Waiting for the inevitable ....: This is like being... - Headway

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Waiting for the inevitable ....

sospan profile image
46 Replies

This is like being a child on Christmas Eve and that when you go to bed you may get something the next morning. Instead of little parcels of joy we may get a whole bundle of Covit 19.

We all have the impression that we are more susceptible to colds more so than before our injury . However, for us with our assortment of head injuries and symptoms, there is no good news and fortunately no bad news regarding what it is going to be like for us.

The only information I could find specific to us this news.shepherd.org/qa-corona...

What I am doing .... apart from the usual advice about washing hands, keeping distance from everyone etc. I am keeping my self topped up with multi vitamins, plenty of fresh air and rest, just to be in the best possible health for when the inevitable arrives....

Hope you all keep well and safe.

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sospan profile image
sospan
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46 Replies
cat3 profile image
cat3

I'm bemused and, weirdly, a bit envious that certain folk aren't in the least concerned. Last night I did my weekly Tesco shop at 10.30pm to avoid crowds and noticed all the bars & pubs were crammed to the rafters. I suppose they're mostly younger, and free of health issues...……...but still ?

Anyway it's scary for people over 60 and I've been unashamedly avoiding everyone....(despite it being my birthday). However..... I'll be stressed tomorrow as I've a hospital appointment for a heart monitor so can't justify cancelling.😵

Maybe if everyone had routinely observed basic hygiene/ handwashing, this & other viruses wouldn't be so widespread. Even TV cooking programs are bad examples, with plenty of food handled by unwashed hands.

I've had my vits & greens today Sos, and a long walk through the woods......

Fingers crossed for us all ; take care ..... Cat x

Lynd profile image
Lynd in reply to cat3

I am stressed with it all. My 87 year old Mum is in hospital. I have stopped visting as she is on a chest ward and you have to tog up before entering. The virus has been found on the ward. She was admitted with a. bad chest infection and COPD attack as is quite poorly. She can't breathe off the oxygen.

Myself and my husband both have age and health conditions against us.

A lot of my friends are stressed with it all. In fact my one friend is too frightened to go out.

I am beginning to be concerned that the Government doesn't seem to be doing a lot to prevent the spread like other countries.

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to Lynd

I know quite a few "old boys" who are late 70's and 80's and with a background in industrial life they have all sorts of respiratory problems. Many of them are speaking like it could be their last and will be lucky to see the summer.

And of course the very things that would help - meals on wheels, district nurses are very much a rarity. It is a tricky one as well for family and friends - do keep well away to protect them but also make them very lonely and risk the visit to give them company.

Lynd profile image
Lynd in reply to sospan

Community support is very hard to get and it will become worse.

We will all get through it.

Take care.

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to Lynd

I'm so sorry your mum is poorly Lynd and can only send sincerest wishes for her recovery from the chest infection and her safe homecoming before too long.

All you and I can do is stick to the advice from the CQC and then go a step further avoiding unnecessary risks. And if that means I'm thought hysterical by shopping in the wee small hours at 24hr supermarkets and cancelling none urgent appointments then so be it.

I think with such an impotent government we need to trust our instincts and follow our own common sense.

Best wishes to you all.... Cat x

Lynd profile image
Lynd in reply to cat3

Thanks Cat.

Never felt so horrendous not being able to vist Mum. If I go down though who will care for my husband?

I think we have all got to be as strong as we can and protect ourselves as much as we can.

Maybe we should sing like the Italians to cheer ourselves up.

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to Lynd

Us Welsh will be doing that - all the rest of you, hum along :-)

Lynd profile image
Lynd in reply to sospan

Sounds like a plan x

DarrenPorto profile image
DarrenPorto in reply to sospan

Yma O Hyd

Elenor3 profile image
Elenor3 in reply to sospan

Ha ha 🎤

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to Lynd

Oh I couldn't agree more ! The though of those Italian neighbours joining in song on their balconies is really moving. I visited Italy in my late teens on thee occasions and I remember how warm and sociable the folk there were ; not just the hotel & shop owners but the average passers by would always greet us, and each other. Lovely people.

I think you must keep away from a ward where the virus has been present. Maybe send cards for your mum with words of encouragement and affection ? It's a sad situation and so many people will be tested in various situations. Let's hope we're not so affected here in Britain as we fear..... x

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to cat3

Happy Birthday, If I had known I would have made you a cake - something I am good at Hope the it all went well xxxx

The hand washing has no hope of succeeding as the majority of males in this country won't wash their hands after going to the toilet. I have even seen supermarket staff leave a cubicle in a toilet, not wash their hands and go out on the shop floor and handle food! So if we can't even do regular hand washing, anything extra isn't going to happen.

My daughter whom works for the Welsh NHS has been reassigned to the 111 service. Today she finished at 1pm today because she would have broken even the junior doctors rules of 72 hours continuous shift work in a week. She has been work 14 days straight through doing call backs.

Even as psychologist she is stunned by the attitude of a number of people. Some are clearly unwell on the telephone call and because she can't tell them if they have a cold, flu or covit 19, they get annoyed and say they will continue going out until someone tells them they have the virus. Even though with flu they should follow the same advice.

One psychologist on the media the other day said that Covid 19 will change the world more significantly since WW2 or the internet. Already we are seeing schools giving lectures by webcam and even doctors are now taking up the technology. Small steps but a fundamental change in the way we do this. We are now seeing questions on how we buy and source food and essential items. Air travel once seen as luxury, then as routine may return with many restrictions.

It was in January that the virus was spreading, I am surprised the advice then wasn't to eat more fruit and vegetables to boost immunity even if it is to just get us in a better shape to get it.

Anyway hope it goes well with the monitoring service.

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to sospan

Thanks m'love. Your poor girl must be pulling her hair out dealing with stressed out and often unreasonable folk ; she's doing a vital but thankless job !

Yes, this is a situation unheard of since WW2 with countries closing borders and some in lockdown. A friend of ours is stranded in Spain, but he knows it's all part of necessary measures and has to sit it out for now.

Take care of your & yours Sos.

Love Cat x

PS thanks for the cake thought ! 😉

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to cat3

She is enjoying it as previously she worked as a behavioural psychologist for an energy company and this is much more like what she wanted to do. The fall out from this will last for years as they review what worked and what didn't and how the people behaved.

It must be a worry for your friend in Spain because their situation is much worse and as an ex-pat they can be quite funny about medical treatment unless you have citizenship.

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to sospan

Obviously a caring young woman ; good for her !

Yes there'll be repercussions (and recriminations) for some time I'm sure. Honestly it's verging on Apocalyptic with floods, fires, swarms of locusts and now an epidemic ! 😵

Look after yourselves m'love and let's hope for news of an abatement of the problem sooner rather than later.

By the way, our friend arrived back in Britain an hour ago by the skin of his (& his wife's) teeth ! x

Marnie22 profile image
Marnie22 in reply to cat3

Happy birthday! 🌸🙂🎂🎉

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to Marnie22

Thank you lovely ! xx

Lynd profile image
Lynd in reply to cat3

Yes, Happy birthday 🎂 cat x

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to Lynd

Thanks Lynd....much appreciated.. xx

BaronC profile image
BaronC in reply to cat3

Happy birthday! 21 again! :D

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to BaronC

It's actually 22 m'love 🥴..but thanks for the best wishes ! 😁

I'm at the hospital today so wish me luck ducking & diving from the dreaded virus ! Hope you're all ok.. x

BaronC profile image
BaronC in reply to cat3

We're all fine here thanks! Surviving through the chaos! We went to Asda this morning for essentials, just a few bits and I now know exactly what Vietnam was like. We left the shop traumatised. We did get the shopping though, cat food, passata (to make a curry) poppadoms and ice lollies.

Now THAT'S panic buying :)

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to BaronC

Hmmm, Interesting bit of punctuation "We did get the shopping though, cat food, passata (to make a curry) poppadoms. Is the cat food for the curry or bait for the meat to go into the Curry ?????? Is that the Vietnam influence ........

BaronC profile image
BaronC in reply to sospan

The cat eats curry :)

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to BaronC

They breed them tough down your way .....

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to BaronC

My local Tesco is open 'til midnight (megastores are all-nighters) so I've started going an hour before they close...…..usually just the shelf-fillers and a few stragglers so no stress, and in and out within 40 minutes !

….obviously helps if you're an night owl like me.....😉 x

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to cat3

Oh I wish, My local store is 24 hours even opens at the stroke of midnight on a Sunday.

However, at night the store transforms - they turn the lights up even more and worse crank up the back ground music as much as they can.

Then there are the night creatures - if you ever wonder where Stephen King, Tarantino etc. get their ideas about the walking dead and zombies from it is probably watching the hoody and "trakkie" bottomed hoards that roam around Tesco's aisles in the early hours. Not only can you hear them approaching by the increased "F" words but you get that unmistakable smell of a Lynx deodorant.

If are concerned about the future of humanity and the next generation, don't go to Tesco's after dark ............

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to sospan

Not for me Sos. There's no music and just shelf fillers along with the odd shopper who I guess are also avoiding the daytime crowds. It's like a desert, so really peaceful and quicker as there are no distractions…….. x

Funkylady60 profile image
Funkylady60 in reply to cat3

Happy birthday Cat! 🎂🍾🥂! xx

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to Funkylady60

Thanks so much Funky ! xx

FlowerPower62 profile image
FlowerPower62 in reply to cat3

A belated happy birthday Cat, wishing you all the very best, and many happy returns! xx

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to FlowerPower62

No, not belated at all m'love, I'm a night person, so many hours to go yet ! Had a good day and with sunshine as a bonus. Hope all's ok with you... xx

FlowerPower62 profile image
FlowerPower62 in reply to cat3

Yes, been a lovely day. A bit of sun always lifts the spirits, doesn't it? Hope you're enjoying your evening. Xx

deborah27 profile image
deborah27 in reply to cat3

Hi Cat, Happy Birthday. What a state of uncertainty we are all in. I am a teacher in Northern Ireland and there are political disputes about what to do with us. It is of great concern as I too am over 60. I am doing what I can but it is so worrying, the unknown always is. I hope you and yours stay well Cat. I hope the same for all of us and my thoughts are with those who are ill and frightened. Xx

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to deborah27

Thanks for your message Deborah. I've been isolating by choice as a preventative measure so it's been lovely having birthday wishes from friends here.

There's little other media news apart from doom & gloom but at least the PM is starting to address the virus issue with proactive measures. It seems to be a massive learning curve for politicians, medics and the public alike and looks like a 'One day at a time' situation for weeks, maybe months to come.

I share your sentiments wholeheartedly my dear. Stay safe. xx

swedishblue11 profile image
swedishblue11

The news is grim. It's as though someone/something has poked a stick in to an ant's nest....the world's gone mad! We're all feeling very vulnerable. I walk a couple of dogs in the countryside away from people, otherwise at home I'm in lockdown. Also having a huge impact on our economy with job losses, local businesses in jeopardy - both my sister's and daughter's. These are fraught times!

I personally know two people diagnosed with corona, and I live in a hotspot.

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to swedishblue11

It does feel like war time with the news of casualties and death rates.

My son and his girlfriend both work for the travel firm TUI and I have a feeling that once they have processed all the holiday and flight cancellations they won't be doing much for a long time as nobody will be booking holidays for the summer and certainly not for a long time. Like Thomas Cook previously, TUI didn't look good financially before the virus and it would be a miracle if they can survive this.

There seems to be an invisible barrier between people these days as they keep a few metres apart. Even at my allotment the "old boys" are talking across the plots rather than getting close to have a chat.

My dog is the big worry for me, if I get ill, none of the family are keen to walk him as he gets very protective if anyone (or a dog) get near my wife or children he isn't very happy.

Ah well lets hope it tails off soon ..

swedishblue11 profile image
swedishblue11

Article on boosting your immunity; telegraph.co.uk/food-and-dr...

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to swedishblue11

it is a shame it subscription .....

But I try and get my 5 day at least even if with some of the vitamin tablets the extra doesn't get retained :-)

Marnie22 profile image
Marnie22

Thank you for the link. 🙂🌸

Marnie22 profile image
Marnie22

I was wondering if now might be a good time for the sleeping King Arthur to rise up and help the country? 🌸😀

Amber-11 profile image
Amber-11

Thankyou for your posts about the corona virus is very sad, it was a comfort to read the posts.

I have a hospital appointment too this week, which my local nhs hospital booked for me in in Jan, they wanted me to have a CT heart scan, and I don't want to miss it. But at the same time I would rather stay at home and away from the hospital, I have never been to the hospital it is private, I was encouraged to go there as the appointment would be sooner.

I am self isolating until at least the appointment and then I will think again. I would like to help by home schooling my 14 year old son, but he does not want it as other children still at school.

My university researcher lodger is now working at home, and I also have a very kind home-sharer aupair/carer who cooks in the evenings, 5 nights a week and does not pay rent.

I feel it would help the virus spread less if my son was at home too. Also I have quite a lot of underlying condition aswell as the brain injury, and now a possible heart problem. I also had tick bite which was diagnosed as lymes, and I belatedly had a three week course of antibiotics at a 3 g a day which was tiring but I hope worked.

I could ask my son to home school?but he likes school and friends. We are also happy at home and are lucky to have plenty of space and a large garden, and live with lovely people. We are cooking a lot and eating lots of vegetables.

The teachers union have written a letter to the gov about schools asking for them to close,

neu.org.uk/press-releases/c...

and I have signed a petition asking for the gov to take more action, I could post here? the letter attached to the petition is good I think.

Pairofboots profile image
Pairofboots

Gosh! Everyone is talking of the inevitable. One of my gifts from BI, and a life in the NHS is a lack of worry. Yes I worry about plonkers panic buying, but that is the only worry.

It is not an inevitability that we are on our way out (although there was a time I prayed for it). Yes some of us will fall to the virus, but every day we face viruses, maybe not quite like this one.

A quote I got off of CSI Miami, Horatio say "Don't worry so much about dying, that you forget to live". And that is something we have all in common, overcome the odds and live. What might happen, might or might not. I'm not saying don't take things seriously, but life is for living.

in reply to Pairofboots

Hi pair of boots, true that! good old Horatio cane, always saves the day... Im a big fan too 😎 I have the CSI Miami box set and looking forward to watching it over the coming 12weeks of isolation. Also a fan on NCIS so more than likely will kick back with some american crime dramas during this time.

Ric

Hi sospan,

We had a trip to the hospital today for 3monthly MRI to see how the brain tumor is enjoying its time taking up residence in my wife's head. Hospital was empty (very nice for walking about) and very clean, staff were also very accomodating for my wifes brain injury needs to minimise over stimulation, not rush and engage correctly. It made the whole process pass well and minimal fatigue when we got home for my wife which also equals a happy carer.

28 more appointments to go 3next week! But after seeing the hospital today I'm happy in the sense they are prepared, it was very reassuring.

Regards

Ric

sospan profile image
sospan in reply to

One good thing about the NHS when things get serious they pull out all the stops. Glad given all the other things going on, your wife's experience wasn't that traumatic.

All the best

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