Yeah. After lockdown and all the required vaccinations as well as booster shots, wearing a mask in public for what seemed like—forever, traveling both domestically and overseas on flights as long as 8 ½ hours, jammed packed at customs—and close enough to others to become impregnated (if I was that young and productive), staying home and becoming more of a misanthropic individual than I ever was.
I tested positive for Covid.
Thank goodness the “T” line is not as dark as it was a few days ago!
There are definitely mixed feelings about this and I’ll address it as I go further into this post.
On Christmas, I had a cold. Nothing to the chest, just a head cold of sorts and feeling a bit tired. Nevertheless, I took it easy. Since The Frenchman’s granddaughter is in a community presentation of the play “Mary Poppins”, they decided to forego Christmas dinner with us as they didn’t want his 12-year-old granddaughter exposed to germs. And I get that.
Basically, this is what I’ve been going through.
And so, Christmas, as you read in my previous blog post was restful and quiet. Just me. Roman. The Frenchman. Roman went home the Tuesday after Christmas. I had a few days off with the return to the office last Thursday.
And my return to work was quiet but very productive. Nobody was in the office and I had the opportunity to catch up on mail, tidying up the facilities and wait for a delivery that never arrived. Yet, I thought this “cold” was lingering. Something felt “off” and yet it didn’t.
Yessssssss! I was happy to be back at work–even if for one day! I honestly enjoy my new job!
So that evening I took a Covid test at home. We ordered quite a few free tests and had a plethora of them in our main bathroom.
We have quite the number of these tests. I fact, my obsessive personality has me taking these tests more than I should.
I carefully followed the directions on the test. Opening the swab gingerly, making sure my hands were clean (as if it really mattered), and, went to town showing the swab up my nose to ensure that I was collecting whatever traces of disease were lining the wideness of my nostrils.
With the focus of a scientist, I placed my dirty swab into a little plastic container and swirled it around 15 times with the liquid that was securely ensconced into said container.
Yes. I take my obsession with these Covid tests very seriously.
And then, I placed my three drops of my snotty residue into a small oval opening that would lead to the area which would tell me whether or not I was infected.
It came as quite a surprise when I discovered a positive result. In fact, I’m such a Doubting Thomasina that I repeated the test. Three times. Positive.
I’m obsessed and triggered at the same time.
You have no idea what went through my head. I was thinking about heading to the emergency room. After all, I had heard more than my share of Covid horror stories since my previous job was dealing in healthcare. Thank God in Heaven I am no longer working at a triggering job.
But I thought the worst. I envisioned myself under an oxygen tent, gasping for a molecule of air. I saw my temperature rise 1000 degrees. I wondered if I needed to be placed into an iron lung. I started to cry. Not little tears but sobbing, ugly tears. To the point my husband thought I needed to be placed in the ER for my mental health as opposed to the physical.
Well, yeah. I was also crying because I was hungry. I’ll admit it.
Here’s the thing that bothered me though—and please, please, please my friends, please correct me if I’m wrong—because I could be….wrong, that is.
What really bothered me is that, after almost three years, the vaccines, the boosters, the mask-wearing, and the fact my blood type is O Negative, I was under the impression that I wouldn’t get Covid. At all. My competitive nature makes me feel as though I lost the sport of avoiding this annoying condition.
It’s true. I couldn’t win at the game of keeping Covid at bay and it pisses me off.
Granted, the media did a fantastic job into showcasing the horror of not getting vaccinated—and I appreciate that. The media also did a stellar job of managing to showcase how politicians could have saved millions of lives—but I’m not going to touch upon that right now.
I only wish the media had showcased a more realistic picture of what can happen after you comply—after you get your vaccinations and boosters and follow the rules.
Fact is, I don’t feel bad. I’ve had colds where I was a lot worse. Where I couldn’t speak (which everyone I’ve lived with was thankful) for a week, where my chest was like a rattling old trunk, where my only meals were the daily amounts of mucus that flowed down my throat into my belly.
Believe me, I’ve had colds far worse than I’m feeling with this Covid.
There’s none of that. No sweats. No fever. No chest cough. Just sneezing and what appears to be a congested head. I swear to you even the stuff that comes out of my nose into a tissue is clear! Albeit, there’s a lot of that clear stuff running into the tissues…and dripping on my pajama tops.
Quite honestly, the worst part about Covid was sneezing made my hemorrhoids worse.
I think hemorrhoids should be a symptom of Covid. From one end to the other!
Yesterday, we were able to take down all the Christmas decorations. I cursed at the lights that were difficult to unravel because I should have unraveled them when the tree fell on top of me but I was too lazy. I, along with The Frenchman, lugged tubs up and down flights of stairs, lifted the tree out of the tree stand so my husband could put the tree outside, wrote a blog post—overall I was very productive.
When it warms up a bit I’ll transplant the Poinsettias into a large pot.
From the family room on the lower level..
To the foyer..
..and
..the..
..living room. All traces of Christmas are gone. Back to beige..well…
…the Catholic in me is leaving the fake tree in the sunroom up until Epiphany. Then it’s being dismantled.
And so, today I’m home. And just as our Christmas tree slightly overstayed it’s welcome—as the branches started to droop and dry out; I’m feeling like I’ve overstayed my welcome at home. I had a nice time being home for the holidays but I want to get back to work. I enjoy working.
The good tree waits patiently to be picked up.
That process of waking up when the alarm rings at 6:00 AM, gives me joy—because it’s another day that I woke up. I love brushing away that morning feeling with a dab of toothpaste squeezed upon that brush that’ll enter my mouth. The feel of the splash of cool water hitting my face rejuvenates me. And the feeling of moisturizer over my face makes me well-aware that I’m keeping my skin soft.
When that alarm rings–I’m up. No snooze button for me!
When my husband brings me my coffee as I’m “putting my face” on makes me happy. And deciding what outfit to wear is one decision I’m never indecisive about. My morning commute through Valley Forge Park relaxes me as I listen to my music.
And then when I arrive at work, I’m ready to handle any tasks that come my way.
What I don’t enjoy is being stuck at home when I would rather be at the office. It’s weird. At 10:25 AM I finished a nice cup of tea.
I know. I know. My tea mug is naughty but today, that’s how I feel. I just want to get back to work!!!!!!!!!!
I applied nail strengthener to my nails and I’m hungry. But since I’m making yet the 1,000,000th attempt at losing weight, I’m drinking water instead. And I’m still hungry. I could actually go for a burger topped with melted Swiss cheese, sauteed onions and cooked mushrooms along with a large chocolate shake. Yeah. My taste buds are longing!
My taste buds are in working order–as is my nose!
Actually, I’ll go into the living room, plop my butt on one of the sofas, turn the TV and peruse through Netflix to find something to watch!
Honestly, have you had a mild case of Covid? I’m pretty sure it’s safe to assume you’ve all been vaccinated and boostered. So please if you did have Covid anyway, I would love you to share your experiences.
I’ll be back to wearing a mask on my own accord!
Welcome to 2023!
I had a cold just like you’re describing a couple of weeks before Christmas. The sneezing made me wish for Depends! I still have a lingering cough. But, I tested several times, and they were all negative. But, I still wonder. I am glad you aren’t feeling too bad. And, I love that tea mug!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
After bragging at work that the scientists should be studying those of us that HADN’T gotten Covid, I tested positive the next day. Of course. Highly recommend my variant. 10 out of 10. Tiny tickle of a sore throat for a day. Slept for 4 days. Was a slug for two more days. Done. Most relaxing illness I’ve ever had. Loved it.
OMG. N E! I was the same way. I THOUGHT I was immune due to my Type O Negative blood. I honestly got pissed because all through lockdown, I went to work–to an office. I traveled via airplane DURING the lockdown and nothing! NOTHING! Then this! AARRGHHH!!! XOXOXO
So sorry to read about your Covid experience. Luckily it appears mild and hopefully you won’t experience any long Covid symptoms. Our entire family is fully vaxxed and boosted and we, too, all contracted Covid with medium to mild symptoms. None of us have long Covid. We’re now very careful about potential exposure and ONLY wear N95 masks, never just cloth. We still keep hand sanitizer in our cars and home and use it regularly and likely will for the near term. Take care of yourself and family.
Hi Sheri, I purchased the last two n95 masks at the Rite-Aid near me last week. I’m headed to Amazon to see if I can order more. I had never heard of “long” Covid until I started perusing the net for covid after being vaccinated. It scared the shit out of me. I think the news media needs to stress more the importance of covid-after-being-vaccinated care! XOXOXO
Yup you can get Covid after being vaccinated. Know many who have had it post all boosters. In all likelihood it will be quite mild and you’ll have the symptoms you described. It’s a virus that changes and morphs much like a cold virus so like a cold it might be nasty or not. I have had worse upper respiratory infections..had RSV for five weeks in November…it’s bad!! My son’s family, all except their four year old had terrible colds in September. Guess what that kid had, with no symptoms? COVID!! My son has to be careful because he works in a hospital so the family was testing daily…everyone remained negative and snotty except Francis who was bouncing off the walls in boredom! Hopefully you also subjected Vincent to testing as well. We mask up everywhere we go, malls, grocery, stores.. COSTCO is a Petri dish of bacteria and germs, we think that’s where we caught RSV because none of our kids had it. As we age our immune system isn’t as robust so we are fair game for any bug doing the rounds.
Take care, rest up and get better. XO
Hi Al, I’m so happy your RSV is gone. That was my biggest fear because I’ve heard how awful it is. I’m going stir crazy right now. I’m sending my negative-tested husband to the store later so I can make croissants. I need to do something! XOXOXOX
At 78, with metastatic cancer and a neurological disease, I was vaccinated, boosted, masked and distanced until September 2022 when unmasked fellow airplane passengers spread COVID. I had a fairly mild case, no respiratory symptoms, but joint, muscle, and head aches persisted for weeks after testing negative. The new booster was not released until we were on our way home from our first trip since 2018. If we travel again, I’ll schedule it a month after the next booster.
Hi Sharon, I think a huge part of the issue is the airlines allowing passengers to remain unmasked. While I realize the planes have good air systems, the germs are still flying about. I’m traveling at the end of this month and you can bet your bottom dollar, I’ll be on that plane with a mask on my face! XOXOXOXO
We were masked on the COVID spreading flight, which took 8 hours. Took masks off briefly to eat lunch and drink water. Hard to keep masks on continuously for so long. Because of our ages and medical conditions, we took Paxlovid from first day of symptoms/positive test.
The Covid vaccine is like the flu vaccine, you can still get it, but it will most likely be a much milder case. I get the flu shot and would still get it, but instead of being flat on my crack sick for 7 days I now get through it in about a day and a half! I’ll get the shots! I’ve followed your blog probably since close to the beginning. We’re the same age too! You make me smile. Thank you!!!
Hi Gerri, Thank you! I’m glad to make you smile:) Honestly, I think COVID is going to end up being a regular flu down the line and we’ll all have annual shots. XOXOXO
I hope you feel better soon. Sorry to hear that you caught the virus. Unfortunately, so many people got it despite of the vaccinations and boosters and masks. Nevertheless, have a Happy New Year.
Hi Nicole! And a happy new year to you and yours! XOXOXO
I had mild COVID in August almost six months after my third shot. I had a strange fever that went up and down for three days and left me mildly depressed and VERY tired. No cough or anything like that. Got it from son who most likely got it traveling by train to visit me, even though he used a mask. But the mask really just protect people you meet, not yourself…He is 27 but has a heart condition, so he also had his 3 shots thankfully, so he came down with like a bad cold. I know Sweden got a lot of s**t for not going into lockdown during the first year, but I actually think we did ok in the end, and I remember what our State epidemiologist said at the start of the pandemic: this is a disease like the flu, everyone will get it at some point, but if we can handle it by following all recommendations and, as it is now with vaccine, we will learn to live with it. The ones who still get really sick and dies in Sweden are those who never got a single shot because they believed they would get mutated or something…(and because the vaccination ratio is 86% for 2 doses in the population and 88% of everyone over 65 has had 3 doses, I’m inclined to think those 14 % maybe are not the best and brightest?)
By the way – to fight off a virus you need energy – so eat something really nice and rewarding, be it a pizza or hamburger or whatever! Diets are for when your body is back in health:))
Hi Angelin, I”m very happy that your son is ok and that you are as well. Yeah. I’m so glad that my husband and I have the three vacinnatios and boosters. I would much rather be safe than sorry. TBH, if that idiot in the white house hadn’t made a joke of Covid, more people here in the States would have been vaccinated. I’m kind of annoyed at the fact that those of us who are vaccinated have to carry the weight for those who didn’t bother. Many of whom are taking up space in the ICU when people who really need the medical help are turned away. And yes. I am eating. I’ve made lots and lots of soup! XOXOXOXO
Covid finally caught up to me this December when it was brought into our home. Felt like the flu (achy) for a few days. I think if we weren’t vaccinated we would have had it a lot worse. Masks are my go-to accessory, always. Sorry to hear it got you too Catherine, but I am sure the vaccine did help to lessen the symptoms. Best to you and yours for the New Year!
Thank you Julie. Definitely happy that I’m vaxxed and boostered up the wazoo! And a happy and healthy new year to you and yours too! XOXOXOXO
I’m so sorry to hear you’re sick! I got it the end of June and the symptoms were like a bad head cold. I decided after 10 days and testing negative I was free to get back to normal. I went back to life at full speed. Within 2 weeks I was flat on my back again with pneumonia like symptoms. It took nearly 2 months to get rid of the cough and regain my stamina.
Please take care of yourself and don’t rush back to normal quickly is my advice. Also, take lots of C, D and zinc.
Take care.
Hi Cathe, Thanks for the heads up on the C,D and Zinc. Zinc is great! Oona had a cough for a long time after having Covid as did others I know–and they were all vaccinated and boostered! The Covid is an odd thing because it keeps changing. XOXOXOXO
My husband got it on Christmas Eve got on paxlovid that day felt great after 3 days hope you recover quickly
Hi Kay! I’m glad the paxlovid worked. I figured if I got worse, I would call the doctor for it but it remained like a bad cold! XOXOXOX
Hi Catherine, after 3 years I got it too just a week before my annual booster,
It was just like a cold; the most miserable bit was isolating until I was clear. Happily I had family to do shopping for me. But I think we should always remember that some people are going to get it and be really ill and it is best not to spread it if possible. Glad to hear you are doing well. Christine
Hi Christine, Yeah. That’s why I’m going back to masking it when I leave my home. I don’t want another bout of this and I don’t want others to get it. I honestly think if all of us were vaccinated, this thing would be just about gone. XOXOXOXO
After having been closely exposed to the virus multiple times without infection- I thought myself invincible. After 3 boosters; I considered myself armor clad. While at our home in France in October- I got it. And, sadly- I spread it to our neighbors and my husband who 2 years ago, had it and a heart attack simultaneously. Everyone around me recovered over a week’s time. I did not. However, it wasn’t as bad as other things I’ve had- like shingles.
Hi Lois. Yeah!!!!!!! I’ve been exposed seemingly forever and never caught it. It’s the weirdest germ! Shingles wasn’t that bad for me. I had them when I was pregnant with my first child–it felt like a rug burn! XOXOXO
Oh- and I am the one who wears a mask- ALWAYS!
My husband and I came down with Covid in early October. We didn’t wear masks on our tiny cruise ship because they have probably the best protocols in the industry. Thanks to being vaxxed and boosted to the max, we had extremely mild cases–no fever, just like a very mild head cold. However, I have lingering fatigue, and my husband has long Covid. He has frequent headaches, fatigue, and brain fog. We still wear our masks anytime we go into a store or other public place. We don’t eat in indoor restaurants. I am very discouraged about my fellow citizens and their lack of precautions. I have even been to doctors’ appointments when there was no mask wearing except by me. The pandemic isn’t over. I wish more people would understand this.
Hi Maggie. You hit the nail on the head. “The pandemic isn’t over”. And I think we’ve gotten a sense of false security. I’m going back to wearing masks in public. In fact, all my masks are in the laundry now. I don’t go to the mall anymore nor do I go to movie theatres. And quite honestly, rules regarding masks need to be put back into place. I certainly don’t mind masking it. I’ll save money on lipstick and gloss! XOXOXO
So sorry to hear Covid got to you too. I caught it in October, despite being vaccinated and boosted as well. I had most of the symptoms at a very uncomfortable level, which all came on at the same time, and then began leaving one at a time four days later during the overnight (very strange). I had the water faucet running nose also, which also magically turned itself off overnight and I hope yours does the same. Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Gel Caps really helped with my fever, sore throat and achy body.
Our Christmas tree, as well as outdoor and indoor decorations, stay up until the Epiphany too. Love that tea mug, it gets right to the point.
I hope you get well soon!
Hi Margaret. Yeah. The way the symptoms leave is odd. I feel great today save for a bit of congestion but the nose isn’t like a tap. I think the best “cure” so to speak was the rest–but now I’m getting antsy! XOXOXOXO
HI Cathe, same thing happened to me. Vaccinated, boosted, etc. The first time I flew after the mask restrictions were lifted, I got lazy, didn’t wear a mask, came home with Covid. From now on, I fly with a mask on! Be well…
Hi Cathe…..In October 2021, after 2 1/2 years of avoiding Covid, my husband and I got it after a weekend fall foliage trip to Vermont. But instead of seeing any beautiful foliage (it apparently was too early), we got Covid. We were fully vaccinated and boosted but got it. I was never under the illusion that being vaccinated would prevent us from getting Covid so I wasn’t surprised. We were, however, down for the count for 3 days, in bed with fever, aches & pains, diarrhea, etc. I can only imagine how bad it would have been without those shots. We continued to test positive for a total of 8 days. Needless to say, we just got our bivalent booster last week. It sounds like although your symptoms are annoying, for the most part, you are doing well. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Hi Toni, Thanks. Yeah. I’m lucky that my Covid hasn’t been bad at all. I can’t imagine how horrible it would be without being vaxxed. But I am going to return to wearing a mask when I’m in public. I don’t want another bout of this. XOXOXOXO
Cathe….Oops, meant to say we got Covid October 2022 not 2021.
Sorry to hear you finally caught COVID. I had bad flu in June for 2 weeks, right at the end of it I tested positive for COVID. I have had flu shot and 5 COVID shots, the joys of an autoimmune disease so did not think I would get it. It was very mild, just a bit achy, with headache as well. For me, normal life. I have now come down with another terrible case of flu, 8 days in and the cough from hell. Time to start testing for COVID again I think. Hope you feel better soon.
Yeah. Lyn–it’s crazy. If I could I would get immunized once a month if need be. Luckily, I wasn’t hit too badly. The first two days were the worst because I felt my head was in a vise. No fever. Just tired. Now, it’s just conjestion but the other horrible thing is the isolation. I don’t want to be home. I want to be at work. Yesterday afternoon I watched “Where the Crawdads Sing” I never thought the movie could be a hundred times worse than the book but it was. So I watched Christmas movies after that! LOL! XOXOXO
Yes more public service announcements around the recurrence in the face of boosting etc is necessary. We talk too cavalier these days and need to accept the new normal that things r not as they were . Love your blog
All the best
Ann BurkeLCSWR
Thank you Ann. It’s so true. My husband and I were discussing this last night. With all the information regarding vaccinations and why they are so important, there is minimal information on getting Covid AFTER you’ve had the vaccinations AND boosters. Honest to God, I was sitting here the other night crying like a baby because I thought I would end up in the ICU all due to a lack of information. Even the symptoms listing is slightly outdated. Luckily, this morning, I’m getting closer and closer to a negative result. My “T” line was barely visible for the first time in 6 days! XOXOXOXO
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Like you, I have been vaccinated and boosted, but realize that, at some point, I will probably get Covid. As my husband keeps reminding me, the vaccine is to prevent you from winding up in the ICU, and I think the fact that you are feeling better is testament to that.
I had a rather mild case and hardly coughed (had every shot/ booster) I found out when having a coronary MRI my lungs were peeking out looking thick and like cracked glass a COVID long haul calling card. I now have lung scans every 6 months. And I am that person wearing a mask…
Take care
Jane