Today was going well. (A lie! I thought it was going well) But I lost five hours of it altogether. I sat there on the computer chair. I smelt something burning; obviously, a cooking flavour lingered from the kitchen. I’d even taken photos of preparing the meal, but at that time, I had no recollections. I salvaged the burnt food, added it to a can of beans with chunky veg sauce, and turned off the heat. This is being written after this action. I must speak with the quack on Wednesday… please that I remember to!
05:45hrs: The colour of the contents of the nocturnal pouch was worryingly dark again.
Another thing that bothered me was the state of the legs when the Carer removed the diabetic socks to change them and put on the ankle & leg strappings.
Messy!
Morning view of the blue hue sky.
The one permitted mug of tea was brewed.
Got around to updating yesterday’s blog.
I had to empty the fast-flowing day pouch. It seemed to be getting darker again? Oh, heck!
The Mammoth Mind Blank took place.
A carer must have called cause she or he signed the book. Something else to fret over. Yet, I wasn’t getting down about these things. Strangely?
Unbelievable!
Somehow, the urine looked to have got a lot lighter?
When I emptied the day pouch… Hey Presto! It poured out a deep, deep brown! How come?
I do remember taking this shot above. The clouds looked like foam packaging.
I set about correcting the mistakes I’d made earlier in this blog. Took me ages. I found some snaps of me preparing the food that I cannot honestly say I remember doing… or can I, now? This is bonkers! Apparently, the meat is going into the oven.
I took this shot down from the kitchen window.
Ten minutes after taking the first one… The darkness was falling…
arrived and was good enough to hear me moaning about things for a minute or two.
Time to get the meal heated and then eaten up!
I put the meat into the saucepan and oven tray to soak in the bowl, and I got the quiz result on here.
Vegetable stew with gammon. Very nice!
Went to wash up, and the horizon deserved preserving photographically, I thought.
ALL THE BEST
Have a great day, you really ought, To avoid you becoming a worry-wort… May your anxieties add up to nought! May your demons be easy to thwart! With great joy to share & flaunt.
To say that I was overly miffed and cursed an awful lot is putting it ridiculously calmly, compared to the anger, frustration, and even a short depression (Which, as you’ll read later, only got worse at the Whoopsies increased in frequency), along with the teeth grinding, which caused my toothache to kick off again and an even more profound than usual belief that is no God, and boy, did bloody well hurt like hell? (Which, after this outburst, may be my next port of call?) I almost cried at my pathetic, endless daily runs of bad luck. (A smidgeon of self-pity crept in there, methinks?) Understandably, in my case. Hehe!
Then, the spraying of the room, cushion and carpet. To try to limit any pong from the escaping urine. Then, I disinfected the well-soaked slippers, double-wrapped them and put them into the waste bag with them. Since having this damned fitted a year ago. that is the fourth pair of slippers I’ve urinated on and had to throw away. I have none left now… well, I have one slipper, and I had to put on an old walking slipper that had escaped the last flood from the catheter pouch eruption. Uncomfortable, odd-looking, and embarrassing, to say the least. Of course, it didn’t bother me. I noticed the valve was closed, so how did the wee-wee go AWOL? A dodgy valve on the Nocturnal pouch? A closer look revealed that the out-spout on the bottom of the pouch was not there! Well, Israel and I didn’t notice its absence. It must have been trickling out and straight onto the carpet all the time I was kipping... luckily that was for only just over three hours.
I am off to the wet room to get the urine pong removals seen, too, and then the task is done. However, despite the innards demanding that I evacuate, nothing, and I gave up and got the feet in a bowl of hot water and washing up liquid, with some baking soda added. Then, while the stinking feet were soaking, I started shaving. Only one tiny razor nick. Then, as I was taking my feet out of the water bowl on the floor… … Gave way as I took out the left foot. What followed was, to me, nigh on a miracle! Going over to my right, I grabbed at the seat-raiser handle… But I had the small towel on there and slipped off… No idea how I managed it, but I reached the far handle, twisted backwards and around, yet stayed on my feet. Fair enough I on the base, yet as I got upright, apart from a little stinging, but not a lot, from , I had no pains that I could sense anywhere else. I think I was so amazed at avoiding going over; it must have confused , & , plus me? I felt better straight away until I resmelt the urine when I went passed the room into the kitchenette. I investigated the condition of last night’s leftovers in the saucepan. Had a spoonful and decided it was not too bad tasting. I’ll have this for my nosh later on. Little did I know at the time it would be 13 hours time before I was around to eat it or what it would taste like by then. Then the pouch was ready for emptying, and me not drinking anything? Still, it’s good that the bladder seems to be working… maybe too well? Have the Finasteride tablets done their job so soon? Have I any prostate left to control things? Is this why the floods took place. Do I want to go to sleep tonight, or stay up watching the nocturnal; pouch? I took this morning’s picture of the blue-hued sky through the kitchenette window. Lovely blue hue! Of to the Porcelain Throne again. This time was a complete reversal of the earlier visit. Gawd, it took me ages to clean up. I’ve never had a messier, stickier, costly toilet roll evacuation in years. Haha!
Took this snap through the balcony doors and windows. Still a pretty blue hue on offer. Put the computer on.
It said it was currently -6°c in Nottingham. But the sun coming up now, and the rooftops were soon clears of the ice and frost. But I could still identify the houses that were most likely to be growing weed in their attics. The ice had cleared on the roofs much quicker than the others had. Note that, I slipped into a Sherlock Holmesian Mode here? Hahaha!. As I made a mug of tea, the door chime rang out its tune.
In came . He was in a good mood, but not about the cold weather, that he’d battled through to get to work, bless him. We decided that we didn’t need to attach any of the usual this morning. Because the legs looked so much better than they have done for weeks. He did put the diabetic socks on for me; I dared not leave them off.
over the next few hours while computing. But I do recall calling. She’d had an emergency to deal with and was running late, so she changed the pouch for me and will do the finances later in the week for me. A help as usual that gal is.
The sun was rising from the left. I took the chance to take this photograph that includes the Nottingham City Hospital in it. Grey and Cream colours to the right. The free-flowing bladder had filled its day pouch again, so off I went to empty it… sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? Oh No! This is Inchy we are talking about! Stubbings number three, this time smack against the , of course, I took it like the heroic brave, courageous man that I am. I barely cried at all. Haha!
I went to make my second mug of J Sainsbury’s extra-strong Red Label tea and spotted some folk out in the cold on the bottom with their dogs. I got heartwarming, jealous and sorry-for-myself feelings all at the same time, watching them for a few minutes. Especially the lady with her two hounds, Little & Large, as they were about to enter the tree copse. And that is something I miss most of the things I am no longer capable of doing. I swear I could smell the distinctive aroma inside the copse, even after two years of absence. Sad!
Back again to the front room and my computerisationing. I took this shot through the balcony from inside. It seemed the darkness was starting to arrive, but the cold sun hid it a bit. Blimus! The bladder is still belting out the urine at a high rate of knots. I wonder if something’s wrong?
I nearly missed the sunset; I was so involved in struggling with the mistakes I was making on the computer. Took this snap and then went back to check on the Odes reading and grammar…
No… rather, a MEGA MONSTER that I’d done was found in CorelDraw. My weariness & tiredness were joined by a rather deeper depression now. Over the last week or so, I’d been making date graphics for the blog in advance and was pathetically a , at how well I thought I was getting on with it. But, No!
I’d made dozens of graphics for each of the coming eight weeks in advance to save time later. A cunning plan, I thought. But, No! Instead of February and March, I’d put the wrong month on every single one of them! And, on many of them, the right month, but the wrong day!
I was caught between the many options to take… Crying again, Swearing, Spitting, Howling, Thumping the wall, Committing suicide, Murdering a Parole Board Member, or Voting Liberal in the next election. I only carried out two of the options… I’ll not say which at this stage. I made do with a long period of . Still got it, actually!
Got some potatoes in the oven to add to yesterday’s leftover homemade soup. I had to sort out a good few pot-marked multi-coloured, spuds first. This one was the oddest, if that’s the right word to use? Then when they were cooked, I added them to the left-over vegetable stew; it smelt rather nice! Mixed them all together in the saucepan to heat up. Took a spoonful or toe to try the taste… good enough for me, but I added a little extra liquid sea salt (anchovies). Took this evening shot of the view from the kitchenette as I cleaned the oven dish and kept stirring the feast of stuff that was in the saucepan. Boy, the day pouch (Well, it wouldn’t be the night one, would it, Hehe!) had filled up quickly again, at the maximum, too, 500ml.
Got the nosh served up. And it was delightful to the palate. A banana and a pot of raspberry jelly for afters rounded the feast off rather nicely! Two enjoyable meals.
I must try to ring the District Nurse place about my day pouch filling so fast and repeatedly. It might be a good sign? But it is filling so fast that I cannot get to the hospital appointments in time before it backs up in the bladder. That’s concerning.
Carer Christopher on the last call. There was nothing to do; no painkillers or Peptac was needed, and the legs were much better. I’ll ask the nurses if I can stop using the ankle & leg straps, I think… providing I remember to ask, naturally. All that he had to do was for the night pouch to be added on to the day bag. I’m praying that it does not leak again tonight straight out the other end and over me and the carpet. PLEASE!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Last night must have been the worst one for me for months. It seemed to me I was waking up more times than falling asleep! Worse still, each time I woke up, I had other ailments playing up. With the over-bearing belief that it was about 04:00hrs or so, I had Violent up comings from , the bladder and bowels were both rumbling away, too. I could hardly believe it as burst from the door alarm, and in walked . It was gone 07:00hrs already! , along with the were having a go at me.
I did inform Maryham of how I felt. She then recommended to me that after she had gone, I get back to sleep. (Which I’d been trying to do all night) But only managed a few minutes each try before waking up again. Hehehe! She made sure I had the Alert-Alarm on, telling me to use it if needed. A very sensible suggestion, gal. No idea what I looked like, but I felt properly poorly, weary, in pain, & tired out. I was so confused, that I forgot to remind her about the new medications to take in the mornings.
The PM caller remembered and asked me if I’d had one, but I wasn’t sure or not. She checked the amount used, and decided not. So gave me one, only one a day, incidentally… Later on, when I’d started to feel a bit better, I looked up Folic Acid; and found some interesting things it is taken to counter. ① To limit hair loss. ② To help your baby’s brain, skull and spinal cord develop properly in pregnancy. ③ As a medicine used to reduce side effects treating arthritis. ④ To treat iron deficiency & anaemia. ⑤ We suggest that folic acid may play a role in improving the repair of peripheral neurotransmitters, nerve injury, and dying by promoting the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells, & secretion of nerve growth factors.
And all these years, they have told me there is nothing they can do to mend my dying Neurotransmitters? Peripheral Neuropathy?
No time to ponder on this now. I’ve just read the possible side-effects of Folic. SIDE EFFECTS – ANAPHYLAXIS Symptoms of anaphylaxis happen very quickly.
Symptoms include Swelling of your throat and tongue. Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast. Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice, wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing, Feeling tired or confused, feeling faint, dizzy or fainting. Skin that feels cold to the touch, blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue. If you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet. You may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised or itchy. Sometimes it’s not known what caused an anaphylactic reaction.. Well, that takes a lot of sinking in. I’ve got the majority of the listed side effects already! I’m glad I looked it up now – Not. Hehe!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – It is not one of my best-ever morning view snaps. I tried again.
had kindly got the pads, straps, and diabetic socks from my feet. My plan was to get a shower & shave later. But I’d forgotten about the ladies from the social services who were calling on me later today, so the shower & shaving have not been done for three days now. Dirty, Boy!
I tried my best to concentrate on starting the blog… but it was not easy. had never been so vicious, loud or painful with his valve returning all wind up the tube, gullet, I mean. In fact, he was so noisy and forceful that it encouraged his partner to join in! At this very moment, I heard the access requiring hallway intercom tune playing. (I’d got my hearing aids in) It was the ladies from the Social Prescribing & Community Support team. They arrived and introduced each other to me. Very kind ladies, with a tendency to listen to me as I answered their questions. As , and was blasting away, so loudly at times, I turned down the hearing aids volume so I could hear their voices. Roger seemed determined to try and stop me from listening, as indeed, Stuttering Stephanie tried to stop me from talking. Hehe! The kind ladies’ names were Katarina and Belinda. During the question and answering, I had a mini , and a few minutes later, gave way. Which I think was a good thing, for them to see what I have to go through daily? Both were very understanding and patient. I think we agreed on some actions to be taken to get me more help, but am not sure what. A possible cooker that could not catch fire, I believe was spoken about. Assistance with travelling to and from medical visits. Many other things were discussed. But seems to think it best if I cannot recall them all now. But as usual, some things stick with me, and others fade quickly. A vague help with washing and dressing lingers in the brain, but, of course, I could be wrong. Doing this ode makes me realise that my spending so much money on Grammarly saves many errors, not all of them, but I think most of them are still being made & missed by me.
The ladies departed, and I got back onto the blogging.
I put the TV on and spotted that the ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ film was on. So I watched it for a while then I had a mug of Glengettie and dunked some of the lovely LU and Maryland cookie biscuits. But I soon lost interest, thought back to the ladies’ visit, and wrote down the details above, which I recorded on the pad to use later on.
Arrived and gave me the Folic Acid. Checked the taps and the cooker were not left on, for me. We had a little natter
. Well, that was different!
I had a look at my book of favourite poems. And, I found… A new best one for me pleasure.
Balcony views parade! End car park… With the least-ever mudslide! A close-up of the almost a puddle! The gravel footpath, into Woodthorpe Grange. Park, that I can no longer get up to visit my beloved tree copse on the left. A single young man walking on the far path.
The gal from the salon arrived at the flat, and she got my toenails cut. What a relief… it also relieved me of £30!
Checked the time, and got back to working on this blog again. I felt the pouch on the left leg pulling… Blinking Heck! Got it emptied just in time!
Going to get a meal sorted out now. Mayhap, I’ll get some lamb & mutton burgers… in the oven, with some… Pickled green tomato salad… Eat the burgers in sliced cobs… And, maybe a brew of Glengettie?
Back in the morning to finish this off… I Hope!
I made a rather pathetic-looking meal. I was not really all that hungry. I was so tired & weary again, but really enjoyed the lamb & mutton burgers I made.
Washed the dishes, checked the taps and cooker were not left on, and proceeded to nod-off and wake up again all night long! Humph!
05:00hrs: Woke and worked out, as best as I could, what day it was. Then dislodged my plump, portly, podgy, paunchy, ponderous, pot-bellied, well-padded, porky, phlegmatic body from the itch-creating, bruise-giving, catheter-tube-tugging, crumb-decorated from my nocturnal nibblings, God-awfully uncomfortable, cringingly-grotty, no longer working, anti-sleep designed, c1966, second-hand bought for £300, ten years ago from the charity shop dirty beige recliner, and checked on and removed the . A deeper twinge to it today.
A mixed bag from the bog evacuations.
I made a hash of my first-morning view shot. But it is unintentionally artistic? So I waited until had finished her shaking the ball joint out of the shoulder effort, and took this one above.
came in. I didn’t hear the door chime, making me jump a little. Glad to see her, though. She noticed I was struggling with getting to type on the keyboard. She helped me to get new batteries fitted in the keyboard, bless her muchly. All working again! Maryham issued the medications.
Minutes after the gal had gone, the Warfarin INR Anticoagulation Nurse arrived. I asked her if she could send me some more of the Enoxaparin-filled hypos, as these I had were out of date. Then she took the blood samples and was soon off on her rounds, bless her. Seconds later, the blood was flowing from the puncture wound, had soaked the cotton wool padding and was trickling down my arm.
I sprayed the big quilt that Carer Israel had folded for me last night and was left on the bed. Which, as soon as the safety rail is fitted, I can use.
Oh, I nearly missed this one off the blog. Earlier, had photographed the Red Eye. She said it looked worse, but I didn’t think so. It gave me a rather refined look I thought. Not really!
Back on the computer.
Arrived, brought the prescription medications for me, and put them in the medical drawer in the kitchenette.
The rain continued… And continued… And continued… Yet the mudslide did not grow any bigger?
Mystery Photo?
arrived. I was deeply tired and sleeping, so my cognisance was even worse than usual. Medicationings, and he removed the leg strappings. Then attached the nocturnal urine pouch for me. I should have reminded him to empty the day pouch first, but in my slumber, I forgot. . Later, the pain from the bladder started. That is when I realised that the urine was flowing and the night bag was over half-full already. I had to remove it and use the smaller day bag. I could have put another night pouch on, but the supply of these often ran out. With the pain and effort to get things sorted, I was then wide awake. Which brought to mind that I had not had a meal all day! Hadn’t even nibbled any biscuits! (This is true, honestly) So, with just the day bag on, it was safe to get a meal prepared and gobbled up. which I did post-haste! It took a long time, but that didn’t bother me. I was more intent on not leaving the hot water tap running or the oven on after cooking and prepping.
Caramelised soy mini-sausages, tomatoes, and boiled potatoes, with some sauce. Milk Roll bread, and a pot of orange flavoured jelly for afters. Not too bad, the sausages were tasty. Overall Taste: 6.5/10. Got the pots washed, and had to nip to the wet room. . That took a while to clean up.
Of course, I did.
Regaining my sleep status, failed. I kept trying, and ended up putting the TV on, which sometimes helps… but not this morning. Humph!
Rain and howling wind when I opened the kitchenette window. Caught a few refreshing drops of cold rain in the mush. I did laugh!
: I struggled to get the diabetic socks off of my legs. Causing a mini , which cost me a lot of time and pain cleaning up, before I trod it all over the floor. Which didn’t work cause I trod it all over the floor and then the hallway as I fetched the vacuum! I didn’t actually spit, but came close! I only had one cut shaving, but it was a fairly decent one, requiring the application of the Brut aftershave a few times before I stemmed the flow. For once, and this is very rare indeed, I only had one short . Which barely lasted for about three seconds! Great! I’m anticipating some follow-up sessions, though. The Red Eye was hardly noticeable! But as the carer mentioned later, it is above the eye that he can see it?
Then… .
I sorted the waste bags. Then got onto the computer to try to get some blogging done while I had the time.
. arrived. He’s got a lot on today, but he didn’t mind. The new ankle socks were looked at, but we continued with the diabetic long socks, which after creaming the lesions were put on, then the ankle straps. Then the leg straps… then repeated on the left leg. He did a good job of them today, and I was able to get the inside-outside slippers on easily enough, bless him. I was going to ask him to help me get the trousers on, but decided against this, differed that I am, when I recognised that I would not be able to empty the day catheter while the trews was on, so didn’t. I’ll get them on later. Hopefully, without any s. Then empty the pouch just before the battle to get the trousers on. But feel sure it’ll go alright.
was bleeding, and I had some red skin on the leg near the top of one of the straps. So they got a bit of medicationing from me.
I did a bit of work on this blog after finishing off yesterday’s. Then started to collate the things needed for the hospital visit.
Being the idiot I am. I set of down in the lift to get to the foyer on the ground floor, the elevator doors opened… and I realised I’d left the camera and hearing aids up in the flat – Wot a Burk! So, back up to the apartment. (It sounds classier than the flat, Hehehe) Could I find the hearing aids that I know I’d left on the ottoman? No! Well, not for ages, eventually finding them in the kitchen on the window ledge. I shot down so as not to miss the lift from Easy Link. The driver was the pleasant lady who took me to the hospital. Lovely gal. She had two other passengers on the bus, I tried talking to them in greeting, but the two were not responsive, poor things, still I tried to give them the odd nod and smile en route. I was dropped off first at the Audio Clinic. I got a little confused when I got out, but the lady made a joke of it, she is sweet. I asked if she would be picking me up to go back, and she said no. So I insisted she take a drinkie and nibbles from the . Why she asked me. I said ’cause it’s Christmas, and I’ll sulk if you don’t take some. She laughed and obliged me. I thought there was time to take some photographs of the front of the building… In my earlier semi-panic to find the hearing aids, I’d forgot all about getting . Boy, I was getting weed off with myself! Into the Psychotherapist Appointment… That wasn’t a Psychotherapist Appointment! I’d looked forward to it so much as well. A chance to explain all my difficulties and problems to someone at long last. But No! I should be so lucky! The lady on reception casual said, “Oh, we put the wrong department on the letter, did we?” As she was reading it! That and the earlier cock-ups lessened my spirits. I took a seat as instructed and waited for my name to come up on the new panel on the wall. It seemed ages before my turn came, but I was in no rush. I thought I’d have a go at the crossword book at least I’d remembered to take that and a pen… But not my reading glasses! Some days are destined to go wrong… well, in my case, every day is, and does! My name came up and a young lady came to fetch me to her room. I was there not for the mental condition, but to have new hearing aids tested and supplied! I fear I could not resist telling her and showing her the letter, and of my disappointment and followed up with all the hassle with the computer, the landlines, the new TV, and the Emergency Alarms all going down. She wasn’t interested at first, but by the time I stopped the moaning and groaning, I’d converted her to show sympathy for me at least. Hahaha! She did a magnificent job of testing my ears, and the new aids are working brilliantly. She was told earlier of my inability to replace the tubing nowadays and told me to ring for an appointment and come in and they will do it when needed for me. She also gave me some batteries to take with me. Lovely-jubbly! When I got out to the waiting, reception area, ~I knew there would be another cock, I’d made five and these tend to come in threes – I’d forgotten what time the bus was picking me up. I could not see the front door from the seating area. The thought of going out in the terrible winds that were blowing was not good. On the way in, we saw many rows of dustbins that had been blown all over the place in Sherwood, City Centre and the college area. In fact, when I went out to see if the bus had arrived, the hearing aids were nearly blown out of my tab holes. Also, I could feel the pressure of the filling-up catheter bag in the trousers, most uncomfortable. I dare not go to empty it, in case I missed the lift… Then a receptionist man came to me, I must have been showing signs of concern or something, and asked if he could help with whatever the problem was. bless him. He then fetched a high chair and put it in their foyer, so I could watch for the minibus arriving. Which it did an hour & ten minutes later. Steve, I think the driver’s name was. He’d looked after me before. So I insisted he have some treats as well. When we got back to the flats… erm, apartments (Haha!) How I got those hundred yards to the foyer door without being blown over, losing a hearing aid, or being hit by the twigs, empty bottles and bags in the wind, I don’t know.
I was so glad when I got inside.
Home photos taken. I think they are in chronological order, as they came on Kodak Tim. Here they are:
First photo when I got in. Later… Drizzling starting. The pouch just emptied. Excellent colour! Drizzling still… As it was an hour later… Persisting… Aha, stopping at last. returned the laundry for me.
. Very nice nosh. Flavour: 8.3/10. . Wobble on here, so tried again. . Ah, this was a better effort!
I hope so! Cheers!
I’m still miffed at not seeing someone about my neurological problems today. Since getting home, I had a and a few . AGAIN! I left the hot tap running and the water ran cold. Then also, yet again , while trying to get the heavy large quilt folded. A landing on the knees affair, so it could have been far worse… still painful mind, with & the main victims of the incident. on his next and last call, folded the quilt for me.
I’m dejected, depressed, despondent, downcast downhearted, demoralised, in the doldrums and discouraged. Why? I’ll tell yers! The Red-Eye is redder. The Urine is darker. Cartilages Chloe & Carole are so painful and have given way a few times on me already. The Mystery rib pains are back again. I cut myself four times shaving. Neuropathy Pete has had two unintentional leg dances before 06:00hrs! Clouted my Cartilage in Chloe’s knee both times. The Cathy Cateter contraption seems to work when only it wants to, having no bearing on how much I’m drinking or not. When I’d finished shaving and taken off the PPs, the blood from overnight had encrusted on the Catheter tube, my testicles, thighs and the protection pants. I’ve never had this so bad before. But, naturally, a man of my pain-bearing capabilities and heroic nature, did not cry out and swear, or nearly lose my balance as I started to clean things up, or spit on the floor!
Throughout the day, as of up to 15:00hrs which it is now, I’ve had three leg dances, a minor tumble, and now, had to when she kicked off for at least an hour of non-stop jiggling in an effort to dislodge the shoulder socket. Which, in turn, caused so many mistakes on the computer, I had to stop using it until Shirley had settled. Yet, I’m not complaining, for today there were two moments of sheer joy; admittedly, the second one didn’t last long, but still, every minor victory helps.
I’ve paid two visits to the , and they were both as near to normal as they have ever been in many a month of Sundays. Nice, not messy!
I realised that I had a cottage pie in the fridge, and planned to have some beetroot with it later on. I didn’t, because when Carer Richard arrived on his first call, the use-by date was yesterday! Humph!.
Now, the computer is playing up again. I’m not taking any chances, I’ll get the photos on quick before it goes down again…
Oh, heck, that’s dark!
Morning views. Again, not very good.
Into the wet room to get the ablutions done.
A bloody shaving session today.
The JS Delivery arrived. I got some of the apple & mint drinks in again; they were popular with the carers & nurses. Got the bread in the freezer, so as not to need an order Christmas week at all.
Stocked up the treats shelves.
The mudslide returned.
Flowers for the wardens are an early Christmas treat. I hope not to order anything again this year. Deana could not get to fetch them but will do so in the morning. I hope they last.
The carers’ and nurses’ nibble was box filled up.My nibbles.
Sod-dit, not feeling well again. I’ll get some food and a sit-down. A lot of concentration and effort went into creating this simple sausage and potato meal, with Milk Roll bread. Flavour Rating: 7/10. The dessert… Flavour Rating 8.2/10.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Going to have to be a quickie job from here on. It’s Tuesday morning and I’ve just started this update. A busy, busy day Monday… well, Tuesday is going to be as well… – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Night pouch removed Content evaluated . A decent amount overnight!
Morning medications were done, , and were applied. ointmentated. and , Phorpain gelled.
Khaki-coloured mush!
Morning shot in the slight drizzle
Waste bins sorted out, a big bag cause I did a bit of clearing in the bedroom again, but it didn’t last long, and made sure of that, by offering up ailment trends.
Got some potatoes in the crock-pot
No headache from the bruise
Carer Richard, no Ramipril tablets (an ACE inhibitor type medication used to treat high blood pressure, and diabetic disease) The Blood Pressure today shows the lack of medication, as it had gone up a lot. Richard checked the stock in the medical drawer. Gave me morning doses minus hate Ramipril of course. He’ll look into the situation. Nice lad.
Carer Atere, said he’s ring the doctor on his call, for me. On his late call, told me the prescription had been sent to the chemist.
The intercom flashed, and it was the Red Cross Technician. Buzzed him in and up he came to the flat. No bed, just the air-filled cushion. He got it going and put it on the £300, second-hand shop bought nine years ago, c1966, discomfiting, alarmingly beige-coloured, crumb-containing, TV remote hiding, not working recliner. He mentioned something about antiques? Haha!
I pressed on with the updating of the blog.
An Email Arrived. From the Falls Team Lady Sarah. A list of things I’ve to do.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Woke up worried about the situation with the mystery of whether or not the cushion, bed, or both are arriving on Monday. Always on a damned Friday, I get confusing unclear communications from someone late on Fridays. No Meridian management to ring for advice; no Wardens at the weekends. This means I can only advise them when the delivery is due! It makes it look like I’ve not told people in time, but what else can I do to get help moving the debris in the room to make what for the bed to go in? If it’s coming, it’s unclear what is arriving on the mobile phone text message left for me. It could be catheter bags, the bed, the cushion, or any permutation of? So frustrated! The Spain v England Football Final didn’t help my sanity! In the first half, when Spain got the only goal, they played better than England, who made midfield errors that led to the Spanish goal. In the second half, the Ispancha back-handed feminine referee made damned sure that England lost the final, not that England needed her help. Losing the ball, bad passing, and lack of movement was not a good display. Spain could have won without the referee letting them dive to the floor if they looked like they would be tackled, commit foul after foul, etc. But they did deserve to win without a crooked referee in charge of the game. Fair enough! England used up all their good luck in beating Nigeria and Australia.
I keep worrying about how it will go tomorrow. Bet I get it in the neck and take the blame. I’ll have to try and move some stuff myself now the match is over. 12:00hrs: I’ll be back later to update this blog if I get time.
15:20hrs: I’m back. Bruised and bleeding as it happens. Thanks to as I was stretching to get a box of whatnots! I took a tumble, hitting the handle of the four-wheel walker trolley on my way down, and I stubbed my toe. . Right on the wrong digit… Don’t think I swore or felt sorry for myself, but I had to abandon the tidying-up job. I casually wiped the blood away (not worth mentioning, but it might make me sound braver than I really am, Hehehe!) and Germoloiding the minuscule bruise. I’ll take a photo of it later to prove just how innocuous it was if it can be seen. Har-Har!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 05:30hrs: I woke and rose from the depths of the £300, second-hand, decrepit, Haemorrhoid Harold-testing, sleep-deterring, nauseatingly beige-coloured, not-working recliner. In a state of some agitation over the short notice of the bed arriving and no one to ask about it, it was late Friday night, and no one in charge was here at the weekend. I determined I’d have a go at getting the room cleared on my own; I’ll see how I go with it. Other matter filtered through making it into the brain. Like the final of the world cup for the ladies. EQ warned me not to expect a victory for England. I didn’t, and they didn’t win. Sister Jane phoned me at half-time; we were both doubtful of their gaining a victory. SADLY!
There was not much in the night pouch as I went to take it off the … A sudden gush and it looked fuller? It looked like a good 3 rating. However, during the day, Carer Rhamat classed the second check as a ‘6’ on the card! On her 12:00 call. It was a ‘two’. I’ve just done another review, with the cards, and it’s a ‘three’?
The day is breaking through the balcony doors.
Kitchen sorted. Ablutions and Porcelain Throne. Urge! Haha!
Blepharitis Eye Gel and Spray were used. I’m getting used to these reading glasses now!
First mugs of tea. Sainsbury’s Extra-String Brown Label
Started updating the photographs. I got a message from Norton re-drivers that all need updating (18). So bought the package and waited while it updated. Got a text from the bank needing code to use. Norton then needed my password. Then Norton said to restart the computer, telling me I can use my computer now. Then, a bill receipt for £44 arrived that had gone through. However, another message came through from Norton; telling me that one of the drivers could not be updated. Getting all confused now? So I clicked to update it… Another message: This cannot be updated at this time, but this will not affect anything or harm your computer. Then why make me buy the updater in the first place then?
Watched the Football match. Carer Rhamat, Sister Jane, who called at half-time, and me, all agreed things were looking bleak for the England team. I’d sooner not go into detail. Sob!
I decided to get as much done as possible in the spare bedroom, to make room in case the bed does arrive. I spent a few hours grafting away, trying to clear the rubbish as I went. And there was a great deal to be bagged. The first lot that Rhamat took for me. Second dollop, Carer Benjamin, after the cleaning-up session ended so ignominiously. Why? I’ll tell yers…
Just as encouraged me to drop a box of cans & bottles I was struggling to move, an instant erupted with a vengeance like never before! Not a plain simple one, of course, Oh, No! Not me! I was falling after knocking the leg on the four-wheeled walker, and , not just any toe, but the one that hurts without it getting bashed about, but the flipping! Then the trolley I’d grabbed hold of, brake gave way, and down onto my knees I went. That did not please either or , nor did the forehead that hit the corner of a box of bleach! I was a little dizzy by the time I’d got through on my hands and knees to the c1966, £300, second-hand charity shop bought in 2008, crumb-containing, odour-retaining, Harold’s Haemorrhoid-testing, nauseatingly beige coloured, non-working, recliner. That was enough for me. Not that it bothered me, of course. Well, maybe a little. Somewhat… Aargh! Got some cream Germoloid cream on the head scratch… Then dolloped some Of the… gel on the knees and chin. Hard graft! Much mess still needs doing, though, in the room!
Carer Benjamin came for the evening call and saw the funny side of the bruised head. Hehehe! I put the Blepha gel on the eyes, and Sprayed on the water spray, while Benjamin was here.
Checked on the potatoes in the slow cooker. Added some liquid smoke and.
Twinkly sun shot.
Then off to get the potatoes cut up and chop up some beetroot to add to the can of chunky veg soup. Fingers crossed. We’ll see… Not bad at all. Flavour-Rating 7.2/10
Got the washing up done and was in the process of trying to get a decent shot of the oddly-shaped moon, and Carer Benjamin arrived. He got the medicationings done and added the … to . I got my last health Check monitoring done and took Benjamin’s BP. It came out as “Ideal” at SYS 120 and DIA 66. Mine was slightly different at 148-59, “Hypertension High”. Fit lads, Benjamin and Christopher. Jealous? Me? Yes? Hehe!
Back to trying to get a shot of the high in the grey sky moon. Made a mess of that! Horizon shot. Made an even bigger mess of this one trying to take the moon. It’s the white bit bottom left. My camera skills are getting worse! Mind you, I was taking these and carrying the walking stick and catheter night bag at the same time Best excuse I can think of, Hahaha!
I settled down in the £300 second-hand shop purchased, c1966, welt-causing, uncomfortable, not-working, itch-inspirational, crumb-containing recliner. Turned on the TV and swiftly drifted off into a deep, dream-filled sleep. Waking up in the same position five hours later, the TV still on, and… this is true, by the way… no crumbs found! I can’t recall anything about the dreaming; I just know I had them?
It’s been an… erm, er… well. an interesting month so far. I’ve been given a rubber wristlet for DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). A Diabetes rubber wristlet. These will decorate my wrists along with the On Warfarin, Allergic To Clopidogrel, Hard of Hearing, and the new last week, Dementia alert bands. The Cataract – Vision – Impaired one has not arrived yet. I’ve checked the box of the options on the Doctor’s letter. In answer to the Question: Where Would You Like To Die, at Home or in a Hospital?
Now after the initial rushing me into the hospital when I woke up with blood coming from Little Inchie and the Haemorrhoid-ridden rear end. I think this was four weeks ago. The Paramedics took to the QMC, A&E.
Where the medicos must have forced two gallons of warm water down my throat to get the wee-wee flowing through Little Inchy, as opposed to Catheter Cathy’s Contraption. I had the catheter put in and taken out about six times, which for me with Phimosis and the Fungal Lesion – not to mention having the smallest willy I’ve ever seen (I’ve seen ten-year-olds with a bigger one than I). This is why the in and the outing of the tube were so painful for me. And it really was testing my pain limit… mind you, it still is at this very moment. I was on the computer and listening to the new tenant’s TV blasting away upstairs. (I assume. He or she might be getting the flat sorted, which accounts for the occasional clunks and thuds. Herbert Mark Two? Haha!
No problem, though; I’ll get used to it. Just take out the hearing aids. They did bladder scans, and some on a big machine. But gave up and sent me to the City Hospital Urology Department. Patience Ward Two.
Where Patience was at a premium. Urology was just as baffled as the QMC staff were. They had the catheter in and out over the next day, at least eight times; despite gulping down at least two gallons of water, getting to use Little Inchie for wee-weeing was a failure. They (Urology) summoned me back to have a… I’ve forgotten what it was called now.
Ah, I’ve got it now (just looked it up on the Internet). A Cystoscopy, a CT scan of the urinary tract, and a urine culture. Still, no reason was found, so the catheter has now been on for about 4-5 weeks. The walk to the Doctor, half a mile at most, took me nearly two hours! I had to keep stopping cause the pain was so bad. I got the surgery, told the Doctor, and hose said: “Talk to Urology”. It’s great to be so cared for, innit? Anyway, since the tumble I had getting on the trolly at the hospital, week one: I had another fall. Week two: two Accifauxpas. Week three: Just the one; it wasn’t a bad one. Week four: Three tumbles, and two, one seriously, walking-into-solid-objects. The wet room door, and then the junk room door frame. Which started and produced a , that had me over – but I fell on the two bags of laundry that has not been collected. I’m glad they were days late now. Hehehe! Today, the wee-wee into the bags seemed a little better. I reckon I’ve emptied the around ten times! And the blood in it was far less than yesterday’s was. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Maybe… perhaps! The attaching did not take place. No Carer arrived to attach it for me. I believe they were struggling with staffing problems and possibly the hospitalisationing of another tenant. No bother, I kept waking up overnight anyway, and I remembered to check the small day bag each time. Emptied it three times. No sweat!
.
With all the nocturnal activities of emptying the pouch, I didn’t get up until 07:30hrs. Little sluggard! The was at bursting point, I managed to get it emptied before any disaster!
arrived as I was making a brew. Got the medications sorted, and he helped me ready the bin bags for him to take. Said how busy he was.Thanked him profusely.
I left the hot water tap running again!
The pain from Little Inchie was still bad and stayed that way all day & night. and cobblers!
thenCame at teatime.
Late morning view.
and later came.
Hyper-One Again.
Mid-Morning views. A lot of white cars?
Catheter emptying. Nice and like colour this moring.
Magnificent Sunsetting this evening!
Catheter is ready for emptying. Is that a twinge of blood in there, I see?
Sunset bying down… Eerie colours changing… Still beautiful… A minute later, the last blast from the dying sun…
Looks like a two-tone of blood in the Catheter… That’s a better piccy. But look at the blood in it!!! Argh!
Started emptying it – rich red blood… Looks to be thinning at the end… Almost bubbling now? Can you see a cat’s face in there?
Starting to make the evening Meal and, arrived. He was looking fitter tonight but not a happy laddie. But soon cheered up when he got the new night bags to put on the day pouch. These ones had the plastic grip so you could hang them up. Sorted the medications, and we had a little chinwag. Np putting the world to rights, but we did manage a bit of cheer for each other.
When the night bag was on, the blood started to flow in dribs and drabs. But, oh so slowly. The long extension tube often stops the flow, and I feel the build-up in my bladder, and have to shake the blood through.
Richard showed me how to use the Air-Fryer, and he put some alphabet potato letters in it and left to get on with his other jobs.
Fifteen minutes later, the fryer gave out a ping that, luckily, I was in the kitchen to hear. What an alarm timer with one ping, and that was my lot! The potato letters tasted great, all crispy on the outside. The spuds I did in the slow cooker. The tomatoes were just about acceptable tastewise (Italian, not good this time of year). And the ersatz mini-franks were surprisingly excellent! Soya based methinks
What a day. Easy-Link cannot get me to the doctor’s in Monday
Internet Banking farce. Kara tried to help in her own time. Smashing that was so kind of her. Had to phone the bank, with Kara translating what was said. And ran out of time; she had to get to work. Said she’ll try again later to get it sorted. Nothing is getting solved, and I’m spending so much time failing! I’d have been right in the Phoo if it wasn’t for her help.
So, here is a condensed, fact-missing version of Inchie Today, today. Thank heavens for the photos to remind me; too busy to make reminder notes!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –.
Bad night’s sleep. But the wee-weeing was betterer, more of it!
Morning view.
The front room searched for the missing Nokia.
Carer, First time putting a new catheter in.
working well, new valves confused me at first.
Porcelain Throne. I think that Trotsky Terence is weakening his grip on the evacuationing… had time to have a go at the crossword.
Stripped and got a stand-up wash and shave.
Cut shaving, tooth bleeding, and stubbed my toe on the damned dangerous Sock-Glide Glenda. (Didn’t use her thought) No socks on unless I have to go out. This week coming, I’ve got three medical appointments to go to… So Sock-Glide-Glenda will no doubt have fun injuring me. Haha!
Oh, I left the hot tap running again!
Later, view after the ablutioning, medicationing and dressing.
Computer on, Email from Iceland.
Yes, that;s the order I thought I’d made for next Wednesday. Pillock!
Iceland Order arrived.
I love those mini roast potatoes. But with them coming so early, had to open the packs and put them in lose to get them in the freezer. Not only that but to get the cheesy potato special offer ready-made meals in, I had to dish some of the stuff already in the freezer to make room!
At least the wee-wee was, I thought, flowing much better.
Until I realised how minuscule the new bag was! Huh! When Kara left. I was little confused with all the lava over the banking and decided to have an early meal. One one the cheesy meals…
Oh, Boy! It was delicious! The best ready-made tasting meal I’ve ever had! Of course, I added some ersatz lardons and BBQ sauce after it was cooked. TASTE RATING: 9.5/10!
Oh, the bag is full again.
Is the urine infection clearing? Smile...
Oh, no, it’s a small pouch. I forgot there.
Sunset through the balcony window!
Blimey, that filled up quick!
Carer Kara came to put the night bag on and give me medications.
Medicaitonalised me. Then went to the computer and in five minutes, You should see her fingers go! Hehe! She’d sorted the banking card out, now working, and put the new card on Iceland, Asda & Amazon for me! ♥
What a Wizard! Thanked her muchly.
I would have been struggling to do any of those things on my own. Well, I couldn’t have done it at all!
I finished this blog and got the TV on. New Tricks followed by Hustle on the box. What are the chances of me staying awake? Minimal comes to mind.
Morning Catch-Up
Mystery Photo
Any guesses?
I’ve no idea!
Worked on the computer for a while longer.
Carer Kara had set things up with the leak bowl on the
hand side of the chair for me.
A comfortable set-up. Thanks, Kara!
I watched TV. I Fell asleep, of course.
And this morning, I found these photos while searching for another…
Some old Favourites from years gone by.
Quatermass is just about my favouritest one.
