Yesterday Attila discovered that about six weeks ago, just after he returned to work after being home for medical reasons, there was a case of Covid-19 at his workplace. Well over 1000 people work there, the facilities are huge, and Attila works at all facilities, moving around a lot. The precautions that are taken at his workplace are very good, but they are not a guarantee against the coronavirus, as the only guarantee is complete isolation, which he cannot undertake, which means I cannot undertake because I live with Attila.
Just a week or so after Attila returned to work, I received a flu shot, and a Shingrix shot. I had a sore arm and a rash within 24 hours after receiving the Shingrix shot, a known side effect. A few days later I experienced extreme gastrointestinal symptoms. The Shingrix information stated that this was a possibility, and would last three to five days. It is four weeks now, and although this symptom has improved, it still plagues me.
So given that there was a case of Covid-19 where Attila works, during the time he first returned to work, I wonder, are my gastrointestinal symptoms really a result of the Shingrix shot, or did Attila bring home the virus without having experienced any symptoms himself? Gastrointestinal issues are not part of the screening questions for Covid-19, but they can be the only symptom of a mild Covid-19 infection. I will never know of course. I wonder what reaction I will have to the second Shingrix shot, coming up for me in the New Year. If I do have a second gastrointestinal episode, then I will lean towards Shingrix being the culprit.
Another distressing piece of news yesterday, is that the UK recommends that people with severe allergy issues NOT receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, which is the one that is approved now in Canada. Apparently there have been a few anaphylactic reactions to the vaccine in the UK. Since I have anaphylaxis, this could have serious consequences for me. I am hoping they isolate the allergen in the shot, and that it is not a substance that I am allergic to!
The combination of these two disappointing pieces of new information about the coronavirus has left me feeling a bit anxious today. So much so that I have had a nosebleed, which happens when I am experiencing serious distress. My nose knows.
I am also a little sad, because I won’t be seeing the Grandbabies this year during the holidays. We usually see them once or twice a year, and only for a few hours then, so it isn’t a big change. It has been almost a year since we last saw or spoke to them, but we hear through the grapevine that they are healthy and well, so we feel glad of that for them. We debated this year whether we could find enough money to send gifts for Christmas, but since we aren’t giving each other gifts, or buying a Christmas Tree, we have been able to cobble together enough to send modest toys to the Littles, and a bit of money to Biggles. Luna’s three are the Biggles, the twins Imp and Elf are teenagers now, and Tink is just a few years behind them. Terra’s three are the Littles, the twins Sunny and Sky are four, and Willow is two. Getting the package for the Littles and the cash for the Biggles ready to send off helped to lighten my spirit.
This is just one of those days when I need to sit quietly, exist, come to terms with reality, and my valid feelings about it all.
This Christmas our plan is to enjoy the fact that we have our health (fingers crossed), and to spend time creating delicious food from scratch. We already have some goodies to make on our list: Gingerbread Cookies, Mincemeat Tarts, Steamed Christmas Pudding, and Panettone. We will splurge on a carton of Ice Cream as well, a special treat for Attila, he loves the stuff. The turkey is waiting in the freezer, and will be enjoyed with our garden Brussels Sprouts, Scarlet Runner Beans, Squash, as well as purchased Sweet Potatoes and Potatoes. The dressing will be made with my homemade Organic 100% Whole Wheat Bread. Our feast will be the highlight of our holiday celebration.
A little amusement. Our mail is delivered to the house. I always know when. The delivery person talks loudly on their cell phone as they work, I can clearly hear their side of the conversation. I know more about this person than I would like to!
Worldly
Weather
3°C
Date: 10:00 AM EST Thursday 10 December 2020
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 101.9 kPa
Tendency: Rising
Temperature: 2.6°C
Dew point: -0.1°C
Humidity: 82%
Wind: WNW 9 km/h
Visibility: 24 km
Quote
“If we choose only to expose ourselves to opinions and viewpoints that are in line to our own, we become more polarized, more set in our own ways. It will only reinforce and deepen the political divides in our country. But if we choose to actively seek out information that challenges our assumptions and beliefs, perhaps we can begin to understand where the people who disagree with us are coming from.”
Barack Obama
1961 –
I hope there’s some merriment possible for you in the middle of the worries and isolation. *hugs*
Thanks Joan! I think I am in a sort of “holding my breath” phase, waiting and hoping that Attila makes it to the Christmas break without catching the virus. Once he has been home for a few days for the break, and is still symptom free, I think I will feel very merry indeed, and have a wonderful Christmas holiday. I write here to ensure that I do not bury these worrisome feelings, because were I to do that they would pop up again in places and times, where and when they would be more difficult to deal with. I am putting a brave face on it most of the time, for Attila’s sake, he needs to reenergize when he is safe at home, to face the next day, and the next. Thanks for “listening”. *hugs*
I so wish Attila could find a job where he wouldn’t be in contact with so many people for both your sakes. Sounds like you will have a nice Christmas being together and enjoying your turkey dinner and all the extras! Hopefully 2021 will be much better for everyone. Stay safe!
Eileen
Hello Maggie, and everyone else. I hope this finds all of you doing as well as you can, during this continuing virus. COVID is not slowing down…in fact, our area had more deaths in one day this week…compared to a time during last Spring when the death count was horribly high. Life just isn’t showing a lot of “getting better.” Over the past weeks, I have done quite a bit of reading about previous epidemics and pandemics. I have paid close attention to the Spanish Flu in 1918-1919. I have read examples of people becoming ill in the morning, and then succumbed that afternoon. I have information, in my fathers family, that 3 young children died, within a few days of each other. There was such limited information to the public, compared to what we have. We, on the other hand, are bombarded constantly with virus news and updates. We also have so many different factions of people that either don’t believe or are not following the recommendations for prevention, and maybe slow the spread. Even the “scientific experts” don’t agree. It is no wonder that things are in an uproar. Enough about this. I love your tree!! It made my heart warm. I am still struggling with AFIB, and poor stamina/energy. I had dr appts with 2 different doctors….now I am being referred to another different doctor. I just hope and pray that my 7 doctors are reading/ communicating with each other. I am a nurse,and I keep trying to make sense of what they are all doing….to help me! Doctors typically do not appreciate the patient asking questions….and, I question what they are doing. If you had told me that I would be on 12 different medications, I would have never believed it. 3 years ago, I was walking 2 and a half miles 3-4 times a week. Now,I struggle to walk around in my house! But, it is what it is. I am starting a strengthening exercise program in a couple of weeks. The “coach” told me that I will most likely never get back what I used to be able to do….but, I will have improvement. It will be slow. Mike and I decided a few days before the election, to not watch any news, other than the weather. It is all crazy nuts. I think it has helped us both be less tense. I will let you know when we lift our personal news blackout!! Everyone: please stay as healthy as possible, and a blessed Christmas. xxoo Margarett
Margarett, so glad to hear your news, and that you are safe. I hope you do get a lot of your mobility back, it is very difficult to adjust to the “no can do” aspect of health issues. You have amazing health care! Wow, all those doctors. We don’t have even one doctor, there is a shortage here, and the doctors that are here do not even allow waiting lists. We see a Nurse Practitioner, and do get referred to specialists from time to time, but it takes months to get a specialist appointment. Of course our health issues have not been life-threatening, so I don’t really know what would happen if we were to need immediate medical attention.
Turning off the news is a great idea. I do follow a medical educator’s videos, which review the medical literature and the various health organizations around the world. He focuses on scientific peer reviewed publications, and is up front when something is just his opinion, or speculation. I don’t read the news, but Attila does. He lets me know if there is anything that I might be interested in, but there isn’t much I am interested in really.
Wishing you and Mike and all the people you love a safe and peaceful holiday season! xxoo
Eileen, thank you for such a wonderful with, that would be so wonderful. It isn’t in the cards for us. We have no good choices, hopefully as we make the most of cards we are dealt things will turn out well.
I do feel so lucky that we have shelter, warmth, good company, good food, and our health for Christmas. I am really looking forward to that turkey dinner!
I do hope for better times to come for all of us in 2021 and beyond. Stay safe dear friend!