Day Thirty Six - Phone Calls and Fears

I was about to hang the washing out when my mobile phone rang. Initially exasperated I looked at the display and my face lit up as well as the phone. It was my friend who emigrated to Portugal three years ago. (Lots of my friends live abroad don't they?!) She and her husband run an abandoned animal home. It wasn't their intention when they first went out there but things kinda escalated. Sad thing is all their resources go towards the upkeep of these animals and their plans for self sufficiency are on the back burner to a degree. But it was great to chat with her.  We have a similar sense of humour and like similar books.  I last saw her in September when she came over for the Proms in the Park but I haven't talked to her for months.  Our call was over an hour long! That's long for me because I'm not a very talkative person. But it took my mind off other things.

Other things being poor Auntie Pat. Sometimes it's like Chinese whispers the way information is interpreted or misinterpreted. As my sister observed personal temperaments can skew an interpretation. My cousin rang my sister after having spoken to the hospital for some more accurate detail after yesterday's email. The small strokes mentioned yesterday were longer ago than implied and the hospital confirmed they have all the notes. There is no real change other than the fact that they are concerned about a loose bowel movement which may be a symptom of the virus. (If it is then I've had the virus for years 😉). But the care home are not happily waiting for her to be discharged. Far from it. They will not countenance having her back after testing positive. So at the moment she has to stay in the hospital. I wish we could talk to Pat and know that she isn't 'terrified or lonely or feeling abandoned' as my sister said.

The WHO envoy David Nabarro has said that the coronavirus is not going to go away and we must learn to live with it. I suppose I instinctively knew that. There's also some concern about whether the public wearing masks will affect supplies for front-line staff. But there does seem to be some suggestion that infections are 'flattening out' and the peak may be over. Is it true or is it wishful thinking from those who are tired of lockdown?

I can see myself remaining quite reclusive whatever happens. It's almost a conditioning I've undergone. I'm instinctively avoiding any close contact with people. But also being horribly aware when others appear to be too close. I see them from the window and I yell 'Social Distance Please!' I don't think they can hear me! It's scary how quickly this has happened to me. At the end of the month I will need to put in another repeat prescription request. If I go back to Day One of this diary I detailed my last prescription trip! This time I have to nominate a pharmacy where it can be relayed electronically and I can pick it up from there. It will be the first time in over a month that I will have to venture into town. And I'm frightened. It's been so long. I might wear a face mask. And I'll wear gloves because if I have to go into town I'll call in at the Health Food Store. But I really don't want to go!! And it bothers me because I think I should want to go further afield. I wonder if others feel the same? I'm worried this is all irrational and I'm going a little crazy.

I tried to do a little more gardening today. My gardener has begun to take bookings again but I haven't made any. Social distancing is going to be very hard. He always needs the toilet. Even if he's only here for an hour he goes at least once. I don't really want anyone in the house. He doesn't wash his hands. But he uses the banister rail and the door handles. So it'll be a major spray and wipe job if I did let him up there. Oh, for an outside toilet!!  He likes to be paid with cash. I'm not doing cash at the moment. But the arthritis in my hands is so bad now that I can't do very much effectively. I was quite shocked at both the pain and the weakness in my hands when I tried to pull out a weed!I suppose I could see what I've done as pretty good under the circumstances but there's a long way to go.