Tuesday 30th July 2019
Croatian: Utorak, 30 Srpnja 2019
02:30hrs. I woke, hearing the oddest submarine sonar rebounding sounds! The noise seemed to be everywhere around me? I got the hearing aids in to listen, but they had to come out sharpish, as the noise modulations seemed an exact replica; not that I’ve ever been on an unterseeboot of course, I judged this on the films I’ve seen, they almost hurt my eardrums! The pitch or intonations were annoying, not loud, though, at all.
Confused, I had to get up and investigate. Nae bothers, in my extraction of the bulbously obese stomach and thin, scrawny limbs from the £300, second-hand, rickety recliner. Or in getting my balance and standing upright. (This was lovely to experience, but worrying, it was so unnatural). No demands from the innards for a wee-wee either! I had a poddle around searching for the source of the abnormal sound, as it slowly seemed to dissipate into the ether as I hobbled from room to room. Another 72 Woodthorpe Court, Unsolved mystery!
As luck would have it, (Yes, even I get some sometimes! Hehehe!) I was right next to the wet room door in the mini-hallway, when things began to move evacuationally, of their own accord inside… I made it, but only just, to the Porcelain Throne in time! What an absolute pleasure to free things without any hard pushing! It still hurt though, but not as much as it has been doing. Those Macrogol chrystals seem to have worked a treat! (You watch now, I’ll get diarrhoea next! Hahaha!)
Cleaned things and me up, first time for a messy session in ages.
I got the kettle on, and the handwashing checked, still far to damp to move them.
Come think of it, it was feeling almost cold this morning. I checked the thermometer, it showed 
a healthy 25°c – 74°f,
I did the health checks, not quite as good this morning. I think that the Blood Pressure was a little higher than it has been recently. Sys 14, Dia 130, the pulse was okay at 72. The body temperature was a lowly 33.9°c, well I thought that at first. So using the format given to me by 
Tim Price on the calculator, of course, it seems that this is 93.02°c? So, maybe I got a little confused again? Ahem!
Checked the emails, and a friend in the flats had asked me; if I was having a Morrison order coming, to get certain foods that were on offer. I emailed back, no problem. I got onto the computer and low and behold, they had none in stock! So, I’ll order some later for her. Sent an email again, explaining the situation.
Life is always messy, innit? Haha!
I got the Computer on – and more Windows updates came in! Then, as I started working on the updating process…
I got the Monday post finished in a reasonable time. The fingers, hands, arm, and leg were all being kind to me, not a lot of jerking, jumping and dancing. Only the shoulder shakes were of any real bother. A worrying few mini-dizzy-spells, though.
I checked on a different site for the week’s weather. Precipitation for today was given as 100%, with thunder. The remaining days showed as far less rain. We’ll see!
I went to make a brew of tea, and the clouds in the sky certainly, visually, backed up the forecast on the site.
I must not forget to call in the Sherwood Health Centre on the way out and get an appointment made for my toes to be clipped, as the receptionist told me to. By golly, the nails on the hand and feet grow so quickly now, after the stroke. I wonder why?
Ah, well, time to get the ablutions done. Back later, folks.
All done and dusted. The teggies were done. Shave completed with only two tiny nicks. The shower was taken, only dropping the soap once, and the showerhead, once. The drying off went Whoopsiedangleplop-free! The sock-glide was battled, and no Accifauxpas involved! Bit of a Fauxpa with the eye spray, I dropped it twice. The ointment for Haemorrhoid Harold was lost just the once… but, the darned leg did a bit a few seconds of a Tango, crossed with the Stomp, and I trod on the tube on the floor while I was retrieving it. (The usual bad-timing, Haha!) Which now needs a replacement! Ah, well!
I took the sorted black bags to the chute and returned to gather the requirements for the trip to Asda to get the rest of the shopping, that I couldn’t carry yesterday. But, with the INR Nurse not calling this week, at least I have the time go today.
The plan was to go out about 08:24hrs, this would, or should give my time to have a hobble up trough the park, and through the twitchel, and down to and along Elmswood Gardens to the Health Centre. Then get the appointment time to the next nail-clipping session. But as per normal… Humph and Angermaking Fiddlesticks!
I got Out, over Chestnut Way, pausing to take in the beautiful clump of trees at the bottom of the hill. Then, up the gravel footpath to the park, alright. Also, through the ginnel, stopping to take a photographicalisation of the fantastic view that greeted me at the end of the alley.
Down and right along to the end of Elmswood Drive. I admired the flowers en route to the Sherwood Health Centre.
A most curious, but I hope curiously, an unusual event happened then. I was watching some little black and red insects, who were buzzing around some pink flowers on the garden hedge. And I actually watched closely while on the whatever-they-were, stung me on my right index-finger-end. And felt nothing! No pain whatsoever. The bite or sting-thing was swelling up and turned bright red! Only a tiny area mind, about the size of the pinhead. I haven’t felt any discomfort at all. Hence, this is the first time I’ve found a benefit of being diagnosed with the CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Peripheral neuralgia) The nerve damage must have failed to get the message to the brain, that I’d just been stung? There is probably a more logical answer, but I like mine better. Hahaha! I must remember to ask my mate, Lynton Cox what he thinks. He’s a bit of a genius on these things.
For a minute or so, I thought I saw it throbbing. By the time I’d got to the clinic, about five minutes, I’d forgotten all about being bitten. Hehehe!
I got in the centre and to the receptionist, the same one who told me to call back this week. I gave her my NHS details. She rang the departed needed and spoke for a good while. I could not hear what was being said until she finished and came to the counter window. To tell me they have not made up the lists yet. “If you call again in two weeks, I can make you an appointment!” Precisely the same statement she made two weeks ago, that was why I was there! Hey-ho! I thanked her (again), and left, feeling a little less hopeful this time. I walked into Sherwood, with plenty of time to kill, before I could use the bus pass. So, being a tight-wad, I had a walk around the shops.
I called in the Co-op and bought a pack of salt & vinegar rice cakes and a packet of fresh garden peas. As I meandered around, I bumped into Welsh William a few times. He was doing the same as me, killing until he could use his free-bus-pass. Well!
When I got to the bus stop on the other side of the road, a naughty, ignorant git of a Pavement Cyclist came flying down the hill on the footpath.
He was that quick, I only just caught a glimpse of him on the picture. He’d just rounded the block on the mobile, then Welsh William (with the carrier bag) and was gone! Swine!
I met some of the clan from the flats and had a word with some, then the 58 bus I needed, arrived. It got Arnold very quickly, and so I had time to get the shopping in a slightly more relaxed manner. I utilised the shopping list and didn’t get anything that was not on it! Smug-Mode-Adopted! I used the regular checkout and bought Milk, beetroot, gherkins, Cheesy curls, lollies, rice cakes and a milk roll sliced loaf.
I struggled a bit packing the trolley and bag. So much so that I thought I might miss the bus after all! But no, I got to the bus stop, and within a minute the L9 arrived.
A gloriously sunny day, no signs of the promised rain yet. Back at Winwood Heights, I got home ASAP from the bus and got the fodder put away.
Got the kettle on and oven warming to use later and podded the garden peas and got them into the saucepan. Then went on the balcony and took some photographs of Chestnut Way.
While I had the camera in hand, I then took some pictures from different angles than usual. Of the residencies, a little more zoomed-in. I hope you like them.
I started to do the updating of this blog next. With so many photographicalisations, it took me hours to get this far.
When I went to make a mug of tea, boy, what a change in the weather from earlier. The heavens opened up!
I opened a window that didn’t claim any chinks of finger flesh this time. And took two shots to try and capture the falling drops of rain.
An hour later, and things had changed back again!
I was gob-smacked at this.
I wonder if it will revert again to the rain and go dark once more?
I am something of a pluviophile (someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days).
I got the nosh going, while I did some more updating.
Took the medications. Cooking finished.
The result, a nectarous, finger-licking, tasty plate of fodder! I believe this would be called a dogwood sandwich in New Mexico. (Thanks, Tim Price). A well-worth-it Flavour rating of 8/10. Had the Asda (Walmart) baby beetroots been a little less like ball-bearings in texture, it would have been a higher score! Tsk!
I got the handwashing done, rinsed and left hanging to dry. A bit like Theresa May, really!
As I got myself settled to watch some TV and got the pins up on the chair. I remembered that I had forgotten to tell Dr Vindla about the legs differing sizes.
The nerve-damaged right leg, was positively thinner, and the flesh much softer, but the scars, papsules and unidentified blotches had gotten much fainter?
The eyelids grew heavier.
Zzzz!
I went on to create some templates in advance (Although only two, but still, better than none) Hehe! 
Windows updates arrived, so I left them running. 
Outside and walking along Chestnut Way, I took this snap of Windwood and Winchester Courts. 
As I turned right onto Winchester Street, the fruits were well-advanced. Likely they had been encouraged by yesterday’s rain, perhaps, maybe… or not. 
The pace slowed a bit as I a got to the hilltop, picked up again as I almost lost control of the trolley a couple of times. No doubt about it, this trolley doesn’t like going downhill at all! 
. I’ll do them in the slow cooker! I had to buy a carrier bag, I’d left the one I purchased at Asda in the four-wheeler trolley (Humph!) An assistant helped me pack the cart and bag! But the card would not be accepted on swipe! As luck would have it, I remembered the number and put it in, and it worked. I hope I will not be charged the £12.17 four times!
not in a good state, but I was so glad to see them both. Looking good too! Yee-Haa! 
leaves and grass. In fact, it has hard to push the trolley with all the gunk on the wheels!
h!
I spent three hours updating this blog. Then got the nosh prepared and served up! 
I caught my balance, and off the few paces to the EGPWWB (Emergency Grey Plastic Wee-Wee Bucket). While I waited patiently for the surprising LLP (Long-Lasting-Powerfull) wee-wee to stop, I had a Mind-Maze-Medley of silly, futile, blood-curdling, daunting and unnerving thoughts attacked what little-bit of harmony I had gained from the supercalifragilisticexpialidociously enjoyable dream. What didn’t pass through the grey-cells while I was waiting for the longest-lasting ever wee-wee to end, would be easier to list than those that did! I was not sure if it was the physical effort, (although it did it all on its own), or the 
I opened the new unwanted thick-framed, light & view-blocking kitchen window, to take a snap of the morning view. And had to rush a bit, as the rain poured in over me! Hehe! As I was taking the cap off of the milk carton (the finger-ends are becoming unaware of contact made again, now), I dropped the cap and nearly fell over the stick as the hand lost its grip at just the wrong time, as I was bending down to pick up the lid! Ah, well, mustn’t complain after yesterday’s far easier polyneuropathy-hassle day.
Then got the kettle on and got the morning medications out ready. I still can’t get used to taking so few tablets now they have cut them down.
Made a start on this post, and needed a leak. Another of the LLP (Long-Lasting-Powerfull) wee-wees. Then went to make another brew.
I got the ablutions tended to next, as it was nearly eight o’clock. The legs looked far improved and had lost a lot of water retention.
Back to sort my nosh out. Peas in balsamic vinegar, gherkins, tomatoes, crispy edges of cheesy potato, franks and bacon juice chips (fries). 
Oh, what a mess! The quickest evacuation in weeks. But it was a harrowing, painful and sanguinary affair, in the extreme! Definitely, something to mention to the Doctor on Monday’s visit. Taradiddle thoughts passed through my mind, as I pondered on the probable causes of the off-colour and haemoglobin that flowed. Later, I added this incident to the notes to take with me to the surgery. I’m not going to be popular with Dr Vindla! Oh, dear! More work for the woman! “Please note, I did not go into detail, as requested by dozens of my mass of readers. Both of them! Hahaha!” 
The stomach was bloated a lot. But the legs looked far better, this morning. They were both of the same size, water retention-wise. A rarity that! Haha! 
Before moving on to doing the graphics needed, I moved the handwashing onto the stand-up airer. What a comical farce that turned out to be! And I can’t blame any shaking or dancing limbs, just me! 
Stopped to make a brew of tea, and boy, was it was raining. Not a storm of any sort, just persistent rain. 
I went onto the balcony for a few minutes and spotted two incoming visitors, I expect. They parked up and made their way to the flats along Chestnut Way in the rain. I was so happy to see the gentleman sharing his umbrella with his other half. 
Got the nosh prepared, and served up. 
Off to the kitchen, put the kettle on, and got the handwashing onto the drying frame. 
I started the ablutionalisationing. I had an excellent clean-up and an enjoyable shower. Three little cuts when shaving. Stubbed the toe against the WC seat-riser’s metal leg, and clouted my elbow against the hand-rail, when I bent down to pick up the tablet of soap I had dropped. The nerve-end problem affected right-hand, is getting more and more weak, ham-fisted and maladroit. I have a
I just had to take this photograph of the clouds outside, it was was attractive and beautiful. To me, anyway. 
So, I went into the Asda (Walmart) same as yesterday. I could not carry everything in one trip. Poor old thing! I got some more of the bacon-juice baked chips, a 3-pack of custard and fruit pots, and some more rice on special offer. Oh, and some nibbles for the Social hand-outs. I could not see any of the Gorilla tapes. I spent too long searching, and by the time I struggled, as others were doing, at the self serve tills, which played-up on everyone, I paid and got out, I had to go as fast as I could to the bus stop in time.
The L9 arrived about two minutes later! Phew! 
Later on, I felt the summoning to the Porcelain Throne. (Ah, is the Movicol working?) Off to the wet room, in hopes high for a much better evacuation session. Mmm, no luck, rock-solid, only wind escaped? 
Got the nosh cooking. I emptied the ‘Soulfood’ ready-made vegetarian meal, into a saucepan, and added the last of the fresh pod peas, and some halved mini-tomatoes. As in this photograph on the right. 
Got it served up and enjoyed it. Too much bread (Sliced Milk Roll) was eaten with it. (Guilty Mode Adopted) By gum, it was tasty! 
Agony. It took me a crossword and twenty-minutes of Porcelain derived pain. The blood flowed, the temperament seethed with frustration. Duodenal Donald started giving me grief, and I generally went down a few points in the already low satisfaction and contentment departments. Carrington Pharmacy, are about as reliable as a politician or used car salesman! Something else to add to the list of ailments to tell the Doctor about tomorrow. And that is only if I can find the written list I made in the first place! 
The legs looked a to be improving, though. Arthur Itis was all calm. Colin Cramps had eased-off. It seems like Duodenal Duncan, and Diarhorrea Donald had added themselves to today’s ‘Issues’ list, to worry about, and giving me grief! 
I just about had time to go to add the photos to the Facebook page, then got the Ablutions sorted out. 
I decided to take a walk, a gentle, steady amble, to the dead-end of Chestnut Way, to photograph an area I’ve not done before. I took this picture on the left, of the entrance to the new Winwood Court and office facilities.
The excellent windows being fitted in the Winwood Extra Care Court. And the outside entrance for Woodthorpe Court, on Chestnut Way. 
I got down. No humanoids were about again. I removed the clobber and folded it, there was only a dressing-coat, bath towel, woolly hat, a jumper and one pair of pants, to transport into the bag on the three-wheeled-trolley. Cleaned the filter and inside the drum. 
I got the nosh sorted and served up. 
I wobbled to the kitchen. Got the hand-washing done. Took the medications taken. Did the health checks, then made a brew of tea. 
Nosh. 
I contentedly galumphed my ever-growing flobby-bellied body, from the £300, second-hand, grotty-beige coloured, seen-better-days, rusty, rickety, c1968 recliner. 
Off to the kitchen. Where I rinsed out the soaking overnight hand wash bits and got them on the stand-up airer to encourage their drying process. Then got the kettle on, and did the Health Checks. The results were very pleasing (I think) today; Sys 128, Dia 71, Pulse 78, and temperature 34.8°c. The pulse had gone down a fair bit. I wonder if the lack of the INR nurse coming to take the blood, means that the level 
of Warfarin has gone too far up or down, and that has affected the reading level?
Just the one cut while shaving. Dropped the toothpaste. Dropped the razor twice, and stuck the scissors in my finger. All normal there then! Hahaha! 
HQ. Sarcasm & Insult distribution area. Tenants Socialisationistical Meeting Shed. Telling Inchcock off Zone. Memory blank message-giving and taking office. Where things like crockery and pottery get stolen from. Rumourmongering Clinic, and somewhere to rest while waiting for the bus, Portakabin. 
I took a photographicalisation of Winwood and Winchester Court, and the new passageway that is nearly finished, between Woodthorpe Court and Winwood Court, as I hobbled along Chestnut Way. Coming on well, now. The newly relaid again turf is looking better now we have had some rain. How long before cars go on it, dogs poo on it, and yobboes tear it up? Pessimistic? Me? Hahaha!
I realised that I might not make it to the bus stop on time. So, my top rate of knots (fair enough, it might not be much, but it got me breathing heavily). 
The bus soon had us back at the flats. My back was stinging a little again, as I hobbled along Chestnut Way to Woodthorpe Court. Which had had a long-overdue facelift and clean-up. 
into two separate bags so that the items can be disposed of in the correct manner.” They advised that residents do not throw out food for the birds, or throw food items out of their windows. 
As I was washing up the pots, the and its cloud formations looked fantastic, so much so, I got the Nikon camera and took a picture through the open, unwanted, work-creating, view-blocking, light-limiting, thick-framed new kitchen window. (In the morning, I tried to use the Red Eye remover, to take out a spot. But it was not an entirely successful first attempt. The place I tried to remove can still be seen. Huh! 
By Gawd it was cold. Then I realised I had left the unwanted hard-work new balcony door wide open overnight! Brrr! So I grabbed the walking stick and went to close it ASAP. 
. 
I did the ablutionalisational duties next. I ended up avoiding any of the toe-stubbings, came through the daily battle with the Sock-Glide unharmed as well. But I did accrue two little nicks when shaving. 
Also, I spotted the newly appeared spots, papsule, bruises, and pockmarks on the ever-increasing in size again, stomach! Oy Vay! 
But, the pins, still one slightly bigger than the other. However, both had lost a lot of fluid retention. 
I took a photo of some rather appealing yellow wildflowers en route, in Chestnut Walk. Luckily for me (very much so). 
Polish pork, fresh peas, mushrooms, gherkins, tomatoes, and Maris Piper chips. Likely that the chips (fries) were some of the worst I have ever tasted! Fatty and bland! 
02:15hrs: It was a rare case of dysania for me this morning. As it is well known, I am not a slugabed. In fact, I’m semi-proud of my ability, especially with the ‘Issues’ I have, to rise and shine with particular enthusiasm, even fervour sometimes, for whatever my unfortunate circumstance in life has thrown at me, or has in store for me, good and early. But the depression I woke up with today, was overbearing. 
My first thoughts were of the rather pathetic I’m-dooomed-mood I was in, and se
Then I needed another wee-wee! This one was totally different. A painless ELSOAO (Extra-Long-Spraying-Out-All-Over) mode. 
When I had to empty the grey bucket again, I very nearly dropped it, just before pouring it into the WC bowl. Huh! Then when it was left, the shakes enabled me to dropped it accurately, and it hit the right ankle, which made me jump, and I stubbed the right big toe against the seat-riser metal legs! 
Oh, I said balsa socks, didn’t I – I meant bamboo socks. Not like me to make mistakes! Mmm!
I set about finalising my grand feast then. A big plateful. With: Seasoned chips (fries), tuna chunks in brine, fresh garden peas, tomatoes, and some well-burnt, crispy cheesy-potatoes!