Leslee Alexander’s Covid-19 Story
A different kind of Easter.
Easter has now come to an end. A very different Easter to what we had planned. Our trip to the Isle of Skye had to be postponed until the first of ? nobody seems to know. A lot quieter than normal this year, but our table still had good food on offer. Hot cross bun, anyone?
Today is the start of the fifth week of shielding for myself and hubby. . We started a week before we were advised to batten up the hatches.
Listening to the news today, it was reported that vulnerable, high risk people may be asked to lockdown for up to a year! Whether or not it will come to that who knows?
My reaction was a shrug of the shoulders.
If that is what it takes to keep me alive so be it. However there was an outcry from others who just could not cope with the thought of being locked down for a year.
It must be awful for people on their own in isolation, becoming self isolated, with no family or friends to rely on. Another reason for more testing so that those people can be visited by nominated people who have been tested for corona virus, to offer them a little company/shopping etc.
Personally i know we could cope with a years lockdown. Having a chronic illness it is normal to stay indoors for weeks/months on end, going out only for GP/Hospital appointments etc. Our lives become about appointments. These visits become an adventure. A chance to sit with a coffee and fancy cake and watch the outside world go by.
I am a little worried about exercising. It doesn’t take long for muscles to weaken if doing nothing for days. I
had been attending a pulmonary rehabilitation course before lockdown and was beginning to feel the benefits from it. I don’t seem to have the same motivation to exercise indoors on my own. Having some sort of routine in place also helps.
Living in a rural town we don’t seem to be going short of any essentials . The panic buying seems to have stopped. All our local shops are offering deliveries.
Like Jill Fairweather (who is doing a fantastic daily music game on her own FB page should you wish to join in) our bedding plants will be getting delivered soon, so our garden will be full of colour.
Fortunately our grand daughter is able to drop off anything we may need at the gate and we have a quick conversation with her from the front door so that is lovely.
The tree pollen
season is upon us and being indoors does not stop it aggravating my sinuses which are working overtime, even though i am taking 180mg Fexofenadine an Antihistamine tablet daily.
My GP has been in contact to check on
my health which was very reassuring, reminded me that if i felt a chest infection beginning, to start my emergency pack of amoxycillin and prednisone tablets.
On another note there are now plenty of shows and concerts and individuals giving their time for free on You Tube/Facebook etc., that normally would cost a fortune to see:
Yesterday i watched
Boccelli…”Music For Hope” Live. Broadcast from inside The Milan Cathedral. Such a beautiful setting. He finished by singing Amazing Grace outside the cathedral to an empty piazza. Very strange but breathtakingly beautiful.
Having recently downloaded the app for Disney+ there is a National Geographic Channel which has some amazing programmes to choose from.
(Lady and The Tramp was excellent as well lol)
To be honest it has felt a little bit like Christmas for us without the tree. We have been playing scrabble, charades, monopoly and last night, play and name the tune using a Kazoo!
I do miss going out for our usual drives into the glens and countryside seeing the beautiful scenery we are surrounded by, but i am reminded that it will be there long after the lockdown has finished.
The road in and out of Blairgowrie takes you past
Meikleour Beech Hedge. This is the longest hedge in Britain and the highest of its kind anywhere in the world. It was planted in 1745 and is over 100′ high.
I know a few people in the group are struggling with their health at the moment and it is an extremely worrying and stressful time for all of us. I sincerely hope that you are able to improve and come out the other side. This is an emotional time for many, i know when i received my letter from NHS Scotland reading in black and white brought home just how high risk we all our.
There are always people willing to listen and offer advice in The Aspergillosis Group.
Any worries or questions you may have about your health and medication especially if you are a ‘newbie’ to this disease, you may find an answer that will allay your fears.
Ending with a huge thank you to all our NHS workers, carers, key workers and to everybody who is obeying the lockdown.
