Your advice taken

I was trembling the whole time, but will keep doing it and the fear will pass. Felt like crying when the weather forecaster said ‘heatwave on the way’ , ?

Go Girl, you are doing brilliantly Annie! Sending hugs (cant do the symbol thingies!)

Regarding muscle wastage from lack of exercise, if you look at chairobics on YouTube you will find lots of exercises you can do indoors. Building up fitness levels would be beneficial to you and will lift your spirit as well. I did a short session with our WI and they enjoyed it.

So pleased you managed the watering amnie. Keep reminding yourself you did it and if you did it once you can do it again. Huge step forward. You’re exactly right, keep doing it and the fear will pass. Sending love and hugs.

annie I latched on to your concerns about muscle wastage and physio help. I'm a bit obsessed with this just now ( post-op).
I've been assured that the gentlest of exercises are worth doing - simple ones that don't really need
professional input.
Hold the kitchen worktop and do very gentle kneebends. Take the weight on one leg and swing the other out to the side and back. Then swap over.
When 'lazing on the sofa' rotate ankles clockwise and anti- clockwise. All of these 10 times each.

Sorry if this is teaching a grandmother to suck eggs but I have found it so useful just to focus on these simple exercises for ten minutes twice a day.
Lots more help on line too so please give it a try.

I'm very impressed by your thoughtful and structured plan for your recovery and am aware of a huge sense of support for you here.
It also makes me realise that mental and emotional recovery is much harder than physical improvement.

I alternate the knee bends with rising onto tiptoes! It’s amazing what a workout you can have while waiting for the kettle to boil!

Good luck for today Annie. Perhaps the heatwave is God’s way of getting you out there! (And try the big hat!)

I seem an attention seeker but really am not. It was hard losing a large extended family in one day. I miss my three sisters and worry about them but nothing I can do, their decision.

You are allowed to laugh at this , I went around the garden pots , hose pipe in one hand walking stick in the other , walking stitcks are great if fear gives shaky legs, you feel the ground in your hand, if that makes sense. I went from pot to pot muttering - one for Grans, two for Grans, three for Grans etc ?

Right back to my recovery programme.

Thank you for such caring advice, I will start with exercise on the sofa, haven’t got a chair, the sofa has become my nest, my safe place, I have to overcome this.

Got the big hat and wrapped around sunglasses , these are a help, narrows my view, something to do with concave and concurve of the eyes, mine curve the wrong way and take in a wide vision, don’t understand but it was explained by my optician years ago.

Thank you all so much x

Anniebach I am another one who readily take my hat off to you..........the big sun hat type!!...........you are really far from an attention seeker, because we are learning anew each day, that in actual fact you are made of steel..............not the hard unbending kind.............but one that is strong as it gets, but bends and softens when the need arises.

Of course being a stauch welsh lady I knew you would have what it takes to overcome your horrendous battles..... and I am Sooooooooooooo proud of you.
A shame on those that should understand better and offer real help.............but perhaps they too can see this strong lady... whom when the chips are down...... will not let anything beat her.

My motto through my own difficulties have been simply "One day at a time," and yes it has got me through,whilst I think your method will start a new page into "How to overcome real traumas" such as you have experienced.

Well done Anniebach and may those Flowerpots need daily watering...... twice a day and get you out there strenghening and recovering from your Agorophobia........and everything else that is hindering you perform naturally.
One step at a time seems the perfect answer to me .......
I KNOW you can do it...........and God Bless every step you take.

Thank you x. If Jemima Fawr can fight off a French invasion I can fight this ?

I haven't read all that's happened to you, Annie, but just catching the little bits you've said in this thread, I'm not surprised you retreated from everything.

It's wonderful to hear you've started to make progress now. Keep your determination going (even if it flags a little sometimes) and you can achieve what you want.

Brilliant Annie! The hat and sunglasses act like a snail taking it’s house with it. Keep it up, I bet Lottie loves you being out there with her. XX