– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I considered sending this code below to the Tate Gallery or the Retired Gaslamp Street-Lighters & Snuffers Association Nursery. The Poets Association at Oil Drum Lane in Bradford. I think it may make me famous as an Odeist? Maybe to the Times, Guardian or the Sun sign me up for a weekly ode column? Hehehe! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This reminds me that I’ve still not found my wristwatch!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
0410hrs: I got up early because I couldn’t sleep. Well, I did, for ,and even were taking turns in taking me up. So I got up. Grumblingly! But the last three days have taught me something. Well, a few things. ) 1) My eyes are not so bad in the morning but slowly worsen as the day develops. 2) I have to get up early to complete the ablutions, and I struggle with the evacuation. 3) To get my balance exercises done. 4) I seem to get most of the worrying s in the afternoons. And number 5) For the last two days, I’ve developed a new brand of episodes, especially today. Dennis used to affect me all over, including prompting … this version, affects only the top of my head, which is puzzling me. It came on at least a dozen times today, but they are always in the morning? Was here when I had three of them! , one, she said I went white for a moment or two. They have not been lasting long, though. Haven’t come up with a name for them yet, but I will do. Luckily, I got up early because I was not much use by the afternoon. I ended up getting into bed again, but no sooner had I nodded off I was woken up again as arrived. A nice lad. I finished the introductory graphics as soon as I finished doing the ablutions. I took some photos but not many; everything was taking too long with the eyes worsening. The were doing a good job. Naturally, joined in the pain-giving. I’m waffling again…
Lovely light colour this morning. Wet room duties. I’ve misplaced the underarm ointment the doctor gave me. The Hi-Pressure Compression padding is holding up well. After tooth cleaning (I spent more time trying to find the few I have left than cleaning them, Haha!), washing & shaving. Could I find the alert wristbands and panic alarm I’d taken off an hour and a half earlier when I entered the wet room? No! Well, not until I gave up searching and saw that I’d hung them over the handle of I did feel like a proper fool!
I got on the computer after taking the above snap… I can’t remember why I took it, or even taking it, but it was on the SD card when I got to putting them on the computer.
Carer Kara arrived and looked after me kindly and efficiently. She got one diabetic sock on my left leg, and the right leg did not need a sock, as it had Heavy Compression Bandaging. Medications were given, and she said she’d be back later. ♥
My eyes worsened when Carer Kim ♥ arrived to do a domestic stint. She mopped the kitchen wet room and hoovered around for me.
I’d finished the top graphics, and Carer Kara returned to do the financial business. She is good at it. I had no idea what was going on as she checked the emails and letter from the bank. She’s like lighting, and with my eyes failing, I could not follow her. She told me nothing to worry about. Then she went to the bank site to check things on that. The same result, bless her. She checked the catheter bag for me.
I made a small meal.
Belatedly, I sorted the waste bags
Then I had to stop on the computer. My eyes were bad, and a tiredness of almost viciousness forced me onto the bed. But sleep was denied yet again. The dressing gown was delivered. As I was climbing into the bed, arrived. He issued the medications, and I let him pick some nibbles and drinkie of his choice. I put on the new lightweight dressing gown. I posed, asking Israel to take a photo of his overweight, bald, apparently one-legged, deaf, vision suffering, rotten teethed, Colin Cramp-Ridden, Vascular Dementia suffering, Cartilage pained, deaf, Reflux Rogered, Duodenal Donald Ulcered, Bleeding Haemorrhoided, Fungal Lesion Bleeding, coping with Cognitive Impairment Iris, client, with his Boil-on-bum, to take a photo. Which the lad did for me. I took a snap of him with his permission. A nice, friendly bloke.
Took a photo of the rain.
I got back on this blog, but not for long. There were mistake after error, and my eyes were not good. Back to bed, I thought… I stopped to take this shot of the night sky first.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – A busy day. Urine was a better colour, though. I practically fell getting out of the hospital bed. Everyone ran to help me up… within ten minutes. I was prepped in the usual manner but less regularly than I have been in the past. The laughter in response to my jokes was a little depressing. I was laid out for the procedure. Then, I returned to my prison cell… no, I meant flat, and I was put in my home hospital bed. Told me not to do much walking until Friday, when the District Nurses will be calling to check the wound & full=compression bandaging. But the blog awaited my attention, so I went to the computer. Sorry that I did now. The Pain! I’m afraid today’s blog is terribly short on content. Hope to feel a little better in the morning. I’ll mention what bits I can recall, but photographs are in short supply. This was mainly due to & . The carers who called, I think, were Christopher, Kara and Christopher. The other hindrance was .
Only one today. Phew!
Picked up early to the procedure.
Lifted back, nurses arrived to put a different compression bandaging on the leg.
, although all mini ones were helping me get ever more confused. The Carers said nothing, but I knew.
Then the eyes grew worse, and I packed up computing, too much of a struggle with the eyes fading again. Going to get something to eat. Back in the morning, folks.
Good Morning!
I’m back, well, I think I am. Now, where was I? Oh, yes, getting the food prepared. And on this occasion, devouring it all! This is a ready-made, just-warm-it-up job: pulled BBQ pork and potato mash. I shelled some pod peas to eat raw with it, baked a potato, halved it, and lathered it in Flora’s creamy alternative to dairy, Non-Butter butter. It’s a wonderfully tasty meal.
Nodded off to sleep, waiting for the football match to start. And Carer Christopher arrived. I just love that yellow Bob-Cap of his. We did his health checks, and he did them himself. I’m becoming redundant here! Haha! Christopher’s BP result was a good one. Slightly Raised. Only just a tiny bit out of the green section. No Worry. The Austria v Türkiye match had everything in it: rain storms, sweat, determination, action, and a result that I could live with; a Türkiye win! The Türkiye team had put in such effort that most men collapsed when the final whistle sounded. Boy, did they deserve it, too! Carer Christopher arrived on his last call. He medicated me and shot off home. I couldn’t blame him!
No getting in the bed tonight. The pains of the day had worn me out. I fell asleep with the TV still on, and only woke up a few times when shot up my leg from the ankle wound. I soon nodded off again after each rude awakening. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Cheers!
I reluctantly returned to imitation life at 04:35hrs. Greeted, with warm welcomes, pains from the right ankle ulcer . was verging on agony. I saw everything with a shadow around each object. This problem cleared within a few minutes. (Mind you, it returned mid-afternoon and stayed.) I had to stop blogging.
When the first need of the Porcelain Throne arrived, within the following half an hour, I was on my third visit! No doubt about it, the stinky, Karki-coloured stew. Yes, that’s a fair description. Haha! By the time I finished creating July’s templates, it was well into the afternoon. There were fewer mistakes this time. Or should I say I didn’t spot so many mistakes? I’ve already found another one in this one and all those following. No Smug-Mode, then.
Phlebotomy Warfarin, Anticoagulation DVT nurse Hristina came to take a blood sample. Lovely to see her again. She said she thought a mistake had been made with me not being tested for so long. It’s been weeks since the last one! But the NHS struggles on. They may have killed off a few on the way, but that will only lighten their load. They did their best to add me to the list, but I filled them. As with the Catheter Contraption’s lack of change, not being allowed to try and pass urine, and failure to turn up by the Community Nurses to change the compression bandages on the ulcer and electric shock ankle… but I think they just like the idea of me being in pain, rather than actually wanting to kill me. Hahaha!I might be wrong, of course. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I think I must have taken this last night?
Ah, a better colour!
Rubbish sorted.
Terence Returns – Eurgh!
Mid-morning.
Had to make the templates for this month. Nothing else was done for hours. Mistakes corrected… I hope.
I dared not have an afternoon ablutioning session, as I would not hear if the District Nurse arrived. So, I just had a quick shave and rinse, with the wetroom door open, which I turned and walked into on leaving. Arghhh,and Grobbleisations!
Spot of rain later.
I’ve gone from forcing the evacuations to stopping them.
The Morrison order arrived.
Not a big one.
Some good big bag of baking potatoes. Some Morrison pre-crushed white rolls.
I cannot recall ordering a pork pie or sausages. There’s nothing unusual in this, though.
3 for £10 pork slices.
Ah, the best thing of all. Some fresh pod peas. I weakness of mine, you know. Podding these usually end up with three pods emptied into the basin or saucepan and two into my mouth. Often in reverse order. Hehehe! But they are so tasty and irresistible.
Something else that I certainly cannot recall ordering.
A potato hash. I could blame Dementia Doreen, I suppose… but as she is part of my mangled mind, this means I can only blame myself, doesn’t it?
Kodak Tim’s evening view.
I hate those blotches! Grrr!
I made another of my almost guaranteed cock-ups. I took a picture of the evening meal. Well, it was the only meal. I think I did it without the SD card in! I’ll have to ask Carer Christopher if he can get in off of Kodak Time for me. He got the others off so quickly that I couldn’t follow how he did it! Or else, as deemed by Doreen Dementia, I’ve forgotten how to. So, I may or may not get this photo back. Haha!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – So many distractions affected me today. Plus, several mind-blanks or seizures. The nurse thought it may be being caused by diabetic vascular disease, one which is apparently Vascular Dementia? The moment a few pais ease off, I nod off! On the computer, on the toilet, washing the pots… I gear this urge to drop off anywhere at any time. Then, the blanks begin. I lost two hours this afternoon. I wasn’t asleep cause when I came around, as to put it, I’d been busy writing gibberish on this blog. Took me another hour to make this readable. Glad I did the Ode earlier than usual; I’d hate to (moss) miss that off.
Grammarly repeatedly came to the rescue. But it missed one error, two lines up: “I’d hate to moss that off.”
The attention of , have really made me steel my pain resistance skills. (I failed). Codeines overtaken. Which is probably another reason for my desire to nod off?
&
Almost crippled me with pain today.
Too many followed.
I got a little done but eventually got the above items on.
First-day pouch emptying result.
Balcony view.
Everything bar the pork pie tasted horrible.
Carers Christopher, Joanne, and Israel called. I was, at times, in so much pain that I forgot things before I said them. Joke!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – THE BIG SEIZURE
I’d just finished the Health graphic. I recall realising that I’d made a cock-up on it… Seemingly, the next moment, I was sitting talking to Carer Joanne, who was talking to me, but I had no idea what it was about. So it must have been hours later.
When she departed, after medicating me. During this period, I was, for some silly reason, surprised at the pain I was in?
Then, I simply sort of drifted back into the freeze.
I’m not sure the Doctor believes me about these drift-offs I keep getting. These are part of the same problem the elderly lady had, whom I chatted with at the Audio Clinic last year. She told me it was two years before they recognised she had FND.
These are all photos that Carer Chris rescued for me. I don’t know when they were taken, apart from the Pidgeon one I took months ago when I went to the Diabetic Clinic, but I couldn’t hear or see enough to gain any help or knowledge.
Probably taken from the kitchen window.
I’m unsure if I may have retaken this one without the SD card in and published it in the blog earlier.
I was standing on the old bridge to the railway and now the tram station. Feeding the little mites.
I may have made yet another cock-up here. I could possibly have copied and used this one ages ago. I think I did!
Well, fancy that. Me, making a mistake? Hehehe! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Ensured any sleep would not last for over 5 minutes, as she electrocuted me repeatedly all night. I soon nodded back off, though. It got a little persistent a couple of times, and I went to take a Kodak Tim night shot.
Then, an hour or so later...
Another.
It’s been one of my worst nights of sleep all year… so far! But I’m not complaining… well, yes I am. It was definitely one of my worst nights so far this year. I was thinking of going back on the beer. But knew that would make me feel more confused & queer.
Worra Day! Afraid these events are out of sync chronologically. You’ll notice the part-shaved moustache. This is on here because… Wait for it!… Today, Carer Chris learnt how to access the Kodak Tim memory for me. He transferred the ‘lost’ photos to the SD card! So, some old/new Kodak Tim pictures will be added to the blog over the next few days. This is the first one. I took it as I was in mid-shaving cause I thought it was funny. Not bad for a selfie. As I recall, I got the dressing gown on to fetch Kodak Tim and took this snap without the SD card in it. So it was a while ago cause the memory had been packed for weeks. Hehehe!
The District Nurse arrived, doing a great job with the ankle and leg. Compression bandages (I think she put them on) help to stop the oedema fluid from flowing freely from your legs. She also warned me that they would get tight and may cause too much pain for Burnt Ulcer Ulrich and/or Lymphorrhea Leslie’s Leaking Leg. I was to ring them if it starts leaking through. The Nurse or another one will call on Tuesday to check things out. I was appreciative and well pleased with her care for me.
I was disappointed with getting the five cuts while shaving, but the good stuff far outweighed that. And I’ve not mentioned the late Accifauxpas yet. I’ll tell you later. A delivery of nibbles has just arrived, along with Carer Joanne bringing in a letter from the bank; that’s one for Carer Kara there.
05:00 hrs, I stirred. I got the night pouch detached, then bounded out of the bed, doing a double flip as I leapt over the c1966, £300 Oxfam charity shop bought, second-hand, wincingly grotty, beige-coloured, crumb-covered from my nocturnal nibblings, itch-making, uncomfortable, positively unhealthy & dangerous, no longer operational, virus-breeding, easy-to-fall-out-of, Catheter-tube-trapping, recliner, and disome toe-touches and press-ups… You’re not believing this, are you? I don’t blame you! I’ll start again…
05:00 hrs, I stirred. I got the night pouch detached. Then, I fumbled painfully out of bed, resistantly, uneagerly, slowly, and due to the need for the Porcelain Throne, thus, under compulsion of necessity. En route to the Porcelain Throne, I gleaned that both and her fellow ailment , were both building up to give me some terrible torture today. I was not wrong, as I discovered later. I on the wetroom door edge, going in. Then, the great wait began! I had a go at the crossword book long enough to realise I would not get any further with this puzzle, so I moved to start another one. I couldn’t even get a start on this page. So, I counted the cracks on the wet room ceiling, 23 today, but I can’t be sure about the state of my eyesight. The painful part-extruding concrete torpedo seemed to have stopped, and I did not show any response to my frantic physical urging it to move on. I had another go at the original crossword and solved some clues. I may have discovered a way to do better with the daily crossword efforts; I seem to get a few when I’m in pain? Gobsmackingly and slowly, the motion moved, with minimal bleeding, considering the almost cube-shaped concrete lumps that had evacuated. I only had a quick wash because the blog was calling to remind me how far behind I was on yesterday’s issue.
I took these three blotchy Kodak Tim photos of the morning view to the left, then the right, and ahead, but not in that order.
Then, I continued trying to catch up with the blogging.
Her persistent attention annoyed me, and the cartilages wanted to give way each time I moved, which was not very often.
Sorted out the three waste bags into one.
I got two potatoes out, intending to cook them early today. But my plans were scuppered when I forgot about the Nurse coming to do the leg and ankletoday. I got on with blogging, but it was a difficult time. Mind blanks, eyesight making things more demanding, and a couple of Seizures had me in the right state, confused! I nipped to the kitchenette a few times to break the frustrations.
I took these three wonderful cloud views over maybe the next three hours. Very close and warm today.
I had a bag of seaweed crisps; they were tasty but costly. I’m back blogging and feeling a little better.
I meandered into the wet room to get my belated ablutions tended to. I got the shaving done (2 tiny cuts) and a Body wash. I couldn’t have a shower with the leg being wrapped up. It was the Midwife—no, I meant the District Nurse. I snapped the leg as it looked just before she got here. She saw me in the wet room and went to do someone else in the flats while I finished the medicationings and got some pants on. I thought that was a good idea. I recall that the Nurse had been a lovely, well-built piece of the NHS—Haha! A lovely lady. As she was midway through sorting the leg out, Carers Chris and Ayu arrived. We all seemed to have a laugh and most pleasing chinwag as the Nurse did the job for me. Bless her.
Chris took a photo of the newly designed and tended-to leg and ankle and helped me get into the slippers. The bleeding, spouting, bruised legs now have a ‘cap’ on the ulcer and lesion burn and a swath of padded compression bandages. Much more comfortable than the plaster pad thing was. This soon altered! And with just haven’t stopped stinging at me. These ailments ruined my sleep again; I spent more time awake than asleep overnight. Here are some of the recovered snaps that Carer Chris accessed for me. These were from yesterday, I think. Carer Chris crept in while I was preparing the meal, cunningly grabbed Kodak and snapped all these shots of the flat’s chef (me, Haha!). He got a little carried away when he was taking them.
He caught me well, as he took them without a flash, and I didn’t notice he was here. Thanks to Cataract Katie, Glaucoma Gladys, Deaf-Duncan, and Peripheral Neuropathy Pete, I was oblivious to Chris even being in the flat. I didn’t half-jump when I finally noticed him. Ha-ha! Chris’s smug smile and laughter were worth seeing as he roared, ‘I Gotcha!’ He did, too! Chris said I looked like someone doing a brain operation and was concentrating hard as I sliced the potatoes and added them. The above shows the resulting 8/10-rated meal. I was so in pain and tired I made do with baked spuds and vegan sausages. This is a retrieved snap from the Kodak Tim memory. I think it was Tuesday’s or Wednesday’s meal.
, , with to give me terrible hassle overnight pain-wise. I had to use two walking sticks in the morning, temporarily.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sleep was initially no problem last night… Now, staying asleep was a horse of a different colour! I lost count of the times I detonated and burst into wakefulness! Although it was the most prolonged overnight period of skip that I’d had for a long time, I reckon actual sleeping amounted to a couple of hours at most. It was not a good start to the day; again, it worsened. Humph! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
0545 hrs: I stirred, realising I was not lying in bed (I can be quick sometimes, Hehe!).. Itonly brought back last night’s farcical, demented, horrible series of calamities and Whoopsiedangleploppery to mind.
I offered up a quick prayer for things to get better today. The plea was not directed at any God, Devil, Witch, Oligarch, Compassionate alien, Sorcerer, Wizard, Soothsayer, or medical practitioner who could help me.
THE WET ROOM FARCE:There was not much hope or effort put into the plead for help, but it was something to do while I was sitting on the Porcelain Throne, awaiting Constipation Conrad to release the first of the morning’s two torpedoes. He fooled me completely this time. The first grindingly slow concrete submarine edged its way painfully out and plonked, with a clunk, into the WC waters. Relief flooded over me! A smile was almost coming over my face in thanks for completing the task at last and me getting rid of the associated pains!
However, a second missile assault developed that almost shot itself out of my rear end. It was quick, but I wasn’t prepared for the extra shot of pain it brought on. Tears developed. True!
When I saw the blood everywhere, I grabbed onto and I stood up. It was almost a major operation getting everything cleaned up and medicated! Both cartilages, the ankle ulcer and even Arthur Itis, kicked off simultaneously.
This made me nervous. I was in the wet room, so I decided to get the ablutions done immediately. One cut shaving, no shower, and teggies were done. Next, medicating various parts was needed, which went reasonably well. Even the shaving cut was soon stopped. Then, the real challenge: getting into the Protection pants!
It was easier to lift my right foot through the leg hole. It hurt, but I laughed it off, knowing the left one would be the most painful. I was right, too. But I didn’t think I was going to take a tumble. I was wrong on that, too! I tried resting the bum in the corner behind the door. This usually helps. (I was wrong about it this time), I used Picker-Upperer-Petal to move the PPs out so I could lift the left foot with the right hand to get it in the pants left hole… are you following this? Hehe! During this, I noticed that the urine flowing from the Bladder to the Pouch looked awfully red. That was my mistake, taking my mind off of the challenge. I can’t explain how I managed to take the tumble, landing against the shower chair. I limped to the recliner on all fours, making the ulcer leak more and hurting the ingrowing toenails and cartilage. Chloe and Carole protested the only way they knew how to… giving me such pain that only agony would fit it.
Getting back on my feet was probably more painful than all the other incidents. Yes, it was!
I painfully put on the dressing gown and slippers. I was pondering whether I should have a brew of tea or not when ‘Oh Susan’ chimed from the door chime.
Carer Richard arrived. He didn’t particularly like the state of Leg-Ulcer-Ulrich or the red and, as he put it, under the man- breasts. Hahaha! He told me not to wear a dressing gown, so I wore a tee shirt. It’s not the prettiest view for anyone calling on me. Bearing the catheter’s paraphernalia. He asked if I had any pyjama bottoms to put on. I was surprised he’d forgotten I can’t get trousers, socks or shoes on or off without help nowadays. He left a note on the whiteboard for someone to call the Doctor and District Nurses about the ulcer and ankle blotches later.
came with a new Carer, Sash, I think her name was. No, it was Sham. Kara was training up the new gal. She checked the catheter and called the Doctors about the red patches underarm and, as Richard said, Men-Boobs. Hahaha! She said I am to keep on with the Terbinafine cream for the arms and titties. Then she looked at the leg swelling, ulcers, and new growths. Then she called the District Nurse’s place. They will be sending a Community Nurse to look at them later on.
A few PN electric shocks joined the ulcers and swellings, bothering me. It’s an excellent job that the Cartilages have both calmed down somewhat. I may well regret saying that, of course.
Carer Christopher arrived. He gave me some Peptac and a painkiller and looked at the state of the legs with the dressing now on the ulcer. And got carried away with Kodak Timing them all.
Chris noted that new growth was coming up in the left leg.
Then, that the padded plaster was not sealed and was leaking fluids. He soon put that right for me as well. I think he just enjoyed giving me pain, Hehe!
Were increasing in frequency now. Chris put some ointment on the Man-Breasts and underneath each of my arms. He’s a good lad! And he likes his treats, too. I gave him his choice of a cold drinkie from the fridge, and his pockets secured some nibbles.
I’d better get some food sorted before the England match on TV. I’ll be back later, probably in the morning.
Good Morning! I got it wrong again. The England match is tomorrow (tonight). But no! A double cock-up from Inchie! I got the dates wrong again. And the Doctor told me my getting Arithmaphobia is not the end of the world! England’s match was on, and apart from not realising it, I also slept through and missed the other matches! Grumph! Grump! Gragnagles!
MEAL COCK-UP! I thought I ought to have some of the Air Fry crinkle chips I ordered in error months ago to make room in the freezer. So I did. I threw the rest of them away afterwards. Amazingly, some tasted okay, and others were too hard to cope with my lack of teeth. Then it dawned on me… I’d cooked them in the oven! It could happen to anyone, of course. But the odds of it being me must be very short!
I took this evening’s view, complete with blotches. Slightly miffed with myself.
I nodded off into sweet, Thought-Storming-free, precious oblivion. Although were not letting up, particularly the right ankle with the burst ulcer on it, Carer Chris did the last call. Chris seemed keen to get home, bless him, and not to disturb me too much. So he sorted me out in the darkness and put some tape on the wadding on the ulcer that had already come off and leaked the fluid all over my foot during the kip.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Sometimes, haziness can turn into fuzziness or, occasionally, frazzled-dazzlement. This morning was that day. Things started foggy mentally, yet my vision had a degree of clarity for an hour or so. The blogging flowed flowingly until the eyes returned to double vision, and static things seemed moving. This worsened as the day progressed, but this is usual nowadays. And as for the new ailments, I’m running out of names to give them. Hehe! Today’s naughty ailments included: , , , , , , along with , , , & several nasty & . No doubt these were assisted by .
Carers Richard, Kimberly & Chris attended. The camera was digesting photos again and sending them into the ether.
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Far too dark, again!
Carer Kimberly took a photo of my head wound that I knew Nothing about. So, there’s nothing new there!
Bootiful clouds!
A rather skimpy early meal. But it tasted nice. Podded fresh peas, a pastie and a dab of pickled ketchup.
Afternoon, the sun was in and out for hours.
Medications are needed in certain areas. Bottom rear department…
Carer Chris arrived, taking snaps of the leg and ankle problem area. I must ask someone to call the District Nurse; maybe they can send a photo of the infected area? The electric shocks were climbing up the leg!
This is the last shot of the day that Kodak Tim allowed onto his SD card, but where did they go? How? Why?
Sleep was no problem tonight… Now, staying asleep was a horse of a different colour! I lost count of the times I detonated and burst into wakefulness! Although it was the longest overnight period of skip I’d had for a long time, I reckon actual sleeping amounted to a couple of hours at most.
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0600hrs: Naturally, the memory was blurry, but I could not work out why I still had my socks on and no nocturnal catheter pouch either. It may come back to me later. First, the apparently urgent need for the Porcelain Throne arose, and a response felt urgently needed, so I fumbled and fought my elephantine-bellied body up and out of the itch-creating, bruise-giving, catheter-tube-tugging, crumb-decorated from my nocturnal nibbling, God-awfully uncomfortable, cringingly grotty, no longer working, dirty beige, anti-sleep designed, c1966, second-hand bought for £300 twelve years ago from the charity shop in Sherwood, recliner. Although hobbling precariously quickly to the wet room, the urgency turned to panicky as the need got more urgent; I somehow found time to worry about my not having been sleeping in the bed? My mass of confused thoughts and fears were relieved by being replaced with an immediate emergency. I sat down just in time to keep the evacuated product contained and released while I was seated and not standing up! A near calamity was avoided! The evacuation process took maybe 3 seconds. Splugh, done! I emptied the day pouch again. It was a little dark in colour—and not a lot of it, either. If I was seeing okay, the amount indicated on the wee-wee jug showed 120ml. As Paul Daniels used to say, ‘Not a Lot! ‘ I started to have a wash, and Carer Marham arrived. She kindly shaved the back of my neck for me; bless her. Then, she swapped my socks for me. Medications and a little quick chinwag were enjoyed.
I took this snap through the balcony windows and tried to concentrate on blogging, but I was so far behind that it was unreal.
I nipped to get a cold drink from the fridge and realised I had not sorted out the waste bags yet.
So, I sorted them.
My mind was vague, with a tendency to wander off the subjects and forget the task at hand earlier. I don’t know why I bothered telling you that; it’s such a regular aspect of my life nowadays. Tsk!
Back to the blogging. I meandered of to make a brew of my favourite Glengettie tea. I took this snap of the left and right houses that have been facing work done for months on their improvement work. I’ve not seen any workers at either house for three months now.
The Morrison’s via Amazon food delivery arrived. I got the items put away. Amazingly, there was space left in the fridge, but not the freezer, which was crammed to capacity. I bought some more of the teeth cleaner wash, which was on offer at half-price! What a blessing these are. I no longer brush and break bits of teeth off and tear the dilapidating gums.
I had a minor problem with the box of four Jamaican Beef Patties. They were frozen! I’d got them for the Caregivers as a treat, but I thought they were fresh and had no room to store them in the freezer. Before I knew it, Caregiver Joanne arrived for the lunchtime call. She took them down to the staff room freezer. Kindness again! I got the bags into one bag, and they were taken down late for me later on.
I was so good, I thought. With only one potato to bake, I took one out and left it to bake later so I wasn’t tempted by the others in the food drawer. You see, moments of almost near clarity at times! The eyes began to offer weak and double vision. I knew I had to stop working on the computer, as I had not accomplished much of what I had intended. I can’t bring myself to stop, though. I love doing these things, reading, and commenting on others’ sites.
I watched a Euro football match. Well, I meant to. Instead, when the adverts came on at half-time, I sank into a deep, much-needed sleep. (Old photo used again, Hehehe!) I woke up with a jump as the right Ankle and Leg Electric Shocks kicked off. Off to the wet room I went. I think this evacuation was completed within three seconds as well! I took a couple of the invaluable Galpharm capsules. I’ve got to do something to try and stop the almost liquid flow that evacuated today! I’m feeling a smidge queezy with it.
I put the spud in the oven and sat down again to fall asleep again, watching the next Euro game. Zzzz! Yet again, I was woken up with a jump as the right Ankle and Leg Electric Shocks kicked off. The smell of the burnt potato in the oven caught my nose. I went to investigate. The skin on the red potato was like thick leather, hehe! The flesh was well overcooked. But no bother—it was easy on the teeth to eat, especially after I added a dollop of the tasty No-Butter, Butter, sea salt, and black pepper to the potato. I got the meal onto the plate and tray and wobbled back to the TV. BBQ’d porkpie, freshly podded peas, tomatoes and a well-so-well baked potato. No bread (The no bread is for Sister Jane, just in case she reads this, Hehehe!) Gorgeous! After I settled down after washing the pots, it dawned on me that the teatime Carer had not been. Or they had, and I’d not realised it. I couldn’t rely on my memory, so I checked the logbook. Yes, no one had called. Weekend again, I bet they were having trouble getting cover. But I dare not risk sorting the tablets myself. The late Carer, if one arrives, will issue them for me. Sweet Morpheus allowed me to yet once more fall asleep. A deep and very welcome sleep, even with me worrying over not getting far with the blog.
I was woken up by Carer Maryham leaning over me. (I enjoyed that, Haha!) I was in total confusion, though. Maryham explained that she had been called in to work to cover. I forgot to ask her to take the diabetic socks off and to put the Nocturnal Catheter pouch on. She was pleasant with me. Bless Her. I was still confused in the morning.
04:00hrs: I clambered out of bed and onto my feet. I took the nocturnal Catheter Pouch off and emptied it. I went to the wet room for a wash in response to the need for the Porcelain Throne. Wow! What a difference this morning’s evacuation was! Constipation Conrad had returned after a four-week absence. A few Argh’s and oooh’s were verbalised. It took me a long time to encourage, finally having to force the gigantic Karki Coloured torpedo out from the innards. Lots of blood from Haemorrhoid Harold, but at least no mess to clean up. The cistern struggled to clear things a bit. Three pulls were needed. I was on the computer when a belated Caregiver, Joanne, arrived. She brought the laundry back for me and, helped sort the socks into pairs and hung up the dressing gowns. I appreciated that; it was nice of her. Medications were given, diabetic socks were put on, and we had a natter while this was being done. The Asda order arrived. I was not happy with it at all. The driver brought the food through to the kitchenette, but he did not give me time to get it into the carriers. The food was spread on the floor, and the cooker, microwave, sink, and any free spots were available. I was pleased to get the Lemon Tartlets (a favourite of mine) at a Special Offer Price. I found some things on the window ledge, like the lime & lemon water. I gathered the things and took these photographs of them. Beef pies, burgers, drinks, and patties for the Caregiver’s treats. Some tomatoes, bread, mushrooms, and vegan slices, for me. Three things annoyed me. The Polish-cooked belly pork should have been in the usual airtight vacuum pack. But it must have been punctured somehow because it was loose, and water was leaking out of it. It’s a horrible colour, too! One of the cheesy potato trays had had its cover ripped off! I had to cook it in the oven later, so I mixed some extra-grated Leicester cheese into it and cooked it until the edges were crispy. The third disappointment, was the wrapper on the pork pie had been partially torn off of it.
Caregiver Kimberley arrived on her cleaning mission, and I was duly ‘Domesticated’. Well, the flat was. Hehe! She titivated the kitchen and wet room for me.
Carer Kara did the midday checks, looked over the Catheter contraptions, and mentioned that she would try to find time tomorrow to call British Gas about the two-year confusion of not knowing which numbers they want recording from the current metre, and the new fitting a smart-metre con they are pulling.
Kodak Tim was storing some shots to the SD card, others not? With the usual blotches showing on those that it did. The odd one on the card, but was not recognised by the computer or CorelDraw? I’ve had a look on Amazon to see if a similar Kodak was on offer to this one, that Cyber-Mate Tim donated to me. Couldn’t find one. A shame because this one I am familiar with. The electric shocks from the leg were more frequent today, and they really do take the concentration away from what I was trying to do. Stopped computing as the eyes were getting too blurry. Made an early nosh. The extra cheesy potatoes came out okay. Surami fish sticks, sugar snap peas, wholemeal rolls, strawberry mousse.
Caregiver Christopher came. And he set about the Germolening of the Ankle Ulcer that was giving off so many electric shocks today. He spotted three new blotches coming up just below where the shocks were emanating from originally. They are climbing slowly up the leg now; in fact, it’s doing it as I type this. Almost feels like an electric eel inside, crawling up the leg. Hehe! Not that it bothers me in the slightest, of course. With my incredible pain tolerance, jolly-outgoing nature, and being such a happy chappy… I gave Chris some treats in thanks.
I took a few shots of the view after Chris left. But only one of them made it to the SD card. Still, at least it was one that partially hid the blotches this time. Haha!
I found it, Smug-Mode adopted! But not until Wednesday at about 13:00hrs. That may be a little far over the ten seconds allotted? Har-Har!
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Only the open photo was on the card. Was that the urine pouch? I must have taken about ten more.
I got the card back in Kodak Tim and took a couple more, but they were not on the card. I swapped cards, tried again, and had no luck. Now I was almost in tears! Shit!
I lost interest after that. I turned on the TV to watch the football, only to see Ukraine lose to Romania. Then France won… Nothing is going right at all!
Then, a series of events played out. I can’t even get a wash and shower because I forgot to ask Carer Kimberly to take my socks off. Depression kicked in then. So, I had to try something to get back online, so I decided to have a stand-up wash and shave, but I didn’t enjoy it. What utter frustrations!
Back in a bit… hello, the intercom is chiming out. I could see a nurse at the door, let her in, and started thinking of the things I wanted to tell and ask her: the electric shocks from the ankles, the cartilage, and the toothache. The doorbell chimed, and when I got to open the door, the nurse said she was looking for a lady. She realised she had come in the wrong block and needed Winchester Court, not Woodthorpe Court. My sinking spirits sank even further.
Off to the wet room.
I’m back and in a slightly teeny-weeny, microscopic, tinyish, itsy-bitsy, almost imperceptible bit of a better mood. Why? I’m not quite sure. It possibly has something to do with cleaning my teeth and shaving without the slightest hint of a cut or bleeding.
Late on, Carer Chris arrived. He looked at the camera for me, used his phone camera to take a shot of the evening clouds, and emailed the picture to me. I got it on here Tuesday morning.
He’s caught the essence of the night sky very well. Not that I was jealous, of course. Chris had cleaned through the mechanics of the camera for me.
I made the evening meal and then tried using Kodak Tim again. It was hit-and-miss. The meal photo went through (Yee-Ha!), but my sky shot did not reach the SD card? Lamburger cobs and fries. 8.8/10.
