Greetings All, whoever and wherever you are in the world - and not forgetting the Three and-a-half of You Lot in Welsh Wales, 'look you' 
[Seriously, PLEASE NOTE: This Post is intended as a mainly Light Hearted one - both in the PMR GCA context and recent developments on this Forum. At the same time, I will offer my thoughts about the recent Forum Storm, for better or worse. If you find this Post too long and / or not relevant, or if you disagree with the sentiments expressed in it, just pass-it by and tune-in to one that suits you better in terms of your needs. We all have an equal choice].
Well, what a positive and energising week despite the recent ravages of PMR! My News In Briefs (sorry, I meant 'Brief' - no smutty jokes please):
After a miserable cold, wet, windy, dark and physically inactive January, feeling cursed with the almost daily dreaded DF (Deathly Fatigue) and wiped-out energy-wise mentally and physically for weeks on end, I am pleased to have finally re-integrated with Society as we know it. Ohhh...
Day 1: pack-up and sluggishly (due to residual DF) depart the Mansions in WSM, head for the Dorset Coast to visit my retired Twister to do some Odd Jobs there (some of them very Odd). A 2 hour car journey plus all the logistical stuff at each end. You probably know this type of usually 'Normal' challenge when already coping with depleted energy supplies..
Day 2: another 2 hour motorway trip (each way) to visit the very nice and hospitable PMRGCAuk Surrey Support Group (courtesy of Shirley - thanks) to give a Talk about my PMR Journey and offer an alternative / psychological angle on coping with the Emotional Side of our types of chronic illnesses. Result? Phew - at least I didn't get chucked out for larking around a bit and having some fun with that Surrey Lot. In fact, it was a super day out for me, and I hope the same for at least a few of the Surrey PMR GCA Lot.
Days 3-5: Back to the stuff of physically demanding Home Improvements for the Twister: including messing around in the roof and up ladders, doing various electrical stuff, hanging pictures, mending fences, putting-up new curtains / poles and all things DIY. And - all of this helped by milder temperatures and a bit of exposure to some un-seasonal Sunshine and natural Vit D* thrown in. *Maybe that's one Clue in the coping with DF equation? You tell me..?
Day 6: pack-up and return to the Mansions expecting to be totally Kna****ed after a full-on week physically and mentally. But, to my surprise, feeling only 'nicely' tired and still relatively full of energy despite a demanding week after being inactive for a more long and tedious month than I can remember on my 4 year PMR journey (even though now at 2 mgpd Pred). So, 'Job's a Good Un' as we say in Zummerzet.
My Conclusion to a relatively energetic and symptoms-free week (in the PMR GCA / DF symptoms context)?
Maybe any or all of: PMR subsiding disease heterogeneity, adrenal function waking-up in fits and starts, some positive external physical / mental stimulus, milder weather and natural Vit D sourced therapeutic sunshine have helped me emerge from a nasty period of DF. Who can know? Either way, it's good to be feeling more like Normal. We live in Hope...
The only, and a sad Downside to my week was to see (and reluctantly get drawn into) the emotional turbulence and unhappiness experienced by some of Us Lot on this usually lively, happy, eclectic and diverse Social Health Forum - which includes and embraces Members from all walks of Life and in all types of Health circumstances. All I can say is that I hope that the Forum Administrators find a way to manage and reconcile the recent conflicts of opinion around the thorny issue of the Content and Style (i.e. on / Off Topic?) of some Members' input in a fair, objective and sensitive way for all concerned. We will see...
Like many of Us Lot, I sign-in every day and like to keep abreast of Members' Posts, Questions, Rants, Pleas for Help - whether On / Off Topic, and all shades in between. For me? I simply dip-in to and get involved with those that I like and can relate / contribute positively to: or swiftly move on, usually without comment if I don't. That's my strategy, for better or worse. And, for what it's worth: my approach is 'Tolerance is Key' to maintaining a balanced and healthy but diverse Social Health Forum Community.
So, that's nearly it Folks. I sincerely hope that the seven-and-a half of You Lot of my alleged dedicated (if slightly Bonkers?) Followers who have pleaded with me NOT to leave this forum will be encouraged to know that I am still here - and intend to be for the foreseeable future. All I can say is: 'Careful what you wish for..'
But for those of you who don't know me and / or don't relate: please pass me and my Silly / Serious Ramblings by - and I wish you all the Best on your PMR / GCA Journey. To quote a popular saying: 'Life is too short...'.
Best wishes All - and try to keep smiling on the Journey
'Uncle' MB
