For the last 11 days the weather has been stormy and humid and has played havoc with the above.
I haven't been out of my home in all that time. Not unusual you will say - lot's haven't been able to go very far anyway! What concerns me is that now - it has changed to sunny, warm weather - and all the desire to leave the house has gone.😏 This has never happened before. Anyone else feel the same?
Constance, l think it’s something we are all concerned about to be honest, l know l am!
We have a garden so it’s easier to go out there but the Wide World? Who knows?
I think we are all going to need a period of adjustment.....
Angela xx
Daft isn't it? Most people will be dying to get out and about.😎
I exercise by going up and down the stairs (62 steps - I'm on the middle floor) but going out for 1/4hour!?! I also walk around the flat quite a lot. Age and pain don't help!
Hope life, apart from the obvious, is treating you well. Keep happy Angela.
💐🍀💥
We’ll get there 🙏🏼 l’m Shielded but all l really want to do is go to the Garden Centre but l’d like to Open just for Me & MrE 😉🌸🌺🌼
It's not people I'm scared of - It's the space (I think)!?!
Constance, all the years we have known each other............you have forgotten...................it is matter over mind, sometimes. Out you go today and smell the air or else!!!!!!!!!!🧚🧚🧚♂️🧚🧚♂️🧚
With such a threat I'll HAVE TO go out! Scared stiff I am.🤪 It's of you I mean, of course.
Happy to see you take advice from your elders 😊 sometimes 😉👍
😈 Hel xxx
Catching up - end of July!👵🏻👵🏻
We have been shielding but I had to go out yesterday for the first time in months. I was very apprehensive, kitted out with mask and gloves. Needing petrol (gobsmacked at low price!) I went to pay for it, walking boldly into shop. 'Can you wait outside', said the shop assistant. Apparently only one customer was allowed in at anytime. Everyone else seemed to know what they were doing and the 'rules' except me! No one else was wearing gloves or a mask. (Not that being the only one bothered me). It all felt quite strange and surreal again. My anxiety levels were really quite high.
So I, for one, am not planning on venturing out again soon! Like you, I have no desire to. I am fortunate though, in that I live on a residential mobile home site with daily socially distanced contact with neighbours, live with my husband, am in regular 'what's app video' contact with family and have outside space and small garden to relax and potter about in. I think this makes a huge difference and would imagine my desire to go out would be greater perhaps if I was isolated alone in my home, especially without any outdoor space.
Space I have - I look out over very large, beautifully kept, Spa gardens. Fresh air I also have - all our large windows open out onto the park.
Being on a residential mobile home is a real plus. Lot's of contact (if shielded) with others.
Keep safe and happy!
Constance
xxx
It is actually better to sanitise your hands than wear gloves unless you remove the gloves after every action. Gloves give people a false sense of security but all they do is keep the virus off your hands and it sits on the gloves - which you probably don't clean before touching anythine.
I removed them and chuck out after every action when I was out. Four pairs in 10 minutes. Sanitised hands on each change, as well as sanitizing door handles and steering wheel three times. That was just one visit. I can't afford to go out ; my neurosis costs me too much in terms of gloves masks and sanitizer 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈
I know you won't necessarily be able to transfer this to practise if it is a neurosis - but you don't need the gloves. The santiser you use each time is just as effective.
It’s a matter of confidence too. I feel the same and will not be going inside any buildings. I’ve been to an ATM - gloved and masked up - felt quite exhilarated afterwards but not enough to want more.
I’d like to visit a garden centre or farmers market but there would have to be preferential opening hours for me!
So stay at home I will and enjoy my own garden for now - which I am doing. Lots to do and potter. Normally I would have filled it with my own choices but it is a mature garden and pretty to look at so am grateful.
Take care Constance. 🌹
My confidence is none existent - and to think I used to stand on a stage and speak to a hundred students!!!
This too will pass!?!
One thing to do is not worry about it - whatever ‘it’ is! as it might never happen!
That’s a riddle to keep you occupied!
It’s an age thing as well- this lockdown has affected many with their confidence levels I’m sure.
As you say it will pass, take a day at a time. x
I too can't wait to go to garden centre. I did a minimum £50 order for delivery from my usual one. Half the bedding plants for twice the money! But hey ho needs must. However the bags of soil were wrong. After phoning them late on a Friday they agreed for me to drive round to collect. It was all locked up and a lady was waiting with the soil by the gate. I sat in car, popped the lock for the boot. The lady loaded the soil, shut the boot and off I drove! Not the same as a leisurely stroll, but outcome is my garden, though not my usual standard, still looks attractive and colourful. The garden centre is my special, safe place to de-stress, contemplate, breathe......., so I will only go back to it when there are no social distancing rules and the vaccine is available. I don't want to ruin or compromise on my enjoyment of this special space.
I agree with everything you say - particularly the vaccine bit - I’ve said exactly the same thing. I refuse to take risks. I too love my garden.
Terri ~ Hi
I hope you’re going to share those preferential opening times with me? 😉
I wore mask & gloves to the Surgery for my bloods then peeled them off, sanitised my hands before l got in the car but as yet l haven’t been anywhere else.
I think because the gloves are purple it reminds me to keep my hands away from my face & l’d peel them off at the end of my ‘shop’ & sanitise my hands again.
I never thought Chemo Protocol would come in handy again 🙏🏼
I have bought a Face Shield like a welder 👩🏻🏭 would wear, only lighter for when l can get my Nails done again 💅🏼 but these False Nails have been brilliant!
I cut my hair today, in a pixie crop Terry did the back 😱 but he did OK it feels great & much cooler under my wig!
Keep Safe & Well
Angela xx
I’d be delighted to share my special opening time with you - there will be enough room for two little ‘ uns!
I’ve been to the ATM only - I look as if I’m going to rob ‘em! I have the same gloves and mask protocol as you.... Takes me over an hour to unpack and sanitize my on-line shop. I’m quite good not touching my face now but did take some doing at first.
Don’t blame you with the various masks - it’s still out there! Sounds so funny though welders’ mask.....
Needs must I’m afraid re the hair - pleased you feel better for it and hubby was able to help. He only needs to learn manicuring now! I think it’s great all these hidden talents.....
My 14 year old grandson let his mum shave his head for the first time ever and it looks great. He didn’t think so at first - wouldn’t take his hat off!
Mine is a mass of what I can only say are coiled springs. It’s thin on the crown since my treatments but it looks more stylish longer with the curls. So I’m going to let it keep growing as all it does is shrink into tighter curls - takes no doing as it is as long as I use a product to define the curls and keep it healthy.
Sounds as if I’m lucky compared to you though.
Enjoy your evening - footies back on!?!...
Yes, and my sister who lives alone with RA is the same...this week, myself and OH went to Cromer (you will know where that is!)...there weren`t many people about it was lovely. Sat on a bench overlooking the sea, and another elderly lady obviously wanted to chat, she was so glad to be out of her residential home there......it was very refreshing...we were only out about 3 hours, but it felt like we had been out all day. One advantage of having grey hair...everyone gets out of your way...I felt like a leper!....but it gave us plenty of space if a human appeared. It still felt strange......but it was a start....so get out side just a little at a time....mask up...they will avoid you!
I feel the same Constance, I have lost intetest in a lot of things during lockdown. I have kept myself busy sewing or in the garden and don't lack fresh air or occupation. I never was a great traveller but have become even more home centric. I feel more like an observer at the moment.
Me too!
Well, I have just been out on my scooter (bank and farm shop in the village) and I am totally knackered. Won't be doing that again for a while!!
Well done! Hang in there, remember it takes longer to adapt as we get older.
I'm beginning to realise what "age" means! I've always thought of myself as being really "up with it", but it's showing me a different presentation than I expected. To look at me you would think I was as fit as a fiddle.
Well done Constance!
I too went out on my scooter in our village yesterday. My first time of being outdoors, except for our garden, in 13 weeks. I wore a mask but didn’t see anyone else wearing one. What I enjoyed most was just being on my own. The few people I did encounter gave me a wide berth which I appreciated. Everyone spoke ( which is unusual) and I came home feeling slightly more connected to the outside world. I won’t be rushing to a supermarket or any of the shops yet though. I’d love to go t9 a garden centre and choose some plants to brighten up the garden. The can as didn’t survive last winter. I’m in the shielding group so not expecting the situation to change much for quite a while. This morning my body feels like it’s had a workout, which it probably has! Some of the paths have tree roots exposed which can cause jarring in my hands and also my back as the scooter navigates these obstacles! A lazy day called for today I feel.
Strange, people used to talk to each other in the park over here too, but since the mask business and distancing everyone seems less friendly now. Our son says people talk a lot more now in England, in the queues etc, than they did before lockdown.
Scooters do jarr you if you go over rough ground don't they?
Yes I usually avoid rough ground on the scooter, but the path I’d chosen is quite narrow and the tree roots unavoidable. I’ve heard that the usual “British Reserve” has softened a little, though I haven’t had the opportunity to experience that for myself. My social contact has been limited to some amazing volunteers who bring our prescriptions when required and the supermarket delivery services. All doing a fantastic job for which we’re very thankful. The kindness of strangers has been humbling.
We went to Cromer often from the Broads. That's one thing I miss - the sea (we are miles away here).
Nice to hear from you. xxx
Yes, everyone loves Cromer...the cliffs, the pier etc....and of course the crabs!!....it was lovely.....lots of flowers out, it was very pretty....
Nice to hear you too...we`ll get there in the end...just had results of blood test, Hb1 was 41, so that`s gone up...is it because of being less mobile, or the odd snack when so fed up with OH? (lets blame him)....onwards and upwards....
Yippee - knew could do it - just need a shove 😉 😊 🦅
Which I hadn't!! Half way home I started feeling queer - managed to get home, David put my scooter away and when he came upstairs I had collapsed on the bed!
Mind you it might be due to my dodgy BP. A couple of days ago it dropped to 106/64 (usually 140/90). Goodness knows what's happening.
Heard you about b/p. Have recently discussed precipitous drops with dr. Light headed and off balance more than usual. She lowered meds. She wondered if less pred is contributing. I attribute also weight going down more and pain from fractures mostly controlled. We discussed ( I initiated) thought of in “ older” people b/p can and should be higher. I feel best with systolic in 130’s. Anyhow, experiment time on that. Also can relate to feelings of vulnerability when recently out for the first time. In my head I was saying to people—- stay away from me. 😷. My best to you.🤗
A vascular surgeon we worked with insisted older people needed higher BP so the blood got to the places that need it: the brain and the feet. Low BP contributes to poor brain function and claudication in their legs.
Makes sense. Thx. Geriatric medicine has a way to go , I think. Just like many medical treatments mainly tried on males have never been validated on females and could be different.
Care of the elderly is improving a lot - they treat the patients more like palliative care, getting a good result and QOL is the aim rather than getting the patients off drugs. They are usually better at drug interactions too. But patients resent being called elderly ...
I've not been enthusiastic but our weather is rubbish too! But this morning we went to Austria - whole new world out there - no masks!!! Only Italians with them either over their faces or hanging round their necks (me). That area has had very few cases - it was at the end of the road once the borders were closed so people didn't come in and bring the virus with them. I felt safe enough there - it was very quiet.
I do feel that the authorities should keep masks longer - if everyone must wear them then they do make a massive difference. Shortly I must go to the village supermarket or I might starve over the weekend - that may well be a different kettle of fish but masks are de rigeur and that is fine by me.
Oh I`m so jealous....this morning we went to Austria!.....
Will keep wearing a mask for as long as I want...not when they tell me....so many rules and then reverse, don`t know what we`re doing half the time....
Great! Glad you enjoyed it.
Masks a must over here can't go into any shops, the bank, etc etc if you are not wearing one. They do make you hot though. Goodness knows what will happen when it really gets warm.
You made me jealous - we used to do that (pop over to Austria) when we lived in Ingolstadt. What a long, long time ago that was. 60 years!!!!
Not so far for me - 40km! We haven't bought diesel in Italy for the car for years - only when we used it to drive to Bari. I can fill up in Innsbruck and get to Calais with a bit of care. Himself can't ...
Are they strict about getting rid of diesel cars in Italy?
Not yet. Diesel 0 and 1 are banned in town centres at certain times (rush hour). As long as the rest of Europe chugs down the Brenner and spews diesel fumes over us they aren't going to stop us driving them! Petrol is a tad pricy here ...
Constance, I had the same when I went to the Rat Poison clinic with a mask on - when I managed to get to the Doorkeeper (St John's Ambulance Volunteer) he immediately told me to lift the bottom of the mask and got me a wheelchair. I could not breathe.
I was worried so that is why I bought the Oceanview, that PMRpro had found. I only tried it out for an hour this morning whilst I was in the garden and did not have that problem. However, that was just one hour.
They are better certainly. I bought 6 (3 each - as you have to wash them and wait)! I only wear them when I have to have one on for a long time. If I am just going "in and out" I wear the cheaper disposable ones. You have to wear them whenever you go out over here but a lot, including us, drop them under the chin if there is no-one around.
Bet you never thought you'd be going into a bank, wearing a mask and asking for money.
Never thought of that!😂😂😂
Especially since wearing a face covering in Germany has been illegal for years!!!!
VERY legal now!🤪
Did you buy them direct from Oceanview, because if you did it means that you donated six of those masks to NHS Nurses for when off duty. ie you really paid for 12.
What's money? Better than spending it on the internet.
I bought them over the net.
Joan off to bed............me off to make a cuppa and pick up my book and put the bedside lamp on and hope Joan sleeps to 6am. xx
Goodnight, sleep tight!😀
You really need to be alone sometimes. Enjoy while you can. xxx
Light headed and off balance - describes it to a tee!
I'm a little better today (117/65) but still not right - this is NOT me!! Never thought I'd want my BP to be higher.😏
I've been drinking lots of coffee, a small brandy every now and again just to make my pressure go back to normal.
Is it or is it not PMR
Weather
Worried about PMR & GCA
Fatigue and hot weather
Is GCA affected by hot weather?
