After almost 3.5 years of dodging the 'rona, I was really starting to believe I was some sort of super human, incapable of contracting the virus - with a butt-kicking immune system. Just... you know... more fierce and in control than all the other humans!
And the universe said "hahahahaaa!"
So what did my 13 days in the strong embrace of COVID-19 look and feel like?
Day 1 - maybe? I dunno. It was a Wednesday night and I felt a little chest tightness. The occasional cough escaped. To all intents and purposes it felt like asthma. I only get asthma in high humidity conditions and it had been raining for a month. The ground was saturated and the air too. I took my rescue inhaler and felt normal again. Tested for COVID - just in case. Negative.
Day 2 - or maybe this is really day 1?
The cough was back but not bad and my throat felt a little scratchy - which I put down to the coughing. I took the asthma inhaler again and forgot about things.
Day 3 - Friday. Sore throat, bit of a cough, aching body and chills. Oh poo! Tested postive for COVID and cancelled all my in person appointments. Took the dog for a long walk and with the help of Ibuprofen, felt pretty good.
I also contacted my Dr to get general advice and inquire about Paxlovid. I was told my symptoms were mild and I didn't get Paxlovid. Tough it out, sister!
Day 4 - FELT LIKE CRAP! Yep, had all the virus symptoms now and moved like I was 100 years old. My throat was killing me, sinuses were blocked to the point the pressure forced tears out of my eyes and gave me a headache/faceache, cough was increasing, body aches no longer manageable with Ibuprofen, chills and mild fever came and went. Actually the chills were super controllable with meditation and I'm grateful I figured that out quickly. Mark sourced me some quality New Zealand Manuka honey with healing properties and I spent the day flushing my body with lemon, ginger, honey tea.
Overnight I spiked an admirable fever and this, I believe, was the beginning of my body doing battle with COVID. I woke with sopping wet hair and pj's, damp sheets all they way through to the comforter.
Day 5 - Sunday morning at 6am I was changing the sheets and showering myself but boy did I feel better! The body aches, chills and fever were gone. They never came back. What was left was the sinus infection and that darn cough - now almost as productive as my sinuses. I relied on over-the-counter daytime flu remedies and lots of tissues to take control of my symptoms. Even managed a short dog walk!
I began measuring brain fog by timing myself doing Expert Sudoku. At 13 minutes and with few mistakes, I can honestly say I could be smarter under the influence of COVID! (Relief!!!)
Day 6 - Why was this just as bad as Day 4?! I stayed in bed most of Monday - only making it as far as the balcony off the bedroom. Misery did NOT like company but Wrigley the cat overruled me and we cuddled the day away. I didn't lose my appetite but I did lose my sense of taste pretty early on. Spicy, sweet or salty was the only evidence I had of flavor and it took most of the joy out of food. (But at least my tongue was still working!)
Day 7 - 11 - Slow progression from infected sinuses to just runny nose. Cough became less productive and took on the "seal bark" quality that everyone loves to listen to! I've been taking Tessalon cough pearls for the better part of a week. Who would have thought in 2016 when I got Whooping Cough that the leftover meds would be so valuable 7 years later. (I think that's how long it's been since I was sick! No wonder my ego is so bruised.)
Some days I take walks in the open space with Teddy and Mark. Walks are short. I'm tired... not because of the COVID but because this cough is writing checks that my abs can't cash. It's hard work!
Yes... it has stopped raining (kinda, mostly) in Boulder. The open space is looking more and more like the Florida Everglades and I have taken to just stomping around it, like Teddy. Even the Prickly Pear cacti are flowering in STANDING WATER! This year is really testing nature.
My Sudoku game continues to break records and if this super-unscientific study is anything to go by, I conclude that my brain is feeding off virus and at the cost of the rest of my body, has become smarter, faster and more focused. LOL Oh yeah - I got a real estate deal under contract today too. (That might be a better measure of my mental acuity.)
Day 12 - Still testing positive. But the line is lighter and takes longer to become visible on the test. The cough persists but all other symptoms are almost gone now. I want to see people, return to the gym and do my own grocery shopping.... But Im being patient and responsible ... grrrrr...
The question is... Will I be able to cough and swim at the same time? :-)
Footnote: July 4th I returned to the gym/pool after almost 3 weeks. Turns out I don't cough in the pool (only everywhere else) and swimming is completely back to normal. 40 laps, done and dusted. I'm back, baby!
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