I've written of ADLs, activities of daily living. It is the difference between a senior successfully managing life at home, or not. I was proud of myself. We NEVER put out garbage out the night before garbage day. I had to. I couldn't face the stress of doing that Monday morning with my fatigue and coughing. Out it went in the secure can. You just can't put kitchen garbage out with bears, raccoons, and coyotes. I had to this once.
All was well. No mess. WHEW!
It is wonderful being outside, at least.
The wild Oregano is full of insects. If I had more energy (I was up coughing twice last night) I'd figure out this first one. The second is obvious.
Look what Merlin told me was out back: a Black-billed Cuckoo!
COVID UPDATE: Sunday night I actually slept through the night. JB not so much. It is interesting that it attacks my weakest part, my lungs. Joe's is his nose, and his faucet continues to leak. It seems to me that COVID is attacking us in our weak spots. I have always gotten bronchitis when I had a bad cold. Joe's nasal passages, hay fever and such, is his weak point.
Monday was the last day for my Paxlovid pills. Also the last day of Joe's Lyme Disease meds, Doxycycline. I'm drinking a ton of water. It really helps. He was supposed to be checked by the doctor this morning, but that ain't happening.
Poor JB is having two naps a day. Monday, after dinner, I could not stop the coughing. Hawking up cloudy phlegm over the back deck railing – so as not to freak out Joe. I'd clear it, then sit back down. Three times. At this point I figured I best be seen by someone. Is this bronchitis or what?
I dialled 9-1-1. The dispatcher was kind and demonstrated caring.
The female paramedic, an experienced one, was wonderful and took a full history, as well as the meds I was on. In hindsight that spared them in the ER. They were slammed. She handed in my health card, and all I had to do at that point was wait.
In the ambulance my paramedic explained the
Paxlovid doesn't cure COVID, it ameliorates symptoms. The ambulance crew set me up in the hallway. Both in masks – as I am Typhoid Mary. Hospital staff had to clear a room for me. By 9 p.m. I had a room, away from the old with oxygen masks, a poor screaming preschooler, and other vulnerable people. What a job.
The irony is that this is the room I was in for 6 hours when I had chest pains after Joe's cancer surgery. I had driven myself in as I didn't think it was a heart attack. I read a book that time. It was high blood pressure from stress.
Anyway, back to Monday night. The one nurse wanted to know what I wanted from them. To be able to breathe? At this point, the terrible coughing spells stopped. This whackadoodle old white woman just wanted someone to listen to her lungs to rule all this out. I know they were busy. I know COVID is old hat now, but I felt diminished.
I'd brought a book, and when I passed another couple of people on beds in the hallway, they were reading.
Eventually I could feel an anxiety attack coming on. I'd phoned Joe twice, first letting him know I had a chest Xray. The woman that took me to that was cheerful, sweet, and kind. No one else was checking in on me.
I'd phoned Joe at 9:15, 10:00 and 11. First to tell him I was in a room and the ambulance team had left, total professionals. Next I phoned to say I'd had the X-ray. He said he was still awake. He might still be up when I was done, but I could take a taxi. Panic. I don't know if we have taxis in Perth at 11 p.m!
By then the anxiety kicked in. By 11:00, I opened my cell door, and most of the other patients were gone. I couldn't take it any more. I asked him to pick me up outside the ER entrance. ANXIETY was rearing its head. Worried about Joe looking after his COVID bout, and letting him get rest. This morning, we had coffee, and he went back to bed for a nap.
I called to another nurse to tell her I had to leave. I'm sure the doctors were finishing up paperwork and all, but I was falling asleep. Joe, pretty ill, needed to get to bed. A neighbour offered any help, but you can't call people to take a COVID patient home.
We arrived home at 23:24 hours. Joe went right to bed. I lay down to read more of my book (an excellent
Canadian thriller, by the way), but thought I should try sleep. In 10 minutes I was coughing. I got up, coughed up what I could, had some water, and went back to bed. I was up twice in the night coughing, but got back to sleep.
I've an appointment with my GP this morning at 11. He'll interpret the X-ray for me. I am deeply suspicious that nothing else can be done for me. I loathe going into the office with COVID. I just don't know what else to do.
I am processing all this. I am very emotional, crying at the drop of a hat, and feeling guilty for taking up healthcare system time. In hindsight, I deserve it, as much as anyone. I am putting it all into perspective.
In foresight, the news cycle has changed. With Kamala Harris' nomination, the continent, if not the world seems lighter and brighter. We had rain, and now the sun is out.
You're still alive but it's a very stressful situation.
ReplyDeleteHope the GP can help. Ask for Tessalon Pearls. It's a Rx med but helps stop coughing long enough to go to sleep. Of course, if your lungs have crud in them, we actually don't want to supress a cough but get the junk out. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteI had that emotional reaction during my bout with the lurgy... Seems to magnify everything and life just seems too hard. But it does pass, Jenn. Hang in there!!! YAM xx
People dismiss COVID as if it is over and/or that it is nothing. You show that it is a lot, not nothing. Without vax and meds it could still be critical. All the best with your appointment and recovery.
ReplyDeleteI hope the Dr has some ideas to help you. People are not taking covid seriously anymore. I know you have had your recent booster and still it has done this to you!
ReplyDeleteGet well soon. I thought Covid was a thing of the past!
ReplyDeleteI am guessing the X Ray will show something, and maybe antibiotics on a huge dose might help.Otherwise rest, and more rest. Easy for me to say down here, some household things just HAVE to be done. ED, not a great place to wait,but at least the paramedics came and took you there.Josh has left Banff, so touristy but stunning scenery and Lake Louise, that colour.!!!Much love, hope tomorrow dawns to be a better day.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
ReplyDeleteWhat a horrible siotuation you were put in. I feel for you, dear.
ReplyDeleteSympathy coughs over here...hope your X-Ray was clear. That's a good thing that you got one at the hospital. I don't blame you for leaving. Shift change meant your case was quickly handed to another physician and team anyway (as you already know.) I've had to laugh when discharged at 12:30 am...we at least have a taxi system covered by the hospital...much better than going home in an ambulance which costs hundreds.
ReplyDeleteMusinex has become my go-to to help loosen and thin out mucous. I use highest dose twice a day. I've been taking it for years, but don't' dare stop it!
I hope your GP was able to come up with something to help. It's no fun to have to cough so much, and with your Covid, you get sore throat too. At least mine doesn't have that.
It can be scary, and I think people are being a bit too laissez-faire about COVID. I'm glad to hear y'all are taking this seriously.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Jenn 🙏🏽
ReplyDeleteDO NOt feel guilty about "taking up healthcare time." This was imprtant -- and you needed that XR and some care. Covid is a very big deal -- and as AC said, you show that it definitely is serious. I feel for you on so many levels, Jenn. Your own Covid, JBs illness and the ned to caretake. Of course you are anxious. I hope today you saw your doc and it was better and you know more (and you'll keep us posted.) Just rest as much as you can. And if you have to call them again, don't hesitate. Your life matters.
ReplyDeleteYikes. Please don't think you were taking up space in the health care system. We all need help when we need help. You are pretty brave to be handling everything that is happening to you.
ReplyDeleteI hope both you and JB feel better soon, COVID is awful and Lyme's is not much better. I hope the doctors and medicine help you both. Take care and feel better!
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