On March 12, I started to feel off. Chills, achey back, and that feverish fatigue-y feeling that makes me not feel quite present in a room. After my last meeting, I went home. Temperature was 99.5. High for me, but not as high as they'd been suggesting would indicate having the coronavirus. The next day I felt well enough to do an outdoor burial, staying far from the handful of participants, after which I went immediately back home.
I've been in my house ever since. I've been tracking my symptoms. Temperature has remained largely at 98.8 or lower with a couple of bumps to 99.2. Back ache remained for a few days. All day one day I had a headache. Diarrhea has come and gone. A cough developed after the first few days. It's been productive and not nearly as bad as some coughs I've had. The fatigue, though. Climbing stairs leaves me short of breath. Participating in Zoom meetings and phone calls insures I'll need a nap. I've had little to no appetite and have had to force myself to eat to keep up strength. Every night I tell myself I'm going to get things done the next day - start cleaning the house, working on my taxes, answering emails, checking on people who are shut in or sicker than I am. And I do a few things, but there is no energy. On Tuesday night we had a Mission and Outreach meeting via Zoom. So good to see everyone's face. Every day we do a SpiritWorks noon meeting by Zoom and offer support to our volunteers. At the end of each day, I am exhausted. Fortunately I've been able to sleep.
On Wednesday I started to experience some shortness of breath and tightness in my chest. That was probably the scariest moment. I laid down on the couch, watched the Harry Potter movie I was on, (my internet isn't working properly either, so I'm watching DVDs) and went to sleep. Fortunately by Thursday, the shortness of breath had disappeared, and that afternoon I had my first beginnings of energy since this had started. The Indigo Girls played a Facebook live concert that lifted my spirits.
On Friday I learned that some people I've been exposed to are positive for COVID-19. I called the health department. They recommended testing, but said if I didn't feel up to it, I should stay home. Every time I've looked at the instructions for testing, I haven't met the criteria. And the thought of the effort it would take to leave my house sends me back to napping. As I've heard about more cases in Williamsburg, I thought staying home was the best plan. Since the first day I have assumed I have it and have quarantined myself. People much sicker than I am need tests and the attention of our hard working health care workers. Confirming I have it would not change my course of treatment or the fact that I will stay quarantined past the last vestige of a symptom.
Though I had started to feel much better, the great fatigue returned Saturday afternoon and lingered through Sunday. More couch time, less talking on the phone. I have finished all Harry Potter movies and am headed into Downton Abbey. If you get this thing, don't be surprised that it packs more than one punch. Listen to your body. Rest. Rest. Rest.
On Friday night kind parishioners left a vase of daffodils on my front porch. It made my weekend - spring came inside the house. On Saturday I ordered dinner from Sal's. They had it on my porch in less than half an hour. Countless people have volunteered to bring groceries when I need them. I cannot express my gratitude for the goodness and kindness I have seen in people. Ten days in, I am counting my many, many blessings. And also praying for those who have it so much worse than I do.
Rest with confidence knowing you are loved.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you, Lauren, whatever it is that has been sapping your energy and making you ill. Please keep taking care of yourself
ReplyDeleteI hope this is a time of restoration. We are all praying for you.
ReplyDelete