The radiotherapy I had as part of my cancer treatment ended up damaging my pancreas – and the words ‘pancreas’ and ‘cancer’ are not the two words you want to hear in the same sentence, I can assure you! Thankfully, the damage incurred is limited to the production of digestive enzymes (my pancreas doesn’t anymore). I was assured two years ago that it is readily manageable by taking a medication called Creon. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I started my Creon journey at the onset of a nationwide shortage of the stuff.
I can honestly say that the last two years of this shortage have been more stressful than the chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and the two major operations I needed. Now, at the beginning of my Creon journey I was closely monitored, and had the dosages increased until my stomach pain, and constant wind and bloating had successfully dissipated. The end result is that I’m on on the highest strength Creon now for life, and take between fifteen and eighteen a day (one with a milky coffee, two with a snack, and three with a ‘main meal’). Although there were shortages from the offset, the medical teams looking after me moved heaven and earth to source supplies. But…once you’re no longer under the active care of a medical team, you become what is referred to in the business as being ‘in community’ – a wonderful term which signifies my remission from cancer, and the start of a five-year monitoring programme.
On the downside, being ‘in community’ means that I’m on my own when it comes to getting the medication I need. The GP Practice authorises the prescription request, and sends it to the pharmacy. Their job is done. The pharmacy can’t even order it, so their job is done until it comes back in stock. I know I have ranted about this before, but back in the summer of last year, there were regular updates on the internet from the many medical charities and organisations actively campaigning for a resolution to the Creon shortage. Nothing has been written online by a charity since July, and nothing from the UK government since 2024 however (no surprise there, then). The lack of action online would lead one to consider that the supply issue is all but fixed. But I’ve had a prescription which remains unfilled from 2nd December 2025. Being lucky enough to have a car, I have been able to drive far and wide to source some Creon thanks to the help of my old nursing team. Whilst discussing the problems I’m continually facing, an interesting conversation with them led me to believe that the supply could indeed now perhaps be much improved. Specifically, they wondered whether it was my large-brand pharmacy that was the cause of my lack of medication. Apparently it is…they just don’t have either the diverse supply chain, or are too large to care…or perhaps both.
On the good advice from a candid employee of a pharmacy within a large supermarket chain (not my big-brand pharmacy), the advice I will offer is the same I received with thanks…take your medication to a local independent pharmacy. They are small enough to care, and take a much more proactive role in sourcing medication. Being brutal and matter-of-fact, they only earn an income if they supply your meds…and that is all the motivation a local business needs. Trust me, I know! Leave the ‘big boys and girls’ and take your prescription to an independent pharmacist which is still small enough to care – for both of your mutual benefits. It seems to have worked for me…I just hope it lasts!
The Orange Baby
Like millions of you out there, I was deeply insulted by the callous and ill-thought words spewing from the orange-man-baby currently residing in The White House. I acknowledge that he has since rowed-back somewhat and clarified his position with regards to the UK Armed Forces, but he has a long way to go to repair the damage.
I was so incensed that I (briefly) vowed to wean myself off any US product whilst he remains in power. That didn’t last long…Disney +, Netflix, Apple TV, Paramount (and probably all of Sky)…and that’s just from the living room. I was going to treat myself to a new fountain pen, but even Parker are US-owned! It would be cool to see some kind of European movement to wean ourselves off US products – talking to the orange-man-baby in a language he understands – money! The movement should only be in place as long as he is…just not my favourite TV shows, please…I’m not that much of an activist…
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
Bloody birds! I’m a bit of a twitcher…from the kitchen window anyway, and just about every time I look outside I see a plethora of birds from all flights of feather. Why not join in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch then, I thought? I duly settled down to an hour of twitching from the warmth of the Snug this weekend, and…nothing. Do these ungrateful bleeders know I’m watching, or something? What thanks do I get for the fresh food and water I provide…absence when it counts – that’s what! Not a beak in sight for almost half an hour. Some birds did arrive before the hour was up…but the confirmation of my ‘bird count’ submission felt like a bit of a criticism to be honest with you. I submitted a count of 14 different birds, I was reliably informed, but the average is 28 though, apparently. Thanks for that. Must try harder next time…
