I'm meant to be going "Youth Hosteling" in the New Forest this weekend, but feel like s..t. Since yesterday my body has felt like led, and feel even more fatigued than usual. I put this down to my venturing into town after receiving my vitamin D jab on Tuesday and having possibly over done it. However, today, I've been up-chucking on an empty stomach since this morning, feel spaced out, and my body aches.

We always go away hosteling with friends this time of year and hire an entire hostel which are usually in a beautiful old house or mansion; this time round we've booked one in the New Forest in a place called Burley. These places are really cheep to rent and considering that it works out at aprox. £30.00 for a couple for the weekend, it's a real bargain plus we get the entire place to yourselves (no wardens around). This one sleeps 36 people, but I have hired one in Devon that caters for 70. The only downside is the sleeping arrangements - bunk beds and dorms and if you get a snorer I really enjoy these trips as I get to catch up with friends that I've not seen for in a while and enjoy just being out in the countryside.

Most of the group of friends I will be meeting I've not seen in 18 months and as I have not told them, do not know that I have RA. I'm usually the life and soul of the party, up for walks even the midnight ones, and tend to takeover the catering. I'm now wondering if I will be able to go and wondering what people will think if I do go as I won't be able to participate in the walks or and won't be up for cooking the meals or staying up late playing music around the open fire....

RA is the pits and I feel frustrated by having to wait so long for my treatment to be sorted out. Since stopping MTX in the beginning of August I have been relying on steroid jabs and Tramadol to get me through the day and night. The liver consultant has given me the all clear and I'm now waiting to see the endocrinologist for the growth in my Adrenal gland, and for the MRI scan for my spine so that I can finally start ANTI-TNF treatment.

I know I'll get there in the end and should try to be more patient, but my life has been put on hold and I find myself withdrawing socially. I missed out on last years gathering because I was too ill to go and was determined to go this year. I'm hoping that whatever I've got will pass overnight and that I'll be up for the journey tomorrow. Poor hubby Chris will be doing all of the driving and by the looks of things, if I do go, the cooking too.


sorry for ranting on, maybe I should have put this post in the steam room?

Love,

Barbara
XXXXX

Oh Barbara....I so know how you feel and it is the PITS, you're right. You must weigh up whether you can manage the weekend- it may take your mind off the pain and tiredness or it may exasperate it?

RA is so cruel and takes away so much from us, emotionally and physically, internally and externally.

I am so sorry you've had to wait for so long now, it is the rheumatoid uncontrolled plus perhaps the pain killers.. who knows? It is such a mystery at times.

I'll say a big prayer for you tonight, and please be kind to yourself..

God Bless and love,
Amanda

Hope you feel OK in time for setting off, Barbara. It`s many moons since I went Youth Hostelling, but I loved it then, and well remember the fun we all had when groups of us went.

The New Forest is lovely, but maybe your friends can do a bit more of the cooking this time around?

Hope you all have a good time,

Kathleen x

Hi Barbara, do hope you can go as i think it might do you good seeing old friends , try to take it easy rest a lot and let some one else cook!

Sophie x

Just stick to the flamenco, Barbara, that's what I do if I am feeling a little ill................LOL

Hope you feel better for your weekend away Barbara.
Just sit back and give the orders, sounds as if you've done more than your fair share in the past, let them wait on you now.
Have a great time.

Doreen xx

Have a fab weekend, Barbara and make sure the others join in with the hard work. Hope u feel much MUCH better in the morning xx Wrap up warm its gonna b a cold one this weekend - dont forget your woolies xx

oooh great, and thank you!

Hope they allow four children in one room...LOL

Thank you Jean, feeling-on-top-of -the -morning, I'm off abseiling and will be swinging from chandeliers this weekend

Keep your fingers crossed for me, I've got my MRI scan on Monday......

See you all when I get back,

Love,


Barbara
XXXXXX

Have a marvellous time, lovely.

Lots of dancing, eating and drinking..

Love,
A