02:45hrs. Woke after a cramp-filled night. Got out of the £300 second-hand, c1968 recliner; not without pain. The legs and feet were still suffering from the marathon hobble and physio exercises. A wee-wee of the regular lately, SSPWW (Short-Sprinkly-Painful-Wee-wee) variety, using the EGPWWB (Emergency Grey Plastic Wee-wee bucket). It’s getting a little worrying, this lack of liquid-movement. I must ask the nurse today, if it is safe to take a Furesomide, with the legs not being too water-filled.
I made my way to take the medications and brew up a mug of tea. I made up three waste bags to take to the chute when I can get time, and no visitors are expected so I can get out.
Got the computer going, but… The magnificent Global Liberty Virgin internet kept going down, and it was so frustrating. Grr!
Finished updating the Tuesday blog, and got it sent off. During which I had three SSPWWs. A call to the Porcelain Throne was answered. Ye-ha! Evacuation at last! Painful, but I was so happy!
Made a start on this blog. Got the top two graphics made up, and the template, and kicked off, getting as far as here. The time now, for the ablutions, A shower, and shave, etc. I know I shouldn’t use the shower this early, but I really need to freshen up. Phew! Hehe!
Back in a bit.
06:43hrs. I’m back. All clean and refreshed, clothes on, Ankle-Support at the ready. Made a brew, and again on the computer (still making more regrets than beefburgers eaten by Elvis!). Two more pathetic SSPWWs taken during the ablutionisationing.
Worked on another draft template as I waited for the Carer. Who Shadas (The Care Supervisor) told me, could now arrive twixt 07:00hrs and 09:00 hrs. The carer (Umar) came at 06:55hrs, I was most pleased with that. He soon had the Ankle-Support on for me.
INR Nurse arrived early to do the Warfarin INR blood taking for me. Then a nurse arrived, who had been booked in for 10:00hrs arrived early. Talking mostly about moods,
Smashing, if I rush (go slightly quicker… perhaps), I can get the 09:30hrs bus. Hey-Ho!
The new hearing aid being useless, I put in the SpecSaver crap ones.
I got to the bus stop on Chestnut Walk. A hearing aid literally popped out of the right lughole and bounced several yards into the gutter. I retrieved it and put it in, but it was like the other one; of no use. No interest was shown in any gossiping with me at first, (Or maybe I could not hear what folks were saying?). Some residents came around later. Mary, Christine, and Stew shared a laugh on the bus to Arnold with me. Although it was a smidge on the farcical side as conversations go. All three of us either had no hearings in or those in were damaged. Good job the lip-reading skills are not entirely useless. Haha!
Woodthorpe Court (Winwood Court behind trees)
Winchester Court
I took some snaps (above) while waiting at the bus stop.
I got off in Arnold, determined to try and get an extension cable for the broken one at home for the headphones. Of course, my having a talk to Mary, threw me off kilter, and I never got any cable. What a schlemiel!
Went in the Asda store, and wandered about, coming out with: a tin of chopped tomatoes with herbs, a milk roll loaf, rice cakes, mature cheddar cheers, cooked beef slices, and a tin of garden peas. The atmosphere in the store was terrible. I sensed a gloominess, satiated with a defeated discontentedness. Not from all the customers and staff, but a large proportion. When I did hear someone laughing, it made me want to investigate.
The closed down retail businesses I saw when I got out, added to the pessimism that abounded.
Paid at the self-serve till, and came out to nip over to the Fulton Foods store, to see if they any bargains, but they did not. But, I met Mary who was getting some flour, so we stayed together, had a look about and went to the bus stop on Front Street. Stew joined us later, and a conversation of great jocoseness was shared. I’m sure all of us were guessing what the other one was saying. Haha!
Mary watched the three-wheel-trolley-guide for me, while I took some photographs on Front Sreet.
Mary, keeping conk on my trolley for me
Caroline from the top residential home got on the bus en route. I had a natter to her when we got back to the flats. Then went with Mary and Stew back to Woodthorpe Court.
Got in the flat and realised there had not been ant wee-wees required. But once indoors, that did start again – persistently. But they were of the SSPWW variety. Scarcely a few fluid ounces each time. Humh!
Got the fodder put away, and got the mushrooms sliced and in the crock-pot on the high setting.
I decided as I noticed a machine was free, to take the laundry down and get it going. Which I did. Got the clothes in an started, then returned upstairs, well, the lift to the flat. Where, I spent a while on the Porcelain Throne – with abject failure. Things felt hard.
By the time I got cleaned up and out of the wet room, it was time to go down to move the clobber to the dryer. Which I did. I was a little dubious about the rattling noise as the drum went round, and the filter was filthy, so I cleaned it first. I’ll mention this to Julie when I see her next. Up to the apartment, and got the computer on to update this blog. Until it was time to go down again, to collect the washing.
It’s surprising how big the amount of washing seems when it is dirty. The cleaned washing took up only a half of the red bag, after being folded. I cleaned the drum and filter.
Got back up in the flat. I’d used the three-wheel trolley to put the bag on, instead of using a stick. The good thing about this was I did not leave the stick downstairs. Hehehe!
I got the togs put away, and got the oven on to do the chips in later.
I was soon back on the updating of this post.
Another summoning to the Porcelain Throne proved another failure! Hey-Ho!
I made a brew and took the evening medications a little early, including an extra Senna. I hope they soon start working! Forgot this time, not to take them with a hot drink. Schmuck!
The landline phone light flashed. It was Nurse Sue from the Stroke Team. She had called earlier, but I was out! I realised what might have happened, or to be more precise, I recognised how I had made a Whoopsiedangleplop – even if I didn’t understand how. Having had three helpers this morning, and three appointments being on the calendar, I thought I would be free to get out to the shops. I thought the second lady was Sue, coming early. Does that make sense? I may have got confused with the INR nurse. Oh, I did feel bad about it. I verbally lambasted myself! The gal will be calling again, on Friday at 09:30hrs.
The tea had gone cold now, so after another SSPWW (Let’s save time, and just assume the wee-wees came averaged two an hour for the rest of the day). Hahaha!
The view from the unwanted, light & view blocking new kitchen windows that have extra glass that needs cleaning, but can’t be reached, and needs step ladder usage to take a shot of the road below, was stunning.
There were precious few folks about anywhere nearby this late afternoon.
I was in the usual, feeling shattered mode again. Always the same in the afternoon for me.
Hello, another call to the Porcelain Throne. Back in a bit!
Ah-Ha! Movement! I sensed wrongly that things had been firm, but they were messy. So, at last, the Senna-Strikes! Hehe!
I made a start on the nosh, and got some chips in the oven cooking. The meal was smelling and looking fair enough, but the appetite let me down again. I didn’t eat a lot of it. The words from Care team leader Shadas, and Sister Jane ring in my ears, “You must lose Weight!”
Got the shakes as I was doing the pots, but avoided an accifauxpas okay.
Very tired, I got down really early.
I noticed the left leg was more bloated, and the right one was almost skinny? Might the Anoxonotmesis have some bearing?
The cramps came on again later, but not as bad as the last two nights; then again, I have not done so much walking.
Fell to sleep, but kept waking up for the most misleading and pathetic wee-wees ever! A few drops weakly dribbled out each time, then nothing. Until I would wake again later, and repeat the process. Most aggravating.
Eventually, they stopped bothering me, and a good four hours kip followed before I woke again, and it started all over again! Tsk!
04:25hrs. Woke in dire need of the eighth wee-wee of the night! Possibly the cause of the tummy ache that had developed overnight. Months of minimal movement, now the EGPWWB, again! The PHBLWWs (Painfull-Hosepipe-Blasting like Wee-wees) have suddenly returned. Naturally, the EGPWWB (Emergency Grey Plastic Wee-wee bucket) has been re-utilised and restored to a location close to the £300, second-hand, c1968 recliner. I found a couple of new expletives to silently use as well. Hehe!
I wondered to the WC, taking the EGPWWB for sanitisation with me, for yet another wee-wee of the same style as earlier. I had a wash and put on the expensive long Diabetic socks using the Sock-Glide. I’m so glad there are no CCTV cameras in the wet room, or some shots may qualify for a comedy award, or at least go viral on Facebook! Haha!
Fifteen minutes after starting the socking-glide-routine, I’d got them on. A record that was! I had to sit down for a few moments to recover from the effort that I had used up. Sad! And the socks seemed to be getting much thinner after only using them twice before. Oh dear! Still, they are comfortable, even if they make the Bank Manager Unfriendly. Hehe!
Cleaned up and tidied the place, and off to the kitchen, got the kettle on, and had to utilise the EGPWWB, again! (A good job it was close to hand, too). Haha!
The hands seemed excessively shaky this morning, but the leg was not too bad, shuddering-wise. The first time they have been acting differently of their own accord. This might be a sign of things improving; What am I saying and thinking, things improving? For me? What a plonka!
Tried to sort out the medication box status, but got all confused, it looks like I am going to run out of some medications before the next prescriptions are due? A disoriented Inchcock gave up, having come across a mind-freeze subject, I think. I must ask for help on this. Hopefully Caroline or Shona might be able to sort things for me. My brain seemed incapable of grasping my medical stuff for some reason. Took the medications and was soon making my way to the EGPWWB, again! I washed out the bucket and antisepticalised it yet again.
Got the nearly cold mug of tea drank up, and had a look out of the unwanted or liked new, light & view-blocking kitchen window. By gun it cold when I opened up to take a photograph!
The view was rather attractive though, and an idea for a poem came to mine – unfortunately, the need for another EGPWWB came as well. By the time I got back to the kitchen, the memories of my idea for a poem had all gone off into the ether. Grumph!
I got things ready for the Carer’s visit to fit the Ankle-Support for me. Then onto the computer. Answered a comment on WordPress, and made a start on this blog.
Making another mug of tea, and the ankle went over. A few well-chosen words of discontent and self-recrimination were silently uttered! Only myself to blame though. I knew I had not got the support on and had not taken the stick with me, hence the ‘self-recrimination’ part of things. What a nudnik I am!
I checked the Google Calendar to make sure I had put in the Nottingham City Hospital Appointment for June, and I had. Smug-Mode temporarily adopted! There seemed to be a lot of medical appointments for next week.
The Shaking Shaun affected hands and fingers, ensured I was spending more time correcting my typing, than writing it in the first place! Tsk! Ah, well!
I found that the email telling me my electricity usage for the quarter including the two months I was in the hospital or the home, had gone up by 38% on the previous one? Hmm?
06:40hrs. The late sleep-in, due to the late night, had left me a tad puzzled timewise. I had to rush a bit to get things readied for the Carer visit.
Oh, dear, a WC visit for yet another PHBLWW! I’d hoped to get to Sherwood for some food today… dare I risk it? Dare I not? Hahaha!
07:10hrs. The Carer arrived and soon had the Ankle-Support fitted. All done.
I was a little uncertain of going out what with the wee-weeing situation. But it is urgent I get to the Audio Clinic to get help with the stuck tubes and waxed up holes.
Sorted and washed the three bins, new black bags in and took the waste to the chute. Cleaned the top of the WC support. Feeling a tad weary now!
Made a small mug of tea. I mused and decided I have to risk going out to and up Standard Hill and the Audio Centre. I put the Record Book in the jacket pocket.
Oh, dear, a WC visit for yet another PHBLWW. A minute later once again off for a wee-wee. This one was of the SWDWW (Short-weak-dribbling-wee-wee) variety. All change!
Off out, with trolley-walker and little faith of avoiding any accidents with the wee-wees. But I was wrong, and just managed to avoid any! Cheery Mode Adopted!
Angela and Roy were in the lift when it came down to me. I fear they did not look too enthusiastic this morning, but they cheered up later, thankfully. A lovely friendly couple.
Outside they sped off ahead of me to the Nottingham City Homes, Winwood Heights, Hauptbereitschaftsleiteress Warden’s Temporary HQ. Sarcasm & Insult distribution area. Tenants Socialisationistical Meeting Shed. Telling Inchcock off Zone. Where things like crockery and pottery get stolen from, Rumourmongering Clinic, and somewhere to rest while waiting for the bus, Portakabin, where I caught up with them and some other residents before going out to catch the City bound L9 bus. Had a quick word with Generalfeldmarschalless Warden and Catwalk Model Julie, who is on her own looking after both Courts. She was a little cheerier this morning, bless her.
A big crowd for the buses, but most of the gang got on the Sherwood bus, only a few on the City bound one.
I noticed how pale and anaemic my hands looked as they held on to the trolley. I looked in the reflection in the window, and the face looked etiolated and ghostly as well. Ah, well, what will be, will be!
I dropped off on Queen Street and made my way laboriously and sedulously to and up Standard Hill to the Ropewalk and the Audio Clinic.
Along Upper Parliament Street, taking care with the three-wheel trolley walker. I could not help but notice the rather sad, perhaps dejected look on many of me fellow Nottinghamians faces. Despite the weather beginning to warm up a bit.
I took a snap of Chapel Bar as I passed it. There was a conspicuous absence of citizens about for a Friday.
I risked life an limb to cross over the Pelican lights to get on Park Row to limp up Standard Hill to get to the Audio Clinic.
I made my way carefully, with great weariness up Park Row and Standard Hill.
I looked at the starters on show at Brown’s Restaurant. It was for starters:
Somerset Camembert toast, with Gooseberry compote for only £10.50. Duck liver parfait, red onion marmalade brioche for only £6.75. Pan-seared scallops – rhubarb, smoked pancetta and pea shoots. (I bet Sister Jane would love them, she’s into scallops, bless her).
A little further up the incline, and I had a rest, to et the left foot ease off a bit. The pain was not very pleasant. Due to the chiropodist not calling for so long. Although the gal, Suzie did call the day after I had the Stroke. Huh!
The handlebar on the left was annoying me with its waggling loose. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does for some reason. It’s a funny old world innit?
Not many folks about, but a chap came to me while I was resting, and told me I was looking deathly pale and was I alright, did I need an ambulance. I thanked the man, saying things were okay thank you. He looked a little disbelieving, told me to take care and wandered off, looking back at me a few times? Not doing a lot for my confidence, this. Hehehe!
I continued up the hill, carefully.
Arriving at the people-less scene at the clinic, and went in, getting out my Appointment/record book. I approached a lady on the reception desk, who looked right wee’d off with life. By the time I had told her of my woe and problems, she became a lot friendlier and cheered up. She handed me some Hearing Aid Batteries I asked her for. Then I explained the problem with the actual aid, and my not being able to get the tubes off, to clear off the wax. Thus they are not much use to me, telling her I did not know if the Stroke had left my fingers too weak to remove the tubing. She made me an appointment for next Monday with an audiologist, for 0845hrs. Usually, I would be pleased with it being so early in the day and would walk from home to the session. This time decided I will catch a number 40 bus on Winchester Street. I must find out what the cost will be, and make sure I have the right cash with me and sort out the times. (Well that’s the plan, anyway, Hehe!) The lady filled in the appointment sheet for me, and I was off outside.
I walked back to the bus stop a different way. Taking things even steadier now, as I was going downhill. And this trolley-walker does not like going downhill at all.
There were a couple of hairy moments en route to the City Centre, Chapel Bar and level ground, but no Accifauxpas. Smug-Mode-Adopted!
I called in a small Tesco and got tomatoes, a pint of milk and a box of two fresh cream eclairs. I intend to hand Doris one of them as a thank you for caring about me.
Through the City Centre along Long Row.
There was a Big Issue gal outside Debenhams store; and not many folk about. So I slipped her a couple of quid.
I went up Queen Street to the top and the L9 bus stop. I timed it well for once, and the bus arrived five minutes later. I got on the bus without any hassle and got myself seated.
No other residents of Winwood got on at all, odd that. As the bus pulled off, I noticed the old Tall & Small clothing shop that had closed down, had opened up as The Culfather, A traditional Turkish Barbeque food outlet.
Just what we need, another takeaway in Nottingham! Considering that eleven have gone bankrupt in the City Centre already this year!
I got off at Winwood Heights, and exchange hello’s with a few people who were getting on the bus. But there was not enough time for any chinwags, as a wee-wee was needed.
I made my way as fast as I could, without risking injury to the apartment. I rang Doris’s doorbells as I unlocked my door, and handed her one of the cakes, splitting them up. Doris seemed to like it and accepted it. Pleased-Mode-Adopted.
Inside and hastened to the WC… and what a change in the wee-wee! It was an LHNCWW (Long-Hosepipelike-No-Sensation-Wee-wee), that seemed to tire me out, somehow? Ah, well, a change is as good as a rest!
Had a wash-up. Then, I got the computer on and added the Monday appointment to the Google Calendar.
Took the evening medications, and made a brew of tea.
Then got a landline phone call. “This message has been forwarded from BT… I rang off at this point. This is now several of these messages that have come through. Pete said some came in while I was in the hospital. I’ve hed three since being home. They tell me that my BT internet connection will be terminated within 24 hours if I do not ring a number within 6 hours… A con or fiddle of some sort, I assume! As I am not on BT? But it still bothers me! Has anyone else had these calls, please?
Very, very thin Bamboo socks
I started to update this blog, and the door-chime rang out its “I only want to be with you” tune from Dusty Springfield.
It was the postman, with a parcel. (Diabetic extra-wide socks that were due to be delivered next Tuesday), and the INR-Warfarin Anticoagulation and the current Deep Vein Thrombosis results and dosages for the week. The nurse, the beautiful nurse, is due again next week to take some more blood.
Warfarin results & dosage
As least the INR level is good this time, only .6 above the target figure.
The dosages all being the same makes things easier to remember this week.
Then Jane rang on the landline. (An unexpectedly busy afternoon/evening, Hehe!)
We had a long nattering session which I enjoyed. She had to go to get the nosh prepared for herself and hubby Peter.
I went on the TFZer Facebooking and photo album adding.
I stood watching the rain, though the unwanted new multi-panes of glass needing cleaning, light & view blocking windows. The mind wandered, but it wasn’t missed. Hehehe!
Tended to the simple but tasty meal preparation. Baked beans flavoured with tomato puree, mustard, curry powder, demerara sugar and white distilled vinegar. They had been marinating most of the day, lovely flavour this time. Cooked and added some smoked streaky bacon, and did some part-baked cobs in the oven, to soak up the treat. Sliced an apple too. I’m afraid once again, the appetite was not up to the job. I left about half of it. Tsk!
Late for me, I settled to get some sleep. It took a while to nod off, and then the legs and feet kicked off, waking me. Arthur Itis and Colin Cramps had a go at me.
It felt as if some worms were wriggling about under the skin in the lower legs, and a little pain with it?
04:15hrs. Woke up, which I was well pleased with doing (Haha!), after getting to sleep late and suffering panic attacks as I realised I was laying where the Stroke took place and felt a little bilious. Of course, during the stroke, every orifice emptied out, I mean every one of them, and I threw-up first thing. Somehow it frit me, and I began to be scared of going to sleeping? Silly old thing. I felt right fermished!
Got a shower and shave straight away in case the morning carer bloke comes early.
Caught up with blogs at last.
The Carer man arrived, and he was a different one again. Which meant I had to try and remember how the Foot-Retainer straps have to be fitted. Farcical really. The three carers who I’ve had so far, have all got it on in a different way.
Now, because it wasn’t fitted correctly, I have a danger of the ankle going over and am not confident when walking. Not that it matters too much, I have no intention of going out today.
But you can fall down anywhere when the ankle goes while the Axonotmesis nerve shakes are on!
My mind scares me at times. Hehe!
Did his best, but the printed guide is not very clear for using.
The grip has to be washed and dried using no heat every two days… How am I supposed to find the time to take off the device (then I am in danger of going over) and wash it to get it dried in time for his visit at 0700hrs the following morning? Had I had a spare one, all would be okay. Nice chap though, he helped me search for the hearing aids that I’d misplaced. Surely they know how panicky I feel as it is, trying to remember the whens, whats and times for doing things that I need, that I have already forgotten about… that came out wrong, yet it is right? I think.
I made a list of things to ask about and wrote them on the notepad. Said cheerio to the chap, who said it would be another carer again tomorrow. That could mean more fun with learning about the straps. Hehe!
Then I went on Facebook, while the brain was not too bad. Then, I made a start on this blog.
Went to make a brew of tea and put the oven on to warm up ready for the baking of the giant potato. Seeing the Teddy Bear someone (Marie?) sent me, I’m naming him Cuddles! And the beautiful Koala Katie that was sent to me when I was ill earlier cheered me up exponentially.
Oh, is that the right word? I’ll check on it… Yes, exponentially! Hehehe!
But, the shakes started when I got the kettle on, which prompted the legs to join in. Tsk! Then the brain went on strike again. Still, I made the brew and remembered to put the oven on. Smug Mode engaged!
Then I realised I had not taken the medications, so did so. But I could not find any cheese for the spud, so decided to have the out of date polish ham and some instant mash with a boiled egg.
But this didn’t happen. I was so tired I just had some bread thins with the Polish Ham and some sliced lightly salted tomato slices. Then a pot of mandarins in juice.
However, I misjudged my appetite. I managed two of the sandwiches and most of the tomatoes, and only a few of the mandarins, but I did drink all the juice. I didn’t have anything else to eat at all, but I just was not hungry in the slightest. Not like me at all!
Did some work on this blog.
Gave up, as concentration was poor. So I made up two black bags and took them to the waste chute. I used the stick but found that the ankle-support was not working and it was hard work walking. When I returned to the flat, my next door neighbour Doris was calling me through my flat door asking if I was alright. A warm glow of appreciation came over me, and I adopted Appreciation Mode!
She came in, and we had a little chinwag. .She offered to make me something to eat and a mug of tea. I declined. Partly because didn’t want to be a nuisance and the fact that was just not hungry at all. She departed, bless her, saying she would check-up on me later. How kind was that? ♥
I wasn’t feeling too bad, just not hungry and a little weary. I thought I’d watch a DVD episode of Primeval. Fell asleep in minutes of it starting.
When I woke up, I didn’t know if Doris had been in to make her check on me.
So I took of the foot-retainer and got it washed using some liquid soapflakes. I hung it up to dry above the sink, but I’m not sure if it will be dry in time.
Then I did a few pots.
I called on Doris and explained I did not know if she had called on me as I’d nodded off, and was about to get a shower and shave. She was very kind and told me to take care. She pointed out that tomorrow is a Bank Holiday, and questioned if the Carer will be working or not? I bade her the same good wishes, thanked her and a good night.
Going back in the flat to the wet room, and the ankle gave way – No support on you see. And they tell me not to walk without it on… How? When only one, that requires washing every two days; and drying without heat, has been supplied? I can’t win here! I added this problem to the notepad, to tell the Social Services lady when she comes.
I had an excellent refreshing shave and shower. Taking care in case the ankle went over again, it didn’t though. The sock glide was used with a degree of ease, but it still took me fifteen minutes to do both socks. I changed into my nightwear, (No photo, there is a limit to my people-shocking, Hehe!), and checked on the Ankle support I’d hung on the coat hanger in the hopes that it will dry enough to be used in the morning. Naturally, it was still wet.
I decided to finish some more of this diary, then go on Facebook and the TFZer pages for a while.
I took this photographicalisation of the sky through the unwanted, light and view-blocking new kitchen window, of the ominous looking evening sky.
I made a mug of tea. It dawned on me, how little tea I was drinking since getting home? Only my third cup all day, although I had drunk some bottled spring water. Ah, it might be because of all the warm watery milk, masquerading as tea, that I’d been getting in hospital and the care-home? Haha!
Went on the WordPress Reader. Then on TFZer Facebooking.
Before I realised it, it was gone eleven o’clock!
Got settled in the recliner, and it took a while to drop off to sleep, but it was restful when it did come.
