I have had all but the latest vaccine & I've had Covid mildly. I have shielded & been careful when restrictions relaxed. I take Covid seriously. But I got Covid again 16 days ago.
I have been quite ill when travelling abroad with sickness & diarrhea, but this was a completely different order of illness. A blinding headache which had me climbing the walls, nausea, retching, not eating for days on end, a day of dreadful diarrhea, so weak I could barely move, muscle aches & pains which meant I couldn't be comfortable in any position, utterly exhausted because I couldn't sleep in any position without being in pain, breathless at any exertion even speaking, unable to do anything except listen to the radio a bit. Just completely sedentary & dozing all day, every day & trying to drink fluids.
So now, although I don't have Covid, it looks as if I have long Covid. The virus seems to have affected the muscles of my left leg which was bruised badly when I had a bad fall. An Occupational Therapist is coming today to assess me. My lovely Osteopath is helping a lot. I need to be mobile. I need to be able to look after myself. I need to be independent.
I have had really good care from the NHS. Not from my GP's, but 111, Paramedics & AAU at the JR Hospital. I have had batteries of tests, exhausting, invasive, but necessary & informative. A designated Covid team who phone me every day to check on progress, or lack of it.
Dealing with being so ill & disabled when you live alone is difficult & quite frightening at times. My daughter is wonderful & has kept me going physically & emotionally. But she is a teacher & has a family to look after. I've been a carer for my parents & parents in law. It isn't easy, especially when you have a demanding professional job.
Today I actually woke up & didn't feel sick. I felt well enough to have a shower - only the 3rd shower in all this time! I wasn't able to eat a whole bowl of cereal, but I think I will fancy a sandwich for lunch & some chicken for tea.
Progress of any sort is welcome. It's a pleasure to start feeling something like my normal self.
Anyone who thinks Covid is over is deluded. If you haven't experienced what I have you have no idea how ill you can be. I was aware that hardly anyone wears masks, distances or sanitises any more. So stupid & ignorant. Why put yourself at risk rather than do a couple of simple things to protect yourself & everyone else?
I'm going to make myself my first cup of real coffee now. I hope I can enjoy it.
PS
The O T was amazing & will deliver everything next week. I am going to be given a variety of aids to help in the house & outside. All I hoped for was a shower stool, but there is so much more available. I'm not proud, I don't have a problem with being elderly & needing help. I am just really grateful that the NHS has such skilled professionals who try their very best to help people in need.
It is just shocking that they have to put up with complaining & even abusive patients. We should all be very grateful they continue doing a very difficult job.
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