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Original poster

Chat for those who are shielding

956 replies

AuntieSocia1 · 22/04/2020 16:06

Apologies for the very unsnazzy title but as it suggests a place to chat for those who have to shield at the moment. A few of us have been talking on the the Shielding after lockdown thread in the coronavirus topic.

Thought I'd put this in chat as some days I'm guessing we'll want to chat about anything other than coronavirus!

I know all of our circumstances are quite different as well as the reason we need to shield but it's a pretty big thing to have in common. Despite my username I look forward to interacting with you and as my username suggests I might also slink off from time to time!

OP posts:
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Original poster
AuntieSocia1 · 17/05/2020 09:49

@outnumberedwoman so sorry you are having a particularly tough time, I hope sleep comes easier soon

OP posts:
Original poster
AuntieSocia1 · 17/05/2020 09:52

@AldiAisleOfCrap I bought some random Aldi purchases (online of course) and your username popped into my mind! I didn't realise you could get the special buys online.

The option to have the aisle of crap direct to your door made me happy Smile

OP posts:
Megatron · 17/05/2020 10:15

I have a hospital appt next week - I had a mastectomy last year and it's with the breast care nurse to check all ok (I think it is). I'm just not sure how I feel about going to the hospital right now. There have been so many deaths there of Covid19 over the last week I don't really want to go but not sure if I should ring them or not. Any advice?

FuzzyPuffling · 17/05/2020 11:00

Is it safe to come back?
I'm really struggling with the lack of understanding of shielding. And I'm feeling unwell too ( chronic stuff not CV) which never helps.

DissociatedDinosaur · 17/05/2020 11:09

@Megatron

I went to the hospital twice last week for underlying health things that couldn't wait. It was OK. The scariest bit was getting their and back (I don't drive). I ended up walking most of the way for several hours (on quiet routes with a mask on).

Do think about options to get there and back if you don't drive.

The hospital itself was OK. A repeated message to gel your hands, temperature taken on arrival and prioritised so I didn't have to wait in the waiting room. As soon as the clinicians were free I was seen.

SweetMarmalade · 17/05/2020 11:11

I had to go to hospital a few weeks ago for my infusion, I was really nervous. All ok though, temp check on arrival, asked to wash hands. Nurses in full PPE.

DissociatedDinosaur · 17/05/2020 11:12

I also wish we had shielding hours for outside time, maybe from 5am to 6am and 8pm to 9pm, a little like key worker shopping hours but for shielding outdoor time. Everyone else would have to stay indoors. I know it will never happen.

Onmyown1 · 17/05/2020 11:31

@DissociatedDinosaur I’ve said exactly the same about having an hour where only shielded can go for a walk. Would make a lot of difference to us.

DissociatedDinosaur · 17/05/2020 11:38

@Onmyown1 It would be amazing, it would make a huge difference. However, I don't think it could be policed.

doodleygirl · 17/05/2020 11:41

I’m shielding as I don’t have a spleen which means my body doesn’t fight infection as well as most people’s. It’s a pain as I am the healthiest person I know and have never had an issue since the splenectomy 20 years ago.

I go for a walk very early, about 6 am or very late, about 11 pm and there are very few people about. It really helps my mental health.

Potentialmadcatlady · 17/05/2020 11:46

I said right at the start that I wished certain parks only allowed ‘shielding’ people in them for an hour a day or even a couple of times a week.. it’s too busy where we are and we havnt been out our front door for 9 weeks now

MadisonAvenue · 17/05/2020 12:12

doodleygirl I’m spleenless too, have been for 18 years and like you I’m really fit and healthy. The last time I had a chest infection was Oct 1996 and most colds I get (which is a rare occurrence) are pretty mild. I was discharged by the consultant in July 2002 and the only measures I have to take is to have my flu jab and make sure my pneumonia vaccine is done every 5 years.

OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack · 17/05/2020 13:22

afternoon all. Yesterdays costa was immense, the first taste of normality ive had in ages!

Bit chesty this morning and my head is killing me. Dont think ive got a chest infection or anything, just a bit bunged up is all. Id be surprised if i caught anything at the moment, my hosuemates are being super careful about hand washing and changing clothes when theyve been out and obviously i havent been anywhere

Pebble21uk · 17/05/2020 13:28

I've been having lots of weird anxiety dreams Marie... they always centre around me finding myself out and about and knowing I should be shielding!!
Last night - I was on a bus, people came and sat too close, I didn't have my mask with me and suddenly couldn't remember why I needed to be going into town!! I got off and was trying to get home again. Classic anxiety dream! I don't even use busses in the real world as I live semi-rurally & always drive! What's that all about???

I do worry I'm going to end up with agoraphobia due to all this sometimes!

OrganTransplant123 · 17/05/2020 13:32

I’m spleenless too plus a liver transplant and failing kidneys. I’m usually very healthy though and most people don’t know I have any health problems. I’ve still not told most people. I really need to before lockdown ends in earnest and people want to meet up.

OneNightTimeMenaceStrikesBack · 17/05/2020 14:19

also havign weird dreams. i dreamt i got asked to live in the shed while i was shielding and they put a dog bed in there for me! no idea where that came from!

doodleygirl · 17/05/2020 14:23

@MadisonAvenue are you shielding? What are your plans for the next step? I really don’t know how to proceed and I am having battles with myself on what to do next.

I am lucky that my gym has gone online so I am still working out at least twice a day with weights and cardio, I keep telling myself I will be fine if I keep healthy and fit, but I need a plan.

Anewuser · 17/05/2020 14:58

Megatron, I had a week of hospital appointments where they let me 'check in' from the car. They rang me when they were ready for me so no waiting around. Staff all wore ppe. Could you ask if they'd do the same?

Babysharkdoodoodood · 17/05/2020 15:10

@MarieVanGoethem Thank you. I'm on Erythromycin so not a quinonolone. I'm son Gliclazide and Sitagliptin for the T2. Couldn't tolerate metformin or sukarto as they upset my stomach so much. But I'm also on gabapentin & exemestane post chemo and extra calcium/magnesium/vitD for osteoporosis brought on by exemestane. I've been testing 3x day now and brought hbac down from 84 to 59 Can't get it down any more. Getting sick of keto as well, but it's the only thing that helps. I've stopped testing first thing as dawn phenomenon skews it for the rest of the day.

Had a lovely family zoom the other day with brother from Saudi and sister from NZ joining in. So nice to see my mum and dad, even though we keep telling them off for going shopping. Mum says she gets bored at home: they have 3 acres! I sent her a Morrison's box at the start of this and they still went. Aargh! So given up now.

Got so bored yesterday that I vacuumed. (DH normally does it). But I got a lovely delivery of the last spring bulbs from the Netherlands and I've spent today planting anemones, dahlias and begonias. Hopefully a few will come up but I've got a bit of a black thumb. Must remember to lift them this autumn for next year. So far everything in my garden is green and it's a bit boring now all the blossoms have gone.

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and keeping well.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 17/05/2020 15:47

@Megatron it will be ok to go. Try not to worry.

I go to hospital every day except Sat & Sun at the minute. Everyone in ppe, hand gel everywhere etc.

Temp taken to get into chemo unit twice. No visitors allowed in anywhere. My DH wasn't even allowed in to use the toilet after dropping me off.

MarieVanGoethem · 17/05/2020 16:45

I’d a message written replying to everyone & Mumsnet ATE it. Not that I think my contributions are of particular worth, but it had taken ages as my vision’s all wonky & my hands and wrists are not playing nicely. (Whinge whinge whinge, to accompaniment of soaring [tiny] violins.)

Am going to have sulk in a heap with the cats (they are sulking because the world is a cruel place in which it is not yet teatime) & will return later.

ceecee32 · 17/05/2020 16:59

Arggh, i feel as if i have done something really stupid.
Reached the 100 day mark after my stem cell transplant and can slightly relax my food restrictions. Been fancying a curry for ages so rang a local restaurant to ask them to deliver (thought it was better hygiene wise than a takeaway)

Asked that when they deliver they put on doorstep as i am sheiding and they agreed.
After they put the phone down i realised that they hadnt taken card details. Phoned them back and they want cash!!!

I now have to see the delivery bloke face to face to pay him......

FuzzyPuffling · 17/05/2020 17:05

Ceecee, for cash transactions we put the money in a Tupperware on the doorstep. Any change is quarantined for at least 3 days in the Tupperware. ( May not be an option if you don't have a suitable house, in which case, sorry)

ceecee32 · 17/05/2020 17:15

Fuzzy - great idea. Thank you x

FuzzyPuffling · 17/05/2020 17:36

Enjoy your takeaway. I remember the 100 days milestone very well. Big up to you.