EENT Clinic

Inchie: Monday, 28th September 2026

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Stirred back to life after 4.5 hrs of wonderful deep sleep. Pondering over getting up and what needed doing before the Carer arrived for the trip to the hospital.
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Forced my aching back body up from the bed onto my feet and carried out the balance exercises. Fell back onto the bed in the process. Cursed a little, then got back to mild exercising. Then looked for, but couldn’t find, the Camera to take shots of the view while making a mug of my favourite Glengettie tea. Never did find the Camera. Never made the tea either while looking for the Camera. And I’d used it to snap the flipping bed!
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I made the waste bags into one. Wandered off track a little; when I had to go to the Porcelain Throne. Firm, light brown, almost square chunks again. Knocking more things behind the floor cabinet. Tsk!
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Finished compiling Sunday’s blog and posted it; then the Carer Andrew arrived. I told him I’d swapped socks and washed my feet last night to save time today, with the EENT appointment being on.
He almost smiled. I asked him when he issued the medications to lather the medicated heat stuff on my back, and then put a pad on. The pad seems to have disappeared, or we forgot to put it on.
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He left, and a minute later the intercom chimed up. I got to it pretty quickly, but the damned thing would not work, not to open the door. I thought it might be Andrew coming back because he’d forgotten something when he left, so I stayed near the intercom in case he rang back. But no. The doorbell chimed, and it was a different blood vampire nurse arriving.
Did a god job, taking extra vials for Cardiac.
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Ode done for today’s blog.
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Off to the wet room to scrub up, shave, clean the teggies, and medicate where I can reach. No bleeding from the teeth. No cuts or nicks from shaving. I did drop the mouthwash bottle, though. After medicating the rear end, knees, and applying Phorpain gel to the hands, wrists and barrier cream where I could reach, I battled to get protective pants on without ripping them.
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Then, I even managed to get my trousers on unaided. 
. Then tried to get my shoes on unaided, falling onto the recliner in the process and knocking the new biscuit jar off of the ottoman, and it broke as it hit the floor. Took me ages to clear up the fragments of glass.
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Carer Ejaz arrived. He got my shoes and jumper on for me. Gave me some painkillers and checked that things were safe before ringing for a taxi. Then we went down to wait for it outside the flats. 
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The driver seemed addicted to driving down as many 20mph side roads as he could on the way. Still, it wasn’t too bad at £12.50. We got into the EENT and made a few wrong turns trying to find the laser room we needed. It was packed solid. Ejaz spotted one free seat and got me ensconced on it. Without hearing aids, I couldn’t hear what anyone said, even Ejaz in that waiting area. Good job, he came, too!
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We were summoned to a small room to have our eyes tested through a dot pad. Apparently, I have cataracts in both eyes, but they will do just the left one today. Sent back to the waiting area and waited.
We were called and taken through some short passageways to another room.
I thought it was for more tests, but I learned it was the laser treatment room. Which got me further confused. The treatment thingamajig was similar to the test ones last time, but I was not able to get my chin up high enough to get into position for the laser. Complications compounded when I did eventually get into a position to suit the Doctor; I was so tight, my Catheter tube got trapped underneath the mechanical box. And flow-back pains prevented me from keeping still. (Memories prompted of the last visit when I had a seizure).

The Doctor was getting a little peed off with me, I think. She was silent, possibly thinking for a short while, and then said something to Ejaz, and left the room. I asked Ejaz what was happening; he said she had gone to get some help. A man came back with the Doctor, and they changed the height of the chair, and he forced my back (much pain) forwards to hold me in position. I was still leaning towards the right, so as he pushed, I needed the occasional twisting of my neck back into the correct position, and he used his torso to keep me tight to the chin-rest. To be honest, I felt I was a right nuisance for them.
I must have been keeping all those other patients waiting & making their appointment late. She told me that’s all done. Both your eyes would be cloudy for a while. If you get any floaters or pain, get back to us.
No Blepha creams, no eye drops to take with me, no eye patch to wear; I was gobsmacked. I was ushered out of the door, and with Ejaz went to the front door of the unit & Ejaz called for a taxi. My eyes were mega-foggy by then. Ejaz said he asked if the taxi could stop at an ATM to get money so he could pay them; they agreed. 15 minutes later, the taxi arrived. He stopped at an ATM so I could pay him. Boy, what a roundabout route he took; this trip cost ÂŁ18,50.
Home, Ejaz medications given. Got me in night attire. Off he went, a good lad.
Eyes foggy; now the left eye is better than the right eye. Got to go back to have the right one done when they inform me. Bet that Doctor will take the day off when she sees me booked in. Hehe!
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I took two snaps,
of the evening sky.
Took off the hospital tab.
Reheated the potatoes to make a meal.
Tried to get a bit of the blog done, but eyes,
mood & tiredness beat me.
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Carer Prem did a late call.
Took the socks off, gave painkillers.
And reminded me to make sure the taps
and cooker were turned off when
I’d made and eaten the meal.
Vegetable Curry tonight.
Cobs defrosted from the freezer.
The crock-pot boiled spuds were
quartered and added to the feast.
The cons were crap, but all the
rest went down a real treat!
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Inchie Wed 22 July: Off to the EENY for Cataract Preppimg

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Inchies Hospital Day Blog
Wednesday 22nd July 2026
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Might be short, timewise, medical limitations, and the cost of the bloody taxis might bankrupt me. “Tsk!”
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Another broken sleep pattern. I rose, jumped out of the bed, did a double somersault over the c1966, ÂŁ300 Oxfam charity shop-bought, wincingly grotty, beige-coloured, crumb-covered from my nocturnal nibblings, itch-making, uncomfortable, positively unhealthy, and dangerous, no longer operational, virus-breeding, easy-to-fall-out-of, catheter-tube-trapping recliner. Popped out onto the balcony and sang a good morning yodel to the local neighbours, and did 200 naked press-ups…
All right, I know, I know. I’ll start again then.
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I woke at 05:15hrs, and stayed there, dejected, morose, and stayed in the same position, physically, but under the strain of mental turmoil and depression, for an hour or so. Thus, a normal awakening.
Again, I’d not put the night pouch on last night. It was so blown up I expected it to burst, but it didn’t. Was my luck changing? Hahaha! What a daft thought!
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I measured the jug of urine, and guessed the colour, and hastened, albeit it more of a hobbled-swift-limp, to the Porcelain Throne. This evacuation was in much more of a Constipation Conrad style, a rarity of late. Much to the displeasure of my haemorrhoids. Little cleaning up was needed, & no escpages. Which was a nice change
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Of to check if I’d left anything on the cooker, left the fridge or freezer doors open, or taps left running. Then took the potatoes from the pan, ran cold water on them and threw them away. Krangleturds! Then washed last night’s pots I’d left soaking in the sink.
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My mind semi-engaged, as I remembered this was the hospital day, and faux-planned what needed doing in preparation. Which, as usual, I abandoned and started doing something else. This time I strayed off the plot, and did the Health checks. And was pleasantly surprised to see (both of the day were) figures in just High. 
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I got the computer on, and realised I’d not made the list of things to do and take with me to the hospital. But got sidetracked in my mission, as Carer Akram arrived.
He noticed a fresh bruise on mt forehead. He took a snap of it with my camera. I could not see a bruise. Akram is a good listener and remembers things that I ask him to do, MedPhorpainand started without any asking or prompting. He Phorpained my back, neck, and shoulders after using the remover spray.
Issued the medications. I forgot to ask him to have the Catheter bag changed. 
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I spent a while making a list of things to do in preparation of the hospital visit, what to take with me. Mizra reminded me to take the paperwork last night, and put it into the waker-trolley for me in a hard envelope, bless him. The camera was too big to carry. A Kodak, and an old Kodak, so it is rather bulky and heavy.
Hearing aid in the tab-holes with new batteries, and both of my prescription glasses. Added the bus pass if needed, and enough money for the taxi each way.
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When the next Carer arrived, he thought that there would be no Escort coming. Then I got an email saying the Easy-Link lift to go to the QMC EENT had been cancelled due to the bus breaking down.
This brought on anger, as my bad luck gets more frequent every day! A deep depression, and fear about not having enough cash to pay both ways for taxis!
With a chance of no Escort as well, I was ready to call it a day. But I think a Carer said it was arranged, but it won’t be me… I clung to the hope.
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I turned off the computer, and pressed on with a stand-up wash, shave and teggie-cleaning in the wet room.
With a most disturbing uncertainty.
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As I washed and shaved, the telephone chirped into life. 
I got to the landline, and it was the Doctor’s surgery receptionist, giving me the INR test results.
I returned to the wet room to find I’d left the hot tap running and now, potentially had the cleanest wet room floor than ever before. I’d just put soap powder and bleach in the sink to soak the flannels, then the water spilt over onto the deck!
As I was mopping it up, I knocked a full kitchen roll into the flood. Without thinking, my mind at this point was engaged with self-pity… I bent down to retrieve it, and hit my head on the edge of the sink. Then the intercom
 chimed up. No video on the screen, just black. I pressed the open door button, and returned to the wet room and hastily got some more water to go down the drain hole.
Whoever it was on the intercom had not arrived yet. 
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PREPARING, TRAVELLING TO,
TREATMENT AND RETURNING
What a wonderful pleasure; it was Carer Ejaz who arrived to be mt escort to the hospital! I could not help myself and hugged him as he entered the room. Bad news about having to get taxis both ways, but he was such a help in getting me ready, and a comfort. He went through the list and made sure I’d got everything needed for the trip. Ordered a taxi and got me dressed; I gave Ejaz all the cash I had to sort paying the drivers with. And down to the main foyer in plenty of time to meet the cabbie. Helped me into the car, but the trolley walker collapsed in the boot, and we were off on our way to the hospital.  
The driver got us there in plenty of time. But by the time he’d struggled to get somewhere to park and drop us off, things were a little tight. £8.90, not bad that. I went in; no one was on the reception desk. Ejaz asked someone where we should be, and we were sent to the lifts. Once we got there, I recognised the layout from my last visit. We signed in and sat down waiting to be called in.
A few minutes later, a lady came and called out my name, and we followed her to a treatment room. I thought she looked like the lady who was treating me when I had the seizure. When we got in the room, I recognised her as the same lady. She was so understanding and patient with things and me, Bless Her.🌸🪷
A long session of eye-testing and Q&As followed. She was understanding of my struggle to get into position on the viewer, with pain from arthritis in my neck and shoulder. Never showing any sign of frustration. Nine different tests were done on each eye. Then the wall chart readings through different holed cards, and with various other patterns, were done. At this stage, she kindly explained the result so far. This was prompted by my Ejaz saying I thought I’d got Cataract in the left (far worse vision than the right one), and Glaucoma in the left eye. 
I was wrong. I’d got Cataract in both eyes. The floaters had increased greatly in the left eye, and were starting in the right one. Then she explained how serious it was, much worse than they were in her tests months ago when I had the seizure. That stopped the proceedings as she thought I was having a heart attack, and she called the CAT team, and I was kept in cardiac overnight. 
I did mention that when I’d been home for a few days, I was not sure if I’d been fully assessed or not. I called the hospital and asked if I needed to come in again, or await further tests. I was told, “They do know what they are doing”, and the phone died. She seemed concerned about this, and it prompted an apology for it taking them so long- months- to get in touch with me.
Then a lady said I need further tests in the scan room, for further examinations to clarify her own findings. She led us back to the waiting area, where I found a slightly higher chair to sit on as we waited.
I can’t recall the name of these scans, but they were better than a kaleidoscope, and much brighter.
On both eyes, she took several different scans. I was struggling to keep perfectly still, and she had to do a few again. But she was patient with me, and talked throughout, explaining what she was testing and what she was testing. But even with the hearing aids, I didn’t realise this; Ejaz told me afterwards. 
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Then all done, the first lady collected us, and we went back to the first treatment room. One more test on both, for clarification with scans.
Then, some eye drops were put in. I was given two double-sided A4 print-outs, with tips and procedures to be followed, and follow-up guidance. The print was so tiny, minuscule! She recommended that I get someone to read it to me. Had she noticed the hearing aids I was wearing?
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I was hoping to get the tram & bus back home was we left for the exit; both free with my passes. But no, Ejaz (not his fault) ordered a taxi, as he had to get me home quickly, as he had his regular client to visit. My immediate thought was, why am I no longer a regular with Ejaz? I sense some ulterior motive for this. Thus my £39 in the morning dwindled to £3.45 by the time we got back to the flat.
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Well, gone midnight now, I’m so weary. I’ll try to make a meal up, and myself get to bed. Not that I anticipate getting much sleep. So many nights of broken sleep, with the mind always rattling away reminding me of my multitude of unresolved problems,
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TASTE RATING: 7.1/10
Knocked ice off of individual clunks of out-of-date chips from the oven. They were not as good-tasting as anticipated. But the no-butter buttered bread rolls, and last of the Roquefort cheese? Delicious!
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🌹🌺🌷TTFN🌷🌺🌹
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Inchy: Friday 1st December 2023 EENT Hospital

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Well behind after the hospital visit. This’ll have to be cut short. I took a few piccies. memory & confusion difficulties.

The urine is still too dark.

The moving moon. Or was it me moving?

Mug of Glengettie. My having to go out with trousers on, I did not drink anything else, in case the bladder did the dirty on me like on the last visit, and suddenly filled up, and the pouch dropped down my leg and I had a messy job of getting to the WC while holding onto the pouch, and walker, struggled to get into a cubicle, to empty the little monkey of a bladder bag!

Through the balcony window. It was -3c.

Carer, then a second visit to the

In an hour! Gave-Up!

Got it done in time, then sorted out the needs for the visit to the QMC. Got down to the foyer in plenty of time, and utilised the crossword book, while waiting for the Easy Link lift to arrive. Which came a little late. But with the state of the icy roads, I expected it.
Set off, with the nice driverless avoiding the speed bump route, after I mentioned the bleeding haemorrhoids from last week’s lift. Bless her!
Winchester Street icy- Hill.

Don’t remember taking this one at all? I was also confused as to how I’d got a different shape of photos from ?

EENT arriving, area freed of ice, Security Guards.

The driver dropped me off; she had to dash off for her next customer, so as I was walking in through the front doors of the EENT…
“There was movement in my trousers!” 
Yes, the filled and fell down my leg. Once again, I had a messy job of getting to the WC, while holding onto the pouch, and walker, struggling to get into a cubicle, to empty the little monkey of a bladder bag! A chap helped me to get into the cubicle. Thanking him!
Got lost finding the treatment room, but someone was at hand to tell me it was at the end of the pointed out corridor, left through the double doors, and that’s it. I thanked them. They sent me to another corridor, but I found that one easily enough.
Took a seat after showing the lady the paper work.
A young lady collected me and we went into the sized for eye-testing room. A bath on several different machines, and although I did have trouble holding my head steady enough, and she had to do some of the procedures from scratch again when I apologised and mentioned Peripheral Neuropathy Pete being to blame, she was very understanding. Her Sister-in-Law suffers the same, so she was in the know of my problems. ♥
I’ve to arrange another eye test ASAP, as after the chart test, she said my vision urgently needs correcting.
Thanked her and departed…
Funny innit, how easy it is to get lost in a maze of corridors going in the opposite direction, that you went through two hours earlier? Hehehe!

I stayed in the snug NHS lift area, as the gal would not be back for a while, and I anticipate she will be late again with the weather she’s coping with. It was a lot warmer in that place to wait.

Took this snap as I fought off falling asleep.
I had to move to the front of the building to await the bus as the time was approaching. I sat in the outer lobby, where some chairs were available… But could not stand it for long. So cold, and the two sets of automatic doors forever opening and closing made it worse.
So I went inside and I leaned against a corner, leaning near a wall panel heater on the wall.

Half an hour later, the mini-bus arrived. The gal rushed toward me and said; “Sorry, got to go the loo!” 
She disappeared from view…
Returning ten minutes later, saying Phew!

I took this snap as I settled in the minibus.
We were soon back at the flats. I insisted she have a choice of nibbles and drinks form the trolley, as she’d done a grand appreciated job for me today. ♥

Going into the foyer, I met three tenants that I’d not seen for ages. Gaynor keeps looking younger each time I see her. Lovely lady. Enjoyed a chin-wag with them.
Up to the flat.
Despite my not having drunk anything for several hours, the day pouch was already half-full after the emergency emptying at the hospital? 
Not a good colour either, not for the daytime.

Made a start on this blog layout. I spent about three hours on this, CorelDraw was playing up again, and during the struggle…
went down six times

Gave up. I’ll have to get it done in the morrow.

The day pouch was soon filling up after I’d started to drink the water again. But still, a reddish colour that flowed into the pouch!

The Carer arrived, a helpful lad, Didn’t catch his name. Victor, I think. He tightened up the pouch strappings for me. Medications were given.
I think it was Victor, but could have been anyone with my lack of short-term memory, who sent me this photo of Sherwood. Yesterday or today’s scene? 

I was well weary after the day’s gadabouts. Again, I didn’t feel up to bother with making a proper meal.
So, a burger cob and chips it was.
BBQ sauce and bread, and a pot of jelly.
Taste-Rating: 7.2/10. (I was hungry!)

The Lace holes.
Did you get it?
Well, done!

Fare thee all Well!

Inchy: Thursday 30th November 2023

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Oh, dearie, me, night bag?

affected.
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The first-day pouch emptying.
What the heck is that in the bowl?

It’s still icy out there…

The bottom field is, too!

Far end protected by the poor trees?

The pigeons were only on one rooftop?
It must be a feeder living there.

Took a tumble. Nae bother.

Nightfall.

I only got one of them. Tsk!

Bad day for the internet…

To Date!

Late Carer, from another sight. Fear, or Fuhrer, I think his name was. Lovely lad, Sorted me, no strapping needed. I tried some new hearing aid batteries. Not much of an improvement, though.

I got some chips in the oven and garden peas in the saucepan. I will do a burger of sorts to go with them a little later on.

Back later, I hope.

I’m Back!

Super-Meal! Taste: 9.3/10!

Not looking forward to the struggle to get to the hospital this Friday morning. Cheers!

Inchy: Thursday 31st August 2023 – Cataract done at EENT, QMC

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Woke in the usual jerking fashion. I am concerned about getting things done in time and in the correct order for the trip to the EENT hospital and, if possible, getting the Wednesday blog finished and posted to give me a chance to make a start on today’s blog, tonight.
That doesn’t read right, does it?
Grabbed the Kodak and took some shots of the legs & feet.
I think I took this one by mistake…
A close-up of the feet showed they were still of a different colouration to each other. The ankle ulcer looks like it just might be coming back again. Nothing new there!
Removed the night pouch from the day bag.
03:25hrs: I was up and ready to take on the world… well, I felt okay compared to the last two mornings. The thought of getting out into the world from this flat possibly encouraged me, although I am still concerned about whether or not they will do the Cataract procedure. Odds at 50/50 methinks, if the Blepharitis has not cleared up. Please be cleared up! Off to the wet room to get the ablutioning done.
This took me an hour and a half. The shaving did not go well. Cuts and a terribly bad job done, too. Humph!

All done, although not successfully, I decided to take some photos from the hallway when I got out of the wet room.
Outside the wet room.
Hallway end rubbish and the three-wheeled-walker. That’ll need sorting with the things I need to take with me.
To my right, the kitchenette.
Ott he waste bag sorted and put near the front door.

Carer Richard arrived. He’s nearly done; just a few more calls to make. He looked weary to me.

Did some blogging with
Went down six times in half an hour.

Readied the three-wheeler, and got dressed, then had a quick rinse in the wet room. Emptied the catheter pouch before leaving the flat. Don’t want to get caught out!
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Awaited the Link lift in the foyer.
The day’s events…
Set off to wait for the minibus.
We arrived eventually, as we were taking a scenic route so the driver could pick up another passenger en route on Derby Road from a care home. No photos cause I was belted in and could not get at Kodak Kevin in the trolley.

Only managed to get one photo inside the EENT.
It was a busy visit this time. I started by going to the wrong reception to sign in… Someone saw me looking lost, and I showed her the paperwork, which did not mention the ‘D’ floor. I should have gone up to the ‘D’ floor, so I went up to the ‘D’ floor.

The lady took me into a waiting area, where I waited. A small room with a TV on, only one free seat, where I sat, and my three-wheeled Trolley blocked the other patient’s view of the TV. I got the crossword book out. Later, I was collected and taken through another waiting area into a room to have the eye tested for Blepharitis and signed a form consenting to the operation. Then, back to the small waiting area, where the patients were all watching the TV – but had to sit on the same seat as before and block their view again. I mentioned en route, that my catheter bag was getting full.

Next, another nurse collected me, taking me into the big waiting area. The lady reviewed the details and asked many questions about my health and living habits? No idea why, but I told her the truth. She made up two different wristbands and put them on me… She noticed the Warfarin tab, then went through all the others I’d got on
We then went through each one. She decided that because I didn’t know the last blood test INR level, she took me to the DVT Anticoagulation place, insisting she take me in a trolley seat. Leaving Three-Wheeled_Walker Walter at the mercy of the honesty of the others still waiting. I mentioned en route that my catheter bag was getting full.
The DVT Anticoagulation took the test, and it returned much lower than it has been lately. Which was good!

I was pushed back to the large waiting area and got the crossword book from the trolley, but not for long. Another nurse arrived, a lovely lady, took me into another small room and questioned me about who diagnosed the  Cognitive Impairment. I told her about Highbury Hospital, Adult Mental Care, and how they changed their mind to CI from Dementia. She showed interest in this, and another nurse was summoned and asked me more questions. Where do you live? Why are you not walking soundly? Told them of the Peripheral Neuropathy. They wondered where this was confirmed and what tests were done. I told them, by the neurologists at the Mary Potter Center.

The first nurse returned and went back to the other large waiting area.
Where what was going to happen was explained to me. Then, the anaesthetist joined us in the waiting area. They told me that because the left eye had nuclear & cortical cataracts, they would inject different local anaesthetics in both regions. Oh. Good!

Back to the small waiting area. Still only the one seat available for me to use, the TV blocker! I think I heard the groans when they saw me coming back in! Hehehe! But not for long; I was walked into the operating area five minutes later.

Inserting the local anaesthetics was much more painful than when I had the other eye done. But I had been warned. The procedure made me jump a smidgeon on a couple in quick succession, and I was rightly reprimanded and told not to move.
It took a lot longer than the right eye.

A lady escorted me back to the larger waiting area, where I was given a biscuit and mug of tea. I couldn’t drink the weak, warm, tasteless tea, but thankfully, I dunked the two biscuits in it. Hehe!

There was no chance of seeing the crossword clues, so I sat and analysed those around me. There were around 12 other after-procedure patients, many with carers and family with them.

The time was getting close to the arranged pick-up from Easy-Link. So I got up and tried to work out the way back to the lifts, and a nurse asked me… “Whatever are you doing?” I’m off. I said! “You’ve not been released yet!” I apologised. She got me the needed paperwork, eye drops and instruction notes. While doing this, I suffered a rather perky but short-lived , which drew a lot of attention to me. Nurses came out of the woodwork to see if I was alright and were amazed when I told them I get these almost daily; they can have me over, give me a tumble, but this one was nae bother; I’d the reception desk to cling onto. The nurse rattled out instructions to me about tending to the eye. At least I think that was what she was saying. She then escorted me to the lift and the main doors. Bless her cotton socks!

Arrived as I was leaving the building. Spot-on! Following are the photographs I took through the windows of the minibus. Where memories were prompted, I’ve revealed them. Haha!
Leaving the hospital to Lenton Lane.

Towards Derby Road.

Side street off Derby Road.

Another side street off Derby Road.

Derby Road nearing Canning Circus.
I spotted that the old TA HQ was abandoned, vandalised, and very sad. Not that my memories of that building are anything worthwhile; I only visited it twice. But it brought back the days of my youth and my signing on… the best thing in my life up to then! Great fun and well-paid!

Huntingdon Street into the city.

Above & below…
The oh, so changed Shakespeare Street. The long-gone fire station and another abandoned building.

Left onto Mansfield Road.

A little further up…

Last Mansfield Road shot as we turned right into Woodborough Road. I recalled the old days with the trolleybuses. Even the blue-coloured Notts & Derby trolleybuses ran this route.

Huntingdon Street.

Mapperley Tops.

As the rain came, the chap dropped me back at the flats.

I got swiftly out of the rain and into the foyer.

Taking this selfie in the lift on the way up. With taking this in the reflection of the shiny wall, I thought at first they’d done the wrong eye for me. Hehehe!

I got inside, put the trolley in the corner, and emptied urine pouch.
I was sorting out what Carer Kara needed for the medical changes – the eye drops starting again, the hospital’s instruction, and a copy to go to the doctor.
Put the drops on the Carers table along with notes.
As I went to get the drops from the three-wheeler, Carer Marie came in the door. I explained about the eye drops starting over again. Then she issued the medications for me. Nice gal.

I got on with updating this blog. Up to now, the smoke & mirrors number-benders, known as…
and…
have only been down for…

I got this far and then got a nosh prepared…
For hungry I am! I took the photo with the SD card left in the computer reader slot. It looked fantastic on the Kodak screen. Carer Marie read the instructions on the ready meals, both three minutes, in the microwave, so that made it easier.
But they came out well undercooked. Horrible!
Taste Rating: 1/10! Made up for this with some bags of cheesy curls, a banana and an iced lolly.

Soon settled in the c1966, ÂŁ300 charity shop bought, second-hand, wincingly grotty, beige coloured, not working, crumb-covered from the nocturnal nibblings, itch-making, uncomfortable, virus-breeding, easy-to-fall-out-of, recliner, and sleep came easily – No nocturnal Thought Storms!

Each time I shot awake, the eye was more painful. Humphs!

TTFNski!

Taken my Carer Marie for me!

INCHIE: Wednesday 19th July 2023 – Back to the hospital day

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04:25hrs: I was Gobsmacked, to find the hot water was hot. What happened last night will remain; One of the many mysteries of Woodthorpe Court, with the hobgoblins, spectres, gnomai, phantasms, ghosts, grotesque succubae, extraterrestrials, ectoplasms, spirits, & Fata Morganas, that have been sent to taunt, irritate my already limited saneness of mind? 
I was so pleased to be able to get into the wet room with hot water available to get my ablutions tended to.
IU got the shaving tackled first. Five tiny cuts; which was good considering that I’d got three days of beard growth to remove, and of course, the growth behind my ears and back of the neck. Knowing I was going to struggle to get the feet cleaned…
I had a cunning plan… and a Eureka moment while using it!
I stood in the bowl with soapy water, and… wait for it… baking powder in it! Jiggling watch foot repeatedly while I did the bleeding… er… shaving. When done, I looked down at the water in the bowl, and all the collected dirt from the soles of the plates had floated up to the top of the water! Grrreat Idea!
I pass this tip on to other old farts who cannot get down to wash their feet, free of charge, naturally! It really works!
A lot of aftershave was needed to stop the bleeding, a good spray of Brut deodorant and the medications tended to.

Carer Shaquille arrived and helped me into the crippling shoes.
Did the drops and tablets, and I got on the computer.
Domestic Denise arrived, assisting me to get Velcro’s shoes fastened. I got things gathered together from the list I’d made, to take with me to the hospital.
Made the template for this blog, and turned off the computer handmade a brew of Glengettie.
Tea GlengettieI checked on the day pouch contents with a view to emptying the pouch. The colour of it caught me out, and seemed too dark suddenly, compared to the night pouches urine.
It was still flowing in.
The phone rang, it was a lady who I could not understand a word she was saying. This took my attention away, (it takes very little nowadays) and I forgot to empty the bag.

The landline chirruped and flashed. It was the chap from EasyLink. Advising me that the total owed to them was… ÂŁ79!
Carer Kara called in for a minute or two, and I mentioned that I can still not get into my online banking to pay this bill.
She could not do anything until later, but kindly said she’d get around to it for me. Nice gal!

I got down into the lobby with Three-Wheeled-Willy the Walker and awaited the arrival of the lift from Easy-link. Which arrived nice and early. It was the lady who took me to Highbury Hospital. We had a chat and laugh en route to the QMC.
The traffic was heavy with queues to get into the EENT department. She had to drop me away from the unit and walked me in through the doors, bless her.

I managed to find my way into the main hall (for once) without having to ask someone. Haha! As I approached the doorway, I felt the nearly full pouch dropping down my leg with the weight!
Two nurses accompanied me into the toilet, but I could not get my leg high enough, and almost fell trying to. So the Angels fetched a cardboard pot and emptied it for me.

Then, in to see a female doctor to have the eyes pinhole tested.
This took a while; she did a good patient job of it.
Then escorted me into another waiting area to await being called in to see the surgeon-doctor.
Another good long deep examination. Difficult at times cause I could not hear what he was saying, and moved in the wrong direction a few times. But he was also understanding with me.
And pleased with the results. He gave me some different eye drops to use for the next four days, in place of the , and put some in so I can start the course in the morning.
Cap on vials, one drop only each time. Four times a day, starting on Thursday 20th July 2023. He handed me a letter to give to the lady in reception on my way out. But I forgot to! Huh!
As I got to the desk, I realised I had a long wait for the agreed pick-up time. The driveress did say to phone if I get done early, and I asked the receptionist to call Easy-Link, please.
She could not get through to them and told me to take a seat while she tried again. Which I did!
I fell asleep, and the lady woke me up to say she was still trying to get them for me. I thanked her and nodded off again.
She woke me again, to say that Easy-Link were on the way, but traffic is horrendous with the school holidays.
I meandered around taking sneak photos.
Exiting patients from other departments.
Can’t recall taking this one of Three-Wheel-Walker Willie, or why?
Got to the doors and out to take some more.
Are folks awaiting lifts?
Taxi.
Turned back to go inside again.
I met a lady who had just had her cataract done and had a gossip. Back out to await the Easy-Link arrival.
This boulder was used by smokers going out for a break methinks. Hehehe!

The minibus arrived, and we had a great journey home! Lots of waffling, I was in my element. Said our farewells, and up in the lift to home sweet home… well, the flat.

Took this selfie.
Seconds later, the weariness came over me.

Got in the flat and rang Meridian to tell them I was back.
Then the absolute pleasure of taking off my shoes.
Boy, were the feet aching now! Yes, they were!

The view from the kitchen window was marvellous, cloudwise.
Gorgeous!
To the left a bit.
Then onto the balcony to take these two.
To the right…
and close-up!

Carer Chris arrived.
Started this blog update.
Carer Chris arrived later for the last visit.
Did some more blogging, and Carer Chris arrived.
Explained the new Eye drops change for a fortnight.
I think I’ve got it right… but?

Making the nosh, as the evening sunset started,
so I took these snaps.

Then made up the nosh.

TTFN

WP Prompt Response: 1993

/ Inchie / Leave a comment

WHAT AM I MOST EXCITED
ABOUT FOR THE FUTURE?

Erm… err… I’m not sure!

Addendum (I think that’s the word) Ode
In days gone by, my excitement would grow.
What would cause it, I would never know,
Get invited to a party or freak show?
Will I win the lottery, and buy a bungalow?
Go on the piste, and play in the snow?
Win big on the dogs, at Walthamstow?
Christmas: find someone under the mistletoe?
Get a part in a stage play, mayhap Othello?
I should have had a part in Rambo!
As a spare, extra or cameo.
Now I search for a carer with Simpatico,
Can’t see or hear anymore; such sorrow!
I’ve stopped drinking and using tobacco!
Not even the odd Amontillado…
I play both teams in Subutteo!
I guess I’m feeling rather low…
Wherever did my excitement go?
Ah, well, Cheerio!

Inchie Prompt: How I express My Gratitude

/ Inchie / 2 Comments

How I express My Gratitude

Generally, for the Carers, EENT, DVT, Warfarin, Dementia, Peripheral Neuropathy Nurses, Delivery people, Wardens, and Paramedics, I like to show something they will remember.

So, I keep some nibbles and drinkies on the bookshelf and ask them to make their choice – threatening to ‘Severely-Sulk’ if they don’t. Hehehe!

I always keep some cookies and marshmallows at hand for any nibbling while changing the catheter, taking the blood, draining the vein, dishing out the medications, padding up the leg ulcers, delivering medications or food… or anything else.

The drinkies and nibbles selection in the front room. Non-alcoholic to the left, plonk in the middle, and nibbles are available on the right of the shelf.

Just restocked the shelf this morning.

I put a few options in the fridge in summer when the chocolate gets runny in the heat.

.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all my helpers, ‘I wouldn’t be here without you’.

Bless You, All!

Sorry, I’m behind with my payments – If Gay Boy comes in at the 14:15. race, Restricted Maiden Stakes, 2yo only, 6 Runners, I’ll settle up with you straight away. Hehehe!

Inchcock: Wednesday 9th November, 2022

/ Inchie / 12 Comments

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00:15hrs: I woke up with a little jerk and waited for the brain to catch me up. I was feeling surprisingly calm, considering the upcoming ‘bound-to-be-a-farce’ prepping for the hospital visit, then the mysteriously unknown what for; by both the hospital reception, Deana, Carer Richard, Carer Shannon, Carer Jodie, appointments themselves.

Made a brew of Thompson’s Punjana tea. Updated the Tuesday blog. It took longer than I expected cause I had the evening photos taken to tweak and add.

PREPARED THINGS I NEEDED TO TAKE WITH ME: To the hospital. I’ll have to remember to put the hearing aids in later. Got the paperwork in a plastic folder. Put that with the four spectacles needed. List of medications and doses. I can’t remember the others now, but I’m not going to take them out of the carrier again for fear of losing or forgetting to take them.


Got the clothes needed to change into. Socks, shirt, trews, and a long-sleeved thick shirt.
Into the wet room.
No messing, I got the teggies done, bleeding gums, and started Toothache Tiffany of again.
A few more than usual cause I was rushing, I suppose. I thought to myself, a 2-hour ETA means I’ll be sitting waiting and afraid to do anything cause I’ve got to respond straight away; they tell me when the lift arrives.
Possibly the same reason for the dropsies in the shower? Showerhead, gel bottle (3), flannel, loofah (2) and knocked the scum-cleaner bottle over. What was it doing in there? Well… I’ve no idea?
Drying off under the wall heater (Blimey, it was cold this morning!), I dropped the towel twice. The second time I tried to catch it… well, I did, actually. But I knocked endless items off of the floor cabinets in the process… The olive oil dropper, Eye drops, Germoloid ointment and
Daktacort cream. The oil dropper (it had to be the hardest thing!) landed right on my right foot’s Onychovryptosis (Ingrowing toenail)!
Having medicated and refreshed myself, I started to dress by putting on the Protection-Pants… Felt a twinge of pain from the bum and investigated… I fear it’s another boil or furuncle coming on.
I avoided using Sock-Glide-Glenda by leaning back into a corner of the room and managed to get both socks on.
But copped for a Right leg Neuropathic Schuhplattler dance as I was just about to get both feet on the ground! Hence, I now have a bruise on my right knee and another one on the elbow.
Then I got to do the .

How disappointing, down-heartening and annoying!

I was rather hoping to make it a hat-trick of good numbers…

I was making a mug of Glengettie and spotted the high, very small moon. Surrounded by beautiful blue skies.

Then I proceeded in a northerly direction and zoomed in on the planet. With hopes of getting some detail of the surface showing.

I don’t know why I bother!

I suppose there is a chance that the eyes are not picking out the finer points. No!

I decided suddenly (I do that sometimes, you know), To go downstairs and wait in the front lobby for the lift to the hospital. Did some checks first.

I left down at 0713hrs.

Tenant Chrissie was in the lobby, waiting for her taxi to arrive. We had a most enjoyable chinwag ad nattering session between us.

I got the crossword book out and had a go at it.
But it was a futile effort. As I read a clue, the whole page of them would blend together and look almost like running water! I gave up.

The marks that I could see on the windows while looking out for the lift arriving, for some reason, annoyed me?

At 0858hrs, I spotted the lift arriving. And thus began a long, late arrival for my appointment at the Queens Medical Centre and the EENT department.
The two drivers had three other patients in the ambulance and picked up two more en route.
The traffic was bad. When we arrived, they dropped me off first, and the driver put me in a wheelchair, and they both came in with me to ascertain I got to the right place.
This is how it went: We got to the EENT main reception and showed them the paperwork. The female told me. they had to go up to the third floor – which we did.
On the third floor, the paperwork came out again, and we were told we needed the fourth floor.
I recognised the fourth-floor area; that’s where I went on my last visit. The paperwork came out again, and we were told to go back down to the first floor again! So, we did!
A different receptionist checked the paperwork this time. And they took me through to another clinic to await being called into an assessment room.
within minutes, a young nurse came for me.
Asked why I was in a wheelchair. Can’t you manage with the trolley guide you’ve got? ‘Yes, I replied’ We went into a room to have a longish question and answer session. She checked the spectacle paperwork and began to tell me what was going to happen when they called me back.
She spoke so quickly, that I missed a lot of what she was saying. But didn’t worry too much, as she gave me paperwork and leaflets to give before coming in. 42 pages of them! See lower down on this page!  I then departed to the reception desk and was told where to wait for my lift.
Five hours later, the lift arrived! Another run around, too.
A patient and Carer were already in the ambulance.
The driver cleverly got us to the Treatment Centre to collect another patient.
It didn’t take him long to fetch him. Then in the heavy traffic again, the chap made his way to Basford to drop off the second patient gathered.
Then on to Carrington, to a nursing home to drop off the other patient and carer. And have a laugh and chinwag with the crowd of Carer females who came out to see him. Must admit, he was rather good-looking. Hehe!
Then, back to Sherwood to drop me off.

I thanked him and got the kettle on, sharpish. While it was boiling, I took a quick look at the paperwork I’d got to digest for the operation…

This is going to take some absorbing, methinks!

I got on with updating this blog. And was doing pretty with it. Then, the computer would not let me type or use the keyboard on anything?
I believed I’d just hit a series of wrong keys in my rushing to get the job done. But I know not what I’d actually done wrong. I turned off the computer and rebooted it… Argh! A dreaded Blue Screen came on! lt told me what keys to press for help and to Start… but pressing them made no difference.
I was incapable of sorting out anything. I was in a proper state, mentally, and felt this was the end of my beloved blogging days!
I was desperate, and I went to ask my neighbour Malcolm if he could help.
He came to take a look, uncertain if he could help.
Within minutes, he’s found the problem. The batteries in the keyboard had died a death! Malcolm fitted the new batteries and booted the computer up!
I was so relieved I could have kissed him – but didn’t, of course. Bless him; saved the day again!

I’d spent so long trying to sort it out; the blogging wasn’t caught up with me after all. and
Another late night in the offing. !

Came in and got the medications sorted out for me. I insisted on some treat-selecting being done! Bless her! Listened to my tale of the day’s farcicalnesses.

Went to get the nosh sorted out.
I got the mock pork in the oven cooking slowly on low heat. I forgot to add the olive oil spray tonight. That was not an amazing statement, considering the day I’d had. Took this photo of the evening skyline and had a look again at the leaflets, booklets and A4 pages of advice and instruction on the cataract pre and post-procedures.
My brain froze and refused to let me understand what I was looking at, had just read, or why I was bothering. Considering it was mostly fuliginous-flapdoodle and mostly incomprehensible to my affected brain. I gave up!

Checked the oven and got the TV on to watch what was left of the Heartbeat episode on channel ten.

I woke up and got the nosh served up.
I think the messy long day had affected me more than I thought – I was close to falling asleep several times while eating this meal. Tsk!
Ended up with terrible toothache before I’d finished eating it. Had to leave some of the shoulder and chips; too hard.

Washed the pots, washed and changed into jammies, into the recliner and commenced the usual routine of nodding off, springing awake, nodding off, nodding off, springing awake, nodding…