Awake and up all night

I've already given up Julie, as spot that nonsense I dredged up - 'To i' - in green!

I'll present myself at your desk after school and hopefully get away with 100 lines. I'm old school if you hadn't noticed.

Hope you're feeling a bit better today, my lovely xxx

I'm not familiar with drain tubing/bag attachments or indeed stoma intricacies except that I've seen discussions about adhesives, skin compatibility (allergies) and leaks. If these systems are accidentally pulled off, I would expect there to be a need for thorough skin preparation to ensure a good attachment with new adhesive pads. AI can now answer many of these medical questions with reasonable reliability if you can't quickly get access to a medic for advice, but always talk to the experts before doing anything which seems risky.  xxx 

Last night, actually the early hours of today, I went upstairs to deal with my Foley urethral catheter then go to bed. It is lucky that I did not decide to put it off. Initial attempts to flush the catheter were difficult as only a tiny amount of water would go in or pull out (<1ml). After about an hour and a half and multiple attempts I succeeded in restoring adequate flow then went to bed at nearly 5-30am. The bag this morning looked a bit muddy but not quite rosé. I'm hoping normality will reestablish before tomorrow's catheter replacement appointment, otherwise I'll be subjected to blood tests and a long wait for results before I'm set free to go home. I'm hoping that my doctor's letter to Urology requesting a review and perhaps further tests will result in some activity soon. My last probing session was in early 2022. I feel that it is now time to see what exactly is going on in my waterworks and maybe have anything untoward treated. I can cope with a 'carry on as you are' verdict if necessary. At least it would be a more informed decision than the current blind hope and prayer situation.

As always, I hope all who are newly diagnosed, waiting for results, undergoing treatment or going through a welcome clear period have many opportunities to enjoy moments in this roller coaster ride.  Ray xxx

Afternoon Ray  

All the very best for tomorrow hon, and hoping they'll give you and your plumbing a thorough overhaul. After over 4 years I reckon one's due but nothing that will require you to end up in dock

Just reading about everything you've got to do makes my eyes water, and further annoys me that I was expected to sort out OH's catheter that time with no experience whatsoever. He already had an infection and I could have made it far worse, plus the pee in his bag was darkest rust - a tiny clue that his waterworks were faulty.

I digress. Just hoping you feel ok today hon, but none of your last paragraph applies to us two here in Laughter Towers xxx

Hello Gill, and thanks.

When you carry out your next maintenance activity on OH, stick printed instruction/notes on his forehead and tell him to give thumbs up or down guidance as you proceed. It may raise a smile. I'd need notes if doing the complicated care routines you undertake. You certainly deserve a good portion of a nurse's salary or at least a flashy uniform and stethoscope. Did the eclairs hit a spot the other day? I'm still Garibaldiless.  xxx

Afternoon Ray. Have they stopped selling your garibaldis ? The cheek of it. I am still addicted to the muller corners although I have been varying the flavours. Hope you have found a substitute for the garibaldis. Sending love and hugs your way.xxx

Hello Sonia, the Muller corners shelf in our Tesco is often bare. Rumours suggest a huge demand for them 'up North.'  

I've been chewing Eccles cakes. They are quite nice except for the very hard bit in the base which initially caught me out. I thought they'd put a free gift of an old penny in them at first. Hugs to you, hoping you have a serenely calm day of relaxed Mullering.  xxx

Ray, I fell asleep early last night but woke up after my allotted 2 hours around 1.15am. it was then I gouged down 2 large choc éclairs as time has no meaning in my world. Put it this way, they sated my vampiric cravings.

I'll take the nurse outfit and stethoscope thanks Ray, but the chances of raising a smile here are zero just because.

I've changed tack today - instead of going berserk with OH, which is exhausting as I give it my all, I've been indolent, indifferent and totally silent, which is what I get. If I can keep it up, doubtful, I've only got just under two years to go to repay in kind.

Yep, I'm not in the best of moods today but I'm sure it'll come out in the wash... eventually.

Hey, we got a bit of rain overnight as Mrs Overall's flags round the back were damp. Even better, thunderstorms could be on the cards this week and that will make a certain vampire very happy indeed. Pray for me Ray xxx

Thank you Ray I forage my way through tescos for every muller corner. My son lives in eccles where eccles cakes originate from. So you have a connection with manchester. Eccles is about 10 minutes drive from me. So only up the road. Hope they don't run out of eccles cakes for you. I love them.

Afternoon Sonia ️ 

We watched How it's Made a bit back. Paddy McGuiness was in the Eccles factory showing how the cakes were made from scratch.

They looked delicious so I'll have to buy some xxx