Screening

The Gorse Fox received a notification that, having reached the age of 65, he was eligible to be screened for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Today was the day.

We wandered along to the local hospital and identified himself to reception and settled down in the waiting room. Clearly the staff were no too busy and had a somewhat flexible view of time. The Gorse Fox was in no hurry so it didn't bother him. Eventually he was called in and settled in the chair to answer the preliminary questions...

Any history of aneurysms in the family?
Have you ever smoked?

The Gorse Fox was able to answer both in the negative... then had the option whether or not to identify his ethnicity. He agreed.

"Shall I put you down a white, British, native English speaker?" asked the nurse.

"Mais Oui" he replied. She looked up, confused. Then she saw the smile on his face and burst out laughing.

Paperwork complete the ultrasound scan began. Five minutes later it was done. The Gorse Fox was give a clean bill. No sign of AAA... and healthy looking aorta with a cross section of 2cm.