I guess fewer and fewer people have a direct connection to a loved one harmed by polio. My great uncle lost the use of his legs, and was confined to his home, because there were so few accommodations in central america for the disabled. It makes me feel kind of militant about vaccinations, why would a person not want to do everything possible to avoid that, what that is not even the worst possible outcome?
My sonās paternal grandfather had it as a child, but overcame it. And my ex-boyfriend/musical partner/still friend also had it as a child.
And of course they have no idea what it can do to a person because (snark) they wonāt get it, the ignoramuses.
These people are sick.
Well, after over 2 and a half years of successfully avoiding it, I finally got it. Tested positive last night. Wife tested positive this morning.
Grandpa had it when he died and we spent a lot of time over the last week in his room going through his stuff, so I expect we caught it there. We wore masks, but took them off in there where we werenāt going to be interacting with anyone. Mightāve caught it in the airport or something, but more likely it was spending a lot of time in a place thatād just had a covid outbreak.
Work sent me a delivery of herbal tea and chicken soup and snacks and stuff, which was super nice.
Weāre set up for quarantine - me in my office, wife upstairs, and daughter downstairs. Itās good that we have that ability to isolate from each other. The cats though, they want lots of snuggles, and itās breaking my heart to just say no, step away, I canāt touch you.
Called the doctor to see if I can get the treatment - paxlovid or whatever, but no response yet. Wifeās doctor responded right away and sheās cleared for it at least.
So far, it mostly just feels like a sinus infection, physically unpleasant, but not that bad really. But mentally thereās definitely some brain fog. For instance, Iām not really sure if Iāve already posted this or not. But I think not. And I have written or digital notes about the important stuff like bills and so on. Gonna write down some more stuff just in case it gets worse.
Overall a good read, but this one line from COVID-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha:
In advocating for Americans to get both shots this fall, he added: āI really believe this is why God gave us two armsāone for the flu shot and the other one for the COVID shot.ā
Even if we can ignore the casual ableism, there is a lot to unpack in that specific choice of words.
Well, at least that statement presumes that God approves of science, including vaccines. And that concept right there could convince some folks to get vaccinated (not that I believe that was the intent of the statement). Shitty way to go about it, IMNSHO
Day 3(?) of having Covid. I called the doctor back and they approved me for Paxlovid treatment, and I took the first dose as soon as I got it. Everyoneās saying I should have some horrible awful taste/smell as a side effect, but so far, nothing like that. Wife says itās really terrible for her, but I legit do not have this side-effect yet at all. Guess weāll see what tomorrow brings.
I donāt remember much of yesterday except I did call in for a couple of Zoom meetings at work and watched a couple episodes of The Jeffersons. The rest is kinda just a haze.
Good news is, I wasnāt scheduled for anything critical at work, and even if I were top notch, I still couldnāt really do anything much, because weāre still trying to figure out the next stuff Iām going to be working on. So itās a great time to be knocked out.
Today I just took it easy and slept into afternoon. That was when I called the doc and got the prescription.
I think Iām just going to watch a couple more shows, or maybe a movie, take my meds, and then go back to sleep. Overall, itās not pleasant, I do feel sick, but itās not superbad either. The brain fog thing though, thatās difficult. Iām lucid in the moment, but I canāt really remember anything of the last few days. That is awkward - having to look back through the history to see who you have or havenāt messaged and stuff.
Oh, I forgot, one of the reasons I wanted to post was to share symptoms. I guess so people know what to expect or whatever, idk, not thinking super clearly right now. But anyway.
Sinuses and throat are burning like a bad sinus infection. Thereās a cough too, but itās nothing like a bronchitis or pneumonia cough, itās actually pretty trivial. And the bad one - pooping feels like youāre blasting yourself to Mars. Youāre gonna want good quality toilet paper. (So happy weāre not still on that hotel toilet paper - might as well have been wiping with sandpaper).
Wife also has really bad headaches and a noxious taste/smell that actually wakes her up at night. So far I donāt have either of those (knock on wood).
Anyway, I just wanted to share that, for some reason. I donāt know why, it seemed important.
Day 4 of having Covid, and second day on Paxlovid. I had a glass of āthroat calmingā tea this morning (sent in a care package by my work) and went back to bed for awhile. Woke up this afternoon feeling a bit more human. A little congested, a little fever/chills, but my throat wasnāt bad and still no āpaxlovid mouthā bad taste. Brain feels a lot clearer.
I picked The Big Lebowski for my movie to watch, seems appropriately light. Iām going to get back to that and then go to bed early again.
Day 7 (and final?) of having Covid. Took my last dose of paxlovid.
Also took a test and came up negative! Woohoo! This means I can actually be around my daughter again. And can go to the store if I need to and stuff. And I can get back to work.
Iād say out of the whole thing, there was fever/chills, congestion, brain fog and exhaustion, but the worst was the digestive symptoms. I know itās usually best to let the body purge itself, so I did for as long as I could stand, but I caved last night and took an Immodium. And it worked. World of difference not having a traitorous belly.
Iām happy to be back in the land of the living, so to speak. Went out and trimmed the weeds in the yard which had gotten overgrown. Feeling way better.
I have IBS, so another reason for me not to get infected!
What worries me about folks whoāve recovered from it is the long-term side effects. Which we wonāt really know about for another, what, five to ten years?
Oh yeah, forgot to ask how the spouse is, and Iām glad youāre feeling better!
Oh, thank you so much!
Wifey was feeling better and perky and totally back to normal a few days before me. Sheās always like that - sheāll get a two-week flu and be feeling perfectly fine after 24 hours. Something about that Norwegian super-immune system.
She was like āIām feeling totally wonderful but you seem to be getting worse, maybe we should take you in to urgent care.ā And Iām just like no, this is just what being sick is like for us normal people. It takes us awhile.
As for long covid, Iām aware that it exists, but so far nothing can be done about it. I donāt think Iāll get it - I think my attention span is too short to just latch onto something like that. Which might sound like silly reasoning, but eh, we each fight our own battles our own way. And so far, we know so little about long covid. 
Okay, I admit it: I donāt get it.
If you want an over-explanation:
But in the end, the joke might just be āwhy would anyone want this?!?!?ā
I figured thatās what it was, but I guess I thought it would be funnier?