Episode 25 – Life’s a beach

Life is a beach

Debbie: Hi, I know you weren’t expecting to hear from us over the summer. I am currently on holiday. I am in Crete, and it is very hot, and I’ve heard the UK is having a third heat wave. I actually don’t feel great at all. I suppose having inflammatory arthritis, again, it’s just kicked me in the butt to say, you’re immune suppressed, you are going to pick up everything. Whether I picked up on the plane because we did have to land in a completely different airport on the island to the one that we’re meant to be at. So yeah, I just feel absolutely rubbish. But Katy, how’s you? How’s the UK?

Katy: The UK is glorious. I actually feel a little bit like I’m on holiday. So, for once, aside from your pool and your beach, I am not too jealous, although I am working at the moment. So, it’s very sweaty.

Debbie: Yes, I am actually sat in our air-conditioned room at the moment and I must admit it is lovely. But again, I don’t think that helps though at the night because the dry air, I must admit, is really making my eyes quite dry as well. So, there’s two things I stupidly forgot to pack. My eye drops. I did look at them and think, oh, I won’t need them. But yes, you do if you have air con because you get very, very dry eyes as well. And Lemsip. Obviously, other brands are available but I forgot my Lemsip. It’s the only thing that really helps my throat because when I get a cold, you know, I send you voice notes.

Katy: Yes, you sound a lot better today, just for everyone listening. You sound so much better today than you did on your voice note. Yeah, I was lying by the pool bar, I think, last night. And yeah, I just think it was just all a bit. Just the heat got to me yesterday as well.

Debbie: How hot is it over in Crete? I think it’s like you said, it’s about 31. Okay.

Katy: So similar to the UK.

Debbie: Yeah. But what my daughter, I don’t know what your son is, but I’ve heard this is like the Gen Z thing, is they tell you the UV ratings like every single day.  I never knew that was a thing.

Katy: I mean, I see that on BBC weather every morning. But I didn’t know that kids picked up on that these days.

Debbie: Yeah, completely. That is all she’s been going on about. So she’s like, oh, in the UK, it’s only about seven or six UV. But yeah, here it’s about 11, 12. It is extreme, apparently. But yeah, just something I didn’t really know.

Katy: So yeah. Yeah. And when you’ve got inflammatory arthritis, some of the medications, you have to be a bit careful, don’t you, with UV and burning? I don’t know what you do yourself to protect yourself against that.

Debbie: Yeah, this is something that obviously that I kind of was going to mention at the previous pods, but I kind of didn’t get around to it. But yeah, our medications we’re on do make us very, very sun sensitive. And I have factor 50 plus. But I did hear someone saying you can get over 75 factor, but I can’t.

Katy: Oh, really? I’ve never seen that.

Debbie: Me neither. And I’ve never been able to find it either. Maybe if I Google it afterwards. But yeah, and I did have to buy a sun hat, and I am wearing a cover up as well. As much as I do love the sun, I do know that, yeah, we just have to be very, very careful. And actually, my daughter, she has very fair skin. She gets that from my husband. She keeps blaming me all the time. It’s like, why can’t I have your skin? I tan better than she does. Yeah. And she likes the shade. So, she’s been sunburned, but she’s now in the shade. And actually that helps me as well. Because if the sun isn’t there shining down on us all the time, it can get a bit too much. And so we have to be very, very careful. And there is obviously the skin, the thing about looking after your skin as well and moisturizing and after sun and everything. So yeah, so we do that. I think it just shows that even if I’m not flaring as such, but actually it’s all the other indirect side effects of having inflammatory arthritis.

Katy: Yeah. So, I think this kind of reminds us that we, whatever situation we’re in, we have to think about our condition sort of constantly. And we have to think about the medications that we’re taking and how that affects in this case, how that affects our skin in the sun. So, it’s just a bit of a nightmare, isn’t it? That you’ve always got to have the disease with you and you’ve always got to be mitigating those potential risks from the disease.I mean, also I think I found as I’ve got older and I don’t know if it’s a consequence of the disease, but I just don’t like sitting in the sun as much as I used to. I used to be a complete kind of like soak up the sun as much as possible. But now I just find it way too much, but I don’t know if that’s as a consequence of just having it in the back of my mind all the time. And obviously it’s a good thing because everybody should be wearing factor 50 every day. It’s not just us.

Debbie: Yeah, I agree completely. For me, many years ago when I was younger, I did kind of light the sun and just kind of just go on holiday and just relax and just lay out in the sun as sun worshippers as they’re called. But yeah, as I’ve got older, I don’t, but I do like just, I like getting in the water. I like the pool. So, for me, that’s perfect. But we were actually on the beach yesterday and to be fair, it was quite windy on the beach and having to navigate like the really quiet for Crete, it seemed like big ways for the UK wise, it really wasn’t. But then it was then going sitting in the shade, obviously for my daughter as well. And it was just like, I’m actually getting quite chilly. And I think obviously having a cold and everything as well, that’s probably what impacted me and made me feel crap yesterday and sound awful. But then when we got back and it is just, I think for me, it’s also just, this is why I just like doing nothing on holiday because you can’t predict the unpredictable side of having inflammatory arthritis.

Katy: Yeah, I guess the only certainty is how uncertain the disease is.

Debbie: Exactly. And I wouldn’t say, you know, having this cold has ruined my holiday. It hasn’t, but I know it hasn’t in the past ruined a few holidays. And my daughter, it may, I really hope it hasn’t ruined hers because having a cold and having the air con on means I snore at night. I was sharing a room and last night, I woke up and I was like, where the hell is she? She was lying asleep.

Katy: Hiding in the bath. I’ve done that before with my mum.

Debbie: She was, we haven’t got a bath, but she’s on the floor. And I was like, oh my gosh. And it’s the guilt as well. And I kept apologizing. And she goes, mum, you just shut up apologizing. It’s not your fault. I was like, I know. And it’s not my fault. And obviously it isn’t anyone’s fault that we have the disease or if you just pick up a cold and things like that that happen on holidays as well. It is just, yeah, it can be the crap side of it all. But then flip side of it does mean I can just relax and not think about.

Katy: You haven’t got anything to do. On the thing at all.

Debbie: So, you know, and that has actually helped my pain. I did actually stupidly show my daughter how to do a handstand in the pool yesterday. And I really then thought my hand was going to flare up, but I think I think I just twisted the tendon or something, but it was just straight away. It was just the pain. It was like, oh, my God. Right. Need some paracetamol on that. I live in the moment. You know, I tried to be on holiday, and I try to forget that side of it, but it always just comes back, as you’ve always said, Katy, that devil on your shoulder that’s just always there. And I was just thinking, how do we manage this as well whilst we’re on holiday?

Katy: And are you and are you all inclusive? Because how does that kind of affect if you are your kind of food choices? Yes. Obviously, you try and stay away from sugar as much as possible. Yeah.

Debbie: It’s first time actually I’ve ever gone all inclusive. I’ve never done it before. And I only found out yesterday we get lunch included. We usually went to the pool and got snacks.

Katy: Do you know what all-inclusive means?

Debbie: No, no. I didn’t realise. All inclusive. Yeah. Yes, it is. Yeah, quite crazy. I didn’t read. The thing is, I’m on holiday and I didn’t read the instructions and, you know, the letters that come through. I was just trying to forget.

Katy: But the thing about all inclusive. Yes. And everything is included. It’s not half-bored. Sorry.

Debbie: But yeah, it is. And the food is absolutely amazing. The food here is absolutely stunning. And I do have to, obviously, the desserts and everything do look absolutely beautiful. And I let my daughter try them first of all. And I don’t know if you ever see MasterChef professionals, but they always take like tiny little bits on a form. Oh, yeah, yeah. That’s what I’m like at the moment, just to see how sweet is it. Can I actually eat it or not? So, I think I have eaten a few more things that I wouldn’t at home.

But that’s what a holiday is about. Well, you know, exactly. So, when I do go home, I will be, you know, looking at, you know, definitely what I’m eating.

And, you know, my daughter, thankfully, she’s very on a health, not on a health kit, but she’s having a very healthy lifestyle choice as well, especially after having her GCSEs. And just realizing that we actually need to eat to actually help us feel better as well. What we eat does affect us. And so, you know, being on holiday, it is that, you know, you are here to relax and to try and forget everything. And as much as you try, it is always there nagging at you.

Katy: So, do you think the holiday is helping you? Do you feel relaxed? Yeah, I do.

Debbie: Actually, I’ve had time to really process everything because obviously, I put posts out last week about, you know, we were six months old last week. And it was just actually sitting there actually reflecting for once. I am not good at this at all. But it was actually going, yeah, we’ve done so much in the last six months that actually I need to be proud of what we’ve done. And I am extremely proud of what we’ve worked on together and the charity and how that’s going as well. But it is making sure that you always have that time to sit back and reflect and relax, you know, and then it helps my brain work that little bit better when I come back to rain, I think, in the UK. But never mind.

Katy: So, just as a final thought, Debbie, do you think that part of what we do is live a little bit in denial, I guess, to, you know, make sure we’re making the most of our holidays? And do you have to forget the sort of potential challenges? Otherwise, you’d just never go away, would you? Do you kind of just try and blank it out and just get on with it? A bit like we both may have done with childbirth?

Debbie: A little bit. Yeah, I must admit, I think I do. I think probably most people will do as well, because I am trying to be so much more positive in life. And obviously, just generally having that positive mindset, I don’t want to then think of the negative stuff either. But then I suppose, slightly as well, is that I didn’t book excursions for the holiday as well, because if I had like another adult with me, it might have been different. But because I don’t want to let my daughter down. And if we did go out somewhere that obviously it may have been too hot for her and for me, and having a cold, it wouldn’t have been as relaxing, I don’t think. And that’s just what I need. Everyone is different. But it was 10 years ago that we did climb Mount Snowdon. And I’m thinking, I don’t know how I could do that now. I’d love to. But you know, I didn’t think of it then as much as I kind of possibly do now, because I wasn’t on long-term treatment and stuff. So, it is just having that. It is that extra little baggage that you bring with you. And unfortunately, it is there all the time. But if you are on holiday or anything, be kind to yourself. You’re there to relax and to enjoy. And if whatever happens, happens, just try to make the most of it, really. And I think that’s what we’re trying to get across today.

Katy: Well, it’s been lovely to catch up as, you know, we’re not officially doing the podcast over the summer.

Debbie: Yes, it is a bonus episode. Yeah, you never know, there might be some more.

But yeah, unofficially, if you would like to follow us on social media, we are on Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn and Instagram. So please do follow us. You can catch all the episodes on our website at inflammatoryarthritis.org. And please do follow, download and rate and review the podcast from wherever you get them because it really does help increase our reach and for grants and funders as well. Enjoy the rest of your heatwave, Katy. I will. It’s not goodbye, it will be see you soon.

Katy: See you soon. And are you going back to the pool?

Debbie: Yes.

In this bonus summer episode, Debbie and Katy catch up while one of them enjoys a holiday in Crete, navigating the intense heat, a lingering cold, and the added challenges of inflammatory arthritis and being immunosuppressed.
They explore the realities of travelling with a chronic condition, from heightened sun sensitivity due to medication, to the constant need for sun protection, shade, and mindful pacing to balance relaxation with health needs.

Their conversation also delves into family dynamics, making thoughtful food choices on all-inclusive holidays, and the value of self-compassion when things don’t go as planned. They reflect on the delicate balance between denial and mindfulness when living with a long-term condition, and the importance of giving yourself permission to rest. The episode closes with a gentle reminder to be kind to yourself, savour the moment, and stay connected through their website and social media.

Stay Connected:
Follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Blue Sky. Visit inflammatoryarthritis.org for updates, newsletters, and ways to support the cause.

Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our personal health journeys, and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content.

For more information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/