I cannot say that I have been deliriously happy over the last few days, but I can say that I have been delirious and happy.
I am going through all the symptoms one by one, and today it's nausea's turn. They all come in waves and thankfully they are all mild. I don't know whether or not I am unusual in that, once I accept the idea that I am ill and there is nothing I can do except ride it out, I begin to enjoy it. I enjoy the light-headedness and I enjoy the way my mind wanders as if only half awake.
A few days ago I decided that I really must call up my parents and let them know I have covid. It just seemed the natural thing to do, especially since I have not called them for a long time and am feeling a little guilty about it.
The last time I had full-blown influenza so badly that I could not get out of bed, someone gave me a pile of National Geographic magazines to read. One of them featured the Emperor Napoleon. Being so picture-heavy, National Geographic is ideal for sick people who do not want to exhaust themselves by reading fine print. This issue went one step further.
One of the pages had a folded seam down one edge under which was a scratch-and-sniff sample of what was described as 'Napoleon's favourite perfume'. I was so lucky that it had not been opened.
I tore the seam open, releasing the scent from the microscopic capsules, and was instantly transported back 200 years to the palaces, battlefields and campaign tents all over the world in which the Emperor had marched his troops and plundered his wealth. I could go between the tombs of the Pharaohs in Egypt and the palace of Versailles in France with less effort than it would have taken me to get out of bed.
The scent haunted me and for the several days and nights that it lasted I would go back and unfold the seam of the magazine to visit those places again. It was like entering a magic world.
The perfume wore off at the same rate that my illness did, and by the time I was well again it had completely gone. Every now and then - particularly now - I sense a fleeting memory of it.
The dreaded Lurgy is rife!
ReplyDeleteRemember that recovery will be gradual and don't push yourself. Afternoon naps will be the rule!
They are already.
DeleteInvest in a good Malt like Dalwhinnie.
ReplyDeleteIf I had invested in a good malt years ago, it would be about ready to come out of bond about now.
DeleteHope you continue to improve and feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteTanks.
DeletePoor old you and I (your greatest admirer) didn't even know hanvig been unable to get on to your site for daysxx
ReplyDeleteYou haven't missed much Weave.
DeleteThe dreaded C! Looks like your number came up. A neighbor took Paxlovid for a week and said it helped him tremendously. Still, it took 3 weeks to feel 100%. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping for next week.
DeleteIt was the breathlessness that got me floored
ReplyDeleteGet well soon
So far I am not breathless. I think I had just the right amount of exposure to get the antibodies but not the whole thing.
DeleteIt was the snot that got me.
ReplyDeleteI have it very mildly.
DeleteI don't remember you ever saying that you had covid.
DeleteI had it for 2 and half weeks at Easter after my birthday lunch. Never mentioned it on blog except called it the mother of all colds. Had 2 day fever and loads of snot, then tired for a week. Then it went away. I have no test kit so no proof but I guessed it was Covid. It was Easter so I just stayed home for 2 weeks.
DeleteWould you have been able (this time with Covid) to smell another sachet of perfume?
ReplyDeleteI wish you a complete recovery!!!
I think so. I am able to conjure up smells at will at the moment.
DeleteI wish you all the best, and hope that all symptoms stay mild. Total envy, though, about Napoleon's scent. Would have loved to sniff it myself. It, not him, just to clarify.
ReplyDelete4711
DeleteNot true - always miss you.
ReplyDeleteWhat's not true?
Delete4711????? That is the scent I use!
ReplyDeleteThey say that 4711 Cologne was designed for Napoleon (my mother's favourite too) but I'm not sure that the sample I smelt was the same.
DeleteWhat a bite! May I never get it. May you recover in full and as quickly as you please.
ReplyDeleteMay you never get it indeed Joanne, but if you must may it be as mild as mine.
DeleteGet well soon, Tom. And take it easy for recuperation. I had it early in 2020, but only mildly. Symptoms were morning sickness and I knew, at 81, I could not be pregnant!
ReplyDeleteMillions have it in the UK, but it is now being treated just like 'flu since the jabs. Let's hope it actually stays just like that.
What seems to be happening is that it morphs continuously to be more contagious but less serious. That will speed up the herd immunity.
DeleteGlad to see you are back at writing, convalescing is what you should be doing now. Taking it easy and not eating too much.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard anyone being advised not to eat too much, particularly since one of the symptoms is a loss of appetite.
DeleteEverything comes to those who wait.
ReplyDeleteYou missed out the word 'good'.
DeleteYou know, when I did 12 weeks of chemo, I expected an ordeal. An awful one. I had to isolate from people because I had low immunity. It was in the winter. What I discovered, actually that it was the first time in my life that I felt free. I read as I wanted. I took a nap when I was tired. I puttered around my house, one of the first times in my life that my housework was caught up and stayed caught up. As strange as it sounds, the days were long, but pleasant for the most part.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Debby. I don't know about catching up with housework though!
DeleteHow are u feeling
ReplyDeleteTerrible headache today and yesterday.
DeleteOh, goodness, I hope you recover quickly. Are you going to whip yourself up a conservatory like Jackie did during this enforced home time?
ReplyDeleteI might whip myself up in a conservatory.
Delete