Alternative Alternatives

On Saturday's Radio 4's Question Time, the panel were asked if the NHS should ring fence a budget to fund treatment using alternative medicine. Quite frankly I was apalled at the general pomposity of the responses which by and large were scoffs at what the rest of the world had to offer.

As an ex-nurse and midwife of the 70s and early 80s I found the doctors then were, if not arrogant then at least generally skeptical about other claims for healing that were outside their experience. And yet, by the mid 80s acu-puncture was accepted within the NHS as a treatment for some conditions. I remember the first successful trials taking place in my area for arthritis of the knee joint.

With anti-biotics that are no longer coping with super duper resistant bacterial organisms, (and these do not only occur within hospitals but are now making their way into ordinary communities) I fail to understand how ignoring alternative treatments cannot take place, especially for bacterial infections, and this is without my own personal experiences. That we as mere humans do not always comprehend the reasons why a certain treatment works is not quite good enough for not wanting to explore its potential.

Scientists have come a long way with navigating the complex biological maze that comprises our wonderful human bodies, but they have further to go yet with fully appreciating all its chemical traits and how our minds and bodies interract for perfect steering.

Not so many years ago, my Consultant could not treat me for a very common condition and I knew that radical surgery would have been the only solution for me over time. It did not seem right that such a common ailment could cause such chaos and involve such a hit or miss approach given all that the NHS could offer. I had no option but to turn to alternative cures and I thanked my lucky stars for the internet.

Within a few weeks I developed a self treatment which has over the years proved to be extremely successful and I have not had a reason to see my doctor since. I had no alternative but to use alternatives and they really really work.

Once I was completely recovered I returned to my Consultant for an investigation whereby he could view the problem area deep inside of me using special technology cameras. He was visibly shocked by what he saw. He informed me that he expected to see degeneration and unhealthy tissue; what he actually saw was healthy and pink, and he at least was most interested in how I had achieved my self healing.

Capture the Moment

Today is my birthday and its coming has made me particularly aware of the passing of time. I realise that as it goes by, this slippery phenomenon has come to be a very precious thing. And so when my husband asked me what I wanted, as he does every year, my first thought was, wouldn't it be lovely if I could be the master of the hours, the days and even the years. But this he cannot give me.

I know that the health and beauty gurus recommend a little 'me-time' as a lovely pampering experience. The trouble is that afterwards the effect is soon lost as I go around like a headless chicken trying to catch up on 'lost-time', which is what it soon feels like I've had.

My office colleague thought that the reason why time seems to go by quicker the older one gets is relative to experience. The younger, the less time passed the more there is to go, well something like that. I cannot claim to fully understand this concept.

I have heard scientists discuss on a radio programme that there is a very real physiological reason why time flies the older one gets. I never got to hear the end but, I bet it has something to do with the general deterioration of something or other because of ageing. Nearly everything is these days.

Like most people, for whatever reason, time for me passes rapidly the more I am enjoying the moment and moves slowly when I am not. Even when I am busy and I am not, although being busy when I am not enjoying myself is infinately preferable to not being, if any of this makes sense.

What I actually had for my birthday from my husband was a lovely afternoon out with my family at a fabulous place for Sunday lunch. (We celebrated the day before as Monday is not a good one.) I would have liked the moment to have lasted for ever, exactly as it was, but all good things as the saying goes. And afterwards, no messy kitchen to clean, no pots and crocks to wash and put away, so this time 'me-time' really was a good time, but, only a memory now.