A Beautiful Irony

Having been kept awake most of the night by the function of my catheter, I have decided to explain something about it. The purpose is to enable a free flow of urine in the affected body. I will spare my readers a scan of the explicit colourful drawing we are given; those more squeamish may wish to pass the following paragraph completely.

A plastic tube is inserted into the urethra travelling to the bladder. This remains in place until the medics are satisfied that there is a free flow devoid of blood clots. It is the stinging resulting from the passing of these clots that disturbed my night’s sleep; there has not been much of this during the day. The liquid is collected in an attached plastic bag the content of which requires regular emptying and flushing away. If successful my catheter is due to be removed in two days time.

By coincidence Ronan and Harvey of Tom Sutton Heating visited by appointment this morning having brought a machine for flushing out a blockage in pipes carrying water from the boiler. As I sat with my (concealed) catheter bag attached to my leg, it was impossible to ignore the beautiful irony of this juxtaposition.

Shelly visited this afternoon bringing love, care, well wishes, and enjoyable conversation.

Later Nick Hayter visited to touch up areas of painting on our west end gable wall which he had not been able to reach while the scaffolding was in place. We also took the opportunity of a pleasant catch up.

Today Jackie completed her tidying of the patio after yesterday’s gusting winds.

Readers may have wondered what were the strips of wood in this picture from yesterday.

They were bought to conceal the peeling blue paint on the butler sinks. I was much steadier stepping out to photograph this before dinner.

This evening we dined on Ashleigh battered cod and garden peas.

77 comments

  1. Cod sounds delicious, I need to get some fish for this week.
    Oh dear, but I had to chuckle at the correlation between your predicament and the pipes! I have dealt with a catheter before, necessary evil but nothing amusing about it, is it? Get better soon

    1. Thank you so much, Merril. Nick has done so much excellent work here over the years to have become a good, concerned, friend. Because Jackie was out shopping he thought we were not at home and just got on with the job until I invited him i.

      1. You’re welcome, Derrick. I appreciate that extra bit of information, and your readers also know Nick and others. One of the lovely things about blogs/social media.

  2. It sounds like you had quite the day, Derrick, with both physical challenges and the unexpected irony of the plumbing situation! I admire your resilience and humor in the face of discomfort. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a restful night’s sleep soon! I wanted to comment sooner, but was busy with a bully on my blog!

  3. I know all about those uncomfortable “catheters” , Derrick … unfortunately, my Carole suffered from many urinary track infections due to to her severe MS, …

  4. The wearing out of organs and joints is the dreaded part of growing old and any lumps and bumps that go with it. Hang in there, Derrick. I love how the patio has developed since in was layed. It looks like it’s always been there now. Everything looks beautiful.

  5. To find humor in that irony is a testament to your good attitude and fabulous sense of humor, Derrick! (Hope the 2 days pass quickly!)

    The patio looks tidily (is that a word?) beautiful today! Wonderful work, Jackie! And we know you are taking great care…tender loving care…of Derrick, too! ❤️

    I DID wonder about the strips of wood yesterday. Good to see what their job is. 🙂
    (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️

  6. Glad to see you have not lost your sense of humour as you compare notes! :-D.. In all seriousness though Derrick I wish you well my friend.. And love the garden… the wind here died down a little today, its been fierce, we had a small branch break a few days ago.. Luckily it missed the greenhouse 🙂 Sending love xx

  7. Indeed the irony is that plumbing is of critical importance in both housing and body. Looks like your spirits are good. And the garden is just fab…
    best of luck in a couple of days Derrick.

  8. A beautiful irony indeed! The patio looks an attractive place to sit – ours is lookng battered after a few days of gale blowing everything about. Once spring (proper) arrives, I will give it more attention 🙂

  9. Quite the day for visitors.
    I imagine you’ll be ‘relieved’ (excuse the pun) when the catheter is removed. 🙂

  10. Plenty of company to pass the hours, Derrick. Fingers crossed for the all-clear and removal of the catheter later in the week. I’m sure you’ll be very pleased to see it gone!

  11. I did not read through the medical paragraph. I try to not think about doctor appointments and illness right now. Still over a months to my biopsy and still no surgery date for my husband.

  12. There is something unnatural about that, however, if it works it will all be worth it (easy for me to say). I enjoy seeing pictures of your gardens every time you post them. I hope you are doing better soon Derrick. You have a nature park right in your back yard.

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