the dreaded virus.

[Mavary]

I need to put the flags out. At last I’ve had a negative result. I did have it for fourteen days though. The shingles are a pain now. I seem to be in pain all morning. It’s not so bad in the afternoon. I’m trying to get moving a bit but it’s so much effort. I’ve now got a mucussy cough and I’m blowing a lot from my nose. I think it’s going to take a little longer to feel better. The trouble is it’s hard when you’re on your own and have to do it all. I do get there in the end. At least I’ve got time on my hands.

thank you guys for all your help and kindness. Xxx

[sassy59]

Hurray! I knew you’d get there Mavis, good news. Now to just get well which will take a bit longer probably. Take it day by day. Wishing you well.

Love Carole xxx❤️🌹

[Mavary in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Hon.

I had my groceries shop this morning and I made them come round the back where I had put out my shopping trolley with my rubber gloves on and a linen basket on a small sack truck. I use it to take my rubbish to the bins or to carry things in house. He came and was putting in the shopping and I said I had Covid. I hadn’t done todays test yet. Oh he said don’t worry about that. It’s all media hype. Whattttt!!!!!!!!! . I couldn’t believe it. A lot of people are so Don’t care a less about it. It really beggars belief. Well I’ve had it and it’s dragged me right down. I never want it again.

And how are you today hon. Xxx

[LissacFrance in reply to Mavary]

Hope that the Shingles is not too bad. Re Covid: In France we no longer do testing. Both wife and myself have had Covid even though we are fully vaccinated. Wife had virtually no ill effects, I had flu like symptoms for several days. This was last April. Unfortunately we have got to live with it and stay up to date with vaccinations. I imagine that in the not too distant future we will have a combined vaccine for flu and Covid, and I for one will be in the queue. Have a good day, Chris.

[Nightmare2 in reply to LissacFrance]

Sadly though for those of us with respitory illnesses it is not quite as simple as flu like symptoms, covid has left my husbands COPD in continuous flare up conditions, even though we have had all of our jabs, Covid is still to be taken very seriously for those who are compromised to begin with. Tests should be taken to safeguard those we nmeet if not for ourselves in my opinion.

[LissacFrance in reply to Nightmare2]

You are quite right, Covid is still serious but I don`t believe that we can continue with tests everyday for any further extended period. We do keep away from crowds if possible, we do wash hands but do not wear masks other than in hospitals or when visiting doctors.

[Mavary in reply to LissacFrance]

I wore my maskin hospital but i still think that’s where I picked up Covid. Probably in the corridors as it was busy. If nobody went out until the virus is gone we wouldn’t have it spreading so much.

[LissacFrance in reply to Mavary]

Unfortunately, virusses just don`t go away. We have to learn how best to combat them, usually vaccines, and while waiting for a vaccination threshold to be reached, devise ways and means to treat the symptoms, if we can. We can`t all stay at home, the world economy would collapse and we would all be worse off. Try to be +ve and remember tomorrow is another day, Chris.

[Mavary in reply to LissacFrance]

Thanks Chris. I have felt really grotty. I can never remember ever having the flu. X

[Tykelady in reply to Mavary]

Glad to hear some positive news. I like the idea of the improvised truck. It's surprising how we adapt to the difficulties in our lives. I have a garden kneeler in the house so I can push myself up if I'm attempting jobs requiring me to kneel.

[Mavary in reply to Tykelady]

I must admit the older I get the more of a struggle I’ve got to get up but I can just about do it. X

[CDPO16]

To have both at once is so unfortunate Mavis, I think it will take quite a while for you to recover fully. You are doing amazingly well considering that you live alone. Best wishes, Carole xx

[Mavary]

Thank you. X

[Mavary]

Thank you Carole. The thing is when you live alone there’s nobody can do anything for you no matter how bad you feel. Probably makes me stronger.

[Mavary in reply to Mavary]

xx

[watergazer]

Fantastic news. Now just hang in there for the shingles to ease and go. I found amitriptyline worked for me. Xx

[Mavary in reply to watergazer]

it hasn’t worked so far for me but then I’ve only had two.

[watergazer in reply to Mavary]

I think it takes a few days to kick in. I remember “feeling out of it “ when I started taking them then was ok. Hope the pain’s not too bad xx

[Mavary in reply to watergazer]

I think I’ve got it pretty well under control. Fingers crossed.

[Mooka]

At least you’ve overcome another hurdle. Take each day as it comes and do as much or little as you can. Take care 🤗

[Mavary in reply to Mooka]

I will Thankbyou. X

[Karenanne61]

Hurray! 🎉🎉🎉 Hopefully your body now has a chance to begin full recovery. When I was little my Nan had shingles over her back and tummy and I believed if the rash met up she would die! 😱 She didn't thank goodness. She was amazing. She had a lung removed in the 1940s but carried on with her stall in the rag market and had another child.

[Mavary in reply to Karenanne61]

I believed that too when I was young. Mine is on my chest to round my back half way. I never believed I could ever get Shingles. I presume it’s because the Covid made me go right down to rock bottom. The vaccination certainly didn’t help much. Who knows though I suppose it could have been worse I’ve got red welts that look like I’ve been beaten. X

[Karenanne61 in reply to Mavary]

I wonder where that idea came from? Probably the same place that told us that if we pulled a face the wind would change and we'd be stuck like that forever!

[Mavary in reply to Karenanne61]

Theres a lot of sayings that you take with a pinch of salt. That’s another one.

[Izb1]

Such good news Mavary 14 days is a long time. Rest up as much as possible but try to get a bit of fresh air too. I hope your shingles go quickly now x

[Mavary in reply to Izb1]

Thank you! Me too. X

[helenlw7]

I’m so happy you’ve tested negative - at last! Just the shingles to beat. All this lowers your ability to beat the coughs and colds. Hopefully the brighter days will be coming soon.

I agree totally to how hard it is on your own. I’m not on my own, my husband has dementia and spends a lot of time in bed. Like every other single person, everything falls on my shoulders. Overall, the loneliness is the worst.

Sending you gentle hugs.

[Mavary in reply to helenlw7]

oh poor you! My Dad had dementia and he used to worry me sick. He lived on his own and would go off out to look at a house where his Motheronce lived. I was away for the day once and I rang him from where we were. He said he didn’t live there and he was off out. I was a long way away and you can imagine how I felt. We immediately set off to come home. I phoned my Sister who said she was going to the Drs. When I got home I was so relieved to find him still there. My Sister had taken his shoes and hid them. That was the beginning of me finding him a place in a home. He settled in lovely. He went there after a fall and was taken to hospital. They still wanted to send him home. My Sisters and I were adamant we weren’t going to look after him any more. I used to tell him he was in Convalescence and he could go home when he was better. He was lovely with it but I was afraid he would go missing and be found in a ditch or something.

I don’t envy your job, especially because it’s your Husband. It’s very hard to see someone you love gradually deteriorating. If you ever need anyone to chat to I’m here. Xx

[helenlw7 in reply to Mavary]

M y husband is in the beginnings of his dementia, and he has good days, but more bad days, where he feels unable to get up and dressed before 3pm. Once he’s up and dressed, apart from his memory issues, he appears ‘normal.’ For me it is very stressful in the mornings because of not knowing if he will get up or not.

[Mavary in reply to helenlw7]

you can only jolly him along. Don’t get cross with him talk about the times when you were younger. Maybe going to a beach or somewhere he will remember well. Tell him you would love to go again. The beginning is the worst because they still remember the person they were. He doesn’t know what’s going on and will be confused. I made my Father two memory books. It was letters of when he was an air raid warden, letters from when he worked for the government with explosives in the war, his Wedding to Mum and people he had known in his life. Maybe you could put something together for your Husband. I’m sure the old memories will still be there. He would probably love it. And make the most of the life you’ve got now. Life is so short.

[Alberta56 in reply to helenlw7]

Hugs to you too, Helen xxx.

[Jaybird19]

oh mavary so sorry to hear your are still suffering , shingles is awful .

but you must get something for the pain . amiltriptiline is good for some nerve pain i think .

[Mavary in reply to Jaybird19]

I have got Amytriptiline but I only take one at night. The paracetamol are helping. X

[Souielouie]

sending you a Big Warm Hug 🤗🥰

[Mavary in reply to Souielouie]

💖

[Alberta56]

I'm glad the covid has at last gone away. I hope the shingles will soo follow suite. xxx

[katieoxo60]

Hopefully Mavery you have reached the turning point bit like when a fever meets its peak, so everything may get slowly better, speaking from experience the virus does not rush to leave our bodies so do take care not to expose yourself to too much risk and take it one step at a time. Like you I live alone so understand how difficult some things are . Not least things like bathing , cleaning ect when you are under pare . I just got some new curtains for my newly decorated lounge they were so heavy but had to be ironed even fresh from the wrapping, I could have done with an oxygen tank to do the job, but had to make do with inhaler, take care and slowly does it. xx

[Mavary in reply to katieoxo60]

To be honest Katie I don’t want to do anything yet. My bed needs changing but it ain’t getting done. Maybe the beginning of next week. Xx

[katieoxo60 in reply to Mavary]

The last thing you need to be worrying about is your bed being changed, however it does raise the issue that when being assessed for help no one asks how do you manage to change your bed or launder the linen. One nurse told me the dust will still be around when you are better, not the best answer if you have a lung condition. take care of you thats the most important thing right now. Keep warm xx

[Mavary in reply to katieoxo60]

it is important to us though isn’t it. I’ve not had my apartment cleaned for two weeks now. But she’s coming on Tuesday now I’m free of Covid. I did a test two days running ang had a negative result so I’m ok now. Just got to get rid of the pain of Shingles now. I just feel so tired from taking Amytriptiline. I don’t want to move. It’s such an effort to do anything. Xxx

How are you keeping now?

[katieoxo60 in reply to Mavary]

Mavary you are right it does matter to us and it is difficult when things mount up as it makes the job even harder to do. I am coping thank you for asking, but it seems as fast as we get over one thing along comes another plus running a home on your own. Guess we have to see it as tommorrow is another day, I often wonder how those with incontinence cope I wore paper pants when I had my knee op just incase when in bed and even had accidents in the hospital its the same when the virus hits it saps all your energy I could hardly get out of bed the first three days and it took so long to get my energy back up , thats why I say one day at a time. Enjoy the best days and rest the not so good ones. x

[Mavary in reply to katieoxo60]

Me too. I was in bed more or less for three days. The fourth day I went back to bed a couple of times. I’m just slowly trying to do things now. I was annoyed with my cat earlier. He had been out in the dirt. He walked through the hallway into my bedroom while I was in the bathroom. I shouted at him but no! He had to jump all over my cream bedspread. So I changed the sheets to make up a load. I could have killed him. Right when I don’t need it. Never mind. I’ve now got to iron my sheets and pillow cases to put back on the bed. Arrrghh!!!!

[Patk1]

Hope u feel beta soon x

[Colliesam]

Know how you feel just got over covid again and had to do all on my own ,prayers sending hope you get back to your oldself soon x

[Mavary in reply to Colliesam]

Aww thank you! Most people think you should get straight back into things but that’s impossible. I’m eating but don’t really want to.

Did it take you long to get over the first lot. They say the first time you have it is the worst. Well I don’t want it again. The Shingles are still pretty sore.