– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 0515hrs: I burst into life, bounded of off the bed and did a double somersault, catching the night bag as I landed on the floor and did fifty swift press-ups. Then ran yodelling away into the wet room and removed the night pouch. A bit of shadow boxing then… Well, alright then...
0515hrs: I woke up in the £300 second-hand shop bought, c1966. moth-eaten, bedraggled, grotty, cringingly-beige-coloured, much-dilapidated, crumb-containing from my nocturnal nibblings, bug-ridden, itch-inspiring, not working recliner.
I had to force myself t stay awake long enough to get up and fight against Dizzy Dennis and Lost-Balance-Belinda, as I painfully got the nocturnal bag freed and emptied. I was not in good condition, mentally of physically, this morning. Confusion Konrad had a grip on me. However, despite these things, I started the day and within 10 minutes of using the Porcelain Throne, guess who visited me? Yes, it was good old, much missed, and very welcome !
Trotsky Terence was in charge of the evacuation. Messy, very messy!
Four-Wheeled-Walker-Wally was still in there, from my returning from the opticians. I made a mental note to empty the pod, collapse Wally, and move it back into the balcony later. It was a big job for me, and it’s complicated because I have to move things around to make space to get to the balcony. (I didn’t)
Off to get the kettle on for a brew of Typhoo. I took a snap from the kitchen. Is that the moon or a light at the back? I’ll try to get another tomorrow.
The Carer Who calls me “Bapu”arrived. She pointed out that the Warfarin Dosage note was still not there. We had another quick search, but others and I had already made them for the sheets without finding them. I said I’d ring the Warfarin-DVT Clinic later to confirm the dosages. No problem in the morning, cause Warfarin is taken at teatime or in the evening. Nice that my “Baby-Princess” Carer had recognised it was missing. Medications were given, and she applied Phorpain gel to my knees. Oh, and my lower back.
I decided not to start the blog yet. I searched my Excel Medical file to get telephone numbers for my Doctors and the QMC Warfarin Anticoagulation-DVT Clinic. But the DVT number was not in the file. So I Googled to find it and added it to the Excel file, ready for when I can call. Then found that the number given was the same as the one for the QMC switchboard, so I amended the ones I’d put in the file.
I felt sneaking up on me. This, I assumed, was because I’d done, well, I thought I had done a decent job in getting the contact number… but still double-checked the numbers, just in case Arithmophobia Arron had made me get it wrong.
I tried the Doctor’s surgery first. This first call was answered by a Robot-AI. Telling me I was being transferred to “Our Customer Navigator. Beep-beep. Then I was connected to another Robot-AI. Telling me I had to pick a number to press; Press 1: If you are bleeding heavily or have chest pains, ring off and dial 999. Press 2: If your call is about prescriptions. Press Three; I couldn’t make out what the AI said on this one. But as I needed to know my current Warfarin doses, surely linked to prescriptions? I pressed 2 and got through to a third Robot-AI. “We do not accept prescription requests by telephone, Email, and started to tell me the most convoluted email address I’ve ever heard. Obviously, I could not keep up with what the electroid was blurting out at a rapid pace – so I rang off, pissed-off! I think it would be easier to get through to MI5 & MI6 than to get to my Doctor!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I tried ringing 111 to see if they could advise me on how to avoid being ignored, and maybe even who and how to contact for my Warfarin dosages. Or, not.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
A Robot-AI kicked in. Apparently, I was 23rd in the queue.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Then I rang the Queen’s Medical Centre Switchboard. Well, I was going to, when a Carer arrived. I told him of my difficulties, and we both had another search for the Warfarin-DVT Anticoagulation doses sheet. He couldn’t spend too long, but he did his best for me. A total failure, of course, par for the course. Only a ten-minute call at midday. I also mentioned all the photographs that I’d lost from yesterday’s visit to the opticians. Crying in front of the Carer was not an option, even though I felt like doing so. Hahaha!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Back to phoning the QMC switchboard.
The phone was answered almost straight away. For the first time, I was greeted by a human. Not a Robot-AI. I asked to be put through to the DVT Warfarin Anticoagulation Department, and within seconds, the call was transferred. Was my luck changing? No! It was getting worse, and it was answered by a Robot-AI! The electronic-faux-human rattled on, telling me the times they are open. I estimate exactly what he said, as best as I can. It may contain errors, or hopefully not. We are open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays between 1100hrs & 1600hrs; and open on Fridays from 1100hrs to 1500hrs. We are closed on Thursdays and weekends. You can contact your Doctor by phone or email, or 111 at any time… Hahaha! Just what I’d failed to do! You couldn’t make this rubbish up as fiction. No one would believe it. Farcicalness & the NHS go together like cheese & onion nowadays.
It’s the young ones I fear for, well, not the Oligarchs or Eton attending youngsters. More of the proletariat ones. The NHS is not fit for purpose.
Unfortunately, the only party I see that wants to cure the faults in the NHS is the ‘Your Party’. But they cannot win an election because they don’t have enough candidates to stand for Parliament.
A sad state of affairs, politically.
Today was a feast of embarrassment, frustration and confusion. All normal here then!
I started the ablutions. I cut shaving cream, cut gums while cleaning my teeth, and stubbed my toe against the support bar. These were not unusual incidents; they were everyday incidents. Hehehe! The ankle ulcer looked likely to erupt again. But blessedly, the Left and were rare today, as indeed they were last night in bed, only had three. I noticed that the finger’s mystery blue patches were back again. They don’t hurt, and it’s not often I can say that about my ailments, especially the catheter tube giving Little Inchy so much stick! The cut lip from yesterday’s was scabbing up already. I could see it later on, and the blood flowed.
I opened the window to take this shot but got wet in the rain. I closed it and took this shot as the rain suddenly got a lot heavier. I’d like to point out that I didn’t trap my finger! I’d turned off the flash, so I think the flash on the photo must have been from the reflection of the lightbulb.
Sorted the waste bins into one bag.
The end car park mudslide was building up.
I got on with updating yesterday’s blog. But for some unknown reason, the damned tube was so painful this morning. And it felt again, just like yesterday, that I thought I was getting a backflow? Still, it’s only pain. Luckily, I have an incredible pain tolerance level and am a brave, heroic sort of chap, you know. It made concentration difficult, and, of course, many mistakes were made and corrected. I expect I missed many.
Carer Shaquille called. Medicated me, put the diabetic socks on for me, and the light build blew! He heard it crack! I got the spare out of the cabinet, and he offered to swap the bulbs. He’s a tall lad who could reach up easily enough. It took him ages, as the bayonet in the socket had a bit of plastic broken off, making it difficult to fit it in, but he did it. The replacement bulb had a clear glass. Boy, it’s got a bright light; neither of us could believe it. Thank you, Shaquille! Saved the day!
I tried to concentrate on the blog as best as I could. Cock-up, following a mistake, quickly followed by another error.
Carer Sam arrived. I was telling her about the problem and pain with the Catheter. (Which, incidentally, eased off a lot of hours later.) However, the pains started almost the second Little Inchie got some respite. It’s being so lucky that keeps me going, you know.
Still raining!
I think this was an unintentional snap that I took. I’m not sure what I Kodak-Tim’d.
The flow of urine increased. It suddenly became less frequent that I had to empty the pouch. And I was busy blogging (or making mistakes), so I wasn’t drinking anywhere near the usual spring water intake. But what I was passing was gin clear with none of the fluffy bits in it. I was baffled and in pain at the same time. After about an hour, the flow restarted. Then the pain lessened, still there, but far less severe. I thought, what’s going on here?
Carer Israel arrived as I was emptying the pouch into the jug. He pointed out that the fluffy bits were back again! Embarrassingly, he looked at the tube entry point and noticed that light brown gunk around the plastic tube had also returned. He wanted to ring the Doctor for me. But the pain was easier to cope with. (Of course, it got worse later. Tsk!)
It’s still raining!
Took this shot later. Came out fairly well. Apart from the blotchy smudges, of course.
I noticed this advertisement when looking for local snippets earlier in the day. It reminded me of my cyber buddy, Tim Price in New Mexico. He’s a clever photographer and naturist, amongst other qualities. He lives near a bosque, and his photographs of the local Owls are just great. Here’s one in particular that I think should be in a nature or art gallery. Brilliant! I’d loved to have gone on a visit to see the baby owls.
This is the early morning shot of the mudslide. This one is how it looks now! Wet!
I think the rain is easing off.
Ten minutes later – Yes, at last!
A late call from Carer Israel is due anytime now. Then it’s food, then Kip for me! Israel arrived. My socks were taken off, medication was given, and he checked the Catheter for me. Gunk still leaking from the tube at the insertion point. Tsk!
Food attended to.
How did you do? Well, that should have been easy enough. Even I got two of them. Hehe!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – MORE MURDER – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I spent so long trying and failing to get CorelDraw set up how I wanted it to be. I spent 11 hours between interruptions, Throne Visits, Mind-Blanks, and a Seizure, stopping the blood flowing from Little Inchie and nearly two hours getting the ablutions done & sorting out the Catheter Pouch. Little else got done. Carer Joanne saved the day when the Liberty-Global Virgin fibre TV stopped working. I put it on early in the day to watch the news, but a flashing red light on the TV and a blank light on the box told me something was wrong, but of course, I hadn’t the vaguest idea what was causing it. I still don’t, but saviour Joanne got it going again. What a gal! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Well, darker this morning!
Jolly unpleasant, but no bleeding.
Ankle ulcer flaring up a smidge.
The hand burn has now lost all its scabs. No pain at all. The ablutioning took me close to two hours – and that was without shaving! Getting medicated took a lot longer than usual. The barrier creaming had a farcical element to it. I couldn’t get the cap off of the tube, and I spent an unusually long time trying to. I dried my hands and tried again. That didn’t work, so I got a resin flannel for a better grip and tried again. That didn’t work. So, I got the dangerous job of getting the fresh Protection Pants on and will try the Barrier Cream cap-removing again later. How to describe the performance of getting these pants on is an opportunity for a little humour, I think. The picture that might help you glean the situation is that of a two-legged, wobbly, overweight elephant with arthritis and cartilage pains in both legs. Neither knee wanted to lift or bend painlessly, trying to get into the pants. At one stage, lifting the right leg to get it in the PPs, and I had a bad-timed involuntary kick-off. I then and tore the Protection Pants as I wobbled about, trying to keep my balance. Which, luckily, I did. During this altercation, I also knocked the pot with the Barrier, Germoloid and Daktacort creams in it onto the floor. With the aid of a small plastic picker-upperer, I got the torn PPs off and started the procedure again with new ones. Apart from being painful, all went reasonably well. I Phorpain gelled the knees. Got the catheter refitted, just the pouch to go on when the Carer arrives. Then, I returned to the infamous Barrier Cream’s unmovable cap problem. And Blow me down with a feather duster, the tube’s cap opened easily! So, in future, should the same thing happen, I’ll just try dancing about, stubbing my toe, and throwing the Barrier Cream tube on the floor to solve the issue? Hahaha! I felt like getting back into bed!
I took a shot of the morning view. It was well-lit by the time I got out of the wet room. There is a blotch on the photo again. I can’t understand why these appear at times and not at others. Mind you, it’s not surprising; there is an awful lot I don’t understand or grasp nowadays. Anything new after the Stroke is not retainable in the grey cells-well, anywhere, really. The nose marks from the spectacles were prominent this morning. , or began as soon as I started trying to sort out the new CorelDraw layout and options. My memory has lost so many things today, yet the early morning mayhem in the wet room came to me distinctly? I do know that the New version crashed twice yesterday after I’d changed some options. And I’ve lost many fonts that the program has substituted with ones that are nothing like the original ones? A bit like ordering food online, which I have to do. I’ve had some amazing substitutions. The best (or worst) was from J Sainsbury. I’d ordered some cherryade. That was substituted with a tin of Cherry Blossom black shoe polish! A close second was From Asda. I’d ordered frozen lamb & mutton burgers and got a bag of frozen chips in place for them! I thought I’d turn the TV on for the news. (Details under the date above) Carer Chris came to raid the nibbles and drink treats. Haha! He reminded me about the Vitamin B12, and got the diabetic socks fitted for me. He also took the laundry down for me with him as he left. The problem with the fonts was discovered. I’ve been bold enough yet to try risking changing them again, as last time I did, CorelDraw froze on me. What to do? A few shots of the sky were taken. I think I’ve got them in order of their taking. Not much else is pictured, as KI was constantly working on changing the CorelDraw options all day and didn’t get around to this blog until Sunday.
These two must have been the first Kodak Tim snaps taken. Early in the day they must have been photographed, I assume so anyway. I think there were a lot of distant contrails in these two pictures. I had to zoom in on CorelDraw to see them. Cataract Katie and Glaucoma Gladys, are why.
My much-missed walking through everyday tree copse. I can still recall the aroma as I walked through it. Nowadays, I can’t even walk up the gravel path. A sadness lingers over this. You wouldn’t believe the pleasure I got walking through the copse. The insects, birds, squirrels, rats and I’d stop for a chinwag to each one every morning. Took the one on the right, and remember taking these two. The end car park area. I wonder how long it will be until the trees cover it completely? Massive Memory Blanks. Until I went to make a snack, I didn’t feel the need for a proper meal. This could have something to do with my eating loads of sugar snap peas, I think. I can’t resist the tasty little crisps, but not hard things. I intend to stop eating them when these ones I’ve got are finished; I’m determined to, definitely!
So I had a quick-to-prepare, unhealthy, naughty, but very small, mini-feast of flavour. A delightful dollop of tastiness and a little guilt with it. I’m eating some flavoured potato chips from a packet, along with a full packet of the indulgent, irresistible DJ&A Snap Pea crisps and roasted peas. I also ate a tiny pot of mandarins in orange jelly. Oh, and a vegan cheese and onion pasty. Slurp, licklickingly good! But the guilt tinged it a bit.
Erm? What’s with the top corner bit top circle?
I got my head down after filling the Carers pockets with nibbles. Wanting to stay awake to take photos of tonight’s anticipated Aurora Borealis Storm. But it didn’t work out… Zzz!
Someone sent me this photo of it though, via email. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I hope you will all get a chance to see the display for real!
I got the diabetic socks that had been returned wet from the laundry and hung them to dry on the balcony. Carer Chris put them on for me while he was nibbling the treats. Haha!
Kitchen view from inside.
Another go at getting CorelDraw sorted out, as I would like it to be for ease of selecting functions, toolbars, colour pallets, etc. I decided that I’d press on with it even if it took me a couple of hours. Carers calling broke my concentration a few times. Now, this may sound extreme… But, eight hours later, I was still struggling with the CorelDraw amendments and settings, and I gave up!
I did take some sky photograph breaks, though. These above and below were taken first. A little later…
Then these beauties. Getting a smidge darker. Closer… Bootiful!
Smashing meal for once.
Then, I had another go at the CorelDraw amendments. But was too tired and weary within a few minutes. Zzz! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Or it might have been Carer Victor or Israel. Erm, if I remember correctly, I’ll reveal it all on Monday. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – It was not an extraordinary sort of day, with a few intermittent happenings that were out of the ordinary. I can’t recall having a single , no, honestly! A carer failed to arrive for the midday checks, which was not all that unexpected; last Monday, a morning medication Carer failed to arrive. The ailments and injuries were, as usual, ever-present.
My , or of course it may have been , added up to three. This seems to be the agreed count these last few days, with my brain taking over masters in conjunction. For some unknown reason, the burn on the right hand of the oven rack is taking a while to stop being painful. Constipation Conrad is back in charge of the evacuations. My concentration is no worse than yesterday. Not that that’s saying much. I think Concentration Konrad is now a permanent fixture. He joins the other ailments as a part of the Mysteries of Woodthorpe Court, with the hobgoblins, spectres, gnomai, phantasms, ghosts, the grotesque succubae, extraterrestrials, ectoplasms, spirits, or the Fata Morganas, that have been sent to taunt, irritate and terminate my already limited saneness of mind, which is losing its marbles? It’s a busy week coming up, too. On Tuesday, the J Sainsbury order arrives – a big one, too! On Wednesday, the Pegasus Police form must be filled in and posted back – without any help from Caregiver Kara, who is on holiday for a fortnight. The results could be catastrophic if I get confused and fill it in wrongly, but a man of calibre should be able to cope. When I worked at Tesco, I had six tills to cash up, making sure the money was right, coupons were given and checked, and even the issue of Green Shield stamps had to be checked every day of the week. Of course, that was in 1966, a few years ago now. My brain had most of its functions working. All were pre my getting shot (twice), cancer, heart operation, duodenal ulcer operation, Cataract Katie, Glaucoma Gladys, Saccades Sandra, Dementia Doreen, falling in a lake, having the Stroke, getting Peripheral Neuropathy, Cancer of the bladder – Catheter Bag fitted… currently the most painful of the ailments! FND, Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetic Polyneuropathy – leading to Diabetes 2. Going deaf, a failed Cataract operation – currently awaiting a second one, a Glaucoma operation and having a permanent catheter fitted, Cartilage Chloe (left knee), Cartilage Carole (right knee), Onychovryptosis (Ingrowing toenails), None-Epileptic Seizure Disorder Dina, Cognitive Impairment Iris, Vasculitis Vanessa, Dental caries, which in turn assist my given ability for . I wear alert wristbands; if I wore one for each ailment, I’d run out of wrist and arm-room. Hahaha! I’m still searching for an ‘Allergic to Clopidogrel’ wristband. Not that I have room to wear it, Hehe! They give Clopidogrel to everyone taken in after a stroke. But we didn’t know until it was too late that I was allergic to it. Thus, then I got Peripheral Neuropathy. But it’s been fun and exciting. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I think I saw a speck of blood in the bag this morning when I photo’d it. Likely, it’s just a reflection from the flash, I assumed? Much drizzle is out there from the balcony’s right window. The usual excellent parking is available from our senior citizens on the yellow chevrons, indicating, do not park here. I’m not jealous that the drivers can still afford to own one. Or that my licence had to be surrendered due to the ailments making me unsafe on the roads. Har, Har! The drugs would still have me nodding off; that’ll most likely be the s. Coming home from work one day from Rempstone, I stopped at some traffic lights in Clifton and dosed off for two hours. I woke up in an ambulance going to the hospital. I felt fine; I just have no memory of what happened. Apparently, other drivers couldn’t wake me up and thought I’d snuffed it and called an ambulance and police. I decided that at that time, I’d hand in my licence. I realised that I could have killed someone. What if I’d been driving at the time? The RAC returned the car to my garage. I thanked them and cancelled my membership. Within two days, I’d given my beloved vehicle away. At least it helped a mate who was out of work. I never saw him again? Boy, I’ve waffled on here! Sorry. Off to the wet room. A rare return of . Almost caught me out! I was expecting a battle with . After the slushy evacuation, the stomach remained gurgling. I cleaned things up and started shaving.
Partway through doling, I hastily plonked down on the seat again for a repeat performance. Well, not so much, but what exited was even more watery this time. With a tinge of orange in the colour that was not there on the first session on the throne? By the time I finished shaving, washed, and did the medicationings for the delicate areas in need, then got the place cleaned up again, I’d been there for over two hours! It was a more painful-to-pass scenario, but I’d gladly welcome him back. Pants and slippers on again, I meandered out onto the balcony. The rain was still pouring down. I took the first two of the snaps. They were not very good, taken through the window glass. I hobbled into the kitchenette to do the same through the kitchen glass. All three show how much it was raining, though. We had a fair bit of it yesterday. There followed an almost rapid selection of I caught the hand in the window closing it, right on the burn scar, which naturally made me jump away… ; I knocked the towel roll and holder off of the window ledge. : The stalk broke off from the base. : Bending down to retrieve those as mentioned earlier, I hit my forehead on the edge of the radiator. Turned and dropped the walking stick, which hit the fridge and fell right on my left foot’s ingrowing toenail! Did I swear? Yes! And I did again when I realised I’d sprayed the kitchen cleaner all over the dressing gown when cleaning things up. Humph!
I got out the new vacuum cleaner and hoovered up the mess I’d made when walking to the wet room in the hallway. I took a snap of the new cleaner to show you the fancy headlights on the machine. Hehehe! The vacuum arrived in eleven pieces in a square box, with miniature writing on the instruction booklet. Luckily for me, Carer Chris came and assembled it within three minutes. Of course, I could have handled doing it quickly; I just wanted the lad Chris to think he’d done something worthwhile. . The new Catheter Pouch Bag keeps slipping down the leg. The new Tena Protection Pants keep slipping down. I also seem to have misplaced my hearing aids. I’ve checked the wet room, kitchen, rubbish tip room, and front room without any success. To the rescue again. He found the hearing aids within minutes. He’s a very good ferriter. While he was searching, he spotted some biscuits, and he had to have a packet. Hehehe! They had dropped behind the rickety 1962 G-Plan cabinet, and he retrieved them for me. Saved again! The evening sky kept changing hue. Well, I thought it did, anyway. Of course, what my eyes see and you may not do…
Or should that be the other way around? You can tell I’m getting tired, can’t you? My thoughts at this moment, remind me of vegetable dumpling stew… mixed, unclear and lumpy. I took this last, catching the edge of the window frame and the sun on its way home. There’s an elegance to these sunset shots. They’re vivid yet semi-opaque – a bit like the cameraman. Har-Har!
A simple nosh for a simpleton. Salt & vinegared chips, vegetarian sausages, a soft brown baguette with pickle-flavoured ketchup. Followed by a pot of mandarins in jelly. My hunger was pleasantly sated.
04:30hrs: I bounded lively out of the second-hand ex-hospital bed, yodelling with joy, got down, and did 100 press-ups. This was followed by 100 toe touches and some shadow-boxing for around 15 minutes or so… I suppose you know that the above is tommyrot, and ? Well, the 04:30hrs bit is true. The truth? 04:30hrs; I was rudely awoken by giving me grief. I lay there after they’d stopped, all warm and snug. I decided to stay there for a while longer… But no! The innards then burst into a threateningly long, gassy rumble! No choice now; I had to get to the ASAP! Which took me a lot longer than it should have. Why? I’ll tell yer! Hehe! I stubbed my toe on the bed leg in my haste. I swore briefly. Then dropped the and the tube pulled and bled away, not to mention the pain (Oh, I did, sorry). As I neared the , it became obvious that I was not going to get there quick enough for me to get the dressing gown and pants down in time! ! Tore the pants getting them down, and lifted the dressing gown up – else I’d never have made it. The evacuation, well it was the worst ever session, ever. Especially with some of it getting splashed onto me, the bowl, the lid and the floor. And wasn’t a quick one either. I felt as if someone was turning a tap on and off in my innards! Then, of course, I had to clean the mess up, which took me about an hour, I think. Next, I medicationalised the tender areas. I olive-oiled ears, sprayed my eyes, and applied barrier cream. I Germolened and Germoloided the more delicate departments. I mopped the floor as a supposedly final gesture, not knowing I’d be back in there within minutes. Oh, yes, I’m so glad I haven’t passed on my genes and chronic luck to an offspring!
I made up the waste bags into one. And realised that I was still carrying the night pouch around with me. What an absolute plonker! As I was about to go into the wet room with the intention of emptying the pouch, it was a saviour that I was where I was just outside the wet room door; an evacuation started immediately of its own accord this time. It was a rush and semi-panic again, but I did get here in time. With all the cleaning up from these two Trotsky Terence visits, I had two tubes from the toilet rolls I’d just put in the bag, and I finished another one here! Leaving the wet room, I was aware of the dangers of my habit of walking into the doorframe, so kept my good eye on the spacing, clever that I thought… …I tripped, banging the side of my mouth. Naturally, for me, anyway, I found afterwards that , and I had another broken tooth. Extra Codeines taken.
and Gragnagles! I got the computer on and was using CorelDraw, but the delete button stopped working on the keyboard! Then, the mousse scroller went on strike as well. Being the confused creature I am, all I could think of doing was change the batteries in the keyboard and mouse, so I did. Nothing changed. A Dark, Dank Depression came over me. Also, I think I had a Seizure. When I came out of it, I was on the bed?
I nervously tackle the computer again. It seemed to be working, not the delete button, but the mouse at least scrolled. stayed with me ever since. And so did , for another bash on the Throne. Not so bad this time, mind you, but had the first visit been like this, I would not have appreciated how bad it wasn’t… anyone following this cause I’m struggling. Hehehe!.
Arrived. She was coughing a bit still. She was kind enough to check the dates on the stuff in the fridge, not that there’s much left in there other than opened sauce jars, visitors’ drinkies, and the pasty I’ll have tonight. Either I’ve lost the photo, or I’m going mad.
The wee-wee is not coming so fast today. And I’ve been trying to drink more after the farcical, ridiculous, losing battle I had in the wet room. Humph! Carer Kara came. Usual visit and Domestic today. I was so glad at last to get some help. The gal set to cleaning the kitchen and wet room; both were in need, too! Kara didn’t have time to do the Banking this visit. She’s a good gal. She said she’d look at something but couldn’t remember what. Tomorrow is when she calls. Bless her cotton socks. I realised that I had made an . I took this photo this morning and forgot to put it in. Better late than wotsit? Haha! I got some potato cubes from the freezer and got them sorted out, getting rid of those I could that had the dreaded eye roots in them. These were Sainsbury’s, too, not Asda (Walmart). They probably get them from the same place. A late afternoon shot taken at great risk of knocking over the knife block (I’ve nowhere safer to put it) or catching my finger closing the window. Haha! Very tasty! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I had mind wanderings, felt out of it, and experienced memory loss. For most of the day, I was in mental confusion. There were no scribbled memory notes on the pad, apart from the date and getting up time (although I thought I had been doing them). Apart from Carer Joanne and I think Marie, then Christopher… even they may be wrong. I did go to bed early, I think. I’m afraid this is not much of a blog. I seem to have been in never-never-mind land for long periods, so I haven’t done any news snippets. Oh, Carer Chris pointed out that my clocks were showing the wrong time, an hour out, so I lost another hour. I’d forgotten to change them for the fifth year. Tsk! Sorry.
No recollection, but I took it, obviously.
Vaguely recall taking these from the kitchenette window of the miserable morning.
Must have intended to tell you a story of the medications, judging by this photo. Not the foggiest idea what, if anything happened. Although I woke with an aching ride shoulder this morning, so just maybe a tumble to doorframe charge?
I must have been in a rare with-it mode here.
I can’t remember prepping or cooking this nosh, but I noticed that I’d cleaned all the cooking utensils when taking the pots to be washed after eating it. No notepad, so no record of the score I gave it, but it went down well, that much I know. Haddock in batter, instant potato with cheese, tomatoes and garden peas. Ah, I remember now… Carer Chris had to help me with prepping the meal. I broke the can opener trying to get open the first can of peas. We found another can with a ring pull, that snapped off! Chris got the heavy-duty pliers bashed his way in, and peeled back the torn lid. Bits and pieces are coming back to me when I see some photos taken, others, I can’t even remember taking. Thanking you .
Not sure when I took this one. Nice, though.
Took this Kodak Tim shot after washing the pots after the mini feast.
I was sure I’d gotten into the second-hand bed to settle, but I woke up back in the £300 second-hand shop purchased, c1966, welt-causing, uncomfortable, not-working, itch-inspirational, crumb-containing recliner. Then again, fantasy, reality, practicality, and mystery often merge together when I’m in this frustrating state of mind.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Woke and rose at 04:15hrs: After over five hours of kipping! Grrreat! Took me a while to nod off, but I only had three, I think
And didn’t visit me once! But, as usual, when I moved, this time it was both & giving me grief, and it must have taken me five minutes to get to the wet room. More on that later.
The absolute worst thing to affect me was in the late afternoon, & launched an attack that I ended up surrendering to and gave up trying to do this blog. Defeated!
With the coughing and downfall of skin when the forehead. , I’m surprised I have any skin left on my head; it was falling off all day. Later I rang Sister Jane, and she and hubby Pete were not in good health at all. Jane’s cough sounded terrible. I’m worried about her now. As I moved to get the B17 tablets that Jane had told me had arsenic in them and told me not to use them, to read the label – I went down on one knee. Suddenly, I dropped the landline telephone. , I took a tumble when gave way. I grappled my way back up on my feet to get to the landline; poor Jane was coughing away something wicked. So many people seem to have this ‘Lurgie’ thing this week. Several Carers, the nurse, the electrician… oh, and me. I hope it’s not another form of Covid, and HMG wants to keep it quiet, with the election coming up?
Much later, I tried again to get some blogging done. Well, I did a bit, but it was error-ridden and amazingly hard work, trying to keep a clear head on the task.
Passed well, not a bad colour.
Concrete, mush, torpedo, gooey, nothing moved, wet and watery, squirty… Never the same twice in a row! You watch it now I’ve said that. Hehe!
Kitchen view.
Back to the wet room. Not for the again, but to clean up Little Inchies bleeding, I caught the catheter tube closing the window. Talk about hurt! Cleaned it up and medicated things
On leaving the wet room, I saw the moon high in the sky. I thought this is worth photographicalisationing. But could I get a decent shot? No! This is getting bad now. This time, as I was trying to get a decent shot, a , not only that but joined in as well. Then, after taking the sad pictures and closing the window… , I knocked the knife block off of the window ledge. The tip end of the cheese knife broke off when it hit the floor.
Naturally, these incidents didn’t phase or bother me in the slightest. I just laughed them off.
I made a brew of Glengettie and got the computer on to work on this blog. A new Caregiver arrived and Medicated me, put the diabetic soaks on for me, and had a little natter. What about escapes me now. Tsk!
I computed for it appears, for five hours, according to the clock, but not according to the work and progress not done on the blog. I may have suffered a or maybe , but I recall nothing of this time whatsoever. The rot had set in.
called, and I bluffed my way through. I think, in fact, I did not stop talking to the poor gal. It would help if I could remember what she was talking about. I think I may have, possibly, conceivably mentioned the Lurgy because Joanne sounded like she had a sore throat… or did she?
I did continue on the blog, but it was a bit farcical. I’ll have to get u[ early in the morning so I can get a shave and shower before the Carer arrives, then get back on this Inchy blog. I’d taken some photos… I know this cause I found them on the SD card. What amazing views. Gorgeous. Oh, how I’d love to recall the pleasure of taking them.
These two below, I took later. I do recall taking these.
I won’t make a meal yet cause it’s close to the last Carer calling time. I’m a different being compared to the one I was hours ago. Struggling a bit here!
But I’m so glad I got the graphics and ode done early on.
Best nosh in a long time.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – You Take Care Out There, Please!
Made a brew. The carer arrived; I forgot to ask them to take my laundry bag… again!
This’ll see me to the funeral.
That filled up quick again!.
Next, a box of catheters was delivered. Then, some spare straps.
I decided to have a snack, a meat pastie. I put it in the oven and returned to blogging. Two hours later, I smelt the burning. The top of the shortcrust pastry had literally exploded in the oven. Pain and effort were gone through to clean the mess up afterwards; it was taken matter-of-factly and light-heartedly. That was because today, the ups & downs periods continued, just the same as for the last four days. Shame, but the pie was well and truly beyond salvation or eating!
Blimey filled up again!
But I did get to do some crosswording. Started a new one and was doing well until a mind freeze developed and mental confusion reigned.
See the stain on the carpet? That was where the damned catheter had been leaking, for all the time I was merrily crosswording and waiting for the evacuation to develop, that never did! Humph!
I tried to take some decent shots of the evening view as I titivated the stew I was cooking. A bit wobbly this one!
Blimus! Filled again! But the colour was much lighter; I’d say it was a perfect number one on the NHS grading card!
I’m not sure why I made such a fowl-tasting bean stew. Make the regularly, but have never done one with such a terrible flavour? Eurgh! I managed a few spoonfuls and gave up as Carer Victor arrived. Got the ankle and neg straps removed. Took his BP & vitals. (They can’t touch me for it, Hahaha!)
