Health News & Car Photo
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Yesterday I saw the physician who is filling in for my own physician while she’s on vacation. I no longer had a UTI, but still felt unwell.
This doctor, Dr. Street, ordered a CAT scan, which I had done late yesterday. He messaged me this just now: CT showed incidental benign-appearing adrenal nodules and incidental non-obstructing kidney stones and incidental kidney cysts.
So it looks like there’s nothing to be done at this time, but said they’d keep monitoring it. I truly have not felt like myself since I had COVID in January 2024.
COVID News:
Yesterday Steve told me about an article in the AARP Bulletin that I should read. It’s about COVID, Long COVID, and older people. It said we older folks should have COVID tests on hand at home. Because it’s very important to get Paxlovid as soon as you can after you find out you have it.
I remember I had to wait over the weekend to let my doctor know. So I didn’t get the prescription until Monday afternoon, which meant 4 days after finding out I was positive. Maybe if I’d gotten it sooner the symptoms wouldn’t have been as acute and I wouldn’t have been sick for several weeks. Who knows?
But the one thing everyone knows, it said in the article, is that patients are flocking to their doctor’s office complaining of symptoms they never had before COVID.
Long COVID is defined as an infection-associated chronic condition that occurs after COVID-19 infection and is present for at least three months as a continuous, relapsing and remitting, or progressive disease state that affects more than one organ system.
Older adults and those with pre-existing conditions are most at risk. People 65 and older accounted for 63% of COVID-related hospitalizations, and 88% of in-hospital deaths during the first seven months of 2023.
With every new case of acute COVID (the initial phase of infection when diagnosed or symptoms first appear), there is risk for developing long COVID. And this is linked with our shrinking life expectancy.
Long COVID Cases:
One woman named Chrissy, it said in the article, had COVID three times but her symptoms were pretty mild. But after her third round, she developed extreme allergies to foods she used to eat all the time. Oats, dairy, gluten, sesame seeds, and peanuts. She said that she literally has some level of anaplylaxis every single day.
Another woman went into anaphylactic shock during a virtual meeting. She said she had to inject herself with an Epi while everyone watched in horror on Zoom.
A woman named Natalie struggles with debilitating asthma and severe food allergies since she first caught COVID more than three years ago. She said last fall she spent two and a half months confined to bed because moving or holding a cell phone made her too short of breath.
Natalie also experiences brain fog, high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Recently she underwent surgery to repair joint damage caused by COVID-induced inflammation.
This is enough to scare anyone, especially those of us over 65.
My Car:
I took a photo of my 2006 car. It isn’t a great one because it’s under the carport. But this is my car after the body work was done a few weeks ago.
Loan Application:
I have had my loan application finished early because I think I may be moving in December instead of January. Kendra is staying updated on condos in this area. I received my pre-approval letter so now all of that is done.
Your car looks great, Brenda. So glad you got it fixed. It should give you many more years of driving. I’m glad you’re feeling better! Definitely keep an eye on things! I can’t even imagine getting long Covid and all the foods you used to eat can now be deadly! That’s terrible! When will this end?! I need to go get the most recent booster. That was smart to get pre approved for your loan. Have you been out to see anymore condos recently? I’m excited for this new journey you’re on!
Dear Brenda,
your car looks brand new! Whoever did the body work, did a great job.
Uti’s are awful! I didn’t know what a urinary tract infection was. I got one in my early twenties, was married almost a year. It took a week of antibiotics and more liquid intake. I am careful with wiping and using mild soaps and cotton underwear. In fifty plus years, I have managed to keep that nasty bacteria away! About ten years ago, my sister, who is a nurse, suggested drinking a glass of unsweetened cherry juice. It’s supposed to be better than unsweetened cranberry juice, but who knows.
I caught Covid this year, for the first time this spring. I had driven down to Southern California for the grandchildren’s graduations. I thought it was the flu. I had a super high fever (104) and my daughter wanted to take me to the Urgent Care. Vomiting, the runs, for two days I was miserable. I recovered and only figured out it was Covid after two weeks. My daughter made me test every couple of days. It was icky! I would suggest going to a nutritionist and see if you are missing any key vitamins or minerals. Good food, exercise and rest can make a world of difference.
Praying you get well permanently.
Your vehicle looks great!
My sister got Covid the first time it went around before there were any shots available. She has never been the same. She also has long Covid. She has had Covid two more times since even though she has had the shot and boosters.
So happy for you and your move. Awesome Christmas gift Brenda. The car looks brand new they did a great job.
Sorry for your illness lately. It is awful to not feel well. I have been sick a lot in my life so I can sympathize with how you feel. On the other hand, your car looks great! If only us humans could get fixed up as easily as a car and look and feel good.
Hoping the future is better for you. I am sure you are sorting and packing for that move that will be here before you know it. How is your kitty, the bright spot in your life? I sure miss ours, she was 18 and we had to let her go this summer. I expect her to meet me at the door every time I come home because she always did that, just like a little dog.
We are going to get flu shots later but I did get a COVID shot so hope that will keep some of those germs away.
Glad things are coming together for you and your next move!! Interesting about covid effects…we all know we are not the same as we were. I have issues with kidney stones, but am taking a cranberry supplement and a malic acid supplement each day…I pass them sometimes (look like a bit of pepper) but usually not painful…and sometimes if painful it is bearable and once it passes then all is ok again. One could maybe get the same results by drinking a glass of cranberry juice each day and eating an apple per day but apples here are very hard to find (other than the super tiny ones) and being diabetic, it is easier to just take the supplements. I hope you will figure out how to feel better. Glad this doc was more interested in helping…it is hard to find ones who really care much these days. Take care…thanks for the update!
Your vehicle looks wonderful!
I’m excited for your move.
Sorry you’re still not feeling well.
Wow, I hope you don’t have long COVID. Of all the things we have to worry about these days, walking around seeing people once again wearing masks where I live, it’s a jolt. There is a new updated COVID vaccine available now, I will be getting it shortly at my local pharmacy. Flu shots are also available, I get one yearly too but I get that at my doctor’s office when I see her for my annual “wellness visit” that is paid for by Medicare, along with a shot for pneumonia. As I get older, my attitude is “you can never be too careful.” I’m not paranoid, but I do try to stay up to date with the latest news, especially about COVID and during this summer, the alarming rise in cases of West Nile virus and other bad viruses spread by mosquito bites. I never thought I’d be under threat of getting infected with West Nile virus living in Wisconsin. Smart move getting your pre-approval letter for your financing. Sellers like to see those because they know you’re already eligible to get a mortgage loan if they accept your offer to buy their property. I hope you have good luck and find just the right place soon! Your car looks brand new, holy cow! It’s amazing. I love the finish on it too.
Your car looks fantastic Brenda. I haven’t felt the same since I had covid. I used to hike to take photos and ride my horse but now I have to make myself do any physical activity. I am going to make myself start walking even if it is half a block and get stronger. I want my life back.
Katie
Wow the car looks fantastic. I have an old 2010 Suzuki sedan which I now use as the pet mobile, aka vet mobile!
Excited to hear about the move!
Your car looks great. You would never know it was a 2006 model. I’m glad to hear you had a CT scan to ease your mind as to what could be wrong. It sounds like they will keep monitoring your kidneys. It won’t be long before you will be checking out a new place to live.
Wow your car looks brand new Brenda! Very nice.
We just got our Covid booster shots this morning as we’ve had friends catching it after concerts and indoor activities that are still coughing and feeling fatigue. We took Plaxovid when we had mild cases last year and being elderly our doctor encourages us to keep kits around so we do our part to not keep spreading it around.
I’m so sorry you’re still feeling yucky. Makes for difficult days.
Oh my goodness, Brenda your car looks fabulous – like having brand new wheels. LOL Take good care of yourself.