Visiting..and news

Dear BLF friends🦋,

Bea and I have had to move out of our nice ground floor flat because of the works starting soon so Aria has been quite unhappy and grumpy😾, the balcony will not do it! I said to Bea we have to programme things differently next time but it’s done now!

It has been very hot in Geneva, constantly in the 30s, ☀️and although we are slightly out, it is very polluted, I can see planes flying low. 🛬🛫✈️

For the last week we have had incredible storms over the lake ⚡️⚡️💦💦in the evenings but it doesn’t seem to cool down the air.

I am going out early morning, sticking to pavements in the shade 😃 sorry for natural Vit D but better taken in supplements if we have this global warming!!

I am following up with my lung care routine, it is tedious but I thought I am so grateful I have those meds because I wouldn’t have coped with this heat (seawater nasal wash 2 to 3 x a day, Salbutamol nebs 3 x a day, my 3 inhalers, oral steroids..) as well as 30mn exercising slowly in the pool a day if I can manage it. I have so far for 10 days in a row. I must say it is nice and refreshing.

Regarding the prednisone, because I have been told to taper down, the old pains are coming back, I have talked to the GP who told me to stick to 10mg for a month now, then start tapering down again by 1mg a month till I get to 5mg.

I don’t know if I will ever get to 5mg. I don’t think I have ever been 😃

So extra physiotherapy because my ankles, calves and knees are painful..I need to work on those hamstrings etc which take a lot of oxygen and are demanding in lung disease. I just take paracetamol now before going out so I can walk to town.

Sharing all those boring factors with you, I expect you all have your aches and pains.

As usual listening to health imagery and repeating my affirmations has been a great help.

Anyway on a more positive note I saw that beautiful statue on my visiting days but I forgot the name of the sculptor!

Have a lovely day my dear friends! 🍀

Fran xx

[HungryHufflepuff]

That's an incredible statue.

I thought we got Vitamin D even when keeping to the shade but that could just be something I imagined! I'm sorry to know your old pains are coming back, hopefully by tapering down the Pred it will be a little less bad?

I hope Aria will adapt to the new surroundings, well the balcony, and the works will be completed soon.

[Hidden in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thank you HHPuff 😊

Do we get it in the shade? Well little did I know.

No unfortunately, less pred more pains..It is an anti-inflammatory and I have high rhumatoïde factors..but paracetamol is less damaging in the long run I suppose..

Thanks for Aria 😻 I am going to look for grass this morning because she misses chewing her grass 🌱

Work on the flat will take a couple of months..all the plumbing and rewiring need to be done, then redecorating..

I will move into the nursing home on August 20th it is easier, I have to have my secondary cataract removed on the 22nd and I am blind as a bat 😃

it leaves Bea free to have a proper holiday.

Take care x

Fran

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Hidden]

As far as I know you can get Vit D in the shade in the summer but I could be wrong! I'm sure someone will correct me. Interesting about Pred relieving pain though, I suppose it would do. I hadn't thought of that. Pain is so horrible (to put it simplistically!)

I hope your cataract surgery goes well 💐

PS random fact, yesterday was international cat day!

[Hidden in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Yes so it was international cat day 😻 extra croquettes were in order!! 😃

[Tilantoe in reply to Hidden]

Did you know you could grow grass in a large tray for Aria on the balcony. I did that for my dogs when I only had a concrete yard. And they missed the garden. Grass seed grows quick.

[Hidden in reply to Tilantoe]

Thank you Tilantoe 😊 I will look into it!!! X

[mskpjb in reply to Hidden]

In fact I used to grow special grass in small pots when I had my two pusscats. That way as one pot was dying off another was fresh. As they were indoor cats they really used to enjoy having a good old chew. Sheila xx

[Hidden in reply to mskpjb]

Thank you Sheila 🌸

I went to the florist 🌼 Bea sent me to, he looked at me like if I was a foreigner 😊 but I said to Bea we’ll go to the 🇨🇭garden centre.

Aria 😻is out on the balcony thinking rain 🌧thank goodness!! ☔️☔️☔️

Love x

Fran

[mskpjb in reply to Hidden]

Fran it's a packet of cat grass seeds you need and a small bag of compost - oh and some pots ! Wish I could remember the name for cat grass. Has Bea thought about putting her on a little harness and taking her out to grass ? I've done that when we went off in the caravan. Best of luck ! Sheila xx

[Hidden in reply to mskpjb]

Okidoki Sheila! I’ll look for that!! It was Bea’s dream to take her cat out on a leash 😃

We tried a collar once and she went completely crazy! 🙃

I think it is too late for a 6-year-old.. she will be carried in her box down to the bottom garden if things get desperate and she can have a peep out, she isn’t adventurous so I doubt she will disappear anywhere and we will be ready with our trainers for a sprint just in case 😂 Things you have to do to keep your cat happy 😇 xx

[mskpjb in reply to Hidden]

Remembered the name of the seeds, it's Avena Sativa. Yes they do demand a lot of us sometimes but aren't they worth it ! Sheila xx

[Hidden in reply to mskpjb]

Thank you Sheila 😊 Too right I wouldn’t do without a cat 😻

Fran xx

[sassy59]

Dear Fran,

Ups and downs of lung disease are right there with you as always. Good luck with the reducing pred. Petes on 10mg and has never succeeded in getting any lower.

Poor Aria, hope she will be happier soon. The statue is beautiful but no idea who it’s by.

Take care, keep walking and meditating, you’re an inspiration.

Wishing you well. Xxxx💖😘

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Thank you my dear Carole 💕

I don’t know if I will manage it but the new respiratory specialist was adamant! I tell you they have all got different 🐝 in their bonnet 😃

I’ll find out who it’s by when I go back.

Love,

Fran xxx

[chubby2x22]

Lovely to hear from you fran i was thinking about you and the move everything takes so much effort and of course the heat doesn't help but you'll soon be "updated and modernised". I have two appts on Monday in Peterborough at City hospital just hoping they don't mess with my meds too much. It's a 2 hour drive but hopefully the consultant knows his stuff. Have a lovely weekend. Jane

[Hidden in reply to chubby2x22]

Hello Jane 🌸

2 appointments on the same day!

Yes I hope so too for your sake. I’m always a bit weary of seeing different doctors..I’m thinking of you.

Let us know how it went 🤞🍀

Have a lovely weekend too xx

Fran

[skischool]

A little link for you my happy friend,i believe you need direct sunlight to obtain your vit d but obviously not to much so that the skin burns.

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

That statue is a bit imposing and would scare the life out of Aria,the downside of not getting her grass could be a dodgy tummy but the upside for you and Bea could be less fur balls.

Footie transfer frenzy in the uk market today as it's the last day clubs can buy in players and can you spare us a centre forward who can score goals as we badly need one.

love and best wishes Ski's and Scruffy xx

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

Thank you for the info my dear Skis 🎿

Aria still has the dodgy tummy, could be nerves I think as she isn’t eating mice and birds!! Who knows! Anyway I have added a tsp of rice to her daily ration, enough of expensive useless meds..and she likes it.

Hope Scruffynounette is doing fine.

Well you can have Cavani lol 😂

We need more but have the UEFA on our backs..

Love,

Fran xx

[skischool in reply to Hidden]

No merci,Ms Giroud would spit his proverbial dummy out if he had to play alongside Ms Cavani lol xx

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

😂😉

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

Is Giroud staying? World champion now? I can’t remember if he actually scored? I think he did. Well you’ll have to give him a raise 😃

[skischool in reply to Hidden]

Answer 1 no idea?

Answer 2 no he didn't,the last time he scored is recorded in the bible somewhere! x

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

Lollllllll 😂

[Yatzy in reply to skischool]

Thanks, Skis, for the vit D info....very clear. It settles an argument I have with myself on sun through glass. I’ve been known to laze in a comfy chair by a window in the sun, thinking honourable thoughts about my healthy living while doing not a lot except read my book. You’ve put a stop to that malarkey! I’ll probably still do it, but without any excuses!! 😎

Hope you’re well by now and get a new CF by close of transfer window. Mourinho has got the leg irons on Pogba so no chance there! ⚽️ Anyway there’s no room at the top of the league for your blues!! Ha! 🤣 I tried to buy a ticket for Old Trafford yesterday but ALL GONE for WHOLE SEASON for home games, though can put you name in usual ballot for City, L’pool, Arsenal or CHELSEA games. They must have sold an awful lot of season tickets. Or I read the website wrongly....not unknown!

Have a good day ☀️ Strokes to Scruffs 😺, Penny xx

[Hidden in reply to Yatzy]

Sold for the whole season pfff get on that fan exchange website xx

[Yatzy in reply to Hidden]

Ooo! That’ll be a new venture for me 🙀 Thanks for the tip, Fran ⚽️🎉🌈 xx

[Hidden in reply to Yatzy]

viagogo.com

[skischool in reply to Yatzy]

Penny,you need to wear a pin stripe suit and eat prawn sandwiches to get a ticket,similar at Chelsea i believe lol

love Ski's and scruff's x

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

Yes I can see Penny in a hospitality suite!! We’ll join her!! For a Man U-Chelsea match!

[Yatzy in reply to Hidden]

You’ll both be very welcome! ⚽️🎉⚽️ Though we might be at odds about the score! Another drink would settle it 🥂🍷🍷 🍻!! xx

[Hidden in reply to Yatzy]

Great 👍 !!!! Xx

[Carnival567]

I hope the work on the flat goes quickly so Aria can get back to her routine ( it doesn’t matter about you of course!). Your post could be for all of us - being chronically ill is so time consuming! Keep well, difficult in this heat though xx

[Hidden in reply to Carnival567]

Haha..indeed!! Yes thank you 😊 well it is raining now..always for Geneva celebrations..it’s all happening at the weekend. I hope not for all the work that goes into it, fireworks and all. Xx

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I have to agree that is a stunning statue. Hope you are doing ok in the heat, take care. 😊 Bernadette xx

[Hidden in reply to Damon1864]

Thank you Bernadette 🌼

Got the name of the Spanish sculptor: Manolo Valdés

It’s pouring now, just had time to get back home from shopping..temperature down to 20!! We lost 10 degrees in a day!!

Take care too Bernadette xx

[Yatzy]

Good morning, Fran ☀️💕 ⚽️ 😘

Love the statue but those shiny tiles look slippy....take care! I had a near accident outside our front door yesterday, stepping over a pile of floor layers shoes as I ventured forth. My sandals were wet after a spot of gardening and my front foot just went whoosh ahead of me!! I haven’t done the splits in years, and managed to avoid them again, just! 🤸‍♂️

I do hate new medics fiddling with our needs....I suppose they’ve got to feel they’ve done SOMETHING!! I went for my first asthma/meds review at my new GP surgery yesterday, first the pharmacist then the nurse. They were cvery pleasant and omplimentary about my knowledge of my triggers and control of tricky asthma, but then subituted my seretide 250 for sereflo...or something...showed me the paperwork to prove similar drug, just cheaper for NHS. I suppose I will have to try, but unsettling when your breathing is such an issue. The nurse assured me she’d swap me back if any problems but just trying a change makes me nervous!

They’ve also surrounded my prednisolone repeat prescription in a double row of asterisks, ‘so we can keep our eye on dosage’ but again, makes me nervous they might say....”make an appointment, earliest is in two weeks” when they’ve decided I’ve had my quota! It’s just my anxiety in a new situation, hopefully, but I wonder if any of them have ever had that suffocation feeling, they seem to think it can all be done in slow motion!

Be careful with your steroid reduction, Fran, as I know you will be. You know your body best, though least is best we know with steroids....but needs must! I’m wondering if my swap from seretide will reduce these awful,purple marks I get with every single knock to my limbs....same steroid amount but some say seretide particularly bad for the purpurea, or whatever it’s called. I’ll be able to wear short sleeves again....and get more vit D!! Ha! ☀️😎🙏

I’ll speak very soon, my lovely friend, though it’s my grandchildren minding day today.....that will cheer me up!! 👫💑 Mainly! 🤫

Lots of love, enjoy your day, Fran. Hope Aria begins to enjoy her holiday soon, Penny 💙❤️💕💜🌈😺🎉xx

[Hidden in reply to Yatzy]

Morning my dear Penny 💕

Sun’s gone today!

⛅️🌦🌧

Yes I saw that, I was careful, garden sprinklers I expect. Oh dear take good care! 🤗

I hate them fiddling too. 🧐 yes always the same and cheaper for the NHS except it isn’t the same and I got that from one specialist who said no generic is the same, it is down to excipients.

I had a good look at those Salbutamol nebs side effects. I knew you could get cramps but it also mentions muscle pains. Bea bought me some dark chocolate 🍫 and bananas 🍌 for potassium yesterday I couldn’t say no 😃

If you can’t breathe, need rescue pred and can’t get a GP appointment go to A&E..

Well they do well to keep an eye, it is dangerous long term..you know what happened to my back vertebrae etc..but as the endocrinologist said if you need it for pulmonary problems then it is different. Until they find something else we can have..

Well the new specialist gave me a talking to about pred like if it was all my doing!

So I told him in my teacher’s voice, the one I used with the naughty student who thought I was an idiot and he was being clever 😜

I only take meds on doctor’s prescription so please communicate with your colleagues.

I thought maybe I should have kept my mouth shut 🤐 but he became more lenient and gave me another appointment for September 11th as he would have more time to study my file.

Of all days..I can be silly superstitious..🙄

I have the ecchymoses as well I must tell you the Consultant said it won’t go back to normal..it is due to thinning of the skin dermatoporosis!! There is a cream from Avene which helps, ask your pharmacist.

Enjoy your grandchildren Penny 😘💕🌸

Fran xx

[hypercat54]

Hello dear Fran you sound very positive and happy and I am pleased things are going well for you. Take care in the heat. x

[Hidden in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks my dear Bev 🌼And how are you? Wishing you well x

Fran

[Kitten-kat23]

Take care.

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-kat23]

Thank you Kitten 🐱 x Hope you are well 😊

[Kitten-kat23]

I wasn't well over the weekend, but I'm not too bad at the moment.

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-kat23]

Was it too hot for you? I had breathlessness and aches and pains..it’s cooled down today but have to be careful as we lost 10 degrees in a day!

Take care of yourself x

Fran

[Kitten-kat23 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I'm glad it's cooled down. I don't think we lost quite so much in one go here, but it's certainly changed. It's been raining all day. Take care.

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-kat23]

I am pleased for you. It is brightening up here now, so strange..

Take care too x

[Hidden]

Hello Fran, so sorry your having a lot of aches and pains. Poor Aria missing her

own place sorry she is quiet unhappy and miserable. 😥 Interesting statue. Take care Fan. Majt 😃 X

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Majt,

Thank you for caring ☺️

The weather is changing, it seems to help. Bea is rearranging things, Aria seems happier.

Wishing you well x

Fran