Journey Ditty

[cycli]

Twenty twenty was the year

all went wrong that's crystal clear.

Things had not been going well

before that date, just to tell.

Ailments I'd not had before

taxed me like a plague of yore.

Unknown this and unknown that

caught me square and laid me flat.

Muscles cramping so in pain

no relief drove me insane.

Next a double pulmon'ry

cleared of that we'll wait and see.

Temples throbbing oh so tender

head was splitting like a bender.

Eyes were hurting vision blurring

pressure mounting lights a whirling.

Top of scalp just hurt to touch

all in all it was too much.

Jaw was cramping tongue so tied

hard to speak and diction fried.

Neck so stiff hard as a board

something I could not afford.

Eighteen hours a day no joke

painkillers won't lift this yolk.

Finally the di-ag-no-sis

forty milligrams the dose is.

Relief from pain in half a day

back to normal some would say.

Bur-si-tis Nu-ro-pa-thy

bruising skin bleeds easily.

Pred. Induced Myopathy

from the drug that set me free.

Pills to steady up the beat

of my heart gee what a treat.

More to lessen high b.p.

slow the pulse and make me pee

Now it's os-te-o-por-ous

bones in back try not to fuss.

Even though it's made me shorter

now I'm level with my daughter.

All in all it's not so bad

what I've lost some never had.

Eventually I'll see it out

in due time without a doubt.

When that is none here can say

so here's to all that wait the day.

[Bcol]

Luv it, certainly not lost your literary skills.

[cycli in reply to Bcol]

Maybe not totally useless then. Mind you, it won't put food on the table

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to cycli]

It has for many people……but maybe not tomorrow!

[cycli in reply to DorsetLady]

that's true. I have a story I've been working on for some time. I keep fiddling and polishing so maybe one day.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to cycli]

Why not, nothing ventured, nothing gained….

As the one saying goes -

“We all have a book in us. The first step is recognising this. Writing it is a whole new journey.”

Or, alternatively -

‘Everyone has a book in them, but in most cases that’s where it should stay “.

I’ll leave you to make decision… 😉

[cycli in reply to DorsetLady]

It's about changing the world. armageddon or salvation. Maybe I should write one about a lifetime in the furniture industry called Getting it on the van.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to cycli]

Getting it on the van.… sounds as if it could be turned into film 😂🤣

[cycli in reply to DorsetLady]

Quite possibly. One company were still upholstering their main show suite in the back of the van going to the show.

[JanetRosslyn]

'All in all it's not so bad, What I've lost some never had.' Beautifully said. That made me cry. x x

[cycli in reply to JanetRosslyn]

a man for all seasons

[cycli in reply to JanetRosslyn]

Read your Bio Janet. Think you mean Paula Radcliffe. Where in Herts. Was my county till 12 years ago when we moved to Durham to farm rare breeds sheep and cattle. Ashwell was my home for 33 years. St Albans my home town.

[agingfeminist]

Thanks cycli for sharing this. Are you finding any exercises that help? Someone has suggested isometrics and somatics. I am still moving (trying to keep my home clean...and lifting things when doing endless cooking) but it gets more difficult and not easier.

[cycli in reply to agingfeminist]

Trying, but it's hard with this back issue. Can't do much at present. Cook and shop mostly. Just driven to Darlington Mart A1 with 13 lambs and 5 shearlings.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to cycli]

Hope you got a good price …. 😊

[cycli in reply to DorsetLady]

we'll see. Last week would have been better but not enough ready at weight. they are quite good at letting us know.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to cycli]

Fingers crossed then….

[cycli in reply to DorsetLady]

price wasn't too bad but still lower than a few years ago.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to cycli]

..and no doubt your costs have gone up!🤨

[cycli in reply to DorsetLady]

So true. We are at the beck and call of which buyers turn up and how many sellers bring stock to mart.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cycli]

Hopefully that means UK lamb will be reappearing in the supermarket soon!

[cycli in reply to PMRpro]

You are right that it has been sparse. Given its retail price I think it reflects the cost of butchering. A large carcase costs less to joint but it is still grossly disproportionate

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cycli]

We always have a period in the summer with very little lamb and then mostly local stuff which is more reminiscent of mutton - mutton has its place but hot pot isn't what you want in temps in the 30s!!!!

[cycli in reply to PMRpro]

Hoggit on the other hand is the best of both. More flavour but a year or so old but still tender.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cycli]

Not a local delicacy that I know!

[cycli in reply to PMRpro]

Sadly, supermarkets do not hang their meat to let the enzymes do their work to break down the meat. We do on our own slaughtered stock for our consumption. 8 days for hoggit and mutton 14 days for belted galloway.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cycli]

Which is why the only meat I buy at the supermarket is the lamb. The butcher in the village slaughters and butchers himself and they do hang their meat. So, I think, does the butcher I now use most which is an independent butcher with a few branches, some based in a supermarket. I am quite picky ...

[cycli in reply to PMRpro]

good for you. We use our local butcher for that reason.

[Jackoh]

Some poignant words- thank you. 💐

[cycli in reply to Jackoh]

Thank you. See you are on 11mg. Snap. Leflunomide seems to be working for me. Keep up the struggle.

[Jackoh in reply to cycli]

Thanks for your reply which prompted me to look again at my profile which I hadn’t updated. The last entry was 2000 so things have changed since then. Best of luck with your tapering. 💐

[cycli in reply to Jackoh]

2000.2020 I think. Glad you are down to 6mg. Hope I can get there. Couldn't get below 22.5 before. flared 3 times, but Leflunomide helped.

[Jackoh in reply to cycli]

Glad leflunomide is helping. We have to just take one day at a time don’t we? It’s not a race it’s what our body can cope with. All best wishes. 💐

[Polywally]

Thanks for a laugh and a cry and things to muse for the rest of the day all rolled in to one.

[cycli in reply to Polywally]

my pleasure. We try to please.

[Koalajane]

wow, brilliant

[cycli in reply to Koalajane]

six years is a tough trip. Hope I'm through quicker, but it seems to be resisting. With both I guess I am in for the long haul but hoping for better. Writing helps me to stay sane.

[Gimme]

oh my days, you got that one down to a tee.

"All in all it's not so bad

what I've lost some never had."

Poignant words. Reminds me what a bloody good life I have had. The road didn't run smooth for much of it, but overall, I've enjoyed the ride. I've enjoyed and seen a lot of things that many only dream about.

[cycli in reply to Gimme]

Looks like you've had a trip with this. As you say, most here have pushed the boat out in life and no regrets. It's been fun, tragic and rewarding. More to come so hang in there.

[cycli in reply to Gimme]

I should have said Gimme, that it's wonderful on reflection to see that the really good outweighed the bad. Believe me, there's much more to come so keep your hopes up. Why else are we still here. No journey is smooth all the way but it is always interesting.

[Carrollee]

Beautifully put. Thank you 😊

[cycli in reply to Carrollee]

I see you've got both like me Carrollee. Difficult isn't it, but we'll get there. going to take much work to recover lost muscle from pred. but not possible till I reduce to 3-5mg at least

[nallufl24]

I love the part “what I’ve lost some never had”.

Truer words were never spoken.

[cycli in reply to nallufl24]

One gift of this condition is that it makes one more reflective and considered. I love words and hope the ones I use have worth.

[nallufl24 in reply to cycli]

They do have worth. One thing I’ve learned from all this is more compassion and empathy for others.

Some people suffer so much in this life. As miserable as I’ve been with this disease it still doesn’t compare to what some others have to go through.

[cycli in reply to nallufl24]

My thoughts exactly. We are still here and in the fight to get better. Do you remember the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." One can recover from physical injury but the mental injuries from either intentional or unintentional misuse of words can have a lasting effect. They can hurt. They can also heal. they are powerful

[cycli in reply to cycli]

I've read your bio nallufl24 and share the loss of stamina and physical ability you are experiencing. I think it's jointly attributable to the disease and the medication needed to control it. The muscle wasted as a result will take time and much effort to rebuild but a good project to work towards when clear of inflammatory condition and medication. Keep hoping.

[Dobermanlover]

Love it!

[cycli in reply to Dobermanlover]

thanks. Should have added that am sad your dog died. I well know how that feels and nothing can replace them.

[cycli]

On reflection for the more romantically inclined.

It's of some concern that our love should remain

as it was when we first met.

And of lesser concern should such love see a change

for this brings us no regret.

But it matters much that we try to recall

that time in our own special way.

Winter through spring when the buds burst anew

Garnering fresh hope for ev-er-y day.

Remember that love in the summer and fall

lest it wither and vanish away

Bind that love tight and treasure it well

it will arm you against the affray.

So cast your mind back to the look in our eyes

and the touch of our bodies, divine.

And rejoice that we met so to cherish such love

that the years may more gently refine.

Should time pass us by still that look in your eye

will define how you feel towards me.

I hope that the years we have shared mean as much

as the love that set us both free.

[Stills in reply to cycli]

Lovely words, quite a talent, keep on posting, make it a habit …. 😉

[cycli in reply to Stills]

glad you like it. Thank you

[cycli]

Society? I wrote this 50 years ago. Not much has changed it seems.

Madness,selfishness and thoughtlessness reign supreme.

The virtues of quiet and calm consideration made obscene

by standards held by those in power.

Our future in their hands ends soon and is dour.

They preen, strut and bellow these moral dinosaurs.

Leaders imposing midst corruption and dying mores.

Give life and feeling to this formless thought.

Conceived in despair and with dangers fraught.

To strive for eternity with a concept such as truth

To see it shattered and rise is but proof

This is the path

That is truth.

[Stills in reply to cycli]

I concur