Well dear readers, the reason you have heard no more of my Southern hemisphere running exploits is that there haven't been any. I was struck down with what was probably swine flu about five days after my arrival and after a week tossing on my bed of pain have been admitted to Hawkes Bay hospital with 'complications' - i.e. I just can't shake it off. So much for running making you healthier Although I suppose if I hadn't been a runner I could be dead) One consolation came from a handsome young make nurse yesterday who asked if I was quite fit when he but the bp cuff on my arm. I told him I ran and he said 'Oh I thought so, your muscles and blood vessels are so nice and defined!' I nearly kissed him . Not too good in here as I'm in isolation and everyone wears masks when they come in and there's no TV and the food is quite the most disgusting stuff I have tasted since school dinners.
So my plans to do the Great North Run, not to mention the Yorkshire marathon, have disintegrated. Feeling a bit sorry for myself but sorrier for Sally who now has to look after calves, two small children and come hospital visiting, even though I tell her not to. I feel a slight sense of bringing it on myself as I did a one hour hill run in the cold despite not feeling at all well, the day before the flu struck in earnest. Lucky I'm here to tell the tale I suppose. Please cheer me up people!
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turnturtle
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oh you poor thing i really hope you start to feel better soon. Bad enough when you feel unwell and cant run, but being in hospital i cant imagine how that must feel. I am sure you will get lots of good wishes from other members and lots of posts to read as the day goes on, they will help to cheer you up. Take care and all the best for a speedy recovery.x
Oh TT, I am so sorry to hear your news, I do hope you feel better soon and it wont be too long before youre on that open road again. My very best wishes to you xxx
Oh my goodness TT that's terrible. You poor old sausage. What a good thing your so fit!! Really hope you're feeling better soon. Its stories like this that make you remember just what a nasty illness flu can be. Have you been given any indication about how long youll be in solitary confinement?
Really hope you're up and about soon. Sending you a big cyber hug, and a virtual bottle of dandelion and burdock and a tin of Harrogate toffee to cheer you up. xxxxx
Poor you, that sounds awful..hope you're feeling better soon xxx
Oh no turnturtle, how awful for you! Don't blame yourself in any way - I'm sure that your general level of fitness will be helping you get through this. Lovely comment about your muscles too - bet that made you feel better!
You're in the right place and I'm sure you'll soon be back on your feet. Flu of any sort really takes it out of you. You're going to have to be a really god girl and take things gently and build your running back up gradually. The Great North Run and Marathons will wait for you another year - just concentrate on getting yourself better.
Oh wow, poor you. That sounds absolutely horrible. You must focus on getting better (however one does that) and not worry about the running - sounds like survival is the key thing here.
Glad to see you have managed to get an internet connection. I know it's not TV, but at least you can keep entertained for a while.
Yesterday evening it was absolutely p*ssing down here, and I have noticed that the young Mr. Noah who moved in next door has been busy rounding all the animals in the village up and putting them into the great big boat he has built in the back garden. Silly bugger really, we're at least 30 miles from the ocean, where does he think all that water is going to come from? When I ask him, he points towards the sky, as if God himself was going to sort him out. Even though he has become the laughing stock of the village, he seems to take it well, and just mumbles something about the next generations will be happy.
Oh my goodness! My mother in law had a dose of swine flu when it was 1st ripe here and i remeber how very very poorly she was. Sincerley hope you feel better soon. When you're all better you can start again and it wil be onwards and upwards. Take care of yourself and just put a request in for the young male nurse to pay more visits that'll perk you up! x
Oh noooooo. So sorry. Hope they get you sorted and on the mend real soon. Now you just be careful with those young men giving you compliments. You never will know quite what they look like under those masks? Seriously though take very good care of yourself. Rfc x
Hope you get better soon, didn't realise you were doing the GNR, disappointed I won't get to see you on the startline good news is you can defer so there is always a place for you next year x
Poor you! Hope it doesn't keep you in solitary too long. It's a long time since I heard anything about swine flu ... nice you got a cute male nurse to boost your mood. When I got diagnosed with MS, a really handsome young doctor in glasses came to assess me. I was over the moon. Then he asked me to lie on my side and clench and unclench my rectal muscles so he could see if they responded. I was absolutely gutted. Keep smiling and you'll soon be home with the wildlife!
Oh no TT big hugs coming your way. Don't blame yourself, it is a myth that being out in the cold brings on colds and flu's. Flu has a 1 week incubation so being out in the cold didn't do it. Being as fit as you are has made you strong enough to beat it, and it certainly hasn't gone unnoticed by the sounds of it!
Keep smiling at that nice nurse and when you are well enough for him to take off his mask, he'll be smiling right back at you.
Take it easy getting well and reacquainting yourself with the couch, we know it won't be a lasting relationship ☺. Rest really is the best way to get over it. The GNR and marathon will be on again next year.
Hello turnturtle, get well wishes flying your way across the miles x
Hope you come out of isolation soon - and in the meantime have some good TV , crosswords the radio or other entertainment to while away your recovery; or just rest and recuperate and search for some favourite music to add to your playlist for when you are back on your feet x
Oh no that's awful. You weren't well the last time you in NZ either. What's the game. All you'll be wanting to do is to be playing with grandchildren so no wonder you feeling down apart from physical symptoms of swine flu. Have they given you any idea of how long you might be in for? On positive note - I know you prob not feeling too positive about anything just now - but I think you are right in that running has given you a much fitter body which will help fight off this illness. All you can do is follow drs orders . You know we all thinking of you and wishing you well Sending you big hug
What a nightmare, poor you and poor family, that's no way to spend a wonderful trip.
I really hope you're allowed out soon to enjoy the rest of your stay, but make sure you take things really easily for some time. Sending warm wishes that you'll be up and about before too long.
I just wanted to add my wishes for a speedy recovery and a return to running fitness. I hope you aren't in isolation for too much longer and they let you have a few home comforts.
Running really does help with blood circulation. My OH had a op on his knee (well his fifth on that knee) where they transplanted cartilage into it and after a year of physio getting him back on his feet they recommended that he start running as it lays down new capillaries and 'blood pathways' which creates excellent circulation and blood flow in the joints.
Let us know how your progress goes
Sending speedy recovery wishes your way... really sorry to hear that TurnTurtle - but you take good care... your fitness levels will have you recovering quicker than the couch potatoes so we'll no doubt see you soon enough... just get better and you'll be amazed how quickly you'll get back into it... (slowly)...
I was wondering how things were with you as we had not heard anything from you. It sounds like you've been having a really rough time of things. I hope you are now on your road to recovery. Take care and keep us all informed of your progress.
Look there's only one thing you can do in your situation, lying in bed on your own, can't walk, never mind run. You have to flirt outrageously with the handsome young male nurse. I mean what else can a girl do?
I tried that naturally. But I fear the attractions of a cold-sore ridden old crone were lost on him. Still, charming boy, and the memory of him admiringly massaging my calves will help warm many a lonely winter's night to come
Thank you all so, so much for your kind thoughts. I persuaded them to let me home home last night as I was becoming so depressed that one kind word from a nurse yesterday sent me into uncharacteristic floods of tears. How can cooping someone up in an airless windowless room with no TV or radio. one hour internet access a day and no way of telling day from night apart from the periodic arrival of 'food' straight out of a kitchen nightmare possibly help anyone get better? I am home on two lots of antibiotics and on strict condition that if my temp rises above 39 or I get short of breath then I go straight back in. I feel better already. Managed to lose 3kg but at least I now have the energy to weigh myself. Must be on the mend! Will keep you posted. Much love my friends x
Not exactly the ritz then . Much easier for you and Sally now you back at hers. Hope meds start to do the trick soon and you continue to improve. Take care
The lack of TV or radio is surprising. Even if they made you pay extra, as i have experienced, you would think they would want you to be mindlessly occupied/distracted from your woes.
Glad you are out of hospital. I expect your high fitness level served you well, really. Keep resting.
Thank you everyone so much for your positive thoughts. I can't believe how much this has knocked me. I suppose we take our good health for granted until the rug suddenly gets pulled from under our feet. I got up and dressed this morning for the first time I a fortnight and though I feel wobbly and still have a slight fever I am definitely on the mend. I discovered I lost 3 kg during the ordeal so its not all bad . And of course it could be so much worse. Just heard from a friend today who has learned he has a tumour on his spine, which makes swine flu pale into insignificance. Will post again after my first run, but I promise I'm not going to be silly and will cosset myself a bit first. Good luck to the rest of you lucky runners!
After your first run????? Please Sweetie, don't even think about running for at least 3-4weeks!!! You've had such a terrible time and been so ill that you mustn't think about running for ages. Just get your strength back and spend some time convalescing before you even consider putting your kit on. Just wrap up and sit in the fresh air, breathe deeply and enjoy the freedom of not being in solitary. Do take care TT, you're so fit that even if you have to take 2months off, you'll soon bounce back. xxx
Don't worry AncientMum- I have no intention of tempting fate. even when I do get back running it will probably be back to Laura and Week 1 again . I have only just started eating again so first things first! It's only now that I am starting to feel well again that I appreciate just how ill I was. I think my strength will take a while to come back. I washed up a set of dishes and pruned one rose today. The rest of the time I sat on the couch and watched Daytime TV exhausted!
It'll be the dishes that did it I'm always exhausted after housework! Seriously look after yourself - you probably fed up of people saying that but you know it's just cos we care. How long are you staying at your daughters? Hopefully you'll still have time to enjoy with your family
I return on August 25th which gives me nearly two weeks.. May even feel up to enjoying some of the Hawkes bay wines to celebrate Sally's 30th on the 23rd. No alcohol has passed my lips for a fortnight which is some kind of record
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Although I suppose if I hadn't been a runner I could be dead) One consolation came from a handsome young make nurse yesterday who asked if I was quite fit when he but the bp cuff on my arm. I told him I ran and he said 'Oh I thought so, your muscles and blood vessels are so nice and defined!' I nearly kissed him . Not too good in here as I'm in isolation and everyone wears masks when they come in and there's no TV and the food is quite the most disgusting stuff I have tasted since school dinners. 
xxx
that'll perk you up! x
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