– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Panic-Modes – depressions – self-pitying, Doreen Dementia & Anne Gyna, combined with Frustration Frank today.To curse everything that I tried to do or find solutions too! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Woke up. (Well, it’s something to do, innit?) Got the waste bags made up took the overnight wee-wee bucket to be emptied, washed and disinfected, and back to the kitchenette to make a mug of tea.
And I started sorting out the fridge contents. As you’ll have noticed, the mind was a smidge wayward and wandering this morning. I took a terrible photo of the morning view as the day was getting brighter, the thought to myself, I do a lot of that, you know, Doreen Dementia permitting, of course!)
Made the brew of Glengettie and took it with me to the computer, and… a Panic Mode was engaged. What had I done wrong here? The time on the computer was an hour different to all the other clocks. I checked on the mantle top one, the kitchen clock, the wristwatch, and the wet room clock. In fact, I used the Porcelain Throne while in there – one word covers the experience – Solid!
Washed and back to the computer. Even I can’t believe this… but I phoned Jenny to see what time it was! Yes, I’d missed the clocks going back! Which explains why I was also concerned, thinking I’d not heard the Carer arriving. Tsk! It’s beyond sad; this is bad. Class One – Grade A – Docility-Status, Frustration and Self-Loathing modes briefly attended as well. Arrived, and looked tired again, poor lad. But he was bright enough, and after the tablets were taken, we had a minute nattering he was in a rush but still took the waste bags with him for me to the chute. Josie’s meal prepping next. I boiled a large potato, and when it was nearly done, I cut it up into Josie-size pieces, and got then sprayed with oil, and into the preheated oven to crisp up. I think Josie likes these in the chilli-stew. Which had been on the stove gently warming through, with 7-Veg sauce, tomato passata, onions and some chopped tomatoes. I hope she appreciates the effort I put into this for her. She rarely says thanks to me. As long as she’s happy. It’s getting harder and harder to do now. Still, as long as she enjoys them, I can ask no more.
What a great session that was. So many of my usual annoying ailments gave me a free ride this morning – And, as well, besides that, I only had one shaving cut, a tiny one. The were also kind to me. I may be laughing here, but it’s Worrying this is? Hahaha!
Grrreat Blood Pressure Result today!
Finally, and proudly on time yet again, I got the meals for Josie prepped and served up on the tray. A cold version in the grey-lidded tub so she can put it straight into her fridge to eat on Monday. Drinkies and after nibbles supplied as per... and off to deliver it to her door. There was a long wait, several minutes, and I pressed the bell again; in case she was in the shower and did not hear the first one. The meal was getting colder and colder. There was no point in me having heated it up for 30-seconds in the microwave before delivering it, was there. The main worry was is she alright? As I was going back into my flat to call someone about Josie possibly being poorly or having taken a fall… The door opened to reveal Josie. That was a relief! The casual semi-annoyed likelihood at me pressing the bell twice was, “I was on the phone, too, my Sister!” I think she was a little peeved? Ah, well, you can’t win them all. Hehe!
Finally, I got the Friday.. no, Saturday blog posted off. And had to have a break and sit down; the sudden fatigue arrived. I put two baking potatoes in the oven, and .
I woke up, and darkness was falling. I went off into the kitchen and took this photo on the left, of the evening view, in mid-stream of getting the potatoes out of the oven. I halved them and removed the innards into a large mixing bowl. Where the flesh was mangled and mashed with a blob of butter, sea salt and much of the gated Leicester cheese! The resulting meal from my culinary escapades, with the last cod and veg sausages, was one of my better efforts, I’m proud to say. The cheesy baked potatoes were the highlight, taste-wise. Stunningly tasty, the sausages were grand; even the cheap large white cob, which was used to wrap around sausages and dipped into the BBQ sauce, was a cut above my usual too. A Flavour-Rating of 9.3/10 was given! A record-high score, I think? Well filled up and satisfied by the feast… I .
Rudely awoken by , as (I think?) came into the room. Being half-asleep and not having made any notes, I’m not sure if anything of note occurred during the visit, but have a vague idea she was asking me if I was sure I was okay? Just being so tired gave the impression. But I was fine otherwise… hope I thanked her for the concern. Sorry if not, Jodie… also I hope I got your name right too?
But it was fitfully broken. So many times did I wake up and nod off again. I lost count of how many springing awakes I had. But, I was grateful that I got back into the land of nod each time. After the umpteenth time of waking, I needed a wee-wee this time. And the most annoying was needed as I was preparing to use the NWWB (Nocturnal-Wee-Wee-Bucket) with such a lot of PMAD (Post-Micturition-After Dribbling) that by the time I’d waited for it to all flow, I was much more awake, and started working on this post updating around 00:30hrs.
Someone said I should lead my life precociously…
So I looked it up on synonyms; Advanced, forwardly…
Before one’s time, improperly, preliminarily & brainily…
I resettled in the £300, bought eight years ago from the second-hand shop, Harold Haemorrhoid testing, repugnantly beige-coloured, crumb containing, virus-breeding, acne-giving, rickety, itch-producing, none-working recliner.
I woke up nearly five hours later, much refreshed at 01:40hrs. The smell from the abandoned meal I left in the kitchen permeated sickeningly throughout the flat. This forced me from the recliner to bag it up several times and into a final waste bag. A twinge of guilt at the state of the surrounding kitchen encouraged me clean things a little. (Not a lot, mind you!)
After my almost ten-minute marathon cleaning-up session, I took these photos of the early-morning view. While taking them, just once, I saw the planet Jupiter. But the clouds covered it before I got the Lumix out.
I made a brew of Thompson’s Signature tea. Then took it with me back to the computer and got her booted up. Got the photos from yesterday loaded and doctored on CorelDraw to try and make them clearer… at which I failed. (I know it must be hard for you to believe that I failed at anything) Hehehe! Well, I thought that the Blood Pressure figures would be enough to put me down towards the amber zone.
But, No! The NHS Analyser put me in the Hypertension +1 Red yet again.
Still. come thinking about it: The SIA at 155 was, I thought to be, pretty decent compared to the previous few day’s numbers.
The DIA at 92 let me down with being so high, I suppose.
The Pulse was a little higher and more close to the target.
As for the Body Temperature, that was even closer to the target figure of 35°f than it’s been for weeks. Good, I think.Not sure what this indicates, though. Got the Thursday blog finished and posted off to WordPress.
Off to the wet room. Trotsky Terence fought back a bit this morning. Constipation Conrad has been mastering things for the last week or so. The foul odour that accompanied the evacuated product was a cut above normal. The Karki-coloured plum-sized turds disintegrated on contact with the water? The main things were; There was no pain, only a smidge of bleeding, and as mentioned, one Helluva-putrid-pong!
I’d put the kettle on, and I was washing the NWWB (Nocturnal-Wee-Wee Bucket) after taking several PSSU (Persistent, Short, Sharp, Uncomfortable) mode wee-wees. And cause I was in the kitchen, I did not hear the tune that rang, and I got a jump when she came into the kitchen and greeted me. Hahaha! I asked if Jodie would be kind enough to help me get my socks and fasten the Velcro on the shoes, as I am out this morning at the Riverside Diabetic clinic in Bulwell. She consented. She was yawning away like a good un! Bless her! Jodie did the medications, and we chatted… well, I did; it helped keep her awake as she was on her last legs, methinks. Medications sorted, she kindly got the socks on my feet for me.
Then it dawned on me she could not do the Velcro, as I was still in my jammie bottoms! So, I nipped to the wet room and got new PPs on, then changed into my trews and back to the recliner, where Jodie fastened the Velcro on the shoes. I joked about my being more trouble than the ten-year-old. But in the back of my mind, there was embarrassment lurking! Thanked her in the usual fashion, and she was off, back to her bed and, hopefully, some much-needed sleep.
The new DVT Anticoagulant Therapy Record was found by accident. It had fallen underneath the Carers table.
Got some updating done on the computer on this blog, then the getting together all the things needed for today’s trip. The took a grip as I was readied to go. So many checks and rechecks were carried out, keeping an eye on the time. I did not want to miss the EasyLink minibus again. This photo on the left, I took earlier and forgot to put it on the blog. It is of the Carer’s table. I was so glad to avoid a painfully vicious and bruised bloody battle with . All thanks to helping me with the socks, as well as the Velcro manipulating.
I’ll have to tell you now; to get the embarrassing bit out of the way. I’d made a memory list last night of the things needed for the Riverside visit. Got the things prepared and in pockets or the trolley (I thought).
❶ The driver would not take a tenner and give me £2 change; the money had to be spot-on. So he took all my change again, all the eight-pound coins I had to pay for the lift. This did get to me! All that hassled and Esther getting change for me, and it’s gone in one go! (Fed-Up Grade A style!)
❷ When I got to Bulwell, I found that there was no session today. So, it seems that had to got me again! I was wee’d of with myself, but not as much as usual. (Fed-Up Grade B style!) I decided to just go into Bulwell for a hobble around, feed the duck=ks and birds and inevitably, do some shopping. So, I did!
❸ I lightened up a little when I saw the Mallards were nearby. Got the bird food from the trolley and launched some feed towards the ducks… then went to get the camera from my pocket… which was not in the pocket! Searched the other pockets and in the trolley… No! I’d left it in the flat! Self-hatred and disgust flowed!
❹ Now I could be in bigger trouble. The reminder for the cash card number was in the camera! I wanted to get some treats for the nurses and carers and have a shop in Wilko. The last time when I used my card in Bulwell, the bank would not accept the pinless transactions, and if this happens again, I’m in a pickle cause I can’t remember the number. Fingers crossed!
I fed the birds. I’d have loved to try photographing them, they were all around my feet, and I would have had a good chance of taking some great shots; had I not forgotten to take the Lumix with me! Grrr! No doubt about it, is giving me bother today!
Visited the Wilko store. I did get some stuff today for a change. Two bottles of the Y-Lang fabric freshener, a roll of sellotape (Needed to stick up reminder notes and medication changes). A bottle of Y-Lang-scented laundry wash. Having never used this Wilko store before, I just went to the first set of check-outs and lined the queue. I didn’t realise it was a Card-Only and Self-Service setup! I did feel like a demented fool waiting for someone to serve me!Then I realised that I am demented! A kind lady assistant came to me cause I imagine I may have looked like a lost old soul, and explained things to me. Things got worse, me-in-muddle-wise! She helped me put them through, and she went back to her post. When I was putting the things in the bag, I realised I had not paid for the sellotape! She must have been watching me and come to my rescue again! I had to swipe the tape through and pay with the card, which I didn’t think it would allow, not for… I can’t remember the exact price, but it was around 50p, I think. Tsk! Out I went and visited the Vegan store to see if they had any of the imitation belly pork slices I got last week, and I liked the taste. They had two kinds today. Last week I bought four, for just over £2. I asked for two of each this time… expecting a similar charge… £8.20!!! I realised after I’d left that this took all of my remaining money to pay for it. Good job I paid for both ways on the EasyLink bus, or I would have had t walk the four-miles home! I dropped into the Pound Land shop on the way back to the collection point for the bus. Saw they had some Walnuts and almonds in small packets, so got some of them, also a small bag of seeds to feed the birds en route to the Riverside Complex. I really wish I had paid more attention to the price stickers when I selected these nuts. For when I got to the checkout, the girl said, “That’ll be eight pounds ninety-six, please!” WHAT? I dared not use the card, and the people behind in the queue were getting agitated with waiting! The girl called someone to keep an eye on me, fearing I may do a runner? And pointed to a cash machine where I could get some money. Could I remember my card pin, though? I went to the machine; I’d never seen such a small one like it before. I asked the lady when she’d finished using it, apologising first for bothering her, which way the card goes in. She stayed with me, bless her, and went through it with me. When it came to putting in the number… believe it or not, a four-digit number came into my mind from somewhere in the ether. A flash prayer, and I put it in, and it worked! The mini-machine only allowed £40 to be withdrawn. I thanked the lady customer so much for helping me and whatever entity it was that gave me the number needed! Can I remember it now? Nope! I hobbled half the length of the store to join the check-out queue again, so I could pay for the overpriced nuts!
Arrived at the checkout, paid up belatedly and out to feed the ducks again. While chatting with the mallards and pigeons fighting for their share of the seeds, I thought I would be able to have a go at the crossword puzzle book while waiting for the list in the Riverside… I hadn’t taken a pen with me! I had a search around all my pockets and the trolley, nope, no pen! I hobbled back to Bulwell Market and bought a pack of pens. Returned to the car park entrance at Riverside, got sat down, and enjoyed a long session on the crosswording. (Not that I was not very successful, mind you!) The minibus arrived spot on time. We took a convoluted route (Roadworks) back to the flats, but at least it didn’t cost any extra this time. Back at the flats, I asked the driver if he could ask his office to ring Deana about arranging payment by a debit system for me, telling him of the difficulties in getting the right money every time I use the . I didn’t hear his answer. Gave him a choice of drinkies from the trolley bag, in thanks, and struggled up with three bags hanging onto the three-wheeled walker trolley, to the flat.
Hunger being a new desire, I got whatever they were supposed to be vegan slices in the oven. Then wondered if I’d locked the door instead of leaving it open for the carer coming. I went to check… And found a letter marked ‘Private’ and ‘Urgent’. I’ll open it after having the meal. Which has to be given tags, and this they are: &! The chops looked like real meat, and smelt it cooking? I got some BBQ beans heating up.
I got the meal served up on the tray, added a large bap and pot of the short-dated orange yoghourt that Carer Richard found in the fridge and went through the routine; it took a while. It tasted alright, indeed nice. However, as I was tucking into it, something hard crunched against the already damaged and broken back double molar, and it joined the beans in my mouth! With horrible crude black segments inside of the tooth. It left jagged bits still in the upper gum, sharp and nasty tasting when the tongue ran over it. Next time I go to Bulwell, I shall inform the sellers! The orange yoghourt tasted a little sour to me, but it was on its last sell-by day. So, I’ll throw the other ones away.
I spat out the chomped-chop and checked on the contents before continuing to eat; there was something hard that broke the tooth. But not as I assumed, a bone, more like a chunk of plastic, I thought? When I find it… if I find it, I’ll take it with me to the store. When I was examining it, looking at it with the spy-glass, the at just the wrongs time, it shot out of hand. I think I heard it ping as hit something or other and disappeared into the ether? Carer Richard is good at finding things; if I don’t come across it, I’ll ask Richard to have s look for it for me on Monday. I’ll likely find it by treading on it with my bare feet as I walk around.
The chops were tasty enough, just potentially lethal. Hehehe! Very carefully, I ate the nearly cold remainder with the beans. Not counting the bloodied mouth, loss of the tooth, and pain it caused, I still gave this meal a flavour rating of 7.2/10! On taste only. Not the taste of the rotting tooth, you understand? Hehehe! That was terrible!
I got the pots washed, and the tooth saved. Had a quick search for the plastic that was in the food (If it was plastic), and then bravely opened the ‘Private letter’. No luck, of course. The letter was from the QMC (Queens Medical Centre) regarding my Cataract operation… with a confirmation of an appointment to have it done! The date is on Wednesday, 9th November 2022, at 09:30hrs! On my first reading of the letter, I fear that between my , , Arithmophobia, , , , , with the help of Glaucoma Gladys, brought on stabbing pains from , thus, severe mode, was automatical engaged. – Not a lot is more disturbing than going into a Panic-Mode. You can’t do anything about it, can’t get to grips with sorting it out, and fear and frustration flourish! With Duodenal Donald and Anne Gyna both giving you discomfort, it was a waste of time trying to make sense of the eight pages of instructions that lay in front of me. But of course, I tried. I had to, but knew I should have left it until later when help was available! These things never fail to arrive at the weekend. When there are no ILCs on site. I have to stew, fret and panic until Monday. Then sometimes, I can’t get in touch with Deana. Fair enough, she is up to the neck and so busy looking after us all.
I loved it when I could do things for myself without bothering them at all. But Vascular Dementia Doreen’s arrival has put an end to that. I wonder if it’s worth it, carrying on. It’ll only get worse. This thought then sank me down, and I loathe getting into a .
rang out. came in. He looked so tired; bless him. It must have been about 19:20hrs; it must have been his last call. He gave me the medications and listened to my sad pathetic tales of the day. That was good of him. The poor carers are the only people I can tell. I insisted he take his choice of plonk in thanks for his tired time. Reluctantly he took one. Such a nice lad is Jozeph. He took the waste bags with him on his way out.
and my depression combined to ensure that sleep was not an option for many hours, gone 02:00hrs. I got three hours in, though. Before bursting jumpingly awake at 05:00hrs, with a desperate need of the Porcelain Throne… but, did I make it in time? Dang, dang dang, danggg!
I didn’t get any sleep at all. Didn’t even try to. Various reasons, Thought-Storms, Anne Gyna and frustrations niggling at me from within my own brain. I use the term brain, loosely!Mostly over my concerns over the timing of, or did I order, the EasyLink transport for the visit to the Doctors to get the results of the Severe Frailty Test. This left me confused and frustrated, and things only worsened as the day of confusion and error-making moved on. On the computer for many hours. Not that much got done. The concentration was again lackadaisical.
I got the done around 02:00hrs.
When I put the results through the NHS calculator online, well… What the heck happened here?
The highest it has ever been since I began using the site!
I’ve never been as high as this. I was in the Hypertension 3+ zone!
All the same, I was not too worried. I put it down to worry over the weekend. As usual, no help was available. Even if any ILCs (Wardens) had been on site, there was no guarantee that I could have contacted them.Anyway, even if I could, they could not contact Easy-Link, who do not work over the weekend, to verify the arrival time of the lift. I felt the tension and an uptightness, and Anne Gyna has been at me again, although not as bad as last week before the medications had been doubled.
I made the first mug of tea I’d had for over eleven hours. Not me at all! Mind you, after this brew, the old tea addiction returned.
Took this snap of the morning view. But didn’t appreciate it at all; I was still fretting (and EQ told me things were going to go ape-shit) over the lift arrangements and appointment time. Nothing positive, you understand, just this sense that I had somehow put them down wrong in the calendar.
The computer turned off, and I went off to the wet room. Not that I can remember much about it, but I think it went well. Made a second mug of tea, Co-op 99 this time.
Arrived.
We had a chat, some of it dedicated to ways of making things easier for me to grasp. The usual laughs and natter were granted by Richard. Not sure if we put the world to rights or not today. Hehe!
My memory notes a sparse for some reason… and unreadable in parts as well. Rich took the bags to the bin with him on his way out. Usual Monday thank-you treats were given. Oh, yes, I remember now; Richard helped me get the in-the-ear hearing aids going to use today; bless him.
I got myself and the things needed for the Doctor’s visit ready, and I was struggling through the door with the three-wheeled walker when I heard the phone ringing. I battled my way back inside, bruising my knee on the trolley and on the wheel. All the time, a voice (EQ), telling me not to answer it, you’re doing wrong! But I thought it might be the surgery or EasyLink phoning, so I got back and had to answer it. It was Sister Jane. Telling me about the Sun & Mon merging today. Of course, with all the concern over the bus and appointment timing, I was in a mini-panic in case I missed the bus. I forgot all about it until the morning when it was too late. I felt bad about that. After Jane had taken the bother to let me know as well. Sorry, Jane! ♥
Unfortunately, although I didn’t realise it at the time, this was just enough delay for me to miss the bus! EQ was right again. Why don’t I listen to him?
Faffed about in a hurry now, stubbing the same toe again. Down to the lift lobby. I went through to the main lobby, and it was 5 past 10. I thought the bus was due at 10:15hrs, so had plenty of time after all. But no bus arrived.
I waited ten more minutes and then walked to the ILC (Independent Living Coordinators), Oberstgrüppenfuhrer, Warden and Primo Ballerina, Warden Deana & Generaloberstess, Ice skating champion florist and Warden Julie’s holding-cell office. Through the ether, an audible, almost physical voice screamed at me, “Argh, it’s him again!” Haha! Julie phoned Easy-Link to see about the bus. Now I knew I’d just missed it by five minutes! Damn-it! Will I ever get to this appointment? Julie called the Doctor and got a new appointment made for me, bless her cotton socks. This one is for Tuesday, 1st November 2022, at 10:20hrs. Then she rang EasyLink again to confirm a lift to get there, but none to come back, as I just did not know how long I would be at the appointment. Thanked her. Coming out of the holding-cell office.
I bumped into Carer Richard. I was a little tense and so tired and disappointed at things going wrong yet again that I can’t recall exactly what we said during our chinwag in the Winwood lobby.
I went back to the flat along the link passage, into the flat, and got the timings clearly on the Google Calendar for the next Doctor’s meeting.
Deana had written a note for me to keep as a reminder as well. I cello-taped that to the end of the high bookcase.
At least I get some kip in now; surely, this would not be a problem after being up for 28 hours on the to now?
I’m certain, sure that I took a photograph of the Chilli-Not-Carne meal. Four Cumberland sausages I cooked, well, nigh on incinerated, by giving them a good 12-extra minutes or more in the oven. Had to chisel them out of the tray to get them on top of the dish. But the photo was not on the Lumix SD card. I can’t understand why, but in the morning, when it came to updating this blog, blow me, there the photo was? Mind you, it was one of the worst photos I’ve ever taken. Still, it shows the burned sausages and disgusting-looking chilli. Yet I enjoyed it. A taste rating of 7.2/10 was given to it. The sausages? 9.2/10 even though they’d been cauterised! Hehehe! Put the tray on the Carer’s table, and .
Woke me up an hour or so later. And I really was deep in sleep. So much so that I think my first greetings came out as gibberish and waffle! It took me until getting the medications and seeing the Warfarins in the pot to realise it was not morning but nighttime and that I’d only been kipping for an hour. Hehe! I came around a bit and offered Carolynne a cold drink from the fridge. Had to go to the door with her as she collected the waste bags for me, said my farewells and locked the door.
I got back down in the £300, second-hand, c1968, charity shop-bought, eyesorely-horrendously grungy coloured, Harold Haemorrhoid-testing, easily-falloutable from, unfit-for-use, not working, recliner, and was back in the land of nod within a minute I reckon. I slept for another seven hours! Yes! Mind you, my body and feeble brain needed it! Hurrah!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I couldn’t get to sleep until around 01:30hrs. Then the horrible dream wake-up, and repeat sessions started. At 07:30hrs, I did the usual jolting awake wet again, this time realising what the time was, and had to get up, in case a Morning Carer arrived… Or had they already been and could not get in cause the door had not been unlocked? Not that it would have mattered for many of them, just the ones who refused to press the doorbell and walked in; would they have gone away saying they could not get in? This was my worry; with it being the weekend, I often get outside carers, who may not know about it? I rose wearily and reluctantly. It’s been bad nights for sleeping for a few days since the Covid-Booster jab. But, at least I got in some broken bits of kip this time. Another thing, how come I can so rarely remember my dreams nowadays? Maybe Doreen Dementia? Although a few days ago, I had terrible repeated dreams that had different outcomes but were based on the same problem scenario. I did recall bits of them. I Made a start on prepping Josie’s Sunday meals.
Got the ingredients in the saucepan, chillie, beef, and vegetables. Added some flavourings and got the potatoes in a boil. To be sliced into small cubes so that Josie can cope with eating them in the chilli-stew. I managed to burn my left hand yet again. I’d not done for a couple of days. Hehe! Left the pans on low heat settings and made a start on updating the Saturday blog. A pity, but I got myself into another state of confusion with the folders I was using. Gawd knows how I did it, but it took me over an hour to find where I’d put them! I was amazed when at 08:40hrs, the Carer arrived. I was in the kitchen, titivating Josie’s cooking. I’d forgotten all about him coming, that or thought he’s been. came in, and we had a natter and laugh after he’d done the medications. I had to tell him about the changes; Omeprazole got to take two a day, mornings, and the Peptac four by 15ml a day, which I’d missed taking cause the lad came so late. Not his fault. No problem, we sorted it… well, he did. Hehe! The lad left, taking the waste bag with him. Thanked him in the usual fashion. Then I spent I don’t know how long working and making many time-costly errors on this blog.
I got the meal nibbles and cans of plonk on the tray for Josie.
We had a bit of a downpour outside. I was tempted to open the window and shout up at the weather, “Haha! You missed me this time!” I am a right fool but harmless… Except for myself!
Got the dirties pots and things to soak in the sink, and I decorated Josie’s tray.
Cheese, tomatoes, nibbles and the regulation two cans of plonk, and took them to Josie’s door, and I rang the bell.
I answered the inquisitional questions about what the meal was. I acknowledged her mentioning that I was on time this week. (Last week, after nearly three years of cheffing every Sunday for her, I was late by five minutes for the first time… She may never forget or forgive me! Hahaha!
The rain was easing off when I got back in the flat, and I had the mammoth task of cleaning the trays, saucepans, mixer bowls, cutlery, slow cooker, oven and stovetop.
All that to get told off! Hehehe! Only in fun, mind you… I think!
After scrubbing things up, I got on the computer again. And checked the WordPress comments. I was a smidge worried about my American Family, Lisa-Petal and Billum. Bill was having a trial, I think via his new Doctor, on Methotrexate.
He said he would check the side effects first. I looked it up on Google and was so pleased he is checking things out. Serious and life-threatening side effects!Oh, dear, Billum, I’m all with you on making sure before going ahead, mate!
When I got back into the main (other) room, I spotted the belt that died yesterday.
I picked it up and hung it across some kitchen towels to take a photo of it. Such a young age to die! Hehe!
As I got back on the computer, I thought I heard a noise from behind me. But didn’t notice at that time what had happened. A couple of hours of failed blogging later, I got up to make my first mug of tea, Glengettie. That was when I discovered what the noise was. The ‘Genuine Imitation Leather’ belt that Amazon sold me three months ago had fallen into the part-used Wee-Wee-Bucket! What an ignominious short life that poor belt has had! Its own buckle almost exploded, snapping the ‘Genuine Imitation Leather’ belt in half, allowing my trousers to fall down. I tried to console it. Hung it up today, took its picture as a sort of memorial, and then the poor thing goes and drowns in a wee-wee bucket! I think that Amazon ‘Genuine Imitation Leather’ belt and I share a lot of things in its short 3-month life. I shall remember the date and celebrate the Amazon ‘Genuine Imitation Leather’ belt’s short life. That is, of course, if I don’t croak put myself first, but that’s only common sense, innit? Daft as a brush, ain’t I? Hahaha!
I took a shot of the sunset from the kitchenette window while I was drying the drained pots and pans and putting them in their places.
Very pretty; it all seemed calm and peaceful now the rain had stopped!
I set about utilising the Health Checking tools.
Not a bad result overall? Very much down on yesterday’s returns and nearly in the Amber Zone on the NHS analyser.
.Even the body temperature was the best since last Tuesday.
The 7-Day HC Graph, copied from the Excel file, was looking promising.
The end results on these graphs from the NHS still leave me a smidgeon confused about how they work out all figures to arrive at their ratings. But I’m not complaining about today. I’m pretty chuffed
Hello, it’s suddenly started to go dark quickly; I’ll take a look.
Oh, it looked reet-grand out there now. The darkening high sky gave the whole scene a contrast. The middle bar, sunlit from behind clouds, looked magnificent!
Well, the Evening Carer could call anytime now; I’d better get the Rostis in the oven. I think it might be Carer Carol-Ann coming.
I got the Rostis, Frikadellens and beans served up. I took a photo to show off this culinary effort – But it somehow ended up in the Cara memory, which I can’t access, and not on the SD card? Anyway, it was delightful!
As I was getting the meal served up, Arrived as I was serving up the meal. And kindly helped me tidy up the kitchen mess I’d made dropping stuff, bless her. Got the medications sorted, had a little chinwag, and thanked with the usual offer of a choice of nibbles. Carolynne took the waste bags with her on departing, and I locked the door after her.
I ate & enjoyed the meal, flavour rating given 7.8/10.
Now, the challenge of getting to sleep had to be tackled. After an hour and a half, I put the TV on… Glad I did; for showing was two episodes of Red Dwarf. No nodding off with that program showing, I do so love it, and still, I laugh or smile even when I know what is coming! A tribute to the scriptwriters and actors.
The show finished, and I continued watching some rubbish or other, and yet, still didn’t nod off. This was strange! So I turned off the TV, and if on cue, as I resettled in the darkness- of kicked the damned . I don’t know how long they kept on for, but it felt like a day or two. Once they eased off, I fell into a sleep that was unbroken for once. Reckon it lasted for a good four hours, which was welcome. The waking up was not!
I actually got some sleep last night. I admit, not a lot, but the sleep lasted more than for the last three nights put together – 5-hours! I woke around 05:30hrs, and after pondering over what day it was and what needed to be tended to… out of the blue grew! I was sure that something favourite suspected, , was my most regularly committed one, of leaving a hot water tap running.
If anyone was taking a video or filming in the flat for the next ten minutes or so. They would have captured enough comedy material to sell a series of comedy sketches to a TV channel! Of course, it’s all just everyday life to me! Here’s how I remember it going:
❶ Flapped about to get free of the recliner, and instead of getting up on my feet, my bum hit the chair, then the carpet. Bump Bumped! But this only delayed me for a minute. Somehow I got up on my pins within seconds? (Or, did I) I soon regained a modicum of control in my mission to check every room. ❷ Even though I could feel and sense the blood coming from Harold’s Haemorrhoids, I had to do these checks; whatever happened! ❸ Into the kitchenette, all the usual checks, windows, oven, stove, microwave, slow cooker and the taps (faucets). All clear there… ❹ Checked the front door, which was locked as it should be. I did unlock it then, as with getting up late, there is a possibility of the Carer arriving early. ❺ Into the wet room – I gave the door frame a shoulder charge as I went in – Luckily though, and for the first time ever, I hit my left shoulder on the door – thus, I avoided waking up or disturbing or damaging the right Covid booster arm, by clouting the right shoulder. Having semi-satisfied , you can never guarantee this fully; I returned to the front room to get my clothes on and get the brain running. ❻ Brian Ricks, Charlie Chaplin and Del Boy to have performed what happened as I got the trousers on, any better than I did. Of course, for them to do it, needed a script, but my performance and facial expression needed no acting. Again though, to be fair, I couldn’t see my face; bewilderment, I imagine, is one word anyone seeing it might happen to use. Here’s the rundown as best as I can explain it:
❼ I got the trews on and knew I would get the ablutions done next and medicate the poor . I quickly pulled the belt to close the buckle – (bearing in mind these belts were only bought 3 or 4 weeks ago from Amazon). The buckle shot off, hitting the computer screen at the other end of the room, and the perfect trouser drop (Comedy-wise) was performed! I later found the buckle pin, three rivets and an unidentified metal ring on the floor.
❽ The belt itself fell limply to the floor, hitting a !
This ended any of my enjoyment of or seeing the funny side of the occasion. And not a soul, other than me, to see the happening. It just doesn’t seem fair to me! I could have had a belated career as a comedy writer! Humph! Mind you, with my blog followers list being so high, I should be content. They both occasionally email me.
To the wet room next. , Teggies, teeth, and then shaving. Kept down to just two mini-ones. Then under the shower. After today’s start with the trousers, somehow, I enjoyed the unrushed showering session greatly. Oh, and the showering, I kid you not, was free!
I fear something of a mind-blank happened here!
When the memory returned, complete with the ‘brain-freeze’ results. I was in the right predicament because I did not know what I was doing on the computer in the slightest. I’d got the Blog open, CorelDraw, the Ode Writer on Word, the calendar and WordHippo all open! Something I never do; is open so many programmes, but there you are… as lost as I am, presumably. On the memory pad on the side of the computer, it said, “Took photos”
Which I show here on the left. Apart from the fact that they obviously made bad efforts at photography, I can tell you nothing.
Ah, the next line, which may or not be helpful, says, ‘ Inspired?
It also appears that Carer Sam had been, and we had a chat and a laugh. And the Pentac bottle dose-pot, I found wet on the kitchen draining board. So I knew she’s been, I looked up, on the Meridian record folder. I can’t remember washing it, so I assume Sam did it for me? A vague memory of walking her to the front door and wishing well as she took the waste bag with her? Aha, I vaguely remember doing this line. Took a photo of the flats in town, then zoomed in to take a close-up of the block. No reason why I did this on the pad.
I assume something witty, clever or interesting must have come into my mind? (They do that sometimes, you know – the last time was about 1966).
Found a note written on the wrong pad, and I realised it was for today, but only when I read it: Four visits to the Porcelain Throne in three hours! I bet I bored Carer Sam with that bit of news? Hahaha! Maybe not. Sorry the mind-blank to the memory away, now.
And after doing the checks again, I set about sorting out what it was I was up to with the computer. It must have taken me hours to get sorted… Well, partly understood. Then I got the Friday blog finished and posted off. By then, it was about 14:00hrs!
Pretty confused and not totally content with the mind-blanks increasing. Glad I’ve got the face-to-face with Dr Vindla coming up on Tuesday morning. I shall try to be a bit pushier when telling her the facts of what I’m going through. It will be interesting to see what she says, and I might learn if she is ignoring was worries, as it seems to be to me. But of course, as I am nowadays, I just don’t know.
The was Kylie who arrived, and she got the medications sorted. She was in a hurry, but she kindly read the first part of this blog about the trousers and said it read hilariously and that I should show it to the other Carers. Hehehe! That cheered me up magnificently! She took the bin bag with her as she left, and I clearly remember locking the door.
Oh, better do them, belatedly…
I finally got on with creating this blog – sounds so easy, doesn’t it? But, no! . What did I do? I’ll tell yers! I’d made a base template for Sunday, and I started this blog on that one! I even got confused when copying and pasting to the right post – and had to start afresh again! However annoying as this was, I handled it with more aplomb than the earlier cock-ups; because I’d cheered up since Chloe’s visit. I hope I’ve not got the Carers’ names mixed up? Worrying about this is all part of the attention from . The never existed until after Doreen started calling. The Memory-Blanks, either. If, and I’m not saying I expect, the Doctor ignores the signs again, I shall have to swap Doctors. Although, there is nothing to indicate a different quack will be any more interested in listening than Dr Vindla, either. Rambling on again there, sorry!
Well, with all the farcical events today, it is already four hours beyond my usual Shut-Eye time! And I’ve not had anything to eat yet. I shall have to get something quick and get my head down.
Oh, blimey, I’ve just remembered the mushrooms that I put in the slow cooker – around 15 hours ago!
I took the top photo just after putting them in the bowl. I’ll go to photograph what they look like now… back in a bit… I hope.
The bottom two I’ve just taken.
Shrunk a bit, haven’t they? Hehehe!
I had a job prising the mushrooms out of the porcelain bowl of the slow cooker. The scalded finger will heal. I had to manually pull most of them out, but it wasn’t worth the pain and effort. Still, if I need something leather-like to mend any holes in my shoes, I’m already set up? So, no mushrooms with the rice tonight, fair enough. I get the meal made mushroomless, of course, and catch up in the morning in the event that I wake up, of course. TTFN. Sunday AM, late, very late, updated this blog. Found this email from Amazon. Checked on the tracker, and it’s not yet dispatched. Made the most belated meal; BBQ rice (microwaveable), with 7-Mediterranian roasted vegetable sauce heated in the saucepan. A lemon yoghourt. and got settled. No mushrooms, of course!
I was going to have the last two microwave sausages; I even put them on top of the microwave to remind myself. As far as I know, they are still there.
Yet again, Sweet Morpheus was reluctant to permit to nod off. Even putting the TV on didn’t help. It must have been four hours before sleep came – then it was another load of weird dreams with it. Humph!
04:15hrs: I woke, yodelling, and laughed at the word. Broke into ♫Are you lonesome tonight♫ and leapt from the £300, bought eight years ago from the second-hand shop, Harold Haemorrhoid testing, repugnantly beige-coloured, crumb containing, virus-breeding, acne-giving, rickety, none-working recliner. Did 100 press-ups and 200 squats with the weights and had a bowl of healthy muesli and peppercorns. All right, I’ll start again, then… 04:14hrs; I woke, passed wind and had an unexpected escapage from the rear-end! I painfully and carefully worked my way out of the recliner and limped even more carefully to the wet room. Things were worse than I anticipated! The escaped product, although only a tiny amount, seemed to have two colours to it; Dark brown and khaki, not mixed up, but separated shades. But a definitely more fetid whiff lingered! After going into Sherlockian Mode, I worked out that I must have had a nocturnal leakage as well. but was not aware of it. Got things cleaned and refreshed and new PPs on. Those Depend pants have proved themselves to be reliable a few times now.I only mention it because it helps me to live with the embarrassment and shame brought on by the bowels and bladder malfunctions. That sounded like it was written by an almost educated person?
Into the kitchen to make a brew of Thompson’s Punjana tea. Starting the full milk this morning.
The photo taken was not such a good one this time. I tried three times to get a good one too. Tsk!
The sphygmomanometerisationing was tackled. Although back up a fair bit on yesterday’s results, I’m not complaining at all. Being at Hypertension One is where the returns have been more than any other level for weeks now. SYS 154, DIA 92 (I would have thought that should have been in the red?). Pulse in the green at 74. The body temperature was low again, two days on the trot, after four days of being too high. And low the previous four days. Still, getting n the amber for two of the last seven days is Smug-Mode making!
During ablutioning: I broke a bit more off of the left side double-molar cleaning the teeth. I can’t stop running my tongue around the new arrangement. Hahaha! Ah, yes, well; here. Why are the tiniest cuts suddenly bleeding so profusely this morning? That was the question. Methinks with the reduction in Warfarin tablets must indicate that the INR level is high… Hang on, I look at the DVT Anticoagulation record… Ahem! It’s a little high at 3.9. I moved up a level in my Smug-Moding! All went very well! (This was ultimately due to not bleeding) Thus, no painful ointment needed to be ointmentated.
Came in, and within seconds of greeting each other, the Yawning while talking commenced. I knew it had to be a Thursday, his last shift of the week. The poor lad looked shattered. But we still had a natter in between the yawning. Hehe! Gave him some treats, and wished him some sleep, as he took the waste bag with him on his way out.
I then spent the time readying the things needed for the Covid Booster trip. I made sure I was down in the lobby in plenty of time… Down in the lift, not many folks about down there. So, I had a reads of the notice boards for anything new on display.
Well, this notice caught my eye. As did another, with questions from Tenants for the Residents Association to put to Nottingham City Homes Management. I did try to take a photo of it, but it failed to make it to the SD card again. As I recall, some of the questions related to the gangs of youths prowling about the corridors and what is being done about it. And two about rough sleepers found in the stairwells? Fun living here! And the Lumix went on strike altogether!
The minibus arrived. The cap asked me if knew the way to Carrington Pharmacy. ‘Down Winchester Street, Left on Mansfield Road, half a mile further on as the road dips, it’s in the block of shops on the right.” “Keep me informed when we get close. Which side of the road is it on?”
The rainstorm was getting worse now, and there were floods on the road as we neared the shop! We found it alright, and he told me he’d be back to collect me at 11:15hrs. Thanked him and got soaked just going from the minibus to the chemist’s shop.
They tended to me quickly, and I had a jolly good natter with the owner Deepak, and his daughter, who gave me the injection. Then I went to the Lidl site for a sniff around. Got some flowers for Wardens Dean & Julie. Frikadellens for me. A couple of cans for the Carers counter, tomatoes and something else; I remember later when I put the Fuji cameras shots of the food on here.
Easy-Link returned on time, and we were soon back at the flats. Offered him a can of something, but it was declined. Thanked him again. I got wet again going to the ILC office, gave them their treats, and as I was leaving, saw Esther lurking.Up to the flat, to put the food away… Ah, but not one of the baking potatoes (I remembered now!) That went in the oven! With plans to have Frikadellens and cheesy potatoes! With the tomatoes that I bought today and those kindly gifted to me by Jenny, I think I’m in for a feast of taste!
Esther came in, and that meant no chance to get the blog done. Her talking to me from different rooms is annoying. But she was in good spirits today! Then I started to get today’s blog sorted. Four hours later, (Now), I got the potato mixed in with the Leicester cheese, liquid salt, V-butter and basil. It took me about an hour to get the one potato done and back in the oven.
So, a feast of fodder, so flavoursome, was I tucked into it! Frikadellens, baked spuds with turf Leicester cheese, tomatoes, and Saffron & Parmesian roast mini potatoes, to boot!
Carer Kylie arrived. , had a laugh and a natter for a bit, and then she took the waste bags on her way out.
I soon got stripped and into that jammies. I’d hoped for a good sleep, but I didn’t nod off until 22:30hrs. Which made me think how lucky I was with the booster jab. In the 12 hours since having the jab, I have not had the slightest bother, ache or pain… with it. And surprisingly, has been kind to me today!
!!!
At 23:00hrs: I burst awake in agony with both the right arm and giving me some unending agony… which continued through the evening and well into the morning!
I sank in despair. No sleep, unending aches and pains…
I was deep in the Land-of-Nod; burst forth from the door chime, I wriggled with embarrassment in the £300, bought eight years ago from the second-hand shop, Harold Haemorrhoid testing, repugnantly beige-coloured, bleak, crumb-containing, virus-breeding, acne-giving, rickety, none-working recliner0 Realising I had not unlocked the door, I rose up onto my feet, a little too quickly and, fell back down into the recliner, and poor old paid the price, as they started to trickle out warm blood into the Protection Pants. I was well pleased I had them on! Even poorer, Car Richard has to wait so long for me to get to the door (Sorting the piles and new pants on); I thought he might ask me if he could have a shave. Hahaha! He’d waited that long to get in!
Things were hectic, and so much going wrong; I didn’t even start this blog until Wednesday. The many problems start here, but will be in the short form to save time, else I’ve never gotten around to doing today’s blogs started either!
Richard seemed in and out quickly today, but of course, I was and got more confused as the day went on. Humph! After Richard had gone (A lot of writhing on the memory pad about Richards’s visit, but was unreadable). Got the Health Checks done. , and got dressed, mostly in a haze. I found a few later on. Mug of tea and started the Ode for Tuesday. (Which, I’ve only just finished 05:00hrs Wednesday Morning!!!
The doctor phoned: Told her of the Paramedics and the Gyna. Lansoprozole Capsule to be increased straight away, 15 to 30ml. She told me to call the Surgery reception and book a Face to Face meeting regarding the results of the Severe Frailty Test. It sounded like an order from Hitler and had a tinge of a threat in it? Hahaha! The problem now; is to get hold of ILC (Independent Living Coordinator), Oberstgrüppenfuhreress, Warden and Primo Ballerina, Warden Deana, to ask for help phoning. Also, is the left arranged for the Covid booster jab?
So, I rang Deana to ask about the lift first, and hose said she’ll ring Easy-Lift… is that their name? To ring me back, must remember to ask her to call the wack to make a face-to-face meeting.
I took the photos on the left here while making a brew of Thompson’s Punjana tea. A lot of vehicles parked up this morning.
I have a bit of a possible Memory Blank here. What bit of writing there is on the notepad is ridiculously deciphered, scrawled and unintelligible.
I vaguely recall going to the Porcelain Throne for a second time, but have no idea; how things went.
The next thing readable on the memory prompt pad was that the intercom flashed It was the Asda food order that had arrived. Five substitutions; one was sent back, Chicken sauce for BBQ? Most of Richard’s treats had arrived. Beef in black bean sauce. An eight-pack of tangy Cumberland sausages. Glad I got the belly pork for Richard; I know he said how much he liked them, hope I got the right flavour. The Lemon Soya desserts look interesting; they have a long date on them, so I’ll eat the vegan lemon yoghourts first. The new 7-Mediterranean Vegetable sauce with basil came, but I have doubts about my decision to try this one. Just a feeling that I’ll not like it? Had to make do with BBQ sauces of brands substituted that I’ve never tried as well. A feeling I’ve eased my money here!
The bag of small potatoes didn’t look too fresh. I’ll try them tomorrow, all being well. But I’ve my doubts over how fresh they are and will last? I’ll ask Richards, if he comes, to check the dates for me.
Got the things stored away in the fridge and cupboards. Drank the cold tea.
And meandered into the balcony to take a snap of the end car park again.
Wowser! The spiders from somewhere had been busy. I took a close-up view of the car park. Three vehicles, one parked perfectly and two not so perfectly. Hehe!
Then, I foolishly took out the SD card from the Lumix camera and put it in the reader to download later.
I took the mug to be washed. I’d left the window open, and I must have had 40 or 50 meat flies of varying sizes in the kitchen Heck of a time-consuming effort to get rid of them!
ILC (Independent Living Coordinator), Oberstgrüppenfuhreress, Warden and Primo Ballerina, just married Warden Deana phoned to say she had arranged the lift for the Covid booster on the 20th, and the Diabetes Riverside for the 28th, Bless her cotton socks. I asked if she could also call the Quack for a Face to Face meeting for the results of the Frailty Assessment on the 24th. She kindly said she would come up later.
Then, my bugbear, as it is to thousands of other idiots who unknowingly joined Virgin Media: Before Liberty-Global, led by the smoke & mirrors, number-crunching, blurring of facts & figures, hocus-pocus, nod & a wink, mumbo-jumbo, misleading $23.6m a year, plus bonuses and an expense account salaried Mike Fries bought-out Virgin Media. And has done such a clinically-perfect job of destroying the previously good reputation of the company by proving does not have the know-how or qualities to get a signal to Nottingham for a whole day! In fact, LIBERTY-Global Virgin Media goes down diurnally! Today three times, for a total of approximately four & a half hours! Sad, pathetic! But of course, I believe there is a larger reason for this miserable performance. Chicanery, double-speaking and thaumaturgy-practising financial manipulators such as Fries is bound to have another plan that will make even more money for Liberty-Global. That is, if Virgin Media last long enough. Or maybe that’s part of his underhand scheme and design for them to go bankrupt?
ILC (Independent Living Coordinator) Oberstgrüppenfuhreress, Warden and Primo Ballerina, Warden Deana, and ILC (Independent Living Coordinator) Generaloberstess, Ice skating champion florist and Warden Julie arrived. Without their help, I’d be in the right pickle & mess! ♥
Sinead arrived; I was half asleep at the time after having to close down the computer after Mr Fries’s inability to get a signal through to Nottingham again shone miserably through… I’d nodded off! She is a lovely gal who always cheers me up when she comes. We had a natter and laugh about nothing and everything. I insisted on nibble giving, in thanks. Sinead took the waste bags with her when she left. I do appreciate a few minutes to chinwag and laugh with the carers, you know. But I can do I not push it. Went to get a meal started, and I took this rather decent snap of the evening view.
Aha! I got the meal cooked, but not without an of sorts, and a realisation that the Asda brown cobs were unbelievably crap! The thing that pee’d me off most, though, was when I put the NoMeat meat slices in the oven, I thought, “Ah, that’s an idea; I’ll spray some olive oil onto them as I put them in the oven.” Not a good idea; I discovered it too late! When it came to taking out the NoMeat slices, they had seemingly welded and concreted into the oven tray! There followed a series of & , what literally amazed even me; and I’m the famously unlucky one, but I was amazed at how many came within minutes of each other!
① I burnt several finger ends chiselling out the NoMeat from the reluctant-to-let-them-go tray. ② Put the tray in the sink to soak and realised that the black coating on the tray had lost lumps of whatever it was painted on them. I thought I was rather cunning here and put the slices; well, they were bits by then in the microwave to keep warm. It took me ages to get the bits of black stuff off of them. Still, a ! ③ Wrapped up the burnt-up, misshaped tray in a few bags and put them in a big waste bag to go down the chute in the morning. As I turned back towards the sink… It only lasted a few seconds, but was enough to have me over! ④ I’d learnt from past tumbles in the kitchen that by far the easiest… no, least painful way to get back up is using the front of the sink with both hands and hauling myself back onto my feet that way. So I did! ⑤ However, as I struggled to heave the body mass up, the left hand slipped and went into the sink with the dirty water, bleach and soda in it I’d used to try and clean the tray with. If you know anyone who would like a partly-disintegrated pyjama top or bleach-shredded bottoms, let me know, please. ! ⑥ I ditched the pyjamas, wrapped them up in two bags, and then into a larger one to go to the chute in the morning. Humph! Reset the timer on the microwave that was keeping the slices warm; they looked passable on this check. ⑦ As I was changing into new PPs, I smelt something not right… I’d left the beans on the heat in a saucepan! ⑧ Into the kitchen and added some citric acid to the beans, with some passata, crenellated, and stirred the beans to break them up. Burning the same two fingers that I burnt in the oven tray! Cleaned and applied some Germolene. ⑨ I managed to salvage some of the beans and sauce. But had to add another small can and mixed them in. Got the meal served up, and it didn’t look too bad. I thought I’d done a decent job of rescuing things…
⑩ Until it came to eating it. Instantly, at the fork spoonful of the beans – I’ve never tasted anything so foul in a long time!; Then, kicked off, quickly followed by .
I think some bleach might have found its way into the brown cobs as well!
I put the meal into a small bag, then a stronger blue one, and then in a black bag to go down to the chute in the morning. The morning Carer is going to get a shock, Hehehe!
As I checked the kitchen to make sure the taps and oven were not left on, the sink and floor had been cleaned up, and the window was shut too!
I got down into the c1968 recliner, in need of rest, if not sleep! But, no! was showing no signs of allowing me to nod off! Turned on the . I suppose because of the calamity with the meal, I had no option but to respond each time by worrying about things like, ‘Did I check the wet room sink?’ ‘Is the oven turned off?’. ‘Did I take the Peptac?’ Where did I put the camera?’ ‘Did I close the balcony windows?’ ‘What day & time is the Booster for?’ What’s that noise I can hear?’ ‘Did I leave the heater on in the wet room?… on and on they flowed, and I meekly checked for whatever the concern was every time one came to me. Not only did I tire myself out with my tramping into every room in the flat and back to the £300, second-hand, musty, Haemorrhoid Harold testing, cringingly beige, crumb-covered, not-working, rickety recliner. Constantly for what seemed ages. But in the process, I got a , and walked into the doorframe, setting off! It reminded me that I’d mentioned to the Doctor on the phone about all this malarkey. I’m glad I did but did she listen? She said not a word about it when I mentioned it to her. Then the arrived. At least for a while, I stopped getting up to check on things. How the mind seeks out so easily the slightest things that you have any concerns over is distressing. Well, the fact that one can’t stop them is more annoying! Then, another arrived in the brain… ‘Did I lock the door?’. So off again to check… I hadn’t, as it happens – so I did!
On the way back to the recliner, I espied a late night sky I thought worthy of photographicalisationing. So, I did.
The Lumix was in auto-mode as I took the picture. It made the photo much more bright and light than it looked to my eyes. Back into the recliner, brain-drained and so tired-out. However, the had at last departed… Now my mission was to get to sleep before the ing started again!
02:40hrs: I rose full of determination, willpower and commitment to get yesterday’s blog updated and posted puff in record time! CorelDrawing, Photo Recovery, Excel, Word for the Ode, and back to CorelDraw. Posted the blog and finally found time to get the ablutioning done! Oh, better get the Health Checks done first… Two in the green zone again; it’s looking good! Body temperature is still low, though.
I took these three-morning shots from the kitchenette window as I checked for running taps etc.
Got the clobber I needed to change into after the sh… shave & shower. And, off the wet room. This session was possibly, mayhap, could have been, was in the running for, very possibly, conceivably, in all likelihood, mayhap, ostensibly, putatively, very likely, one of the best, easiest, least Accifauxpa and Whoopsiedangleplop affected visits for months! Oh, yes! A delight from start to finish.
The medicationalisationing went well too! I left to get dressed. A ! Then… I cracked my right shoulder against the wet room door frame. Even as began to perform, I merely laughed it off.
By gum, the legs looked so good that I took a photo of them. You never know; the Tate or the Nottingham Art galleries may wish to buy a copy? Hehehe!
06:50hrs now. The Carer is likely to be due soon. I put the mobile, ailment ID’s wristlets, watch, hearing aids batteries and Spare and sunglasses on the Carer’s table. So as not to forget to take them with me. Got the kettle on for a brew of Co-op 99 tea.
Gathered the things needed from the table and then got them in my jacket pockets and the walker-guide basket. Got the items ready for departure.
Then Carried checks. A good job that I’d given myself plenty of time cause they were persistently double-checked. We all know who to thank for this. (Photo on the right!)
I arrived in the ground floor lobby with plenty of time to spare. The ETA given to me by the lady at Easy-Link was for 10:20hrs,
By 1035hrs, it had not arrived.
So, I moved into the outer lobby, which offered me a better view for me while waiting.
Around 10:40hrs, I spotted the mini-bus coming along Citrus Way, and it turned around at the end of the road and stopped to pick me up. I realised then; that we could not get to the Riverside complex in time for the start of the meeting session.
There is always something for and at every Diabetes session that goes wrong! I seem fated with this place! The first meeting was the only one I’d arrived at on time. And since then, the other seven meetings have had hassle! Not in order, but;Late arrivals, Meeting dates were being changed mid-way through. So ensured, I got in a mess with changing the dates and asking Deana to change the bookings with Easy-Link; Meaning I went to one session when it wasn’t on – Missed another altogether – Then they changed the starting time of another meeting, and I ended up stuck in Bulwell for an extra hour & a half because the Easy-Link timing was not changed – Spent a fortune on shopping – Got soaking, sodden wet through, carrier bags, shoes and me dripping wet when the bus arrived – There were events, but I can’t remember them all. Now today’s arrival was going to be late… Guaranteed to be late when we arrived at Basford. Roadworks traffic was at a standstill at the traffic lights. This was not the driver’s fault; even if he had arrived at the flats on time, we’d still have been late. So, when the man dropped me off at the Riverside complex, the meeting lasted for fifteen minutes. I decided to forget about going into the room and disturbing everyone. Having missed so much already, what was the point? Feeling pretty pee’d-off now! I wonder if things will ever go right for me again? Fool! What are you saying!
I decided to walk slowly around Bulwell until it was time to go back for the pick-up. Another near-fatal more for the bank account! Fancy letting me free amongst shops and having the bank card with me? Humph!+. During the hour-and-a-half I was meandering and spending money, I saw no less than four police vehicles arrive in the Bulwell Market area. Three were to collect shop-lifters, the other for a fight taking place between two women on Commercial Road.
That is the road that has closed the Boots store, Cheap food shop, record store, Farmfoods shop, hairdressers, Brighthouse and even a charity outlet! And others as well!
Main Street is heading the same way as Commercial Street.This area too has many closed-down businesses. Sad to this, it used to be a great shopping area, with little things that could not be purchased in the vicinity. Three banks closed. Cash-Savers, Beer-off, hairdressers, Two pubs, a Travel agent, Hardware stores, and Heron food shops, among them. So sad! I spotted a Liberty-Global Virgin Media power unit that had been blocked off Main Street. Somehow, I was not surprised in the least to see this. A little message in there for the boss of Liberty-Global, Mr Fries, who bought Virgin Media and is in the
process of totally destroying its good name, Mr ($23.6m salaried) Fries. The smoke & mirrors, money manipulator, con man, number crunching chap, who I admire so! No wonder the Virgin internet signal is so crap!
Where was I? Oh, yes… I shopped at the B&M store, then went into the Heron shop. Then as I was window shopping, yes, some of them were still trading; I had a massive . When I came back to hear normality, I was in the Bulwell Market area with a bag of birdseed in the walker basket? I took this photo of the spot where I regained the memory (Sort-off). I didn’t actually regain any memory of the lost period as such. For instance, where I got the birdseed from will have to remain a mystery. I made use of the bird food; by going to the River Leen and feeding the ducks and birds.Had a chinwag with them, of course. Which attracted some funny looks from those nearby… I can’t understand why?
I hobbled, slightly confused, back to the Riverside Complex and sat inside the car park entrance to await the Easy-Link pick-up. We were soon back at the flats, and I managed to cheer the same driver up with an offer of the can or bottle of his choice. (A Gin & Lime can chose, a smile produced, and a thank you, in the knowledge that he will enjoy that tonight)
I got into the flat and took pictures of the view from the kitchenette window. Then put the kettle on the boil while I put away the things from the carrier bags and trolley basket.
I was surprisingly feeling so tired, and the confusion of earlier returned? I could have done without that.
I forgot all about the mug of tea brewing in the kitchen. Worryingly, I had yet another . It’s difficult to explain these. I don’t know how I will explain to the doctor on Tuesday. At the moment, I think it best not to say anything about them. Not that I believe she listens anymore, anyway. I was actually in the middle of using the Porcelain Throne duties when I returned from my second mental sojourn of the day. Hahaha!
Most outstandingly, when I went to the kitchen, I found a pan with beans in it, the oven on cooking something that looked like pork slices, and that in itself was a shock; indeed, I would not have bought meat? They must be veggie ones? Also, I found two frozen potatoes in front of the microwave.I genuinely thought I’d lost the plot! This made me more determined not to mention it to the Doctor; she’d never believe me! I’m not sure what I did? How, why, when… What!
The tune played, and Rihanna came in. Nice to see her again; she’s such a pretty young thing. Soon had the medications sorted, and I explained about the new doses and the Pentax medicine-taking to be checked on. I felt this was not going to happen. With so many different Carers, I will forget who I have and haven’t informed. The paper note I left in the Carers folder is nowhere to be seen? We had a little natter, which was as good as medicine is to me. Treat in thanks chosen, and she took the waste bag for me as she left.
I was definitely having visits from Confusion Conrad today. I was not thinking clearly, at all. Yet, not seemingly bothered by the lapses? I felt chirpy, in fact!
I made up the perfectly cooked nosh by adding the spuds to the beans and whatever it was that looked like belly pork but definitely wasn’t tasting like it.
I ate it slowly, occasionally stopping to think what the heck it was that I’d bought. But it tasted grand, all the same. Not the meat substitute, but it was okay for me, just not what I had expected it to taste like. Hehe! I also wondered where I bought it from. Mayhap a search of the kitchen waste bag will reveal a box; to reveal the contents of the packaging of the product I purchased? Lackaday it was not to be. For there was no such box within. There was a white plastic bag in there that was not before? I took a sniff at the inside of it… Aha!That smelt like the vegan burgers I have? Guilt appeased!
I did some safety checks around the flat and hit the sack. Got up, did some safety checks around the flat and hit the sack… I had to get up later for a wee-wee. But I resisted doing any more checks. I got down in the recliner, and am pleased to report, that I . At last!
06:00hrs: I woke my better-than-nothing four-hour kip. I waited for my brain to kick into gear, but it didn’t. So, in a sort of auto-mode, I decided to get the ablutioning done. I thought it best, in case the Carer arrived early.
But, No! , by the time I’d risen, the driven brain had started and decided I’d do the first after all.
I must admit that there was a little agitation brewing at this course of actioning change! Why? How? I was certain I was going to get sphygmomanometerisationing done. But somehow or other ended up getting the clothes ready, and yet I still drifted into the wet room? I still hadn’t really grasped what I was doing until I was lathering up for a shave. It was so unreal. Had done the Health Checks and had a memory blank? No, no… it was at her worst, toying with me. So, I stopped shaving; and got back into the front room. This time I did set about sphygmomanometerisationing. It took me ages to get them done, then the graphics, and then I totally forgot about doing the ablutions? This is not easy for me to relate to.
I got puzzled at first at the grading the NHS site gave for Blood Pressure. I had two results in the Green, so expected to overall at least be in the amber this time. Again, No! I ended up deeper in the Hypertension 1+ area than yesterday! Erm? Then, the body temperature, which has been so good, I thought lately, had tumbled down into the Low-Red area. I think I’ll just print them off and not bother fretting over whatever the results are in future. I imagine the arithmophobia is partly the reason things do not seem right to me. Ah, I think I may have got the numbers mixed up?
After a while, I went to make a brew of Thompson’s Punjana tea… but ended up making a mug of Co-op 99. I know this is not earth-shattering, but it’s indicative of my state of mind this morning. I’m trying to find the words for this. ‘Puddled’ comes to mind.
I took these shots of the view from the kitchenette window.
Then, I remembered the needed to be done. Back to the wet room, and the need for the arose. Down on the plastic seat, and as it has been for a few days now, Constipation Conrad ruled. No torpedo today, though. After what felt like an hour of pushing and hurting in an effort to start the evacuation, suddenly, the pain eased, followed by a series of plopping into water-sounds. Haha! This time, there was some bleeding from . I restarted the shaving that I stopped many hours ago. Just the two tiny . Had another stand-up session and no showering.
Arrived later than usual. Well, it’s not unusual on the last day of his shift. I got that wrong! is toying with me today. Richard was yawning a little, but far less than last Thursday (He didn’t come last Thursday!) We had a chinwag, and he sorted out the Covid booster for me. He’s a good lad.
WordPress Comments. Esther arrived. Updated Wed blog. Jenny called to see how I was. CorelDraw to make graphs as needed.
Deana called to say the EasyLink lift was arranged for 10:20hrs in the morning. I mentioned the Covid Booster, and we worked out which one to go to would be best. She tried to get it at Riverside tomorrow, but she had no free time near that. She then got it booked at Carrington Pharmacy for Thursday 18th, at 10:45hrs. She’ll try her best to book a lift there with EasyLink for me.
Belatedly I got onto Pinteresting. Made a meal (took a photo of it, but I left the SD card in the computer – Spit! Carer Sinead arrived, always social event and laugh.
04:00hrs: I woke after another practically sleepless night. Vague of mind, but the sudden need of the overused encouraged me to stir myself, and rise like an elephant does, strugglingly up onto my feet, and was soon in the wet room, and I sat there awaiting the movement to begin; it was just too painful to rush things along, I know, I tried. But soon gave up. Hehe! Couldn’t find more than 16 cracks in the ceiling this morning; methinks that my ailment that’s known as is getting worse? Tried the crossword book, but no concentration was available. I tried counting the veins in my legs… After what seemed a ludicrously long while, the action began. Grindingly slowly again! No question about it, Constipation Conrad was in charge.
Once the torpedo started creeping out, the pain eased, and it kept going. It was getting it started that was the problem. But still at a snail’s pace. Still, the pain slowly got less, so I was content and even considered having another go at the crossword puzzle. Yet again, there was no bleeding from . I’m not complaining! Although, the piles did feel a little tender. I decided to tackle doing the .
I didn’t have a shower, it was a little early, and I didn’t want to disturb my neighbours. I stripped off (Such a horrendous sight), that’s why I only have a shaving mirror in the flat. I was tending to, washing and medicationing my unused department to get the pain over with first. All done now! Two only, and miniature ones. Great! I got both my socks on without having to use ! Head slowly shakes swankily! Admittedly it was still as painful as using her and getting fingers trapped or scratches in the legs, but still, I was rather proud.
And, the legs, feet, and ankles were looking good, the best they had for months. Of course, the darned was not better. Of course, they will not get less painful until I get the seen to? I got perfumed, after-shaved and dressed. Then Germoloided the stinging .Then I started to Germolene the tender area and stomach folds. Got dressed.
Off to the kitchenette, put the kettle on, and took these two rather well-taken shots of the view from the kitchen window.
I used the Lumix set to the SCN Night view mode. By gum, didn’t I do well? Hahaha!
Of course, it could be down to ailment. And I only think that I did well? Searching for compliments here? Har-har! I emptied all the waste bags into the large one in the kitchen, then refilled a caddy with some. Thompson’s Signature tea bags. I tore up the carton and put it into the new black bag. I missed the bag hanging on the door handle altogether! Bent down to pick up the pieces of cardboard and knocked over Metal Mickey; The handle landed perfectly right on one of the ! .
I made the brew, and I got the computer on. I knew it was going to take me ages to catch up on yesterday’s blog finishing. So I got stuck into it.
Had arrived. At that very moment, bursting into life was . She was bad for a few minutes, and this concerned Richard. Who resisted my wishes not to, summoned the 111 NHS line and then called for an ambulance, bless him. Told me I didn’t look well at all. Two paramedics arrived within minutes. As they were speaking to Richard, thankfully, Anne Gyna calmed down a lot. But kicked of with a vengeance, and the medics wanted to know all about the history. But the BP, temperature and Pulse were a tiny bit out, but nothing to worry about? How come? Many investigative questions were asked and answered. And they told me to throw away the Hemp medications that I’ve been taking to get to sleep. Actually, they have not worked for a few days, anyway. The paramedics believed that the Hemp, although have a calming effect, they could and will cause panic attacks. Which they thought might have caused the chest pains.
I thanked them. So when they had gone, I asked to throw them in the bin or give them to someone who could make use of them. Blimey, some monies worth went in the chute today. But, better safe than sorry, I say. They will check with the Doctor after she’s spoken to me about it next week.
Why I’ve no idea, but since then, the pain from , did not stop, but they were definitely easier on me as time passed. The reflux stayed the same, more or less?
Oh, also, I have to take Pentax four times a day, but a measured dose, not the gulps from the bottle I’ve been taking. A capful each time. This is most important, the paramedics told me.
I was feelings a smidge out of sorts, but not poorly. The flat with my having three people in it, talking between themselves about the situation, confused me a little, I think. I’d put the hearing aids in with the new batteries, but it was still not easy to catch everything they said. I wasn’t even sure who was talking to or with who. Hehehe!
I got in a pickle through a lack of concentration. Suddenly it was time for the evening carer to call. It was Carer Charley. Apparently, the Meridian staff had been discussing me with Richard about me today. They have been told not to take any items or treats in thanks from me from now on? Now I’m sulking!
Got some nosh cooking. Fishless fish sticks, tomatoes, gherkins, roast sliced potatoes, and tried dep of the tomato & Basil flavoured sauce – I will not be trying it again, though. Not nice, indeed, unpleasant. However, the rest of the meal was just fine, nothing to overpraise, but satisfactory enough for me. Overall taste-rating: 6.5/10.
I found that I’d missed off of the blog these two photos that I had taken earlier.
The cloud formations were, I thought, tremendously pretty.
I got the pots washed, and Carer Charley called to give me the medications. She gave the tablets by hand, one at a time, and poured out the Peptac measured dose for me using the bottle cap. Then took the waste bags with her to the chute for me. ♥
I carried out the checks with the usual repetition of checking things a couple of times. The taps are being turned off mainly.
As I climbed into the £300, second-hand shop bought nine years ago, c1966 made, discomfiting, alarmingly Karki-beige coloured, crumb containing, TV remote hiding, not working recliner, I caught my ingrowing toenail on some loose cotton on the quilt. Which made me jump a bit, swear and give out an … Unfortunately, this caused me to drop the remote control to the video player off of the arm of the recliner. Naturally, in the dark, even using the wind-up torch, I could not locate the absconded remote.
Cracked yet again, once more… the toe with the … which hurt! Retrieved the remote, and got the DVD with a Sherlock Holmes disc, turned it on, and got down into the recliner once again… started the DVD playing with the sub-titles chosen…
Realised I had not turned off the room light. So I cautiously took the torch with me to turn off the light, using the torch to get back down in the recliner. At long last, I was able to wallow in the old-fashioned over-acting style of Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes. I watched through the first episode, but I started dropping off on the second – so turned off the player and snuggled down in search of Sweet Morpheus.
Couldn’t let me get to sleep again. Well, not for ages. Humph!
