick out from the areola.
* Inverted nipples: point inwards into the areola, to varying degrees. Totally inverted can make breastfeeding near impossible.
* Unilateral nipples: is when one nipple is inverted and the other is not.
* Supernumerary Nipples: are a common, minor malformation of mammary tissue resulting in an extra nipple/s, and/or associated tissue. These are typically smaller and can sometimes look like moles.
* Hairy Nipples: Hair is often found around or on both the nipple and areola.

For both female's and male's: breasts, areolae, and nipples are different, as indicated above. Do be proactive and regularly examine your own breasts for changes in appearance and for lumps. Check out the NHS How to check your breasts guide. Some breast pain can be caused by breastfeeding. Do see your doctor, if you're concerned, for example:
* If you've found a lump in them
* Have noticed a change in them (e.g. nipple type / abnormal discharge ....) / and surrounding skin e.g. inflamed / swollen Montgomery glands (bumps on the areola - I had it and had scary (lockdown) breast cancer dept referral - thank goodness, for me, warm baths sorted it out)
* Nipple pain

Help Links:
♥ Common Non-cancerous Breast Problems
♥ What Is Breast Cancer? & About Breast Cancer
♥ Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer
♥ Breast Cancer Screening - in the UK, women are invited for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. You'll then be invited every 3 years until their 71st birthday. Women aged 71 and over can request free NHS breast screening every three years by calling their breast screening unit.
♥ Breast Cancer Support Sites: The Eve Appeal Gynaecology Cancer Research Fund | NHS' national cancer charities help links...
♥ Breast Cancer Prevention Week (UK) = 18–24 May & Breast Cancer Awareness Month (International) = October




2. Aunt Flo: Around 28 days: is the average gap between periods starting (the menstrual cycle). Irregular periods, are when the gap between periods is less than 21 days or, more than 35 days - as considered by the British NHS (National Health Service). It's more likely for periods to be irregular during puberty when they first start and, when nearing menopause. Irregular periods can, however, be associated with other medical conditions. If you're feeling concerned about your periods, please discuss with your doctor.

Help Links:
♥ About Periods | About The 4 Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
♥ The History of Menstruation | How did menstruation become taboo? | 7 Alarming Myths About Periods
♥ Signs And Symptoms Of Irregular Period
♥ Peroid Trackers: there are loads out there including Clue which provides ace articles. Google and find your best fit.
♥ Ovulation Calculators: e.g. NHS Wales.
♥ About Worldwide Period Poverty | Period Poverty UK Charity | Pinkishe Foundation

PS Whose Aunt Flo? It's a euphemism for "period". Some euphemisms for "period" have made me giggle; Riding the red wave (Germany - Auf der roten Welle surfen); The Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived (France - Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé); Granny's stuck in traffic (South Africa); There are communists in the funhouse (Danish - Der er kommunister i lysthuset) and ... Defrosting the steak (Spanish - Descongelar el Bistec). Check out more on Clue. Mummy and Mine was ... "Funny Days". Mine, however, weren't funny! Indeed, once, my work called an ambulance when a work colleague found me, green faced, rolling around in pain, on the women's toilets floor!



3. PMS: Myth: Of course PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is real and is a recognised as a medical condition. Forgive me, it was a hammy, rhetorical question to reveal some info about it. In 1931, American gynaecologist Dr Robert Frank, published the first formal medical description of Premenstrual Tension ("PMT" was the precursor to "PMS") which recognised a clustering of more severe emotional premenstrual symptoms. Circa twenty years later, the term Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) was coined in 1953 after Dr Raymond Greene and Dr Katharina Dalton argued that premenstrual symptoms were far more extensive than just "nervous tension".

What is PMS? PMS is real medical condition that can cause mild mood swings, irritability, and physical discomfort before a period. Does every woman experience PMS? More research and open discussion is still needed. For my Mummy and her generations past it was not understood and indeed derided by men. In hindsight, it's awful for me to confess - I don't know if Mummy suffered PMS as she never disclosed this to me and I remorsefully try to recall if she showed any signs of it. For me, as PMS has been mocked and taboo - have I been a PMS cranky boss, friend ... hmm?

Since 1994, PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) has now been recognised as medical condition. PMDD is a hormone-based mood disorder that causes severe emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms in the two weeks before a period, leading to severe mood disturbances, intense anxiety, depression, rage, and even suicidal thoughts. If you're getting down about your premenstrual symptoms, please discuss with your doctor.

Help Links:
♥ About PMS | The Difference Between PMS and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) | Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and the Myth of the Irrational Female
♥ Signs and Symptoms of PMS
♥ Diagnosing PMS: Apparently, there are no blood tests that can be taken to confirm PMS. The National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes (NAPS) suggests using their NAPS Menstrual Chart to record PMS symptoms
♥ PMS Health Support Sites: National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes (UK) | The International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) ...
♥ Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Awareness Month = April



4. Endometriosis (This is gonna SOOOOOO SHOCK, you!) ... 8 years and 10 months (almost NINE years) is the average time it takes for a woman to be diagnosed with endometriosis, in England and Scotland! What's even more shameful is that the "wrong" answers, deliberately given in the quiz, are indeed relevant. In Northern Ireland it takes on average 9 years and 5 months for a woman to be diagnosed with endometriosis and 9 years 11 months, in Wales - as reported by the Endometriosis UK Charity. These are shameful diagnostic delays, as Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women in the UK - that's over 1.5 million women.

What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and lining of the pelvis. These cells can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle and can cause inflammation, awful pain, heavy menstrual bleeding ... One of my great friends had endometriosis which was not only mega painful for her but caused huge complications when she tried for a baby. Hugest HURRAH, through toughest and sad IVF journeys, she gave birth to a stellar baby.

Help Links:
♥ About Endometriosis | Types of Endometriosis
♥ Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis | Endometriosis Symptom Checker
♥ Diagnosing Endometriosis: Read what Endometriosis UK Charity says regarding the current difficulties in diagnosing Endometriosis.
♥ Endometriosis Support Sites: Endometriosis UK Charity | The Endometriosis Foundation (UK) | The World Health Organization ...
♥ Endometriosis Awareness Month = March



5. Pregnancy True - what you eat while you're pregnant can affect your baby's food likes and dislikes. Research suggests the process of developing food preferences begins "right from the womb". Find out more at the BBC - "Babies 'react more favourably' to food mothers ate" and The medical paper: "Flavor Sensing in Utero and Emerging Discriminative Behaviors in the Human Fetus", that features startling images of "smiling" Fetus whose mothers ate carrots and grimacing Fetus whose mother had eaten ... Kale (I empathise!). Sorry, perhaps not the most enlightening question but this is such a sensitive topic.

Help Links:
♥ About Pregnancy | NHS' Week-by-week Guide to Pregnancy
♥ Ways to become a parent if you're LGBT+
♥ Calculators: e.g. NHS Wales Ovulation Calculator | NHS Pregnancy Due Date Calculator.
♥ Screening Tests in Pregnancy: The NHS offers screening tests during pregnancy - either ultrasound scans or blood tests, or a combination of both.
♥ Pregnancy Support Sites: National Childbirth Trust, List of National Pregnancy Support Organisations, Black Mums Upfront (UK) | Black Maternal Health Week (USA) = April
♥ Having a baby if you're LGBT+
♥ Miscarriage: NHS | Miscarriage Association Charity | Petals Charity | Baby Loss Awareness


Image credit: "Henry Ford Hospital" by Frida Kahlo (1932), sourced from fridakahlo.org - do read their explanation of the haunting, painting.



6. IVF: on July 25 1978 the first IVF baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born in Oldham, England, at Oldham General Hospital. This huge medical breakthrough was pioneered by Dr Robert Edwards and Dr Patrick Steptoe. Louise's birth followed the first successful conception using in vitro fertilization (IVF), a technique where an egg is fertilised outside the body in a lab. In 2010, Dr Robert Edwards was awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the development of in-vitro fertilisation. Some of my girl friends (hetty [straight] and gay) have borne children through IVF, but it's been costly, stressful and for some, it's been an awful struggle with some haunting miscarriages. They are so grateful to IVF.

Help Links:
♥ About Infertility | Causes of Infertility
♥ Infertility Support Sites: fertilityfoundation.org | fertilitynetworkuk.org ...
♥ World Infertility Awareness Month = June
♥ About IVF - there are many private IVF clinics that offer advice but I do wish to link to / endorse them, as I have no experience of them.
♥ History of IVF
♥ IVF Organisations: HFEA - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority ...



7. Ovaries: 1-2 million eggs. By the time a baby girl is born, she has between 1-2 million eggs but when she was a tiny fetus in the womb, she had about 6 million eggs. Women are born with a fixed number of eggs that gradually decrease with age. Ovaries are organs, located on either side of the uterus and are connected to the fallopian tubes by small, fingerlike projections called fimbriae. Ovaries produce eggs and release them to be fertilised by sperm. Another major function of the ovaries is the production and secretion of the two most important female sex hormones: oestrogen and progesterone. Ovaries can be affected by some disorders including Ovarian Cysts, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Ovarian Cancer.

Help Links:
♥ About Ovarian Cysts | About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) | About Ovarian Cancer
♥ Signs and Symptoms: please follow the Ovarian Disorder links above
♥ First Steps Diagnosing Ovarian disorders: The NHS offers a blood test and ultrasound
♥ Pelvic Ultrasounds: detect abnormalities such as fibroids, cysts, tumours, polyps; in the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and bladder and signs of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If you haven't had one / one in ageous, do beg your Dr to have Pelvic Ultrasound. Be proactive! Through my Lockdown private pelvic ultrasound (done as a discount for my main abdomen ultrasound as the NHS abdomen ultrasound wating list was sooooooo long - the pelvic ultrasound revealed a HUGE honeydew melon sized fibroid and cysts in my womb).
♥ Ovarian Cancer Support Sites: NHS' national cancer charities help links, teenagecancertrust.org ...
♥ Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month = March | World Ovarian Cancer Day = May 8th.



8. Uterine Fibroids: True Uterine Fibroids MAY NOT always cause symptoms. Uterine fibroids are common, non-cancerous (benign) muscle tissue growths in or around the womb, often causing no symptoms.

I'm truly passionate about this condition because, totally, by accident I discovered that I had a HUGE fibroid, that had grown undetected to the size of a HONEYDEW MELON ... 13 by 10 by 10 cm! For so many years, I had complained to my Drs that I found my bloating bizarre, as my body is slender. So many Drs dismissed me, saying that is was nothing to be concerned with. Sadly I never had children, so I never had an ultrasound during pregnancy. Nor was I ever offered a let's see how you are doing "down there" pelvis ultrasound - which I think is negligent considering uterine fibroids and cysts are very common and often asymptomatic. I only discovered my HUGE fibroid by pure chance when during lockdown, my abdomen NHS ultrasound for abdominal pain was delayed and I found a lovely ultrasound clinic in Notting Hill and took up their offer of a discounted price for abdomen and pelvic ultrasounds. If I would not have done the pelvic ultrasound under my own initiative (and at my own cost) - how big could that fibroid have grown? Moreover, had the fibroid been discovered earlier when it was smaller, it would have certainly prevented the very impactful operation I had to have to remove it, and other "girly bits", ripped out. See below, what happened next :(



No matter what age, women NEED routine pelvic / gynaecology ultrasounds, even if they are not pregnant, nor planning to become pregnant. Moreover, routine gynaecology exams are still important after the childbearing years because women still need support and care once they enter perimenopause and transition to menopause. Fibroids were once the leading reason for performing hysterectomies. In 2021, trust me, they seem to be still for some hospitals. Apparently, with advances in medical technology and treatment techniques there are less drastic measures for treating these benign growths. Bravo menopause is starting to be discussed more openly, I but I do think there should be also more awareness and education regarding uterine of fibroids, cysts, polyps in the hope that some hysterectomy can be avoided. See the hysterectomy section, below.

Help Links:
♥ About Fibroids
♥ Signs and Symptoms of Fibroids | What's the difference between Polyps, Fibroids, or Cysts?
♥ Diagnosing a Fibroid: The NHS uses a number of test including an Ultrasound scan which is painless.
♥ Fibroid Support Sites: The British Fibroid Trust, Fibroid Forum UK, ...
♥ Fibroid Awareness Month UK = July



9. Cervix: 2008: the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, which prevents the majority of cervical cancers, was introduced in the UK, in September 2008. It's had a great impact in reducing cervical cancers. What is your cervix? Your cervix is a muscular, tunnel-like organ that connects your uterus (womb) and vagina (birth canal) and is an important part of the female reproductive system.

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection with certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). You can get HPV from:
* any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area
* vaginal, anal or oral sex
* sharing sex toys


Cervical cancer, however, can be caused by other circumstances such as if you've given birth to multiple children or had children at an early age (under 17 years old) - see below

Even though it's an "invite" you may so wish to avoid / indeed hate - it's mega important you go to your Cervical Screening Test. As the NHS says: "Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer".

Help Links:
♥ What Is Cervical Cancer | About Cervical Cancer
♥ Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
♥ Cervical Screening: in the UK, all women aged 25 to 64 (with with a cervix) are "invited" for cervical screening every 5 years - look out for your letter. Hands-up - I am a woose and HATE it! If you too, feel uncomfortable - Google, tips to help make your cervical screening appointment more comfortable e.g. london-gynaecology.com. Remember, it's a test to help prevent cancer.
Latest Update, 2026: NHS's HPV self-sampling tests which contain a vaginal swab will soon be available for those who are overdue (avoided) cervical screening - find out more at eveappeal.org.uk. In the future, testing period blood could become an accurate way for testing for signs of cervical cancer and offer a less invasive and convenient alternative to cervical screening - but for women who are still menstruating.
♥ Cervical Cancer Support Sites: Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust | The Eve Appeal Gynaecology Cancer Research Fund and NHS' national cancer charities help links...
♥ Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (UK) = January



10. Hysterectomy: 1 in 5!: hysterectomies that were done for benign indications, were unnecessary according to a 2015 Michigan-led medical study. Over a 10-month period in 2013, the team analysed the medical records of 3,397 women from 52 hospitals in Michigan who underwent a hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease, including uterine fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis and pelvic pain. The researchers found that almost 40% of women were not offered alternative treatments prior to a hysterectomy and, the pathological findings following surgery among 18.3% women – almost 1 in 5 – did not support the need for a hysterectomy. Find more about the study at Medicalnewstoday.com.

Sadly, during COVID 2021, I had to under go surgery to remove a (holy Moly) honeydew melon sized uterine fibroid (13 by 10 by 10cm). I had two consultations with different female hospital gynaecologist (firstly an ultrasound and then a MRI scan). What still shocks me: as soon as I sat down and said I had a large fibroid, without hesitation and absolutely with no empathy, they coldly told me that I would need a hysterectomy. They didn't explain what a Hysterectomy was nor discussed any possible alternative treatments. As my fibroid was so large I was swiftly referred for urgent surgery. Prior to surgery I had a consultation with a lovely surgeon who I told I wished to avoid a total Hysterectomy. Thankfully he was of the same opinion but in hindsight I was not well informed enough regarding if I should have my ovaries removed too (I also had some small ovarian cysts). By having my ovaries removed, I thought I would avoid the cysts growing bigger, possibly requiring another operation in the future to the remove them and prevent possible ovarian cancer (there was no ovarian cancer history in my family tree). At the time I did not realise nor appreciate I would be removing what little oestrogen I was naturally producing and the benefits of still having oestrogen. In the end, September 2021, I had a myomectomy bilateral salpingo ophorectomy, that removed my uterine fibroid while preserving the uterus (myomectomy), alongside removing both ovaries and fallopian tubes, leaving me only with my cervix in tact. Hhmm, why did I leave that in?. BTW recovery is quite painful ... in the beginning it was sore to get out of bed, it hurt when I giggled and ... though I tried to walk as much as I could asap, I was slower than a snail and I giggle when I recall how taxing it was to carry... ONE bottle of wine home from the shops (occasionally I treated myself to wee tipple - not the whole bottle). I've tried not to look back and wonder, if I should have (politely) fought to retain my ovaries? (PS I caught up today, with a lovely friend I haven't seen in years, as she is back in London. She too had a uterine fibroid, grapefruit sized and only slightly smaller than mine. Not once did her gynaecologists / surgeons tell her she needed / discuss a Hysterectomy. WTF! On the bus home, I really, really tried to hold in my tears.

A Hysterectomy will devoid you from naturally producing oestrogen and progesterone and cause immediate, surgical menopause. Personally, I think Hysterectomy treatment can be a form of age discrimination in that if you have a huge fibroid and gone through the menopause the gynaecologist just rips out everything? If you have a fibroid and if your gynaecologist tells you, you need a Hysterectomy, I urge you to consider asking for another appointment ASAP as you need time to assimilate this, read up on it as much as you can, discuss with your GP and ask your friends if they have had e.g. a uterine fibroid removed / if their relatives have had a Hysterectomy (I would share my experiences to anyone, in the hope to help them). Then turn up with questions you may have and definitely ask for all treatment options. Please make sure you are fully aware of the affects of a Hysterectomy. Hopefully for a fibroid removal, a Hysterectomy can be avoided. En passant, sitting in a gynaecological waiting room, surrounded by many delighted pregnant woman and preparing to discuss with the gynaecologist a possible hysterectomy - it's sad place to wait. I hope gynaecologists discuss possible Hysterectomy surgery with compassion - mine, certainly did not.

Help Links:
♥ About a Hysterectomy | The most common reasons for having a hysterectomy | Types of Hysterectomy
♥ Examples of Questions to Ask Before Saying "Yes" to a Hysterectomy
♥ Hysterectomy Support Sites: Hysterectomy.org, Hysterectomy Support and Shared Experiences, Hyster Sisters ...
♥ Hysterectomy Awareness Month = May



11. Menopause: Increase in sex bomb, libido. This may be a contentious answer but for many women, during / after the Menopause and without HRT, their sex bomb, libido get's sadly lost. Forgive me, it was a way to raise this women's health issue. There are two key phases of the Menopause; the Perimenopause, when your hormone levels start to change, before your periods stop completely and; the Menopause, which marks the natural biological end of your reproductive years, defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period and hormone levels decrease. The Menopause Charity states that there are over 34 symptoms of the Menopause, and everyone's menopause journey is different and Menopause symptoms can vary widely. Therefore it is important to understand, that your experience of the menopause may not align exactly with what you've heard and read about it and may be different to others. Coraggio.

My fab Mummy's Menopause: Mummy suffered her menopause in silence. I feel so guilty, that I only realised after her death, when I used to come back from high school and she was sleeping on the sofa, that she was NOT suffering a headache as she told us but ... the menopause. I do know she didn't take HRT (I knew here tablets) and HRT was not readily prescribed at the time. She nor my school told me about the menopause nor did tv dramas/ films mention it. Only in the past years have I heard the term "menopause" openly discussed and learnt about it. I would give absolutely anything to have the time back with Mummy and with my current knowledge, help, support and try to cheerlead her through it. Huge hugs to woman who have suffered / suffer, like her in silence. But menopause is not just for the old. I was totally, shocked to hear that my cousin in Hamburg had gone through premature menopause and, guttingly could not have children (and our cool family line would die). There is still so much to be researched on the consequences of the Menopause, the impact of the lack natural hormones oestrogen and progesterone and how early HRT or other hormonal replacement treatments may help.

Help Links:
Early or Premature Menopause
♥ About Early or Premature Menopause | Difference Between Early or Premature Menopause | Causes Early or Premature Menopause
♥ Signs and Symptoms of Early or Premature Menopause
♥ Early or Premature Menopause Support sites: Daisynetwork.org

Perimenopause
♥ About the Perimenopause
♥ Signs and Symptoms of Perimenopause
♥ Perimenopause Support sites: Perimenopauseawareness.com, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) | menopausematters.co.uk | Menopausecafe.net ...
♥ Perimenopause Awareness Month = September


Menopause
♥ About the Menopause | Key Facts on The Menopause
♥ Signs and Symptoms of The Menopause
♥ Diagnostic tests for menopause outlined by The International Menopause Society
♥ Menopause Screening is to be incorporated into NHS health checks in England. It will be offered to women over 40 and include blood pressure and cholesterol checks as well as measuring a person's BMI (body mass index)
♥ Menopause Support sites: The International Menopause Society (IMS) | Menopausematters.co.uk | Menopausecafe.net ...
♥ World Menopause Awareness Day = October 18th




12. UTI (Urinary Tract Infection): True! In old people, if they suddenly act uncharacteristically confused / delirious / agitated - this could be a sign that they might have developed a pee pee infection. What are UTIs? Urinary tract infections (UTIs) is an infection in any part of the urinary tract, including your bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis) or kidneys (kidney infection).

I raise this for your older mothers and grannies (but for men too). One time I rushed up to Edinburgh as Mummy had been admitted into hospital. She lived at home with my brother who was supposed to be looking after her & communicating with me regarding her health. After landing, I immediately dashed to the hospital and was greeted by a ... delirious Mummy! I can reveal this, as later I joked about it to her but in a sweet way to try and make her never have this happen again. FH! Not only was Mummy confused, she was also sometimes delirious! The nurses told me she was talking to them ONLY in German - she had lived in Edinburgh for over 40 years and spoke perfect English, but with a lovely accent). I was panic-stricken that she couldn't communicate with them (I could understand her). Among the bizarre and delirious stuff she said to me, she complained that it was so noisy, could I tell the women (the nurses) to stop having sex (we did so laugh together about that later)! Something was so wrong - I had called her before coming up and she was totally coherent and told me she was fine. Even worse, a young arrogant doctor, took me into a private room, and presumed that was her normal condition and asked me if she had ... dementia. Moreover, he diagnosed her with Heart Failure and gave her life expectancy of sixth months, without fully explaining his reasoning for his diagnosis. She lived for over two years later but I think he had placed her, on a medical "death sentence", on her records.

Twice a day I visited Mummy in hospital and got her to drink and eat. The nurses were too understaffed and not monitoring patient's liquid / food intake - this was 2008 and it's still happening now. Bagpipes pipping and party-poppers popping - Mummy recovered and she had regained all her marbles. She was never, ever again delirious, confused in which language to speak and, never showed signs of dementia / forgetfulness. Ever since, I have passionately told all my friends to make sure their elderly relatives drink enough - particularly if they are in hospital. UTIs happen to all of us (boys and girls). I've had to go A&E three times (waiting circa 8 hours) - turns out I'm allergic to Nitrofurantoin, prescribed for UTIs (I get cold shivers, fever and puke :(. Also some doctors, prescribe too short treatment of antibiotics (only 3 days), so make sure the UTI is cleared after it - you may need more antibiotics.

Help Links:
♥ About UTIs | NHS 24 YouTube Vid About UTIs
♥ Signs and Symptoms of UTIs | Signs and Symptoms of Cystitis | Blood in Urine
♥ First Steps Diagnosing a UTI / Cystitis: from your pee pee sample, doctors can immediately test using UTI Dipsticks and, send the sample off to a hospital lab (to identify if any bacteria is present) & refer you for a blood test. Try to avoid being tested by pharmacists - each time I've been to pharmacists in Brixton, the male pharmacists didn't know how to do it and, in front of me .. Googled it! Guys get real - males suffer UTIs too!
♥ Urology Support Sites: Bladder Health Charity (UK) | Chronic UTI Global Support | European Association of Urology ...
♥ Urology Week = sometimes raises awareness of UTIs




13. Thyroid: Sets your body's pace. The thyroid produces hormones that affect your metabolism i.e. how fast or slow your brain, heart, muscles, liver and other parts of your body work. Thyroids can become Underactive (hypothyroidism), Overactive (hyperthyroidism) or in worst case, cancerous. According to The British Thyroid Foundation Thyroid disorders are ten times more common in women than in men. The "wrong" answers, refer to:
* Lymph glands (aka lymph nodes): Help fight infections - they play a vital role in the body being able to fight off infections as they work as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria and other causes of illnesses before they can infect other parts of the body.
* Submandibular glands - Help you swallow & digest food and are located beneath the floor of the mouth, under the jaw.


Help Links:
♥ About Underactive Thyroid (hypothyroidism) | About Overactive Thyroid (hyperthyroidism) | About Thyroid Goitre | About Thyroid cancer ...
♥ Thyroid Disorders: signs and symptoms - please see above specific thyroid NHS links
♥ First Steps Diagnosing Thyroid Disorders: your doctor might refer you for a Thyroid function blood test
♥ Thyroid Health Support Sites: The British Thyroid Foundation, Thyroid UK, NHS' list of supportive links ...
♥ Thyroid Awareness Month (UK) = January | International Thyroid Awareness Week = May | World Thyroid Day = May 25th




14. Osteoporosis: Early 20's is when Peak Bone Mass is attained. Osteoporosis is a health condition that develops slowly over years and weakens bones, making them thinner, fragile and more likely to break. Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men because the hormone changes (decrease in oestrogen) that happen at the menopause directly affect bone density. According to sciencedirect.com:
* By the end of the first 2 decades of life - peak bone mass has been reached. * Between ages 20 - 50 - bone mass has plateaued, but it continues to remodel. * After the age of 50 - bone mass begins to decrease.

Again this is one for your parents and grand parents but we may suffer this later. My Mummy: I don't think Mummy was diagnosed with Osteoporosis but this is still bone related. Mummy was never the same after her first hip operation after a minor fall which shockingly broke her hip. Quite soon after her hip replacement (within a year?) she had to have a second hip replacement because her hip replacement had dislocated / come out! She had to walk with a stick (much to her stylish dismay), never walked the same, couldn't walk long distances, was less well balanced, less mobile, less active as she had been, which deteriorated her health. FFS a couple of years later, she had to have a third hip operation (aged 80) when she tripped over a uneven pavement, in Edinburgh. I can't remember which hip op it was, when she felt that one leg felt longer than the other (I think the first) - can you imagine that, poor her? I hate hip operations - I truly think her hip operations contributed to her demise. I think there should be independent research by experts undertaken regarding leg length discrepancy after hip operations and post op hip replacement dislocation. and hope that there will be improvements in hip surgery. FYI In the UK, a pavement trip hazard height is generally considered a difference of more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) between two sections of pavement (depends on the local authority). This can be 1 inch above the level of the ground, or 1 inch below it.

Help Links:
♥ About Osteoporosis | NHS Tips to keep your bones healthy
♥ Signs and symptoms of Osteoporosis
♥ Diagnosing Osteoporosis: your doctor might refer you for a Bone density scan (DEXA scan)
♥ Hip Replacement | Complications of a hip replacement
♥ Osteoporosis Health Support Sites: The Royal Osteoporosis Society ...
♥ World Osteoporosis Day = 20 October.




15. HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): TRUE!!!! Oestrogen replacement therapy drug Premarin's key ingredients are derived from ... pregnant horses' urine. The name "Premarin" is coined from PREgnant MARes' urINe, however, it was debranded to its generic name, which is "Conjugated Oestrogens Tablets". Available in tablet form it is a complex of "conjugated equine oestrogens", that is to say a mixture of oestrogens and other hormones, derived from pregnant horses' urine. No way do I advocate Premarin.

What is HRT? Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) replenishes female hormones (oestrogen, progesterone and, in some cases, testosterone) that are fluctuating or falling, during the perimenopause and menopause and treats unpleasant symptoms of the menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety and vaginal dryness. See question 11 - The Menopause. Check out what the NHS advises on who can or may not be able to take continuous combined HRT. Please talk to your doctor / health care provider regarding HRT.

Help Links:
♥ About HRT | Signs and Symptoms of The Menopause
♥ Testing Hormone Levels: can be done via a specific blood test. My lovely Doctors strangely do not wish to do this blood test.
♥ Types of HRT treatment | Benefits and risks of HRT | Effects of HRT
♥ Alternatives to HRT: some women are advised not to take HRT because of medical conditions such as having a meningioma ... it breaks my heart to include this disappointing link to NHS' Alternatives to HRT.



16. Grey Hair: No way, Jose is grey hair a sign of subjective age! A fascinating, recent study by researchers at the University of Cambridge, which utilised brain scans, has revealed that the brain goes through five distinct phases in a lifespan:
* Childhood: from birth to age nine
* Adolescence: from nine to 32
* Adulthood: from 32 to 66
* Early ageing: from 66 to 83
* Late ageing: from 83 onwards
In such studies, there is an understandable caveat: some people will reach these landmarks earlier or later than others.

Let's do the sciencey bit ... Why does hair grow grey? Hair follicles produce melanin (a natural pigment produced by cells called melanocytes), which gives hair its colour - the more melanin that is present, the darker the hair shade. As hair follicles age, melanocytes (the pigment-producing cells) become less active or die, leading to new grey, silver, or white hair follicles. But hold your horses ... Grey hairs aren't grey! Grey hairs actually lack pigment and therefore are technically transparent. The range in transparency i.e grey, silver or white is related to how the melanin levels are affecting the hair's pigment. So when do the first grey hairs start appearing? Of course this depends on individuals but as a rough estimate, apparently age-related scattered grey strands typically start to appear after a person's mid-30s. Though factors like hormones may affect greying, DNA and your genes are a key factor which affect your greying. Greying hair, at young age can indicate an underlying illness, so please see your Doctor if your concerned.

Why include this question?:
* Mummy: My Mummy so wanted to dye her silver hair but I said absolutely NOOOO, every time! I loved her beautiful slick silver hair. In hindsight, I would give anything to say, sorry to her and dye if she wished.
* Me: Me: Though I try to dress to impress I have some ... grey hair. My cool hairdressers tell me not to dye my hair. Recently, I was gobsmacked when I met a lovely friend's 16 year-old kid. I asked him to call me "Aunty ***", and innocently he asked me, if I meant "Abuelita" (Granny!). WTF!
* The Human Brain: High fiving the University of Cambridge study - from 32 to 66 years of age, the brain is still in "Adulthood" phase. Personally, I concur. And, it seems a sad validation as, missing Mummy, I've always reflected and hugely regretted that later, I didn't talk to my Mummy as a "friend". Though her body was getting old, her mind was definitely young and fun.
* The Human Brain: High fiving the University of Cambridge study - from 32 to 66 years of age, the brain is still in "Adulthood" phase. Personally, I concur. And, it seems a sad validation as, missing Mummy, I've always reflected and hugely regretted that later, I didn't talk to my Mummy as a "friend". Though her body was getting old, her mind was definitely young and fun. * Societal Taboo Of Women's Grey Hair: gendered double standards - why are men often considered as "sexy silver foxes" / "distinguished" (I can list quite a few sexy silver foxes and I'm cake!) yet, women are "grey-shamed" leading to pressure to dye their hair? Just hear the voices of stellar fifty-something female Hollywood stars who feel they are no longer getting stellar roles. Hair dying costs: in my hair salon its a whopping £140 a go, for permanent hair dying - and that's Brixton, London. Generally, hairdresser's advice is no more three months, or four times a year to dye one's hair but the roots go "grey" so quick. That equates to circa £560 to dye one's hair. Hands-up, during lockdown and with health issues, I let my hair go greying. The faff of dyeing hair at home vs letting it go ... hmm, I'm still deliberating.
* I'm Throwing down the gauntlet regarding grey hair and gendered double standards debate :)




17. Diabetes: a staggering 16.25 teaspoons of sugar are contained in a large McDonald's U.K. Chocolate Milkshake (as reported on McDonald's website. Get your calculator out: 1 Teaspoon of Sugar = 4 grams (rounded down from 4.2 grams) = 16 Calories. The "wrong" answers in the quiz, do also equate to McDonald's U.K. Chocolate Milkshakes:
6.75 teaspoons of sugar (27g | 108 calories) = small
12.5 teaspoons of sugar (50g | 200 calories) = medium
16.25 teaspoons of sugar (65g | 260 calories) = large

BTW: There are just under 10 teaspoons of sugar (39g | 156 calories) in a 12 oz can of Coca‑Cola. The NHS recommends, that adults should have no more than 30g (7.5 teaspoons) of free sugars a day. There are four common types of sugar that interact with your body differently:
* Glucose: is a sugar, which is a carbohydrate - when we eat carbohydrates, our body breaks them down into units of glucose. (Hmm, best to Google this).
* Fructose: is sugar naturally occurring in fruit, in some vegetables and honey.
* Lactose: is sugar found naturally in milk.
* Sucrose: is crystallised white sugar produced by the sugar cane plant
Find out more on the BBC.

According to several health organisations including The British heart Foundation, Diabetes is surprisingly not caused by eating too much sugar. Eating too much sugar, however, will increase body weight, and increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a serious condition caused when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. A common effect of uncontrolled diabetes is Hyperglycaemia (aka raised blood glucose / raised blood sugar). Having high blood glucose levels can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery, and lead to slower recovery time after an operation so sometimes operations can be cancelled on the day and rescheduled.

My Mummy: Mummy had type 1 Diabetes which contributed to her demise - she was peeing a lot, loosing weight, bruising after venipunctures (from blood tests) and the bruises were slower to heal. She was certainly not overindulging in her sugar intake as she daily prick tested herself to monitor her blood sugar. One time: we arranged her Cataract surgery to be done when I was up for Christmas, so could be there for her and pamper her. The day before the op, for Dutch courage, she treated herself to a scone and the tiniest, weeniest drop of jam. Next day, I hugged her (praying inside) and watched her walk off, in her surgery gown, with her BIG M&S panties exposed to the world. As I was getting ready for the wait, in the waiting room, quite soon after she re-appeared. Wow, I thought how amazingly quick the surgery was! With saddest eyes, she told me that they had to postpone her surgery because her blood sugar was too high! Although we were both utterly gutted (she had been girding up her loins for the surgery) - high blood sugar (Hyperglycaemia) before or during cataract surgery increases risks of delayed healing, infection, and inflammation. That wee scone and yummy wee dollop of jam?!


Help Links:
♥ About Diabetes by NHS | About Diabetes by England NHS | Types of Diabetes | Sugar And Diabetes
♥ Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes.
♥ Diagnosing Diabetes: ask your Doctor to organise a Diabetes blood test.
♥ Diabetes Health Support Sites: diabetes.org.uk | diabetes.co.uk | The World Health Organization ...
♥ Diabetes Awareness Month = November | World Diabetes Day = 14th November

Body Weight: In the UK, the NHS recommends that on average a woman needs 2,000 calories a day while a man needs 2,500 calories a day. To find out if you're a healthy weight, check your Body Mass Index (BMI).
♥ What is the Body Mass Index (BMI) | NHS Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator



18. Cholesterol: Saturated Fat = 12.5g & Sugar = 20g are contained in a Starbucks chocolate croissant and tall cappuccino
* Chocolate Croissant = Saturated Fat = 10g | Sugar = 11g
* Tall Cappuccino = Saturated Fat = 2.5g | Sugar = 9g
* Total = Saturated Fat = 12.5g | Sugar = 20g

Groovers, I can't work out where the the 9g (just over two teaspoons) of sugar comes from in the Starbucks cappuccio, when the customer has not added their own sugar. I quizzed my slick Brixton Blend baristas on this question and they unanimously answered that the sugar came from the milk, in it. To be honest, I was quite shocked as I always add 2 teaspoons of sugar to my cappuccio and used to drink two cappucios a day. But on reflection, it doesn't make sense ... as on average a PINT of milk contains 9.4g / just over two teaspoons of sugar (naturally occurring lactose, not added sugar). One certainly doesn't use a pint of milk for a regular cappuccio. I'm flummoxed... some sugar must becoming from Starbucks coffee?

Saturated fats are unhealthy dietary fats which can be found in many foods especially meat, butter and dairy products. Eating too much saturated fats in your diet can raise "bad" LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol in your blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood that's produced naturally in your liver. Having some "good" cholesterol is important because the cells in your body use cholesterol to keep them healthy. Why is your cholesterol intake so important? Too much cholesterol in one's diet can block your blood vessels and make one more likely to have heart problems or a stroke. According to The British Heart Foundation most people with high cholesterol have no symptoms so they don't know they have high Cholesterol, so that's why it's important to ask your GP to get your cholesterol levels checked by having a blood test.

Once... during a blood test for something else, my cholesterol levels were for the first time, spikingly high. I had just come back from Milano and oops, I may have overindulged in yummy Italian cheeses which I can't get / are v expensive e.g. Torta di Gorgonzola, Taleggio ... But also, as you get older, sods law, your body's metabolism changes, often leading to a natural rise in cholesterol level, more so if you've been through the menopause, or you're of South Asian or sub-Saharan African origin. The Health Survey for England, 2022 reported that the proportion of adults with raised cholesterol was 53% and the prevalence of raised cholesterol was greater among women (56%).

The NHS recommends that, daily:
* Women should not eat more than 20g of saturated fat
* Men should not eat more than 30g of saturated fat
* Children should have less
Surprisingly, The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a stricter limit of about 13 grams per day.

Help Links:
♥ About Fat in diet | About Dietary Fats | | What is "good" and "bad" cholesterol? | About High Cholesterol
♥ Signs and symptoms of High Cholesterol - remember most people with high cholesterol have no symptoms.
♥ Diagnosing High Cholesterol: ask your Doctor to organise a blood test. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) recommends that all adults should get a cholesterol check, no matter what your age or how healthy you feel. Moreover, they indicate that, from the age of 40 to 74, your Doctor should invite you for an NHS health check once every five years which includes a Cholesterol check. After my recent rubbish health conditions track record - I prefer yearly checks as then I can monitor if my dietary changes have been beneficial or not.
♥ National Cholesterol Month = October (championed by heartuk.org.uk)



19. Heart Failure: Persistent sneezing is not a common symptom of Heart Failure. A persistent cough which may be worse at night, however, could be a sign of Heart Failure.

Quite contrary to what the medical term implies, Heart Failure does not mean your heart has stopped working. Heart Failure is a serious and progressive condition when the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently, has been compromised, which can lead to other parts of the body not getting enough oxygen. Though in some cases, the cause of heart failure is unknown, there are many known reasons why heart failure may happen - the most common causes include a heart attack, high blood pressure, problems with the heart valves, and cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle). Heart failure can also be caused by viral infections affecting the heart muscle, congenital heart problems (heart problems you're born with) or an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) ...

Swollen ankles and legs are a key and horrid symptom of Heart Failure. Because the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently to the kidneys has been compromised, the kidneys can retain salt and water. This extra fluid in the body can cause swelling in the ankles, feet or legs and sometimes in the tummy area. My Mummy: towards the end, Mummy suffered horrendously from swollen legs, which seeped out fluid and then, she developed a HUGE awful blister on one leg. Apart from having to wear painful compression tights and being put on pee tablets, her GPs nor the nurses could not manage her swollen legs. She was admitted to a so called specialised (mega shite) hospital for old people in Edinburgh (awful Liberton Hospital). She never came out - see below. I so wish that more research can be undertaken regarding swollen legs and better treatments are developed - that's where I believe AI might be able to help and much more appropriately than being used to create lame content, music, films, fake vids ...

Help Links:
♥ About Heart Failure
♥ Signs and symptoms of Heart Failure. Types of Heart Failure Some Causes of Heart Failure
♥ Diagnosing Heart Failure ♥ Heart Failure Support Sites: The British Heart Foundation, Pumping Marvellous Foundation, Pumping Marvellous Foundation, American Heart Foundation ...
♥ Heart Failure Awareness Week 2026 = 8 - 14 February, run by The Heart Failure Society of America | The 2026 Heart Failure Awareness Days (HFAD) = April 27 to May 3 (organised by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) ...



20. Martha's Rule (England): being introduced (2024/2025), allows patients and families to request a 24/7 rapid review by a critical care team if they are concerned about a condition that is not being sufficiently addressed. Thirteen year old, Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital, where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike. Martha's family's concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to, and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha, would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.

* Jess's Rule asks GPs to take a 'fresh eyes' approach and think again if, after 3 appointments, they have been unable to offer a patient a substantiated diagnosis or their symptoms have escalated. The initiative, announced in September 2025, is named in honour of Jessica Brady, who died of cancer in December 2020 at the age of 27. In the 5 months leading up to her death, Jess had 20 consultations with her GP practice, and her cancer had not been diagnosed. Jess was then admitted to hospital with stage 4 adenocarcinoma and passed shortly afterwards. Jess's Rule will help avoid tragic, preventable deaths as GPs are supported to catch potentially deadly illnesses sooner.

* Zach's Law: makes it a criminal offence for anyone to try to trigger a seizure in someone with epilepsy by targeting them with flashing images online, carrying a maximum five-year prison sentence. During the 2020 lockdown, 12-year-old Zach Eagling, from Liversedge, wanted to follow in the footsteps of Captain Sir Tom Moore and walked 1.6 miles around his garden without his frame. This was an admirable fete as Zach, has cerebral palsy following a brain injury at birth and has epilepsy. Though he raised £20,000 for the Epilepsy Society, during the challenge Zach and the charity's social media pages were cruelly flooded with flashing images and GIFs designed to cause seizures.

* Second Opinion: gives patients a choice to see another doctor or specialist after you've been given a diagnosis or treatment plan for a medical condition, for confirmation, clarification, new insights, or to explore alternatives, or different options.

This ruling, is HUGELY important and HAUNTINGLY resonates with me.

MY FABULOUS MUMMY:December 2010, Edinburgh under the worst snow conditions in years and v scarry to drive: My awesome Mummy's hospital discharge was delayed from Liberton Hospital, a so-called specialised hospital for old people, while they were trying to arrange home care for her. From London, I was also doing the utmost for her discharge and organise extra homecare (it later transpired my brother at home, was no longer able to care for her). Moreover, I had arranged extended leave from work to get her out, get her better and secretly discuss with her going into a care home (too personal to explain further). I had discussed with her when I should come up. She was up for a later date as she wanted to be home and have as much time with me there. While waiting for her delayed discharge, Mummy caught an infection in the hospital (FFS! and never disclosed to me what the infection was). The night before I was arriving, Mummy was made nil-by-mouth (which surely would have weakened her further but they were apparently scared she might have a stroke by drinking / eating???????) and put her on an antibiotic drip. When my brother and I arrived by her bedside, Mummy couldn't speak and lay motionless on the bed. My brother noticed something and asked her bed linen to be changed. The nice nurse closed the curtains and changed the bed linen. This has haunted me and will forevermore: when the nurse opened the curtain, I vividly (and I still have flashbacks) saw her bizarrely thrust down her arm, in what seemed dismay. The nurse then told us that she had seen that Mummy's drip was dislodged. Mummy was so utterly weak at the the time, there was NO WAY she could have dislodged the drip - she was so weak she couldn't move her arms to even hold them up high to touch our hands, and, couldn't speak.

Unexpectedly the nurse took my brother and myself into a private room and told us that (the potentially life-saving) antibiotic drip was not allowed to be reinstated under the strict instructions of "top" doctor (I Fooking hate her forevermore), because, apparently, it would cause Mummy pain/ distress (they were finding it hard to get a cannula into her. Mummy was to be put on the, I'd never heard of (now hopefully never, ever used again) Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying (LCP)! At first I was totally in shock and dumbstruck. Idiot me, though floundering I intermittently tried to fight question it, I accepted the decision as my father had been in the army and I had been taught to accept authority.

Headfucked, I returned to Mummy. Her eyes were so amazingly beautifully and vibrantly blue with what seemed life compared, to my father's dying grey eyes. It's a complete horrific haze (my head had just exploded & my heart was breaking). I cant remember under those horrendous circumstance, exactly the times ... less than five minutes of returning to her bed and seeing her eyes, I requested, then politely insisted that the (potentially life-saving) antibiotic drip to be reinstated, to give Mummy a fighting chance. The nurse refused to put it in. I asked to see a Dr but she there was no Dr available to speak to me then. During the next hours, til circa 9am, I asked at least three doctors to reinstate the drip but was refused, every time. Fuck! In hindsight, I was way too polite but I had no one supporting me - respectfully, my brother was not in the capacity to help me, even though he had been by me. Under the shite Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) it took her three truly awful days to DIE! And, she was still under strictest nil-by-mouth (as instructed by a sign above her head i.e. nothing by mouth - no food, drink, or oral medications). The medical staff at Liberton Hospital refused to reinstate her dislodged drip, she was placed under the AWFUL Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying and denied liquid, food and oral medications. Despicable! I do wonder if that awful arrogant hospital Dr who treated her when she had her delirious UTI and had given her coldly, a six months to live death warrant - if that was on record and affected her subsequent hospital stays / hospital Drs opinions of her.

Afterwards, when I got a bit over the heart of loosing my so missed Mummy, I did raise a case not via a lawyer for compensation but alone, to prevent this happening to some one else, via the Scottish health Obsudmen. In their investigation: nurses and doctors ALL denied (downright LIED) that I had requested (several times to different medical staff) that the drip be reinstated. But they did say they would consider the nil-by-mouth. In hindsight, I should have gone through a lawyer (not for financial gain) as they would have been more expert. Three years after Mummy's death, in 2013, Baroness Neuberger recommended the discontinuation of the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying (LCP). Shamefully, the scandal of the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying has been hushed up and for sure, out there, there are many victims of the DISGRACEFUL Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying.



Please forgive me for such a long spiel on how Mummy died awfully under hospital care and, that it is not succinct. Each time I remember it, I feel as though my heart is being ripped out, excruciatingly slowly and painfully. When I can face it again, I will revisit this section and hope to polish it up. It haunts me forevermore and, sometimes letting off steam like this is therapeutic. But, at every suitable opportunity, I want her awful experience to be known. Though I hope no one else will ever be in this position, I do hope this might help someone and embolden them. I'm so heartfelt sorry how YOUNG Martha Mills died, and others who have died similarly. I thank Martha's parents for bravely fighting so hard and under such awful grief, to try and help others, who they don't know, to perhaps save their lives. Had I been able to use Martha's Rule - perhaps Mummy's crucial drip would have been reinstated and, perhaps, Mummy would have survived, for a bit longer?



" ... Take Two Paracetamols."
During COVID lockdown, for certain health conditions, quite understandably many of us couldn't have a face-to-face appointment and had a telephone consultation instead. Since lockdowns ended, often telephone calls have prevailed for GP and hospital consultations. Personally, I find it a bit pants, as I am terrible at:
* Human Anatomy: so that's why I have included some diagrams
* Describing Pain: here's a helpful link on how to describe pain to medics.
* Dr AI: avoid.
* Seek Medical Attention: don't delay, just do it!
* National Wellbeing Awareness Campaigns: Check out University College London's Calendar and NHS' Calendar.
* And, remember: you know when something aint quite right with your body - if needed seek a second opinion
♥ "Lang may yer lum reek" (Scottish saying "long may your chimney smoke")