Belated Bonne année à tous !

[IdasMum]

Hello PMR peeps.

Hope life is better for you than it has been in previous months and hello to all the new people who would rather not be members of this forum.

I think I've turned a corner. After 3 years of little exercise (walking has been too painful for my lower back) I finally gave in and bought myself a fat old lady swimming costume (after finally allowing myself to acknowledge I am almost 65 and can be a fat old lady if I want) and have taken up swimming. Now before you get excited, taken up swimming means I have been twice in last week and have swam for 10 mins each time and probably managed 100 metres in total

I do plan to go Mon/Wed/Fri each week and hope that I begin to build up my depleted muscles. I haven't made it to the deep end yet, even the shallow end swamps me within 1 metre! I am quite excited and am being "coached" "motivated" by my friend in Devon who took up running 2 years ago and now runs regularly each week.

I am still tapering to 7mg. On 7.5 x 6 per week and 7 mg x 2 per week...I need to make this 7mg x 3 per week soon. CRP raises and lowers every other monthly blood test so am not so worried about that as it is at a good level.

Swelling at the base of my index finger and middle finger on right had appears to be somewhat reduced, am hopeful that this will continue as the pain I had in my index finger was like being stabbed much of the day....I rarely feel this now

Another indication of "corner turning" is me planning (secretly) a small get together on Saturday for Mark's 72nd birthday. It's been a long time since mass entertaining has been on the cards. Being secretive and withholding information is so hard for me, I'll be pleased when the cat is finally out of the bag.

Edited to add a photo of an example Pièce montée or Croquembouche.

[CT-5012]

Oh wow, progress indeed. Lovely to get an update from you, keep up the good work. Hope everything goes swimmingly for you. 🥳

[HeronNS]

Well done!

And szczęśliwego Nowego Roku to you also!

[SheffieldJane]

Lovely positive post IdasMum! It does sound like that corner has been turned. Less of the fat and old! We have life in us yet, it’s not over until the er curvy lady sings. 🌟⭐️💫✨

[Highlandtiger]

Well done and enjoy the party! Always so hard to keep the cat in the bag isn’t it!

🐈 💼

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Highlandtiger]

I managed it for himself's 40th birthday - until a guest rang and blurted out "What time is the surprise party ..." which would have been fine had it been me who answered!!!!

[IdasMum in reply to PMRpro]

So far so good.

I did some surreptitious shopping whilst out swimming yesterday. I came home and hid the shopping in the car port and rescued it this morning whilst he was sleeping.

Among the requisites is a big bag of Maltesers which are calling to me !

I have ordered a Pièce montée which a friend will pick up, we're hoping it won't become a Pièce demontée in her car!

[Highlandtiger in reply to PMRpro]

Arghh! 😱

Another 40th surprise party... We'd taken over a whole Italian restaurant. His favourite. 40 people sitting there all dressed up. We'd all managed to keep it a secret. The idea was his wife would tell him she was taking him out for a meal for his birthday, they’d arrive by taxi and he’d discover us all sitting there..... All good until they were on their way. 'Nah, I don’t fancy an Italian tonight, let's go to the Chinese......'

[IdasMum in reply to Highlandtiger]

Hahaha

[Blearyeyed]

Well done you , our newest water baby !

[IdasMum in reply to Blearyeyed]

Lol

[Spanky2019]

Always nice to have good news@

[Scotty7]

Well done, i am in a similar position alao 65. I have only had pmr for 13 months but it sure knocks your physical ability. I have found walking with a stick helps me,i managed 3 miles in 2 hours on saturday in my local park ( lots of stops for a few minutes sit down ) stick with it. I have just started week 1 if alternating 6.5mg & 6mg....have a lovely time on aatueday.

[Daffodilia]

Swimming is good also Pilates and Nordic walking

[S4ndy]

I've been thinking of "taking the plunge". Just got to get over my phobia of public changing rooms!

Well done to you though.

Love the photo, not made one of those before but made profiteroles as Christmas. xxx

[Hidden]

I spent 3 months combining walking in the water and swimming after back surgeryetc. It was a slow process, the walking and semi running (once my boobs were under the water!). I had a target which was getting a dog so that really motivated me. Just keep going and you will be amazed how you can build muscles.

[LemonZest11]

What a lovely and encouraging story! You sound so wonderfully happy ... thanks for such joyful positivity! ❤

[IdasMum]

I went down again today to the swimming pool only to discover it doesn't open until 15h. I was there at midday!

I've realised, I had to be this well for swimming to be an option, the amount of energy taken up (or spoons used if you use that metaphor) with undressing, dressing, drying, dressing (not to mention needing to undress to use the loo twice!) is phenomenal. I was pretty tired today even without the swimming bit in the middle.

I have also realised why it feels precarious climbing into and out of the pool using the steps. My arms muscles have weakened considerably over 3/4 years, I don't use the bath as I have become unable to haul myself up to standing. Hanging onto the rail on the steps to lower my body in is rather difficult, likewise hauling myself out. I am managing and know that my arms should soon improve. I think I have some small weights somewhere upstairs. I will start using them gradually to build up my biceps and triceps.

Thanks for all your replies. I feel bad for not posting much and you're all very kind when I do.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to IdasMum]

Pool access for me has to be via steps and a handrail - no ladders acceptable ... As for the rest - exactly! Even now.

I went already in a swimsuit with tracky bottoms and a sweater straight out of bed in the morning. Showered at the pool and had a big towel to sit in and drip dry ...

[IdasMum]

Yes, I had my swimsuit on already but me being Mrs Needs to pee every 15 mins has to strip off each time.

Steps would be lovely. Maybe I'll just dive in next time.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to IdasMum]

You still have to get out again ...

[IdasMum in reply to PMRpro]

Yes true although reckoning on having drowned x