Hello friends. Isn't this social distancing just the worst? Really couldn't have come at a worse time for me as well as many others. At least I managed to get his funeral done before this madness really started. I really feel for all those poor people who can't hold a proper service to say goodbye. There were approx 140 at Steve's funeral although many chose not to attend the wake as this was all starting to get real. Please can I ask you good people for some advice? As you know I work at Morrison's pharmacy and have been off sick since mid jan when someone upset me. I'm off now until april 20th but not sure I'm really ready to go back then. Part of me thinks I should go back because I feel guilty about leaving them to it but another part of me is filled with dread at the thought of going back. I'm bored witless at home and could really do with company but is that the company I really need? My daughter is due to give birth any day and I'm so upset that I can't see her or the baby when she arrives. What do you think you would do in my position? I really need to make a decision but the more I think about it the more anxious I get!

i have decided to be kind to myself today and relax! Everyday feel like Groundhog Day and the skin on my hands is all dry and wrinkly from all the cleaning I've been doing to pass the time! Then I remember that no one will actually be coming round to see how clean my house is!! Take care and be safe everyone love Anthea xxx

Hi anthea. I know it doesn't sound right but glad the funeral and the wake went OK. 

Have you thought of going back part time just to slowly get back to the routine.. 

Anyway lovely to see you back on the forum with your second family. And get some hand cream on. Then you can do our house..

Please keep in touch, love..... Billy.. Xxx 

Hi Anthea, as if you have not had enough to deal with and all this throws another curve ball your way.  It's horrible that you can't be there for your daughter but mine both lived hundreds of miles away so I didn't see them much until the birth, try and think of it that way, there is always Skype and face time so make the most of that and use it as much as you can.  I'm not sure about work Anthea, when my Mum died the civil service gave me three days off and I had to go back, it was the best way really as being busy stops you thinking and stressing, I took no notice of unpleasant people because the worst had happened and they couldn't upset me more.  Billy is right, try to go back a few days at a time, I did that when Norman had his leg amputated and it was the best thing to do, no one upset me as I was numb with shock and I didn't care what they said or did.  So just a few suggestions from my experience, obviously you will feel anxious, it's normal so don't get anxious over being anxious!!  Like you I have been busy cleaning, ordered new bedding and curtains for  Normans room and have cleaned the dust and muck away ready to spruce it up.  All of us seem to be plodding on, finding things to do, talking to family and we face time the grandchildren and they tell us what they have done.  Even they are coping but for how much longer I don't know.  The Vicar has just called me again, the Tesco delivery has arrived, the surgery have rung and altered his bloods to Good Friday as they are closing permanently until further notice on covid 19, I'm exhausted from running around and haven't even had a walk!!  So love to you all, Carol xx 

Hi carol and Billy, thank you both for your advice. I only work 3 days a week anyway but I'm thinking I might ask to just do a couple to start with and maybe 3-4 hour shifts instead of 6. I know I need to ease back into it gradually but it's a horribly mad time to be going back! You've both been very helpful. Stay safe love Anthea xxxx

Anthea that sounds like a good plan, I'm sure they would rather have you for a few hours than not at all.  You've been so brave through all of this, Stay in touch if you want to.  Carol xx

Well it's 1.30pm and I've made the beds, fed the birds, done the washing, played some games on candy crush (thank goodness for their free 24 hour game gift in this lockdown) , been for a good walk and bumped into  an old work acquaintance who left to have a baby who is now eleven years old!  Hubby is very excited as I said he could drive me to the chemist to pick up our prescription.  The doctor rang me yesterday to discuss my blood pressure, it's not too bad he says, you saw a doctor on the 8th March and it was fine, excuse me I ask, which March are you looking at, it goes quiet on the other end, oh I'm so Sorry he says that was March 2019, he scrolls forward one year, ahh I see what you mean I'll add another tablet to the mix!!  I'm drinking some Ainsley Harriet cup of soups from Ocado, they're pretty grosse so don't buy them, but waste not, want not.  The new bedding hasn't turned up yet so it'll get done next week, the bedroom smells so much fresher, the smell of stale vick was making me feel sick, he's stopped using it as he has decided it makes him sweat too much.  Poor hubby he is up too much now going for a wee because of all the water he is having to drink as his kidney function isn't good enough, Mary has been and got me some decaf tea and hopefully all of this will work before the scan or he can't have the full scan he needs.  He actually called me precious yesterday, it's a long time since I've been called that!  So I need to find a box set to watch to stop me hitting the pink gin early.  Sue I hope all is getting a little better over there or is it the same as us, my son in law has his own business and the directors have agreed a 20% pay cut, brilliant Lisa says, having just enrolled Harry in a private fee paying school!  Take care all of you out there, love Carol x 

Hi Carol., 

Got a phone call from Dr's to do a phone consultation about Brenda's long term illness, didn't think to ask which one (she's got 5), so have to find out which when they call us 10 o'clock Saturday. Also got a cancelled appointment later in the month bit strange really we were told couple of months ago no nead to be seen again unless things change then we get this appointment through..

Glad Norman is feeling good" precious " and you of course glad your getting things tidy, including the garden.

Hope things keep going well....... Love.... Billy xxx 

Hi Billy, just replied to a lady who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer and is struggling.  I said hop on here, we have a laugh and keep each other going.  I think the doctors are struggling with the way things are at the moment but write down what you want to ask so you don't miss anything.  Just had a ride to the shop Norman was thrilled to be out, obviously he stayed in the car, I suppose if he gets too annoyed I could report him to the police!!  Xx

Hi Carol, 

Dr phoned yesterday waste of time really.

Dr asked about dementia, I said what about Alzheimers and parkinsons and TIA's Dr didn't know anything about them so he's getting in touch with hospital to get all the information hopefully. Things will be sorted soon. But is a devil when we have more information than the Dr. Hope things going well and you're garden looks lovely.

Love to all and especially Carol...... Billy xxx