welsh-nutter

I gave an interview today to BBC Radio Berks about the poor NHS treatments available for sufferers of psoriasis.  The interview was prompted by this article from the BBC which claimed, not incorrectly, that NHS treatments for the illness is inconsistent at best between NHS trusts.

 

As someone who has suffered with psoriasis for many years, I can see how people who suffer can become depressed or lose confidence, and thats without the constant itching, dandruff and flaky skin you have to put up with.  A recent survey by the British Association of Dermatologists and the Royal College of Physicians states that 1 in 10 sufferer's contemplate suicide.  Thats a scary statistic.  The survey also notes that 60% of care units had no access to psychological support.  When you look at the previous statistic, this is pretty bad.  I suppose that I am pretty lucky in that I am not too easily phased by how other people see me - I do get psoriasis on my face and scalp, and I have had funny looks and rude comments in the past.

 

In terms of NHS treatment, I've had lots of the "this shampoo will sort it all out" kind of statements, and I've had more useful treatments.  It took a whole year on the waiting list for me to get to see a specialist.  Ultimately, I've been told I will be using topical steroids for the rest of my life or until the psoriasis simply goes away of it's own accord.  In practice I've reached a point where my condition is not much better when I use the steroids, so I just don't bother.  A regime of moisturising helps a bit, mixed with Nizoral shampoo for the scalp (does wonders for the dandruff!).

 

Some useful psoriasis links:

 

http://www.papaa.org/ - Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance

 

http://www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/ - Psoriasis Association

 

 

 

I sat down and watched the first episode of the new Torchwood series last night on BBC iPlayer.  It genuinely had potential - an interesting plot with some potential for some character development.  So what do they do?  They get Captain Jack to start snogging his old Flame Captain John (played by James Marsters - Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer), they get Gwen to simper over Captain Jack, they hint at a love triangle between Captain Jack, Captain John and Ianto - and then they get to show how no one can cope if Jack's not about to kill aliens.

 

And there are some scenes where the main characters try for some convoluted solution to a simple problem.  A time bomb is attached to the baddie, who is in turn handcuffed to Gwen.  He swallows the key and insists that Torchwood must save him - so they do!!!  Come on people, the solution is to shoot the fucker in the head, cut his arm off and if time permits gut him to retrieve the key before disposing of the body in the rift in time & space.  Everyone is happy, except the baddie of course, but then again he WAS the bad guy after all.

 

And yet again, not one Cardiff accent in sight.

 

Russell T. Davies has the potential for a great Sci-fi Drama series on his hands - yet he insists on unconvincing characterisations, gay encounters at every turn, and worse dramatic scenes than the Bold & the Beautiful and Baywatch combined!  Someone needs to remove him and replace him with someone who has a modicum of talent.

Well, after a long stay with my parents it's now time to go back to work to relax and destress.

 

I spent most of Christmas and the New Year playing with my Nephew and Niece, in the pub or anywhere my mother couldnt get at me to nag.

 

I took some photo's of the valley's - here for your viewing pleasure...

 

We had a poker night last night.  I was surprised by girls' enthusiasm.  When I half heartedly suggested a poker night a few weeks back, Jenny and Catherine started jumping up and down, getting all excited.  I really didn't think it was their thing.

 

For most of us, the night was a bit of a learning curve - I have played before, but not too often, and few of the others had played before either.  Of course, the girls got stressed trying to work out the rules at first, then got pissed on wine (especially Catherine!) and just got loud and leery.

 

My Lynch just sat there with a smug poker face, and for a while that technique did work, but after a while his stockpile started to deplete a little bit.

 

I held my own, winning some large hands, but by the end I probably had less chips than I started with.  Which about summed up the night for everyone else as well - I don't hink that anyone really had a clear advantage in the game, with everyone winning at least one big hand...

 

Catherine is insisting that we make this a regular event, but then again she had downed about 3 bottles of wine - I think I'll wait and see what she says when she's sober...

 

It's safe to say we all enjoyed ourselves though, as the game didn't finish till at least two in the morning.

 

And I woke up without a hangover...  Wooh Hoo!