I decided to put up my reply to Rimmys thought provoking post today as a separate post just in case it may be of help to anyone feeling anxious during this current Health Crisis.
I realise that we are all feeling incredibly vulnerable and nervous right now . It's important to get the right information and answers to our serious questions , and I think this forum and the Moderators are doing a fantastic job at doing that and putting our minds at ease. I have also found the funny contributions and photos from many members a great relief . They've certainly helped to diffuse any Stress that I may have been feeling.
So now , I do wonder , wether we may also help ourselves ( and our HU friends) in this time of social exclusion , and anxiety over Covid 19, by not concentrating on the Negative aspects of what is happening around Us , but trying to maintain our Positivity and helping others Stay Positive instead.
We are lucky really.
This Forum proves it.
We don't need to feel socially isolated or out of touch with the World , no matter how old we are , or how far away we live from another living soul , when we can interact with each other globally via the internet. Being stuck at home , even if we live alone , doesn't have to feel like being alone. Access to foodstuffs and medication is just a few clicks away and plans are being made everyday to keep it that way.
My experience over the last five , virtually housebound, self isolated, months has taught me that. Years ago , before I met the gang on HU , I felt far more isolated even though there was no virus ( or personal immunity issues) keeping me indoors. Chronic illness without people whom understand you can make you feel alone in a crowded room , I know many of you will have felt that.
Many of Us have experienced difficulties getting a diagnosis . Some of Us still don't get the best Care for our specific conditions , and this can make us understandably wary at times like these. But, in comparison to days gone by, Emergency Care , especially during a Disease Outbreak, has advanced rapidly and more people are being saved and have access to life saving treatment than ever before.
Some of our Faraway Friends prove to Us on a monthly basis how much better off we are with their stories of the fantastic treatment they received in A and E in a sudden Health Crisis of the heart and lungs or for strokes and infections.
Governments and Organisations may not have reacted as quickly as they should have done , but we certainly have. No matter what is happening in the wider world I've seen how proactive the folks here have been in protecting themselves as much as possible , long before the World at Large began to battle over toilet rolls.
And , as ever , we are trying to help each other too.
This situation is going to be around for some time, it's going to feel like a very long and bumpy ride if we concentrate too much on the News and not enough on our General Physical and Mental Well-being. We know more than most that Stress breeds Illness and Pain and so trying to find the Positives right now is as important as washing our hands and being contact free.
I know some people might be reading this and thinking , " Oh, here we go again , Little Miss Silver Flipping Linings!!" but I know , for Me personally , the only way I will get through a situation like this is by trying to, " Keep Calm and Carry On", and I hope that I can help you in the months ahead to do the same.
Take Care All, Keep Proactive , Keep Positive , and let's hope like everything else that hits Us lately that ,' This too will pass ' ,very , very soon.
Big Contact free hugs and love , Aunty Bee xxx
Written by
Blearyeyed
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I like the image Grammy80 used to illustrate us standing together and supporting each other.👩🏾🤝🧑🏾👬👨🏼🤝👨🏻👩🏿🤝🧑🏿👩🏾🤝🧑🏿👩🏽🤝🧑🏾👩🏼🤝🧑🏿👩🏼🤝🧑🏼👨🏾🤝👨🏻👩🏻🤝🧑🏿👫👩🏿🤝👩🏼. That's what this forum is about.
Luckily we're all miles away from each other, just virtually close.
Great Post bee. I have been housebound for long periods before massive use of the When the squeals and squeaks of telephone connection took 5mins to even load the first page. Now I can contact anyone anywhere and share a joke or a moan.... Must confess I prefer the jokes or hopefully helping someone who needs a boost or info or being helped by being boosted or good info.
If you/one can't deal with negative news or thoughts then try and ignore both as much as possible. We know as much as we need to in order to get through this phase. I am just pottering - got a sleep ordered metal raised bed for the garden. On the box It says sharp edges.. Wear gloves. Just for fun I might not.... 🤔
In a while i am going to stagger around a Reservoir with the dog. I shall sit a lot, watch the dog chase the ball and swim, and get my pot of veggie jelly on the way home and suck it out of the pot. Just because it makes me feel like I am a kid and only the dog can see me. It's 30secs of pure, beautiful childish pleasure. I can check the HU forums and experience layered feelings. But I choose to be as positive as possible. I concur... Keep calm and carry on.... 👍😘🐘
You make it sound like you are about to take a trip to Narnia , that's one heck of way to go to self isolate , but if you will lend your balaclava to passing Faun ...😂😂😂
, 😂 🤣 😂 I never thought I would see anyone else daft enough to wear one that colour. Mine did actually save my life cyclu g through the peak district in the snow in the 1980s. It was not snowing when I set off.
I have copper ones , they could cut the jelly up in handy slurping sizes too , what is it with this forum , first I'm getting influenced to snaffle chaffles , now you are all tempting me to make a jelly and slurp it . I thought the mature generation were meant to be a civilising influence!
I'm on my own this weekend so I think I may make a jelly now and slurp it up all to myself in front of the telly , if I choke I'm blaming you !😋😂😂😂
All this jelly chatter , I just got Grandma to make me a big one before she went away for the weekend . I told her I was going to eat it straight from the bowl after pouring cream all over it.
Unfortunately she chose to make me a lemon one with pineapple chunks , usually a favourite , but a bit of a flaw in choice on this occasion for obvious reasons , I really don't think we have a wide enough straw!
In a way we're the lucky ones. I'm well used to not going out and have all the necessary home delivery support set up already, and being of a certain age I'm aware of how to make most of my basic needs.
Before I reply to Bleary...for the love of God, woman~~wear gloves!!!
(The way you wrote about your walk with the dog...I can just see you staggering....was so descriptive it was like a painting...well done, Gunga Din~you certainly deserve the jelly.)💗💗
🍾 One bottle gone from the fridge................drinking to Aunty Bee - well I get the whole bottle as I am too far away and if I wasn't I cannot imagine sitting 1 metre away, even if I knew how far a metre is. Nudge, Nudge, 😉, 😉
Nudge , nudge , wink , wink right back at you baby !😘😘😍
Now that's positively thinking , one bottle at a time , I hope you have a long enough straw!
I have now put my fetching balaclava photo up so I look like I've been on the sauce , nobody will come within a metre if you dressed like this , trust me !!😂😂😂😂
Made me think last night about the true meaning of keeping people at arm's length. Maybe it's the isolation but I felt an urge to measure my arm - finger tip to armpit 70cm quite a good distance.
If you turn your head to one side and measure from the tip of your nose to the tips of your fingers that is near enough a metre/3 ft. An ell is the length of the arm from the shoulder (or the elbow) to the wrist and is what they used to measure fabric with.
Ell is a word I've only ever used in Scrabble - vaguely knew it was a measurement but thanks to you I'm now fully informed. Incidentally Scrabble is going to be something I'll miss during this isolation; I belong to a club and also play with my grandson who I won't be seeing. You can't really play solitaire Scrabble or can you?
Yes , you just have two sets to work from , it's actually alot more interesting than trying solo chess . I was an only child so had quite a bit of time playing on my own .
You can play Scrabble online against your computer or with others online too , you could probably link up with your grandson on the computer to keep playing with him.
I was going to say that too about the turn head other direction to arm, and tip of nose to tip of inger is abut one yard, or one metre...so that arm's length away really has some meaning!
Thanks for that, I have been practically household since January, other than see a private consultant have relentless backpain.....I'm waiting on the results of an MRI, which I paid to have 8 days ago....but he had the audacity to have a week off!!.....my son is worried about us especially me on steroids but I have told him I am used to bring in and will be good. I feel fortunate with this forum ect and a lovely garden to crawl round🌷🌹....all positives to me.....👍
And yesterday was the first day of Spring so even if you are stuck at home a comfy chair to watch garden grow and the flowers tell the time and the seasons won't make you feel like you are missing out. Hope you get some positive results soon , take care xxx
Oh , I'm so sorry , just rest and try and keep it warm I've got my fingers crossed for you . Pick some of those hyacinths and bring them in so you can smell them easily , I love the smell of hyacinths and tulips are my favourite flowers xxx
Try a brandy, developed by Medieval Monks in Normandy as a medicine..............I am known as the 'Brandy Queen'. Great Pain Killer.............mind not a bottle at a time - just a serving spoonful.
eg: for D&S, mix one measure of port, one of brandy - hold your nose and drink it - repeat after 2 hours - D&S gone. Old Barmaids cure, not 'maid' not 'men' 😉.
I was feeling down this morning so actually picked some Tete-a-Tete's (first flowers I have ever picked in my garden so far this winter) put them in a jam jar and in front of a mirror. Made me smile............then came on here and boy have I brightened up.........thank you and all the others. xxx Now off to make some lunch.
Is that another bottle from the fridge , hic!!😋😂😂😂
I love tete a Tete , they are so sweet and fragrant too , Summer may have the colour and bluster but Spring certainly pays in calming delicate blooms and scent xx
I have a wonderful park in front of me but no balcony. I didn't think it would matter so much - but because of this "stay at home" business it bugs me.😏
It seems a shame they didn't put the semi-balconies instead of the windows: fully opening French windows down to the floor and a "flat" balcony bar to stop you falling out
That's the trouble - our windows stretch all along the room but they are 70cms higher than the floor. That's the trouble of living in a converted clinic. I should grumble - it's fantastic in other ways.
It is amazing how many people with PMR&GCA either have P F S or Myo Fascial Pain.
Without PMRpro writing an article many moons ago, I probably would be stil suffering back pain. I go to acupuncture for a boost when it returns, which is not often thank goodness.
My Hospital sent me to physio - useless - acupuncture -pain gone in 6 sessions.
Some time ago Sheffield Jane said she loved her feet being "soothed" (shall we say)😜 particularly by her husband. I answered I wouldn't be able to stand it. I also said I don't mind a complete stranger messing about with my feet but not my husband. Of course I meant a therapist!😂😂
No , had xray because doctor thought I had fractured my spine due to Osteoporosis.....while waiting for results of that, saw a private consultant at Spire nearby, he said it showed osteoarthritis in the facet joints in lower spine, but wanted to rule out a fracture with MRI, said it would show more, just want answers now so it`s a painful waiting game....sorry to sound so miserable....
Bless him - bear in mind that he too will be on duty when CV hits! He'll struggle to remember whatever it was he did on holiday. Our entire health service has had all leave cancelled.
Yes, my tiny sliver of a garden - sadly overgrown at the moment - is going to be a great consolation. I may, knees permitting, get round to some gardening too. Having the gardener in would rather defeat the point of the isolation.
Just what i wanted to see in my HU emails, a nutter in a yellow balaclava!! Even if i couldnt see who it was from i would have guessed. I really have worries about your sanity bee.xx YBB
😂😂😂😂😂 I told you my Mum had me tested , just like Sheldon Cooper I'm apparently fine. Maybe that says more about Mental Health Services in the 80's than my state of mind though 😋😂😂😂
Of all the things I have in my wardrobe an orange balaclava is the one thing I wouldn't have thought was a shared item on the forum , but apparently Poops has the exact same one.
Perhaps I should work out a knitting pattern for it , then it will give us all something to do while we are staying at home .
What a beautiful post~it is the most wonderful virtual hug~! I do not exaggerate, I'd be lost without all of you (and especially articulate people like you Bleary who rest in the hand of the silver lining). I've never felt alone since I found 👭👩🏼🤝👩🏻👩🏼🤝👩🏼👩🏽🤝👩🏻👩🏿🤝👩🏼👩🏾🤝👩🏻👩🏽🤝🧑🏻👩🏾🤝🧑🏾👩🏾🤝🧑🏼👩🏾🤝🧑🏻👩🏿🤝🧑🏽. Finding the positive is the only way I can deal with things...GCA had me on the floor until all of you came along! I just flat-out-love-you-all for picking me up.
I am staying home except for appointments...but I'm never alone and I can see the silver lining!👩🏿🤝🧑🏽👩🏾🤝🧑🏻👩🏾🤝🧑🏼👩🏾🤝🧑🏾👩🏽🤝🧑🏻👩🏾🤝👩🏻👩🏿🤝🧑🏿👨🏿🤝👨🏽👭❤❤Thanks, Bleary!! and company~
I'm so glad we've been able to make your very bad GCA journey a little easier for you. It's knowing that , that makes us all happy to help whenever we can.
I was laughing at you telling me to wear gloves though. That picture , despite the grey cloud at that moment was taken in July , hence the rather sunburnt nose. Just goes to show the Raynaud's effect though doesn't it . It's was really hot , but my hands as ever had started to turn to ice with a hint of cloud.
I'd put the hat on for the photo as I'd just found the balaclava in a charity budget bin and bought it despite my Family's strong protests because I was sure it would come in handy one day , well I was proved right wasn't I!😋
Keep safe and try and keep a smile as often as you can , hugs xx
Dear Miss Silver Flipping Linings - as ever, your thoughtful and full of truth post has made my day. I dedicate my short session on the trombone today to you!
Oh , I'm giggling now , thank you , I'd love to know what you played while thinking of me this morning , I'm actually enjoying trying to toot my own horn again.
Do you find that it's actually helping to improve your breathing and your chest strength and stiffness by doing it ?
I'm doing a bit of experimenting with music of all types for exercuse, different symptoms and side effects .
Can you play the theme tune from the children's TV programme , ' The Flumps ' , I know , not high brow , but it always reminds me off those cosy little characters ( they all walk like they have PMR , just like Wombles) and it's very cheering to think about them .
If you don't remember them look them up on YouTube , it will be a nice start to you day .
I have gone right back to basics and am still trying to get through The Pink Panther , Stranger on a Shore and Baker Street in one go without a dizzy head or falling over , but enjoying it .
I replied to the above but I don’t think it ‘got sent’. Anyway - believe it or not I played “I think of you”! Go to you/tube Carol Jarvis for a real treat. Wish I sounded like her. I am delighted to hear you are having a wee blow now and then - easy does it now. I am lucky that chest and wind are ok - it’s the mental stimulation I find so brilliant. I don’t remember the Flumps but I see Poopadoopy has posted a video - must have a go. I’m impressed you are tackling Baker Street - do you manage the famous riff? We play a Pink Panther medley in the little ensemble I belong to - love it. Happy tooting! x
Believe it or not it's an effort to reduce the effect of Dysautonomia on my breathing , and it's reducing my tinnitus . Sound therapy is something I'm experimenting with and it's having unexpected results , I'm sure I will post on it in the coming months , with the usual added moment of humour. xxx
Fascinating. Being a lifelong learner I am now busy researching dysautonomia - vast subject. I look forward to hearing if ‘blowing’ changes/improves your status. Forever, be your lovely positive self. x
Yes agree Be. I’m always a bit late to the party but always grateful to be part of it all to support and encourage each other. I think you set a very good example!! Xx
Yes everything ok here. In a village where walking out ( however short the walk) and smiling and greeting each other at a distance seems the order of the day!! You take care too. Xx
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I'm new here... this much I know, PMR under 50 is not the norm but NOT impossible!
The Lighter Side: That (silly) Book Website - Thank You! And.. about my new 'Badge' here.. ;-)
Supplement precautionary thoughts
Self isolation for carers
Steroid side effects 
