19 July 2025. I missed a couple of days here. Nothing much amiss, just adjusting back to home life and trying to cope with what seems like a massive daily pill regime now that we have to manage it ourselves rather than just have a nurse bring them whenever the clock ticks!
My arms and across bits of my chest came out in a blotchy very itchy rash and I went to the docs with it. I thought it would just be a reaction to one of the pills and he agreed - so he gave me more pills and some cream to boot. This was 10:00am yesterday. I had phoned the District Nurses first thing to prompt them about the "twice a week" promise - yesterday was their last chance to meet it. They called me back whilst we were in the doc's waiting room to offer me an appt at the District Nurses at 12:00 noon. It wasn't going to be worth going home between so we just stayed all morning, treating ourselves to what I would class as one of the more horrible examples of a latte once we got downstairs.
It was very quiet down there for a change. Whether it was because the schools were all about to break up and mothers were all at home weeping at the thought I'm not sure... The poor guy on the Reception desk for all the clinics was standing in and was answering almost every query with "I don't know really, I'm just standing in..." Anyway 12:00noon was what I had been told. 12:15pm was what he had been told and it was one of the standard nurses not a District Nurse that saw me and redressed both legs. The nasty looking wound behind my toes on my right foot finally gave up the scab like the plug coming out of the sink (but without the gurgle noise) and underneath was a bit of a hole but all was pink and shiny down there so "Phew!"
Apparently I can look forward to another doppler test next month. I remember that without much affection as being VERY painful last time. It's where they inflate a cuff around your leg (right over the wound last time) and then do an ultrasound either side to measure the blood flow. It's to see if your veins can withstand compression.
Am expecting delivery of a foot rest stool any time which I can probably make room for a bit easier than a recliner to keep my legs up elevated. I am back to having water retention - Heaven only knows how - the amount of hobbling to the loo I do every day and several times at night... I must be drawing moisture out of the air by osmosis or something. I reckon it's having my legs elevated all the chance I get. They are nearer to the sky and any rain... As long as they don't get struck by lightning which is on the cards for us this afternoon again...
20 July 2025. Not much sleep again last night. My legs are a bit sore and leaky again. Supposed to be getting supplies sent direct to us but not sure when they will arrive.
The footstool arrived yesterday, all diagonal struts to keep it unfolded to full height.
"That looks like a trapped finger waiting to happen," I said to Miss Franny. Anyway I turned it over and made sure it was all tightened properly. I had tightened it ok because all of the hinges held in place as, when turning it back, there was a loud cracking and both wooden struts broke. The rest snapped shut like a vice and my middle finger got the brunt of things. Crushed at the nail which now is all discoloured presumably from blood underneath...
Don't you hate it when you can see something coming and it happens so fast? It still hurts.
24 July 2025. I am slowly getting back into some sort of ordered routine. I'm now on a fixed schedule with the District Nurses again, being seen twice a week and the only hiccup there is that as yet no supplies of bandages or dressings have been received from the pharmacy. But they have managed from their own stores so no problem as yet.
Have been today and both legs showing improvement, the hole in the foot is still a hole in the foot for now, but is packed with a dressing cut into a spring shape so what goes in should come out. Not ventured out yet other than trips to get the legs seen to but the walking is getting slowly better and am on the walking stick not the zimmer which is a good sign.
Sleep patterns all over the place, lying in bed is uncomfortable on the legs and keeps me awake until the early hours when I drop off to sleep and wake Miss Franny with either snoring or throaty bubbling - not actual bubbles, it's not worth trying to film actual bubbles escaping and floating on the breeze... You know what I mean. And if you didn't then sorry for spoiling the mind image!
This does mean a certain amount of daytime dozing. Which means doing anything can take a long time, this missive being one of those things. So I'll stop and see what the rest of the day brings. It's gorgeous weather outside, I had a little walk to admire the garden whilst waiting for our ride to the surgery earlier and there's plenty of colour in the roses along the borders. There's a few dead heads wanting pruning but they'll have to wait a bit! It's time for a snooze...
29 July 2025. Back now in a twice-weekly visit to the District Nurse and as of this morning I am back into full compression. 'Pon my soul I'd forgotten just how much that could hurt. And whilst I'm not sure it's connected, I'm so cold I'm sitting here in Miss Franny's hoodie and a rug over my knees...
Then I hear some scroat is sending out friend requests on Facebook supposedly from me. I was quick to say "If you get one don't accept it, I'd hate anyone to get scammed. Though why anyone who is already friends on Facebook should think I or they need to be friends twice over is a bit beyond me...
Bye for now, I'm just falling a bit behind with my shivering...
