The Lighter Side: The Pain / Pleasure Paradox wit... - PMRGCAuk

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The Lighter Side: The Pain / Pleasure Paradox with PMR / GCA? A Quick-ish Report from the South Wing at Benjamin Mansions... ;-)

markbenjamin57 profile image
28 Replies

Greetings to all Polymylingerers and Giant Cell Heroes, wherever you are in this great and trusted Community.

First, my apologies for not actively contributing to many of your Posts during the last couple of weeks, as I try to. I'm not usually a 'Silent Lurker' but, as a few of You Lot might know, I've been busy relocating from the East Wing to the South Wing of The Mansions. Much lifting, shifting and humping (no smutty jokes please, Aunties especially). :-/ So, little time or energy to contribute as I would like to since:

Week 1: moving out. Ikea furniture (I like all things Nordic - Volvos, ABBA albums, pickled herrings, etc), priceless Art collection including 3 genuine Van Goghs (as advised by Tedski - ha), a World Class assortment of 127 Faux Leather storage boxes (mainly bought in Charity shops), 37 pairs of hand-made Italian leathers shoes (Imelda Marcos would be proud - especially for a Man), I could go on, but you are probably asleep already.

Week 2: 'making good' in the 'old' Wing and gradually getting sorted in the new Wing. The stuff of leaving an old Home as you would want new owners to find it, and then making the new Home as you 'want it'? I guess many of you know the plot here when moving Home. Ohh, the stuff of Change - and possibly Stress - even at the best of times..?

But here's my conclusion about this process for better or worse, and if it helps anyone here on the Journey of Life Change with, or without PMR and GCA:

To be honest, it's been a VERY demanding couple of weeks - both physically and mentally / organisationally, and even whilst hovering around Pred Club Zero +/- by a couple of mgs either way. Yes, I'm kna****ed. But the peaceful views and tranquility at the new South Wing at BM (Benjamin Mansions) have been well-worth the effort. Pictures to follow soon...

So, this is my best attempt at a 'Motivational / Philosophical Message' in my Ramblings to You PMR / GCA Lot tonight:

Maybe... and just maybe (you decide..?). Even with PMR and / or GCA (and all of the often crushing discomfort, pain, challenges and uncertainty that these and other chronic illnesses bring to our Lives), it's still possible to get excited about 'Positive Change' - even if demanding on our limited physical and mental resources in the short term.

And also, it might help to keep in mind that 'things could be MUCH worse'. Maybe, just look at the tragic and often Heart Breaking stories in the national and international news, and it might help to put our situation and worries into a wider perspective?

So, Folks, this is my best Take on the 'Pain / Pleasure Paradox'. With illnesses like PMR and / or GCA, try, although sometimes difficult, to see the Positive Side of what Life throws at us: whether PMR,GCA, or whatever - and focus on the possible 'Upsides'. Yes, it's a Tough Call when we are feeling so 'Down' physically and mentally / emotionally. I've been there and got the T shirt too.

But, so long as we can wake-up each morning and can find some Positive things to look forward to and enjoy, even if a bit challenging (i.e. 'Positive' Stress - if this isn't a contradiction in terms!), we are at least surviving on the Journey and this can only be a good sign. To my mind, Coping is sometimes as valuable (or possibly more important?) than Recovering, when the prospect of Recovery might be a distant or unrealistic Hope. Food for thought....?

And, don't forget, try to keep smiling on the PMR / GCA Journey - however you do it!

That's it from me. Best wishes for an exciting Royal Wedding Weekend (UK), and also the Footie. For my part? Relaxing with a glass (or two) of the Red Stuff and preparing to stage my next confrontation with Tedski (aka The MB Limo Stealer) :-(

Yep, it's all-go here, but exciting all the same! :-) :-) :-D

'Uncle' MB :-)

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markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57
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28 Replies
allykat profile image
allykat

I love your positive attitude. I think it counts for a lot. Cheers and here's to a good weekend! Kat

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply toallykat

Thanks Kat, Cheers too! :-)

ConventCassie profile image
ConventCassie

I am so looking forward to the Royal Wedding. The “Royal Bakery” at Newburyport, MA sold a $5.00 cookie with the Queen’s image complete with pearls. Best part...I don’t have to dress up.

Thanks for the positivity, Mark. Just what I needed this morning. I've had a thoroughly awful few days with the added discomfort of sciatica, and feeling rather sorry for myself. I had almost talked myself out of singing in my choir's concert tonight, but now I've decided that a good blast of Haydn's Creation is just the thing! Even if I'm wincing with pain at every sit/stand! Tomorrow is another day.

PiersC profile image
PiersC

Well said. And truth in what you speak........

I have been using a meditation app (Headspace) and believe I have finally cultivated that positive frame of mind - and it helps. It really does. There certainly is the lingering pain/DF/dodgy skin (I look like I have been in a war zone after doing the garden if I do not have sleeved shirt) and some other effects - oh yes, pred-head as well, but the positive attitude is a game changer.

Looking forward to the panoramic views of BM !

(Royal Wedding here as well - funny that - the world seems to be crazy over it all!)

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply toPiersC

Thanks Piers. Well I don't believe that you can just 'switch-on' Positivity at will if you're feeling rotten (as some Motivational 'Gurus') would have us believe... That said, I do believe that trying to focus the Mind on pleasurable things / things to look forward to can at least be a good distraction from the tough bits of our illnesses. Maybe one and the same...?! ;-) :-D

Patience47 profile image
Patience47

I really appreciate your positive remarks, and looking forward to the snaps you're planning to take. Glad all went well and you and Tedski are settled in. Your humor makes for a happier day as does your honesty. ☺

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply toPatience47

Thanks Patience - Teski's basking in the sunshine on the balcony and growling at the seagulls. As soon as I have the energy to lift the camera I'll take a few shots of the bay and post them here. Have a good weekend :-)

Patience47 profile image
Patience47 in reply tomarkbenjamin57

😃

York54 profile image
York54

Where abouts do you live Mark?

Beautiful day here, perfect for a day out to an open gardens visit in a nearby village. Friends joining us, rounded off with a pub tea and a few Vinos. There are good days on this bumpy journey!!😃😃😃😃😃

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply toYork54

Weston super Mare (or 'Mud') as some would say. But it really is a beautiful coastline, and the view is always changing. And you...? Like the idea of a few Vinos.... glug glug! ;-)

York54 profile image
York54 in reply tomarkbenjamin57

We live on south of Birmingham. Hubby from Bristol, I am from Yorkshire, a dales lass!!😃😃

9lives profile image
9lives in reply tomarkbenjamin57

Weston supermare, had many a holiday there as a kid, fond memories of Bream sands .

Carole

jinasc profile image
jinasc

Yup two footies and peace..................enjoy the South wing.....or should that be South Fork?

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply tojinasc

South Fork.... now that takes me back. JR and all that..? ;-)

Marymon profile image
Marymon

Glad your back to keep us positive. Will raise a glass with you.....later.

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply toMarymon

Thanks Mary, Cheers! :-)

Jackoh profile image
Jackoh

Best wishes in your new abode/ wing !

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply toJackoh

Thanks Jackie, I'll invite You Lot around for dinner and drinks when I'm properly settled in (give it about 6 months..) :-D

Jackoh profile image
Jackoh in reply tomarkbenjamin57

Sounds like a good idea!

Leilagirl profile image
Leilagirl

MB

You missed your calling. Comedy is a lost art.. except with our aunties. What an Elite group you are in!

Yes .. keep smiling for sure!

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply toLeilagirl

Ahh, thank you so much Leila :-)

Well, it works both ways. To be able to help people (including You Lot) to smile / laugh is a reward in itself for me. x

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toLeilagirl

It’s not lost...it’s just difficult to find somedays 🤔

Ha Mark, you are still alive then despite the move. But come on now, IKEA furniture in a mansion, what’s wrong with you man, somehow that just shatters my image of a mansion. Ok I accept the Volvo, ABBA and pickled herrings, but somehow IKEA furniture just doesn’t fit with the Van Goghs, and if Tedski is still playing up, throw him in the mansion dungeon, that’ll teach him, the little scoundrel :-)

Today has been a great one, wedding over and also today has been the OH birthday, and so with great spring weather and a blooming garden, a barbeque dinner was perfect :-)

hic!

I’m down to 4.5mg again and ‘steady as she goes’ pains are behaving themselves but still getting the Dreaded Fatigue on and off, adrenals trying to catch up I suppose :-(

Keep well Mark, and enjoy your new abode.

Pete :-)

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply to

Ha too, Pete! ;-) :-)

Sorry for the late reply, but on Saturday I felt the need to escape to my dear Twister's place at the weekend to clear my head and have a change of scenery after 2 weeks of much lifting, shifting, humping etc - and to catch up with her generally there too (projects, plans, etc).

Ok ok ok: so modernistic mass-produced IKEA furniture doesn't quite go with the concept of a Van Gogh Original (or two), but I Iike it all the same. As for Tedski? All I can say is: 'Sanctions' ;-/

Glad all's as well as can be there. A low-ish 4.5mgpd Pred isn't a bad place to be on this PMR Journey, and although the DF might still rear its ugly head, things Will improve - as I'm finding too as I creep around Pred Club Zero +/- day by day.

Keep positive Pete, and keep Us Lot posted on your progress.

More from Benjamin Mansions soon... :-)

MB :-)

in reply tomarkbenjamin57

Nice reply Mark :-)

and I too have IKEA furniture, in fact I built a new IKEA kitchen, with no less that 36 doors on the cabinets. Still can't find the saucepans, I know there in there somewhere! hic! that was 7 years ago, so I have just changed all the doors for an upgrade which where supplied by The Kitchen Magician. They look great in my mansion :-)

Pete :-)

markbenjamin57 profile image
markbenjamin57 in reply to

Pete, I remember you talking about your marathon Kitchen-door fitting-upgrade exercise - I can relate! :-)

Grants148 profile image
Grants148

Hi Mark,l am looking forward to the dinner and drinks,and of course meeting Tedski,is he a good cook?

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