Here is yours truly, getting ready to venture out to the Senior Center for the first time in 5 months. Do I look a little nervous? I sure was. I’m still on the mailing list, and a few weeks ago noticed that AHN (Allegheny Health Network) would be doing flu & covid shots there on October 24. I contacted the center and asked if I could register, but was only 50% sure I could make it. They said that wouldn’t be a problem.
So I got up yesterday morning, did a lot of deep breathing exercises, shaved and got dressed (and rubbed a couple ice-packs on my face to calm things down) and headed up there.
I was surprised how long it took to walk there (it’s about 0.75 mile from my apartment). This time a year ago, before contracting long covid, I was 50 pounds heavier and made the trip several times a week without even breathing hard. Now it took twice as long, having to stop and catch my breath 4-5 times along the way.
I got both shots (AHN had a “health-mobile” in the parking lot) and after thanking them for the vaccines, ventured into the center and was immediately greeted by Courtney (who runs things there) and a couple others. They couldn’t have been sweeter. I had a pretty hard time getting my words out—this is weird, if I’m talking to my friend Diana on the phone late at night, no problem. But if I’m face to face with more than one person during the day, it’s difficult to get out whole sentences. (That’s from the long covid wreaking havoc with my central nervous system.)
Anyway, it was so nice getting to see old friends again. Mary was in the exercise room where she always is, pumping away on a stationery bike with those long skinny legs of hers. 91 year old Melvin was at his same spot in the dining room, waiting patiently for his lunch—as were Dennis & Paul, huddled together at the guy’s table in the back corner.
(Those two are quite the pair; they know where every church & center offers free food in a 3 mile radius. Paul offered to make me a list and when I said thanks but can afford to buy my own, he said “I can too, but why bother when you can get the grub for free!”)
Geri and Evvie were preparing to head into the kitchen (they volunteer there) and what a treat it was to hug my favorite pair and talk to them both again.
I’m looking forward to becoming a regular member again, but it’s going to be awhile. Still dealing with a lot of cranial and oral inflammation, pain in my collarbone and torso, chronic fatigue. After leaving there yesterday, I made it home, laid across my bed and fell asleep for 3 hours. Am I the most boring person on the planet right now or what?
That’s all I have for now, just wanted to put something new out here. Thank you for reading. By the way, don’t let that shirt of mine up there fool you; it may be MAGA red, but I voted early (mail in ballot) and blue all the way!
I sure hope all of you sensible, decent, intelligent Americans out there did so too.