Inchcock: Thursday 3rd November 2022

04/11/2022 / Inchie / 5 Comments

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00:30hrs: Got up for a wee-wee; that was terrific, gobsmackingly, absolutely free! Grrreat!
But releasing things ready to use the NWWB (Nocturnal-Wee-Wee-Bucket), I got myself in a tangle with the jammie bottoms cord. So, had to go and wash limbs etc., throw the jammies in the laundry bag, and get a dressing gown on. There was no point in getting back to sleep now; I was wide awake.
Went to make a brew of Glengettie tea.

I tried to take a photographicalisation of the morning view.
My first effort came off a bit smudgy, and the second one didn’t get onto the SD card at all!
For the next one, I changed the selector on the Lumix camera to the night view option on the wheel first.
This one came out acceptable to me.

While making the brew of Glengettie, my neurotransmitters failed, and as I was stirring the tea bag as well – So, over went the china mug of tea. Another fine mess to sort out! The one redeeming factor was that the mug stayed on the counter, so at least I didn’t lose another one. Haha!

Updated the Wednesday Blog. It cost me a three-hour struggle, with all the mistakes, and towards the end of doing it, the started, but this time it lasted for longer than ever before. Usually, they are over in seconds… but not this time! Peripheral Neuropathy Pete had never bothered me for so long, with so many incidents, some were quite serious. The first one was as I was stirring my tea bag, it’s hard to explain what happened clearly, but I’ll try: The Peripheral Nerves will suddenly not work, and occasionally they go on-off repeatedly. So the brain does not get a clear message from the neurotransmitters of what they want to do. Then the brain seems to guess but gets it so wrong sometimes. Imagine you want to pick some up that you know is very hot… you test it first. Well, it’s similar to that; the fingers keep nearly doing something and repeatedly miss doing it; why? I think the brain is preventing them. Hence I look like a fool, trying to pick up a piece of paper or anything really but just cannot get the fingers to do the right thing. The same if you want to drop or let go of something – you can’t; it’s impossible until the neurotransmitters send a clear message to the brain, suddenly they will, sooner of later, and things go back to near normal for a while… until the next loss of contact from the nerve-ends.
The fingers are the worst affected, but it can and has, in the past, happened with the toes and feet and can easily have me over.
The silliest and most scary to anyone seeing this happen is when I get what I call an . It’s the equivalent of doing the Oki-cokey; the foot will not settle back on the ground until the nerve ends re-contact. It’s always (up to now) the right leg.
And with , it is always on the right side, never the left? I think that my having my stroke on the righthand side helped to create these phenomena.

The was needed as I entered the wet room with the clothes to change into after the shave and shower. Aha! The evacuation was a little easier today – Small blessings are all welcome! I fang-you! Unfortunately for me, the again.
During this session, the counts increased ridiculously! I had some irritating and annoying incidents to contend with. But they were short-lived, and after the wet room activities, the nerve ends were back to normal, with just the usual odd ones catching me out. Nothing new there!
Dropped the toilet roll into the water! I cut my gums while cleaning the teeth and broke off another bit of the shattered double molar. Four cuts shaving. Carbolic soap dropped twice. Hit my head on the power box and couldn’t find my glasses after showering. (They are still AWOL [Absent Without leave[)

Arrived. Yawningly, Hehe! It’s his last shift for a few days, so I wished him a good rest and much sleep. Got the medications sorted and managed a couple of minutes of chinwagging. Saw him off as he took the waste bags. I shan’t see him for a bit now. Hope he catches up on sleep.

I started on the blog again: it was darned slow work.

Then Windowman Joe arrived. Not getting much done today. We had a laugh and chinwag, but like lighting at cleaning windows, soon off and gone.

Tried to get some graphics done… Cleaner Esther arrived. She was in and out for over an hour. She kept nipping down to check the laundry. She cut me a hole in my trouser belt – I can now wear them with more confidence, Hehehe! Finally told me her new minimum rate of pay is going from ten to fifteen pounds an hour for doing the laundry. Humph! I could do little or no work on or for this blog. I could not concentrate on Esther’s incessant talking. So I gave up and listened to her.

Finally, she departed. Ah, now I can get on with the blog…

The landline rangeth…
It was Sister Jane. We had a jolly long conversation, and I found out I was eating the wrong foods, buying too much of it, and should eat more pasta. Fair enough, she was right. But we had a laugh or two. Said out farewells.

And back to blogging...

It was the Asda delivery. The driver helpfully threw the items ordered into the boxes provided for me… this chap was a lot more careful about not putting things like mini sponge rolls at the bottom of the box; bless him. I thanked him and got the food and things into the kitchen.

The big items I bought were the Flash speed Mop and extra pads. There’s a reason I bought these, and I can remember why, too. Oh, YES! Mind you, I can’t remember who it was that extolled the virtues of the costly Flash mop… but someone told me how great and easy to use they were. Although on later looking at, but unable to read the small print on how to set it up and operate it, I’m already sorry I bought them! !
I left them in the hallway – and hoped that one of the carers may as me why and hopefully know how to set it up and work it. Humph!
I thought I could smell bleach, and one of the bottles was leaking… So I got the box with the cleaners in it opened first to check... Yes, the bleach had been leaking! Grangknangles! I checked in the empty box, just in time to see the cardboard disintegrating, and got it in the sink. Tore it up… I didn’t know I had so much anger in me, but got the cardboard box pieces and put them in a large plastic bag, and I hobbled grumblingly out loud as I took them to the waste chute and deposited the bag. Coming back to the flat, I realised how childish I’d been and felt a fool for getting all hot & bothered over it. I envisaged my moving into a home for Dementia sufferers, and it didn’t seem that far away!
I sorted out the food box next. The only item they had none off in stock was the tomato passata with basil. Shame, ’cause I’ve got none now. Haha! I’m glad they had some of the Soya lemon yoghourts, though; they are nice and tasty without being too sweet. The vegetable pasties that I tried last week, and they were good and tasty, also arrived. I do not remember ordering any fresh tomatoes or cooked chestnuts… but then again, my saying I do not remember – is becoming my catchphrase, I think. Hehe!

I got things put away… not the Flash Speed Mop, of course, and had a wee-wee. As I was washing my hands, I realised that I’d had the potato simmering away for over six hours now in the crock-pot!
In the kitchen, I trundled and turned it off. The large potato had split open, and bits of flesh were floating about in the pan… Tsk!

I got back to the computer and started working in CorelDraw, making graphics, tabs and an Ode… I was doing well… I thought… which was rubbish, of course. CorelDraw kept freezing, and MS word, in which I was creating the ode, did the same? I gave up!

The landline rang and at the same time! I’m just lucky, I guess… Esther returned to get something she’s left, and I asked her to talk to the woman who phoned for me; cause I couldn’t understand a word she said! Neither could Esther! So put the phone down. Esther said she was trying to get me to join Virgin Media, I said I’m already on it…
IT dawned on me after Esther had gone. A woman who I could not understand rang, but no dice with hearing what she said. When Jenny phoned me to warn me that Liberty-Global Virgin Media was going down on Wednesday, it did. I wonder if it’s going to go down again?

I’ve got so little done today. I’ve now been up now for 16hours. Frustrated at every turn. Evening Carer is due anytime now. I’m tired, hungry and pretty miffed off with things. And still way behind on blogging! Well, it’ll stay that way! I’m gonna get a mug of Thompson’s tea, then something to eat.

I took this evening shot of the view from the kitchenette window while doing the cooking… Blimey, I multitasked there!

At last, I made and ate a decent meal. This one was a gorgeous soya Frikadellen and a veg pastie, tomatoes, yellow and red ones, very tasty, sweet! Sourdough cobs, and a mandarin & lemon mousse. Oh, and a boiled potato. Lashings of BBQ sauce.
Bootiful! Taste Rating: 8.9/10! However, in the preperationing for this meal…
and … When it came to cleaning the Crock-pot used to cook the potato, The bottom of the base had been leaking! The metal plate underneath had split somehow. So, I no longer have a crock-pot. I saved the porcelain bowl and lid, they are fine, and they may be of use to someone in the flats or carers to have as a spare? I got the slow cooker into three black bags. I may have to take it down to the recycling bin in the morning. It won’t fit in the heavy-metal waste-chute lid. Shame! Then, I may be back… but I doubt it until the morning, with more catching up to do. Muckleworthiness and Crab-ends!

Morning Update: Chloe woke me up. We got the medications sorted out okay. I was still half-asleep. I recall walking to the door with Chloe, taking the waste bags for me; I locked the door and returned to get a meal made.

Had lost interest in me getting back to sleep. It took hours before I faded. Flibblegonknackles!

Another Doreen Dementia Driven Day. Dangnab-It!

Inchcock Today: Wednesday November 2nd, 2022

03/11/2022 / Inchie / 2 Comments

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I bounded out of the recliner, did some skipping, touching-toes, and a few press-ups, and went onto the balcony for the hip hinges and Tai-Chee exercises. I yodelled as was worked the weights. I gave out a loud “Whoop!” as I made a perfect double-flip-over loop.
I grabbed my Nokia G400, Android 13, 5G, 128GB, 6GB RAM, Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3.45), aluminium framed, Nano-SIM, GPS, GALILEO, microSDXC (dedicated slot), LED flash, HDR, panorama, FM radio, Type-C 2.0, USB. With On-The-Go Features; Sensors Fingerprint (side & rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, and barometer. Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable. Charging Fast charging 20W – Power Delivery 3.0, N1530DL £345.25 mobile phone, and rang King Charles to see how he was going on and asked if he needed anyone else topping… Hahaha!
02:30hrs: Then I woke up, belched and got the taste of the cheesy potatoes I had last night come up my throat, and I took a swig of Tonic Water I’d flavoured with Roses lime juice – the two tastes did not go well together. But they blended together enough for me to get out of the £300, used, second-hand shop bought nine years ago, c1966, discomfiting, alarmingly Karki-beige coloured, crumb containing, TV remote hiding, not working recliner, on a mission to get myself a good string mug of tea, Glengettie perhaps, to rid my mouth and tongue of the terrible taste.
I caught my balance and was feeling in better shape than of late. Of course, that was corporeal.

Mentally I was a wreck; Thoughts wandered into my mind at will, no chance of me sorting out any that may need attention or were important though… The need for the Porcelain Throne arose. Yesterday morning the evacuation was rock solid torpedo style – knowing my cunning innards have the ability to alternate twixt brick-like torpedoes and slimy-sludge on each visit, I anticipated that Trotsky Terence would be in charge this morning. How wrong I was!
I sat there on the Throne and had to force things along painfully. I had the hearing aids in, so heard a rare plop every now and then as another one of the pebble-sized products was pressured-free, and it was like this for ages!
What made it more frustrating was that I’d left the crossword book in the three-wheeled walker trolley from yesterday! The cracks in the wet room ceiling seem to have reduced? I could only see 21 today? I’m sure there were 34 yesterday?
It must have been a good ten minutes or more before the last of the dark brown hazelnut-shaped turds was pressured into evacuating! What a relief I felt! But not for long; as I got up to clean things, I felt poor warm blood running down my inner thighs. I cleaned things up and gently applied some Germoloid ointment onto the pained area at the rear! Real Relief!
Had a stand-up wash.
I had a farce with trying to put in the Chloramphenicol antibiotic eye drops. More went down the cheek, in the nose and mouth than ever got close to the eyes! I got dressed and took a Senna tablet, just the one, to try to ease the concrete rear-end passengers’ trip to freedom on the next visit.

This could prove to be a mistake if Trotsky Terence makes a comeback on my next visit to the Porcelain Throne?
To the kitchen to make a brew of tea. This time it will be a tasty Thompson’s Punjana The kettle was put on.
I took this shot of the car park below from the kitchenette window. It was drizzling with rain at the time, but I’m blown if I can see any in this rather decent picture? To the balcony…
Where I spotted the rain-induced mudslide from the nearby Woodthorpe Grange Park, had made another entrance into the end car park.
I think there is a drain under the water, but obviously, it isn’t coping very well when we get a rainstorm. The people taking the dogs for a walk and crap go via this route, coming and going… I’ve forgotten why I said this now! Dementia Doreen! I can say this now the Doctor’s confirmed my latest ailment. Hehehe!

Sounded, and in came . I had forgotten to unlock the front door again! apart from giving me a sideways glance and tutting as he came in, he was fine about it. Haha!
What a great Carer Ricard is. As we got into the room, he produced a list in an envelope of all my medications and how much and when they are given. Worra, great chap! I thanked him profusely and pulled out the pink gins I got for him yesterday at Lidl’s. That was a marvellous thing to do for me; another worry over the trip to the hospital was now sorted! Merci Mon Ami, Richard!
I fear he was over-yawning again. But this didn’t stop us from having a little natter and laugh after he gave me the medications.
After he’s left, taking the waste bags with him, I found a bag with some bottled water, a rice meal and chilli in it – it was for Richard! Thanks again, Doreen!

Back to the computer. This time, thanks to Jenny, I was expecting it. Yet an hour or so later, it came back on? And seemed a little quicker. But an hour later, it was back to slow coaching. We’ll see if it goes off again… if they are upgrading, it must surely go off again? Or the upgrading has failed… hard to believe from Liberty Global Virgin Media, Hahaha!

So, I got a meal made up. It looked good, and most of it was fine. Those gorgeous Frikadellens tasted superb!
The tomatoes were just grand and sweet flavoured, both yellow and red ones.
The Lidl Parmesan potatoes, let it down. They were so tasteless! But looked and smelt good? Taste: 6/10.

Sat down to wait for the Carer to arrive . And that was it until the Evening arrived, and I got a rude awakening stirring me back to life when the chimed from the power box in front of me, forcing a Shake, Rattle & Roll in surprise, and I all but fell out of the recliner!
The lad Jozeph looked so weary and tired, he’s even caught the yawning bug from Richard – both hard-working Carers. It looked so odd when yawned with his facemask on. Hehehe!
I tried to cheer him up. He got the medications sorted. He even cleaned the Pentax measure-dose pot for me and returned it to the carer’s desk. Had to push him to select a can of pop in thanks. Walked to the door to lock it, and he took the waste bags to the shoot with him.

I thought I’d try the computer again to see if it was reconnected yet, to update this blog. But my body and mind had other ideas for me… I again!
And I stayed there for hours. But it was an often broken sleep, interspersed with weird dreams. Short odd senseless ones and I woke up after each one. At least, it felt like I did, to lay there trying to fathom out what it was all about, then drift off and have another dream that was short and unfathomable to me. Repetition is the word needed here.

PART RECOLLECTIONS OF THE FIRST DREAM

I dreamt I was an auctioneer...
Folks were bidding to buy gunpowder?
But I knew it was only chowder flour?
Some as they ran to their helicopter…
Said, “Aha, we’ll blow up another tower!”
A policeman I.D.’d himself, a CID inspector…
He asked them to reconsider…
Cause there had no M.O.T. for their copter…
This dream couldn’t have been gimpier!

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Evening all!

Inchcock: Tuesday 1st November 2022

02/11/2022 / Inchie / 11 Comments

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Gave up trying to sleep again after the wee-wee. Decided to get the ablutions done, being as I was wide awake yet flipping well again!
Apart from one issue, the ablutions went fantastically well this morning! Only one minuscule cut shaving, and I was rushing things a bit. I wanted to get the Monday blog finished and posted before going to the doctor. I had a feeling, well, EQ told me, that things would go okay with the results of the Severe Frailty Test Results… meaning I take it that someone would take notice and action on the problem? The Easy-Link bus that Deana ordered had been confirmed for 10:00hrs, so I do not have much time to get the blogging in. And with Liberty-Global going down tomorrow, I wanted to catch up as far as possible. But I felt a spot of good fortune was on the way? That in itself is a kind of miracle… as long as it comes.

As I was considering which manner to use to get the socks on, I spotted and photographed my left leg’s ankle. I seem to have gone all pale suddenly? What’s more, the ankle ulcer didn’t look too good a shade of colour? I think there is a furuncle or two coming out as well?

I did the washing and medicalisationing and feeling good, and with foolish bravery, I used , a mistake if ever there was one! I ended up with a cut shin and agony from the right foot delicate, , when I had a trying to rearrange the sock that had attached itself to the toenail!
Of course, I just laughed it of. What’s a spot of agony to a man like what I am, a mere tribulation. Being such a pain-bearing, heroic, brave, handsome young man?

Tidied up in the wet room, put the bloodied paper towels in the bin, took them into the kitchen and deposited it in the big waste bag.
Tried to take a decent photo of the morning view. Failed, of course, probably through
having fun with tearing the toenail and shin cutting, which has led to such a loss of blood. Hehehe!
I made a brew of Thompson’s Signature tea and tried to concentrate on updating the Monday blog.
I made a mess of the next two hours and spent more time correcting things than writing them. I realised later that I’d missed the Health Check graphics and a photo of my bleeding toe. Humph!

Came in, and I shook his hand on welcome. That confused him a bit; haha! I proceeded to tell him how much appreciated him and Deana and would struggle even more without you two. I think he liked that, but there were no signs given, just a feeling I got.
Richard got the medications sorted and checked on the whiteboard he’s bought me the previous day, and I reckon he liked my having used it. He had a read and pointed out that I’d got something down on it twice, bless him. I’d got some bits for him out of the fridge into a bag, and he had to fly; he’s got an extra call to do again today. Bade him farewell and all the bestestest… and got back on the computer, and hastened to get the blog done and posted before I had to go out… it was close, but I got it done. Turned of the computer and started getting the things needed for the surgery visit ASAP. As I was doing the checks, and as the rain began to fall, I spotted this fly/flea on the outside of the kitchen window. I wonder how it flew up all that way? Did he need to rest his wings?
Off I went down in the shuddering lift cage to the main lobby.
I’d made it in plenty of time.
Eighteen minutes before the Easy-Link bus was due to arrive at Winwood Heights prison camp… I mean Winwood Heights Independent Living Complex. Hehehe!
I had a poddle around the foyers, settled at the front next to the main doors, got out the crossword book and had a go at it. I did rather well, actually, I solved about five more clues. Although it may have been three, five sounds like I’m cleverer. Does it not?
I moved into the outer lobby, so I could see if the Easy-Link electric minibus arrives. Which it did spot on time. The driver had a bit of bother finding somewhere to park, but he handled it with a certain aplomb, and I went out to the bus and got in. Well, it seemed the right thing to do. Har-har!

I arrived at the surgery!

The chap didn’t ask for any cash, so he’d been informed of my being on the accounts for monthly charging.
We were soon in Carrington, and he dropped me off in front of the surgery.
I hobbled as the rain started again into the surgery and reported to the receptionist. Who pointed to the chairs and said something I could not hear, “Take a seat”, presumably? So, I did.
Five minutes later, Doctor Vindla summoned me into her room.
She seemed a little more interested in what I was saying and asked about how my Anne Gyna was? A rare happening! Then I realised there was another woman in the room, taking notes? Student? NHS Monitor, regulator? I didn’t know. But it got the Doctor showing interest in my health for once.

Ah, EQ’s message, this makes sense now.
The Doctor told me I didn’t do very well in the Frailty Test. Would I like her to refer me to ———- I didn’t hear what she said, just answered, ‘Yes, please!’
She went on her computer, left the room, and returned telling me that I needed a —?— test before they (?) would accept you, and Nurse Nichole had made time to fit me in, go to her room straight away, and she’ll do it now for you. So I did. Not knowing what test this was.
But it was nice to see her again. It was a blood test she took.
Then I didn’t know if I was to go back to see the Doctor or go home? Cause no one had told me. Nurse Nichole phoned the Doctor and told me to go home. It’s no wonder I get confused. I’ve no idea who I’m being referred to for help, either.
So, out into the rain and I had a hobble down to the Lidl store. Prospectively financially fatal, me, doing this! Hahaha!
I came out a good few quid lighter. With some cans for the Carers and Wardens, fresh tomatoes, Frikadellens, yoghourts and other bits. The trolley was pretty full and out to catch a but back into Sherwood.

Took the first photo on Mansfield Road. Well, all three of them were taken on Mansfield Road.
The first was from lower down the hill, where the Haydn Road bus stop was.

The second down photo was taken near the mass of closed-down shops after I’d gone over the pelican lights to the other side of the road.

They are out of order I think I took this one getting off the bus. Nottingham’s famous deadly free electric scooters.
Four deaths this year so far with these. One rider and three pedestrians. But the Council members must be getting back-handed to keep them on? Just a thought, like!
I called at the cash point to get some readies. Then in the Co-op, I got some cobs, vegan butter, cobs, and imitation smoked bacon.
Then hobbled up the hill to the bus stop to the flats. I had the pleasure of seeing Margaret from Winchester Court, and we had a natter en route on the bus. ♥

Back at the flats, I slipped her a can of Gin & Rhubarb, said my farewells and walked through the Winchester Court flats link passage into Winwood Court.

Met Frank and Esther, and had a few words, then into the Winwood Court Foyer. Where I met Deana, slipped her a can of Gin & Orange.

With the cheesy cobs, I’d got from the Co-op proudly displayed on top of the three-wheeled Walker basket, I proceeded in a Northerly direction along the link passage to Woodthorpe Court.

I was doing so well; it worried me! Hehehe!

I got to the end of the passage and recorded the rain that had started again, pelting it down and windy with it.

It went a little dark too!

I got up in the lift and went to take a photo of the downpouring rain from the window near the waste chute room.

I took a picture that caught the rainstorm beautifully, I thought when I looked at it on the screen.
But another of the Mysteries of Woodthorpe Court, with the hobgoblins, spectres, gnomai, phantasms, ghosts, the grotesque succubae, extraterrestrials, ectoplasms, Fata-Morganas, that have been sent to taunt, irritate and terminate my already limited saneness of mind, occurred.
When I got into the flat, the picture was no longer on the SD card! How, why, does this happen? It must be something I’m doing wrong. A great photo as well. Schluberduberski!

It took these shots of the rain as it was stopping.
Then made a start on updating this blog.

It was hard, slow work. I seem to be making more errors than getting things right lately?

I stopped for a break and took the large potato out of the slow cooker, added some cheese on top of each half, and got it in the oven, to cook the cheese.

Haahahaha!

Back to the blog again. I thought the break might have helped me to regain my concentration… Things got more farcical, not better!

Absolutely!

Then, around 15:00hrs, a sudden darkness came over everywhere within a minute!

I got the Lumix and took photos of it around the flat so you can see how dark it really turned.

It was eerie how quick it fell. Not scary or anything like that, but so unexpected. The changing seasons and clock changes might have had some effect on this little miracle?

That’ll be the changing of the clocks forward an hour. That I forgot all about and rang lovely neighbour Jenny to ask her the right time, last weekend. That was with the aid or insistence of my brain’s interloper, of course! Tsk!

Yet, looking at the picture where a window is, it looked so light outside?

My Cyber buddy, Billum, in Cincinnati, will know. He’s a bit of a boffin and clever with it, you know. A grand chap, a great partner in HRH Lisa-Petal, and a son to be proud of, Alan.

They show me care and understanding, yet they have so much to contend with themselves medically. I just thought it a suitable time to let them know my feelings and thank them for being them. ♥ Below is one of my favourite graphics that I’ve ever done.

Showing Bill and HRH Lisa-Petal in their make-believe time capsule, built in their underground laboratories in Cincinnati! Their senses of humour are so precious to me! Note the Dalek they took? Santar-Ha! Thanks!

Arrived in a good mood, and after giving me the medications by hand into my mouth, we had a natter. Shannon showed me, on her mobile phone, a photo of her baby in the womb. Bootiful! I think she said it is due in May… but I could be wrong. I insisted on her selecting a nibble and can of pop of her choice in thanks. The gal took the waste bags to the chute for me on her way out. ♥
I got something to eat, potatoes with cheese, tomatoes, sourdough bread, and two Frikadellens... which I am now going to eat! Hehehe!

Sorry that the picture didn’t come out very well.
Food Rating: 7.5/10.
Well worth the effort to make it.

I put the utensils in the kitchen bowl to soak and realised I’d not done the yet. So, I did.

WHOOPS – Up to Hyper- 2 again.
Tsk!

Inchcock: Monday 31st October 2022

01/11/2022 / Inchie / 4 Comments

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Last night, well, this morning, at about 00:30hrs, I burst awake in needing a wee-wee. Wretchedly, I suffered one of my longest-ever Post-Micturitional (PMD) dribbles; It came and looked like stopping more times than I have fingers on my hands, but it didn’t! When it eventually stopped, I was wide awake. You tend to wake up after ten minutes of cursing and talking to Little Inchie under your breath! I think I passed more urine in the oh, so slow after-dribble than I did in the main event.
I took the NWWB (Nocturnal-Wee-Wee-Bucket) and emptied it in the WC, washed the container, disinfected it well and sprayed some Dettol in it – then returned it to its usual standing place, which has no obstructions or anything to fall over getting to it in an emergency or hurry.

Off to the kitchenette, pleased to note that the taps were both off, not left running, no parts of the stove were turned on, the slow cooker was also turned of, and the fridge and freezer doors were shut. . Aha, a decent start to the day, then!
I thought I’d celebrate by making a mug of Thompson’s Signature Blend tea for myself.
I soon got distracted by the pretty lights on view through the kitchen window, though.
I knocked the kitchen roll holder off of the ledge, opening the window to take a look. As I got down to retrieve the loose mass of paper towels and the broken-in-two wooden roll holder, I had a rare (recently, anyway), attack from . He’s not visited me for weeks now… but he’s back! I stuck the spindle into the base of the holder and hoped for the best. Shaun only persisted for a couple of minutes, but had anyone seen him, they would be a bit weary of me; he could shake me a bit viciously at times.

I took four shots of the beautiful night scenery. The second one came out a bit blurry, but I took it again, and it came out just fine. once again!

As if was in need of support in giving me hassle when I was closing the windows, joined in the ‘Give-it-to-Inchie onslaught!’ She stayed for ages! I took a guzzle of the Pentac medicine to calm her down. It didn’t!

I took the tea to the computer and started her up… Of course, it wasn’t a surprise to see the Liberty-Global, Virgin Media, go down before my very eyes. If you are an unlucky customer with them, you tend to expect it to be down than be available. Humph!

With number-cruncher, flimflam, hokum, smoke & mirrors man, Mike Fries in charge, what else can you expect? On his pathetic, paltry $23.6 million pay packet per year. Spit!
But this man’s inability to run an internet service that works does not bother me at all, really. It’s just jealousy!

Rang came in and presented me with a whiteboard with a pen and eraser attached. How kind of him!
We got the medications sorted out, and Richard checked the medicine drawer. He’s got an extra call today to do yet, so couldn’t stay too long. But we had a natter and laugh, I gave him his bagged-up Monday treats, and off he went, taking the three waste bags with him as he departed. Thanks, Richard!

Into the kitchen, I wobbled.

Got the vinegar and salt mixes made up and re-bottled.

Then it came to me… Things do that occasionally, you know… not very often, I admit! But with making an error on the Cataracts day on Saturday, I’d moved the Asda order to Thursday, so it didn’t clash – which it doesn’t now; I decided to get a Morrison order in with Amazon for later today, so as long as they have them in stock, I can get some bread, washing-up liquid, flowers for the Wardens treats, tonic water, tomatoes and Thompson’s Signature tea bags in. Oh, and some potatoes.

Aha! Liberty-Global Virgin Internet was back working! Not a lot of people can say that! Hehehe!
Finally, I got on with updating the Sunday blog.
Posted it off and did some Pinteresting of the photos. Then started this template creationing.
Into the afternoon now, and I’m miles behind. No one from Meridian Health & Care has gotten in touch with me as I asked them to. Still, they may come later.
I gave Deana a ring and got her this time. She will kindly call later. I’ve got to ring her when and if the flowers arrive, and she’ll take a look at the Cataract’s letter for me. She will ring Easy-Link to see if they will make a card account for me. Nice!

Photograph loading and I found this picture on the SD card.
Apparently, another Shaking Shaun or Peripheral Pete prompted an accidental shot to be taken.
I know where I took it, but why is a mystery.
Methinks another accidental one?

I went into the kitchen, and because I could not remember why I had made the trip into the kitchenette, I took this photo of the now brighter day from the window.

The intercom buzzed before I could remember why I was standing there, and it was the Amazon delivery of Morrison’s food arriving.

A nice young man who was patient with me. He made two trips up the lift for me so as not to squash the food. I think the Asda deliverymen feel obligated to split-open packets, and dented cans and ensure that the bleach is leaking!

There were just two items unavailable They only had one pack of curried chips, and I’d forgotten what the other thing was, but I know that I wasn’t bothered about it. Very pleased that they had the baking potatoes in stock. They looked okay, not battered and bruised. I could have said Not like Asda. Hehe!

The tomatoes were from the Netherlands. Not like the near-poisonous Spanish Asda ones.

ILC (Independent Living Coordinator), Oberstgrüppenfuhreress, Warden and Primo Ballerina, Warden Deana, arrived to help me with the mammoth, many double-sided sheets of Cataract details and instructions.

The gal was getting phone calls all the time. But she coped magnificently well with it all.
And still sorted me out with the things that I needed to take with me. Told me to ask Meridian’s bossess, Tina, if she could supply a list of medications I’m currently taking. I’ve to take it with me to the QMC.
It seems that this visit is for two more assessments and not for the operation. That’s five assessments I’ve already had, and it will be six on the 9th of November… No seven!

She really is a treasure, our Deana. I don’t know how she copes with all the problems from the clients, lifts breaking down, taps and leaks, yobboes breaking into the place, repairs etc. And now she has another Vascular Dementia sufferer that needs more help than ever. ♥

❶ Deana made a list of things I need to take with me to the hospital.
❷ She rang the QMC, and Deana arranged an NHS lift for the 9th of November.
❸ Arranged an Easy-Link lift for 10:00hrs in the morning, 1st of November, at 10:00hrs
❹ She’s awaiting an answer from Easy-Link to see if I can open an account with them.
All without breaking into a sweat – Worra Gal! ♥

Gave her the Warden’s flowers; I get some whenever I can early each week as a special thank you. Then five minutes after she had left, my Nokia 9 Pureview Mobile, with its Android (Pie) updateability, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Octa-Core Gold CPU, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR video, USB Type-C 3.1, %x12 MP. 28mm Camera, Bluetooth, A-GPS, Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, Li-Po 3320 mAh, non-removable, fast charging 18W, Quick Charge 3.0, USB Power Delivery. Fast wireless charging 10W – with Qi Battery… rang. here?

❺ It was Deana, to tell me that Easy-Lift had given me an account. FANTASTIC! No more searching around and struggling to find the cash to pay them!
❻ Deana has saved the day for me again! I am currently now feeling more content than I have been for months! (The last time that Deana rescued a bad situation for me!) ♥.

In celebration, I put the oven on to make some chips and sausages to have with some of the Sourdough bread and BBQ sauce later on! I’ll watch Heartbeat and eat them… Oh, the chips were the other thing not available at Morrisons. They sent battered onion rings. They’ll do me. Anne Gyna seems to be settling; I took an extra Omeprazole while Deana was here.

Back in the morning or later tonight, we’ll see to update things.
It’s morning. Update:

A right mixed bag of a meal tonight. Bad, worse and horrible contents of the plate! The beer-battered onions substitute sent for curried chips were Horrid! Greasy as heck, with rock-hard batter and runny onions inside. I did eat a few of them, proving my sadistic side! Haha! Is that the right word? Imitation sausage burgers, tasteless, dry and pointless! The tomatoes were nice, though. The sourdough bread was tasty enough, dipped in the unpleasantly, too strongly flavoured HP BBQ sauce. The lemon yoghourt was weak and watery. So, thank heavens for the tomatoes and bread. Overall Flavour-Rating: A too generous 4/10. Been belching all night after this meal!

Came in, stirring me back into a life of sorts. When I mentioned that Meridian bossess Tina had not called, Sam said, Yes, she’s been busy. She’ll call tomorrow if she gets time. I explained that I had to go to Doctor for the Frailty Test Review results on Tuesday. Sam said she could come in the afternoon, maybe? I said I had no idea how long the appointment would take, and it might involve another department being sent to. Sam said she’d ask Tina to call on Wednesday.
It’s all complicated getting senile and old. Don’t let anyone tell you differently!
Sam got the medications sorted, and we chatted. The canned treats for nurses and Carers are getting so low in choice now. I’ll see if I can get some G&T cans in tomorrow while out and about.
Carer Sam departed; I forget what we were talking about as she took the waste bag, but have an uneasy feeling it might have been something I ought to have written down on the Carer Richard-donated whiteboard? Humph!

Once again was in a stubborn mood. Each time I dropped off, I’d shoot awake after a few minutes, with my mouth full of the adipose flavour of the battered onion rings. I assumed I’d continued burping and belching in my sleep. The last time I remember shooting awake, I had to use the NWWB (Nocturnal-Wee-Wee-Bucket); it was 03:30hrs. The next waking and the rising were at 0535hrs, so I did get some sleep in. !

Mayhap this was my best day in ages, with help and verbiage…
Even with the Liberty-Global Virgin Media stoppage!
And Doreen Dementia’s thoughts pilferage!
Taking an extra Omeprazole dosage,
Contentment was on turbocharge!
Today held far less umbrage,
I even had some persiflage!
Oh, and a lousy sausage!
Hahaha!

Inchcock Today: Sunday 30th October 2022:

31/10/2022 / Inchie / 2 Comments

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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!
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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…

Precedently, unwelcomely, cleverly & soonly…

Well, this has stumped me!

Inchcock Today: Saturday 29th October 2022

30/10/2022 / Inchie / 2 Comments

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Early Morning Skies

Mystery Photo?

05:00hrs: I have never woken up like this before. The bursting back into imitation life was so violent, my whole body, and there’s a lot of it, you know; jumped up and landed back on the second-hand, £300, c1968, overwhelmingly-sickeningly beige coloured, tatty, uncomfortable recliner, and the second I realised that poor were bleeding, another problem arose. The need most necessitous need for the , this became crucially obvious. No leg stretching or balance exercises were considered. In fumbling-bumbling fashion, I somehow got myself to the wet room in what must have been a record time for me.
I’ve no idea how I held things back in rush to get there on time, but I did! and I believe warranted in this case. Although as I sat there as the evacuated produce squelched its own way out, I became aware of a pain in the left foot , and I assumed I must have stubbed it en route, but in my panicky haste to get to the Throne, hadn’t realised it. No extraordinary pong or bleeding either, and also, there was no input needed from me. Why I almost enjoyed it! This incident had taken my mind off of the disasters suffered yesterday. But as I washed and got changed into the day clobber, the memory of the hospital letter came to the fore, and I worried about how I was going to cope and not make mistakes with it.
I got cleaned and ointmentated. I was definitely in a better frame of mind than I was yesterday, but naturally, I was still worried about coping with the Cataract instructions, arranging the Easy-Lift both ways, can I find out what time to pick me up afterwards, have I got to use one of those listed in the letter transporters? How can get someone to go with me that doesn’t cost a fortune? Now, I’m getting myself worked up for nothing. Because there is nothing that can be done until Monday… and that’s if I can get through to anyone. Humph!

is starting to give me what for now. If joins in, I don’t think I’ll be any good for anything then.

I got on with updating the Friday blog. With all the details of the farces that took place and the worrying letter etc., Believe it or not, it took me a further nine hours to get it done! And then, before I made a start on this one! I fell a little and my thoughts got me feeling again.

Arrived and was in a positive mood. I feel my telling her about yesterday’s farces, and the Cataract letter should not have been mentioned. I think I must have sounded like an ineffective whinging old man! Which, fair enough, I am! But no need for me to advertise the fact is there.
Sam asked me if she wanted me to ask… I’ve forgotten her name now, but the new lady in charge at Meridian Health and Care; to call and see me on Monday. My EQ warned me of staggering upcoming charges at this point. But I’m stumped; how can get free help? Sam selected her bottle in thanks, and Sam took the two waste bags with her to the chute for me. ♥

Many hours later, still, I was still updating the Friday burlesque happenings when the landline rang. It was my neighbour and friend Jenny. She is on Virgin Media, and she told me that she’d received an email telling her that the internet would go down on Wednesday, 2nd November, for maintenance work. She knew I was on Virgin and let me know in case they hadn’t informed me. I found out later they had not let me know. This all adds to the frustrations. I mentioned the Cataracts are being done on the 1st of November, so I may not be able to use the internet for several days until the eye cover comes off. That was kind of her. Thanks, Jenny! ♥

In fact, I started to feel a little out of it after doing some more work and finally getting the blog sent off. Afterwards, I tried to get into the WP reader. Oh, I’m in… but will it let me post comments and likes? I’ll give it a go? Grrreat! I Got on! Better get the Health Checks done, then. It is getting late. The evening carer is due soon. Better get the sphygmomanometerisating done. Better late than never. You never know; the BP might be lower now? We shall see…

It was lower as well! Close to the Amber Zone, no less! Only just in the Hypertension Red-1!

I put some imitation slices in the oven on a lowish heat.

And in came Chloe. Told her, not moaningly though, of the problems I have with the Doctors visit and the Cataract 8-page letter of instructions that merely confuses me. Also, getting the cash to pay for the lifts and which service I am allowed to use, then booking them. I’ll only have one day come Monday, to sort it all. Then I’ve got to locate the two departments I’ve to go to? Pre-Assessment Clinic, then the East Day Cases Unit Outpatients Clinic! Chloe did the medications and said she would also remind their boss, Tina, that I needed help. I insisted she chose a drink in thanks. She took the waste bag with her when she left. Telling me not to worry. Not to worry? Me? Mission impossible nowadays, that is. Haha!

Then, yet another problem came to my attention. I found that I’d got an Asda-Walmart order due for Wednesday, the 2nd of November, the cataract repair day! WHAT NEXT? So, I changed the order day on the web. It took me a while to work out how to do it. But, within an hour or so, I’d got it moved to Thursday. Worra life!

Added these evening photos of the amazing sunset, all taken within half an hour. The rapidly changing scenes were brilliant.

Dearie me, Then I whiffed a smell of burning… the food in the oven!!!

I got the slices hacked free of the oven tray and got the pan in the sink in bleach, washing up liquid and soda.
Got the burnt offering slices and some fries from a packet on two paper plates and took them through to the computer. Pulled out the drawer and ate the burnt offerings while working on this blog. Not a wise decision after losing a tooth eating the same thing last night! But I got away with it.

Then the job of cleaning the oven, kitchen and pan had to be done.
Was again reluctant.

Keep Safe, Sound & Memories a Soupcon Souvenired!

Inchcock: Friday 28th August 2022

29/10/2022 / Inchie / 4 Comments

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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!

Inchcock: Sunday 23rd October 2022

24/10/2022 / Inchie / 6 Comments

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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!

Inchcock Today: Friday 21st October 2022

22/10/2022 / Inchie / 6 Comments

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Last night, I had just got to sleep, and 20 minutes later, I shot awake in some pain, with, of all things, agony with the Covid Booster arm. Followed seconds later by ... Hang on, I think I put this in the Thursday blog?
Anyway, it put an end to getting any sleep. I wanted to get on with blogging, but I could sit there in the £300, second-hand, c1968, cringingly-beige-coloured, not-working, rickety, incommodious, grotty recliner, stewing in my thoughts, and I admit it, self-pity. I walloped some extra Codeine 30g down and took a dollop of Pentax in vain hopes of easing , but she didn’t have it. Why did I go 12 hours after getting the injection with no signs of discomfort? Then when I finally get to sleep 20 minutes later, this happens?

I did muster enough interest to take these three poor shots of the view from the kitchen window.

There was no way I could muster the interest to try and update the blog… which is not me! Out of desperation, I put on a Sherlock Holmes DVD. But, the interest was not there.

Nine hours later, blasted from the doorbell. It was a very tired-looking Carer Jodie who came in. Tired as she was, she listened to my tales of Woe regarding the Covid jab and giving me trouble. I sorted some treats out in thanks. Bless her!

The arm is not getting any easier yet… but has eased off a bit. When Jodie’d gone, I pulled myself together a bit. And decided to get make a start on the
The blood pressure had gone up a smidge into the Hypertension 1+ area.
I got a little interest coming back now, and I changed the colouring on the Inchcock graphic. and the head photo too.

What did I say a few minutes ago? About ? She’s kicking off again with venom. Naughty ! I really must stop showing signs of hope and thoughts of improvement and shut my cake-hole

The Body temperature was still low. Why? I don’t know.
When I went on the NHS grading and recording site, I decided to do a few extra days’ worths. To give a better picture of how things were going these last few weeks.
There seems to be more in the amber this last fortnight?

All to the good, methinks.

I set to do the updating of the Thursday blog. Not a lot to put on it, mind you.
But I still made plenty of grammatical errors in doing it and getting it posted to WordPress. I’m good at that!
As I was making a start on this post. You would believe how much worse turned.
No concentration now, so I tried to make a meal. But was unsure if could eat it. In a pickle mentally here! I’ll make a smaller meal. But it turned out a bit of a chore this time. The Asda Parmentier, as usual, varied in size so much there was no chance of baking them from the carton, and the larger ones had to be quartered, so they were all about the same size for cooking. So I got the chopping board and sharp knife out.

Rang out, and I went to investigate. It was an Amazon delivery. Two items this time.

A bag of kitchen towels, a big one as well.Slightly smaller towels, but handy for the nose-blowing and rectifications of any , and/ or blood escapages. Not a lot of people know that! Haha! And two of the electricity box openers, cheap as well, they were. £2.50 for the pair. Looking at them, one can see why they were seemingly such good value. Hehehe!

With perfect timing, what I call ‘s ‘Stop-Me-Sensing’ with the finger ends, which resulted in two little cuts in the finger, and the loss of many of the potatoes when the nerves were not telling the brain I wanted to touch or grab anything. In this case, the potatoes to cut! I was silly to carry on with it, really. Cause I know this usually lasts for a few minutes at most. But, no, stubborn me made such a mess that needed cleaning up, blood, spuds on the floor and a knocked-over oven tray… which cost me ten times as long as it would have if I’d just waited! I think (I do that occasionally, you know!) it may be a part of my pointless resistance to having Peripheral Neuropathy? Does that make sense?

About three hours after putting the meal in the oven, it took that long I had to reheat the potatoes in the microwave oven as I cooked the Frikadellens! Served it up and added the tomatoes and naughty pot of lemon yoghourt. It was an even smaller meal than I had planned; due to the PN-inspired dropping of about a third of the cooked potatoes on the floor.

Despite all the malarkey in getting it cooked and the wee-wees going on a six-count flourish of visits to the NWWB (Nocturnal-Wee-Wee-Bucket) with plenty of PMD (Post-Micturition-Dribble) while I was supposed to eating it; I enjoyed it although it was colder than planned, there was less of it due to the many and multiple , so not as cold as it would have been, had I had a proper plateful… I’m getting confused here.

Chloe arrived. Advised her on the change in medications, which was prompted by my being given only one of the Lansoprozole capsules. With the agony of all the Angina attacks and getting the Doctor to listen to me, she doubled the dosage. No one had told Chloe. I’d written on the box in pen x2 now new dose. But obviously, she did not see it. I’ll have to speak to Richard on Monday; he is the one monitoring the medications. I got two boxes of Lansoprozole this month. so that’s good. Now I must let Meridian know about the two changes in doses. Cause the carers don’t all know. Not their fault. But I do not want to miss or have half of the Lansoprozoles while Anne Gyna is playing up so bad. Gave Sam a choice of treats, thanked her, and got ready to do battle with Sweet Morpheus again. Will he let me sleep tonight? I pray!

Wednesday 19th October 2022

20/10/202220/10/2022 / Inchie / 6 Comments

POLITICAL CARTOON

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A proper short one this time, sorry.
But, it took me that long to get the.
Monday blog updated (15:00hrs) & I
must rush cause I’m out tomorrow for
the Covid booster. TTFN.

Up at 03:30hrs: Worked on yesterday’s ode until 05:30hrs. Then off to the Porcelain Throne. Easier today! I set the alarm off by accident in the dressing stage, didn’t know I’d done it, but I thought I heard a voice in the flat. Had a look around and saw the alarm box flashing. Apologised.

Morning Views

Richard arrived, Yawningly – he was so tired. But, we managed a little natter and laugh, even a moan about things to each other. He was reluctant to take the freebies in thanks, but I sulked, and he took them. Hehe!

Was noisy again.