Sorry, it’s been a while. I’m still on deck, although cashing my frequent flyer points at Joondalup Hospital again. Yes, more trouble resulting in another two week stay from 28 Sept to 12 October. It’s nothing chronic or dangerous, just another in my long line of illnesses.

This time it’s the result of at least three months of almost unbearable itching. It was and still is so bad that I can hardly sleep at night, when it’s at its worst. It seems to be temperature sensitive, so worst at night under the doona. It’s a bit too cold at night yet to leave the doona off. But it’s agony, lying there scratching for hours at a time.

Eventually I was so exhausted that the nurse recommended calling the ambos again. I spent another six hour wait on a bed in the corridor before they got to me about 9pm. It took another couple of hours until finally a ward bed became available.

Diagnosis? My kidneys were only working at half pace, meaning excess potassium (I think). They put me on a barely drinkable calcium mixture to restore the balance, which it slowly did over the space of several days. I had a couple of days blissfully free of the itching. Unfortunately it’s come back, although not as badly.

Meanwhile, the hospital wound team were looking after my right leg, which had become ulcerated, and I’m very happy to say their treatment worked and the skin is virtually unbroken now. Except where I scraped it getting out of bed a few days ago, resulting in much bleeding. It’s OK now.

So that was my 14th trip to the hospital since June 2024! As I say, I don’t have any big disease like the big C, but it’s a worry. I spend most of my time sleeping, especially during the day, so not much is getting done.

_________________________________________________________

I’m very pleased to say that my living arrangements are working wonderfully well. My two “guests” are attentive, conscientious, thoughtfull and very pleasant company. Couldn’t wish for more.

__________________________________________________________

As well, my Home Support Package is being managed by Velora Care and again I seem to have landed with my “bum in the butter”, as a friend sometimes says. There have been a couple of hiccups withe finances (nothing serious), but we’re back on an even keel again now.

I get home care Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two hours at a time, plus a nurse two days a week to look after my legs. It’s meant a lot of pressure bandaging, but it seems to have worked well and my legs are back to their old time slimness. Woo hoo.

So all in all, I can’t complain. I sure wish I still had my cars, though. Boy, I miss driving!