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FRIDAY 19th July 2027
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Another ever-waking-up night!
I got up to respond to a rare nocturnal demand for the 
Boy, was it hard. The word concrete came to mind as I sat there trying to force, to urge it along, a single torpedo. It was a dark green colour, with yellow tinges. It almost clunked as it was evacuated against the porcelain, too large to fit in the water. I guess 70% of it was out of the water.  
Possibly a record for me. Hehe! I cleaned myself up, a fair bit of bleeding as it painfully edged its way to freedom.
Tore off the PPs, I’ll ask the Carer in a few hours when he does the first call, to help me get them on.
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Missed off of yesterday’s post
I’d written these down on the notepad, but since I was forced to do mostly written info, I might have thought I was done with it until I looked at the post later on. It was hard work yesterday. Why? I’ll tell yers…
Midday, I asked the Carer to ring and report that my hot water was running cold. Again, I did not want to risk carrying the slow-cooker bowl and kettle from the kitchen to the wetroom and back several times just to have a wash and shave. High Accident Risk.
He was on my landline for about 4 minutes, then drifted back to his mobile phone to report the event. I called him, but no response, so I went out into the hallway and asked him if the cold water situation had been reported. “They will ring you back later”. I’ve never heard of them saying that before. So I asked again for confirmation. “Yes”, he said. Then disappeared into the hallway again. I asked him to mop the kitchen for me, which he did in four minutes. Nippy?
I asked him if he was going on a long call along with the short call – he checked his mobile, and said “Yes”. I inquired how long he had been doing. “1½hrs,” I asked him why was he playing on his phone, while the laundry still needed doing? He took the laundry down. I asked him to call Jenny to put her in the frame.
He returned later, five minutes later (nippy?). And said he had to go now. So, he went. Naturally, I got on with the blog and forgot all about the maintenance not calling.
About 16:10hrs, the Carer returned. I asked him again, “Had you been told they would ring back?” Answer, “I think so.” I asked him to call them, but he wasn’t interested. So after he left, I rang them as he left sharply. I asked him to make the rolls for me the same as the previous night. Which he did.
I got through to the Maintenance number and went through two sets of choices, but on the third set, I had difficulty hearing them. I opted for number 4, and the phone rang, changed to Music, with regular “All we ask is that you treat our staff with respect as they help sort your problem”, then back to Music. For twenty minutes!
I assumed that, as I was late, calling was the problem.
So two days, soon to be three days without a wash or shave. I’m running out of antiperspirant!
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Return to a hopefully chronological schedule.
I got back into bed, but sleep wasn’t forthcoming, only Agina’s and Shaking-Shoulder-Shirley’s pains.
I was surprised when I got up again and tested the tap to see if hot water had miraculously heated up (Huh!). It hadn’t, and when I put on the computer, it was only 02:45 hrs!
I could not believe it when the follow-through from the first evacuation started. How can this be when it was a rock-solid torpedo on the last visit? I casually hobbled my way to the WC, and was suddenly in a panic as I felt the escapee from the rear end on its way out, wet and warm! (Impossible surely?) But, no! This time it was controlled by !
An involuntary escapage, made worse and messier by my not having any Protection Pants on! I need to say no more about the incident.
However, I will do the cleanup of my body, the bowl, and the splashes!
The real worrying thing was taking all the pain, effort and time to free the dreadnaught an hour earlier, and then this Trotsky effort comes along, wet in the extreme, and all over in seconds. But overall, with the time spent cleaning up, they took about the same amount of time.
I stayed up and checked the dates on the food in the fridge. Then spent some time self-lambasting about my patheticness in not coping with all the messes and insurmountable problems amassed over the last 3 months, in addition to the older ones; and they all remain unsolved. And stewed over my failings. I thought that the effects of Premorbid Cognitive Impairment and the TBI on my abilities to do some things were not being taken into account. I have to accept this, no choice. But I am irked by some comments and instructions.
As with “You’ll have to go to the QMC A&E by taxi if you get any problems with this new Hooked Catheter”. No discussions, just an instruction for me for the future. I won’t go into all the problems this gives me physically, financially, time-wise, and practically.
These thoughts have increased my need and desire to please get put in a home.
Hopefully, a lot of these problems, for that is what they are for me, should be reduced.
One of the most heartwarming things I’ve been told this week is that Jenny & Frank said they could visit me. I am surviving now only through their support and understanding. Bless them; they have their own difficulties to cope with. Yet they find time to help me, so much, so often.❤️🤗X.
The above thought must have helped me calm down, for I soon fell into a deep sleep. Zzzz!
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CARER EJAZ TO THE RESCUE!
PROBLEMS started as the chime from the intercom rang out. My mind and body were all over the place. As best I can recall, a shortness of breath was the first thing I noted. I struggled to get out of bed, and even more to stand up & get my balance, in fact, I didn’t for a while. Carer Ejaz had to fill in the details of the next 15 minutes or so. This bit is now a blank to me.
I got to the door as Ejaz arrived. I was unaware of the night bag dragging as I walked. He took it off in the hallway. I was out-of-it, and wandering about, he said he had trouble getting me to settle and sit down. 
I was not talking properly, and he had to ask me to repeat things for a few minutes, although my normal stuttering returned minutes later. 
I seemed intent on asking him to get someone to ring the Council Repairs about my having no hot water, and had not washed or shaved for maybe three days now. Thank heavens it was Ejaz who called, not one of the others; he even checked this writing for me later, for accuracy, I had to change some things in it.
He said I was struggling to walk even with a stick, and fetched me back as I was apparently getting a bottle of soda water from the fridge, and I had one that I’d fetched earlier put on the falling-to-pieces cabinet the computer was on. He stood away from me as I wobbled back into the room and just collapsed, crumpled to the floor. He thought the right leg had given way by the way I went down. I had trouble getting hold of his hands as he tried to get me up. It seems I was way off target, but he soon had me up and onto the bed. He was musing over whether to call 999 and sat watching over me for a while. He thought I’d fallen asleep for ten minutes or so, then woke, looking around for the nocturnal Catheter bag, which concerned me, as it wasn’t there. Noting how I got up so easily & moved to the chair, he thought I was coming back then, but still asked if I wanted to press the alarm alert. I thanked him and declined the offer. He said he could understand me more easily when I talk at this point.
From here, I was more with it, and my memory was pretty clear of what happened.
The lad gave me the medications, making sure I took them all, with the mineral water, without dropping any. Like I did yesterday, I found a Codeine on the floor near the computer that the Carer had not noticed. Ejsz then Phorpain Gelled my right shoulder. He asked if I wanted a brew and bikkies or flakes for breakfast. I thanked him, but declined. (I think, no, I’m sure). 
I know I asked him, maybe not for the first time, if he could get someone to ring the NCC Repairs to confirm with them of how long I’d been without hot water.
And told him of the Carers’ cock-up, telling me they (NCC Repairs) were going to ring me back, and they didn’t, if indeed they had said that at all – they most likely told him they were so busy, I had to ring them back. And of my 3 failed attempts at getting through, the last time I waited 20 minutes before giving up. 
Ejaz had overstayed his time, bless him, and had to rush off. I don’t think I thanked him properly for his help.
I feel awful now about that.
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JS FOOD DELIVERY
The JC delivery arrived, just in time to miss the Carer.
Only one item was missing, which meant the cream cakes, lemon wafers, and orange & lemon mousse arrived for Jenny & Frank. Frank came up to collect them later. Kind of him. Some nice ready-made meals.
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I was slowly coming around and feeling a little better, more aware of things. And emailed Jenny in hopes of taking the treats down for her & Frank.
Frankie arrived, bless him, to pick up the treats. I think they’ll like these, without doubt. Got an email from Jenny explaining that I was a badly behaved boy. Hehe!❤️🌸
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I spent a while pondering why I was in such a state this morning, but reached no definitive conclusions.
This was my second night of only smatterings of sleep.
I was mega-tense last night, with all the problems old and new, like the NCC Repair line not working, a total of six calls have been made over the last two days, not getting through. No Carer has asked Carer Mirza to call the computer man for help with the new problems with the new computer; each and every one of them has been asked, and begged by me, to do it for me. The old and well-outstanding problems with the Oligarchs, Virgin Media, British Gas, Liberty-Global, TSB Bank, Repayment of ICC Fees, and trying to tell the world that I need to get proper help and Care… Still, never mind!
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Carer Andrew arrived, and I asked him again to ring the NCC to explain that I had no hot water. I also told him that two nights ago, he had not done the safety checks that should be done on leaving after each call. Oven, stove, taps not running in the kitchen or bathroom, and fridge & freezer doors not open. I burnt my fingers on the hot pot and nearly dropped the contents all over, but managed to miss myself and had to clean it up.
He said, ‘Sorry’, which was something. Again, he did not issue the Vit-3d tablets, but I understood why. They were for a short-course treatment, so these would not have been on the ICC Carers’ list, and I can’t always remember. I explained this to him and took the tablet from the pot myself, adding it to the midday pot of medications. I rang the number on my landline for the Carer and handed him the handset. We got the usual option making and then through to Music-‘All we ask is respect for our Agent as they deal with your problem’ -Music- to Music-‘All we ask is respect for our Agent as they deal with your problem’ Back to Music, All we ask is respect for our Agent as they deal with your problem’ – back to Music… What the phone call cost me, I don’t know or want to know. Within 25 minutes, someone answered the phone. Carer handed me the phone to confirm who I was, and gave permission for the Carer to handle things. Then we were put through to another department – ‘All we ask is respect for our Agent as they deal with your problem’ -Music- to Music-‘All we ask is respect for our Agent as they deal with your problem’ Back to Music, All we ask is respect for our Agent as they deal with your problem’ – back to Music… the Carer had wandered out into the hallway again when a voice came on, I beckoned him, and he got on the phone. Talked for a few minutes, answering questions, and declared that someone would be with us within 24 hours. At least we had a bit of success with a problem for once. 👍🏻😃 I avoided going into Smug-Mode!
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I realised how well I’d come on as the morning progressed. I’d still like to know what caused the mind-body confusion in the first place. I even remembered the Care Navigator Lady telling me to call the QMC, NHS Trust, or Control number to ask who to speak to about the problem of the lack of information given to me when I had to go in to have the hooked-Catheter fitted. I couldn’t find where I’d written the number down, so I looked it up on Google. 0115 924 9924. And rang it at 12:10hrs, it was engaged. 12:20hrs, it was engaged. 12:30hrs, it was engaged. I got on with this blog and tried again at 12:50hrs; it was engaged. I got through at 12:55hrs. Explained the problem, and the lady said I needed the Neurology Ext and would put me through to it. I asked her for the number in case I had to ring back: Ext 78331 Neurology. It rang and rang, rang & rang… I gave up. I kept trying on and off for another hour. Ringing but no answer.
Why was I not surprised?
I needed to know about changing the new hooked Catheter day bag. How often? Can the carers do it? The new array of tube holders looks collapsible. Does anything need changing on that? The plaster underneath the array says that it needs Alcohol to remove it? How do I get some, and where from? The plaster has fallen off of its own accord after two days. I’ve used finger plaster strips to try to contain it, but each has detached. Any advice on its importance? I am still using the regular night bags. Is this okay? Is my going to QMC A&E with any problems still apply? Is there a Heaven with St Peter’s gate? Will my Grim Reaper be able to help with these questions?
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Speedy Response From NCC Electrician
The next event was the arrival of an NCC electrician to investigate the hot water failure. At this point, why, how, I don’t know… I recalled the problem I am/was/am having with the British Gas Oligarchs. And before the gentleman started, I told him of the problem with the British Gas guys not allowing me on the site, and Ejaz doing his absolute best the one time we got on. He spent ages and ended up getting instructions on how to solve the issue. The layout was not like the one she said. The lad sent them photographs of the meter. Finally, on that call, a lady asked me, “Do you want me to send an engineer to look at your meter?” I replied, “That would be super-dooper, that’s what we’ve been asking for for over an hour!” But no one came. Unless, of course, because I spent so much time in the hospital, 3 days, 4 days and then five weeks, do you think they may have called then?
The electrician agreed that this could be the problem. The meter I had was unique for two reasons: it is over 15 years old, and it is the only one like it in the 650 flats at Winwood Heights! He said he would phone his boss to see if they could apply some pressure. Great!
He got the booster on, said it’s best to use it each day, and showed me how to apply it. I will take a while to heat up, but you might be able to have a wash and shave now if you find out when it is at its hottest, estimating 45 minutes after pressing the booster. Summat else to add to the confusion in my brain. The Carer came back, then left again. Having said that… I was amazed that after such an incomprehensibly bad start to the day, I was seemingly at the sharpest I’ve been for months mentally. The body had not improved much, though, recalling the need to phone the NCC and Neurology for advice, and of course, remembering the British Gas git’s problems, etc.
Now I foolishly entered a full Smug Mode!
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Tried Again To Reach The Hospital
Gotten Himmel, and Good Heavens!
I got through to the switchboard on the sixth try!
The lady asked me which extension I wanted. I remembered that Ext 78331 was the one I needed, and the phone was answered within two minutes.
I fumbled a bit verbally, trying to explain to her what I needed, since it was a new bent-end Catheter and I was unsure where to take it off, as it had a different layout. Many questions but no advice. After she’d had enough of me, she said she’d call the District Nurses. I told her it was nurses who gave me your number to ring!
Not the most usefull phone call. Incidentally, the Patient Navigator also gave me her number.
Now I don’t know whether she called the nurses, and I still don’t know how to change the pouch safely. Or if the swatch dropping off is important?
And, it’s due to be changed today.
Another Problem Joins The List!
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Looking back at the above, I may have gotten the chronological timing wrong. The facts are okay.
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Third visit of the day to the Porcelain Throne. What an odd pattern! Conrad is in charge of the first, Trotsky is in charge of the second. And for the third, Constipation Konrad was right back in charge of the proceedings!
I was amazed there was no bleeding.
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I stuck to getting this blog advanced, but realised the boost to the hot water must be about to stop, so went for a shave and a wash, and did the teggies. Back soon, I hope. Turned on the boost on the meter.
What a busy day!
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Carer Andrew came, which stopped me from shaving & washing. He paingelled the shoulder and legs for me, issued medications, and we looked at the new Catheter against the old ones. We think it might be safe to use them, but we are not certain. Hopes of a Nurse calling are fading as teatime arrives.
Now I’ll go back to the wet room and see if the water is hot enough to shave, a lot of stubble to remove.
Back in a bit, or longer.
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Two Hours later: I’m back.
The boost button warmed the water, but not enough to shave in, so I had to boil the kettle to add to the barely warm water. I can’t tell if I didn’t give the boost long enough or gave it too much time before running the tap.

In the wet room, I found some marks on some fingers, and got the scrubbing brush and bleach on them, as they were stubborn, in fact, impossible to get off.
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I tried to get some sleep, but, just like the last three nights, it only came with a few short nod-offs, and I was springing awake again. Getting fed up with this.
I got up at around 02:30hrs, and after struggling but managing to remove the Nocturnal Catheter pouch and put the PPs on, I got on the computer.
I noticed that I was getting a little slow, and the concentration was ebbing at times. I had an email from Jenny, & when I scrolled to reply to it, I could not find it! I think I responded to all she mentioned. Bless Her.
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I got this updated to hear, and posted it on WP.
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