February 2026

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Thursday, February 19th, 2026 08:50 pm
I’m exhausted, and I don’t know why. I’m working with my CPAP machine quite well, and it works, but I’m starting to fall asleep in the afternoons again.

Mind you, I had a good reason yesterday. When I went to hospital at the end of January, I was given a prescription. I took it to the pharmacy but it turned out that the doctor (whom I suspect to be a locum) had not signed or dated the scrip, and therefore it was useless. On Monday I had a letter from the hospital about the appointment, and usefully there was a phone number.

I rang the number and was told that if I came to the hospital at 09:15 on Wednesday, they’d give me a new prescription. I rather balked at the time, but I pulled myself from my bed at a sparrow’s fart and made it to the hospital by 09:10. Great, I thought, I will be home by 10:15. Not so. I was finally given my new prescription at 11:00, and had been excruciatingly bored, not to mention cold. Most hospitals seem to be overheated, but that one is always cold.

Worse, when I left the hospital to catch a bus home, I had to wait in the freezing wind. By the time the bus came, the muscles of my face wouldn’t move, and I wondered if that’s what Botox feels like.

I made it home at about 11:30, and had a hot breakfast at the local club, which has a café at the back during the mornings. It was very nice to have a meal I hadn’t prepared myself. Having said that, I’m living largely on breakfast cereal because even heating up ready meals is proving too much for me these days.

Cats

Geraint seems to be doing better, he’s gained some weight and is no longer the skinny cat who originally came here. He plays, has zoomies and when I’m playing my PS5 he curls up at my feet, keeping them warm.

Opal still has a problem with her back – she’s chewing her fur, for all the world like a person with trichotillomania. It really worries me. She’s on Metacam and Gabapentin, but though it helps a bit, it doesn’t solve the problem completely. The vet only suggested that she be fed something that is a specialist food for a cat with a problem with coat and stomach. Again, it helps, but not completely. I give her a taurine supplement and various oils, but really, I’m at a loss.
Friday, February 20th, 2026 10:51 am (UTC)
Really sorry to hear about Opal - I assume you've ruled out allergies? I know some cats have a protein processing problem which presumably the different food is supposed to address. My parents' cat used to get seasonal allergies and itchy skin but that sounds very different. Is it possible she's getting back pain, and that's why it's the back she grooms? Really hope you can find out what's going on. Glad to hear Geraint is doing well!
Saturday, February 21st, 2026 01:34 pm (UTC)
Poor Opal (and it's not nice to watch a petin discomfort, so poor you too). Would she tolerate one of the inflatable 'donut' collar things to help break the chewing cycle (the other cat I know of that does this wore one for quite a while initially, but now only needs it for short periods intermittently now her fur has regrown).
Saturday, February 21st, 2026 10:34 pm (UTC)
Sorry to hear you're so tired. I hope it clears up, and that it isn't one more diabetes thing.