– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – If I say that today was an odd day, this would be an understatement, a mild euphemism, and an undeniable matter-of-fact. Morning Carer Selina arrived. She medicated me and put on the socks, and after the gal had gone, I’d lost the plot with what I was going to type. Sad, innit?
The day continued in this mould. There were a few Out-of-it moments. Either I fell asleep, had mind blanks, or had a few Non-Epilectic Seizures. Take your pick; it could be any one of them. Or perhaps a mixture. Occasionally, when I returned to imitation life, I found I’d been working on something on the computer while mentally AWOL, with no memory of doing so! On other occasions, I’d done nothing whatsoever as far as I could ascertain. Also, before Selina departed, she took photos of the wee-wee I released into the jug…
The fluffy bits of whatever were back again! But the nurse last month wasn’t worried. I’m sure it will be alright. Likely, it was bits of my prostate coming out. Cause when the Specialist Doctor put me on the Finasteride tablets for a month.
Hoping they will reduce the size of my prostate to let me manually wee again. So the month’s course is now a year-long one, and still, they ply me with more Prostate (RIP)-killing capsules?
A touch of overkill here, methinks. This is what makes me believe it’s the residue of my prostate floating in the jug of released urine? I don’t know, really. You never know; the Finasteride may have already done for the prostate and has now moved on to another organ to murder? Hehe!Haha!
I hope it doesn’t have a go at a larger organ; that would be pure agony to try and get whatever it was through Little Inchy and the Catheter’s narrow tube. (Inchy laughs weakly) With Confusion reigning again within my poor brain.
Concentration was as bad as it’s been for months today.
I’ll have to rush now; it’s Monday (10:15hrs), and as usual, I’m miles behind with the blog. I’ll have to comment quickly on the photos if I can recall the moment I took them. I’m so frustrated! And this morning (Mon), when I did the ablutions, I turned on the fan heater, and the room was filled with Acne and Eczema bits blown from all over my chubby, belly-dominated body. I don’t know why I told you that?
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A better colour this morning.
The sun was creeping up from the rear left of the blocks of prison cells—no, no, flats! It gave this shot a specific flavour, but I forgot what word I was going to use.
It’s safe to say that the oven burn scar will soon start to crumble off of the hand. It’s not easy taking photos with one hand.
Out came the new cordless hoover with its headlights on when in use. I think I’ll name it Vacuum Victor.
Had a good long session on the crossword before I could encourage Conrad to free it.
I caught my hand on the rack as I grabbed the toilet roll, and bits of a green-looking scar dropped off. It has taken eleven days to heal. I’d better not pick at it, though.
Afternoon and evening sky snaps. Pareidolia’s Delight. Faces, bird heads, a human head… A taser, a beast with an open jaw, and a bird with an open beak—it’s incredible how many things I spotted today. This is the last of the sky shots I took. I took some later ones without the SD card being inserted into Kodak Tim. Tsk! It could happen to anyone, (he says).
16:20hrs: Carer Ali arrived as I sat down to have the meal. The feasting was resumed after he’d gone. Baked beans with BBQ seasoning were added to some tomatoes and veggie sauce, mini vegan sausages, and chips, and I had such a hard time getting grime off the oven tray. I tried cleaning it, but I gave up and threw it away! Hence, the chips were mangled, but I still enjoyed them, even if they had cooled too much. The pot of jelly was of a sour-type one. Nice & Tangy! I put the TV on until Carer Richard arrived. He suffered from leg problems and was in pain, so there was no laughter tonight; bless his cotton socks. Gave him a cold drinkie, and he soon had me sorted. Diabetic socks removed.
Even I had to laugh at the mess I got myself into getting into the hospital bed tonight. Farcical? Yes? But at the time, it was also humorous. I’d done the safety checks on the taps cooker, etc., and pulled the curtains back to get as much light in the room as possible; this was to try to avoid needing to use the torch. Turned off the lights and edged my way in the semi-darkness, along the bed, towards the operating thingy… I trod on a power socket extension that slightly made me jump. I knocked the overbed mini-table over, followed it onto the floor, and tripped again over the walking stick that had been knocked over as well. I wish this was being recorded in something other than my memory! It was worthy of being a Brian Rix-type Farce! As I struggled with my painful knees, which took me ages and started to foolishly, unthinkingly pull myself up using the bed as a grip… What a Plonker! Of course, the loose quilt on the bed assured my falling back down onto the floor and my bum again! I did feel like a silly old fool! and started bleeding, I was back to square one, on the floor in agony! I somehow walked on my knees to the recliner to get myself upright again. The grief from Cartilages Chloe and Carole was so bad that when I did manage to haul up my elephantine-stomached body onto my feet again, I took a Codeine, creamed the Fungal Lesion and Harold’s Haemorrhoids, and Phorpain-Gelled both knees and Back-Pain-Brenda! I rose upright to make my way to the bed again… No, there’s more to come yet!
I fought my way carefully and cautiously into the hospital bed, using the torch this time. Within seconds of finding a comfortable position, the need for me to use the Porcelain Throne arose! I was extra heedful and got to the wet room without further hindrances. The flow started as my bottom hit the plastic lid. It came and came… and came! It was a Kharki, almost liquid type of evacuation. You know, the kind that leaves an uncomfortable sensation in your innards… well, my innards!
The cleaning up afterwards took a long time. I had to clean and medicate again.
Then, a high alert mode was adopted for the trip back to the long overdue, belated sleeping on the bed. Amazingly, all went well with the return trip! I had a few hiccups getting into the bed, but they are not worth mentioning. I think I drifted off into the land of Sweet Morpheus Post-Haste. I woke up after a decent amount of time with a vivid memory of the farce in my mind. So, So, I scribbled down some notes to use here.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – My concentration is degenerating into tabefaction. I was chatting away with Carer Joanne while she got the medications sorted, and I lost what I was talking about in a flash – twice! Then, later, as I was paying a visit to the , nothing moved, no motion, was in full control – absolute control. I sat and waited, counting the cracks in the ceiling (23), had a bash at the crossword puzzle (Got one answer), and as I gave up and stood up, I knocked the olive oil bottle, and it fell straight into the WC! Yes, I think I may have sworn… but not as much as I did two minutes later. Using the picker-upperer to get the Protection Pants back up, I tore them at the seam. I got a fresh pair out of the bag and started to carefully get them on, not easy as it took place mid-way through the procedure. But, no falls, no injuries, no harm. I got the pants in position and sorted the leg bag into position, and I seem to remember thinking to myself, at the time, ‘Well, that went well. ‘Fatal!’ I should have known better with my luck! I turned to leave, and I walked into the bloody doorframe again! Hitting it right where I’d had the Covid jab inserted! I cursed so angrily at myself; there was phlegm coming out of my mouth, and the pain seemed a second consideration; my first one was to curse my luck… several times and with a wide variety of self-vituperation & condemnation-led foul mutterings. Acrimoniousness, blasphemy & self- malignity! I was so angry at myself that I felt guilty and foolish a minute or so later – what if someone had heard me? Oh, dearie me!
No wonder I want someone to adopt me as a grandad!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – A smidge darker this jolly morning.
A jolly mug of Glengettie for me. I pathetically knocked it over in a Shaking Shaun second; Humph! Made another.
Morning’s first photo.
The scab is breaking up slowly. I think some will be missing by tomorrow morning. I mustn’t pick at it!
As wot I wrote in the prologue. Fresh leg bag on after ablutioning.
Second external photo.
I’ve been blogging with more mistakes than I could count for three more hours to put things right that I got wrong, I hope! Carer Shaquille, then Carer Joanne.
Emptying the Catheter Day Bag. I swear it was bubbling. Hehe!
Third window shot, beautiful clouds.
AGAIN!
Later on, clouds again. Plenty of things in these, I see, A duck, fish and a bee, And a sun so shiny!
Tore the PPs. As already mentioned above.
Carer Victor. Did his BP, good result. SYS 110 – DIA 73 -Pulse 93 – TEMP 34.3°c.
More figures in this wonderful photo of the clouds from the kitchenette window.
I got it! But it took me far more than 3 seconds!
It’s late now, very late. I better save the blog, switch off, and get a meal sorted out. I’ll do the catch-up in the morning. Back later! Well, I hope I will. Haha!
Contrails in the sky… or are they?
It was a lovely meal. Lamb and mutton burgers were eaten on thin slices of milk roll bread, dunked in ketchup with pickle. Nice UK tomatoes and crinkle-cut chips! A pot of mandarins in jelly eaten for afters. Nice!
I took this shot of the sky as I washed the pots up, and then I settled down to watch Death Wish 3 on the TV. I managed to stay awake throughout the movie, even during the advertisements. I dozed off as it was finishing. I’d forgotten how far-fetched yet almost amusing this film was. I like it when the goodies win. A fantasy, of course.
Got in the hospital bed. But sleep was not coming, although I felt tired and drained. After an hour of trying to kip, I got up and fetched a cold drink from the fridge. Took this early morning photo. And got back into the bed. Within a few minutes – Zzz!.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I believe I mentioned this morning’s visit to be woken up by , in yesterday’s blog. She recognised my condition immediately. The belated COVID side effects were that the arm was stinging, and apparently, I was stuttering as I spoke to the gal. I fear it got worse as the day went on. Confusionabalitis reined. I kept going into mind-blanks and seizures at an alarming rate. However, it was the same after last year’s Covid jab, so I’m not panicking. Thank heavens that Varer Christopher took some sky photos for me last night on his previous two visits that I can use. My eyes were not up to photographing much, but I took a couple before the effects got to me, which is another belated side effect. I was so glad I got the trip-out photos done. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Chris’s first efforts here. From the balcony window. Nice. A double shot, methinks? His second visit snaps. Local residences. Local residences.
He even took one of my midday nosh. Was my hunger increased by the medications?
On Saturday morning, Caregiver Chris updated me on some things that I’d forgotten or got wrong in my mind. For example, I fell asleep for the third Caregiver visit without knowing it. He said I was snoring away loudly when he came in. Hehe! Also, I was in the same state, snoring, in the bed when he arrived. I really thought I’d laid there for hours waiting to fall asleep? I’ll have to change the Zzz’s on the Health Check graphic later, but I’ve done it now.
I took this one earlier when trying to sleep in the chair.
Chris took this shot for me.
Also, this is one of the burn scars. It seems to be drying up now; the crust is beginning to break up. I burned my hand on the oven rack eight days ago! It’s a persistent little thing. Hehe!
Took this watching the TV in the hope of falling asleep. I bet everyone knows what programme was on. Although it may not have been shown in the USA, it was definitely a very British-humoured comedy programme.
The hunger returned. I got sausages and Frickadelens cooking and prepped some sliced wholemeal baguettes with some ketchup and pickle in, ready to have the sausages. I cut some tomatoes and dined well! Two meals in a day? I haven’t known for ages, but they were only very small. (Noted, in case the Doctor reads this blog)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – I was so pleased with the effects of the Covid Jab. That was until midday through Friday night. When Carer Maryham ♥ woke me around 06:00hrs. I’d been in agony with my right arm all night, and sleep was impossible when the joined in. A belated payment in pain, dizziness and the eye’s vision were blurred again. Maryham was kind to me, got the socks on, their nocturnal pouch off, and gave me the medications; bless Her. Friday, doing this catch-up on the blog was hard work. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Good colour urine today!
Carer Christopher called. With his help, I got myself ready by putting on trousers, socks, and shoes. Then, I went down to vote in the local elections.
Set on the long walk down Winchester Street Hill. Noticing a lot of dog-phoo en route.
This was the only short stretch of pavement that wasn’t cracked and broken. Struggled with the trolley a bit.
The first closed-down businesses are on the corner at the junction of Mansfield Road. On my way to the Continental store, I passed another closed shop. Years ago, it was a Tesco, then a Fine Fare, and then a Trustees Bank. It is up for rent now.
Hobbled up to the chemist. I’d got the timing wrong! Fancy that! The appointment was for 10:15hrs, but I arrived at 09:10hrs. The pharmacist was unhappy with me, but he fit me in anyway. I swear he smiled as he rubbed the medication on my arm after the injection. All done, I started the hobble back down to Winchester Street Hill, noting more closed shops.
Japanese restaurant.
This wasn’t closed; she opened it later.
Closed.
Closed.
Closed
Closed.
Vandalised.
Greengrocers as was…
Bottom of the Hill.
The long trek up the Hill.
En route, I counted the dog droppings, 28.
When I returned to the flats, I had a natter with some residents at the bus stop. Jenny, Frank, and Roger, I think. I really enjoyed this.
Today was the hardest one in a while. My concentration was terrible, and my memory was maundering. My eyesight was repeatedly more double-vision than single. The return of the Catheter pains was disappointing more than painful (if that makes sense). Not a lot made sense today. I was concerned about the medical appointments on Thursday. Well, not the appointments, but getting to and from them without missing something and first getting ready for these things. Using the bus did worry me. The last two times I used a bus, I fell down getting on the first one and fell getting off the second one. I was fretting about not forgetting to take something I needed to go with me. Can I get up and do the challenging ablutions in time and safely. Struggling to get dressed. Will the Caregivers arrive in time for me to do the socks and medications? Will I miss them getting back late? Or the dreaded risk; will I leave the hot tap running and have no hot water for washing & shaving? (I left it to run cold this morning!) So many pathetic things I worry over, nowadays. The blog may suffer over the next few days, but I’ll try to get something on it. I may have to miss one or two, though. In the event that my reaction to the Covid Jab is like it has been for the last two years. I just flaked out. The second year, for 18 hours! According to my blog, I also felt tired even after I woke up for another 12 hours or so of feeling out of it. This blog took me a long time to complete, finishing it so late on Wednesday. I’m not in high spirits. Hahaha! Me, in high spirits? What am I expecting, saying? Hehe! Silly Old Fool!
05:25hrs: I leapt out of bed, did a couple of somersaults, and yodelled out loud. I then did squats, toe-touchings, and press-ups. Then I woke up. I painstakingly nudged my way out of bed and removed the catheter’s nocturnal night bag, grabbed Metal Micky, the four-pronged walking stick, and went off to the wet room to empty the pouch and use the Porcelain Throne. Tried to get some of the crossword done, while waiting for the torpedoes to start. A Massive Mind Blank followed. I think it was Carer Marie who came during these hours. I do recall her helping me with getting the JS order in the kitchen that had arrived. No other details until after Marie ♥ had gone, taking the waste bags for me. I started to sort out the delivery. I obviously must have taken these snaps of the fodder. As I recall, Carer Kara did the midday, and Carer Chris raided the IPA bottle, cans of lager and tropical fruit, and some biscuits along with the usual nibbles. No stopping him, so I gave him a beefburger as well. Hahaha! This array of Kodak Tim snaps were taken; well, they were on the SD card, so they must have been. Nobody told my brain that I’d taken them at the time; and Cognitive Impairment Iris had kept it a secret!
Top one: Must have been taken early on. 2nd: A little later. 3rd Through the balcony glass door. The flash reflections spoilt this one a bit.
The fourth was taken in the wet room. It shows the five-day-old scar from the hand-burning on the oven rack wire Accifauxpas.
I think I recall taking this last one of a brew of Glengettie on the desk near the computer as I started updating the blog. Contrails in the oh-so-blue sky, taken from the balcony, I think, this time. In comparison to some of the later shots, these are almost serene. Bootiful!
Carer Kara called. She checked the catheter bag; I think she said it has to be changed tomorrow. She gave me some Peptac and painkillers and checked the taps, fridge doors, etc., for me.♥ It’s one of my better efforts here, sky-shot-wise, methinks. Exploding clouds, faces, and an amazing selection of different colliding clouds! Throughout the afternoon, I spent hours and hours making the templates. But occasionally, I marked where I was up to carefully and nipped to take more shots of the fantastic sky clouds on offer from the kitchenette window, then got back to the templates. The last one of these on the right almost spoke to me. It had a lot of interesting things in it; A dragon, a hand & fingers, faces, an explosion, and a dog. This one on the left is another mystery photo. It was plainly taken by accident when I was shooting the above sky shots. Was I possibly adjusting the camera at the time? I made a meal that went down very well. I’d got two ready-made Cumberland Pie meals, both just out of use-by date, so I decided to cook them both, along with a Cornish vegetable pastie and peas. I buried them in shredded Leicester cheese. I cooked them all in the oven, then scraped them in the bowl, adding some ketchup with pickle. Slurp!
The last snap of the evening. I’m already worrying about getting things sorted for the medical and voting appointments. Tsk!
Up at 05:50hrs: The wee-wee in the nocturnal catheter pouch was a little darker than yesterday’s. Well, that’s got the essential, crucial news out of the way. I am a confused fool.
I made up some waste bags and placed them near the front door for collection. If I remember, I will ask the caregiver to do the same. Carer Richard arrived. I forgot to ask him to put the diabetic socks on my legs. So, I left it until the midday call, and I hope I remember then. An afternoon view from the kitchen window. an early evening one. Which had some appeal to it. In need of the Throne again. This time, it was the turn of Rock Hard Constipation Conrad to rule the roost. Had a go at the crossword puzzle while intermittently urging the motion to begin. Which it eventually did. Lost a fair bit of blood, though.
I lost hours here to either a or . Most likely a memory blank cause I’d taken photos and made a right mess of the blogging, which needed much repairing and correcting. These on the left were taken in the wet room, obviously. Can you see the chicken leg bones sticking out? These are the old ulcers, and they were slightly more painful this morning. I hope they are not going to make me come back. TWO. Carer Marie came, returning the laundry for me and putting it away for me as well ♥. All a vagueness then, but I can recall Carer Christopher coming and getting his vittles. Hehehe!
I’m not so sure when I took this photo. But then again, I’m not sure of anything lately. During the first mind blank, mysteriously disappeared the notepad you see in the snap on the left? It’s all part of the mysteries of the Woodthorpe Court’s sinister Spirit’s master plan: to raise the devil, spread wonders, blunders, rodomontades, fears, and descenders from the comfort of sanity into gibbering wrecks! Yes, I like that. Inchy, the Gibbering Wreck! Haha! I feel an ode coming on here…
Bootiful evening shot of the sky here. Not that I can recall taking it. Yet I can remember things from back in the 1950s with almost clarity. Mostly the things I did, got wrong and failed at, mind you. Ah! This is my evening meal: beef pie, potato patties, and garden peas, with some ketchup and a pickle on the plate. I ate it all up with a certain satisfaction.
