Thread 3 shielding chat

[AuntieSocia1]

I hope this unimaginative thread title doesn't put off all the amazing posters from this group!

As we transition into this new phase things could get interesting....

Waves to lurkers

Just ordered some blue disposable ones to try! Thanks

Glad you were able to eat out ... hope not too exhausted.

Am enjoying going in the car and seeing wide open spaces .., rather than my street! Just seems so busy now.

Shielding advice in Wales has been updated for the 16th. The letter we're being sent is here: gov.wales/written-statement-new-letter-chief-medical-officer-wales-those-who-are-shielding

I don't think I'll be going out any more than I do now for the time being. I live in a tourist area and it is far too busy for me to feel safe.

That is really clearly laid out. Seems similar at a quick glance except prescription deliveries continue TIL end of Sept. to be fair I have asked 2 friends to get mine but don’t feel I can continue asking that when I have to teach!!!

Stent removal day. Hope it means the end of painful pee.

But the other shoe dropped. Felt stinging around my masectomy scar and where the valve for the implant is has gone all pus-sy and there's a 2mm hole Eurgh! No one at the breast care clinic so had to leave a garbled message. Balls!

Hope removal went ok and your other concern is being sorted @Babysharkdoodoodood

How's everyone doing? Very quiet on this thread now. I'm still wfh thank goodness. Anyone else out there in the big wide world?

I've got to have another boob op, potentially losing my implant. I'm not that sad tbh. I've had an extra 8 years with it but it's been nothing but trouble. DH was whinging but at EOD it's my body. Went to the Nuffield as that's where they're doing all cancer care now. Very posh and very organised. In for 2 hours and got all pre-op stuff and blood tests done. Have to have yet another Covid test next week. But the bright side is that I get to stay at home, potentially all through August And get a private room at the Nuffield with lovely food.

DS2 is back home. Carefully staying 2+ metres away and cleaning the loo every time. He's been out all day on a mahoosive bike ride. I can start walking again as my bladder problems have now all gone. I don't have to strictly self isolate this time, just socially distance carefully.

@Babysharkdoodoodood, sorry to hear you've got to have another breast op, sounds super organised though and hopefully it will all go smoothly. Glad to hear your bladder problems have gone.

My youngest son and I still haven't ventured out and I probably won't until I return to work 1st September. We have lightened up a bit though, so middle son has been going out to meet up with his girlfriend. He's done really well for months shielding with us but they've been together for 5 years and were missing each other hugely.

I can't see what outside is like but listening to the news is so conflicting - pubs, gyms etc open and then local spikes so shutdowns. It's hard to know what to do for the best.

Hope everyone else is doing ok?

Glad bladder all ok and you are positive about breast op @Babysharkdoodoodood. Sounds good to use Nuffield as no shared wards etc - guess if the op is needed, now is as good a time as any.

I am ignoring return to work in September and being back in ten real world. My challenge today is to use pay at the pump and fill my car up - for the first time!

We are going out for more walks now and I have met up with 2 friends socially distanced and outside which felt very daring! One of those had also shielded.

Hello all! I am the same as you @cloudburstagain and trying to ignore the looming September return
I have met up in two friends gardens now with a small group each time. Everyone has been very accomodating of my nervousness and the fact that I talked non-stop as was so excited to see people!

I haven't posted for a little while or even read the full thread so I hope you'll forgive me jumping back in.

We got the great news at the end of July that we don't need to shield any longer, and the consultant in fact encouraged us to start going out but that we should take care to maintain 2 metres between us and other people. We've ventured out a few times now and it's just been impossible to keep away from people. I'm feeling really stressed about it and I don't see how we can go out safely if other people aren't prepared to keep their distance.

Hi everyone. We got the details of DC1 back to school and it suddenlyall seems very real. The school are opening to all pupils from day 1 and all lumped in together full time. I am terrified. It just seems too much. Don't know what to do.

Still no word on DC2 school placement and that is also worrying me. Really wish we would know soon. We at least need to know he has a place. Somewhere to call his own.

Hi everyone.

Still shielding, another week to go. I have moved back home though.

We live in a tourist area and it is horrible at the moment, seaside towns and villages are rammed with tourists who think they're on holiday from the virus and have no intention of social distancing. So that limits how much I'm out. Cases here are rising too, 10% of our total cases since March have been in the past week.

I am however really glad if my National Trust membership as that is providing me with a well managed, socially distanced place to go. Spent a lovely afternoon with a picnic at our local property over the weekend.

This morning I'm going to try the vulnerable hour at M&S. I haven't been into a shop since mid March, and I know I'm still shielding but I'm hoping that it is quiet and well managed enough for it not to be a risk. I expect to be completely overwhelmed by the inside of a shop and completely forget what I went in for!

I went into Costa today. I wouldn't have, except I was already in A&E and Costa is attached. Figured I was at high enough risk already to chance getting a coffee.

You lot are brave. I haven’t been in any buildings yet (apart from my home) and I’m still not going outside more than 1-3 times a week. I live in a very busy, touristy area so it’s not possible to socially distance one I step out of my front door unless I go really early.

Not so brave here, I bawled my eyes out when the GP sent me in.

I had an awful dream that I was in my nearest big town (that had been totally revamped) and totally forgot about distancing and no one distanced or had masks. I suddenly realised at the end of the dream and felt great panic. People have no idea how far two metres is and think wearing a mask means they don't need to distance. I've not been to a shop since 13th March and no plans to go anytime soon.

Hi everyone, it is quiet on here. I think we are all trying our best to navigate what life is like now. Now shielding is 'over' and this next stage has no end date!

I'm not convinced we won't be plunged back into shielding in the winter. I wish we could fast forward to next spring!

I'll still pop on from time to time to catch up but just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to these threads. You have helped me through this more than I can say

Thank you @AuntieSocia1 for starting the thread. It has really helped me to know other people feel the same anxieties as me and reading all your posts has made it easier for me to keep it all in perspective

Saw my respiratory consultant yesterday. Didn’t get any advice on what to do post-shielding other than “stay safe”. I’m going to continue to avoid buildings and to keep socialising outside to a minimum. An all-day street cafe is opening outside my home today - will make social distancing when I’m leaving my house even more of a nightmare. Hope everyone’s doing OK.

@AuntieSocia1, thank you so much for starting this thread. As you say, it has kept me going during shielding. Knowing I wasn't alone and hearing others' fears actually helped.

@Egghead68, that sounds a nightmare, I hope the cafe closes early or the novelty wears off quickly.

I went out for the first time in 120 days today. Tried to start the car as I'll need it to return to work next month, unsurprisingly it had a flat battery so jumped it from my son's car and took it for a good run. Have to admit I was quite shocked that 'outside' looked exactly the same as before (barring roadworks everywhere now). People and traffic as busy as ever. Made me feel a little pathetic that I've stayed at home so long.

I know what you mean @anewuser. Not pathetic though - sensible imo. I can’t believe the lack of social distancing round here. It seems to have got a lot worse in the last few weeks. Meanwhile, our local hospital has 20 new suspected Covid cases...

Hi everyone,

Much the same as everyone else here. Not venturing too far but have met up with friends outside. I’ve not been inside a shop but am tempted to go to M&S. How was it @Is2020OverYet ? I’d buy lots of mini trifles, biscuits, all the good M&S stuff!

I’ve had a few hospital trips now to get ready for dialysis- still hoping the kidneys buck up and settle down. I had to go to the nearest city which did feel really odd. It was pretty quiet in the hospital. I’m back there tomorrow and again the week after.

Still not been anywhere indoors other than my house or the hospital. I am trying to get an apt with my named, usual Gp to talk through my medication regime etc for when I go back to work in 2 weeks, however, the system is you phone up and get a triage Dr only. My Gp is not on triage today, so I have to get another unknown to me Gp to talk to. I have a whole list of questions I need to talk through about my health having spoken to no Gp in months, but I need a Gp that knows me and my condition ... so we can make the right decision about dosage, injections etc. My Hospital Consultant cancelled my April apt and not heard from them since as they are not running apt’s and so I am a bit stuck.

I cannot get a Gp triage apt at all unless I have a medical issue that needs dealing with - so I cannot phone every day with a different illness!!

Anyone navigated the system to actually talk to a Gp about their condition which is why they are shielding? I want to know what to do regarding my medication, as it is often changed depending on how I am - well, how do they know with no contact? Plus I am on regular pain relief over the counter for chest wall pain and I am concerned this is not good for me long term - and my asthma is not great due to that, but again I have just carried on with these issues, but when I am back teaching being able to stand and breathe is actually necessary!

That’s irritating @Cloudburstagain Have you tried contacting your hospital consultant’s secretary? They should be running phone consultations surely? I understand exactly what you mean about having to discuss a complicated condition with a new GP.

Still not been anywhere indoors other than my house or the hospital

Me neither.