MORE BLANKS THAN MEMORIES I’m getting worried about these mini-periods of hypomnesia, obliviousness and remoteness. Or rather, worried about the increase in them. One action, In particular, I wonder if it happened or if I dreamed it.I’m not holding back, am I? Embarrassing in a way, but if writing about this prompts just one expert to comment with advice that I am capable of actioning, it’ll be worth it; my baring my humiliation. I recall getting my head down, feeling drained and chagrined with life and self-disesteemed. It felt like it took a while to get to sleep, with nocturnally present rampaging away… I’ve no idea what about. It seemed to me that literally, seconds later, I was in the wet room, getting the shaving tackle ready to use. The Protection Pants had been taken off, and the hot water tap was running in the sink. As I noticed the blood trickling down my legs from both , and , which is nothing unusual in itself. I realised what and where I was. And wondered as I checked the time, why the hell was I doing my ablutions at this ridiculous hour of the morning, 02:30hrs? Not one of my better days. Little did I know tomorrow was going to be worse! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Not a lot in the nocturnal pouch. Dark, too!
Took a failed photo through the kitchen windows..
Opened the windows and tried again. Not good.
Well, not so bad this time. I had to leave to go to the Throne.
Never mind. Back to the kitchen, determined to get a good photograph taken this time, but… How this was taken is a mystery to me. I thought I’d got a good grip of when I took it. Tsk! Another one that the Tate Gallery won’t be interested in.
Another false alarm! There was more white showing.
arrived at 0715hrs. He issued the medications, and started to get the diabetic socks and leg strappings on, and asked if the feet or legs were hurting; they were not, I said. Are you sure, he said? Yes, I said.
Well, just look at the state of yer ankles, mate, and the thighs are bleeding a little, too, as well!
I was amazed at the state of the ankles when she pointed them out, and he took a photo with for me. I took this one. took the slippers off, got the socks ready to go on, and pointed out to me that the toe ends were much whiter than yesterday. She was right, too. But at that time, there was no pain being felt at all? We got the socks and strappings on both legs, and she pointed out something again… the day bag, I’d only put on about an hour ago, was filled to the top! And once again, there were no pains from the flashback as there usually is? Could this be going to be a better day? I said! Maryham suggested that with your luck, it’s better not to be so optimistic. We did laugh! She even emptied the bag for me. Kind, attentive and always ready for a smile & laugh! Haha!
e checked the tap and cooker for me too, and she took the waste bag with her on departing.
The kitchen view had changed somewhat, glum!
I made a brew and took it to the computer. And got another call from Virgin Media. All they want to do is sell you something extra.
I’ll keep trying.
Or, just maybe I fell asleep in the computer chair? Came around or woke up. and had a hobble around the flat with , to get the blood flowing, cause now, , the feet and ankles were giving me some hassle. I took the above snap of the misty morning, well, it was well gone the morning now. Half an hour later, I took this one of the Bottom field, and tree copse.
Then as I settled again, chimed out. It was the dry eye sprays being delivered from Amazon. I still had a drop left of the old £8.69 Wilko one, but couldn’t resist trying the new one out. Made in China. The power of the spray jet sent the liquid all over my face. Hehehe! But they were only £4 a go.
The day pouch needed emptying. What a dark colour and filthy great stink as I emptied it. Phew!
A little rain fell with the odd flakes of snow in it. Noticed that the mud-slide was in the car park again. So, presumably, it must have been raining while I was out of things or asleep?
Then the Loperamide capsules were delivered. I got this brand cause they were cheaper than my usual ones. Not that I needed them now, not need to stop that which has suddenly stopped on its own. Hehehe!
Packed up on the computer. I went to put the oven on to heat up, and I took this better shot of the bottom field; the rain and snow had stopped now.
did his late visit. Got the diabetic socks and leg straps on for me, had some nibbles, and was off home; he looked tired.
Hello, playing again. I thought at first it might be who might have left something he needed in the flat, but no… It was the final delivery, the extra-long diabetic socks being delivered late. Not that it mattered. A pack of six pairs. I needed it due to the fact that the Carers lost my laundry; there were three pairs of diabetic socks in it, along with pyjama tops, ankle straps a pair of leg strapping, and a dressing gown. But I’m not the only client to lose their laundry. The Mysteries of Woodthorpe Court, with the hobgoblins, spectres, gnomai, phantasms, ghosts, grotesque succubae, extraterrestrials, ectoplasms, spirits, or the Fata Morganas that have been sent to taunt, irritate and steal peoples laundry, and to terminate my already limited saneness of mind? Hehehe! The Phantom Laundry Lifter of Woodthorpe Court!
After getting down in the c1968, tatty, scruffy, unkempt, uncomfortable, virus, microorganism, bug, bacterium, bacillus, germ, parasite producing, and disease-fermenting second-hand, eyesorely-horrendously grungy beige-coloured, £300, charity shop bought, crumb-retaining, moth-eaten, non-working, itch-encouraging, incommodious, Haemorrhoid Harold testing, catheter tube yanking, recliner, sleep was not an option. Two causes for this tonight. and old reliable .
I managed to wake and get up early enough to get the night pouch off and make a start on the ablutioning completed… but it took me longer than I’d hoped. The Porcelain Throne evacuation slowed me down.
Getting the things to take with me, and realised that the Carer had not come early, not that the lad was late, no one had told him about my early appointment. He got the diabetic socks, and leg straps fitted. Helped me get the trousers on as well, issued the medications and chose a treat from the fridge. Thank’s Shaq. Down to the lobby and had a go at the crossword while I waited. The Easy-Link bus arrived, and I was soon on the minibus, paid my fee, and on the way to the surgery.
Heavy traffic en route, we arrived a few minutes late.
I was greeted by a new electronic computer log-in system. But it had big icons that were amazingly easy to see… I realised then that I’d not put in my hearing aids and had the reading glasses on. Tsk!
The logging in was done, I sat down and had another go at the crossword book.
Nurse Caroline came to fetch me into her room… I had an epiphany moment as I hobbled along with her to her treatment room. I suddenly became aware that I had made the right cock-up about what the visit was all about. For some unknown reason… apart from possibly , I believed I was going to see someone or other, about the results of the last prostate-shrivelling session at the City Hospital Urology. But, no! That must be the appointment for next month, maybe, perhaps. This one was about the last blood test, showing that I was now a confirmed diabetic. With a High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Nurse Carolyne was her usual kind, patient self as we discussed my dietary habits. It’s as if I must have known, I said. I’ve just last week stopped eating crisps, and nibble only sugar-free biscuits now. However, the highlight of this talk was I can now go back to having two mugs of tea a day! Hurrah! Or, as many as many mugs of decaffeinated tea that I wanted… Spit! Horrible, tasteless!
She wanted to refer me to the Diabetes Learning Course. I explained what happened at the last one when I could not hear or see what was happening. I tried for about five weeks but realised it was costing me all that dosh to get there and back, time in dressing beforehand, and of no use when I got there. The nurse was calm and helpful when I asked if there were any smaller group meetings I could attend. Bless her. She will try to find out and let me know later. What an Angel!
I could sense the flow-back building up in the bladder, and I knew the pouch needed emptying. I went into the surgery WC and emptied the bag.
Back to the waiting room, and on the crossword.
Departed, as the lift was parking up on Mansfield Road, and was soon back at the flats. Gave the driver a choice of drinks from the , and into the prison… no, flats.
Passing the laundry room on the ground floor… Someone’s washing, obviously someone had forgotten to collect it from the machine, had been dumped on the draining board counter. Which is better than mine was, which was on the floor and returned with fluff all over it, the week before last. But at least it was returned last week. The new dressing gowns, shirts and diabetic socks will have to be bought again… I think I ordered some from Amazon. In the cell… er, apartment, and emptied out the very dark urine from the day pouch. To make room for the daily mug of Glengettie tea. No, I’m wrong again; it was J Sainsbury’s Extra-Strong Red Label teabag. Lovely it was too! Then, I got the uncomfortable, painful trousers off.
I was going to make some baked spuds but forgot to heat the oven. It can happen to anyone!
I got a call from the doctor’s surgery. An increase in the Warfarin doses after the blood test. Wed 1½-Thu 1-Fri 1½-Sat 1- Sun1½- Mon 1-Tue 1½.
arrived. Med’s sorted.
Blogging for hours is a slow-grinding task today. The concentration was not with me, but the ability to make errors grammar-wise was in excellent form.
rang from the door chime. It was a Carer arriving. I’d never seen him before. Obviously, some carer had gone off ill or on holiday. This makes things difficult for them cause Kara is on holiday for two weeks, as far as I know. Nice chap.
I gave up on blogging, and I’ve tried to make an early catch-up on it in the morning.
Made a naughty meal. Yummy!
Looking glum as things darken.
I certainly didn’t!
While waiting for the last Carer call, I drifted into the heavenly bliss of sleep. A few minutes later, the pains from the backed-up bladder woke me. Phew! Just in time!
The Carer medicated me and removed the leg strappings and diabetic socks. I’ve ordered some more socks from Amazon, along with Dry Eye spray and Anti-diarrhoea capsules. Gave him a treat of his choice. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This is a short version to give me time to get everything needed for the visit to the surgery tomorrow. Everything takes much longer to get done nowadays, and I hate cutting down my beloved blog. But, needs must. Sorry.
I have to take clothing, shaving, etc., just in case they keep me in. They won’t, I’m sure; I’m not the King, so I do not need to close down the hospital kitchen and use my two personal cooks with me… or have a ward to myself with armed guards, two nurses and a sister 24 hours a day, and three specialists and four doctors in attendance for any operation needed.
But it doesn’t bother me.
Even darker this morning.
My Iceland Delivery arrived. With not having another delivery for eight days, I stocked up on nibbles & treats for the nurses, delivery drivers, and carers who call on me. A little concerned about the use-by date. On the cobs. Why has it got a hand-written 10/7 on a self-sticky label atop the square? They were hard to squash as well. Mmm?
I bent down to retrieve the just knocked over and clouted myself on the forehead against the tap. Then continued with my evacuationing… Eurgh!
The legs seemed one heavy, one lighter? The day set-up is due to be changed tomorrow. But only if the Carer arrives earlier. But I have requested it via other Carers, so I should have time… provided I get up early enough to get the ablutions done first.
An odd outcome for this zoomed-in shot of the street, Cavendish Crescent. Not very good.
Came. She helped me with the leggings. Bless her. Medications were issued, and we shared a laugh briefly. Nice!
An hour later, getting lighter.
Took its time getting light today.
On this occasion, the day punch had filled within two hours of emptying it.
Carer Came and went, and As I got settled on the computer again, I noticed the sound of the wind and saw that the rain had returned. Went on the balcony to take some views. All through the glass. To the right is the end of the car park with the mudslide from the collapsing mud on the park. Front view. Left view.
A rare lately, a second daily visit to the wet room… With sticky dumplings undercooked!
Easy-Peasy!
Imitation belly pork, fantastic oven chips, and a fruity brown sauce dip for the bread. Rounded of with a pot of orange jelly. Delectable nosh!
I stirred and lay there, working out if I was still alive or dreaming. I decided I must be alive when I moved in the itch-creating, bruise-giving, catheter-tube-tugging, crumb-decorated from my nocturnal nibblings, 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, recliner; and knocked the bottle of soda water off of the chair arm, and my glasses fell off of my head. Went to the kitchen to wash the mug from last night. By chiming out, and in walked at 07:15hrs. No needed. I took off the Then off to the wet room.
A two-tone evacuation again this time. It took Mr ages to get the thing started, and after a couple of loud plonks in the water that sounded like bricks falling, the stinking flood of semi-liquid content flowed! The cleaning up, medicationalising of poor , olive oiling the earholes, and painfully , and knees, I set about cleaning up my rear end, and I think the initial tending to the bum took over half a toilet roll; things were wet and so sticky! Not to mention phooey! I got the alert bands back on. The Dementia and FND ones, I couldn’t find anywhere? Had to mop up a few splashes on the floor. The cleaning up alone likely cost me half an hour, with washing out the mop afterwards. I ventured from the wet room and back into the kitchen. : Much anger… self-disgust & hatred spewed forth… and I was slightly annoyed with myself. I’d left the flaming hot water tap running again! Grrr! The view from the kitchen window mirrored how I felt at that moment. So I got and took this photograph on the left of the view on offer. As I turned from closing the window, I on the bottom of the radiator. I was getting more and more hot under the collar now! What next, I thought? Started updating yesterday’s blog. I wasn’t getting on with it too well, mind you. Word thoughts of using seconds before were off into the ether by the time I’d written the intro. Grammar glitches: I was not feeling up to much, as each time I stood up, either gave way or else would nearly have me over. She may well get me later on, though; they have been very persistent today!
Called while I was in a state of depression. But we both have similar t things affecting us, and we chatted while she did the medicationing, and I think we cheered each other up a smidgeon. The weather seemed to be getting darker? A short, sharp, heavy shower followed a little later. Of course, my plan to ask the next caller to put the ankle and leg strappings and diabetic socks back on went out of the window. No hot water until tonight, and I’ll be too tired to bathe and shave by then. So, it means getting up even earlier in the morning to get it done before the Carer calls. With Carers coming an hour earlier now, seven, not eight o’clock, I’ll aim to get up at 05:00hrs in hopes of getting all of my done. This means trying to get this blog done early, or at least most of it, cause I’ll not have time in the morning to do it first thing, so I’ll need to get my head down earlier… but of course, this does not bother me a bit.
I went to empty out the day pouch of the catheter and spotted a spot above my kneecap. No pain from it; it doesn’t feel like a bruise to me? All part of the Mysteries of Woodthorpe Court, with the hobgoblins, spectres, gnomai, phantasms, ghosts, the grotesque succubae, extraterrestrials, ectoplasms, spirits, or the Fata Morganas that have been sent to taunt, irritate and terminate my already limited saneness of mind? The urine seemed to be a little dark in colour again. The new slippers were giving me no bother today. I wish I could say the same about the tubing attached to poor Little Inchie. He’s been chaffed at something awful today by . The PP’s are bloodied. The sky suddenly lightened, and the beautiful clouds I looked up at showed instant pareidoliaising qualities!
Taken to my right: Can you see the face? Eyes, nose, beard in the clouds. I’ve circled it as I see it. The head is tilted. Taken to my left, this shot is lighter as the sun is on the way down. You can see the shadows of it on the first one above right. Another slightly tilted face. Possible another face bottom, right? Well, the eyes of one, maybe?
Bootiful! Called. I took his BP. I’ll put it on the list for tomorrow. He Had to rush, with the visit times being halved, but I managed to take it.
The urine in the day bag has gotten lighter now. It filled a lot quicker this time around. The sky had changed its hue again. I tried to get a decent photographicalisation of the view three times.
No luck, it’s the mist, innit? That’s making it complicated.
Heated the oven for the chips for the chips to go in later. Scorched a finger or two on the bars. I made a brew of the finest tea, Glengettie. The only one allowed now daily. This is because the Warfarin Anticoagulation INR results are all over the place. They blame the tea drinking. So, no longer two mugs of tea allowed daily, but one! Grunglenagocks!
Minutes later, arrived. I took the medications, and I treated the lad to some nibbles.
Went to wash the mug, and the night hue had changed again. Fetched To take some photographicalisation in the hope of getting at least one of them to come out reasonably decent. The first one was not too bad of the clouds. As an afterthought, I tried to do a close-up of the lamp-lit streets ahead. Ah, well, at least it had a Tate Gallery-appealing artistic side to it. Hehehe! If cameras could talk, I bet he would be saying to himself, “I don’t know why this idiot even bothers!” Haha!
As I turned to grab my , a tug on the tube via , as the weight of the contents dropped the whole kaboodle several inches down the leg, cracking the dried blood to release fresh warm and wet blood escaping from . I limped to the wet room, and I cleaned up and medicated various things. There were no curses, self-pity, or spitting! True! On this occasion, I just sort of felt it was all-natural, expected. I resigned myself to getting used to it; it ain’t gonna get any better, and philosophically thought, “It’s doing yourself no good getting angry each time; this will solve nothing. Time to get complaisant, amenable and accept what will be, will be… cope with it, you wimp!” Or summat like that. I am pretty sure that this moment of clarity of thought brought on a mini Then another . After cleaning and medicating the lesion, I was struggling, as usual, to get the PPs on. At the worst time possible, there I was, standing on Arthur Itis’s right leg, one hand on the sink, the other using the picker upper to hold the PP open to get my left leg in, raised the left leg… and twinged and at the same instant, gave way on me! I didn’t hit the deck, but I did bang my right elbow on the sink while using it to stop me from going down and stubbing my toe against the stanchion. Now the cursing, spitting, loathing, swearing and pissed-offendedness returned! The new deep thoughts on how I should react to these didn’t last long!
Well, I got two of them. 1 Down & 3 across. I had to look up Lingaraj. Lingaraja Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Odisha, India. The temple is the most prominent landmark of Bhubaneswar City and one of the state’s major tourist attractions.
Got the meal finished and served up. Oven chips, Lamb & Mutton burgers, milk roll bread, & sliced pickled beetroot. With a small pot of tasteless orange-flavoured jelly, which started off with a small pot of blackberry cheesecake. But I dropped that on the floor, and it burst open.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I’m looking forward to next Wednesday, when I get t speak with the Doctor. These memory blanks are concerning me more than ever today. Many moments and a long one with no memories at all of between what I worked out was 13:00 to 16:00hrs. I noted that I’d been working on yesterday’s blog but had not got very far with it, and what I’d done was error-filled and out of chronological sync. I corrected (I think) the grammar cock-ups, but left things as they were in the timing mistakes, for fear of drifting off again. I put messages in between to remind me as I did things. I just hope I’ve removed them all in Thursday’s much-belated blog. As I write this, around 19:00hrs, I seem more in control… but why? Not that I’m complaining, but I am certain things will go crazy again. I’ll try to remember to take the link with me to this blog cause I think if the Doc reads this, it may well prove more descriptive of my problems than my stuttering and memory-blank-ridden talking face-to-face would ever do? Losing track when talking to the carers does not matter so much cause they can do nothing to help anyway. Especially since the call times have been halved, they cannot have time to listen, even if they want to. Sorry, I’ve waffled on there. A RIGHT COCK-UP WITH BAR was then committed. I misplaced for several hours. Started a search when I was up to it, so angry with myself! Gave up, thinking, I must have put or dropped it in the waste bag somehow, and it had been put down the chute! Certain it had gone missing, a Mega-Depression took hold of me. was gifted to me when I broke the last camera. I so appreciated that gesture, too; now I felt worthless. The joy when I found it hours later and started taking some evening shots was incalculable! Of course, this meant far fewer shots for the blog. The period between realising and thinking after the search I’d lost it, was a terrible time. Now, on with the scintillating, captivating, amusing, pragmatic, fascinating Inchy Today Blog. Hehe!.
I was woken when the Carer arrived at 07:10hrs. Not with it really, still so tired and sleepy. was an angel, she got the cream in the dodgy looking legs, the diabetic socks on for me, and all in a rush, she did a good job. The visit time being halved is making it all a rush nowadays. Can’t be helped, though. Thanked her and she took the rubbish bag with her on her departure. Such a nice gal. Took another bag I’d made to the door.
The day bag soon filled up!
End car park, no mud at all this lunchtime.
Sun fighting through, temporarily. Wonderful clouds.
Carer Chris called, not that I can remember that much about what happened. The computer work was going so slowly and mistake-ridden. Spent ages repeatedly searching for . Lost hours.
Found the camera!!! I’d apparently dropped into a shoe near the computer? How, when or why?
I used it immediately to take some sunset shots. I was overjoyed at finding it and lost my guilt.
First, a wide shot. Then a little closer. Then another, but not happy with the quality... Tried again… Not happy with this. Made a right mess this time. Seemed to get a shadow shot of the slit, and gave up!
Had a go at the crossword. That hue is there again?
I got some of the fresh Ada peeled potatoes and cut them up in my intended vegetable stew meal. Threw most of them away, above is what they looked like inside when sliced… The thumb this time! About half of them were alright.
Morning view from the kitchen.
I returned to the main (other) room and wanted to take a photo of the day bag that had filled to the max. So quickly. Could I find what I’d done with ? No! I started a search worthy of Sherlock Holmes, I thought, but it seemed to have disappeared! Hello, grinding in the innards, off to the wet room for another try at an evacuation… I had a rinse, got a fresh pyjama top and dressing gown on, and went back for another look for the camera. As I was going from one room to another, only three arrived anyway. I was just telling him of my losing the camera… and I remembered where it was… I’d had it with me for the 90-minute search in the pocket of the jammie top! Well, fancy that? Me forgetting something. He saw the funny side. He didn’t put the ankle or leggings straps on, as I’d hoped to get a shower. This didn’t happen, thanks to the blanks!
At long last, I made a start on the blogging… As the food delivery arrived… That’s the Iceland order that I thought was for next Wednesday! Done it again! I need help, but the Carer can’t do much; the visit times have been halved from 30 to 15 minutes. No time to get everything done that’s needed. Had I needed the ankle & leg strapping put on, Shaq would have had to leave when the time Sean was out. So, no help with dressing or Phorpain gelling on Arthur Itis, Cartilage Chloe or Carole either. Can’t do owt about it, I’m afraid that’s how it is, so be it. Grumph! Back on with the blogging, they tell me I am a little blogger. Hehehe!.
The goods were put away. And what a struggle it was! I swore not to make another order for any food until after next week! Pee’d off with myself now! Moroccan tomatoes, Eurgh! Treats for the helpers. Basics. Food shoved in the fridge. And freezer.
I took a shot from the balcony of the end car park.
Did the midday call. She struggled and had to go in case she overran on the schedule. She still made sure things were okay with me. She is off on holiday for a fortnight… that is well-earned, but it shattered my confidence. There’ll be no financial assistance/guidance for a while now. She’s bound to be missed by all of us, such a helpful treasure.
Well, it’s more like one dirty, great, long one. I’m unaware of when it started, but Carer Israel was ringing the chime and came in, and I didn’t know what was what? Don’t laugh or say why bother mentioning it. I’d not done any work on the blog… what was I doing? I may never know!
I perked up a bit and quickly took the BP of; he had to shoot off.
I got the sliced spuds out of the slow cooker and into the stewpan on the stove. Then, I added some tomatoes and chunky vegetables to the mix, stirred it well, and turned off the heat. So that will be an easy-to-prep meal later.
Back for a third try... If I don’t pass something soon, an explosion is likely! I hope not like… Haha!
Evening shot. A terrible shot of the houses below.
A little harder this one.
Went to get the meal heated up, and… Getting tummy ache now. The stew might move it along.
The moon seemed very small tonight. I had to zoom in to get this shot… I took four; this is the only one of the moon looking recognisable. Later, the moon was hidden altogether.
Worked on this blog until gone-midnight again. (Finished in the morning).
Washing the pots is not easy when you have to lug the Nocturnal catheter bag around with you. I tend to put it down to do something needing both hands and forget about it. Walk away, the bag catches onto something, and the tube yanks in Little Inchie… Argh! Twice tonight! But at least the release valve wasn’t knocked open. I got sorted and thought I’d better get my head down for some much-needed sleep. Hahaha! As if!
So, busy a day again… The memory losses, blanks a pain, There was only one trip to the Porcelain! Only one person called me a lamebrain, Frustrations, mixed messages from my brain, Errors, confusion, errors; all a bane! So many medications… but never cocaine, Think of the poor devils in Ukraine… I’ll try never to complain again!
The diabetic socks, I forgot to take off again. I think I’ve laddered them?
During the night I’d been wen by the usual Thought Storms, and last night, a sharp pain under one of my toes. Why? No idea, until a carer arrives to have a look at the toes for me.
A smidge dark.
Medicalistationings tended to.
Gottwo spuds out to have later. (11 hours later, it turned out to be) Tsk!
Made the only brew of the day. And let it go cold. Humph!
Topped up the Nurses, Carers & deliverymen nimble box on the carer’s table.
arrived. After giving me the medications, she took off my socks and investigated the painful toe. She thought it looked like a verruca or corn coming on. We realise this must have been caused by the going out shoes yesterday with all the hobbling. She put some cream on the toe for me. The Asda delivery arrived while Marie was with me. Marie took the bags into the kitchen from the door to the kitchen. After the gal departed, I set to putting the food away. Fresh foods for the fridge. Frozen for the freezer. Cupboard supplies. Nibble Treats. Cleaning stuff. The fridge looked full. Even the fridge door. I may well get depressed and tempted… But starve, I shall not! Haha!
The day pouch was filling again while I was doing this supremely popular, intelligently written, followed by thousands of worldwide masses (and they both like it) blog. A darker colour, though!
Severe Up to taking this sunset. Almost like an oil painting?
I found that I’d put the two red potatoes into the oven on a medium heat. How long ago that was… I don’t recall, but they were well-cooked by now. So, set about making a meal of sorts. While making the hurried meal, I took these belated sunset photos. A wide view. And zoomed in one. Then back to making the meal. As I moved to the sink to put the oven tray in to soak with bleach and washing liquid, I felt the catheter pouch slipping down with the weight. Got it emptied, washed my hands and then the oven tray. Even darker urine this time! I finally got the meal eaten… Liquid Sea-salt & Flora none-butter, butter were added to the potatoes… A vegetable Pastie, And very nice too!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I think I found two, the one at the bottom of this blog and one on a sheep to the farmers, right? Carer found another this morning below the one at the bottom of the blog, under the farmer’s hand. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
04:30hrs woke with the TV still on. Removed the nocturnal catheter. Made for the wet room without taking any view shots. It was important that I get the ablutions and dreading dressing done ASAP, just in case there were any of the usual events.
Got the shaving and washing done without too much bother. And started to get dressed… This took me over twice as long as it did to do the ablutions and the medicationalisationing! Pain, blood, bruise, bent the little picker-upper, tore the Protection pants, and had to start again. So, Normal-Status Adopted.
Nice red band on the right ankle. Photo taken after creaming it. A new spot was found on the left leg. Slippers on. I couldn’t get the left leg one on, so asked Care Joanne to to put it on when she arrived. Carer Joanne called. She is still having problems with her catheter, and I found it therapeutic to listen to other’s problems for once. We, as usual, found time for a bit of a laugh and joke. Within a minute of Joanne proffering her farewells, chimed from the door chime. It was Carer Maryham, doing the domestic call. She kindly got on with it while I took a sleep, in the knowledge that she would wake me in time for a final check that I’d collected everything needed, ready for the clinic visit, and catch the Easy Link bus. Which the gal did. I got the 3-wheeled walker, and Maryham walked me down to the ground floor, well, in the lift.
Hello, the old clock is back on the wall in the main lobby. I imagine the new clock had been stolen, along with my and other’s bags of laundry? Hehe!
It was drizzling out there, and the mud could be seen that had been walked into the building. My favourite driver was outside waiting for me to be picked up, from Easy-Link. She got the money from my various pockets to pay for the lift and we were off. Turning right down Winchester Street Hill. Sneaked this ahoy en route… But dropped the camera, and I was firmly in the grip of the seat belt, and could not retrieve Kodak Tim, which settled between my legs… until we arrived at the Riverside. I discovered that Dominic, was not there today, and it should have been last Monday that I could speak with him. Of course, these things could happen to anyone… but the odds were it would have to be me!
I decided to have a walk around Bulwell Market and the river until the lift came to fetch me in two hours… but first I had to ask where the toilets were to empty out, you know what… Flipping dark! But it was easy enough to empty today, and hot water and soap to wash with. I hobbled out into the rain and walked to the Bulwell Market and the shops. This was an expensive trip out! Not particularly busy, but with the rain? Looking a little gloomy, too! Called in the Heron store. Needed help with using the cash dispenser again, Tsk! Came out with a bag of fodder, and down to the B&M store. Left with a bigger bag of purchases. Then to the Poundland Store, got some Walkers Worcester sauce potato sticks for a pound, a pack of six and a giant bag of bird seed, and made my way across the road to the river and the pigeons waiting for me. And getting well-soaked at the same time! They must have recognised me? Bless, them… Then a hobble back to the riverside, in the rain. Getting murky again as I approached the building. The lift was waiting in the car park for me. Took these below on the trip home to the empty flat. Hehe! Exiting the car park. En route. Bestwood, I believe. Top Valley? Unknown. Sherwood. Back at the prison… I mean flats! I mused over three weeks ago when my laundry and new bag were never returned, along with a few other poor residents. The following week, I put it all in my new bag, and the laundry was returned… but in an old bag; I mentioned that it was my laundry but not my bag, and they took away the bag. Yesterday, three days after sending and paying for it to be washed, it came back damp. We pulled up, And the gentleman said his farewells, and up to the cell… no, no… flat. Emptied out the fodder from the bags. And got on with making something to eat. Had a go at the blog and finished it in a jiffy… well, maybe not. I got it finished nine hours later.
Checked on the cooking and saw that King Charlie is out of hospital but must recuperate for a week… Ha! This prompted me to write the News Snippet at third from the top for the blog. ‘Charlie is out of hospital’!
Midnight, and in need and ready for sleep… but it wasn’t to be granted. Cheers!
Made a brew. The carer arrived; I forgot to ask them to take my laundry bag… again!
This’ll see me to the funeral.
That filled up quick again!.
Next, a box of catheters was delivered. Then, some spare straps.
I decided to have a snack, a meat pastie. I put it in the oven and returned to blogging. Two hours later, I smelt the burning. The top of the shortcrust pastry had literally exploded in the oven. Pain and effort were gone through to clean the mess up afterwards; it was taken matter-of-factly and light-heartedly. That was because today, the ups & downs periods continued, just the same as for the last four days. Shame, but the pie was well and truly beyond salvation or eating!
Blimey filled up again!
But I did get to do some crosswording. Started a new one and was doing well until a mind freeze developed and mental confusion reigned.
See the stain on the carpet? That was where the damned catheter had been leaking, for all the time I was merrily crosswording and waiting for the evacuation to develop, that never did! Humph!
I tried to take some decent shots of the evening view as I titivated the stew I was cooking. A bit wobbly this one!
Blimus! Filled again! But the colour was much lighter; I’d say it was a perfect number one on the NHS grading card!
I’m not sure why I made such a fowl-tasting bean stew. Make the regularly, but have never done one with such a terrible flavour? Eurgh! I managed a few spoonfuls and gave up as Carer Victor arrived. Got the ankle and neg straps removed. Took his BP & vitals. (They can’t touch me for it, Hahaha!)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – The 3rd day of ups & downs, ins & outs. Periods of positive and negative thoughts, moods, or interactions consistently. Just as the leaflet on FND symptoms quoted. A state of perplexity, then of bafflement, inattention, abstraction, and a new one to me, a sort of suspended animation. With moments of almost ecstasy, then back down to submitting to short, dank, dark depressions. It is now Saturday, midday. And this is as far as I’ve got with this blog! So I’ll have to do a rushed job from here on.
Good colour.
Going to dish these and the other odd pairs that have been weeded on from the leaky catheter bags, valves or tumbles, Whoopsiedangleplops.
I can recall taking these shots. This first one got me in a bad mood as I failed again. Tried again. Ah, not so bad. Shame I couldn’t take a close-up. Well, I did, but they were crap!
This sudden evacuation into the day bag was the first of eleven today. Humph!
Evening effort of the view. Take within seconds of each one.
I was coming out of another sort of trance, and I saw the colour of the sky through the window. Grabbed Kodak Tim and hobbled to the kitchenette to get shots of the sunset before it disappeared. Even in my state of mind at the time, I thought how beautiful the view was. Peaceful, serene, A magnificent scene, Like part of a dream, Not bad for an old sleeveen! I’d better take another Codeine.
