– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I was in pain, shattered and weary when I got home. Not many photographicalisationing were taken. Plenty of naps and kips, but they were all interrupted by various pains springing me awake. Tomorrow is expected to be another busy day for the district Nurse, Warfarin Nurse, Caregiver Kara Financial, and Catheter Constrictionings. The Asda order is coming. As I was typing, I hoped to find a more bearable layout to ease it. Little Inchie is in such agony again with the tubing.
ARGH! This is not good!
Anyway, here’s the snaps.
Dark urine again. Fancy that!
The ankles and legs look better. Renaud’s in the toes. Time-killing crossword. Teeth bleeding after cleaning.
Back Home. I Fell asleep, woke up, and took this.
Blogging, doing the ode to the hospital.
Carer Christopher came, in need of nibbles. I’d fallen asleep watching the TV. Night bag on, my socks were taken off, and he washed the pots for me.
For the first time all day, I was in a position where the tube was not too painful. He recognised this and threw a quilt over me. Chris checked the taps, etc., turned off the lights, and departed.
Stayed up trying to catch up with the blogging, until around 05:00hrs this morning, 3 hours kip, including two failed trips to the Porcelain Throne. It was the same on the third visit later – but this time I was back in the wet room within ten minutes, and; Gooey, sticky messy! I also forgot all about putting the night pouch onto my . It looked like the infection was coming back, judging by the dark brownish colour in the day bag.
arrived, not seen him for a while. Good job that he was a little behind this morning, and I asked him to call the Age UK please, about organising and finding out how much it will cost, and of course, if they could help me, in clearing the bedroom out, so I could let Sarah at the Falls & Rehabilitation, to tell her when it is done (if), and she could order the bed for me.
He sorted out and put the leg straps & socks on for me. Not on himself, on me. Hehe! Then dished out the medications. He told me we only have two-night bags left for my pesky. I hope they send some more soon. Especially with the urine being so dark.
The right leg scabs, before the Compression socks & strapping were put on, looked to be improving a little. As is my mode of luck, failure and frustrationalisationings, the lad tried ringing them and could not get through to them; they were too busy. He tried again later, and I think they told him he was 11th in the queue waiting! He said he’d try again later and would let me know. I’ve heard nothing.
The rain was stopping now. The mudslide was an indication that there must have been plenty of rain overnight. While taking a zoomed-in shot of the mudslide at the end car park, leaning out of the balcony window a smidgeon, poor, battered about by the tubing sticking in him for what must be over a year now, was giving me some aggro and started bleeding fairly badly. Argh! That’ll teach me to bend and stretch! I was in & out of control of things for at least five hours. Was just beginning to feel that I was regaining what was going on around me, and evening a little when arrived. My memory was vague still, and thought distant, slightly confused somewhat. Got the medications handed out and he brought into the flat with him two letters that’d been delivered. Being half out of it mentally, I somehow assumed it was from the Audi Clinic. I am still waiting to hear from them about the three appointments I have coming up. I believed this to be the case, then the damned brought a semi-panic about how I can arrange a lift to get there, I’ve no to help me for two weeks; she’s off on holiday. I felt a right twollop when it dawned on me that the four-page appointment & instructions letter, was from the EENT. It was something about post-cataract operation procedures. No idea what it involves. For the 1st December, 10:45hrs. So, need to arrange to book a lift with NHS City Transport, or Easy-Link there and back. Plenty of time, but I mustn’t forget to do it.
So after Ben left, I rewrote the whiteboard reminder. I didn’t realise I had so many things that needed doing, Covid jab, lift to arrange. Audio Clinic three appointments outstanding, I need someone to ring them to find out if they have forgotten about me, or mayhap changed their minds, or it will take a lot longer to wait? Virgin going full-fibre. A list as long as your arm of things to do in preparation and installation. Kara said plenty of time. But that is just longer for me to worry about, I still don’t know if the wrist and room intercom alarm will work on the new system or not? Then the nurse will call hopefully tomorrow – I need to mention that having only two-night pouches left she may bring some with her? Then the mess with trying to get help with clearing the room out so Sarah can order the second-hand bed for me. And, British Gas keep asking for a metre reading as being urgent, now critical in their last email. No one seems to know what needs reading on the meter? The mood, then brought forth all the other worries! The bladder, how come they have left it in for over a year now? They have removed it to let me try to wee manually on only three occasions in all that time? The next day checked on the bladder contents using the scanner, and decided it was still a third full on each time! But still do not give the go-ahead for a permanent catheter to be fitted. Then there is that agony is causing. Tiny bits of raw flesh coming off of now! , , , , the new , , and now which apparently is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms). Not to mention on the left foot, and the on the right foot! Or the , or both legs having , , or , , and his unwelcome , along with other ailments, disabling my physical capabilities. Then of course there is , taking care of the destruction and incapacitating of the mental side. At least the comforting words of the nurse encouraged me a smidgeon; “Things can only get worse, so make the best of what you haven’t got today!” Spoken, with the biggest of grins on her face.I laughed out loud! Which sadly, is such a rarity nowadays.Hahaha!
Going to make something to eat now, and back to finish off in the morning. Well, that’s the plan! Not too bad at all! Yummy!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Today went most oddly… Embarrassing, demeritoriously, Medically frustratingly, At the bus stop. Indignity! The Catheter Pouch Calamity! Sorted with great difficulty, The Boot’s man helped me, Given the flu jab, lifted me? For an hour, I spent distantly… Free from life’s reality… During this, I experienced jollity, Then things turned confusingly!. Contented, but bemusingly, Suddenly so knackered, sleepy… The rest of the day lost me… Barely any vague memory… Nothing customarily, or wontedly, Slept for so long, uncommonly… Woke up almost bouncily… Mind & thought, vagariously... Full of self-vilipendency! Yet the day started so decently…
The pouch evacuation was too dark.
Off to the ablutioning & of course… A cut shaving on the cheek that took ages to stop. I was still
in mid-body washing, and Carer Richard arrived. I shouted my apologies through the door and hurriedly got dressed. (This may have been a reason for the later embarrassment at the bus stop?) Richard looked really tired this morning. I tried a natter, and he seemed okay, almost back to his usual self. A lovely lad is Richard. I went back in to check on it. & the Two-Tone-Toes. Hehe!
Sorted the bags.
Booting the computer, I took this view of the morning.
Within an hour, their fourth failing!
The hearing aids were inserted.
I’d got the template made up, and nothing else. But didn’t have the time, as I had to prepare things for the trip to the Boot’s Chemist for the Flu Jab appointment.
Got the clobber on, and checked things needed were done: Bus Pass in pocket – Flat Keys in the pocket, camera in pocket, card for Boots taken. Checked the taps (faucets) and the cooker was not left on or running. A final emptying of my And off!
I got in and into the lift, accompanied by , and thought I’d take a selfie in the reflection of the wall… But no! I’d left the SD card on the computer! Back up after getting to the ground floor, to the 12th, and en route to the flat to get the card, ! against the trolley wheel as I got into the flat door. (Yes, I swore!) Got the SD, and back out again. To and down in the lift. Through the link passage to Winwood Court, then to Winchester Court. And out to the bus stop on the front of Winchester Court.
Three or four other residents were waiting, and I started having a so-much-missed chinwag with them. After about five minutes of enjoyable nattering and listening…
I felt dropping down my leg! Arrgh! The trouble could not be investigated at the bus shelter; it would mean removing my trousers to see if the leg grip had broken. That would mean me going back up to the block and the flat to find out; that was a no-no cause if I did, I’d miss the appointment for the flu jab? Then it got surreal… I could feel that the pouch was well full of urine? How’s that, I thought? I’d emptied it half an hour ago and had purposely not been drinking as I knew I’d be going out? Oh, dearie me!
The bus arrived, and someone helped me get on the bus with . Thank You, Sir!
I Got off at the bottom of Winchester Street with many others; there must have been about eight or nine of us. I walked down with Mary to Mansfield Road. I limped, frequently adjusting the catheter bag, not knowing if I was doing right or wrong, to the Bott’s store with Mary. She got her prescription. She was going to Arnold on another bus.
I booked myself in. I mentioned my problem with the catheter, asking if there was any area I could use to investigate things. She said she’d ask someone. I thanked her and took a seat, as instructed. Constantly fearing the bag would drop further or burst, I sat there fiddling and feeling uncomfortable! A lady arrived with a form for me to fill in before the jab could be done.
Sadly, I could not remember my date of birth – can you believe that? Telephone number or name of my Doctor’s surgery! The lady returned to collect the paper forms. She understood, I think, my problems, departed and returned a few minutes later to ask if they could use my online medical record to find out the details. Naturally, I said yes. This was the lowest point in the day for me… embarrassment +!
A young chap arrived and went into a tin room to have flu-jab given. He asked about the problem with the catheter bag, saying “Just what do want me to do about it?” Fair question! I said, allow me a room somewhere that I can investigate things and empty the catheter?” He said he’d give the jab first, then leave me in the room to look into it. Just knock on the door and I’ll be outside if you need help!” Again Fair Enough”! Couldn’t ask for better, and thanked him. He gave the jab, no bother. Then left me and fetched a container for me to empty the urine into. Very kind! I’d noticed some de-clogger spray while waiting in the shop earlier, and I remembered to buy one.
NOW FOR THE MEMORY BLANK! I can recall leaving the Boot’s store and getting onto Mansfield Road. My next memory was walking up the hill to catch the bus… With a bag of food hanging on the handle of ! I stopped to have a look; it had obviously been bought from the Ozan Food Shop on Mansfield Road, just up from the Bott’s Chemist. There was even a till receipt in the bag. So at least I know I wasn’t shoplifting during my blank period. Haha! I checked to see if my cash card was still in my pocket. Phew, it was. Oddly, I seem to remember buying the jar of beetroot from the shop, for some reason?
This is about the fifth time this has happened, a period of complete memory loss. The last one was about a year ago in Bulwell. I know that one lasted for about an hour. This one I have no idea the length of this one, but know that getting around in the Ozan store takes ages as there are steps I have to tackle at the far end of each aisle.
I seemed to be feeling a smidge perky. Mayhap due to having the flu jab? I made my way to the bus stop and found that the sign said the next bus due was in 1 minute. Great! As I got on the bus, there was Mary sitting in a side-saddle seat. She’s been all the way to Arnold and back.
At the flats, we all alighted. I went last so as not to keep folks waiting.Mary and I trundled along through the link passageways into Winwood Court, the social area. Where a company were giving samples of their ready meals out. We approached hoping for a free treat… but the food had all gone. Tsk! Never mind. Wiltshire Farms, I think it was. Took a of Mary.
Up in the lift with Mary, departed as she got out, and up to the next floor, mine, and into the flat. Checked the pouch, it had not mysteriously filled again. And I could feel the weariness coming on, so suddenly. so was checked.
My purchases from the Ozan store. Shows I must have been aware of what I was buying, even though I couldn’t remember doing so? Large potatoes, beetroot, Frikadellens, tomatoes, pickle, Borchst, seasoning, sausages, all in my mind to get… the can of aubergines must have been an impulse buy? I knew I was about to drain into a tired, watery creature soon, so got the potatoes in the oven straight away. Put the TV on, hoping I’d not nod off while watching it, and viewed, on and of, with the little short kips, two hours of Gordon whatsits Hotel Hell. Then, I got the potatoes out of the oven, scooped out the flesh, into a basin, started to put the shredded Leicester cheese, sea salt and non-butter butter in and gave it a good mashing up!. I spotted the blue mould on the cheese! I picked out what mouldy bits I could find and dished them. Put the four halves back in the oven to brown off. Back to watch some more TV; I was just not up to using the computer now, so tired I was fighting to keep awake, but the thought of the cheesy potatoes being eaten kept me awake with the gorgeous smell coming from the kitchen.
Got the meal prepped. Two Frikadellens in cobs with sliced tomatoes. Four baked potatoes. Beetroots, and a lemon dessert. Flavour Rating: 9.2/10!
Two Carers called, I think it was each time, but I’m not sure. Being woken up twice in the state I was in, wasn’t memory-inducing. Not poorly at all, just so tired out and drained. In the morning, I seemed to recollect the same thing happening after having the last Flu Jab? I think…
The last period with Sweet Morpheus was a deep three hours, without any interruptions from .
I bounded back awake at… 00:30hrs and made a start on this blog update. Feeling Great! Fit! In Fine Fettle!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I’m sick to death (Not the best choice of words there…) of the constant pains and hassle of , needing the leg sticking up regularly to ease the fluid flow, but giving more pain when I do so! is giving it to me in varying degrees all the time today (Up to now). Amazingly, today, an old-timer of an ailment, the much gladly missed has tactlessly joined in with them! I’ve not had a visit from him for months. I thought he might have self-destructed, committed Hara-Kiri, or self-sacrificed through the guilt of all the agony over so many years he’s given me? But no! He’s likely been charging up his pain powers, sharpening his stabbing blades? But he’s back now! At the optimum time, to cause me the most damage as well. Just as I approach the three days of medical procedures. The challenge of getting dressed, washed and shaved without being able to use the shower. Tackling the scary bus rides to Sherwood and back on Tuesday and Wednesday. I’ve not got a good record on the buses this year. I’ve fallen getting onto them and getting off of them. Tripped over the broken concrete on the footpath in Sherwood… And now, with the ingrowing toenails, Then, there’s Cathy’s Catheter, Cartilage Katey, and now Duodenal Donald to contend with! Hopefully, Dizzy Dennis and Peripheral Pete’s Right Leg Dances will be kinder to me?Mmm? What am I saying? No chance!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Not much time to get nowt done today, and for the next three days there will be even less with all the appointments… Still, there might be good news on Tuesday after the District Nurse has been to look at the leg and catheter? What am I saying? No chance!
Not much time for notes or photos, sorry.
Slivers of something in the morning urine?
Morning views.
Raining, mudslide started, from the balcony.
The rain persisted for a while.
I had a lovely meal and took a photo of it. Then a photo of the leaking leg. Then the bleeding from shaving. Then a midnight shot of a dark-dank night. But this morning when it came to adding these to the blog... The Mysteries of Woodthorpe Court, with the hobgoblins, spectres, gnomai, phantasms, ghosts, grotesque succubae, extraterrestrials, ectoplasms, spirits, or the Fata Morganas, vicious ailments hassling me, that have been sent to taunt, irritate and terminate my already limited saneness of mind? The photos were not on the SD card?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Today, I almost relaxed; It went less rancorously! I still hate HMG for living costs & acting recessionary… It’s down to them, and the power of the Oligarchy! Thought Storms were there, But somehow, I coped uncaringly… Not that the day went happily or cheerfully… , was a bully, Concentrationless, confusionableness; barmy! There was sparse logic or congruency! Decisions, and actions, were taken bathetically, Indeed, the whole day went chimerically,
Hence I wrote this piece of cacography!
The day was full of anfractuosity…
I didn’t get much worthwhile done, you see…
Spent most of the time self-admonishingly!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Mmm… a little dark this morning?
Sorted the waste bins into one bag, and put it near the door.
Looking good?
Mist clearing sooner today.
Made a brew of Glengettie, and dunked a few (3) of my newly discovered favourites biscuits. Tasted buttery, with an iota of salt taste. No bother to the bad teeth!
Aha, at last, some relief from pain, from !
Worked conscientiously on getting the Wednesday blog done. But with so many interruptions, and me forgetting I’d not done it, it was well late by the time it was posted.
A couple of snaps were taken. Both through the glass in the balcony. The top one didn’t come out well. Tsk! The bottom field shot was an improvement.
Started cooking the meat for the stewpot.
Potatoes in the slow cooker.
Then did a search of the web, to see where I may be able to get some of the Samaritan Olive Oil, for the ears. I’ve only got a day or two worth left to use. Spent yonks on searching and failing. The only one available was from Amazon, and I’ve finished with them, because their last three deliveries were left by the driver down in the main lobby, and I didn’t even know they’d been delivered! Other stuff left as well. I’m not up to going all that way down repeatedly in hopes that they will be there. I used to check on the internet tracker, but of course, often this was not possible; Due to failing… I found one other company that delivered it. Made an account with them (that took me an hour). Filled in the contact details, and as I was about to put the bank details in, I saw an icon: ‘Click here to ensure we can deliver to your area’; so I did – and they couldn’t. Shit! What a waste of time! I’ll ask if any carer is on Amazon and I can pay then and ask if they can order some for me. I’ve asked Chris, Benjamin and Marie for now, but all a no-go. Someone must be on Amazon who can help me? Never mind, I’ll investigate if I can use cooking olive oil on the web tomorrow. I can search the supermarkets for olive oil sprays as well.
More searching on the web, and I spotted that Morrisons claim to sell it. This brought forth great joy, and I got on their site to order some Samaritan Olive Oil. I nearly broke into a smile! My favourites came up, and knowing that a minimum order of £40 was needed, I ordered other stuff to make the required total. When I put in ‘Samaritan Olive Oil’ it indicated that this is not recognised or in stock! Another hour-plus lost without any luck! Made worse by… you can probably guess what’s coming… Yet still, it didn’t get to me like it usually would have? Worrying this is. Also, I had a few visits from , and the days mock, unexplainable accepting of things, no came to an end. I poddled to the wet room to have a shave and en route, had an ; it didn’t have me over but caused my right shoulder to wallop into the door frame. And all was forgotten about the minutes-earlier farces, and all felt, was how lucky I was not to have gone down on the floor! Even when burst into life! I’d drifted back into my earlier mode of ‘Hey Hoeidness!’ Of course, how long this will last, depends on the aggressiveness of my ailments, getting the flu jab done, and finding a way to get some ‘Samaritan Olive Oil’ for the ears. Also, depending on the mysteries of Woodthorpe Court, with the hobgoblins, spectres, gnomai, phantasms, grotesque succubae, Whoopsiedangleplops, ailments, extraterrestrials, ectoplasm, spirits, accifauxpas, rent increases, food price hikes, and the Fata Morganas, that have been sent to taunt, irritate and terminate my already limited, currently contented but pointless, insaneness of mind?
The evening looked very nice.
Good heavens. look at the time!
Oh, the food! Crikey I’ve left it on the hob cooking! Turned off the computer, not even having made a start on this template yet… All save! Phew! By gum that was nice! Flavour-Rating: 902/10. Worth all the time and effort to make, for once!. As I started to eat it, the Carer Arrived!
Finished the nosh and went to clean the pots & dishes. Beautiful night sky again! Straight ahead from the kitchen window… Then to the left a bit… Does anyone remember the ‘Golden Shot’ quiz on the telly? Bob Monkhouse compared it… Left a bit… Up a bit… A smidge right… Shoot! A great show, I thought. Produced by ATV for ITV between 1 July 1967 and 13 April 1975, based on the German TV show Der Goldene Schuß. The hostesses distracted from the games sometimes, but… Hehehe!
