Glad to see so many Christmas greetings and that lots of us seem to be having a better time than last year😊 However, surely I can’t be the only one this happened to…....?
‘‘Twas Christmas Eve and like millions across countries and continents, hubby and I took lateral flow tests before the festivities. And lo!! His came up positive 😳😳 Me negative. So, we repeated and same result….
Expecting twelve guests on various days from 25th to 29th, at 7pm on 24th I had the task of phoning them all to tell them the results and to effectively ‘cancel Christmas’. They mostly had time to sort something out, but hubby and I are self isolating with a fridge full of food which is slowly going past its best……Thankfully neither of us feels actually ill, hubby had a heavy cold last week and I had the sniffles. We had our PCR tests at 11am on Christmas Day and await the results…..I didn’t send back my allocated PCR for the immunosuppressed, both because I thought it would take so long to get there over the bank hols, and because I don’t feel ill.
To be honest,I have to admit this has got me really upset. I planned this Christmas meticulously, taking weeks over it so as to pace myself, but obviously it wasn’t to be. The irony is that if we’d known we’d be alone, I think we could have enjoyed it….and I have to be grateful for what we have 🧘♀️
Anyone else in the same boat??
Nextoneplease xx
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Oh poor you! Will any of them be able to come when the waiting days are over?We had an extended family gathering planned in a restaurant, but have had regretfully to cancel, or at least postpone, because the Omicron threat seemed to great for some of us. It feels like cancelling the event, and communicating about it is much more effort than arranging it. Plus the disappointment of not seeing people, of course, particularly the ones born since covid!
I really hope you'll be able to salvage something next week, and keep well!❤️❤️
Thank you so much Sharitone and I’m so sorry you had to cancel your gathering too 😞
I hesitated to post about this on here as it’s not strictly PMR/GCA related….but I think it’s hit me more than it normally would have done, because I’m not sure I have the energy to re-arrange. Having said that, I won’t have the option, daughters, grandchildren and good friends will come at some time, and I’ll feel ill-prepared 🤷♀️
Can’t actually arrange anything until we know our PCR results….and as DL said on her Christmas post, I know that many, many people are much, much worse off.
How very disappointing for you. How much of the food can you freeze? Do any of your potential guests live close enough to come for a contact-free pick up of some treats?We had Christmas alone. Because we are considered lower risk than relatives of our sons' partners the six of us, having taken rapid tests beforehand, plus the baby, had dinner on Christmas Eve. They then each had another dinner yesterday with the daughters in law respective families. We have no other relatives here and really no one else in a social bubble with either of us so we didn't lay in supplies for guests. I always order takeaway when the family come over as they are all such foodies we are too intimidated to cook for them! Fortunately there are several very good options very close to us, don't even need to have delivery, we just go and fetch. I've "eaten out" far more since the pandemic than any other time in my life!
Unfortunately we are regarded as the foodies of the family so people always come here expecting good food! We haven’t yet managed to get anyone to take over that role - but the time must come! We don’t have any takeaways nearby so that isn’t an option.
We did drop off some food at our daughter’s while she was out taking our grandson to her ex-partner’s place (it’s complicated!) but everyone else lives at least a couple of hours away…..
If none can come within the next few days I will seek out a food bank.
No room in freezer as it’s full of stuff for hubby’s (now postponed) birthday bash on 28th…
I must be mad to have thought any of it would actually happen……🙄xx
Oh no, not just Christmas cancelled, but birthday too. Well, at least you can celebrate the birthday once he's better and the omicron surge has ebbed. Hope you ke well.
Thanks MrsN - no, you’re right, there’s nothing sure - so I don’t know why I allowed myself to look forward to it so much, and hence be so disappointed 🙄
Things had been improving & we were gradually building up a measured confidence - we’ve had our Boosters or 3rd Jab - untilOmicron raised its ugly head & made everything so unsure……
Who knows what tomorrows figures will show - it actually doesn’t bear contemplating really 🤦🏻
Here’s hoping omicron isn’t too severe - although I’m reading that it is causing a higher proportion of deaths in Europe than in the UK (1.7 daily per million here, compared to 4 in Europe, according to Our World in Data figures.)
The testing centre yesterday was the busiest I’ve seen it (it was our third visit in about six months).
Hope you continue to feel better. No overdoing it! 🧘♀️xx
Morning NOP, so sad reading your news. When you build yourself up to something, it's a real let down when it all collapses at the last minute. Infection rates up here (NW) are absolutely manic at the moment and I can only see them going even higher over the next few weeks. Birthday wishes to hubby for tomorrow.
Similar experience here. Gutted. My son in law tested positive for CoVid at 12:30 Christmas day. They and the dinner left for London within minutes leaving me to tell MiL and cancel Christmas. I can't risk seeing her until I know I'm clear. Daughter and I both tested negative. I opened all the windows. Bolted the back gate and walked for about 10 miles until it was dark. What is reassuring is Christmas Eve Son in Law was very grumpy so I avoided him (and he stayed in bed all morning so I didn't see him at all on Christmas day) I am more hopeful than I might be that I may not get CoVid. Haven't told my friends and family as no point to mar their Christmas too. Devastating.
I knew I couldn’t be the only one but like you, I somehow didn’t want to tell people - there are still some friends I haven’t told - I guess it feels like such a downer to me, and I do want everyone who can, to enjoy themselves. It’s horrid when that longed-for friends and family contact is snatched away in minutes - that’s exactly how it felt!
Thank you. I was negative yesterday and so was my daughter. Fingers crossed. Sorry to hear other people's awful Christmas stories. I and one of my sisters also dread it as too much expectation and someone (not always the same one!) kicks off so every year it ends in tears in the kitchen for me. I'm never doing it again. CoVid or no CoVid!
That's what we all dread, especially after such careful planning. I would be besides myself but then have to remember to calm down as stress and pmr........................
Doesn't make any difference which way you plan - there is always the uncertainty lurking these days. I hope you are able to both enjoy a special time/treat later in the year to make up for it, and most of all, hope you are both ok asap.
At least you knew before the gathering and did not have to worry about passing it on. Despite lat flow tests, I am terrified I will pass it on to 97yr old mother if asymptomatic. We can only do our best, and you have done just that.
Yes, it’s hard to relax, isn’t it? And I’d feel the same as you do about your mum - my dear mum passed away aged 98 just before the pandemic started and I’m so grateful she wasn’t subjected to it and all it’s ramifications.
So sorry !what a blow on Christmas eve, its good you are not ill though and did the right thing ! Its the ones that did not that worries me ! Best wishes Viv 🌷
I am so sorry to hear this news, it certainly puts my minor difficulties into perspective! I have two daughters and I know that in your situation I would be inconsolable. I hope that the end for her was as peaceful as it could be, and I hope that you have some support in your grief. This is a loss beyond words.
I am on a medication called BuSpar for anxiety. I am also on medication for high blood pressure. When the holiday season rolls around I always have to increase both meds. This holiday is a horrible anxiety inducing, orgy of consumption and anxiety. I also lost a child, and am estranged from my entire blood family because of alcohol and drug related issues, them, not me. So, for me Christmas is just ghastly, and it always will be. I breathe a huge sigh of relief when it is over. I love gifting people, but I do it throughout the year. When I see something I think someone can use, I buy it and gift it. My husband's family, who are lovely people, know and understand my Noel Allergy and they are fine with it. This holiday has so gotten out of hand. Don't be anxious because you can't gather on a day when social custom says you should gather. Be grateful you have a future. Take care of your self, focus on the positive, and forget the whole Christmas Schmeal. If Jesus saw what we were doing with his birthday he would be sad.
I’m so sorry Christmas is so bad for you; the reasons you give are truly heartbreaking. I’m so sorry 😟
I do agree, though, that we often go completely over the top in terms of consumption and conformity at Christmas. I admire you for acknowledging this and for knowing and naming how you feel about it.
We had agreed to give no presents at all this year, but just to enjoy each other’s company. Still, as you say, we may be able to rearrange something and I will stay positive about this.
Jesus would indeed be sad….
All the best to you and thank you for your reply xx
Hi Phebamom, like yourself, I find Christmas quite difficult because of family issues so hubby and I spent the day together on our own. No anxiety worrying about what was going to happen next, just a relaxing day like any other Sunday. Love your idea of gifting during the year instead of becoming embroiled in the commercialization of Christmas. Might give that a go next year! Best wishes for 2022.
Update: PCR results received today….hubby positive, my test ‘could not be read’. Not my fault, I had a member of staff do it in the hope of averting this very result 🙄Anyway we’re now self isolating up to and including 30 December, unless hubby has two negative LFTs in a row. (Mine was somehow again negative today, as was our daughter’s, with whom we spent several hours on Christmas Eve).
Just took delivery of large birthday cake from a rather upmarket supplier - it only keeps for two days so I’m going to cut it up and see if we can freeze at least some slices…..😊xx
So sorry to hear that your Christmas and Hubby’s birthday plans were ruined by Covid. We had to change our plans at the last minute and cancelled our trip to see our son in the US as a precaution. I was really miserable for a day but then had to give myself a talking to. I’m getting fed up of telling myself ‘it is what it is’. I hope your husband has a mild dose and is over it quickly and that you remain well. Thinking of you and sending hugs🤗
I refused to even consider heading for the UK for xmas. Didn't think the will it/won't it concern was worth it, especially since Daughter No 2 was working in A&E for 6 consecutive days and not sure I could cope with 6 days with the other one!!! And both she and her daughter are vegan and totally disorganised ...
So sorry that your plans were ruined too 😟 I was pretty miserable as well, but like you I took myself in hand, gave myself a lecture and I feel much better now 🤞Although I’ve really had enough of ‘it is what it is’ etc, I’m afraid it’s true, isn’t it. What will be, will be…..🧘♀️
Thanks for your good wishes. Hubby asleep again ( he’s sleeping A LOT), but so far, so good….(another one of those sayings 😉)
Ah Nextoneplease, what a pity your plans were upset. Hopefully, you'll be able to freeze or gift any food you and your hubby won't get to eat. All the best to you both, hope you get through the next 10 days without too much hassle and are able to enjoy a family get-together in the not too distant future.
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