The new model had three walls which offered some protection against the wind and rain and we were aware that heavy rain and gales were forecast for the week-end.  We arrived at the showground in heavy rain at 8 am on the Saturday and it was evident that the weather was keeping people away.  But by 1 pm the sun was shining and the crowds appeared.  We handed out our B12 Deficiency Check-List to around fifty people – some of whom scored highly and these were advised to tell their doctor about the symptoms.

We also had around thirty people present themselves to us telling us that their three-monthly injection was not sufficient and a great many of these patients were either been prescribed anti-depressants or had been prescribed them before.  All in all it was a succesfull day.

However, when Fiona, Sue and I turned up to the field the following morning we discovered that the Gazebo had been wrecked by vandals.  Three of the most important poles were broken and the tent had just collapsed.  Two other stands had also been wrecked by a group of boys.  The Security Guards had caught them, but had simply escorted them off the premises.  It was not possible to salvage anything and so we loaded up the car and, after breakfast at McDonalds, made our way home.

We have commitments to three other festivals during the summer and so we will need to buy another Gazebo before then.  Today there are three volunteers in the office.  Sue, Abigail and Fiona.  We have begun to plan for the Awareness Week and Awareness Day.

I hadn’t seen any of them since I had my first infusion in April.  Every one of them commented on how well I looked and how much brighter I seemed.  One ex colleague couldn’t get over how my skin had improved.

This morning we had our first telephone call from a member seeking advice before 8.30.  It was the usual tale of Doctors refusing treatment.  In this case after having three monthly injections of Hydroxocobalamin for many years, the doctor has suddenly told her that because her Serum B12 was very high he was not going to let her have any more injections in case she overdosed…..

What made matters worse is that the lady shows all the symptoms of having Sub-Acute Combined Degeneration of the Cord Secondary to Pernicious Anaemia.  She has peripheral neuropathy, cannot walk in the dark, is constantly falling over and bumping into things and has problems thinking clearly and has a rapidly failing memory.

Her doctor has suggested that, because she lives alone, she is dwelling on her B12 deficiency because she has seen a neuro physiotherapist who has reported no neurological damage.

It is so difficult to advise her what to do next.  She is in danger of losing her job, well, she is about to lose her job and without a diagnosis of Sub-Acute Combined Degeneration she will not receive any benefits.  This is as clear cut case of medical negligence as I have seen and yet the options for the patient are very limited.

I anticipate another two or three calls in a similar vein by the end of the day…