feeling lost

[shadow4me]

I am beginning to think that I have been locked up forgotten about and miss my family so much I cant see a end to this for us who are shielded not very positive I know but im sure im not alone in feeling like this ?Even all the medics are hiding haven't heard from any including my so called specialist I don't know what I would do without my dogs x

[sassy59]

Hi there shadow4me, it’s really awful and I feel for you. I’m shielding with Pete as obviously can’t risk his health. I’m so fed up today and having a bit of a wobble, no idea why.

Pete’s had a call from the Council but nobody else. He did manage to arrange a blood test at home to see if he’s making antibodies after the pneumonia jab in January. That’s about it.

Your dogs are lovely and good companions I’m sure.

Thinking of you and here for a chat if you want to do that. You’re not alone.

Love and hugs xxx😘🌈

[Kristicats in reply to sassy59]

Ahh lovely fur babies! It’s becoming quite isolating isn’t it? We just have to keep telling ourselves it will not be forever. Seems more bearable when the sun is out just to be outside. I wish I had a dog to walk.

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to sassy59]

Hi Carole I hope tomorrow will be a better day for you. Thinking of you and Pete

[sassy59 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thank you HH, I’m sure tomorrow will be a better day. Thinking of you too and sending love and hugs. Xxx💕❤️😘

[Hacienda in reply to sassy59]

Thinking of you Both Carole & Pete. Stay well & Hopeful. Lots of Love XXX C.

[sassy59 in reply to Hacienda]

Thank you dear Carolina. We will and you too. Love and hugs, Carole and Pete xxx

[katieoxo60 in reply to sassy59]

Stay calm , we are all having wobbles some days I am sure. Two times I have considered looking for outside help as my chest is worse than usual. I use Chriskhos sentiment it is not for ever to keep me going. It is mainly the council who are checking on the highly vulnerable, but it is so isolating as you say. My freind says chin up weve been through worse than this in a lifetime. Stay well both fingers crossed things will change soon,take care and if you need to talk there are some carer help lines if you ask the council in your area, just for chat of course. xxx

[sassy59 in reply to katieoxo60]

Thank you Katie for being so kind and thoughtful. The sun is shining and a new day has begun. We will get through this. Not very helpful though when Boris says we may never have a vaccine. Dear me.

Wishing you well. Xxxx

[Bardear in reply to sassy59]

Hi I am shielding and like everyone else am getting pretty fed up with it all. I had a pneumonia injection in October last year - as a booster - as I am allergic to the egg that the flu vaccine is cultivated in or on - anyhow I have NEVER been offered a blood test for antibodies after having this injection as a precaution and this would be the third one I have had over the years. Nor have I heard from the Council at all.

I had a call from the NHS about 3 weeks ago and then suddenly a food parcel appeared and they said they would ring the following week to check that all was well. Still waiting. I do realise they are very busy.

Nor have I been put on any supermarket extremely vulnerable list so that I can do my shopping on line with a slot for delivery.

Nor do I have a chest consultant (even after two hospital admissions) - never had one - nor any contact from any community nurse or GP.

Lock down or no lock down I feel that I have "slipped through the net" probably like thousands of others.

Oh well never mind - another lock down down tomorrow, Ha ha.xxxxxxxxx

[Blackbird6]

Oh my how gorgeous are those furbabies...

Please dont get too despondent this lockdown won't last forever do you walk the dogs out as it is allowed ...

Enjoy the company of your little ones around you sometimes they are all we need 💜💜💜

[shadow4me in reply to Blackbird6]

Wish I could xx

[SORRELHIPPO]

I know some of that feeling. I have been housebound for 2 years, but find that is only partly helpful. There was the fact that some friends would visit, and if I managed certain things, I might be able to get out again. I had not realised how helpful the "hope" was. My best help, has been my ability to forget, even the passing of time, when reading a book. I do find reading the posts, on the sites I belong to helps, a bit of "putting myself in others shoes". Keep well.

[Hidden]

So glad you have your dogs Are they getting to go out for walks?

I don't think things will ever be the same again but I am sure we will all adjust.

Stay safe and well.

[HungryHufflepuff]

I'm glad you've got your dogs to keep you company 🐕 Can you talk with your family on facetime or something like that. It's not the same as being with them in person of course. We will keep you company too, and there's always a n entertaining poem or picture or puzzle too 😊

[Caspiana]

Hello shadow4me , 👋

What you are feeling is so understandable. Some days are much worse than others. Are you able to get out to walk your dogs? If you can, exercise is really key to staving off the blues. I have tried very hard to keep a routine during this time and resist the temptation to dwell too much on the fact I am stuck at home a lot. 😑 Are you able to call your family and friends on a daily basis? I keep in touch with my mum and sisters as much as I can. Perhaps reaching out to an old friend you haven't spoken to for a while via phone may help too. I find spending too much time on the internet is not good for how I feel so I restrict my time online and listen to music instead. 🎶

Believe it or not the world has had a breather since us humans have had to stay indoors.

Some good has come of this and these are just a few examples😀. As we speak a thousand deer are roaming the now empty streets of Nara, Kyoto. In Wales, mountain goats have moved into the town of Llandudno. There is also a sharp reduction in atmospheric levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is produced by fossil-fuel combustion.

But importantly, remember this time too shall end. We will have some semblance of normal again but with precautions and I think that's not so bad. Sorry for my rambling. Take care.

Cas xx 🙋🐕

[Ergendl in reply to Caspiana]

Even the birds don't have to sing so loudly because of the reduction in background noise.

[Sharp5Flat13 in reply to Ergendl]

Amazing observation, Ergendl. Absobloodylutely!

[cofdrop-UK]

Sorry to hear you feel so down. One concern I have is when this lockdown is ended how we will feel venturing out when we haven’t done it for so long. Will it feel very weird after the cabin fever I wonder.

Hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

Cx

[Sharp5Flat13 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Agreed, cofdrop-UK...Even driving feels like a new experience again.

[joyce74]

I know how you feel. We moved last year to sheltered accommodation and enjoyed the community contact with others. Now have to keep away from each other, the lounge now not allowed to be used for our safety . Our families just drop packages outside now it’s no wonder depression sets in.

[DaisyEric]

We had a bad day yesterday too and so did a few friends in the village (the local Dr and his wife) it may have been a bad day all round.

Your doggies look adorable and gosh what would we do without them? My pusskin is always here with me and so loyal and lovable.

I am sending you some ((())) and hope today is a better one for you xxx

[Hacienda]

Morning Hun, Your Babies are so Beautiful and are the Greatest Companions you can have. Most of us are Feeling it, I too am shielding, Total Days so Far 75. I Have my Hubby & My Fatter Podgy Princess, I have found she is comfort eating, much like myself. BUT, I do exercise at Home , with an exercise Bike and weights, I wear a "Step" Watch, to Register my Activity, I do this with my Oxygen set to 3 lts. Please find a Pastime to stop the Grey area. Think of the Summer and Plan for when all this is over, I have done this before the Lock Down, to maintain my Mental State. Good Luck Stay Safe, stay strong. Love . C. XXX

[Patk1]

I feel 4u.i often feel the same on bad day.if u can drive,go do a thro the window or over the gate chat its made big difference 2 how i feel.im same - no letter,no drs phonecalls,no food parcels,no test whilst ill.nothing.ive felt forgotten by system too

Iv decided to wear a mask n go out perodically as it helps with mental health.we r here 4u.

Can u ring or even beta videocall family.it helps too. Get the tv or radio on.local radios gd as chat & cover local news.

Thinking of u x

[katieoxo60]

Yes it does feel isolated, even workmen are only allowed in in extreme emergency. Most of us highly vulnerable sheilded are feeling like we are being segregated with no hope of a return to normal, as you say. Not very optimistic but possibly nearer to the real situation with no sight of light at the end of the tunnel. Plus having concerns about our own health. For many only these forums to turn to. Who would have expected a virus to cause such horrors and no cure. Sad about all the deaths too, not expected in a modern , research orientated society. Not complaining just expressing our feelings. In such a crisis many have shown their dedication in the face of the unexpected danger. Always here if you need to talk, many subjects and we have music, poetry, jokes and quizzes, gardening ect. Take care, how do you get dog needs by the way? Pets can be a life saver. Bye for now.

[shadow4me in reply to katieoxo60]

I live with hubby and daughter but I miss all my other family and the grandkids so much x

[katieoxo60 in reply to shadow4me]

Hello again , it is nice when you have a family with you but also a bigger risk if you get the virus of infecting your own family. I live alone and have done since I lost my husband 16 years ago, I have a grown up family and grandchildren, + greatgrandchildren, but we are not a family unit as such. But this is preventing any interaction other than online so its not normal social get togethers. I am a sheilded person so one family member can come in for my care needs only and I cannot go out whats so ever for 12 weeks. It will be June before I can even go to the post box. As you see all our circumstances are different. But many of us feel the same in this crisis.

[peege]

Hi, sending you hugs and a bit of care to help you through today. Are you alone with your dogs? It is very tough at times when you live alone at the best of times.

I'm not on the shielded list, live alone apart from my dear dog Lola a Tibetan terrier cross poodle cross cocker spaniel. I do take her for walks, endless troggs around the streets walking mostly down the middle of the roads. Recently discovered that at our big park 10 minutes away people are letting their dogs run free so we're venturing there. Lolls hadn't done this since early January (I broke my wrist and hand which wouldn't heal totally limiting life) so it's been wonderfully uplifting to see her gamboling about like a spring lamb in the last couple of weeks.

Its only natural to feel down at a time like this, especially with all the sad and depressing news and having no human contact. We are so lucky to have family, some don't, mine are all far away to thank heavens for modern technology. Give yourself some TLC, do as someone suggested and contact an old friend - if you will then I will too! I'll do it this morning.

[watergazer]

Such gorgeous fur babies shadow4me. They must be a strength for you. It's amazing how they are so quick to react to our moods. Bad days are understandable as we shield ourselves from our friends and family. I'm shielding as much as possible though I'm REGARDED moderate . I do miss that proper contact - hugs, cuddles .. We facetime, have videos sent and speak through windows on the rare occasion a family member drops off something or comes to collect something. My cul de sac is quiet so I ventured down it yesterday and felt very strange and maybe unsafe . Take care. x Anita

[aunttomany]

hi i feel just the same i try and be positive but at times i feel alone medics seem to have forgoten all about us i also have a dog she keeps me sane at least we can talk on here you are not alone big hug

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I know how you feel, I haven't seen anyone in weeks, but like you I have my little dog I would be lost without him. Good job we have this wonderful site. Have a lovely day and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx xx 🌈

[Dedalus]

You're definitely not alone. I had another wobble and few tears yesterday -just felt so alone (don't even have gorgeous dogs to cuddle and love). Told myself off, told myself to pull up my socks and, fortunately, feeling much better again today (doesn't always work, but SO happy when it does). Failing that I have my 5-HTP on hand (natural remedy for depression, and help me enormously). Sending lots of virtual hugs. Stay safe and hopefully the end to this horrid virus will come sooner rather than later x

[Hidden]

Remember, shielding is advisory not compulsory. I think if we meet family & grandchildren outside somewhere, not all at once obviously, and are really careful, the risk would be absolutely minimal. In recent weeks I’ve met my sister and my daughter/grandchild this way & it’s enabled me to cope. You have to think about your mental state, no good complying rigidly with shielding if you end up so depressed it affects your health.

[Sharp5Flat13 in reply to Hidden]

Great points, Hanne62. The utmost of caution from everyone.

[wooo]

Your not alone, please remember that it's an emotional rollercoaster.

Some days I sit and cry craving for some normality.

I then think about all those people who have lost someone to COVID-19 & I am grateful I haven't.

I know words come easy but please hang on there, tomorrow is another day hopefully closer to our normal life

Sending you muck love & hugs from one shielding friend to another x

[pepparuby1]

I hear you - I feel like everyday is Groundhog Day but the emotions and feelings are different. Some days I’m more tearful than others - what your feeling you are not alone I can’t even think about the two months of not going out except in the garden!

Take care x

[Sharp5Flat13]

Feeling your pain, shadow4me. I miss my fellow COPD-ers from the pul. rehab. classes. Such a common bond to share. The couple I met in Liverpool Dec. 2018 have a trip booked for China and Japan this Nov. I can’t believe they can be so brazen.

[coral12]

hi i to am shielding but on my own .my son had to mive out cause he.s still working .the last few days have got to me bit depressed now .

[Patk1 in reply to coral12]

Xxx

[Patk1 in reply to coral12]

Thinking of you coral12 and hope yr feeling bit better x

[ninelives]

I think most of us extremely vulnerable have lots of wobble days.

I do hope that you are feeling better, thinking of you and sending huge virtual hugs