ToolMart Left today

[Louisa1840]

Hello All,

Some of you knew that my brother who has also got PMR and is known as Toolmart on this site has been visiting me in Tasmania from the UK, for 2 weeks? He left this morning and my eyes are red and swollen.......

You can imagine the many conversations we had about PMR and it was wonderful to have each other, we understood about not filling the day with too much activity and our need for a rest after lunch. We knew what it felt like to have that "Wall of fatigue" hit around late morning. We are both on 2 mgs daily and have both had PMR for around 8 years.

He found that being on holiday he was able to allow himself to rest much more than he would have if he had been at home in the UK and he found his PMR was much improved with the added rest.

No doubt the warmth and sunshine really helped too? Tassie really turned on the weather and we had a brilliant 2 weeks together.

I welcomed him with balloons and bunting - we hadn't seen each other for 25 years!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Great to hear you had such a good time.

[Bridge31]

How lovely for you . 🦋🦋🦋

[SheffieldJane]

That sounds so lovely and soothing for the PMR.

I have just left my family ( four grandchildren, ouch)and am in Sydney having a couple of days before the flight back to the UK. Longest visit yet, 12 weeks. I found myself being more mobile in the warm sun.

One of my daughters has developed my thyroid disease ( Graves). I hope they don’t go on to get PMR and GCA.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

Safe journey back to UK…

[Louisa1840 in reply to SheffieldJane]

How Lovely, Jane! I am sure the warmth and sunshine helps. But I thought you were coming to Oz permanently? What's happened to that plan? Have a bearable trip back and watch some good moviemovies.....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

In the UK - having to up my TCZ/pred to be able to move as well as I do at home!!!!

[Louisa1840 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hmm - and I think if you have one autoimmune condition you are more likely to contract another?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

So glad to hear it went well - but all that way for such a short visit!!!!!

I'm in the UK and suffering - at home in northern Italy it is like early summer in Scotland, go for a walk and sit in the sun at a cafe weather, here it is utterly disgusting with torrential rain and howling gale yesterday and I have had to up my pred!!!!!!!

[Louisa1840 in reply to PMRpro]

It was a short visit but he left behind a beloved wife with a fear of flying and ditto dog! I really don't know how the poor Brits bear that climate........

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Louisa1840]

What you’re used to -many Brits (especially from colder northern areas) have said the same about Australian heat. 😳

[Louisa1840 in reply to DorsetLady]

That's what I like about living in Tasmania, D.L it doesn't get too extreme. If we do get an over 30 degrees day it usually only last 24 hours. We still get the 4 seasons too which is important to us as English people. S. I in N.Z would be similar I should imagine?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Louisa1840]

Hi,

Yes did think that about Tasmania , and NZ is similiar- warmer on north island as a whole, and windier on the south island.

Because there is much less pollution where you are situated in the world, when it’s sunny, it’s hotter than UK.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Louisa1840]

Sitting where I am at the moment - me neither!! Talk about March going out like a lion!!! 8C with 42km/h wind making it feel like 3C and rain ... OTOH - I am comforting myself that I will be able to sit in my orangerie living room in the middle of the garden and shut the doors! I flee my Italian home in July/August, 34C in the afternoon day after day is too much once the building warms up but somewhere in between would be nice ...

[Louisa1840 in reply to PMRpro]

Hang on, Pro, isn't it "In like a lion and out like a lamb"? Correct me if i'm wrong.....

Tool Mart took the sunshine with him and it's been cool and grey since he left. It never lasts long in Tassie though and the sun will reappear soon.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Louisa1840]

Probably but this ain't no lamb!!!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Louisa1840]

Yes you’re right, the saying is - If March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb.”

Can’t remember what it did to be honest…. so doesn’t much help 😳

[Bcol in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry to hear you are suffering, I can understand it, after only two weeks in the Caribbean coming home to a frost was a bit of a shock to the system. The last few days have been relatively pleasant though.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bcol]

What's it like in the north today? Scotland is plain evil ...

[Bcol in reply to PMRpro]

Vaguely sunny for a couple of hours this morning later, but now wet cold and miserable. I'll do an update later on my "exciting" day yesterday.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bcol]

The mind boggles… 😳..

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Sat in garden this morning without jacket with a coffee and newspaper until the partial eclipse came along and spoilt things… 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Huh - struggling to sit in the living room without a jacket here ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Definitely miserable… 😠

[Bcol in reply to DorsetLady]

And cold!!!

[Elispeth in reply to PMRpro]

I am sorry to hear that you are needing to increase your medication in order to maintain your mobility. I came back to the UK from Spain two days ago and haven't be through the door yet! I will miss the walks in the afternoons and sitting down to rest in a cafe in the warmth. I must get out to exercise at some point 😔!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Elispeth]

That's what I will miss here - today is lovely, from inside! Glorious sunshine but a howling gale!

[piglette]

My gosh, twenty five years. That is incredible that you were able to meet up again. Fantastic.

[Louisa1840 in reply to piglette]

It was Piglette and the love we have for each still burning 🔥 bright!

[piglette in reply to Louisa1840]

I assume you had kept in touch during that time?

[Louisa1840 in reply to piglette]

Well, it's interesting you should ask that question. Being male (sorry boys!) he was not a good communicator (maybe I'm being unfair?) BUT PMR brought us very close together so, for once, Hoorah for PMR - there's always a silver lining if you look hard enough.......

[diana1998 in reply to Louisa1840]

What a fabulous visit! Try and keep in close touch by using WhatsApp video or Facetime regularly. It's free and fantastic.

[Louisa1840 in reply to diana1998]

Thanks Diana. Yes, we use WhatsApp all the time and it does make the separation more bearable. What would we do without this modern technology?

[diana1998 in reply to Louisa1840]

I speak to my widowed friend in Scotland by WhatsApp video twice a week. It helped her a lot when she was feeling lonely and by video makes it feel we're in the same room together! ☺️👏

[piglette in reply to Louisa1840]

That is so lovely. It is so great to find the silver lining in things.

[Groggrim in reply to Louisa1840]

🥰

[Rugger]

How marvellous for you both and what wonderful memories you'll have of his visit. Did you keep a diary of the last 2 weeks, so you can look back on it in years to come? I expect you have photos to remind you.

What a shame he couldn't stay for 12 weeks like S J!

[Louisa1840 in reply to Rugger]

Oh, I know Rugger. I thought I had replied to you yesterday but apparently not? Doing it on my phone is not always the go! I did indeed take photos and I"m going to have a go at doing one of those digital books.......

[Leafsong66]

big hugs to you! May your precious time together and the rare understanding of each other’s PMR be an ongoing blessing. Thank you for sharing this lovely but sad post!

[Louisa1840 in reply to Leafsong66]

Leafsong, what a lovely reply which shows such understanding .........

I am basking in the wonderful memories but crying at the drop of a hat when a precious memory is triggered. Ah me! Such is life.

He's just messaged me to say he's landed at Heathrow but now has a four hour train journey to take him to his home in the Welsh Hills where his beloved wife (and dog) await him.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Louisa1840]

..and that will probably be as onerous as the flights.. but no doubt he’s pleased to be back on terra firma And you’ll both have smashing memories..

[Groggrim in reply to Louisa1840]

A relief for you that he is safely home. Wales is lovely, we have family in south Wales x

[Youngpoly]

what an amazing story of reunion, rest and connection. Take good care of yourself ☀️

[Louisa1840 in reply to Youngpoly]

Thanks, we will!!

[BooAlan]

What a beautiful post, I am so glad you managed to spend some time together after so long apart! You will soon look back on your precious memories without tears of sadness. My son, his wife and three young grandchildren live in New Zealand and I am in England so know the feeling only too well!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to BooAlan]

Ditto…

[BooAlan in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi do you have family in NZ/over seas?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to BooAlan]

NZ -recently been there on 3rd trip -I with GCA, 2 since being in remission.. Fantastic place -but a long,long way!

Have son in UK as well, otherwise I might have moved there when I was widowed …

[BooAlan in reply to DorsetLady]

Wow that must have been challenging with GCA! It is bad enough when fully fit. I went for the 4th time last year. My son has lived in Whangerai on North Island for 11 years. Beautiful, clean country. I have a daughter here otherwise I too may have considered moving there.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to BooAlan]

Not too bad actually was then to 7mg by then..

My daughter lives on SI on the Canterbury Plains but I have a cousin in Whangerai that we visited last time.., nice place (they also have a bach at Taupo, stayed there as well).

[Louisa1840 in reply to BooAlan]

Aah! The combination of living on the other side of the world from loved ones plus PMR is very bonding..... I look forward to the looking back without sadness because ATM I am a wreck!

[whitefishbay]

25 years is too long! Glad you had a great reunion with the bonus of sunshine.

[Louisa1840 in reply to whitefishbay]

Well we ceraitnly made the most of it.....

[GerriMc]

How wonderful that you had such a nice time together! Best of luck to you both. X

[Louisa1840 in reply to GerriMc]

Thank you!

[Elispeth]

It sounds like you have had a lovely catch up after all that time xx

[Louisa1840 in reply to Elispeth]

Oh we did! There was LOTS to talk about........

[Jackoh]

How wonderful for you both!! A real legend meet up! 🥰xx

[Louisa1840 in reply to Jackoh]

Indeed!