Day 15 of COVID 19

[GrapeGrower1]

Haven’t posted in six months because I’ve been working at home. I let my guard down once for a half hour and knew it was a mistake before the half hour was up. I was diagnosed with COVID-19 week later. Things went fine for the first week or so, just a slight cough. Six days ago I started getting fevers. And with the fevers came excruciating headaches. Spent the last five days in the hospital. First time since I was five years old. One things for certain in this hospital. These guys have no clue when it comes to CLL. They mean well they just don’t know anything about it. Despite the nightmare this is Ben I think I’m getting out here tomorrow. All in all I will advise anyone with her without CLL to take any precaution possible to avoid this. I should’ve been keeping up on the site but I have a been. I missed all you guys! Take care and stay safe.

[PaulaS Volunteer]

Sorry to hear this, GrapeGrower. As the months go by, it's all too easy to let our guard down from time to time... but thanks for the reminder of how serious Covid can be.

This afternoon we were chatting to some neighbours across our road, who have just come out of their 2 week quarantine after testing positive for Covid. They are OK now but were saying how it hit them harder than they'd expected and the "post-viral fatigue" is still with them. They are only in their forties and are usually very healthy.

All best wishes for your speedy recovery,

Paula

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

I’m so sorry that you have been through such a tough time! As Paula said, it’s easy to begin to relax our guard. Everything about this year feels like a TV series, with each episode having a hook to keep us engaged And a question to make us come back for more. I’m ready for this series to end. I hope you are out tomorrow, but don’t push yourself. Take the time you need to really fully recover.

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

I am so sorry to hear of your illness. Thank you for sharing with us.

I hope you will get to go home tomorrow and find that you are healing and feeling better each day.

With things as they have been for so long, we each run a risk when we go out of our house and meet someone in our neighborhood. In my "hood" not all wear masks as they sit out in small groups--though somewhat distanced. It seems risky for me to join them because there are always more people stopping by and joining in and the majority without masks.

I have now been with a small group twice, but will not go anymore until all wear masks--yes it is outside, but with everyone talking at once there is shouting and lots of laughter that make it iffy.

Please do take care, though, because Covid seems to have a lingering kick for some people. Please also keep us updated on your condition.

[GrapeGrower1 in reply to cllady01]

You’re 100% right to be cautious. I never got closer than 6 feet and we were outside and look where I am.

[Justasheet1 in reply to GrapeGrower1]

Wow, are you certain that you weren’t exposed any where else?

[Ellieoak in reply to GrapeGrower1]

Did you not have a mask on?

[Zia2]

Hoping you are discharged tomorrow and continue your recovery. Thank you for the reminder. I have too, relaxed from time to time and grew weary of being so hypervigilant but know it's needed, always. Be well soon.

[GrapeGrower1]

Thanks to everyone for the wishes

[Ghounds]

I'm sorry this happened to you, outside and distanced too! Best wishes for a quick, complete recovery.

[hhk50]

Yes, it is not just a "little flu". I'm basically seven weeks into it and still feel a little fatigue. Thank God, though, that it was a "mild" case.

[Big_Dee]

Hello GrapeGrower1

Your grapes are looking good, I am just into my second year. Sorry to hear about the CV-19, do take care of yourself. We who are immunocompromised need to watch out for ourselves. Blessings.

[Doce]

Dear GrapeGrower1,

Thank you for sharing with us. You may not realize what a tremendous impact and gift you have given us to remain vigilant on this long journey to avoid COVID. I am so glad to hear you may be coming home tomorrow. Be kind to yourself and know that we’re sending love your way ❤️

[newyork8]

For the benefit of readers, can you explain what you mean by "let your guard down." It sounds like you were more than 6 ft from an infected person and outside but were not wearing a mask. Is that correct? Was the other person coughing,etc? Thanks and best wishes!

[Hoffy in reply to newyork8]

I hope you do well, I am very curious as well.

Eat inside a. Restaurant?

Thanks,

Mark

[Mandy56]

So sorry to hear how ill you’ve been. Hope you get home tomorrow and be kind to

Yourself, don’t push yourself. Your body will need time to get strong.

[Siberunner]

Prayers for a full and speedy recovery 🙏🏻

[Hoffy]

How do you think you got it when you let your guard down?

What does let your guard down for 30 minutes exactly mean?

I try to be careful outside but still question whether I was too close or talked too long etc.

Be well,

Hoffy.

[GrapeGrower1 in reply to Hoffy]

I never got closer than 8 or 9 feet but the guy started turning his head and coughing toward the end of the conversation. The only other factor is whether I washed my hands after I picked up his wine glass. I normally do but I cant remember. It was a very busy day.

[Hoffy in reply to GrapeGrower1]

Interesting,

were you outside?

A good cautionary tale for all of us...

Be well,

Hoffy

[GrapeGrower1 in reply to Hoffy]

Yes I was outside but I might have picked up his glass when he left. I normally wash my hands after I touch glasses but I could have forgot.

[kohelet]

Covid19 is like getting pregnant. You let your guards down for a few minutes and....

[PaulaS Volunteer]

As time passes, it becomes increasingly difficult to 'be on our guard" all day every day. To a certain extent we become used to it and automatically keep our distance from other people, but I find there are times when something unexpected happens and I realise I'm nearer than I should be, or touched something that others may have touched, etc.

Also there are different rules in different places. For some it's the 2 meter rule, others only one metre. Indoors and outdoors, in a "bubble" or not, there are many variables. Can it be carried via tiny airborne particles that linger in the air for hours, or is it only carried in larger droplets that soon fall to the ground? That still seems under review.

I must admit I probably became a bit too relaxed about it, especially in being with grandchildren. But now I'm much more cautious again, after hubby had a sore throat and minor cough. He got a test and was Covid negative, and soon the symptoms went away, but we realize he must have caught something somehow..

We've kept out of all enclosed public spaces except for a few times when he popped into shops in between home deliveries, for things we'd run out of. He only went at quiet times but were there infectious particles floating in the air?

No easy answers to all this...

Paula

[AnneHill in reply to PaulaS]

I feel the same as you do. The first time I used a public toilet I had disinfectant wipes in my bag. I cleaned the seat and flush and after washing my hands I opened the door with the wipe. I was terrified and wanted to stay at home.

Now I want to go out. I want to hug my grandsons. I am gradually doing more. We are eating out tomorrow night for the first time. Trouble is that you cant eat with a mask on!

It sounds like there are scientists who think the vulnerable should be shielded again and restrictions lifted for everyone else. Heard immunity?

This is a reminder that if more people test positive we cant afford to be complacent.

Anne uk

[GrapeGrower1 in reply to PaulaS]

You are right to question all these things. I'm pretty sure I caught it from a customer that was a very prominent business man. I had a glass of wine with him and was about 3 meters away from him the whole time at a table on our outside patio. I did not have a mask on. Towards the end of the conversation he started to turn away and cough. Right then I thought to myself that I'll know who I got it from if I get Covid in the next week. It was exactly a week later that I got it. The only thing I don't remember is whether I washed my hands after I picked up his wine glass. That's something I do just out of habit now so it's hard to say if I forgot or not.

Stay Safe

J.

[country76]

Sorry to hear that you caught Covid. It is easy to let your guard down since this disease seems to be perpetual and we have developed a new way of life.

Thank you for posting a good reminder, greatly appreciated.

[AnneHill]

I hope you recover from this awful illness soon. We all need to be reminded not to drop our guard. Its easy done. When we are with our family or friends we feel safe. Its an invisible enemy. Take care, Anne uk

[Jonquiljo]

Good luck and get well!!!

[Mystic75]

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery, GrapeGrower. Thank you for sharing your experience out of concern for others. It is so hard not to let ones guard down, especially when it is over an extended period of time.

Please keep us updated on how you are doing.

All the best,

D.

[Hoffy]

I see you were outside.. wow.