@Bowie
Oh Bowie - how are you today? I can see the ladies have given some very good advice. Easier said than done but worrying doesn't make it any better!
As to friends and family, well that is where this forum comes into it's own and helps you through the tough emotional time that you're experiencing at present and it was great of @"Soldier Crab" to put your thoughts into the discussion area so we could see it and help you through.
Friends, family, they all mean well but they haven't walked in your shoes. You said in your post you've got Rhuemotoid Arthritis, ouch! I can imagine that has been hard yards for you as well as.
On the day of my diagnosis, my husband was with me and we were assigned to a Counsellor; it was obvious to us then it wasn't going to be a good day! She gave us some coping mechanisms and the main one I remember is when you are starting to feel anxious is to pat yourself down, pat your arms, pat your legs and say to yourself, yes this is me, I am still here and it brings you into the now! She also suggested to my husband to be the gatekeeper and keep the negative people out and surround yourself with positive people and positive thoughts! There are lots of positive people on this forum, all at varying stages of treatment and some doing better than others!
Try and turn your time into perhaps writing a list of what you want to do or needs doing, shopping, cleaning, mending, laundry, cooking, check out online groceries, all the little things that are the everyday so you can get on top of these chores or that you maybe able to delegate or get some outside help with! or If the everyday is something you don't want to cope with at present, turn your thoughts to that book you haven't finished reading or that project you've always wanted to do! There is a post on here at present that may interest you!
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latestDeep breath and take it easy and I hope your shopping was successful today!
Take care
