The Isolation Diary: Part One

I was going to post this diary at the end of isolation, however, as it is going to be a hell of a long time until life returns to normal, I thought I'd split it into parts. Well, hopefully I won't be writing TOO many parts of this. So, here's the first part of my isolation diary:





WEEK  ONE
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Day One (16th March) - I've found out that I have to be in isolation for three months. If I make it through this, I'll be a walking miracle. I'm already going stir crazy thinking about the prospect of no social contact for 12 weeks. Oh my days.


Day Two - I haven't quite started isolating yet. I went to have my hair cut today, probably the last cut I will get for a long time. It needed a good chop, and that's what I've done.


Day Three - I've started reading a new book called Flat Share. I haven't read properly in weeks. There's no better time to start to be fair.


Day Four - I've found a new toy for Nessa (my cat) to play with - a Biro pen. She's plays with it like a dog would play with a stick. My cat is a dog trapped inside a cat's body. A animal medical marvel?


Day Five - Ok, this really is my last day out before I isolate. I promise. It's my Grandad's funeral today, I'm reading the eulogy alongside my cousin. A sad day, I love and miss you always Grandad.


Day Six - Isolation has now officially begun. Trying to plan my week ahead isn't so much fun. I'm also feeling emotionally drained after yesterday. I've been out for a walk down the Sea Wall (a place in Newport) and nearly got blown into the Bristol Channel thanks to the incredibly high wind. I suppose I could be blown into worse places right now.


Day Seven - I cleaned underneath the sofa cushions and I have officially learnt one thing about myself - I'm a messy cow. I've never seen so many Starburst wrappers in one place. Lesson learnt kids - clean under your sofa cushions more often. McDonald's are the latest to shut down over the C word. I'll probably cry more when it's KFC's turn.



WEEK  TWO
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Day Eight (23rd March) - who's turn is it to be cleaned today? The kitchen cupboards! Well, the top ones anyway as it's a two person job. My Mam holds the chair for me while I balance on the kitchen top. I've also signed up to Duolingo and I am learning Spanish. Buenos noches.


Day Nine - PSA - WE HAVE AN FOOD ORDER FROM ICELAND COMING IN TODAY! My Mam was looking on the off chance to see if there were any slots available and we managed to get the last slot free for today. I've never been so excited and grateful to see an Iceland van in my life.


Day Ten - I have sorted out my shoe cupboard. That is the highlight of my day. Literally couldn't think of anything else I needed to do.


Day Eleven - I've stepped outside for the first time in days to applaud the NHS at 8pm for all the hard work they're doing helping us right now. Quite a tearful moment on my doorstep, such unity in my street.


Day Twelve - It's my Nan's 86th birthday today and I hate the fact I can't celebrate it with her and my family. Feeling a little down today. But I have put a bit of makeup on and I actually feel like a human being.


Day Thirteen - The clocks are meant to go forward tonight. Can we forward them to four months time?


Day Fourteen - I've woken up with a headache and earache and I have no paracetamol in the house. This Sunday is going to be a long one.



WEEK  THREE
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Day Fifteen (30th March) - I'm supposed to be travelling to Liverpool today. That's me in a bad mood for today. Also cabin fever is a real bitch.


Day Sixteen - It's the last day of March. It's kind of hard to believe that we're only into the fourth month of the year, 2020 has seemed to have lasted decades. Today I have sorted out my wardrobe, sat in my garden for some much needed fresh air, nearly been shat on by a passing pigeon and changed my smoke alarm. The most productive day I've had in days. Plus I'm missing Ready Steady Cook.


Day Seventeen - Hello April. It doesn't feel right to pull an April Fool's joke on someone today. Maybe I'll save it for next year.


Day Eighteen - Today I have arranged a portacath flush, exercised, sorted out my underwear, sock and pyjama draw and cleaned my makeup brushes whilst listening to Steps. Yep, a bit of 5,6,7,8 will get you through any task.


Day Nineteen - My Mam has woken me up like it's a genuine emergency to tell me that there is a bird in the house courtesy of my cat Nessa bringing one in. I've had to go downstairs half asleep to try and catch a wagtail. He is managed to hide under both settees in our living room. UPDATE - unfortunately, even after we saved him from cat's paws, the bird is dead. RIP birdie.


Day Twenty - I'm kind of not happy with my cat today. Because of moving the settees back and forth to save the bird that SHE brought in, I now have a bad back. Thanks Ness.


Day Twenty One - I have a bit of a bad chest today (CF related) so I painted my toe nails. That's made me feel tonnes better. Well, not chest wise, just mood wise. 



WEEK  FOUR
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Day Twenty Two (6th April) - I had a horrible night's sleep. But I have exercised, sat out in my back garden, caught up on some ironing and joined in a dance-athon on This Morning. A typical Monday.


Day Twenty Three - I'M GOING ON A DAY TRIP...to the hospital. The first time I've been out in three weeks, I feel kind of nervous but I shouldn't be there for too long as I'm only having a port flush.


Day Twenty Four - The highlight of my day? Two of my posts are in a new blogger magazine which landed on my doorstep this morning. To say I'm chuffed is an understatement! Once I've wiped it, I'll be giving it a read!


Day Twenty Five - My new dosette box arrived from Amazon today. Also hand wash and anti-bac spray. Happy days.


Day Twenty Six - I miss the days when getting food shopping delivered wasn't a military operation. Operation Iceland consists of a pair of Latex gloves, lots of Dettol wipes and drooling over the sight of Walkers crisps.  


Day Twenty Seven - Britain's Got Talent is back on tonight. Time to watch what life was like before the pandemic.  




Day Twenty Eight - Today I watched two Liverpool games on BT Sport. Ok, they weren't live but it was nice to watch a bit of football for a change. I miss football. A lot.




WEEK FIVE 
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Day Twenty Nine (13th April) - Watching The Quiz on ITV. I remember this story happening when I was a kid, it'll be interesting to see what REALLY happened.



Day Thirty - Today I had an email from my CF team containing a recipe for Welsh Cakes which one of my nurses mother's used to make. Probably the best email I've had in a while.


Day Thirty One - I've already decided that I am not creative enough for TikTok. Plus I can't dance.


Day Thirty Two - How has it been a week since we last did a clap for the NHS?


Day Thirty Three - Look up Hammerhead bats on Google. I dare you.


Day Thirty Four - My achievement of the day has to be that I've eaten a whole plate of spag bol without getting any sauce on my white shirt. Success with a capital S.


Day Thirty Five - It still disheartens me everyday that my treadmill doesn't have an incline option.








WEEK SIX 
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Day Thirty Six (20th April) - I'm halfway through the 12 week isolation curfew! Here's to next - 6 weeks. Meh.



Day Thirty Seven - Watching Love Actually, purely so I can watch Hugh Grant be Prime Minister. That is all.


Day Thirty Eight - Finished reading my latest book 'Remember Me?' it's fair to say that I will never look at or think of Mont Blanc (the highest mountain in the French Alps) EVER again. A very good read nonetheless. Also just seen someone joyriding in my street get caught and fined by the police which has put a massive smile on my face. Selfish idiot.  


Day Thirty Nine - The highlight of my day has to be getting the conundrum right on Countdown. A rare achievement in my life.


Day Forty - Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to tell you, my yoga mat is going bald.


Day Forty One - I've one glass of wine at 2:30pm and I already feel tipsy. The disadvantage of not drinking wine every weekend.


Day Forty Two - Who'd have thought that potatoes take longer to cook with the skin still on them?





Lucy
36 comments
  1. Such a good idea to document what's happening in this incredibly strange time, I wish I'd done something similar to this! I love how you listened to Steps too while cleaning your brushes, I always find a bit of Steps perks me right up! Stay safe and thanks for sharing xx

    Amy | sassycatlady.com

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  2. I love this diary entry concept. I can't believe it's been six weeks since this isolation began, but I can't wait for it to all end. I miss spending time with my mum and am buying to go for brunch. I hope we can find some normality again at work too because wearing PPE for 12 hours is stressful.

    Kate | thelittlecrunch.co.uk

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    1. I can't imagine how hard it must be wearing that PPE equipment for 12 hours Kate, NHS workers are all incredible people x

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  3. Good idea in documenting your lock down experience, I don't think mine would make all that fun reading! Thanks for sharing :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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    1. I'm sure yours would make great reading Nic! x

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  4. This is such a good idea! I've been doing a 1 second a day, originally it was just because it from my 26th birthday, but now it's basically like a diary too! I think it's so interesting, that just like any other day, you can have some good days and bad days xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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    1. Thank you lovely! Exactly lovely, we're all going to have good and bad days during this lockdown xx

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  5. Haha this was such a great post, Lucy! Some thoughts we've had in lockdown / isolation are so weird and funny. I also wish I had a treadmill with an incline x

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    1. Thank you Jenny! It's really bizarre what you learn during lockdown and what you think! I really hate having a treadmill without an incline, may have to buy a new treadmill when all this is over! x

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  6. This is a brilliant idea for a post. What a way to be able to look back on such ann odd time in our lives.

    lets hope you only get as far as part 2 and this is over soon.

    Take care

    Claire x
    www.ourfavouritejar.com

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    1. Thank you Claire! I hope we don't get too far into part two until this is over! x

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  7. This was really interesting to read. It has really been a weird tome for everyone and I hope it doesn’t go on for too much longer but I know that it needs to for the safety of everyone x

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    1. I hope it doesn't go on for too long either Aaliyah! Hopefully things will begin to return to normal soon! x

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  8. I have never thought of documenting my lock down experience. If I did, it would be boring anyway. This was an interesting read 💜

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    1. I'm sure it wouldn't be boring at all lovely!

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  9. This was a really interesting read. It was such a good idea to log your days. I really miss the days that getting a food shop wasn't such a mission! But as you're on the 12 week list you should qualify for priority delivery with most of them if that's something you want to look into? Forget about the incline, I'm really jealous that you have a treadmill! Sorry you couldn't be with your gran on her birthday, that part of this whole situation really sucks x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. Yeah I've been recognised as priority delivery but looking for a delivery slot is still a nightmare! They just seem to be taken all of the time! We will celebrate all the family birthdays when all this is over as there's quite a few in May and June! x

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  10. This is such a good idea for a blog post, it was interesting to read your thoughts for each day. I also Googled Hammerhead bats, their heads are quite strange haha. I can't wait for things to return back to normal and for everyone to be safe and well.

    Chloe xx
    www.chloechats.com

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    1. They're really scary to me! I can't wait for that day either Chloe! xx

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  11. I also have my Isolation Diary but it's all about the foods I ate, the workout I did, and the number of series I had finished! I'm keeping it in my journal. Haha! :)

    Stay safe! :)

    xoxo,
    SHAIRA
    Blog: www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com

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  12. love reading what you have been up to while in self isolation great idea !
    shyy - https://www.shyyshianne.com/

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  13. This was a fun read! It's great to record a little bit of your thoughts every day and see how you are, kind of as a little mood tracker of sorts!

    Julia x
    Last Post: How To Improve Your Self-Care Habits + Free Resources To Help You! | https://juliaspeaksbeauty.blogspot.com/2020/04/heres-how-you-can-improve-your-self.html

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  14. It's crazy seeing someone elses perspective of lockdown and how it is going for them. It almost feels like we are in our own kind of bubble with all this kind of maddness.

    https://www.lucyjadewrites.com/

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    1. Yeah it does feel like we're in our own little bubble right now doesn't it?!

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  15. I loved reading this! Such a good idea and was a nice insight into what isolation has been like for you x

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.co.uk

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  16. Its so lovely to see the days all together like this and how you're perspective has changed over time xx

    https://www.flolavita.com/2020/04/the-last-6-books-i-read.html

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    1. I think I'm just going to embrace home life and just enjoy having me time all of the time! xx

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  17. Haha I love this! such a nice idea to do this and look back on :) I read The Flat Share a few months ago and really enjoyed it!

    Lily Loves | https://www.lilyloves.net

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    1. Thank you Lily! The Flat Share is such a brilliant read, I would highly recommend it to anyone! x

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  18. I needed this today. This post made me smile and brought me such joy, thank you x

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  19. This is such a great idea. I love that you wrote a diary during isolation.

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