Thursday 27th December 2018

Greek: Πέμπτη 27 Δεκεμβρίου 2018

23:25hrs. As I stirred into a simulation of life, the strong smell of cooking permeated my nostrils, and a spot of panic arrived in the brain. ‘I’d left the crock-pot on full, and then fell asleep last night!’ I fumbled and fought my way off of the £300 second-hand rickety, rusty recliner, stubbed my toe, knocked the mineral bottle off of the Ottoman and rushed to the kitchen! The crock-pot had almost boiled dry! So, no meal last night, oddly I did not feel particularly hungry.

‘Self-recrimination’ and ‘I Do Feel a Fool’ modes engaged!

While cleaning things up, the most urgent of needs for an SSWW (Short-Sharp-Wee-wee) arrived. I grabbed the small plastic waste bin that I now keep handy for just such an emergency, and Christened it. Oh dear, the blood flowed from Little Inchies Fungal Lesion, so off to the wet room to treat and clean things up. This is not a good start to the day, and I have to go for the blood test and to collect the prescriptions later!

I treated the lesion, painfully, and cleaned things. Spotting three of the EIBWBBBs (Evil Ironclad Boll-Weevil black biting beetles) on the floor near the shower drain this time.

As I took this photograph of the cunning weevils, I noticed blood on the paper towel. Yes, the lesion had started leaking again. I assume this will mean me trying to find time to get to the GUM Clinic… Oh, it will be closed today, Boxing Day! I dabbed away the blood, I can sort things out again when I have the shower during my ablutionalisationing session.

The mind started off on one of its frenzied, neurotic, panicky brain wanderings, driven on, no doubt, by apprehensiveness and insecurity. Anything to fret about or be concerned over flitted through the grey-cells. A desire for anthropinisation lingered in amongst the other anxious-making, self-seeked fears. I was getting too much detail, all at the same time. For a few moments, I was another person altogether. I felt trepidatious. A Nervous Wreck!

While writing the above, the words flowed smoothly, but these mind-blitzes do me no good at all.

Back to the kitchen, feeling a great deal better and not knowing why I felt in such an improved mental state, I got the Health Checks done, made a brew of tea and took the medications.

The Sys seems to be going up and down regularly this week? I don’t think the problems I’m having with the Warfarin INR level should affect this, though?

The fluid retention in the legs has returned, they feel like hard balloons when I squeeze them. Will I be forward enough to ask the Doctor for a check-up when I get to the surgery?

I cleaned up the mess up that I made earlier in my panic-evacuation from the recliner. Bending down was more painful today, but the fluid retention might be the reason.

I opened the unwanted light & view-blocking new kitchen window and took three shots of the scene in front of me. I tried different options to see what they would come out like and learn their qualities. Auto, Night Sky and Stars. I’d best stick to using the Auto, do you think?

I got the computer on and updated the Woeful Wednesday post.* Taking four SSWWs while updating. *Mind you, today’s might be more Woeful, the way its started. Hehehe!

Off to the Porcelain Throne. Decent session, only the tiniest drop of blood from Harold’s Haemorrhoids.

One more EIBWBBB spotted near the sink. A live one this time, I decided to go for the kill! But, the Sanmex Killer spray can was empty! By the time I’d collected a new one from my arsenal in the main room and got back to the wet room, the cunning EIBWBBB was gone, Tsk!

Made a start on this blog up to here. Taking three more SSWWs while doing it.

Then went on the WordPress Reader. On to the comments. Another SSWW, and on to the TFZer Facebooking.

CorelDraw next, I must get some page top graphics done in advance! I managed about three.

Got the ablutions tended to. Being later in the morning now, I could use the shower without disturbing my beloved neighbours, a very refreshing and enjoyable scrub-up! I did manage to nick the chin shaving, which was a bit of a battle to stop bleeding, had to use the after-shave. Of course, the stinging pain was of no bother to a man like me. “Lie-Mode Engaged!” But it told me that the Warfarin level might still be too high, hence thin blood?

Got the dressing gown on and sprayed with deodorant and back to the kitchen to check on the beans in the crock-pot.

Back to the wet room for an SSWW…

In the few minutes, I’d been gone from the shower room, four EIBWBBBs and a baby one had shown up in there! One of the larger ones (Top right) was very-much-alive, kicking and trying to bite me! The dang things are winning this war I think! Cunningly using only small patrols to invade with and fooling me into thinking I might be winning the battle! Humph!

I got undies and socks on belatedly, and it came apparent to me why the joints and limbs were hurting and making movement a task for me. The legs were solid with the retained fluid.

I’ll mention this to the nurse, whichever one is on duty today.

I dressed and took the seven black plastic bags of waste to the rubbish chute.

The walk to the surgery is going to take some effort with how the legs, feet and ankles are feeling. Still, needs must.

I had to push myself more than I would have liked, due to my taking too long in doing the ablutions, I’d left myself with only 50 minutes to get there.

I pressed on along Chestnut Walk and down Winchester Street. I thought I might regret not putting on the big coat, as everyone I saw had their scarves, gloves and hats on, but I didn’t feel too cold at all?

Of course, I was manipulating two rock-hard swollen legs and feet, with a gallon or two of fluid in them, as fast as I could. Hehe! So that might have helped me keep warm a bit?

I cut through side streets to save some time.

I got to the surgery in Carrington, with five minutes to spare!  Smug-Mode Adopted.

I logged in and sat down doing the crossword in the book. Fifteen minutes later… Nurse Ann came to collect me! This was ineludible really, the way the day had gone so far! Grumph! Anyway, she fooled me today, and she listened to me when I spoke and did not answer at me before I’m finished making my point. Oh, Yes!

Concerned about how solid the fluid-filled legs were, and concerned about my dizzies, she made an appointment there and then for me – she even printed out a letter for me to take with me, to show Dr Vindla… 0900hrs in the morning! No rest for the wicked is there! Marvellous! 09:00hrs Doctors Appointments. 11:20hrs: Clinic Appointment. Shopping to do. Graphics page top headers need tending to. And I am expecting the appointment to arrive from the Anticoagulation and Deep Vein Thrombosis Clinic, and The GUM clinic. Gonna be a busy lad! As for the next laundry and getting the flat sorted… Humph!

I thanked her, and meant it, gave her a New Year pressie, left the treatment room, left nibbles for the reception staff and off outside and along Mansfield Road to the Carrington Pharmacy.

And, I had a camera view of what was nearly an accident as a lorry pulled away from the opposite kerb, close to clouting the red car! Ace Reporter Inchcock Strikes Again! Hehehe!

I collected the prescriptions from the chemist and bought a thermometer that takes the temperature from the ear-hole. Not cheap. But the thing that narked me, was once one bought it as I foolishly did – it needs a supply of plastic wax-defender-covers. What will they cost to buy? The few in the box will not last long, the instructions I read later said a new one needs to be used each time a reading is taken. Oy Vey! What a schnook, First-Class with Bar, Grade A, I am! I might get someone to scrawl ‘Gullible’ on my forehead for me! I could write a book, Gullible’s Travels! I really wee myself off at times!

Depressed and annoyed at myself, I trudged limpingly along to the Lidl store. I got some bread rolls to have with my attempted Chilli later. Honey Mini Ribs and Honey Gammon shanks and some beef cubes.

Paid at the self-serve tills without any problem.

Caught the bus back into Sherwood.

With bag being heavy, due to the month’s supply of medications, the knees and ankles were suffering. Hey-ho!

I caught a bus back up to the  Winwood Heights.

A sickeningly worrying sight near the Woodthorpe Court lobby entrance doors.

A paramedic car and an ambulance in attendance. The stomach went acidy on me when I saw these. I hope and pray that it is not too severe for whoever was in need of them.

Fingers crossed!

Limped up to the flat, had an SSWW and cleaned up where the lesion had been bleeding a bit.

Got the purchases put away. The mini-ribs and Gammon shanks looked like they should be tasty when I get around to nibbling them.

I opened the sack of medications and laid them out ready to rotate and store them in the drugs drawer.

You can see rip-off, expensive thermometer, that needs covers to be bought every time I use it and a massive battery that will cost I don’t dare to think off…

Sorry about that, Self-Pity Mode slipped in there!

Naughty, Inchcock!

I got the medicines stored and checked the crockpot contents. I moved the beans and mini-potatoes from the slow-cooker to the saucepan on a low light and added the chilli and some tomatoes.

It took me ages to clean the slow-cooker.

Another SSWW and I got on with updating this blog. So tired now, it’s gon my head-down time already. But, the late appointment today has cocked up my clock altogether today.

Did up to here, and put the appointment letter in the jacket pocket, so I did not forget it in the mornings.

I kept nipping in to stir the concoction in the saucepan and nipping off for many SSWWs.

Proper fed-up, weary and the legs etc. are giving me gip! And, now I have just found some new boils. I won’t say where they are, but I found them by feel! Tsk!

Back on the computer… Guess What!

I gave up and got the nosh prepared. It looked and smelt highly appealing. But in reality, it was a major disaster in the seasoning department! Not sure what I put in the thing now, but, best forgotten anyway. The rolls soaked up the decent gravy, but I could not eat it all… Horrible comes to mind. Tsk!

I got the pots in the washing up bowl to soak. Tired as I felt, I thought it best to get the saucepans, and other things washed as well. Then, if I did feel as bad in the morning, I wouldn’t have to face the decoking job then. Haha!

I think I rang Sister Jane to update her on the medical matters.

Dizzy Dennis paid me a visit as soon as I got down in the £300 second-hand rickety recliner to watch a Frost DVD. Not sure what happened after that…