Greetings and Happy New Year to all Poly-my-Lingerers and Pred Playmates.
As some of You Lot know, I like to think of myself as being a bit of an 'Action Man' generally, and despite enduring the ravages of PMR for the past 2 years. All considered, I feel fortunate compared with many here.
As some of you might relate, it can be difficult to gauge exactly how much we are limited by PMR - or not. On a slightly more serious note, some of you suggest that the experience of a chronic and unpredictable illness like PMR (and GCA) - and the associated stress and uncertainties - can leave one feeling in a perceptual 'Twilight' where we can't always have an objective perspective on our capabilities.
So, here's my Scenario (today), for your comments:
After feeling a bit 'flat' following the combined excitement (ha ha!) and anti-climax following Christmas and the New Year, but in a reluctant spirit of wanting to Get back into Action, I agree to replace the worn-out and leaking felt (mineral sheet) roof covering on my dear and long-suffering ex-wife's treasured garden shed. (I have come to realise that Sheds aren't exclusively a 'Man' thing..).
It's 4 Degrees C. in WSM UK, bright skies, but with a blistering wind-chill making it feel closer to minus 4. With PMR, Common Sense and Better Judgement would say 'don't bother - wait a while'. All the same, I wrap-up warm, prepare tools and get down to some serious, physical Outdoor DIY Business. My logic? Better than sitting at home, and being bored and inactive..?
The Process / Stages:
1. Remove old shed roof felt (6 trips up and down ladder, Health and Safety / Working at Heights Rules carefully observed).
2. Unload and roll-out new shed roof felt weighing 22kg. Cut into appropriate lengths on hands and knees with my 'special' sharp knife. Nose dripping like a tap throughout - oh well...
3. Lift up new felt onto shed roof, set out and align, tack around 4 edges (56 nails, give or take a couple that I dropped down the side due to freezing fingers), apply sticky black Bitumen sealant to overlaps. Approx 6 more trips up and down the ladder - and a bit of cursing in between when I nearly knock-over a 5 litre tin of bitumen due to being a bit PMR-stiff and cranky.
4. Simultaneously, puff on a celebratory cigarette or two (defo a Man thing, even if not smart or clever), face towards the weak but discernible warmth of the Winter Sunshine, and think to myself: 'Well, MB, things can't be too bad if you can still do this type of stuff at age 60 with PMR - AND you're getting some free Vit. D supplement in the process'.
5. New shed roof felt secured, all debris cleared up, and with a sense of 'Mission Complete'. Ex-wife endearingly grateful, despite noting that my alignment of the roofing felt is 1mm different from one side to the other. Oh well....! 
Total time for physical activity: 4 hours virtually non-stop. Feeling 'nicely' kn******d, but with no injuries - and, more important perhaps (?), a Sense of Achievement. Verdict: 'Job's a Good-Un!' - and great for the morale 
So, maybe, here's the 64 Dollar Question for some of Us Lot here. Are we limited more by our illness: or by our fears, anxieties and perceptions of, or around it? Clearly, this is a very personal and complex question, and will depend on individuals' contexts.
Just to say, I proved myself wrong today on the 'Shed' Mission. After starting out with a feeling of inertia and reluctance to do anything physically demanding due to my PMR symptoms, the cold weather and a few other things, I proved to myself that I COULD stretch myself a little - and ended up with a great Sense of Achievement which was worth the gamble and effort.
What do you think? Answers on a postcard please?
Happy Days and best wishes to all here.
MB
