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    Concerns About Health!

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    This week has been seven days of hell where my health is concerned, so much so, I am thinking of taking matters into my own hands. I have so many conditions to contend with at the moment, that I literally don't know what ailment is causing which pain. It has become very hard functioning on a daily basis, without experiencing some sort of discomfort. I don't know how many times I have mentioned it to my GP, only to be fobbed off with a generalised answer, that is designed to make me feel better... WELL, I DON'T FEEL GOOD, I DON'T FEEL GOOD AT ALL!

    After a series of Xrays on my back and hips, I had an appointment with Rheumatology this week, to discuss the results. As usual, I was expecting the worst and had mixed feelings about hearing from the consultant. As it happens, there was good and bad news, and it certainly wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be.

    Luckily, I have been told that I don't have rheumatoid arthritis, which would have been the worst outcome of all. The signs were there, but the blood tests and xrays came back negative. The bad news was really as I expected. I have substantial damage to the discs and joints in my lower back, which have been causing me a lot of pain. The Doctor explained that ultimately I may have to have an operation, but as long as I can live with the aching, she recommended I do nothing yet. Also, I would be referred back to physiotherapy, which could now be more tailored to my own personal needs. As per usual, she suggested I lose weight, which is easier said than done. Despite all the walking I do on a daily basis, the pounds just seem to pile on.

    Speaking to her about  my difficulty with weight loss and other chronic symptoms I have been experiencing, she hinted there may be a problem with my thyroid. A chat with my GP and more tests and referrals, could help me discover why I am feeling the way I am.  I'm sure my GP must think I am a hypochondriac at times, but after three years, she is used to my ongoing complaints. To be honest, looking at my constant push for answers, I have discovered many ailments, I never knew I had. You do have to be as vocal as you can, especially during a pandemic, because surgeries across the country are not working as they should and many people are being left in pain, like me. It is important for me to find out what is going on, so I can finally move on with my life.

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    On Thursday, whilst talking to Darrell on the phone, I was interrupted by a phone call from QA Hospital, from the surgical unit of the upper GI department. They had a date for my cholecystectomy operation to remove my gallbladder, finally, after a year and three months of waiting. I was informed the date would be 17 July and I would need to make arrangements to attend on that day. I am also required to self-isolate for three days prior to the operation and take a PCR COVID-19 test a few days before. Despite the logistical nightmare, of having a procedure during a pandemic, I was just relieved I would finally have my gallbladder removed and could hopefully start living a normal life again. Only time will tell whether this will be enough to stop the pain I experience on a daily basis, or if I will have to undergo more treatment in the future.

    Today, whilst at work, I was contacted by QA Hospital once again to change the appointment date to the following week, due to no radiologist being available on that day. On the same weekend my Aunt is throwing her first party for close family and friends, I will be confined to a room upstairs. This is rather annoying if I am honest, but I am so desperate to have this operation, I will just have to do what is necessary. This is the only date available, and I just can't pick and chose right now.

    On top of the conditions I suffer with, Diverticular Disease, GERD, a large Hiatal Hernia, gallbladder disease and narrowing of the spine, I also have IBS symptoms on a daily basis. As you would expect, my IBS is out of control at the moment. I always refer to IBS as 'my IBS' because all of us who suffer with it, have our own unique symptoms. This is an individual disease, that affects each of us differently. My symptoms are ongoing, every day, but thankfully some days are better than others.

    Since my first severe symptoms more than three years ago, with careful planning, eating a relatively low FODMAP diet and medication, I have managed to control the worst aspects of IBS. I do, however, suffer more frequently now than I used to, just in a milder form. I have been told that the chronic conditions I experience, are at least in part responsible for the abdominal pain I have, but I just can't be sure by how much. IBS controls your whole life, sucks the lifeblood out of you and consumes every waking hour. Stomach, back, hip and pelvic pain is common, as well as a change in bowel habits, nausea, dizziness and depression. I am frequently reminded how I will have to live with this for the rest of my life, and I am constantly searching for solutions to help me cope with the anxiety and distress this causes.

    I am hoping that after my operation, my IBS symptoms will subside, but I am told that may not happen, and there is a chance I could be left in a worse state than I am now. Having a cholecystectomy is no guarantee of normality, in fact it may well just be the beginning of a journey to repair the damage done to my body over many years. I have learned to live well again, eating healthy, no longer smoking or drinking and working hard to survive. I have rebuilt my life and become a much better person, but the years of neglect have taken their toll and I will most probably live with persistent pain for the rest of my days. Managing the challenging aspects of illness, and mitigating the worst characteristics of these complaints, should help me regain some form of control. As a wise man once told me, 'Don't let it control you, control it!' Removing the constraints I have lived under for so long, is my overriding priority now, beating back the spectre of illness and overcoming my concerns, offers a path of hope through a sea of pain!
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    Friends and Family!

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    It's been a mixed week, full of ups and downs, but I have at least managed to grab some valuable family time, whilst having a few days off work.

    Monday was a difficult day; I received a message from the daughter of my dear friend Mrs F, who told me she had passed away in a hospice, after a short battle with cancer. She explained, she would have told me sooner, but hadn't been able to contact me. This sweet lady died on the 1 June and her funeral took place this Wednesday. With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, I wasn't able to attend the service at Portchester Crematorium, but she sent me a link to view the ceremony online, where I could say my goodbyes and pay my respects.

    Before her death, I had started to write some letters to Mrs F's family on her behalf, sitting down with her, taking notes and bringing together her memories of better times. Regrettably we had only managed to write a few pages, before she was admitted to a hospice, so I duly passed on her words to her family. Her death was so sudden, that I couldn't even speak to her on the phone. After being given three months to live, she barely had three weeks. One minute she was there, chatting on the telephone, the next she had passed away. Thankfully, she didn't suffer, and died peacefully in her sleep, the way she would have liked it.

    Her funeral service was rather short, but emphasised just how religious she was. A Priest spoke eloquently about her life and, interestingly, the difficulties she had experienced. It was refreshing to learn about the more demanding episodes and not the usual sugar coated monologues I have witnessed in the  past. Her family's sadness was clear to see;  these were people who hadn't been able to say their farewells, in the way they would have liked and clearly had a lot to say. I was honoured to feel a part of her final journey, and although I hadn't known her for long, I was appreciative of the friendship we had and the times we spent together.
    Having a week off work, has meant spending more time with family, which as been wonderful. Today I am surrounded by Cousins at every turn, in complete contrast to my life before. My little God Son, Eli, is growing up fast and his personality is starting to shine through. Different to his Brother Cain, they have both become closer during the year and a half pandemic.

    I adore having all my family around me, they are the reason Darrell and I will probably stay in Portsmouth long term. We are considering various options at the moment, but it seems sensible to stay where we know best. I never again want to miss out on the lives of those closest, the milestones and events that make us who we are. In the past, I would have walked away at any given opportunity and wouldn't have even needed an excuse to up sticks and leave. I realise just how much I have lost by my previous lifestyle choices, and I will not be making the same mistakes again.
    On the final day of my holiday, I went with my Cousin's Rachel and Emmy and the kids to the Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth. This isn't a place I have been to before and at a cost of £12.50 each, I was expecting an amazing experience. However, it wasn't as great as I would have liked, although it was wonderful to see the kids faces light up in such an environment.

    Yes it was an expensive day, especially for a large family, but when one considers the ongoing pandemic and closure of such facilities, it is clear, all of us have a responsibility to get out and keep these places open. The upkeep of Blue Reef is obviously huge, so I can understand the price charged, but however, would never choose to go again myself.

    Despite my annoyance about the price, Blue Reef did offer a perfect family friendly location to spend the day. There was a splash pool and picnic area for the children, with playground rides and water fountains, as well as a gift shop and café next door, both of which were rather overpriced; taking a packed lunch would have saved a lot of time and money. In this cost conscious age, all of us have to think of the pennies. A venue like this will only survive for as long as people go and lend their support. If they feel they aren't getting value for money, Blue Reef will close, like many other such places up and down the country.

    For me, it was about spending time with family and that made Thursday special, especially on a dull rainy morning. Portsmouth does have a lot to offer in the way of days out and tourist attractions, far more than Southampton, where I used to live. Nevertheless, I do find myself missing the long sunny days in Spain and the more relaxed way of life, something you just don't get in Britain. Only time will tell where we end up staying, ideally having a base here and in Spain would be the best of both Worlds, but it will all depend on where we go when Darrell gets home!

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    Darrell, like me, is beginning to feel the fatigue; living apart does create problems and is more tiring than one would imagine. Our way of life is getting both of us down, especially at the moment. We have both reached a point of exhaustion with the situation we are in; every day is literally a rollercoaster ride.

    Looking at the internet, more specifically social media, you are constantly inundated with stories from Australia - most recently the news that the Australian government are relaxing laws, allowing people with two jabs, the ability to travel. Then in another article, suggesting they won't be opening borders until March 2022. You are literally bombarded with so much contradictory information, that you just don't know what's real and what's not. The whole process wears you down, makes you feel on edge, and creates anxiety and stress you could do without.

    The tiredness we feel, is frustration at not being able to do anything to solve the difficulties we are experiencing, and the lack of help and support available to us and others in our position at this time. Both of us are living through a nightmare that never seems to end, and we just long for the day when all of this is over. No concrete plans to be reunited for now, just a desire to return to normal and a hope the pandemic runs its course.
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    Hopeless in the Face of a Bully!

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    It's been a while since I last talked about bullying and sociopathy, but after recent events, I thought I would once again write about a subject, that started me blogging six years ago. It is a difficult topic to discuss, especially after suffering myself, but writing about my experiences was particularly cathartic and helped my heal from a relentless period in my life.

    I often hear from people who are dealing with the aftermath of intimidation and have come across my blog, whilst searching 'google' for help. I am by no means an expert on how to handle, often harrowing circumstances, but I am able to use my ordeal to help those who need it. This week I heard from someone who had split from her husband after a ten-year marriage, where she felt trapped and unable to turn to anyone for help.

    I was abused over many years by someone who I used to regard as close. A work colleague and superior, who was instrumental in the decisions I made at work and at home, had decided to infiltrate my life, in such a way, that I was unaware it was even happening, until it was too late. I only ever realised what was going on, after talking to a professional, who immediately suggested steps to remove myself from a situation that was destroying me, little by little, day by day.

    Of course my experience wasn't atypical, in fact the trauma I suffered six years ago was highly unusual. However, it taught me many lessons about people and human nature at its worst. When you hear from others also suffering, it does trigger memories that you think you have forgotten; really they have just been put to one side, until they resurface and transport you back to times you would rather forget. As a blogger and writer, I feel it is part of my remit to discuss matters that have caused me pain; it helps to understand the process that was underway and confirm my suspicions.

    The lady who messaged me this week, is still in the middle of a deeply painful period, often feeling hopeless in the face of a bully, who she thought loved her. Nevertheless, there is light at the end of darkness, there is a way out of her distress, even if she can't see it now. When you are alone, you often question your own feelings. I remember when I was in the midst of my own affray, there were days when I felt confused, unable to see what was actually happening and questioned my own judgement. I was always someone who was proud of my intuition and ability to see through deception, but after a long period of abuse, I no longer believed in myself; I had no self-worth or confidence, just muddle and bewilderment.

    Being bullied does change you as a person, I got the impression this young lady had aged beyond her years. She thought she was the problem and had to change; maybe, just maybe, she was at fault and imagining everything that was going on. A bully understands exactly what they are doing; they break your will and make you feel like you are the obstacle, which isn't the case. The first step is admitting to yourself, there is an issue, after that you can deal with each point, one step at a time. Try looking at the individual elements that encompass the abuse you are suffering, keep a diary  and note specific events that make you question yourself. It is only when you look back, that you will see the destructive behaviour at play.

    When you are a victim of bullying, you frequently can't see fact from fiction. Often alone and separated from loved ones, you find yourself having to deal with thoughts and feelings that are hard to comprehend. I turned to an advice service when I was at my lowest, who turned my life around. They were able to reassure me that what I thought was happening, actually was. Significantly, they explained the importance of removing toxic people from my life, which I was able to do. This wasn't easy, it meant changing completely, but with perseverance, time and the help of good friends, I have become stronger, wiser and able to give advice to others who are suffering right now. Tearing up everything you have ever known and taking a leap of faith is a big step, but starting over again and getting back the self-respect you lost is the most important freeing process you'll ever do.... Life will get better, life will return to normal, and you will be able to live again!
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    Expensive Week!

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    The last week has been an expensive one, for me at least. Today, I spend very little, preferring to save for my precarious future, rather than waste money on going out and buying rubbish I don't actually need. This past couple of years has taught me much about survival, and I am no longer the person I once was. I am most certainly more careful with my finances, so much so, some people would call me damn right tight, but after the times I have lived through, I have no option but to build a new life for me and Darrell when he returns from Australia.

    Anyone who knows me well enough, understands just how bad I was with money in the past. Always living for the moment, I spent money quicker than I could earn it, never having anything for a rainy day. I have very little to show for it, but I have lived a life most people could only dream of. I have travelled the World, lived abroad and enjoyed myself to the full. My party lifestyle extending from my teens, throughout my young adulthood and well into my forties. To think, I was still clubbing for days on end at 45 years old. You have to understand, I have had very little responsibility in life, no kids to look after and a career path that never stayed in the same place for too long. I was able to do what I wanted, when I wanted, despite the consequences.

    I was, in fact still am, a person with a highly addictive personality. Shopping was my major downfall, whether buying from shopping channels on TV, especially QVC, or buying houses (three in a year, ) I would always do it to excess. Package after package would arrive at the front door, brochures for holidays, details for property in France or a 'buy to let' up north; you name it, I would buy it, usually with little or no research. When I decided to open a share dealing account, investing thousands of pounds in various companies, with little knowledge of their business plans, it was a recipe for disaster. As easy as it was to invest, it was easier to lose it all, which I did in spectacular form. Within four years I went from having the World,  to owning nothing, zilch, not a dime.

    Today, I regard spending a few hundred pounds as extravagant and over the top, so replacing a mattress and television, as I have had to this week, has made me shudder. It takes me back to bad times and a chapter in my life that left me penniless. Even though I am aware I will not go down that path again, I still feel that pain. Anything I did to the extreme, does affect me negatively today. I have enjoyed my life and have some fantastic memories, but all of them are tinged with sadness. When we experience highs in life, lows will inevitably follow. I suppose living through this pandemic, is in many respects the penance I have to pay for the mistakes of the past. The frugal life I lead now, is a lesson for the future and should help me stay grounded for as long as it takes to start over again.

    In the grand scheme of things, the money I spent this week means very little. I have built up a substantial nest egg, but I just can't forget the history of who I am. I am scared I will head back to the dark days of spending without limits, and that isn't where I want to go again. My relationship with money is fraught with problems, but I have no choice but to learn from my mistakes and adopt a new mindset.

    This process of renewal began when I lived in Spain, subsistence living at its finest, and I continue very much in the same vein today. Spain was a great healer for me, that brought me back to a way of life, I last experienced living with my Mother and Father in the 1970s. As a child, I had no money, my family working hard for everything they had. There was no credit, no debt and no help from others. The only thing that mattered then, was keeping a roof over ones head, just as it does today. I don't need or want luxuries any more, I just want to survive, be around family and NOT, I repeat NOT, make the same mistakes of the past.

    This old man is still learning; I am doing what I should have done years ago. It's the little things that make me happy, it's the money saving, cautious, prudent and thrifty me that should have been centre stage. This week I was able to find an NHS dentist, after not being able to afford to go to one in over a decade. Instead of spending six or seven hundred pounds, I paid a mere fraction of that, in order to get my teeth back in good shape. Despite the reasonable price, I still remained reluctant to part with my hard-earned cash, that's how far I have come.

    The passing years have been a challenge in every respect. I have changed out of all proportion, something I hope to continue to do. You won't find me repeating the mistakes of the past, because I can't afford to. The journey I have been on, even since I started blogging in 2015, has been arduous, and I continue to fight for the life I should have had. The pennies I save today will open doors to my future tomorrow and help Darrell and I finally settle down together. Our success lies in our love for each other, the memories we share and our tried and tested relationship. We won't ever be rich and enjoy the lifestyle of our peers, but we will remain happy together, ducking, diving, working hard and surviving. Pushing forwards with positivity, we will always be  mindful of failure and tripping at the final hurdle.
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    Pushing Beyond The Limits!

    2021 Running richard-guy
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    I’ve completed some decent training over the last couple of weeks and am pleased with the progress that I have been making.

    The previous Saturday was another run of just over 20 miles. I’m getting used to running this distance now and feel comfortable doing so. So far this year I’ve completed 6 runs of over 20 miles and I know that there are plenty more to come. This Saturday I ran 27.08 miles – that is my longest training run of the year. Actually, that is my longest training run ever. I’ve trained for marathons in the past and completed 9 of them so far – I’ve never gone beyond the marathon distance in training or an event. Saturday provided me with the ideal opportunity to push beyond my usual limits.

    I decided on a route that would challenge me both physically and mentally – a good mixture of road and woodland trails with plenty of hills. The weather was hot, and I knew this would add to the challenge. By going beyond my usual training distances, I knew that this was going to require both patience and determination to complete it. One thing I have learnt this year about ultra-running is it is OK to walk short sections rather than run, it means conserving energy and gives an opportunity to take on nutrition as well.

    I’ve also learnt a lot about pacing runs properly – this isn’t like training for a marathon, and I would never run the full marathon distance in training usually. I was also honest with myself about my expectations – this isn’t about hitting certain times, it is about being able to move forwards at all times. I feel having realistic expectations is important.

    I hit a bit of a mental dip at around mile 18 for a couple of minutes, but I soon managed to switch those emotions off – there was absolutely nothing I could do to change the situation and I told myself that this is what needs to be done so keep moving forwards, just concentrate on each step and nothing else. The mental dip didn’t last long. I’m resilient and brutally honest about my abilities. I’m also extremely stubborn at times and don’t give up easily. These are the traits I need when the going gets tough. I know that I need to become comfortable being uncomfortable – both mentally and physically. The key is to be able to switch off and accept that things are tough, not to quit, not to break, to be able to keep moving forwards when it feels painful and muscles are screaming at me to stop.

    The remaining miles became easier – the terrain was still tough and hilly – because I was just focused on moving forwards and nothing else mattered. I had got to a place both physically and mentally where I felt fatigued, but knew I could keep going. It felt like I could keep going forever.

    The more I was pushing beyond my limits the more I felt comfortable.  When I finished the run, I looked at myself in the mirror – I saw someone who looked different, there was something different in the way I looked that went beyond fatigue. It was like I had opened a door within myself and revealed something stronger, tougher, and limitless.

    Prior to the run I had envisaged that physically my legs would be shot to pieces and ache for days – in the past when I’ve trained for and run marathons walking downstairs backwards becomes the norm (those who know, know) but nothing.

    As I reflect on the run I know I got to a place I had been searching for in training for months (maybe years) and I can’t wait to get back there again.

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    Impromptu Party!

    Events & Occasions Friends Relationships The Group letters-of-hope
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    It's hard to take in that we are halfway through 2021. Life seems to have been in limbo for the best part of 15 months, although thankfully it does seem to be going in the right direction now. Last weekend I did something I haven't done in a few years. I partied hard! Last Friday, several of my local group members met up for drinks. We started at 4pm, the weather was fantastic, and we all got on so well even though most had never met one another before. We are all in our 40s, and it was like we had all been caged up for so long. This was the first time that some of us had been out and socialised, and we certainly made the most of it.

    We left the pub at closing time then continued our party after in one of the members gardens, finally making our way home at 4am. After a few hours of sleep, I was up and out. A friend treated my son and I to a pub lunch by the water. It was baking hot weather but so lovely to eat, chat and enjoy the view. Also, a very rare occurrence for my son to spend the day out with me. We bumped into a few more people and another day of impromptu partying began.

    It would seem I had forgotten I was 46 and that after hardly drinking for months the body doesn't recover like it used to. Sunday I suffered. Yes, totally self-inflicted but well worth it. I pottered around the house but really didn't feel great. Fortunately Monday was a bank holiday, so I had another full day to recover before work and boy I needed it.

    About a year after my husband passed away I got into the habit of going out every day and for about 3 months partied far too much and honestly didn't really enjoy it. On reflection, it was to escape being in the house alone. My children had adjusted after their loss and were living their lives, and I felt lost. Rather than deal with it productively, I guess I hit the self-destruct button. It was only when my children pointed out what I was doing that I took stock and took control of my life. A few months later I was talked into joining a dating site. For anyone who has ever read my other blog will know, it was certainly an eye-opener.

    I did meet a great guy and for six months we would go out for meals, cinema, concerts. We went away together and really got on well. 3 years later we are still friends. Nothing went badly between us. It just fizzled out, but he gave me the confidence to carry on dating and over the years I've met some very weird, some very nice and some down right strange people on my quest to find love again. I had my first relationship that for the most part was very good, and I saw a future I liked the look of. Sadly, it didn't work out. I started my other blog and then my group and this has opened my world up in ways I could never have imagined.

    I run a Facebook group about dating and starting again, and many people have asked if I'm going to start dating again now the world has opened back up. I did set up my dating profile again, a couple of months back and quickly made it private when I realised it's the same old thing, and it bores me and my heart really wasn't in it. Being inundated with inappropriate messages is not my idea of fun and if I'm brutally honest there is not one person on these sites who has sparked my interest in a while.

    Some photos were taken last weekend and sent to me of our night out. Although I hate my own photo being taken I look really happy, and I am, but as I looked at them, I realised there is something missing in my life. I miss being part of a couple. I miss someone to just cuddle up on the sofa and watch crap TV with. I miss the simple things like a good morning or good night text, holding hands and going for a walk. I miss the intimacy you can only get from a partner. Things that are all too often taken for granted.

    This got me thinking about what I want. I do not want to be a party animal that is trying to fill a void by going out all the time. Neither do I want to waste time sifting through the endless mountain of inappropriate messages or men whilst trying to find someone honest and decent. I believe in fate, being in the right place at the right time. So whilst I may dip in and out of the dating apps (it does provide a source of amusement at times), I think I will leave my love life in the hands of fate. If it's meant to be, it will be. I'm a sociable person and my confidence is growing all the time, and I'm meeting new people through my group or work, so who knows what is in store for my future.