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A Hurried Return, but Chronic Illness’s Opening Hours Remain Unchanged

A Hurried Return, but Chronic Illness's Opening Hours Remain Unchanged | A Chronic Voice

Returning

I had to sadly return to Singapore earlier than expected, due to the coronavirus outbreak. My parents were very worried, what with chronic illness and all that in the mix. After being put on hold with the customer service line for seven hours straight (yes, happy tropical island music for hours!), I was told that my flight back had already been cancelled. I guess I was lucky in some sense, as they only sent this email out a few days later, and I had time to book a flight on Finnair back for the next day.

The airplane food was surprisingly good on Finnair (maybe the best so far), although I was a little freaked out the entire flight. There was an inconsiderate woman seated next to me who was sniffling the whole way through without a mask, and simply wiping all her snot on her sleeve. Then there was a young drunk girl in front of me, who disrupted everyone’s sleep throughout the flight with the glaring call bell, yelling and ‘stretching exercises’. She was seated in the emergency row – not so reassuring.

Apart from that, Finnair airport looked really nice and nature oriented, and I hope to be able to visit Finland someday too when this is all over!

Understating

To say that I miss the weather in Europe is an understatement. I believe that I will never adjust to the weather here in Singapore – hot and humid is just not for me. Every day I simply look forward to my evening shower to get some relief. The humidity saps me of energy, causes fatigue, depression, aches and more.

Whereas cold weather makes me feel alive, makes my spirit feel a little more wild and free, and refreshes me. I actually love when the weather in Singapore gets grey and gloomy, because it feels so much more soothing and calm, despite the increased aches due to humidity or air pressure levels.

Distancing

My life actually hasn’t changed all that much since I’ve returned to Singapore, with the self-isolation and social distancing in place. I guess that I’m more isolated than I had imagined on a daily basis, living the chronic illness life. But it’s something I’ve gotten used to, and quite enjoy in fact. The ones I come into closest contact with are my birds, and they make for lovely company. I am happy they still remember me after three months of separation by the way!

Also, having returned to Singapore, I must commend the government for educating the public here thoroughly. Everyone seems well-informed, there is little panic (yes there is toilet paper and food on the shelves!), and all supermarkets have tape on the floor for proper social distancing. Let’s hope this disruptive virus is rid soon. Life isn’t so fun with this tiny thing floating around, is it?

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My life actually hasn’t changed all that much with the self-isolation and social distancing in place. I guess that I’m more isolated than I had imagined on a daily basis, living the chronic illness life. - A Chronic Voice

Stressing

I have been super stressed with a web job, only because I haven’t worked on one with such a tight timeline for a long time, and am not used to it anymore. I am really glad I got the deal though, because, money. The stress has been so bad for me that I passed out in bed on Friday night until 15:30 the following day, which hasn’t happened since I was a teenager! After which I napped again for two hours after ‘lunch’, and went to bed earlier than usual.

I think to myself, ‘wow have I become weak’. But thinking to myself further, any increase in stress levels for any person would be the same. Handling stress requires stamina, and stamina comes with training. It’s like a muscle, yet one we shouldn’t push beyond the limits either.

I do still need to learn how not to stress over things that I have no control over however, which I’m terrible at. When I hit a roadblock in the project that was totally out of my control, I freaked out. Work is the biggest area in my life where I self blame for some reason.

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Handling stress requires stamina, and stamina comes with training. Quote

Celebrating

Finally, with all that’s going on in the world right now, we need to find reasons to celebrate life a little still, do we not? Easter’s coming right up, and it falls exactly on my birthday! I wish Claire of Pain Pals Blog could bake me a marbled glass cake 😉 They do look so pretty, and she’s so talented!

Anyway I’ll be turning 34, which sounds a little older than 33, and closer to that dreaded ‘35 year old pregnancy deadline’ that many women fear. Strangely, the older I get, the more tired I am from the daily pain, and the less I want a baby. This was different when I was 14, and never even had a boyfriend yet! The irony.

Yet I do still hope to have my own child and family some day, because I’d like to ‘unlock’ all the meaningful doors in life if I can. This is largely out of curiosity, and we only live one life. And family is after all, one of the biggest and most meaningful doors to unlock, if at all possible.

Apart from that, I have no plans for my birthday. It’s just another day, and a social distancing one. We’ll see what happens when it comes 🙂

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With all that’s going on in the world right now, we need to find reasons to celebrate life a little still, do we not? | A Chronic Voice

Thank you for reading, and I hope to read your responses for April’s prompts too. CLICK HERE to submit your own entry, and to read about what others are up to as well!

*Note: This article is meant for educational purposes and is based on the author’s personal experiences. It is not to be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols.

Read More: All You Need to Know About the Coronavirus From the Beginning to Right Now (with a List of Live Updates from Verified News Sources)

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A Hurried Return, but Chronic Illness’s Opening Hours Remain Unchanged | A Chronic Voice

A Hurried Return, but Chronic Illness’s Opening Hours Remain Unchanged | A Chronic Voice

A Hurried Return, but Chronic Illness’s Opening Hours Remain Unchanged | A Chronic Voice

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35 comments

  • I almost missed the deadline for your April Linkup Party because of a site snag. I just submitted and I think that’s the latest I’ve ever submitted something at the end of such a long month. Thanks so much for organizing this each month, Sheryl. I was a bit scared for you having to fly back with all this chaos, but have been so grateful to see your posts pop up in my news feeds and on soc med. I’m so glad you’re home and safe, even though you didn’t want to come back.

    Your comments about stress are spot on. Stress has ruined my life and made things so much worse. I feel like I’d just gotten a hold on it and had it under control and then this hit! I really love this quote in your entry: “The stress has been so bad for me that I passed out in bed on Friday night until 15:30 the following day, which hasn’t happened since I was a teenager! After which I napped again for two hours after ‘lunch’, and went to bed earlier than usual.

    I think to myself, ‘wow have I become weak’. But thinking to myself further, any increase in stress levels for any person would be the same. Handling stress requires stamina, and stamina comes with training. It’s like a muscle, yet one we shouldn’t push beyond the limits either.”

    That is such a great quote and it took so long for me to get a grip on stress in my life. It’s my number one trigger and it wipes me out! I moved to stress relieving activities to help cope with stress.

    Finally, I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday again! I’m so sorry I was late with this! I hope you had a terrific celebration.

  • Happy Birthday, Sheryl. I hope you had a wonderful day and was able to enjoy it despite the lockdown and enforced isolation. I glad that you got back safely home before the lockdown was imposed and I hope that the whole situation isn’t negatively affecting you too much. I also am finding that life hasn’t changed that much despite the lockdown; I guess something that a lot of us with chronic illnesses are feeling! I wish you all the best for the remainder of the month, and hope you can celebrate your birthday in style someday soon!

    • Thanks Rhiann! It was a lockdown birthday but as we get older, I think birthdays get quieter anyway (at least for me). I did buy myself a slice of cake though lol. Hope you’ve been keeping well yourself xxx

  • Hi, Sheryl! I look forward to your prompts each month. I’m sorry you had to end your Germany trip earlier than you wanted. I hope you are staying safe.

    • Thank for the encouragement, Kathy! Sometimes I wonder if these monthly linkups are any fun or any use. I’m glad that some of us do enjoy it so that’s nice to hear! No worries about the trip, I am glad to have had the opportunity at all, and that I was well there. There will be more in future 🙂 Stay safe my friend!

  • Happy Birthday, Sheryl! I’m glad you got home safely before lockdown, and I hope you manage to calm the work stress very soon. My main stress comes from having no work and struggling to obtain paid work these days!

    • Thank you so much Catherine! Haha it’s a vicious cycle isn’t it. I get stressed without money coming in, too. Yet the biggest trigger for stress that leads to physical pain and flare ups is from work, too. Oh my. Just need to keep trying to find that balance, I suppose! 😉

  • Happy birthday!!! Glad to hear you were able to return home when you did. Traveling is how I found my ideal climate. You can imagine how happy I was when my husband was then offered a job where my body experiences less pain. You never know what the future holds. Wishing you some pain relief!

    • Thanks Cynthia!! That’s really nice you found your ideal climate. It’s funny how those of us with chronic illness can be so extreme when it comes to that – cold vs heat is so debatable! 😀

  • It sounds like you have wonderful memories to take with you from your break away. Lucky you got your flight out of their sorted. I understand the weather preference so well. I adore the heat the cold brings me nothing but pain we should swap 😀

  • Sheryl,
    Thanks so much, as always, for sharing!
    I’m so sorry that your trip ended early, it sounds like you had so much fun!!
    With all the COVID-19 stresses, though, it makes sense that you did. Hope your work goes well- I totally feel you on being especially self-critical with work-related stuff, I absolutely am the same on that!
    April is FND awareness month, and I’m doing my best to spread knowledge of FND while plodding through the COVID-19 stress.
    Enjoy your time with your birds – and please do your best to keep those COVID germs out of your system!
    *hugs*

    • Hi Alison! Trip was good for a change of scenery! I’m glad you can relate regarding work stuff 😉 And your post on FND was brilliant. Keep raising awareness! x

  • Hi Sheryl, I am so glad that you were able to get back home safely. I was a little worried that you may end up stranded due to everything going on with C-19. Although the Singapore weather sounds dreadful, heat and humidity are my nemesis! Much love, Laura xxx

    • Thanks Laura! Yes it was a little stressful towards the end with the flight booking and all that! Yes heat and humidity are my nemesis too, ha! Sending love, hope all’s well with you and yours xxx

      • We are doing ok at present. Kids are starting to get a bit of cabin fever but the new puppy is keeping them entertained.

        • I want a puppy too! Haha. I’m sure it’s providing them with lots of joy (and responsibility) for now 😉 Stay safe and happy as possible! x

  • I’m so glad that people aren’t buying all the toilet paper there! It’s wonderful when people are educated well, they won’t panic purchase. It’s great to hear that you got a paying job. 🙂 Stay safe.

    • Hi Lisa, I think the situation’s changing as we’re going into lockdown soon…but the gov is strict here (like we’re in school lol)…so things should be okay at least toilet paper wise lol. Yes am really worried about money as I had one source cut off as well. Take care! x

  • It is also my birthday month! Woot! Not sure what I will do on it. Maybe all my favourite indoor things? Not sure yet.

    I am less stressing about money since my spouse found work, ironically this makes me at higher risk of getting ill… so sort of good and bad. But it has been hard in this province economically to find work… and significantly worse now so that was lucky and fortunate. We just have to be as careful as we can. And I am on disability so my income remains the same craptastic income it is…. with no end in sight since I do not see any potential for answers or treatment in the foreseeable future. But I have accepted life as it is for now. And life as it is, is rest and recovery.

    • Woot! All my favourite people in April! Ahaha. Yea with the coronavirus, I think all of us are having quiet birthdays. And like you, I’d planned on ordering my own slice of cake and indulging in the whole damn thing because I’m not sure anyone will remember anyway haha. At this age, it doesn’t matter either.

      I hope you have a good one regardless. Acceptance is truly such a big tool in handling chronic illness I too agree. xxx

  • Glad you are home and safe and that your birds remember you. I think you are in the best place for now. I hope you have a lovely birthday, even in lockdown. I met my current husband when I was 36 and we have three children. (All locked down with me at the moment and driving me nuts!) x

    • Yes Anne thank you! Yes they’re a little blue but maybe with age haha (though they’re really not that old!). Definitely in the best place for now. Let’s hope this all dies down sooner than later. x

  • I hate that your trip was cut short, but I’m glad you are safe. And have toilet paper-LOL! Who knew this was ever going to be a struggle, right? Thanks again for the chance to link-up. 🙂

    • Thanks Jacqueline! Yes we’re all safe and sound, so that’s good 🙂 Haha yes! The gov is pretty strict here. So it’s fairly well controlled and rationed. Indeed! If we lived out in the open nature that wouldn’t be a problem ;p Sending hugs!

  • So glad you made it home safely. Are you and your parents doing okay? I sure do understand how the warm humidity could be a drain on you. You would LOVE MI, USA weather. Very much like Berlin’s from what I know. We’re just getting into the 50s and everyone is out wearing just windbreakers. (You have an open invitation if you should ever want to venture our way!)

    • Hi Katie, yes everyone is okay, although it’s pretty stressful having everyone in the house all the time lol! But we’ll manage as always 🙂 That sounds amazing, I’d love to visit someday! And thank you so much for the open invitation! ???

  • Loving your response to the prompts and even finding some joy in all of this upheaval, pleased to hear you are safe back home and they are practising social distancing too, looking for to sharing this month link up.

    • Hi Rachael, thank you! It’s been quiet mostly for now at home, except that my parents are home too, so….some normal clashes here and there 😉 How are you coping? Would be lovely to have you with us this month! x

  • I’m so happy you loved Europe! I hope you get to come back some time.
    I turned 34 yesterday so welcome to the club when it happens :). For me, there are way too many reasons not to have a baby but I realise it’s not the same for everyone. I hope to grow a forest, one day, rather than an embryo 😉
    ps loving the look of the prompts, my mind is mulling them over and i’ll jot something down before too long

    • Happy birthday, Naomi!! How did you celebrate? Guess I’ll find out in your entry 😉 Yes having a child or not to have one is totally a personal thing! For me I was so sure I wanted one at 14. Lol. Growing a forest sounds like such a beautiful thing, too 🙂

      And yes, I really liked Europe in general, though Berlin not so much! But I will definitely be back – for sure! xxx

      Can’t wait to read your entry!

      • Just cake, walk and time with the partner and poochers 🙂

        • Sounds perfect to me 🙂 I think mine will be similar…except swap birds for poochers and self bought cake haha xxx

  • I just want to say, I have a chronic illness and am blessed with 2 children. I had them at age 36 and 41 so you do still have plenty of time! The only thing diffrent was I had more appointments to check in baby and me, but I also got to see baby on the extra scans too!

    Having said all that motherhood can be hard work and we have to be in the right place emotionally and physically when we embark on such a big life change.

    It’s very true about the isolation due to the virus, it makes you realise what a high level of isolation many of us “suffer” with each and everyday. For some it is a blessing and others a curse, but either way many more people may really understand it better when we get the other side of this pandemic than thought they did before.

    Stay safe everyone

    • Hi Dani, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and some inspiration! Yes I did book an appointment with the high risk gynae just to check. They did say that mine wouldn’t just be ‘high risk’, but ‘very very high risk’. So the stars will have to align health, emotions, and mental wise before I do this 😀 (And of course, with the right guy ;p ) I am happy to hear you have two beautiful children regardless…give them a little virtual hug for me! 🙂

      Yes funny how it’s almost like our ‘situations’ or shoes are reversed for a bit for now. What we do or don’t do on a normal basis is now seen as ‘the right thing to do’. We can only hope that compassion comes out of this! Sending you love!

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