Post a bad thing that happened in your life today

[Betty LaRue]

11 minutes ago, gvallee said:

 

Well it had a sting in its tail. While I felt totally normal during the day yesterday, boy o boy my throat during last night!! It was like someone was trying to strangle me with one hand. It was so painful that my throat had spasms and I couldn't breathe. I've lost my voice this morning. Some might say it's not a bad thing...

I’m so sorry, Gen. Kim had the sore muscles that hurt to swallow, and she said it also felt like her throat was painted with acid. She lost her voice, too.

There are 3 conditions I can hardly bear. A severe sore throat, a really nasty head cold, and stomach flu with pain and cramping.  I have had illnesses that threatened my life but didn’t make me feel as miserable as those three conditions.

[sb photos]

6 hours ago, gvallee said:

 

Well it had a sting in its tail. While I felt totally normal during the day yesterday, boy o boy my throat during last night!! It was like someone was trying to strangle me with one hand. It was so painful that my throat had spasms and I couldn't breathe. I've lost my voice this morning. Some might say it's not a bad thing...

 

Hope your painful throat clears soon. I had mild cold symptoms on the 13th July, and on the morning of the 14th tested positive as I had a headache too, very rare for me. My sore throat took a few days to clear. It was 13 days before testing clear. Most of the time I felt ok, did some walks up to 9km on quiet local footpaths. The heat here was worse, only walked 4km on the UK's hottest day. My wife's Covid cleared in 7 days. 

[gvallee]

33 minutes ago, sb photos said:

 

Hope your painful throat clears soon. I had mild cold symptoms on the 13th July, and on the morning of the 14th tested positive as I had a headache too, very rare for me. My sore throat took a few days to clear. It was 13 days before testing clear. Most of the time I felt ok, did some walks up to 9km on quiet local footpaths. The heat here was worse, only walked 4km on the UK's hottest day. My wife's Covid cleared in 7 days. 

 

Throat is my weak point. I live with a sore throat almost 365 days a year, regardless of temperature. The strange thing was that hubby and I had the same symptoms, a scratchy throat, starting at the same time on Sunday night. On Monday morning, we took a RAT test. He was positive, I was negative. I tested positive the next day. Covid is a mystery. The complication is that we have no house to isolate. We're in remote bushland, totally self-sufficent, and could stay there forever, except that while the daytime temperature is around 34C, nightime is 5C. And that's a killer for my throat.

[Ed Rooney]

 

Forza, Gen -- stay strong, dear.

[sb photos]

4 hours ago, gvallee said:

 

Throat is my weak point. I live with a sore throat almost 365 days a year, regardless of temperature. The strange thing was that hubby and I had the same symptoms, a scratchy throat, starting at the same time on Sunday night. On Monday morning, we took a RAT test. He was positive, I was negative. I tested positive the next day. Covid is a mystery. The complication is that we have no house to isolate. We're in remote bushland, totally self-sufficent, and could stay there forever, except that while the daytime temperature is around 34C, nightime is 5C. And that's a killer for my throat.

I suffer from lingering colds throughout the year, it it was only the headache as well that prompted me test. I had done well avoiding Covid until recently. I always keep a stock of strepsils, they help with sore throats.

[spacecadet]

On 16/08/2022 at 03:17, Bryan said:

Surely there should be a number you can call which will speedily put you through to the relevant service?

I believe it's 999.😄

If there's no apparent emergency, however, being stuck in the slow lane is hardly life-threatening. What makes you think she hadn't already called the AA?

[Bryan]

2 hours ago, spacecadet said:

I believe it's 999.😄

If there's no apparent emergency, however, being stuck in the slow lane is hardly life-threatening. What makes you think she hadn't already called the AA?

It was reported yesterday that a woman was killed in precisely this situation near to where we saw the car in trouble.  A truck ran into the rear of her static car in the slow lane.  Apparently she had rang her breakdown insurance company, rather than 999, and they refused to respond as the car was not parked on the hard shoulder.  But you are correct in that the procedure to follow is to ring 999 and to stay with the vehicle if you can't reach a safe location. A nightmare scenario.

[Betty LaRue]

3 hours ago, Bryan said:

It was reported yesterday that a woman was killed in precisely this situation near to where we saw the car in trouble.  A truck ran into the rear of her static car in the slow lane.  Apparently she had rang her breakdown insurance company, rather than 999, and they refused to respond as the car was not parked on the hard shoulder.  But you are correct in that the procedure to follow is to ring 999 and to stay with the vehicle if you can't reach a safe location. A nightmare scenario.

Back in ‘95, I was on an on ramp to merge onto a busy 3 lane each way highway. I couldn’t find a gap in the traffic, so came to a gentle stop. A guy in a pickup slammed into me from behind. It was a dangerous place to stay with the car waiting for the police to respond, even though we’d pulled over enough for traffic to pass. So many people stare at a wreck and steer where they stare. People have been killed standing near their wreck, even cops investigating.  When the guy that hit me came to see if I was hurt, I told him we needed to walk up the hill a ways where it was safe.

And yes, I had whiplash so severe it tore muscles. But it didn’t affect my common sense. In the above case, I would have put my flashers on and stood well away if possible.

[Michael Ventura]

4 minutes ago, Betty LaRue said:

Back in ‘95, I was on an on ramp to merge onto a busy 3 lane each way highway. I couldn’t find a gap in the traffic, so came to a gentle stop. A guy in a pickup slammed into me from behind. It was a dangerous place to stay with the car waiting for the police to respond, even though we’d pulled over enough for traffic to pass. So many people stare at a wreck and steer where they stare. People have been killed standing near their wreck, even cops investigating.  When the guy that hit me came to see if I was hurt, I told him we needed to walk up the hill a ways where it was safe.

And yes, I had whiplash so severe it tore muscles. But it didn’t affect my common sense. In the above case, I would have put my flashers on and stood well away if possible.

 

I agree Betty,  I have not had a bad experience, like you have, but having a brother who was a firefighter/Emergency Medical Tech, he preached that you should wait for help away from your car, if possible.  A great spot is just on the other side of a guardrail.  So I have always taken his advice and have taught my kids the same.  Of course now that my daughter volunteers one night a week at the local fire department that runs calls to the major highway that circles Washington DC, she has seen first hand what can happen to people staying with a car after breaking down.

[Betty LaRue]

3 minutes ago, Michael Ventura said:

 

I agree Betty,  I have not had a bad experience, like you have, but having a brother who was a firefighter/Emergency Medical Tech, he preached that you should wait for help away from your car, if possible.  A great spot is just on the other side of a guardrail.  So I have always taken his advice and have taught my kids the same.  Of course now that my daughter volunteers one night a week at the local fire department that runs calls to the major highway that circles Washington DC, she has seen first hand what can happen to people staying with a car after breaking down.

Living in Oklahoma City for so long, I couldn’t believe how many deaths happened from looky-loos steering into people, even those changing a tire on the interstates. Nobody ever told me to stand away for safety, other than my own observations. Your daughter is really getting a sad education on top of your teachings, for sure.

[Bryan]

In the UK we have some  so called "smart motorways" where there is no safe hard shoulder or safe empty lane, rather the lanes are monitored by cameras that are supposed to pick up if a vehicle has stopped, when signs indicate to traffic that that lane is closed and an emergency team is sent out to assist. A number of people have been killed on these sections and there is a body of opinion that feels they are not safe. In the case I was referring to, it was not a smart motorway, but the hard shoulder had been used to create a long stretch of slip road (ramp in the USA?) that carried a major route away from the road. Therefore there was no safe parking available on this section. 

 

Actually the hard shoulder is far from being a safe haven, as there have been many accidents where trucks have ploughed into vehicles stopped there. So the advice given is to try to make it to the hard shoulder if there is one, and then get out of the car and stand completely off the road. If, however, your vehicle breaks down in a live lane, and you can't make it to the side of the road, the advice is to stay with it, and pray.

 

I hate driving on our crowded motorways, it's mainly very boring, interspersed with the odd moment of terror. Today we took the train and avoided the pain.

Edited August 18, 2022 by Bryan

[Betty LaRue]

1 hour ago, Bryan said:

In the UK we have some  so called "smart motorways" where there is no safe hard shoulder or safe empty lane, rather the lanes are monitored by cameras that are supposed to pick up if a vehicle has stopped, when signs indicate to traffic that that lane is closed and an emergency team is sent out to assist. A number of people have been killed on these sections and there is a body of opinion that feels they are not safe. In the case I was referring to, it was not a smart motorway, but the hard shoulder had been used to create a long stretch of slip road (ramp in the USA?) that carried a major route away from the road. Therefore there was no safe parking available on this section. 

 

Actually the hard shoulder is far from being a safe haven, as there have been many accidents where trucks have ploughed into vehicles stopped there. So the advice given is to try to make it to the hard shoulder if there is one, and then get out of the car and stand completely off the road. If, however, your vehicle breaks down in a live lane, and you can't make it to the side of the road, the advice is to stay with it, and pray.

 

I hate driving on our crowded motorways, it's mainly very boring, interspersed with the odd moment of terror. Today we took the train and avoided the pain.

I have definitely felt those moments of terror. Yes it sounds like what you describe is what we call on or off ramps. Basically a roomy one lane road that takes one off the major road they are on to another numbered road or city street or town.  They are one way and you can’t get back onto the major road using an off ramp. You have to find an on ramp which also only goes one way and that’s ON. Of course, there are those thankfully rare times someone is drunk, too old to drive anymore or whatever and confused,  use the ramps wrongly, then go the wrong way on a major highway killing someone head on.

Mostly traffic isn’t too scary. I always avoid traveling in the city (if I can) during rush hour traffic, and the highways, once out of town, are fine, where one can easily take a drive or trip without any congestion whatsoever.
The towns, for the most part, are far apart in my area of the country. Not so much in the east, as Michael Ventura can probably attest to. If I want to go south to see my sister, it takes me about 15-20 minutes to go east then south to be out of traffic. Then it’s smooth sailing until I arrive at her house 60 miles away.

[sb photos]

3 hours ago, Bryan said:

In the UK we have some  so called "smart motorways" where there is no safe hard shoulder or safe empty lane, rather the lanes are monitored by cameras that are supposed to pick up if a vehicle has stopped, when signs indicate to traffic that that lane is closed and an emergency team is sent out to assist. A number of people have been killed on these sections and there is a body of opinion that feels they are not safe. In the case I was referring to, it was not a smart motorway, but the hard shoulder had been used to create a long stretch of slip road (ramp in the USA?) that carried a major route away from the road. Therefore there was no safe parking available on this section. 

 

Actually the hard shoulder is far from being a safe haven, as there have been many accidents where trucks have ploughed into vehicles stopped there. So the advice given is to try to make it to the hard shoulder if there is one, and then get out of the car and stand completely off the road. If, however, your vehicle breaks down in a live lane, and you can't make it to the side of the road, the advice is to stay with it, and pray.

 

I hate driving on our crowded motorways, it's mainly very boring, interspersed with the odd moment of terror. Today we took the train and avoided the pain.

 

I believe the decision makers who commission changing conversion of standard motorways to 'smart motorways' are gambling with peoples lives. They can only be comparing the small number of 'acceptable' accidents and fatalities to having the advantages of an additional lane on our crowded motorways, they are likely gambling with peoples lives. From the first sign of an impending breakdown not everyone can continue the maximum of 1.5 miles to the safety of an ERA and accidents happen before the lane is closed.

 

I frequently use the UK motorways, sometimes they are hell, other times they drastically cut down journey times and can take you through lovely countryside. I've been lucky, in over 50 years of driving only ever breaking down once on a conventional motorway about 4 years ago. Had the dreaded engine management light on and the engine died. I was on the hard shoulder for only 5 - 10 minutes and on my way again. I knew from experience it was another injector failing, and that after a short engine rest I would likely reach my destination without further trouble, which I did.

Edited August 18, 2022 by sb photos

[gvallee]

So much for hoping that my Covid symptoms would be mild. I ended up in hospital yesterday. 

I only have infinite praise for the Emergency Department of Katherine Hospital in Northern Territory, a small Outback town of roughly 6,300 inhabitants.

They treated me immediately, quickly relieved the most serious symptoms (I will spare you the details), took x-rays of my lungs, did a blood test, arranged for the local pharmacy to deliver antivirals to them for me, gave me a steroid puffer. All in a professional manner sprinkled with the traditional Aussie humour. Cost to me: $0. 

Oh and I was sent home with a whole bunch of ice poles for rehydration. Yummy!

 

 

 

Edited August 19, 2022 by gvallee

[Bryan]

Sorry to hear that you have been ill Jen, get well soon !

 

Here there are calls for the reintroduction of mask wearing on public transport, but I doubt the "government" will take heed, they are unpopular enough already.

[gvallee]

55 minutes ago, Bryan said:

Sorry to hear that you have been ill Jen, get well soon !

 

Here there are calls for the reintroduction of mask wearing on public transport, but I doubt the "government" will take heed, they are unpopular enough already.

 

Thank you Bryan. I'm much better today thanks to the antivirals. Really efficient stuff. It's frustrating to have caught Covid in the State with the lowest  number of cases, about 200 a day only. I guess the festival did it. Nobody was wearing a mask.

[Allan Bell]

Sorry to hear your symptoms worsened and needed specialist treatment.

 

Hope it all works out for you and you get well soon.

 

Allan

 

PS:  I heard that we in the UK are to get booster jabs before winter sets in.  Wonder if they will combine it with the flu jab.

 

ITMA

 

Edited August 19, 2022 by Allan Bell

[gvallee]

13 minutes ago, Allan Bell said:

Sorry to hear your symptoms worsened and needed specialist treatment.

 

Hope it all works out for you and you get well soon.

 

Allan

 

PS:  I heard that we in the UK are to get booster jabs before winter sets in.  Wonder if they will combine it with the flu jab.

 

ITMA

 

 

Thank you Allan. I hope you have a safe winter. My last jab (the 4th one) was a combo with flu.

[Dave Richards]

4 hours ago, Allan Bell said:

Sorry to hear your symptoms worsened and needed specialist treatment.

 

Hope it all works out for you and you get well soon.

 

Allan

 

PS:  I heard that we in the UK are to get booster jabs before winter sets in.  Wonder if they will combine it with the flu jab.

 

ITMA

 

I think there is a chance they may combine the new Moderna bivalent Covid jab with the flu jab this autumn in the UK.

I’ve had Covid once earlier this year and wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t taken a test. Experienced no symptoms whatsoever. I guess I was just lucky in that regard.

The last bout of flu I had about twenty years ago almost killed me, so I religiously have a flu jab every year.

[Michael Ventura]

9 hours ago, gvallee said:

So much for hoping that my Covid symptoms would be mild. I ended up in hospital yesterday. 

I only have infinite praise for the Emergency Department of Katherine Hospital in Northern Territory, a small Outback town of roughly 6,300 inhabitants.

They treated me immediately, quickly relieved the most serious symptoms (I will spare you the details), took x-rays of my lungs, did a blood test, arranged for the local pharmacy to deliver antivirals to them for me, gave me a steroid puffer. All in a professional manner sprinkled with the traditional Aussie humour. Cost to me: $0. 

Oh and I was sent home with a whole bunch of ice poles for rehydration. Yummy!

 

 

 

Oh!  Sorry about the trip to the hospital Gen, you seem like a tough gal so you must have really been feeling awful.  Glad you are on the mend and just a short visit.

 

 

[sb photos]

1 hour ago, Dave Richards said:

I think there is a chance they may combine the new Moderna bivalent Covid jab with the flu jab this autumn in the UK.

I’ve had Covid once earlier this year and wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t taken a test. Experienced no symptoms whatsoever. I guess I was just lucky in that regard.

The last bout of flu I had about twenty years ago almost killed me, so I religiously have a flu jab every year.

Interesting comments re flu. I caught flu in my mid 20’s when I was young and fit, it knocked the hell out of me. Similar to Covid I lost all sense of taste, that I remember, but can’t if it effected sense of smell, but don’t think so. 
 

A combined booster would be useful. For the last few years my surgery halted flu jabs and told us to book with a pharmacy. I did at my fairly local Sainsbury’s pharmacy, and that was chaotic, never with them again.

[Dave Richards]

7 minutes ago, sb photos said:

Interesting comments re flu. I caught flu in my mid 20’s when I was young and fit, it knocked the hell out of me. Similar to Covid I lost all sense of taste, that I remember, but can’t if it effected sense of smell, but don’t think so. 
 

A combined booster would be useful. For the last few years my surgery halted flu jabs and told us to book with a pharmacy. I did at my fairly local Sainsbury’s pharmacy, and that was chaotic, never with them again.

I’ve had flu three times, the first was

(I think Asian flu) when I was a kid. The second time in my late twenties. They were both miserable experiences but the last time I was off work for seven weeks and did not fully recover for around three months. Anyone with a dose of the snuffles who claims they have flu have never had it or they would know better.

Everyone who can should get a flu jab, it could save their life.

Back to Gen Vallee and her other half, hope you are both on the road to a speedy recovery. Need more of your wonderful travel pics. 🙂

[sb photos]

9 minutes ago, Dave Richards said:

I’ve had flu three times, the first was

(I think Asian flu) when I was a kid. The second time in my late twenties. They were both miserable experiences but the last time I was off work for seven weeks and did not fully recover for around three months. Anyone with a dose of the snuffles who claims they have flu have never had it or they would know better.

Everyone who can should get a flu jab, it could save their life.

Back to Gen Vallee and her other half, hope you are both on the road to a speedy recovery. Need more of your wonderful travel pics. 🙂

Couldn’t agree more.

[spacecadet]

On 19/08/2022 at 07:20, Bryan said:

 

 

Here there are calls for the reintroduction of mask wearing on public transport, but I doubt the "government" will take heed, they are unpopular enough already.

In this weather and with infections falling by 40% in a fortnight you have got to be joking.

Edited August 20, 2022 by spacecadet

[Bryan]

It started a good thing, a bike ride along the Tyne valley in pleasant weather.

 

Then I dropped my Sony Rx100 V and it now fails to switch on. Taking it to the repair man today.

 

Still enjoyed the cycling mind, can't let these things get you down.