Approaching Release

Sunday 6 July 2025. Six o'clock in the morning. First pill arrived half an hour ago. Another 11 due with breakfast and then sporadically through the rest of the day. The state of my mind at this time may account for today's report which talks about Saturday - already covered in my last entry. This one, supposedly about the same day, is completely different... These entries are more or less direct copies taken from entries to friends on Facebook at the time. So I have no explanation, your Honour...

Yesterday was a slow day. (See!!!) The three musketeers gathered around our usual table and astonishingly were joined by the Mutterer. That made any normal conversation difficult.

As I walked down to the Day Room I had passed one of the cleaners, a grizzled old (though probably a bit younger than me) chap who I have made a point of talking to every day. It's amazing how many people just ignore cleaners as they go about their business. They deserve to be treated as you would treat anyone else and always appreciate it. When he saw me walking with just the walking stick, his face lit up and he said how well I'd done. "I'm proud of you!" He said as I returned his grin.

It was a quiet day. (Sheesh - I couldn't even make my mind up whether it ws slow or quiet!) We were given more toast than even we could eat then the morning passed. By afternoon the family had been in the shape of three generations of ladies and one girl. I gave up trying to doze at the table and went across to the larger armchairs and that was it until I was woken by our tea trays arriving.

We all gave up around 7.00pm. I had to go back to my room anyway to have my legs redressed. They continue to improve every time I see them. Only the big wound on my right leg remains liable to bleed. Even the large one on my left calf has now broken up into several tiny scabs. The right leg is shown below. it looks a bit like a slab of meat to be honest so scroll quickly if you are of a nervous disposition...

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The pattern (for want of a better word) on my leg is caused by the bandages having been applied fairly tightly.

So... I need to continue getting more steady with the walking and to follow the good advice from staff and friends who are experienced nurses themselves. I'll try to get a copy of the jingle recording tomorrow.

Monday 7 July 2025. It marks a full eight weeks in hospital, though the time spent here at Clifton Hospital has been quite a bit more pleasant than the first five weeks at Victoria. The food is better, the ambiance with the garden and day room is better, and whilst there has been some shouting, it's a good deal quieter and no one has felt the need for fisticuffs.

I seem to have a new nickname. A couple of nurses were walking towards the Day Room where we were waiting for breakfast. I overheard their conversation:

"It's for John."
"Which John?"
"Piano John!"

Several nurses came to say how fabulous the video was. I still haven't seen it. The nurse who has it isn't in until tomorrow.

The Three Musketeers were joined for breakfast by a cheery red haired lady. "Just a little advice," I said, "when the toast appears, grab it fast!"

All three of the musketeers seem close to going home. I'll miss them. And I will miss several of the nurses too. But we are not quite there yet so...

Although I sleep well at night, by afternoon (and for this context afternoon starts about 10 o'clock in the morning) we are all three dozy and sleepy. 'T' went first, sitting at the table slumped forward with his head resting awkwardly, or at times leaning sideways so close to me that I had to wake him, worried he would fall out of the chair.

I was next, though The Wanderer had given me an interesting book on the Kray brothers. I woke only when lunch appeared by which time even The Wanderer had succumbed. A mischievous nurse bent down low and bawled his name as loud as she could. I was awake and I jumped out of my skin... The Wanderer's eyes opened wide, so much so that it looked really comical!

Miss Franny and my cousin came to see me after visiting Mum in her nursing home. Then tea arrived, seemingly far too soon after lunch. Both are 3 course meals. Two of us found that our order for rice pudding had been mysteriously substituted with semolina. We both had the same instant response... nostalgia for school dinners is all very well but there are some things I would rather forget about!

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