*Note: This article was originally written for my monthly linkups, which I've archived as it was taking too much out of me. However, I've kept most of the posts written as I realise it's much like a diary with memories that make me nostalgic or smile. I hope you enjoy reading them, too! š
Exciting New Travels
Short Bangkok Escapade
Recently, I was on a fairly last minute getaway to Bangkok! It was an easy going, relaxing trip, even though my friend from Berlin booked the wrong flight and arrived a day lateā¦.. Needless to say I was a bit annoyed, especially since I took an early flight to meet him at the airport. I had to wake at 4am, when there are about 10 flights available throughout the day.
In any case, I shan't complain because I know itās a privilege to even be able to travel, and to be able to manage on my own despite the aches. With chronic illnesses we tend to need a full day to recover from any flight anyway, be it short or light haul, so I just took the day off alone to rest.
*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our Privacy Policy page for more information. Thank you!
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Off to Berlin for a Couple Months in the New Year
I will also be flying off to Berlin for a few months on a flexible ticket on New Yearās Day itself (cheapest!). Thankfully it was easy enough to reschedule all my medical appointments thanks to my supportive team of doctors, although being away from them for so long is unnerving. This will be quite the adventure for me, having always wanted to live in Europe, at least for a while.
Travel Insurance is as B*tch
I am having problems with travel insurance, as none of them will take someone with pre-existing conditions for such a long period of time. At most itās a month of coverage. So itās quite a risk as well; although having read through all their policies, none of the coverages are really that great anyway, even for a healthy person, should you require admission to a hospital.
My only hope is that I donāt end up in a life threatening situation at the A&E overseas, more so because of the cost than anything else. I am willing to put up with pain, the loss of my support network, and other unknowns, in exchange for this travel opportunity.
Bonding with My Birds
I was also delighted to arrive home from Bangkok to the excited squeals from my birds. Scorcher hasnāt whistled or spoken in months, ever since he became a daddy of eight. All that frantic feeding and upbringing must have made him jaded.
But that day he whistled in victory, and screamed every single word or sentence Iād ever taught him into my ear. Even shy Stella was squealing away happily. That really warmed my heart up. Birds are cuter than youād think (and also messier)! I am going to miss them whilst in Berlin, and will try to spend more time bonding with them before I leave.
Canāt Wait for the Cooler Rainy Season to Arrive
Singapore is hot and humid year round, which I find unpleasant. I really hate the feeling of stickiness on my skin. With the arrival of the cooler, rainy season however, comes more fatigue and joint aches. I still find it more preferable however; surprisingly I find such weather soothing, not depressing.
I am not sure how my body will react to Berlinās winter, but Iām game to find out. I know Iāll need lots of hot teas, coffee, blankets and layers to keep me warm. Whilst winters may be miserable, warming up and getting cosy can be a wonderful feeling, too. Share your best chronic illness winter tips with a summer girl like me in the comments below! š
Coping with All the Things, and Possible New Things (Good and Bad!)
When I go to Berlin, I will be leaving all familiarity and support behind. It will be a leap of faith, a huge change in environment and culture, and so much more. Whether I end up liking the experience or not, I am of the mindset that any experience - good or bad - is ultimately useful. Like I wrote in my āAboutā page, there is no such thing as useless knowledge, only complex structure.
I know that I will need to be more independent whilst there in several ways. Singapore really spoils you with all the convenience; something Iām aware of having grown up in Hong Kong. Apart from getting around, I will need to learn how to cope with the cold, and also new ways of pacing. Pain will probably manifest in different ways.
I also hope to make some new friends and meet many locals. All whilst still trying to build my business up and find work online. Technically my everyday computer tasks would be the same as in Singapore - work hunting, blogging, etc. But I would also like to spend some time exploring the city, vicinity and people.
How much I can explore will depend on how much I manage to earn on an ad-hoc basis. As you can see, Iām going there with huge limitations, but itās an opportunity of a lifetime that Iām not missing out on. With chronic illness, all you can do is one thing at a time, and take one step at a time.
Ending This Whirlwind of a Year
Itās been a whirlwind of a year, and the ending is no different. Life is swirling in scattered pieces all around me; fortune cookie letters waiting to be picked and interpreted, if I can.
I think Iāve reached a stage in my chronic illness life where Iām not struggling to grab a piece, or fighting to pick the piece that I want. Instead Iām just standing still, and waiting for the pieces to flutter upon my feet, whatever they may be.
I will then pick them up at the right moments, and read them. Their foretelling will be obscure, as always. I only need to interpret them in a manner thatās best for me. Sure, some things are set in stone. But there is bound to be a river I can still choose to float myself down, back to the big ocean where we all finally end up in.
Thank you for reading my diary entry for December 2019 š You can continue with last month's or next month's entries.
Comments Archives:
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Kathy
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Sheryl Chan
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JacQueline Roe
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Sheryl Chan
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Anne
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Sheryl Chan
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Cynthia
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Sheryl Chan
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Rhiann
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Sheryl Chan
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Jerry
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Sheryl Chan
Start a new conversation in the Member Comments below!Sheryl, Iām excited for you in your travels! I pray that you have a great adventure with manageable health issues.
Thanks Kathy! Itāll be one off the bucket list for me, and it happened without little to no planning, too! Fingers crossed it goes well. Sending you hugs and happiness for the New Year!
I loved hearing you are getting to go on this adventure after such a difficult year! I hope you donāt mindāI am praying for you! Also, the description of your bird now being jaded because of ākidsā makes me giggle. As a mother of three, I believe he will recover given enough timeālol! š
Thanks Jacqueline, thatās really sweet of you. And yes he did really grow up quickly after his kids. With one still āliving at homeā he seems none too happy :p Haha I hope he does recover!
One thought that struck me is that I never thought of Singapore as hot and humid. When we have summers here in the UK they are hot and humid but donāt last long. I canāt cope with feeling cold but sometimes the humidity is just too much. Well done on getting a bit of travelling in, I hope I can get travel insurance when I finally decide to to travel. Thanks for prodiving all the prompts and link ups this year, Iāve found it really helpful being given an opportunity to talk about my life and illness. x
Hi Anne, me too! Apart from the linkups, I donāt think Iād write about such personal aspects about my life, though chronic illness and how we cope does seep into everything.
Yea Singapore is awfully humid and I hate it, never āgot used to itā (what am I talking about ehā¦lived here half my life!). Even back in school I could never stand it, heh. When it rains but is still very hot, the aches can also be pretty bad.
Sending gentle hugs xx
Oh my goodness, I am so excited for you!! What an amazing adventure you have ahead of you!
Thanks Cynthia, Iām really excited, too! Havenāt done something like this in ageeeees š x
Hello again Sheryl and thank you for all the inspiration and support, for not just this month but for the entire year. Taking part in your link-up parties has often been a challenge but has also been fun and a great opportunity to meet other bloggers that I may not have otherwise.
Anyway, I am wishing you all the best for your upcoming trip to Berlin, and hope it is smooth sailing for you! You are so brave for venturing way outside your comfort zone, especially by yourself. I am sure that it will provide so many wonderful opportunities for you. I am sure that there will be an army there for you when in need of advice or support, especially when needing to adapt to the cold (my tip would be to remember that layering is your best friend ā plenty of light layers, which is then easy to remove when getting too warm which can happen easily when in shops and other public places!)
Wishing you all the best for your exciting adventures and hope it is just the start for you in 2020!
Stay safe
Rhiann x
Thanks lovely, layers it is! š It should be a fantastic experience. Something that healthy, younger Sheryl would do (and have done!) so itās not quite āstepping out of my comfort zoneā perhaps š
Iām happy the prompts are fun and/or useful for you. I love reading your posts and everyone elseās too. Really helps to give some perspective, or kinship. Sending lots of hugs and warmth for the holidays! xxx
Hi Sheryl,
I donāt know how you muster the courage to go for the trip. Being a chronic patient myself, vven a trip to the mall is a challenge. Can you share how you managed to psych yourself up for the trip?
I wish you all the best!
Hi Jerry,
I understand what you mean, even taking the bus can be daunting for me on some days. I think it was partially the way I was brought up as well ā my dad used to take us on trips that werenāt quite āordinaryā either. Like $1 motels, and offbeat destinations. He didnāt like touristy places. So comparatively I think the Berlin trip is quite okay for me as itās a big city š Having said that, Iām definitely worried about medical emergencies, but just donāt want it to stop me from living my life and doing what I enjoy ā probably the most. Sending you well wishes!