Let's be careful during cold and flu season on top of Covid 19 "season".

[Sophiebun11]

Wear a mask to protect others and yourself.

[Sophiebun11]

Keep your stress level to a minimum, it's not good to stress with an autoimmune disease : )

snowman stress

[Chimama in reply to Sophiebun11]

Wish I knew how to deal with stress I’m my own worst enemy for my mixed connective diseases . Besides my regular panic and anxiety my father is so sick with Alzheimer’s you know the false accusations and crap to divide me from my only living brother. The whole sticks and stones and words not hurting sure ain’t working for me what a way to start a new year . For 41 years now New Years has been only a dreadful reminder of my barely 18 year old brother. I’m not doing well .. sorry for rambling 🙁

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Chimama]

I am so very sorry Chimamma. I didn't realize you had so much on your plate, I can't even imagine how hard it is for you on top of dealing with your own health issues.

We are always here to unload when you need to. Don't bottle it up. Get a therapist if you need to really talk it out. Family issues are the worse, I've been through some myself. I had to get a restraining order against my brother who tried to kill me with a chain saw. Now I have the state hiding my address and credit info so he can't find me.

I know your little Chihuahua helps. Must be your little Emotional Support Dog like my Henry is my ESA kitty. With the help of a great therapist, I have some normalcy and try to deal with things with humor. I had lost my sense of humor for a few years and it has always been my best coping mechanism. My mother had dementia and was almost Alzheimers being tested for the latter, she fell got a subdural hematoma and bled into her brain, and died in 2 weeks of a coma.

So I kind of had the parent's Alzheimer's and brother conflict going on. It is a real high-stress situation when you can't stop thinking or shut off the reel in your head. It keeps you awake. Now I rarely think of him. I hope you get to that point too. Do what you must to protect yourself. Put others 2nd. If you are caring for your father, get him help. If you're in the states call Social Services to help him. They'll send in-home care.

I'll keep you in my thoughts. Thank you for sharing.

[Chimama in reply to Sophiebun11]

Thank you so very much. Being here reminds me I’m not alone and definitely others a lot worse off to my sorrow. My dad is two hours away in another state I had to have his drivers license revoked and house condemned but it was the only way to help him . His house was unfit for any human. He’s cold, bitter and angry and last I saw him very hostile and scary. My brother has his social security and is his representative and dad revoked our Poa but I already told my brother I will not be a legal guardian for him I just can’t do it . My hairs already falling out and probably need blood transfusion yuck . Bless you and hope this new year is better at least I got my nephrology referral appointment in May . This is the first time in years I’ve had my grandson to bring in the new year and he’s a blessing I’ve missed him so much poor little guys so congested 🙁 But we’ve made cookies, made hamburgers and Sparkling grape cocktail for the New York Ball drop yeah! Back to the hamster dance and jenga😍

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Chimama]

Please take care of yourself. I don't blame you for not wanting to be a guardian. The courts will appoint a free guardian if you like. Get him a Social Worker to deal with all that.

Your health is too fragile and too important to allow any more of that family drama to harm you. I know we feel responsible but we have to draw a line and protect ourselves, and our physical and mental health.

Best of luck to you. Please enjoy your grandchild and the joy he brings to your life!!!

[honeybug in reply to Sophiebun11]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[honeybug]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[Bkart]

Thanks again for making me laugh, so very funny😂But sad to read about the family difficulties that both you and Chimama are dealing with on top of your health issues. ‘ You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family’ springs to mind. Take care both of you.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Bkart]

That is so true. I now have what I call my "chosen family" made up mostly of friends and one of my nieces. Being surrounded by those you love and who love you is what counts in life. And my new friends here are an added bonus for me, I include you in that!!!

[Bkart in reply to Sophiebun11]

Ah that’s so kind, ditto, despite the miles it’s great that we can still connect. There are so many good people here, my best friend died suddenly and unexpectedly last April and together with my health issues I have really struggled. I have found that sharing our sorrows, whether it be health or otherwise, advice and like you seeing the funny side of life has really helped me to cope so thank you to you and everyone.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Bkart]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a bestie is the worst!!!

I'm happy if my silly sense of humor can bring someone a minute of joy in their day!!!

Happy New Year.

[Bkart]

Thanks Sophiebun11, your sense of humour is brilliant 😂, I look forward to the posts.My appointment with the Scleroderma Unit is in a couple of weeks and I always start to get anxious just before.

The hospitals in my area are badly affected by staff shortages at the moment due to COVID infections and the need to isolate, routine appointments are being cancelled unfortunately. So 🤞, just want a diagnosis and hopefully started on medications that might help to slow what is becoming a seemingly rapid progression of symptoms.

Is the new Omicron variant becoming a problem in the US again, hope not? Take care and after my depressing post ‘ Happy New Year’ ha, ha. 😬😊