CORONAVIRUS: DAY 7 OF SOCIAL-ISOLATION (MY EXISTENTIAL EXPERIENCE SO FAR)

In this blog, I am going to be focusing on what I have been experiencing, so far as a result of self-isolation (currently on day 7). I would love to also hear about your own experience.

Foremost, I would like to share with you my experience of living with a chronic illness and  limitations of social engagements. This current Corona Virus Pandemic seems to parallel my experience of having to implement social distancing measures as a result of becoming chronic ill with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue a few years ago. I noticed the similarities of between my intial of challenging experience of having to remain indoors due to illness, to the current situation, where most people who are not used to social isolation or disatncing are becoming bored, tired and frustrated by having to remain indoors. Whilst, for most people like me with debilating and limiting physical and mental health conditions, being indoors for days or months at is the norm. 

Since 2016, I have unknowingly and partially been implementing social distancing, as a result of having to leave my full-time job and due to developing a chronic illness. I have become accustomed to living a minimised social lifestyle, in comparison to my previous active lifestyle. I have had to modify my lifestyle significantly, in order to minimise the risk of making my symptoms worse. This has also meant, living a new lifestyle which mostly in the first couple of years, limited me from partaking regular social engagement activities and contact with people. 

I have also had to adjust to being mindful not to expose myself to seasonal cold/flu due to having a compromised immune system. Also being mindful to not trigger adverse symptoms of widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain and having to cope with endless days/weeks of being in bed as a result of being easily susceptible to flu systems.

The current Codvid_19 pandemic reminds of my life challenging experience when I first was diagnosed with my condition. At the time, I felt like my free will, choice and lifestyle liberties were being taken away. As though, new measures were being imposed either by being physically challenged, or by health professionals. Externally, health professional echoed the same message to me to slow down and to start adjusting to a new lifestyle. It took me to a couples of years to start mentally and physically adjusting to my new normal.

As an existentialist, I struggled with the concept of free will and choice. As with existentialism we have choice and free will in any given circumstance, even during times we feel restricted and challenged by life challenging situations. 

At the time, it felt as though life challenging events were being imposed on me, before I was ready to adjust. I was physically and mentally challenged; in that I couldn’t go out for several days and months at day due to 
my condition being very debilitating. 


I found myself struggling with being patient, including mentally and physically slowing down. I reached a stage where I had no option but to do so in order to start healing.  

Even though it felt as though these limitations were happening suddenly or too fast enough for me to catch this wasn’t the case. Similar to the current Corona Virus Pandemic there were signs. I had pre-warning signs that of not being well and assumed it was cold or flu symptoms that would eventually go away. Unknowingly, by the time, I realised by condition has become to severe, I had not option but to seek urgent medical care.

This is the similar warning we received with Corona Virus. Most of us have been listening sadly to the news about the impact of the virus in China. Then the impact in Italy and other countries. As it had not hit home, we still continued to carry on, without adjusting our lifestyles in anyway. Even after we had started to hear news about the impacts that were occurring, we still carried on.

Reason being is that, something invisible is hard to believe until it, impact you. Then some of us will start to adjust our lifestyles. If you have experienced something similar, even though it’s invisible you are most likely to start paying more close attention, including taking immediate action to safeguard you and others around you.

What I have learnt through these years, that you do not have to wait for something to be true (especially something with a serious warning label), in order to start taking action.

During the period of living with severe chronic illness symptoms, I missed things such as

• Regular social contact and engagement

• I missed being in nature and being able to easily go out to enjoy my previous leisure activities such as jogging or hiking. I cried often due to feeling as though, I was missing out on life.

• I missed normal work routine, in terms of the regular engagement with work colleagues and customers.

• Deep gratitude for life and for still having the ability to do somethings including the most valuable things such as being able to breath.

• I have learnt to value new physical and mental abilities even though more limited than before. Reason being is that I still have the capability to be mobile and to write this blog. It took me a long time and it was a battle to reach the stage of acceptance of losing what my physical and mental capability. 

"Life has no meaning the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal."- Jean-Paul Sartre

As a result of slowing down, nature became more meaningful, because I took time to notice the beauty in things, that I hadn’t invested much time noticing before.I took the time to notice people and the value in connecting with my people in local community and the nature around it. Even if human connections meant only brief daily encounters such as a smile, good morning and a thank you; it was still important for me to recognise people and to connect with them. Prior, to that I didn’t have time to truly notice people, because I had brought into the fast pace lifestyle (road to nowhere).
I started to focus more on actualizing my vision and true-life purpose. Living in the now and with minimal regrets become 

more essential for me. Flash forward to today, it almost feels like it was a lifetime ago and a surreal life changing experience. I am a completely different person than I used to be. I have become someone who is meant to, the person who appreciates the more meaningful things in life. How to be present in the now, and grateful for what I already have. A person who has become patient, learnt how to become peaceful internally, less stress and more mindful maintaining good overall well-being. I have learnt to simply slow down and to value life and being (truly existing). 

This is what I learnt through the most challenging life experience:

I had to go through a soul cleansing including 

grieving the loss of me, in order to start living again.

There are similarities of living with an invisible illness and the current pandemic. In terms of having to isolate and implement social distancing. Also, in terms of being impacted by something invisible. Whereby, as much as you try to explain to people they won't understand or believe until they experience it themselves, or it hits much closer to home. 

My current Experience of Corona Virus Pandemic 2020

Staying indoors is not so much a struggle now, due to my pre-existing experience. What I am struggling with slightly again is the lack of free will, choice and lifestyle liberties to go out. When you have certain liberties and privileges taken away from you, it takes a slight, or major mental adjustment.  

As a result of my current self-isolation I miss;

•  The civil liberties and privileges of being able to go out to leisurely activities such oing to the local Café, Culture Activities and Shopping. 
• The connectivity to otherness, even if it’s just in passing and brief. 
• Sitting in a café observing other people and feeling this sense of connectivity to humanity. 
• The basic human connectivity of seeing someone smile, laugh, people exchanging words, even the kids crying in the background. I miss the exchange of sitting in front of someone in an outdoors setting and being able to exchange some form of physical interaction; for instance hugs and handshakes. 
• Not having to be very mindful all of the time of potentially catching an infection, as a result of touching something in public or potentially be infected by someone with a virus. Even though, I am thankful of this new lesson of why it's essential to be mindful. 

Yesterday, I was fortunate to receive a food and essentials delivery from my local supermarket, which is now becoming scarce due to long waiting periods, or limited availability of some items in the supermarkets. There are so many sensory things, I have started to noticed as a result of social-isolation. For instance, I noticed that even with the delivery, I have started to miss the social face-to-face social interactions even with strangers. Reason being is that I am self-isolating, so now all my products are being delivered to my doo, with minimal contact with a delivery person.

My human senses of yearning for human social interaction have become more heightened. For the first time, I felt as though my civil liberties had been stripped away, limited and restricted by a boarder between us; in my case my door. Instinctually, I felt this is what it must feel for those people in prison or mental health facilities, who are put into self-isolation. The only difference is that I have the luxury of being in my own home environment.

I felt guilt and empathy during my experience and encounter with the delivery person. I felt guilty for not being able to help carry the food crates in, as I usually. This time around, I was peering through a pipping hole, as the delivery person left my items inside the boxes I had left outside my door. I felt empathy for the person, because I felt sorry for them. I not sure why, but I guess sorry on my part for not being able to help. Also, sorry that they had to experience this type of limited engagement. I also wondered, if they thought, I believed they were infected. Or if they believed, I could not open my door because I was infected. 

This had become a surreal moment in my mind, and too hard to digest of what the potential reality could become if the impact of the Corona Virus does not end soon. 

At the same, I felt gratitude for being able to receive food and necessities even though, I didn't receive everything as expected. I reflected on what it feels for most people globally who are still living in hunger and have to ration their food portion or have to go without their basic needs being met. I reflected on people who fought in wars and those who have experienced life challenges, where they were deprived of their civil liberties including basic nutrition. 

I also felt content in knowing the safe measures, I was implementing in order to protect myself and the other person. I was also content in knowing that I didn’t have to touch the food crates that t was one less thing I had to worry about touching. Then I reflected on some people in Asian countries who have become accoustomed for years to wearing masks, as part of their lifestyle, because of being afflicted by previous viruses. How some of us found it hard to understand why they wore the masks in the first, including in the U.K. Now I have awoken to their reality. Even if some of them of wear the face masks for vanity reason. 

For now, I am waiting for my chest infection, to clear as I adjust to the new U.K. government risk reduction measures and approach to managing this pandemic. I will share more of my thoughts of this in my next blog including being born in a privileged society.

To end, I am starting to realise now that some of you will start to experience similar feelings of loss, which I went through as a result of being diagnosed with a chronic illness. Feelings of grief, loss, fear due to uncertainity. You may also be going through a mental adjust to having to physically and mentally limit your current lifestyle. A new lifestyle which you has all of a sudden been imposed of you, due to circumstances beyond your control. You might also be adjusting financially, like I had to due to suddendly losing your job, or not being able to obtain your new opportunities. 

All your feelings are normal and all part of the process of healing and growing through a life challenging experience. Be kind to yourself and protect your physical and mental well-being at all costs. As you need to maintain your immune system, as much as possible. 

I hope during this period, you will see it as opportunity to deeply reflect on what’s most positively meaningful for you. To eventually, also see this time as an opportunity to see the new lesson, this exprience is bringing you. I hope you will eventually start to see that you are not losing you (if you feel this), that you are gaining a renewed you. Due to being given the space and time, to tap into your creativity and focus on things which bring you joy. Including connecting with your life vision and purpose. This is especially if you are having to stay home most the time. It is time to deeply focus on what’s possible, rather than what is beyond your control. Lastly how you can contribute to the adding virtual social value through your creativity. 

Thank you for taking the time read my blog and for connecting with. I would love to hear your own personal experience how you are dealing with social-isolation or distancing. Including if what you have resonnate with in my blog post (if anything at all). 

Stay Safe

Corona Virus: Reasons Why Someone Living With Fibromyalgia & CFS Might Be Worried

This blog post is based on my own personal experience as someone living with Fibromyalgia plus other medical condition such as Costochondritis, Chronic Fatigue Sydrome , Hypothyrodism and a Compromised Immune System. My views also take into consideration similar concerns, I've heard or seen from people like me in the Fibromyalgia and CFS Community. Consisting mainly of people who have compromised immune symptoms aside in addition to Fibromyalgia. 

For the first time ever, following the public announcement from Boris Johnson (U.K. Prime Minister) and Sir Patrick Vallance (Government Chief Scientific Adviser) yesterday; I have a better understanding of the significant impact Corona Virus could have on people at risk and the economy. The serious impact that is now being considered is for the high risk and vulnerable people who could potentially be adversely impacted, as a result of coming across someone who has the virus. 

From the beginning my main concern has been the adverse impact corona virus could potentially have on me as someone with living chronic illnesses, such as Fibromyalgia with other additional underlying medical conditions. Also, for people who are considered to be at high risk and in need of urgent medical care. 

I have been astounded especially by people who consider themselves to be well and healthy, have been over buying and stock piling food, toilet tissues and hand sanitizers without serious consideration on the potential impact of the most vulnerable and high risk groups in their community. Mind you, I am not including myself yet, in the most vulnerable group (even though my condition is disabling and debilitating).  

What has been highly concerning for me from the beginning of the new of Corona Virus developments has been the lack of information on the potential impact for people living with Chronic Illnesses. 

Understandably, the highest priority and focus for the U.K. National Health Service and Government is for the high risk groups; the elderly and those in hospital. 

My other concern is that at some point we "the vulnerable group," may be left behind and not considered seriously as a group category to include in special measures when the time comes. This has been the normal approach and attitude that most people in the Fibromyalgia Community experience when it comes to serious issues impacting on our health and financial support from government. Most people, including myself continue to experience on going and much harder times in trying to prove how sick we are. At a local level (GP's Services) and national level (Government). Reason being is "we look well," this is the challenge of living with an invisible chronic illness. 

Here are my thoughts:
1. As Fibromyalgia and Chronic FatigueSyndrome is often not taken seriously as a debilitating chronic illness already by most Medical Professionals, Government Officials and Local Communities Officials, how we will fair during the most challenging times? This excludes Specialist Health and Government professionals who are well informed about Fibromyalgia (which is a small number). It remains to be one of those invisible conditions that is excluded from the category of being a serious chronic illness which adversely affects millions of people. 

The following quote from Fibromalya Action U.K demonstrates some of the challenges, people with chronic illnesses such as Fibromyalgia experience; 

"FMA UK have worked to improve training content that people working at the DWP use when considering people that are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Therefore, we are shocked, dismayed and angry that there appears to be a culture of intolerance towards people with disabilities and specifically fibromyalgia. It certainly explains some of the stories that we receive on our helplines about people being mistreated at assessments. To hear from Charlotte within the DWP talking about the "cynical attitude" and them "not being empathetic towards certain illnesses." However, it was really shocking to hear comments like "another claim of fibromyarse." This is not acceptable on any level and is clear discrimination." 

2. Most people living with Fibromyalgia have compromised immune systems, due to other conditions they either had prior to, or after they were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The condition alone of Fibromyalgia is debilitating on its own and is made worsened by other diseases and viruses such as the Flu Virus. I also have an autoimmune condition known as Hypothyroidism and previously suffered from adverse impacts of Seasonal Flu's such as Bronchitis (stretching over a three year period).

3. Fibromyalgia symptoms mimic flu like symptoms. Some of us still do not know how we will be able to distinguish between Fibromyalgia versus Corona Virus Symptoms. Including when would be the most appropriate time to contact Health Services. Some of us may also be at risk of delaying contacting Health Professionals for various reason, thereby worsening our symptoms. 

4. People like me are more vulnerable to flu and pneumonia symptoms and on top of that we have the added pressure of potentially having to deal with Corona Virus. Most of us have been able to rest assured with having the option to be protected against preexisting seasonal flu viruses. Flu alone for me triggers a flare up, or chronic fatigue symptoms, plus other ailments which impede on cognitive and physical functioning. My symptoms including sensory and nerves are more heightened and feel worse than they would normally in a healthier person. 

A significant flare up at its worst means experiencing more severe musculoskeletal wide spread pain all over the body, which impacts on muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and nerves. The adverse impact potentially means becoming immobile for days, weeks or months. Then there are the cognition issues, such as Chronic Fatigue, Insomnia, Sensory Overload and Cognitive Impairment. Which are made worse also by external environment factors and cold and flu symptoms. 

5. There is still the unknown factors of what could potentially happen to a person with a chronic illness who has an underlying chronic illness with multiple ailments.

Lastly, there is still the unknown factor whether people with chronic illnesses such as Fibromyalgia will be given serious consideration in the category of, "the most vulnerable?" Or whether there continue to be a disregard of people living with this debilitating and incurable chronic illness, as "a not serious enough condition." 

There is the potential risk that this group of people could be overlooked and excluded from being given serious consideration, as one of the most vulnerable, or potentially at-risk groups. As explained above, due to historical behavior and lack of awareness of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, as well as other similar chronic illnesses.

When the time comes, when the U.K. Government decides vulnerable groups must self-isolate, who will be our voice in government? Who will represent and speak on  our behalf in Parliament, or other Government/Media Platforms? 

Additional Lasting Thoughts: 

For the healthier people who are still wondering what the panic is all about. Our panic is us (people like me or high-risk groups) coming into close contact with you. Should you be the carrier of the virus "universal gods forbid." You are most likely to experience milder symptoms and recover after a week or two. While those of us with comprised immune symtpoms and additoanal chronic illnesses conditions are most likely to experience severe symptoms which could last for months. 

Even if the illnesses may not lead to death (we don't know yet), there is the change that most of us, could potentially become seriously debilitated and bedridden for days, weeks, months. This is the same impact, well for me, that I experience for example when infected with cold/flu like symptoms, or prolonged activity/travel. Point being, is that it doesn't take much for people living with Fibromyalgia to become more debilitated. 

To end, next time you decide to go shopping. If you intend on going overboard in medical supplies and stock piling on food (due to fear) please consider someone who might medically and urgently need those items. Thank you in advance:) 

YOUR FEEDBACK AND VIEW MATTERS!
I value your feedback, especially if you are living with a Chronic Illness and Invisible Illness like Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with other underlying conditions. What has been your experience so far? Do you have any concerns or worries?

You can connect with me via the following Social Media Platforms: 
Living with Fibromyalgia Facebook Page 
Instagram ChikoCfM

Additional Resources:

1. FMA UK Statement on the recent BBC Panorama documentary
2. U.K. National Health Service
3. NHS
4. Healthline

Diclaimer:

I write as I think and review my writing (if needed) after publishing my blog posts. My intention is not to be grammatly or politically correct. Otherwise knowing me, I'll would end up spending ridiculous hours reviewing and re-editing my written work before pressing the publish button. Consequently, I may end up not publishing anything due to fear what other people think, or end up diluting my initial thoughts in order to please others. 

If you notice any errors, spelling mistakes or incorrect grammer, please do keep this in mind. Plus, I suffer from cognitive impairement:) I hope by reading my blog post, you undrestand the substance of what I am trying to say, that's what matters the most for me.