Saturday and I take Irene down to the shops. I can drive OK and can sit in the car but it is painful getting in and out. I go to the chemist for some razor blades and a repeat prescription and the chemist says that he is glad that I am getting better and that I was on some serious pain killers.
I then go and sit in the car and warm it up ready for Irene coming back from shopping because it is bitterly cold. While I am waiting Karen walks past. Karen is a big bold Geordie nurse with a heart of gold, who I spent many hours with on fund-raising when I worked at the welfare.
“Drew, man, how’re ye gannin’?” she shouted through the car window. I tell her that I am doing fine but am still struggling to sit down. She tells me to try a contour pillow. “How you getting on with yer stoma bag?” I tell her that we’ve had our moments. “What’s that on yer face?” she asks. I tell her I have just had a mole removed. “Yer rubbish, man!” she shouts and flounces off.
Saturday night and we go out. I have walked down and Irene has pushed the wheelchair. Someone at the door asks if she has lost her patient. My next ambition is to walk home as well – it is uphill all the way – and then I can get rid of the wheelchair. I have already stopped using the zimmer frame. The club is busy which is good and we struggle to get a seat and have to sit by the door which is very cold with all the smokers going in and out. The pain in my derriere tonight is quite bad and it is sickening when I stand up.
There are two security doormen on duty who stand in the lounge. Irene says they must be there to prevent bingo rage. Walking sticks at ten paces! The singer was fairly average but at the end of the night he opened the double doors to get his equipment out. It was freezing and everyone complained and Irene closed the doors. The singer came back and told Irene to leave the doors open so he could get his gear out and Irene told him he didn’t need to leave the doors open. He went and got security who managed a compromise by opening the door for him. A very simple solution.
I had another restless night – my legs have started itching like mad and it’s driving me crazy.
Irene has now taken the pressure dressing off my face. There is still another dressing on it so I haven’t seen the scar but so far it has been remarkably pain free.
