What a wild week it has been! And I’m not talking about my hen do. That was pretty civil compared to how the weather has been! I mean, who knew wheelie bins could fly so high? On a serious note though, I hope you are all ok and have been affected too much by either of two crazy storms that have passed through the UK this week. Luckily, we only lost a fence panel, on a fence we were planning to replace anyways. Probably now won’t be able to get any fence pannels, because I can imagine a lot of the country will be putting in their orders tomorrow too!
Hen Do
I had my hen do yesterday, my 2nd hen do. A Route 66 honeymoon-themed hen do. It was perfect but also quite emotional! This time we were actually celebrating a hen do for a wedding this going to happen in 34 days times!
Back in 2020, the last social event I had before going in shielding, was my hen do. Today, my first proper social event since the start of the pandemic, since my last hen do in 2020, is my hen do mark II. How weird is that! I feel like I started the pandemic with a hen do, and I’m kind of ending the pandemic with a hen do. Crazy! And I know the pandemic isn’t quite over, and the C or O word is still very out there. But I feel like we are coming to the end of it now, especially with the news that’s coming our way next week with isolation stopping. I can’t say I particularly agree with the isolation ending, but I also do feel now it is something we do just have to learn to live with. Yes, it is still a danger to people like ourselves with a very low immune system. But I always try and remind myself, so is the common cold. Any virus is a danger to someone with no or little immune system. Ever since I’ve had a compromised immune system, I’ve always worried about picking up viruses. My friends and family have always kept away from me when they’ve been unwell with a cold or any other viruses to protect me. I hate getting ill! I often end up on a course of antibiotics because my immune system can’t fight something so simple off like a common cold. It’s like a get a cut on my hand, a few days it will be infected. It’s just my poor immune system. My poor immune system caused by my medication, which is saving my life!
Saying No Is Ok
Honestly though, yes I’m comfortable living my life again, wanting the pandemic to end, wanting everything back to normal. But it’s ok if you don’t. Right from the start, we have all taken different paths throughout this pandemic. It’s ok whichever path you have chosen to take. Remember, only do what you feel comfortable doing, and don’t feel pressured by the people around you. Do what makes you happy. One thing the pandemic has taught me is the importance of putting yourself first. Before the pandemic, I was such a people pleaser. Now I’ve learned to put my own needs first, do what makes me truly happy, and learned to say no. It’s not about being selfish, but about looking after yourself, your own body, your own mental health. People might not always like it, but the people who truly care and matter will understand and be ok with it, and that’s all it matters. So if somebody invites you somewhere you don’t feel comfortable going or don’t want to, it’s ok to say no. Don’t just go to please somebody, but then cause yourself a lot of anxiety for doing so, which then could end up causing a flare-up. Instead, say no and explain why. If they a true friend, they will understand and be absolutely fine. For example, when I started doing more back end of last year, I had a lot of anxiety with the pandemic. I was open and honest to my friends. They were brilliant! They said to me, do what you feel comfortable doing. Small steps at a time. If you don’t feel comfortable going to a cafe yet, we can meet at a house instead and go to a cafe when you are ready to do so. Over time, I reintroduced things back into my life. It’s about taking small steps at a time, but only when you are ready to do so.
The Wolf
It’s been a really good week with the wolf. Other than my stomach playing up on Thursday morning and my sinuses flaring up a little the last couple of days. Not sure what has caused a bit of inflammation in my sinuses? I sometimes think the weather has an impact, especially damp air. When there’s a lot of low pressure around, my sinuses are always worse. I don’t know if it’s linked or not?
Next week I’ve got my hospital appointment with Rheumatology. I’ve very anxious about it. I think my appointment might be to do with starting my hospital infusions. My health is really good at the minute, I really don’t want to mess around with my treatment. But at the same time, I know I need to get off these steroids. If I don’t I know I will regret it as I get older. Also, it will be nice to be able to eat more food again, and not worry about having a painful, inflamed stomach. Plus another worry, my wedding is only around the corner too. Really not a good time to start messing with my treatment plans. I could delay my treatment till after my wedding, but then there’s my honeymoon in May, which I don’t want to be unwell for and I can’t keep putting it off! I guess there’s never a good time to be ill?
Anyways, that’s it from me this week. I’ve got some wedding favours to make and the seating plan to sort this afternoon. Alex and my dad are currently working in the van, seeing if there is room to fit a diesel heater. After the gas shortage issue last week, we decided this is the option for heating. Diesel is actually more cost-efficient for heating in a van than gas, so it will save us money too!
Before I go, here’s a little reminder about my book. I’ve extended the reduced price until the end of this month, as many of you were wanted to buy it, but were gutted, as you were too skint to purchase it in January after Christmas. So make sure you don’t miss out on a great saving as it will be ending on the 28th of February!
How I tamed the Wolf: Living with Lupus is available to buy on Amazon on the Kindle or as a paperback.
Here is a direct link to my book:
Until next week,
Goodbye for now
Emma
xox
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