Did you know the coronaviruses are named for their shape when viewed under an electron microscope? Corona, in Latin means crown, or wreath, and this week Racey and I both were bestowed the crown that so many have worn. Racey tested positive on Wednesday morning, and I tested positive on Thursday morning. All things considered our symptoms have not been severe. However, Racey did spend a full day in bed and just as she was feeling functional again my symptoms caught up with me and bedrest was the only thing I was capable of.
Even now, as I sit down to write a quick note, I find myself laughing at the abundance of typos, abysmal syntax and clarity of thought — on par with our pond after a good summer’s rain. The symptoms of Covid have been a new body experience for both Racey and me. My first sign was after going for a morning trail run and some calisthenics. I commented to Racey that it felt like I had over done it. All of my muscles were overly sore. This pattern has grown and persisted in uncomfortable and interesting ways.
I have been working on noticing how my body reacts to different situations ever since my herniated disc summer last year. I know that when my intelligence or competency is threatened I feel a heat rise in my chest and neck, but in the midst of Covid I feel an immediate full body sweat! Can’t ignore that sign! I also have discovered that I will tune out and ignore difficult conversations, and with Covid where my hearing seems to be dulled, it feels like I’m completely deaf.
The most difficult sensation to describe is how my brain/head/perception feels. It is as if there is a lag, and my reaction time is very slow. Half the time writing this I don’t hit the space bar in time, and I have to go back and correct every sentence. I am constantly knocking things over and my short term memory is laughable.
Most importantly however, I am still able to read and engage with character voices for Lewis and Lovett’s books. We’ve been doing plenty of couch reading as I rest under a sleeping bag on the couch. I continue to marvel at how they don’t see a huge change. Sure we are much less active, I ask for help, and we read lots of books. But for the adults in the house, limiting what we can do in certain areas is a seismic shift. Not so, it seems, for the younger generation.
I was proud of Racey when she called in sick to her job, she was barely able to get out of bed and had the eternal trump card of Covid. And yet as I tested positive, and my symptoms intensified I wondered how do I take a sick day? Otis, our chore helper extraordinaire, has gone back to school and is not available to help with chores, Chad and Gwen were also feeling sick (though not testing positive). I’m feeling on the mend, but I have certainly had to put some things on the back burner, slow down my responses to emails and generally lower my own expectations.
Here’s to healing, and good riddance to the Crown.
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