Radio Check, over?

I am having a moments silence today for the Notre-Dame and the old 'Apple'. I loved both. Has any one else experienced a hightened emotional state since being on Pred ? I got so emotional right from the start of taking pred. I am also sad that I no longer hear how some of our 'old family' are progressing with their journey.

Warm weather is definitely good for the soul. I am making the most of our Autumn outdoors.

It is Spring on the Oregon coast. Sunshine and showers on blooming gardens. Lack of exercise or company creates sadness. Two cats and a dog walk prevents that.

Yes, definitely.

I'm not sure I'd describe it as heightened emotions exactly but I definitely did, for a time, feel jittery and hyper.

Weirdly when I did as my GP suggested and took my Pred in late evening instead of morning it all calmed down. He did tell me that the 24 hour BP monitor that I wore for a week showed that My BP was much lower at night so perhaps sleep was my saviour.

Your BP should fall overnight - and if it does they worry less about raised BP during the day. That's why a 24 hour Holter monitor is so useful.

I'm obviously not very sensitive - not emotional about that at all.

Been a bit weepy yesterday and the day before - but that is because a longtime friend was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in March and is fading fast. She dictated emails to our colleagues of many years all over the world with a special extra for my husband and me because the 3 of us have been responsible for editing a Proceedings for years and that hit home on Monday just how weak she must be. We can't visit, it is too far, and we can't phone as her voice is gone because the tumour is pressing on a nerve. For me that puts a burnt building firmly into context.

Sounds wonderful. We have experienced a week of magnificent sunsets, clouds of every colour , and the golden glow of autumn trees in that final light. Quite unusual because of the weather.

I am so sorry to hear about this. It's always so hard to lose someone who has been part of your life for so long. ❤️

That is sad to hear. How is your husband now and your life in general? I have missed so many posts. I do hope things are looking fine up there in the Italian alps. 😃

Sorry to hear about your friend Eileen, its always sad to loose a close friend .

best wishes to you and your husband, you never complain and you always find time to help anyone on this and other forums we must drive you mad at times.

hope you have a lovely Easter and lots of eggs.!!!

OH has been not very good for the last 9 months really. He had radiotherapy 18 months ago and a year later started with one of the common late effects and that is still being worked on - but it meant he was in hospital just before and then over xmas having developed an infection of some sort into the bargain and then had another chest infection that really went for his lung again. I think it is just all the late consequences starting to catch up really - we have known there were bound to be some. He can walk on the flat fairly well though slowly (by my standards) but as soon as there is any uphill he gets out of breath - or with wind, or cold or... 😉 And he's lazy - won't go for a walk to try to improve his fitness and it would make a big difference. He's applied for disability and I'm hoping he may get a disabled parking badge which would save me a bit - wouldn't have to play chauffeur and walk so far!! And once that has been decided I shall push for a mobility scooter so we can go further - I'm getting stir crazy 😃

But life here is good. People keep asking if we would go back to the UK and the answer is - not on your life!

We are strange creatures, aren't we? You have come through so much and stayed strong; your friend's illness and your inability to do anything or even make contact is the last straw for you.

I held up fine through Christine's illness and death but hearing from my last boss's wife that Jim had died finished me. I know too well how it feels. Its good that you are in surroundings that are right for you. If I had an answer I'd share it. Those with a firm religious faith are to be envied in these situations.

That is great that you can stay in Italy. You will have to get yourself some roller blades, so that you can hold on tight to the back of the mobility scooter, when you want to go on longer trips. I seriously saw an older couple doing that. It was a bit scary watching them manouver up on to the footpath after crossing the road. Some people don't let anything stop them. I do hope you can get OH out for some fitness.

The one I have sussed out actually comes with an optional little step to tow anyone who's finding it difficult to keep up and then you have proper shoes on! And it is a very lightweight folding one - designed by a German gentleman from Bavaria where men come in large sizes so it is pretty robust.

I say we can stay in Italy - I see on FB today someone has been given a month to get out of France as their income isn't high enough to fulfil the conditions for the carte de sejour! I trust that wouldn't apply to us here - we pay enough tax!

It's like PMR isn't it - the straw that breaks the camel's back. It isn't so much the things, it is the time it takes to sort them out that is frustrating. I think actually it was the dentist and the root canal afternoon that did it - 3 hours in the dentist's chair, my back is killing me and the thought of the bill at the end, IRO 800 euros, is just not fair!

When it is something you are closely involved with it is much easier to deal with than when it is a friend who meant a lot to you but you aren't looking after them/responsible for day to day living. Ironically, Laraine commented on how frail David looked last summer, he'd just been in hospital then, but he will probably get to this year's meeting and he and I will take over her duties. Steep learning curve for me!

However, the van is sitting there waiting for weather and a window of opportunity to coincide and I would rather go away just for a few days at a time so I can shop in comfort here and not have to worry about being on a site with a good shop. I have found several sites on Lake Garda where it is completely flat around them and a short walk to the business bit - so we can go somewhere a bit different. We may get to go at the end of the month. All other things being equal.

hello EILEEN, im so sorry to read all your problems at the moment. you have given so much support to everyone on this site who needed info or support and i can only say we will be all thinking about you and wishing you the extra strength you need to get back on track! life certainly gives us our challenges but hang in there and hold your head up high! (as the song goes)

Yes a blue badge makes such a difference we just got ours and it makes going out much easier! good luck!

thinking about you! freda

sorry for lack of caps grrrr !

I too hope the best for you and your family. You have contributed so much good information for my well being. You are famous among my friends and GP as "my PMRguru" when hearing about my latest PMR health fact or tip. Your husband is lucky to have you and I'm sure he knows it. I hope he and you defeat the latest upset.

Eileen, I identified with reading of your OH's health, and slowing down, and, perhaps, also the weightiness and loneliness of new responsibilities... I think it's one of the hardest things, as well, losing closest women friends. I had such a need, myself, to communicate about it ...

If you get a mobility scooter it's bound to bring some laughs. I've never seen anyone standing, or sitting, on the back of one - but I can't wait to!

Meant to say, of course, I'm very so sorry you are sad at the moment. And, thank you for sharing all these things with us.