10 Lost Days
I look behind me and get a glimpse of 10 lost days.
It’s the longest I’ve been away from this blog that I can recall. But then this was the sickest I’ve ever been that I can recall.
Every day I thought would be the day I’d start to feel a bit better. But it kept slipping through my fingers.
10 lost days. Day after nauseous stultifying day. Though my symptoms were only nausea/diarrhea, they’ve been brutal.
Actually the first day was all over body pain and weakness. The next day the symptoms became intestinal.
I’m cold and I just can’t seem to get warm. I took my temperature a few times but each time it was normal.
The Dreams (Or Were They?)
Were they dreams? Those stretches of time when I’d look at the clock and it would be 3 a.m. And the next thing I knew, it was light outside, and close to 10 a.m.
Dream stew, I guess I could call these flashes of times.
None of the dreams made any sense. (But then how many dreams do make sense?)
There have been occasional beacons of clarity.
Dream: I’d be living in one far off country I’ve never heard of among people I’d never met for reasons I didn’t understand.
My dreams were like bits and pieces of dryer lint blowing like tumbleweed across the prairie. Scary one minute and downright silly the next.
But then, what is time when you’re in the midst of a dream?
Day 6 & Scrambled Eggs:
It took 6 days to build up to scrambled eggs and to be able to actually cook them. But oh my, I don’t think anything ever tasted as good as those two scrambled eggs with toast.
My trash had not gone out for a week. And it’s been close to that since I’ve opened either my living room or bedroom curtains.
I just needed to stay in my warm hidey-hole with a blanket over my head to keep out the light.
I spent the first 3-4 days in my chair with a blanket, and then Ivy and I went to the bedroom.
My apartment has become a mess. I still have trash that needs to go out to the dumpster.
Whereas that once would have driven me crazy, that line began to recede too.
The trash wasn’t the end of the world. Staying within throwing distance of a bathroom was.
10 Lost Days & Watching TV:
Ivy and I tucked into bed about Day 4 and I watched a lot of TV.
She’s such a good girl. She just stayed at the foot of the bed and slept and let me rest.
I almost never watch TV during the day, but it was the easiest thing to do. Reading took more effort. My eyes would have to stay steady to read.
I watched 3 seasons of The Sinner, and was very disappointed to find out it ends after the fourth season.
It’s a great show. Bill Pullman is excellent as a somewhat offbeat detective with his own haunted past.
Which is why he never stops turning over leaves in the forest. He knows there’s something pertinent under one of them as he wanders deeper within.
For some reason I began watching the fourth season, then went back to the first one.
Even Rotten Tomatoes liked it. They said the series was aging like fine wine. So I was kind of shocked to read that there wasn’t a Series 5 in the works.
Jessica Biel starred in the first season of The Sinner. She returned as an executive producer on the eight-episode fourth season alongside Derek Simonds.
Things That Go Bump In The Night For 10 Lost Days:
The 4 seasons of The Sinner are about strange things that go bump in the night. It is not about the probable; but the possible.
Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) investigates various murder cases and tries to analyze the reasons behind ordinary people committing heinous crimes.
Every nuance of Bill Pullman’s facial expressions means something besides the fact that he’s shy about looking people in the face.
There’s always a thought behind those brooding eyes that could illuminate and unravel the whole mystery.
If he could just figure out which strand of yarn to pull first. The camera shutter never darkens all the way with his character.
Day 7 Watching The Benefactor Movie:
I spent part of one afternoon watching Richard Gere in The Benefactor.
A 60 year old man has everything except the two best friends he lost in a car accident that was his fault. Then he becomes addicted to painkillers.
Day 8 Brain Fog:
Anyway, here I am into the first week of February without much to show for it. But I’m sure thankful it looks like I’m glimpsing the other side now.
Every day I’d tell myself I needed to work on this blog. That the bills wouldn’t pay themselves.
But the more I tried to concentrate the greater the brain fog. Until I wasn’t quite sure where one thing ended and another began.
Keep your guard up. Covid, in one variety or another, looks to be here to stay.
It took four years for it to catch up to me, and I thought I was pretty careful. Washed my hands constantly.
Until one day I guess I wasn’t as careful as I thought I was.
Food I Craved In 10 Lost Days:
You’ll probably laugh at this one.
What I craved most were crisp sliced cucumbers. And I have no idea why.
Cucumbers have their usual place on salads and freshly sliced veggie plates. The kind that usually sat in the center of my childhood table.
I’ve had no interest in sweets whatsoever. Just the thought of anything chocolate makes me want to throw up.
Day 9:
I’m still cold. Still weak. I couldn’t walk a straight line at a policeman’s behest if my life depended on it. Zig-zagging is about the best I can do right now.
When I stand up for any length of time, I have to stretch my legs outward to keep from falling over.
My mind keeps flitting around like birds suddenly alert to a cat hiding somewhere in the neighborhood.
The 10th Lost Day:
Things That Go Bump In The Night
I can hear things outside my window
Things that I can’t seem to recognize
There are many things
There are very loud noises
Crashes and bangs
Huge walloping impacts
Then there are screams
Strange banshee cries
They tear through the walls of my bedroom
There are others sounds too
Things that I don’t think should be heard
Things that can’t be heard
I can only hear them
Because nobody else wants to hear them
But I can listen to the sounds
And I hear every one
And it scares me
Hope you get better each day, what an awful bout with that ugly virus! Drink plenty of fluids, but I’m sure you’re already doing what you can. I’m recovering from a hysterectomy, so the past 10 days have been all about rest and simple tasks around the house. Better days ahead!
Very good to hear you are feeling better. Take extra care and don’t overdo it. Your body needs rest to get back to “normal”.
I started getting sick yesterday. First time in a year. Last February I got covid for four days. I hope this is only a cold. Chills, sore throat, headache, runny nose, aching muscles. No fever. I’ve got a full week starting today with ushering in church. I guess they will have to get along without me. I’m wrapped in a heated throw and look like someone who scares neighborhood children. Ten days is a long time. I’m glad you are on the mend.
Brenda, I’m sorry you’ve had such a rough 10 days. I’m sure it felt much longer! I’m so glad to hear from you though. I hope it means you are feeling better! Keep resting and stay hydrated. Don’t push yourself. We’ll be here when you feel up to writing to us again.
The 2nd time we caught covid, we are sure it had to be via the tap water. We filtered it, but obviously it was not enough. In the area we lived in at the time, it was said to be happening to others the same. We had not left our apt nor seen anyone in weeks, so it could not have been via any other route (other than maybe via airborne via our heat/AC system maybe). That was now 2 years ago. We neither one have 100% recovered. So we take life even easier and slower. At least we are long retired so can do so. (The only time I had been so ill was years ago when I was 9 or 10 yrs old and something we called the “hard flu” that lasted several weeks, I caught. I was made to return to school long before I felt up to it, after 2-3 weeks ill at home). 2 years ago my husband ended up in the hospital where they indeed tried to kill him via neglect. (Verified with a doctor). And that was how we ended up moving cross country to live near other kin…people here are still horrified when I share our story. I think people back where we were are not surprised. I think you sound like you are doing well, after only 10 days. But don’t overdo…and hopefully in time you will return to at least what you were before. A product my husband just began using, after our grandson who has had a lot of illness, is sambuchol, or elderberry in some form. I even found elderberry tea in Walmart last week…priced well. Our daughter near us here, got us on some manuka honey which also helps as well.
I’m glad you’re feeling better Brenda! When I had covid I had all the symptoms except the sore throat! It was so brutal I almost died!
Rest and drink plenty of fluids! I’m praying that you’ll feel better soon and covid will go away!
Best post ever! Love your mind.
I’ve had Covid 5x in the last 4 years. Each time there were different symptoms. Thank god my husband’s doctor gave him anti nausea pills when he had it so I could have a couple and boy did they work .
So glad you’re coming through the other side of this, Brenda. Sounds like it has been horrible. This is the first time I’ve heard of someone having more intestinal issues than respiratory. Those body aches are brutal as is that constant chill. So glad Ivy is there with you. My cat, Abigail also goes into “nurse” mode when I don’t feel well. They’re such a comfort. Take things easy and get back to normal eating gradually. Your system has been through a lot.
So happy to see your post! I like many have been worried and praying for your recovery.
Take it slow, stay warm, in bed or in the chair and rest, recuperate.
We will await your next update.
Brenda,
I am so happy to read your post. Honest to God, I had such a bad premonition of you being hospitalized! If I lived near you, I would have called the police for a wellness check. Please rest and know how thankful we are to have this update. I have started watching a new Canadian crime show called D.I. Ray. I think you will find it very exciting. Take care; sending prayers for you to recover.
Get better!!!!! Rest,rest,rest.Drink,drink drink and then rest more.
Hugs to you and Ivy.
Been waiting and waiting, and every day, I thought today, Brenda will be back. Thank goodness, you are better and on the mend, finally… so happy to see you again, and doing ok. Not fun, for sure, going through this sickness, all by yourself, with no help. Covid is still here with us, and I thought it was out the door last winter and gone, but, I guess it is here to stay, as is getting the flu or having a cold. Don’t know, but sure hope Covid will soon be a thing of the past, and not a yearly deal we have to worry about.
Thinking about you, and the doctor says, get lots of rest and drink lots of water. I’ve heard that’s what doctors say, but anyway…WELCOME back Brenda, we all love you and worry about you, always in our prayers.
Had guessed that COVID had you down and kept you from your blog. Take it easy hope you feel better soon.
Glad to know you are getting better, take things easy.
Glad to see your message today. I had assumed (correctly I see) that you were pretty sick and it’s good to see you back here. But do take it easy and don’t try to do too much too soon — we will all be here when you return.
I have been so worried about you…thought maybe you were in the hospital…so glad you are rounding the corner…good sign you are craving real food…take care…one day at at a time…bless you💕
Brenda, I have missed you. It is wonderful to hear you are better but I am sorry to hear that you have been so sick. Take care of yourself and begin your favorite things slowly.
So very sorry you were so horribly ill. Continue resting, hydrating, and eating what sounds good to you. Wishing you a full recovery!!!
BTW… season 13 of Vera will begin February 28 on Britbox. 😊
Oh good!
I’m so sorry you’ve been so sick BUT you are on the mend, so that is good. I was with my mom yesterday and she thought she just had a “scratchy throat” and I told her she looked terrible/very sick. She said, “You don’t think I could have Covid, do you?” I asked if that was the only symptom she had and she said yes. I said, “I doubt it then.” But she took a Covid test last night just to make sure because we had also just visited my aunt in the hospital!! Sure enough, it was positive. We are all very scared that my aunt (who’s still hospitalized) will get it. I’m of course, worried that I will get it too, but at least I’m well in general with no underlying conditions. I had it a couple of years ago and was sick, but not TOO bad. Anyway, I messaged my mom this morning and she is very sick today. She talked to her holistic doctor on the phone this morning and this dr will let my mom know what to do to heal. Yes, Covid is here to stay, just like the flu.
We’re all still here for you Brenda. You need to put YOU first, we’ll be here when you are back up to par. Don’t push it, don’t rush trying to get better and act as if you were never sick – as we all know you are VERY APT TO DO!!!! Keep resting and as your appetite increases for those healthy foods, go for them. Your body is telling you what it wants and need. If you are not presently doing this, see if you can arrange teleconferences or internet conferences with your primary care doctor about your symptoms and progress. I’ve learned myself the hard way over decades that it’s true – patience is a virtue 🙂
Brenda, glad to finally hear from you. Continue to take care of yourself, sorry you had a bad time with Covid. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
So glad to know you made it out alive. So many people didn’t. And it’s a shame that you have to worry about paying the bills when all you want/need to do is rest to get better.
Ah, but that is life for everyone
Hello Brenda !!!
I am so glad to read you this night !
Take care of you abd une caresse for so beautifull Ivy !
Emma
I’m glad to hear that you are feeling better. I know several people who have had this strain of Covid. It doesn’t seem to matter whether they had the Covid vaccine or not! Like Lisa B said, we are all worried about you!
Yep! My friend who has had all the vaccines just had Covid for the *4th* time and she was very sick. Another friend who’s never been vaxxed just had it for the 1st time and she just had a mild case. Doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason. Having a healthy immune system in the first place of course, helps if you get it so you have a better chance of fighting it off.
That is discouraging news! I haven’t had it yet and after six vaccines, I thought maybe I was safe…but time will tell.
I am not a doctor or health professional but I try to keep up w news that I can use to stay healthy as a senior. The new Covid vaccines are similar to the seasonal flu vaccines we have had around for decades – it targets the dominant expected strains but does not cover them all. Some years the flu vaccine is very protective and some years it is not depending on which strains actually emerge as the vaccines are created much in advance, A “good” flu vaccine year is when the vaccine offers 50%+ protection against flu. I have also read that Covid germs on surfaces can live for a long time (many months) – so things like car keys, doorknobs, wallets, handbags, money, etc might be a culprit if the surfaces are not disinfected.
Brenda~ so thankful hearing from you as you emerge from the grips of COVID!!! Please take it easy as your strength is hard to regain all at once! Keep hydrated!!
Your followers have you in their prayers!!
My personal bout was closer to almost 3 weeks.. I agree, while feverish with pounding headache, i totally lost all track of time..just lost in a haze of chills and fevers.. at my onset, i had a runny nose and scratchy throat.. all signs of seasonal allergies..but when my temp hit 101.. then it was off to urgent care..yep C-positive! Like you, I’d kept current with all the shots and boosters for Covid..as well as the mrs vax for upper respiratory infections.. Ironically, my ordeal with covid did not affect my lungs at all! but every bone as well as my skin hurt like never before!!
I pray that will be my only experience ever with Covid!
PS..did you eat the cucumber you craved?
Yes, I finally had a few slices of cucumber. But then all I could think about was cilantro lime rice with beans and fire-roasted corn. I’ve never even eaten that combo before. But I placed an InHome Walmart order and I guess I’ll be eating that soon. I’m tired of soup. Seems I’m only craving healthy foods.
I’m glad to discover a post from you although I am very sad knowing that you’ve been so sick. Hopefully, you’ve turned a crucial corner and are seriously on the mend. Don’t overdo and focus on healing.
Thank God you are “ok”. I am sure that I am not the only one that was worried about you. Keep on resting and drinking fluids. We are all sending good thoughts.
You have been missed! I sincerely hope the worst is behind you and each day forward finds you a little better.