Lost in Isolation

I have been home for 10 days now. I have also been inside for 10 days. I initially thought it was going to be the end of the world and don’t get me wrong, some days I have really struggled to stay positive, but it’s better than being in hospital, or worse. We are not stuck at home. We are safe at home.

Unfortunately, I have other underlying health problems and am immunocompromised and asthmatic (double whammy- just my luck!). This means that, following the advice in a letter from the NHS, I will be inside for the next 12 weeks. I need to be ‘shielded’ which means that I shouldn’t have face to face contact with anyone for the next 3 months. I should eat my meals alone in my room and I need to limit the rooms in the house I use. My boyfriend, who normally lives 9,000 miles away, is only 10 minutes down the road and the fact I don’t know when I will be able to see him breaks my heart. Still think your ‘self isolation’ is bad? – My whole family are having to also self isolate to try and keep me safe. Nobody can go out to the supermarket and my parents are having to work from home. But it’s not the worst thing that could happen. You can binge Netflix, eat loads of snacks, have lie-ins and pyjama days. You can work-out at home, go for a walk, learn a new skill. Spend time with your close family, get drunk and plan for the future. I have been trying my hardest to make the best out of a bad situation and would love to hear the things that you are doing to pass the time.

Even more unfortunate is the fact that today I was admitted to hospital. Because of my UC and not Coronavirus. I needed emergency treatment or I would risk losing my bowel. I have never been so scared for my life/ in my life. What scares me further was the fact I am now not shielded. I have mixed with people in A&E and on the wards. They are trying to get me a private room but obviously with the current influx of patients it’s proving difficult. I am terrified and wish I was still at home but at the moment I have to choose between two evils. You may think it’s not fair having to isolate yourself at home but I urge you to please please listen to the advice and warnings. You have the choice and that’s more freedom than others have so use that to stay safe and keep others safe too.