Deirdre Geraghty

It looks horrible outside – very foggy. I have been up for a while. I assume that it is fog and not the houses on fire nearby. But the latter there would be a commotion l believe.

The male carer will be here any minute and he is going to help me with a hair wash over the kitchen sink. I am very nervous about this.

So I am up, dressed, unwashed, half fed. I took my painkillers over half an hour ago. It will take quite a bit longer before there’s any pain relief. Probably another dose of pain killer around 11.30.

I am feeling a bit better this afternoon. When I have had a few doses of the pain meds then I can take a deep breath and relax a little. But I’m still in a bad way in the mornings. I hope that they don’t cut the meds until my mornings are a little easier. And I am somewhat pleased with myself for getting my clean bedding out of the washing machine and onto the airers.

I’m in such a lot of pain. I don’t know what to do with myself.

Well I have been keeping an ear open for a care worker to arrive but nobody came this morning. Maybe they are not coming twice a day anymore. Waiting to hear back from them.

Now it’s time, yet again, for us to stand together with our Jewish friends and also with Jewish people that we don’t know. We are all humans, all the different sizes, shapes, colours, but we are all humans. Like the other species on this planet we all have feelings and needs but we are all living with each other so it is time to share – not squabble. There’s enough to go around.

Ooh not good yesterday. A bit better today. Someone has started coming to help me whilst I am suffering but hopefully just for a short time. The Care Coordinator came earlier and I sort of know what is happening. And my hair has been washed which helps me feel better.

So many times we have heard all about the excellent painkillers we have now so people can have a good life. Well I have heard enough. I have been in terrible pain for weeks and what I am offered is lacking. I’m still waiting for some kind of pain relief.

So I rang 111. I then spent many hours waiting for someone to call back. Eventually I heard from a nurse who was excellent and then a few hours later by a doctor. I have now increased the morphine dose to 3.75 ml four times a day. And, of course, l have been suffering from constipation and the opposite every time something changes.