cabin fever

I’ve been stuck in the shed for days now with only the birds and the radio for company.  I’m going through a period of daily arrhythmias again - nothing serious but enough to keep me at home for much of the time.  The shed has become a rendezvous for elevenses or afternoon tea with Anniemay when she gets back from gym/yoga/bike rides or shopping.

Much as I look forward to these highlights of my day - because at the moment that’s what they are - I am getting bored stiff with doing nothing.  So today I break out and head for the gym.

I’m extremely nervous about this.  I haven’t been for weeks.  Will I manage?  Will it make things worse?

There’s a big welcome from friends and staff as I walk through the door.  I immediately have a 15’ de-brief with one of the nurses.  Blood pressure and heart rate are measured before I go through to the equipment room.  “Take it easy today - we’ll design a programme that replicates the sorts of activities you do at home”.  Lying on the sofa watching day-time TV while Anniemay feeds me tea and cake?  “Don’t push it”.  I think she means my effort rather than my flippancy.

I do 20’ on the bike, 20’ on the treadmill (speed indicator shows a tortoise) and 5’ on the stepper.  And that’s it, I’m stuffed.  A gentle cool down then tea and biscuits and a chat with friends.  This part - the socialising afterwards - is as important as the exercise.  We’re all stuffed one way or another - dodgy hearts or dodgy lungs; no ‘body-shaming’ at this gym.

When I get home Anniemay is in full Domestic Goddess mode - home-made soup on the stove and freshly-baked cake from the oven.  I should get out more often.