Hi friends,
How are you?
On Friday the 13th, I woke up with a terrible sore throat. I'd had it off and on for about a week but I figured it was the start of pollen season. No big deal.
It wouldn't go away. It was a Chloraseptic Spray, Advil, Tylenol type of sore throat that lasted for four days.
I don't know if you saw it but there was Facebook post going around talking about the symptoms of the virus.
I read it before I got my sore throat.
My symptoms matched the symptoms described in the post. The post that went viral has not been proven to be accurate but the damage was done.
It worsened my fears.
At some point on Monday evening, I decided to call the doctor.
It was 4:30 and I hung up when no one answered.
It was still sore on Tuesday morning so I called again and talked with them. They said to come in and that they had taken precautions as recommended by the CDC.
They asked me if I had been to a foreign country in the last two weeks. I said that I had not.
I shared with them that the only place that put me at risk was a hospital emergency room because a family member had emergency surgery on March 6th. The hospital took some precautions but it was before newer guidelines had been in place.
This is what happened at my doctor.
Before I could enter the waiting room, they took my temperature.
They took my driver's license and insurance card. When she gave them back to me she told me to take a mask.
She did not wear gloves when she took my cards.
She did not wear gloves when she took my cards.
There were only five of us in the waiting room. We all stood away from each other.
Not everyone had a mask.
The nurse called me back. She was in a disposable gown. She had a mask and googles.
They re-took my vitals. My blood pressure was through the roof. I always have "white coat syndrome" anyway but this was very high even for that.
They ruled out flu and strep. They said they thought I had the beginnings of a sinus infection but that I did not have Covid-19 symptoms. They did put me on antibiotics.
I am feeling better-finally!
It was not a fun time.
This is what I learned and I hope it possibly helps you in the weeks to come.
Make sure that in addition to toilet paper ;), you have the following:
Tea
Bullion
Bullion
Allergy, Cough, Cold, Sore Throat, Anti-inflammatories of your choice. All the self treating things you can think off. No Sudufed if you are on blood pressure meds.
Humidifier
Thermometer
Breathe Right Strips
Vick's Vapo Rub
What ever works to self treat at home.
A glass of wine helped calm me down. ;)
Going to the doctor was a scary thought. Would my local office be taking necessary precautions to protect me but also protect the doctors, nurses and staff?
Mine did. Make sure yours is taking precautions.
I'm going to preach a little here so bear with me.
If at all possible, distance yourself from others. You are doing it not only for the Covid -19 patients but you are doing it for everyone that gets a little bug of some kind during allergy season.
You are doing it for the healthcare workers.
I realize that I'm probably "preaching to choir".
A lot of bloggers and blog readers are introverts so self isolation is our super power but we have to take this seriously.
This is not political in anyway but they told me that they did not have tests for the virus.
I expected that going in and I was not surprised. The tests will roll out as this thing accelerates. We are behind the curve.
We only have two confirmed cases in our town. Unfortunately, we have one death.
I would hope that if I'd had the symptoms that they would have referred me to the health department.
I would hope.
I had a lot of time to think over the weekend.
We put our faith in so many things but ultimately one tiny virus can bring things to a crashing halt.
If you have followed me for a while, you know I am a person of faith.
I have had strong faith from the time I was a very small child. I needed it since my mother battled cancer for 7 out of 10 years of my childhood.
I recited "Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray, the Lord, my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."
I don't know who taught me that prayer but prayer is always my "go-to" in times of trouble.
This weekend, however, I wasn't feeling peace.
I was burdened.
I have realized that I have worried about some ridiculous things. My faith is not strong at times.
I have realized that I have worried about some ridiculous things. My faith is not strong at times.
I felt the weight of a world that doesn't have an anchor of faith to get through troubled times.
I cried off and on. Finally, Bill said that I was funny. I needed to blog.
In other words: "Get off social media and the couch and make people laugh!"
I heard him loud and clear.
I am 50,000 views short of 2 millions views. That's not a lot in blogland but it is something to me.
I hope to make it there quicker than I thought due to the fact that people are home and maybe they will be reading blogs again.
I hope people will slow down and discover what is really important in life.
Faith and family are at a top of the list.
I hope you are well friends!
I hope you are well friends!
Katie