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Doodle

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Posts posted by Doodle

    Protecting your garden in winter

    in Gardening

    Posted

    This may sound a bit daft but we get through a lot of bottled water - 2 litre size clear plastic type. Last year I put in a few 1 & 2 year old fruit trees and as well as fleecing the top I cut the bottles vertically then placed them around the trunks 2-3 per trunk this allowed the air and light through and I think gave a certain amount of protection from the few bad weeks of winter (dept 53 north) we had. I also found it stopped the cat from sharpening her claws on them! Of course on a really windy day they did tend to end up else where in the garden but that was easily remedied with a bit of sticky tape!

    Chris

    Dotarem?

    in Health

    Posted

    Having finally had my IRM (MRI) scan last wednesday, I justed wanted to say thanks to all especially Norman for the absolutely spot on info. The pineapple juice (2 small cartons) I found amusing as I had to drink it very quickly - I'd arrived for my appointment 40 mins early and went straight in (fortunately no time to get panicked about it) so I guess someone didn't turn up and I took their place.

    I had a large piece of plastic placed and pressed hard over my stomach which was then fastened very tighly with velcro to the bed - no chance of moving!

    Yes it is a very loud process but I quickly associated the noises with a clapped out fog horn, a fruit machine at the point when having pulled the handle the fruits 'clunk' one by one into position and then the clattering of the coins dropping into the tray.

    Didn't find it claustrophobic but can clearly see how some people would. My only problem was having had my arms above my head I couldn't move them or get myself up from the bed - frozen to the spot and I had to ask the chappy to help me - he did laugh and so did I.

    Once again thanks to all this forum is soooo good for info.

    Happy & Healthy New Year to all, Chris

    Soya.

    in Health

    Posted

    I read this and immediately looked in the cupboard at my bottle of Tamari - fortunately organic and fermented! Unfortunately, in the fridge I have a packet of Tofu! Still the article was a reminder as to why I ask friends to bring over from the uk organic tamari (much cheaper in the uk and easier to get hold of). Thanks as I need reminders from time to time.

    Chris

    Dotarem?

    in Health

    Posted

    Thanks again for the info - 1 1/2 hours good grief I don't think I could lie still for that amount of time - is Mrs B OK after that ordeal?

    I would go armed with lots of questions but I don't know what else to ask as having had numerous x-rays and CT scans I've run dry. The chirurgien thinks there is something in the pancreas but all of the radiologists say there is nothing there. On my last visit for another CT scan which should have been followed by a biopsy the radio said there was nothing there so he wasn't doing a biopsy. So, I wonder if this is the last attempt by the chirurgien to find something. I do hope so as it is now getting tedious in that I hate travelling and it's 160 mile round trip to the hospital.

    Dotarem?

    in Health

    Posted

    Many thanks for all the info and thanks Norman for the info re the IRM doesn't sound as scary as I thought it would be and I'm very glad to hear they give you head phones - hope the music's not too head banging!

    Chris

    Dotarem?

    in Health

    Posted

    I go for an IRM shortly and have been sent a prescription for Dotarem to collect from the pharmacy on the day. Can someone tell me what Dotarem is needed for. Also, any info about an IRM would be much appreciated as it's my first.

    Thanks in advance, Chris

    Cancer

    in Health

    Posted

    Our very best wishes, we will be thinking of you. I have just returned from my second visit to hospital for tests for 'C' but in the pancreas and I am so impressed with the amount of tests they have carried out. I'm sure you will be fine as it's been caught early, you are in the best place for treatment and aftercare.

    This may be of some use to you, whilst in hospital I was bored out of my head, fortunately I'd taken a notebook and pen with me and decided to write a diary. I wrote down every little detail and there are some very funny moments especially with the language ie 'avez vous un ka ka, avez vous un pet! (don't know if that's how it's spelt) anyhow after controlling my fit of laughing I taught the frenchies that we call it a poo or a number two and a fart (am I allowed to say that on this forum?) I refer to the two ladies that come in the middle of the night to take blood samples as the vampire nurses and then the other two that arrive around 4:30 am who float in fiddle with my drip bottles and float out again as the phantom nurses in the end I couldn't be bothered to say bonjour as it led into a conversation so I pretended to be sleeping letting out the odd grunt when my hand was checked over.

    Doing this not only passed the time but gave the OH a laugh when he read it and my friends since I've been home but it is also an insight for anyone who like me is terrified of going into hospital. I think everyone must remember that 'C' is not a death sentence although I think it's probably the first thing that goes through everyone's mind.

    One more thing, remember the OHs go through it as well they may well hide it but believe me they feel it so if you can get someone to make sure they are OK please do so. Fortunately my french neighbour looked after mine.

    Signing off now before you all drop off to sleep!

    Again, best wishes to you and your family, Chris xx

    Is top-up health insurance really necessary?

    in Health

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I have only just read this thread and thought you might like my views.

    I have just arrived home from hospital where I've been held prisioner for two weeks in Angers 80 miles from where I live. This is the first time in my life (I'm in my mid 50s) that I've ever been admitted to hospital and I've been in perfect health since I was 10 years old. It all started with violent vomiting for 4 days until I reached the point where I knew I had to visit the doctor. I apparently had no blood pressure and was sent straight away to the local hospital 15 miles away. After two days and nights of blood tests, ecg tests, radiography, 3 different laser scans abd two endoscopies I was then transported by ambulance to the hospital in Angers. A private room, more blood tests, wee tests a colonoscopie and another endoscopie not to mention the drips I've been on continuously. The outcome is that they don't know what caused the problem but they said it may be a twisted intestine, a tumour but cannot find anything on any of the scans of from the tests that have been done.

    I now have to return on monday when they are going to take a biopsy and I have to stay in overnight.

    Now I've not relayed all of this to get sympathy as it's not needed but thank goodness we have top up insurance as I cannot begin to think how much this would of cost (maybe someone else knows).

    I looked at the notice board in the hospital and some of the operations were 1,000 euros plus.

    We've been paying the top up insurance for 3 1/2 years at 65 euros a month for the two of us and I'm sure I've had more than my monies worth.

    Is it worth the risk? Only you can decide.

    Chris

    Lucozade

    in Health

    Posted

    Hi, not sure I'm posting in the correct area but I'm not feeling well and as usual craving something I haven't got - Lucozade. Is there a drink equivalent to Lucozade that I can get in the french supermarkets or chemists?

    Thanks, Chris

    Assurance Vie

    in French Finance

    Posted

    Thanks Parsnips,

    since posting I found the link below and decided not to go with MMA (it's just that we have a very nice MMA insurance man who just happens to be the Maire's son!). We are definately going with Fortuneo as we are pleased with their banking facilities and the invaluable info you have supplied and are now going to look at BforBank and see what they have on offer!

    http://assurance-vie.lesdossiers.com/outils/comparateur?gclid=CNaSkou5naQCFQI03wodqGuMFA

    thanks again, chris

    Assurance Vie

    in French Finance

    Posted

    I have been reading through a thread dated 2009 regarding assurance vie. I am looking at Fortuneo Symphonie Vie and MMA not wishing to put all my eggs in one basket.

    Parsnips no doubt will be able to confirm my thinking that with Fortuneo SV if they go down the pan so to speak up to 70,000 euros will be covered by the french government. Do you know if MMA is covered in the same way being an insurance company and a mutelle?

    Thanks in advance, Chris

    what is it?

    in Wildlife/Nature/Environment

    Posted

    I've just found in the garden a caterpillar, smooth lime green with white and lavender vertical stripes together and repeated every few centimetres. It is about the thicknes of my middle finger and is around 4 inches in length and has something resembling a small brown horn at the bottom end I say bottom end as unless it walks backwards it must be its bottom! Very strong clung to the OH's garden glove like glue.

    Can someone enlighten me as to what it is please?

    Thanks, Chris

    Meaning of "until"

    in French Language

    Posted

    I'm not trying to be rude or funny here but in this land of uncertainty my option would be to ring up on the 23rd see if they answer, if not, ring on the 24th and so on. We had the same problem with out local auberge in august.

    Chris

    Online translation

    in French Language

    Posted

    I use Reverso for translation and Verb2Verbe to understand the tenses. I copy the sentences I don't understand into the translation engine then copy the english version back onto a word document. Long winded but works quite well and I get a french lesson into the bargain!

    Chris
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