Crazy Birthday gift : Covid!

Well, I really had a nice 79th Birthday Weekend. The kids came over and  I made Chicken Tetrazinni  and salad Friday evening  and we had individual little bundt cakes (several flavors) for dessert with ice-cream and coffee later. Saturday we visited Hamm's Peach Orchard for home-made peach ice-cream and took home fresh peaches... and a bag of local whole pecans (best ever!) as well as their delicious peach-pulled pork sandwiches. 

The kids took us out for dinner at my favorite restaurant Saturday night and all left by Sunday morning.

Monday morning I awoke with an extremely sore throat... something I never have. Since my cousin and her grandson were flying in on Tuesday for a 4 day visit, DH gave me a covid test... which was positive?? Not trusting that test, I went to the doctor's and had them take a test... STILL POSITIVE! 

Sent a text immediately to my cousin in N.O. to let her know so she could cancel her trip. But her response was "No, we'd still like to come... if it's OK with you"... (she had had to cancel earlier in November and didn't want to cancel again). Her grandson is 12 and was looking forward to his first flight experience. Of course it was OK with me. I wanted to see her (it's been several years and although we text, it's not the same as sitting down and talking. We grew up together and since my siblings have both passed, she is the closest thing to a sister that I have.)

Anyway, they came, and although I wasn't up to doing a lot, we did get to talk and do a few things. I Lysol sprayed and wiped things down and wore a mask, but still had to excuse myself and retreat to my room when the fatigue hit hard. But DH filled in cooking and talking with her and my granddaughter came to play games with her grandson... (even though they were both a bit shy about that).

Having Hot Chocolate at Eataly's 

They left yesterday evening. I can only pray that they don't get sick.

But this Covid virus is a 'mean' one. The coughing is relentless. Your nose, throat and chest burn... and the headache runs from the back of your head down your spine (although I have spinal arthritis - so possibly this isn't part of Covid - but even my eyeballs ache??)

Yesterday was Day 4 and my taste went. That is so strange. I can tell something is sweet... but can't make out a flavor. They did give me Paxlovid, but not taking it. I have too many problems with medications for me to chance it. Have it under control with Tylenol, saline nasal spray, cough drops, and gargling (have never run a fever).

Grandson who lives with us is now testing positive. Hope and pray that DH stays negative.

Today is Day 6. Somewhat better... cough still active, headache and sore throat gone. Woke up drenched in sweat, but feel a bit better. 

Not exactly a fun post, but just thought I'd update my few bloggers who might want to know.

So please take care. Obviously this virus is still hanging around. Can't believe I avoided it for 4 years and got it now. And although it may not be as dangerous as it once was, you do not want this!

Thanks for reading. Hope my next post will be more uplifting! 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Saturday 10 am update:  DH just tested COVID POSITIVE...

this past week...

my basic philosophy

I know it's been over a week since I've posted. But despite sheltering at home, we have been busy. It was grandson's birthday Wednesday as well as my first genetic counseling meeting at the hospital. For the birthday, we simply picked up a Raspberry Mousse cake at Central Market (which was fabulous) and the 3 of us had a quiet celebration here at home.

His parents will get together with him this weekend for their own masked quiet celebration at a local park. For those who don't remember, they moved from Hawaii (where they have been living on Oahu for the last 3 years) to Texas a few months ago and settled in a small town about 2 hours from here. She works as a nurse at a local hospital there - which apparently is getting Covid patients shipped in from El Paso and elsewhere. 

As for the genetic counseling... this is something my Oncologist recommended as we have quite a lot of cancer in the family -maternal grandmother (Ovarian), father (Gall bladder), sister (Gastric), nephrew (Leukiemia), brother (Pancreatic), and myself (BC). 

The consultation was very interesting. The woman who talked with us for about an hour was extremely friendly and knowledgeable.  I asked a million questions and she was able to answer them all. The reason for getting tested to see if you carry the genes for specific cancers is to give you the chance if you are positive to be monitored more often. It's also to let your kids know that if you are positive, there's a 50% chance that they are also. At my age I'm not sure if I care to know, but do think it might be good for my kids to know while they are still young.

Also a few things happened this week that kept us either on the phone, texting, Skyping, or Zooming. My son-in-law's father died, as did a good friend of my daughter's. My son's stepson has been diagnosed with Covid in Kentucky as has another friend's son here.  Two fathers and one mom of my pottery group friends have Covid. Things are getting a bit closer to home. We haven't seen any of these people, but still it affects us. My prayer list is getting longer every day.

With the holidays coming, I'm praying that people will not let down their guard... but I'm afraid that they will. We won't. The 3 of us will celebrate alone - but possibly Skype with other family members. I truly believe that this won't be forever... and when it's all over, we will get together and make up for this lost year.

So... keep the faith!  We will get through this. And thank goodness we have these blogs to share our thoughts and feelings. Reading yours and sharing mine is good balm to my soul. 

I'm going to leave with just one mention of the election. Someone brought this up somewhere and it made me stop and think. If some consider the voting fraudulent, doesn't that make all the people on the ballot in jeopardy - not just the president?  Something to think about...

Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoyed reading everyone's blogs today even if I didn't comment on all.  Enjoy reading the comments too!!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian