take a chance

chris7

Hi all

Sorry I have been a bit AWOL lately, work has been grim beyond words and the OA has been complaining loudly. On top of which I have two nieces at Uni needing various dissertations proof reading which has kept me away from you all. Nice to look in now and see so many newbies joining and I hope they find the forum as helpful and supportive as I have.

However my reason for calling in now is that I took the plunge last week and braved going to my first AC meeting locally which was a bit of an adventure which needed much courage on my part, not to mention having to get two buses to god knows where! Being single with no family here and no close friends I really needed to try something to get me out of this rut of depression and continual groundhog weeks.

It was much as I expected with most people much older than my almost 51 and not much chance to speak to many people, but I was seated at the 'young table' with a few others my age though as usual seem to be in the minority as the only OAer there. BUT when the speaker gave a pause, the lady next to me leaned to me and whispered conspiratorially that the "young ones" were planning a meal out and would I like to go? I nearly bit her hand off, especially when she said she would be able to give me a lift.

So emails and phone numbers were exchanged and tomorrow evening (or rather later today since I have just seen the clock) I am actually getting a rare night out and am so looking forward to it.

Another thing that really impressed me at the meeting was that everyone else was also wriggling in their seats to ease their arther symptoms and occasionally having to stand for a while and no one batted an eyelid. It was so comforting to realise I am not alone.

So if you need to be in company that understands and haven't yet sussed out your local meeting, maybe it would be worth a look? I am hopeful that it will be a good evening out and that maybe I have found a friend or two.
take care all, thanks for reading. Please send me some courage for tomorrow and wish me luck.
Chris

[Deleted User]

Fantastic enjoy.

I have considered joining local branch, but.....?????

tjt6768

Good for you..... Glad that something good came of your first ever meeting.. I've not as yet tried a meeting....
I'm of the same mindset as you though, I'm 42 and expect most there would be older than me.. Not that it bothers me, I can get on great with any age group, but somehow I wouldn't feel right being there if that makes sense...
Who knows, maybe one day... Lol

Hope you have a great night out with the new group of friends..
Let us know how it goes..

dreamdaisy

Oh that is good news! I hope you have a splendid time, that you get on well with each other - oh and do try not to talk about arthritis all night long - that's what we are here for! Brave girl for attending a meeting - that must have been a huge step to take and I am dead impressed: you are quite right, the only way to change things is to go out into the world 'cos the world will not come to you. I shall be thinking of you tonight, chris7, I hope it goes well. DD

barbara12

Morning Chris
Gosh you was up late....I know how hard it would have been for you to attend that meeting....but YOU DID IT GIRL...you are much braver than you think.
So there you go .....how good is it to meet others that are going through the same, I really do hope you have a lovely evening out with your new friends.
Im am so proud of you, dont you ever under estimate what you can do.....wonder what you will be up to next...who knows..
We will all wait with baited breath to hear how it all went.
Lots of courage coming your way.....but you really dont need it
Love and hugs (((((()))))
Barbara xx

valval

well done .
have looked for mine but not managed to work out quite where that would be lol

annie_mial

Oh, good on yer, Chris! I have been MIA for a while as things aren't too good, trying to pull myself up a bit now and I just love good news.

Hope it all goes well for you, you need a break so much.

Love
Annie

frogmorton

Hi Cris

Good to see you on here - I have missed you!!

Well done for being such a brave brave girl! I have also been to a local branch meeting, but I cheated....I went with Roses1!!!!! We both live in the same town. we were the young ones too...and didn't really want to go on the coach trips here and there (I still have kids who l need to be 'in' for)during the day.

I am so glad you are now part of the group younguns splinter-group and hope that will be really good.

Hope the OA lets you enjoy it

Love

Toni xx

tkachev

I am so pleased for you Chris and hope you have a lovely night out.I also hope you can arrange a few more nights out for later.


Elizabeth x

julie47

Chris that is great news

I hope you have a lovely evening and it is the first of many

juliepf x

dachshund

Hi Chris.
i bet your pleased you went i know it takes courage to do it. i'm pleased you enjoyed it have a good time tonight.
let us know how you got on. joan xx

minky67

Hi Cris, I too have been AWOL but im still looking in.
Im so pleased for you & you took one heck of a big step. Brought a tear to me eye
Bless you, Have a great night & im sure even if you do talk about arthur all night it doesnt matter, a night out is a night out.
Lets hope you build a bond & find yourself some great friends.
Dust off that tiarra & no dancing on tables
luv debs

chris7

Hi all, thank you for calling in here

and for the supportive and encouraging words.

Bless you Annie, Debs and Lynn, lovely to see you and I really hope you all do have better times these days.

Not sure about the being brave bit folks, it was more sheer desperation! :???: I too had the same reservations as many of you but kept my expectations low so wasn't disappointed. Seems sad that there were only a token 35 people at the meeting when arther is affecting so many. I guess if us relatively young 'uns don't give it a whirl nothing will change? Some of the coming speakers actually look quite interesting. OMG wot am I saying, this was one of my fears that after a meeting or two I would find myself on the committee by default! No, no, no. :shock:

As to this evening I am swinging from panic mode, hoping they will cancel to as you do!

So many thanks to you all for the encouragement and I will let you know how it goes. Must go see if I still possess any slap!
take care
love
Chris

dreamdaisy

A natural beauty such as yourself does not require artifice. Just swish that lovely long hair of yours! I hope you survive the evening - I bet it will turn out fine.

I wonder of there were only 35 there because it happened at night, very many arthritics are on the older side and may be fearful of going out in the dark - it has also been quite wintry and slipping over is a real fear for many of us. Perhaps they have better turn-outs in the summer.

As my friends say to me - bogey on down, girl! Tell us all tomorrow, please! I for one will be agog! DD

ironic

Hello Chris,
No backing out now girl. You will have a great time once you get there and getting a lift will make all the difference.
There may be some more members who will turn up when the winter is over, and you never know some of the speakers may bring others in too.

I say your hair looks nice and love the outfit.
Well done for taking the first step,
Lots of hugs,
Lv, Ix

skezier

Hi Chris,

Well i think its brave flower... not sure I could walk into a room full of people no matter what the common link is now a days.

There isn't a group in the Dutchy so the nearest one is over 80 miles from here...... We did think about starting one but every time someone has its failed, mostly cus of distances.

Hey tis good they have a young entrant as well You give it a go cus it is good to talk to people who know where your coming from and how hard life is at times but most of all to be with people who don't about the impact this bone thing has... less you want them to.

Enjoy your self and well done. oh and i also am pleased to see you posting again Cream for what ever you got in your pockets ((((( ))))) and a lump hammer pleases. Cris who is getting a 5 am call and really should try and sleep..... xx

chris7

Hi all

Well I got there folks and it really made a nice change to get out to a lovely village pub.

Only 6 of us there but lovely ladies who all knew each other but hadn't met up out at a meal before. Felt a bit out of it at times since all the arthritis talk revolved around PA and RA they all shared the same consultant and rhuemy. Since they don't use the forums it was heartening for me to see them being able to discuss symptoms, meds and infusions. However thanks to you guys I could at least contribute and ask sensible questions. The dry eye thing was a new one on me though so I am still learning eh.

Was especially good for me to get fed, and even went mad and had a pud which was a scrummy fruit crumble thingy with real custard.
Me only mistake was wearing the shoes with the teeniest of heels. Since I live in trainers most days the payback is not so good today and I sadly think it is time to bin me lovely shoes. :sad:

Anyway am glad I went and will catch up with them at the next AC meeting and at least know enough about them to have a chat then.

Thanks again for the support here.
take care
Chris xx

p.s. Just to answer the turnout question at our AC meetings from DD and Ironic. I will add here that the organisation locally seems very good. All those who need it and are AC members get a subsidised taxi service door to door which is paid for I think partially by AC and by another local mobility charity. I can only speak for our branch but other meets may do the same if that is holding anyone back from joining it may be worth enquiring.

Hi Cris hope you managed to get up I will dig out the lump hammer if I can just remember where I put it?