– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
THURSDAY 22nd OCTOBER 2026
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Early delivery
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Drain Unblocker; Not for eating.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Chips shop chips; for eating
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Bottled water; for drinking.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Morning Sky
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Evening cuppa – Glengettie, of course.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
===============================
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
FRIDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2026
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Must sort out the bed rubbish.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
View through the balcony doors.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Aha, my knee wound scab finally fell off…
Looked a little like a seashell,
Tuned it over…
This side looked like a seaweed crisp with a covering of semolina on the other side.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I’d had little bother from the back pain today, until about 13:00hrs. Moved from the computer chair, and it was like the first time I developed Sciatica. Such pain from the right side of my back, and shooting down the right leg each time I stood up, sat down, twisted my torso, or even gently bent down. It’s the same now, 18 hours later.
Remembering the agony I went through last time, I took a Shortec®, Oxycodone Hydrochloride painkiller, hoping it would do some good. It was like last time; I laugh, I cough, stand up, sit down, it hurts. And using the right hand to carry the walking stick also makes the agony burst into life. Still, there you go. All a part & parcel of Inchies Tales of Woe. Another thing that worries me is the bladder backing up. There are a lot of white clumps of something from the bladder, and I have to manually squeeze the tube and shake sediments/incrustations through the tube and into the bag before the flowback pain. I’m sure others are suffering with this? Poor devils.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Warning Signs (When to Get Help)
Contact a Doctor immediately, or seek medical care if you notice any of the following:
A: A fever or chills. None!
B: Severe, sharp, or worsening pain that does not ease with repositioning. C: No urine output in the bag or a suspected blockage. D: Heavy bleeding or large blood clots in the urine.
This year I’ve had Catheter-wise:
A) Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Six.
B) Blockages: Four.
C) Bypassing: Two.
D) Bladder Spasms: Two.
E) Catheter-Associated Meatal Pressure Injury (CAMPI): Downward traction or pressure on the sensitive tissue at the tip of the penis (meatus), causing local tissue injury, and fungal lesions, bleeding, and jets of urine to shoot out through the lesions. Five times.
F) Urethral Trauma and Strictures: Forceful insertion, poor technique, or long-term friction can cause bleeding, inflammation, false passages, or scar tissue (strictures), including failed re-entries. Dozens of times!
G) Urinary & Local Signs: Cloudy or foul-smelling urine, blood in the urine (hematuria). Usual for me, regularly.
H) Strong or frequent urges to urinate, penile discomfort, and painful bladder. Lost count!
I) Systemic Signs: 1. High temperature 2. Shivers, fever, chills? 3) Fatigue. 4) Confusion. (3&4 Everyday)
J) Prostatitis & Prostatic Abscess: Infection can ascend into the prostate gland, causing swelling, focal inflammation, or abscess formation (risk is higher in diabetic men [Me!]). (Twice)
K) Epididymitis & Orchitis: Bacteria can travel down the vas deferens or ejaculatory ducts to cause painful swelling and inflammation of the epididymis or testicles. (Ah, yes, once. I had one testicle the size of a grapefruit, the left one like a peanut!)
L) Urine leakage (bypassing): Urine flows around the outside of the tube due to spasms or minor blockages. (Oh, yesiree! Usually when I’m in a hospital waiting room, on a bus or in a taxi)
K) Meatal irritation: Redness, crusty discharge, or mild pressure injury at the tip of the penis where the tube exits, causing penis and hairs to meld together. Painfully. Every bloody day!
L) False passages: Accidental tears or alternate channels created in the urethral wall during difficult insertions. (Repeatedly!)
M) Rare Long-Term Risks: Chronic inflammation over many years can theoretically raise the risk of metaplasia or bladder cancer.
Well, that was a delight to read.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
An Inchie-Catheter-Inspired-Ode
To encourage flow to the Catheter,
From the cancered bladder…
No, sorry, the cancered prostate, my error,
The Catheter is a cruel taskmaster,
I wish they could fit a turbocharger,
Plus, of course, Mr Burham advised…
Food and drinks will be limited,
Storm Austen viciously hits England,
Power may go down, cut off tap water,
Rain, wind, maybe a thundershower,
Stay indoors, wrap up, bugger the weather,
With wildfires, riots, wars so popular,
Trumpelstiltskin, still wanting Canada,
Suicidal world-ending A.I. technomania,
We may all catch trichotillomania?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Worra Grest Nosh this one was! Nothing
like the original one I started prepping.
I got the timing wrong on the original;
misread the minuscule cooking tips on
the outer packaging. I’ll tell you all the
involved.
I boiled the potatoes and peas together. Well,
I well-overcooked them, really. Turned
the oven on to heat up while I separated
the peas & spuds. Got some mint and salt,
rubbed into the overcooked potatoes.
Putting the vegetarian pie in the oven, I
dropped it and made a grab for it, ending
with just the pastry lid in my hand, the rest
of it splayed down my dressing gown, over
the Catheter, down my leg onto the floor.
(Ahem!) I laughed heartily, muttered
summat like, “Well fancy that!” Dusted myself
down, cleaned myself, the floor, and whistled
contentedly as I got a smaller pie, round vegan
pie from the fridge, and put the dish in the
microwave to keep the spuds & peas warm.
The lid of the other pie in the photo, copied
the first pie’s lid, and fell off!
If I recollect properly. Knocking a bottle of
soy sauce off of the counter as I did.
On the plus side, it did not break… however,
it did land straight on my ingrown toenail.
I smiled to myself and started singing, well,
hummed the Shadows Wonderful Land hit.
🎸Ding, ding, ding dum-dum de-ding 🥁
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Then I washed the dishes and watched ‘Heartbeat’ on TV, getting up several times to take shots of the night view below, in chronological order. (I think)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
FINAL THOUGHTS ODE
Thursday & Friday were both a bugger,
Although I could say summat other…
I knew it’d be bad; I’m not a soothsayer,
A good day? I don’t have a prayer,
My tunnel’s end? lightless, it’s darker,
Whoopsiedangleplops, life gets yuckier
Good fortune, success, can I get luckier?
Physically wrecked, mentally unstabler,
Hopes, dreams, faith, plans all wither,
Options, choices, decisions; no, I dither,
Carers that I can’t afford, I’m no viveur,
My doing this blog was once a saviour,
It helped to satiate my verbomania…
With my mind affected, I feel crazier…
Seizures, dementia, now an Alhziemer,
Deafness, cataract, TBI, and glaucoma,
Figures, facts, reality getting vaguer,
Contentment avoids me, gets rarer,
Time to get things done gets shorter,
Be prepared for when you get older…
Your attitude when you were younger,
May change, and also your behaviour,
Some turn huffier, pricklier, snappier,
Crotchetier, crustier, curmudgeonlier,
Decaying memory, so a bad timekeeper,
Surlier, gruffer, harsher, maybe ruder?
Then, like me, every day will be a bugger!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Carer Prem body check
Inchie Today: Tuesday 13th October 2026
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
TUESDAY 13th OCTOBER 2026
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
0525hrs: I woke up, smelled myself, and got up without any delay and went to the wet room. No, no, no! I’d not poo’d myself; I just noticed I had bad B.O.
I also noticed I had regrowth on my chest & a bulging tummy of freckles and tiny 
bursting pimples. The Carer took a snap of them later.
Then the call to the Porcelain Throne developed, with an added gurgling rumble; so I had to move quickly!
Emptying the pouch, I saw the dreaded signs of another bladder flow-back coming.
More of furry bits of the blasted Prostate, which tells me problems are brewing.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Banged into the ottoman on the way back to the front room. Another bruise on the knee, and the scab from the previous knocking into or over something.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
PROBLEM ONE: I got 3 emails saying the Catheter contraption spares are to be delivered today. With the intercom still not working and no signs of it being done, I decided I had to go 
down yet again to the lobby to await its arrival at the start of the two-hour window given to me. So, I did! (Old photo used), since I didn’t take the camera.
After and short wait, the van arrived. The driver was not in a good mood – my EQ advised me to be kind to him; he was definitely tense over something. He didn’t say much, but he didn’t need to; I got his vibes, poor chap. Back up in the flat, he put the box in the doorway; I thanked him and shot off.
PROBLEM TWO: I foolishy bent down to lift the box, and took it through and onto the bed, for the next Carer to sort out for me. As I bent again to place the box on the bed, Snap! My back went! The agony continued for several hours before the blessed snapping-back into position came while I was sitting on the loo! I can’t complain; this is the first time it’s gone in… well, at least 6 months, if not longer.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Ejaz came and checked the contents: nocturnal pouches and day pouches, both with T-tap closures, day bag straps and Catheter top strap. Insert the tubes and vital pain-gel into Little Inchie before inserting the new tube, or when changing the whole contraption. I think they now realise and expect, as I do, that I’m going to get flowback agony again and need it released more often than ever. I think the fluffy bit coming out in the urine is because it’s bound to block it again eventually. I cringe at the thought of the pain I get when this happens.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
PROBLEM THREE: I wanted to call the Surgery to say the INR Warfarin test was not done yesterday. I also wanted to speak with them about the text message saying I have to go to the Surgery or hospital to have it done tomorrow and that I must take a Carer with me. I wanted to explain the problems with taxi costs, Carer costs, and that I can’t get extra calls without a few days’ notice anyway (Basically).
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I emailed Jenny about my problem. (She’s so knowledgeable, and I always ask her for guidance, which she gives freely 💗.) She advised me to email the Surgery. So, I did!
I bothered Jenny again, and she gave me links to find out why the message was blocked. I clicked…
Ah, now I know. Thanks, Jenny💜
Found this at the bottom of the page…
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT if you dare!
Couldn’t Be Simpler (I lie!)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
CONFUSING PROBLEM FOUR: Still unsolved.
Complicated too. A phone call: I received it from the Doctor’s Surgery. They said they had arranged a COVID injection, gave me a date, and they would do it at the flat. Great so far… It got me in a tizzy when she added, “We couldn’t arrange yesterday’s Warfarin INR blood test.”
“So you will have to come into the surgery, or go to the QMC hospital to have it taken”.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I was stunned. A semi-panic started to grow.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Then, in the early evening, I got another call from the Surgery. They asked if the Carer was there. I told her she’d just missed him. Asked me to make sure they ring the Surgery in the morning; it is important. I said I would.
But of course, I might forget. So I wrote on the whiteboard: “Carer: Please ring Surgery this morning”. Well, he might see it; it’s written big enough.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I detected a lot of furry bits of Prostate when I emptied the day bag. Not a self-assuring thing to find. I must pass this on to the District Nurses when they come.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I was getting irritable with things and myself. It’s a bloody good thing that I had no idea what was about to happen tomorrow. Although, with my luck, does it matter?
I gave up on starting this blog. I was so fed up, frustrated 
, and greatly depressed. Not to mention how tired and confused I was of today’s events. I turned of the computer and went into the kitchenette to make a meal.
My version of a vegetable curry. I put a can of ready-made veg curry (J. Sainsburies) in the pan. I added a tin of garden peas, then some chopped water chestnuts.
I found a carrot in the fridge, sliced it very thinly, and added it to the pot. Seasonings added: mild curry powder, soy sauce and a splash of teriyaki sauce.
Fingers crossed. 🤞🏼
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I emailed Jenny back, and while the meal was cooking, I took the boxes with the padding to the waste chute. Coming back to the flat, my right leg gave way without any warning (shaking) or time to prepare. But no bother, I threw myself in the corner of the recessed lift doors, and avoided going down on the hard floor or having to press my wristlet alarm. Mind you, they wouldn’t have heard me anyway at that distance. The bigger bonus was not going to the hospital to be ignored, then mauled. Plus, 
no damage to the Catheter or leaking! Yes, a bit of good luck there! No doubt! Back limpingly to the flat, and took a snap of the view from the kitchen window
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Then, tucked into the meal nice and early. Slurp!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Carer Prem arrived as I was washing the pots. A good lad. He removed my diabetic socks, fetched the torch which had had its solar panel in the kitchen window through the day. Got it in my dressing gown pocket. Asked if I’d eaten, pain killers given, and did a Catheter check.
Took this Snap of the same angle as the earlier one. I’m not getting on with these new Kodaks, disappointed.
Then I got things ready to sit down and put on the TV. 💤
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
My mind wandered back to the last QMC Visit.
My Catheter was getting blocked every 2 weeks. District nurses are finding it harder and harder to get back in; the pain increases with each attempt. On the last try, they could not get it back in, and the bladder was filling and, oh, so painful. I was told that this is a medical emergency (as if I didn’t know). I had to go to QMC A&E. I had to get a taxi to A&E for future blockages. More spending, reducing my dwindling funds. Jenny said it costs about £15 each way. I had to go to QMC straight away. Carer Ejaz was in the flat and got me dressed.
Got me in the taxi; off I went alone. I had to use coins to make up the £30. Traffic lights out, roadworks… it cost me £25.40 just getting there, so I didn’t have enough dosh to get back. At the A&E, I booked in. The receptionist looked up my details and asked, “Which Carer is with you, Ejaz or Mirza?” I told her neither, as this was a medical emergency, and I can’t produce a Carer with 15 minutes’ notice. I couldn’t afford one anyway. “Why do you pay for them?” I had no answer.
I sat down. I was called for a BP and Q&A session by a kind nurse, then sat down again. Eventually, a man came out to collect me, and I waited in another waiting room. Signed in and sat down. Then the most embarrassing thing happened: the fungal lesions on the penis started spraying urine and blood into my PP’s, and I could feel it going down my legs into my shoes. I’d taken a roll of kitchen towels and tried to hide in a corner while I stemmed the flow. I asked an attendant where the WC was. She said if I left now, I might miss my call. I quickly explained my problem. Told me the WC was near the Q&A entry doors where I came in.
I struggled with the walker through the corridors, sweating and fearing the blockage and leak might take me over. Got to the bog, found it unoccupied, and went straight in. The floor was completely covered in an inch-deep liquid; there was no soap, no toilet rolls and no paper towels.
Hobbled back to the room I was in, got lost en route, recovered, and the attendant told me I’d missed my call, to sit down again and wait. The urine was still trickling out, and I’d used all of my kitchen roll, as a Doctor came out & called my name.
He took out the old-fashioned Catheter and tried twice to insert the new hooked one, but failed. This boded badly for the future. He got on his phone, then took me through the corridors to another room and a medic, a Mr Someone. He was just getting his coat on to go home, so was not exactly in a jovial mood. Even he took twice as long to get the tube back in. He shot off. Apart from telling me not to let the sticky pod which held the new tube array on my leg come off. No tips on whether or when there was a schedule change, when maintenance visits would happen, or what types of pouches I should use. I felt a little uncared for. But that soon changed when I hobbled back to the big waiting area with my walker; by a bit of good luck, I spotted the lady who took my BP six hours ago when I arrived,t and gave her a quick version of my problems, including not having enough money for a taxi. She said I’ll be back in a minute; take a seat. (I did a lot of seat-taking that day) She returned to tell me she had arranged a lift for me. Minutes later, lift drivers came and put me into an ambulance. Being put in first indicated I was going to be dropped off last. Thanks to the kind nurse, I got a free late lift home. Bless her 💜 after about nine hours overall being out of the flat.
I printed this again. Hehehe! Sorry.
=====================================
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Stayed up until 03:00hrs to get this done
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –