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.
Glad to see your post. I've been thinking about you and your problems with long covid and it's so good to see you're venturing out.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marty, you're very kind. It's much appreciated.
DeleteGood to see that you’ve rejoined society, albeit for a few hours.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can improve quickly so you can get out more often, and for longer.
I’m pretty boring too, and I don’t have the excuse of covid or chronic fatigue.
Okay, I do get out of the house most days, but the rest of the time I’m just sitting around reading or checking the computer.
I’ve always thought that the rest of the world should be allowed to vote in your elections because your country has such an overwhelming influence on the rest of us.
Thank you Peter, and for helping me feel less alone in the boring dept. Listen, I like your voting idea very much! I've always had respect for govts like yours, Finland, New Zealand. It's a great idea.
DeleteIt's so good to hear you are getting out, even if not very much, it's a great start. I am very interested in hearing about how you are doing every day, Doug. You feel like a "skin" friend, not just a virtual one! Hope the vaccines didn't impact you too much. I had a huge reaction to the covid, nothing for the flu shot.
ReplyDeleteDJan, this was so sweet. Thank you so much my friend. I feel just the same. 🙂❤️
DeleteGosh, a walk, a visit and a post! That's terrific. I am glad you could make it to get the shots. And to have a quick visit with old friends, too. I can only think of inappropriate language about long covid.
ReplyDeleteI was talking to a friend today. She is 66 and voted for the first time in her life. I told her I made phone calls in the last election. We knew the D's would vote for Biden, my state committee emailed me names and phone numbers of registered R's. I can't remember my script, but it was friendly questions (and I think people talked to me because they were lonely and locked in their houses). Many of these registered R's were telling me (an anonymous person on a phone so they felt safe) that they were voting for Biden because they did not trust the other guy. The economy was a mess, we did not have vaccines available yet, and they felt safer that the guy with prior government experience could get the country back on track. After all the calls I made in my red state, I was not surprised the country went blue. I declined to do door knocking or phone calls this time. I am pretty nervous.
Thank you Miss Merry, and my gosh, thanks for sharing that very interesting info about Rs. My gosh I am nervous too. 🙄
DeleteSounds like you're making progress which is great. We're voting blue all the way too. It's good to know that there are men like you and my hubby who support women, sure hope there are lots more. I simply cannot believe all the polls that say this race is a dead heat. (((shudders)))
ReplyDeleteThank you Bobi, and thanks for sharing your views too. I so agree, how in the heck is this a dead heat?! Kamala is inspiring and Donald should be in prison. He's a convicted felon.
DeleteHi Dug! So glad you were able to get to the Senior Center yesterday. And I can understand why it took longer to get there. Even regular covid takes the energy out of you, I imagine long covid would do it even more. You will have to build up again. It must have been great to see everyone. And I'm glad you got your shots. But I was a little surprised about getting the covid while having long covid. The only reason I wondered is because our doctor told us to wait 6 months after having covid in July to get the new booster vaccine. But long covid may be different or different doctors advise differently - who knows?
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Rian! Well, I did ask my doctor if the vaccine was safe, he said yes as long covid isn't a virus but a chronic nervous condition. So people with long covid CAN get infected again. That’s the last thing I need.
DeleteYep, blue up and down. I bet you would look good in a blue shirt!
ReplyDeleteHaha thanks Joanne, you made my day. 🙂
DeleteI voted Blue all the way too! I am nervous about the results AND the aftermath. I'm glad you got out for a while and visited with people; I'm so frustrated and sad that you're still dealing with this, Doug. Boo!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, your messages have meant a lot since this all began, and if we lose this election I'm going to need friends like you even more! ❤️
DeleteHi Doug! So good to hear from you. You have suffered through quite the ordeal. I'm so glad you were able to get out for a bit. The fatigue and pain must be so discouraging at times.
ReplyDeleteGo Kamala! But we won't rest easily until she is sleeping in the White House 🤞
Carole
Thanks very much Carole, you're very kind. And yes! Go Kamala!
DeleteGlad to hear of your foray back into society, Doug. 3\4 of a mile is a substantial hike at your stage of recovery! Good for you! I did scowl a bit at the mindset of Dennis & Paul. Anyway, glad you connected with the gang and updated us on your news. ❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Florence, you also gave me a chuckle here with your scowl--Dennis & Paul really are good-hearted characters, just a bit ornery. They're like senior versions of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. :^)
DeleteSo glad your community center had the vaccines lined up! My local center does not have nearly as many amenities as yours (in the east end of Pgh).
ReplyDeleteMy life is pretty boring, too, although, like Peter I do get out most days. I'm a little worried that I will stay inside even more when the weather turns colder.
I am very worried about the election. Win, lose, or draw, he will pitch a fit. I plan to be fully stocked up with groceries before Election Day so I won't have to go anywhere for a little while.
Nina
Nina, thanks so much and I have to say, you sound like a real kindred spirit. I really appreciate your thoughts here. The groceries plan sounds like a good idea!
DeleteWell done, making the walk to the center. You've gone through so much in the past ten months or so. Lovely that you were able to visit with several of your friends there.
ReplyDeleteThere are a whole lot of people here in Canada watching with bated breath for the results of your election. We're will be having a federal election in the next year, and a fellow we call PP is a Trump wannabe is poised to be our next Prime Minister. I fear what would happen if he and the orange man were to be in power at the same time as PP would be happy to emulate him even farther.
Thank you Maebeme, much appreciated. And I've heard and read about Pierre Poilevere, why why why. I sure am sorry. Fingers crossed.
DeleteThis is such great news, Doug! Can you hear the cheering from up north? That is me!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debby, much appreciated! Now if I could just figure out why your comments take 2 days to appear... and no they don't go to my spam folder either.
DeleteHey Doug! Glad to read you. Hope you can continue bit by bit to get out and about more, and to feel better. I am holding my breath over this election. Olivia
ReplyDeleteThank you Livvie, much appreciated. And boy am I holding my breath too...
DeleteHappy to read this post. Good that you were able to get out. That's a long walk to start with. Just try and get outside everyday as long as the weather is good. Let's hope we have something to celebrate after the election!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Donna, I will. And yes, let's hope. 🙂
DeleteDoug!! So glad to see that you were able to get out and have some change of scenery. Unfortunately holodecks aren’t a real thing yet, so it’s good that you could get some fresh air and see some friendly faces. As somebody that suffers from a chronic health problem, I understand what it can do to your well being.
ReplyDeleteAs far as voting goes, I will repost what I posted on my FB page this morning. There was more that I could include, but as I typed it out it made me sad that so many people support such evil:
***
I dropped off my ballot on Friday. I won’t say which candidate I voted for but I will say:
- I didn’t vote for the RAPIST.
-I didn’t vote for the INSURRECTIIONIST.
-I didn’t vote for the 34 count FELON.
-I didn’t vote for the person responsible for TAKING AWAY WOMENS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.
-I didn’t vote for the person that says members of our military are SUCKERS & LOSERS.
-I didn’t vote for the person that feels free to GRAB WOMEN by their genitals.
-I didn’t vote for the person that has MOCKED PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
-I didn’t vote for the person that refused to turn over STOLEN CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.
-I didn’t vote for the person that ran a SCAM university.
-I didn’t vote for the person that LIED OR MISLED 30,573 TIMES during their tenure in the White House.
-I didn’t vote for the person that ran a SCAM CHARITY and used the money for personal expenses.
-I didn’t vote for the person that has admitted that they would be a DICTATOR, even if it was for “just” one day.
-I didn’t vote for the person that recently said that they would use the NATIONAL GUARD & US MILITARY AGAINST citizens of the United States.
-I didn’t vote for the person that has threatened to have the United States LEAVE NATO, our strongest alliance.
-I didn’t vote for the person that ADMIRES DICTATORS.
-I didn’t vote for the person that mentioned SUSPENDING THE US CONSTITUTION.
-I didn’t vote for the person that sent Covid testing equipment that was in short supply to the RUSSIAN PRESIDENT for personal use.
-I didn’t vote for the person that refers to people that COMMITTED CRIMES AGAINST THE UNITED STATES as HOSTAGES and threatens to free them.
-I didn’t vote for the person that has threatened to PROSECUTE THEIR POLITICAL OPPONENTS.
-I didn’t vote for the person that states that Americans can’t afford eggs but then tries to sell them GOLD SHOES, DIGITAL TRADING CARDS, $2 BILLS, COINS, and $100,000 WATCHES in a continuous GRIFT.
-I didn’t vote for the person that has declared BANKRUPTCY SIX TIMES to lead our economy.
-I didn’t vote for the person that SPEWS HATRED and has called for VIOLENCE.
-I didn’t vote for the person that IDOLIZES HITLER.
-I didn’t vote for the person that CALLED THE UNITED STATES A GARBAGE CAN.
Get out there and VOTE.
Our future depends on it.
🗳️ 🇺🇸
***
Take care buddy!
Jase
Wow--Jase, you had me at felon but I appreciated everything else you shared too! Thanks for the good wishes my friend and good to hear from you! 🙂
DeleteGlad to see your post and to read you got out. I had Covid this January and am just getting out and about again this fall. My Grand-girl came over and cleaned today, I still can't drag my vacuum around yet. I voted blue all the way. Praying for good results. Sending you hugs and wishes for a full recovery,
ReplyDeleteCelia thank you for sharing, it's good to hear from you too. And I'm glad to hear you're slowly making a comeback, this long covid thing is unreal. Very glad to hear how you voted, hugs & the best wishes to you as well.
DeleteHi Doug it was great seeing you. Please try to come back soon I miss our conversations
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary, it was great seeing you too. I miss you too, and look forward to hanging out with you again. :^)
DeleteIt's truly wonderful that you ventured out to get your shots and see old friends, Doug. I am also glad that you voted blue.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gigi--and I like Kamala very much. I would've voted for her if she was Democrat -or- Republican.
DeleteDoug, wonderful you were able to get out to the senior centre! Everyone must have been so happy to see you.❤️ Like Olivia I am holding my breath over this election!
ReplyDeleteTake care.❤️
Robin
Thank you Robin, I definitely lucked out Thursday being able to go. It changes day to day. As for the election, you and me both! 💙
DeleteYou are very brave to get both vaccines at once. We got our flu shots in October, as is our usual custom, but won't get the next COVID vaccine for another couple of weeks. This will be our 9th. I wish we could eventually get to just one COVID vaccine a year, like the flu shot. Over four years, and they still seem to be juggling the strains.
ReplyDeleteThanks dkzody, and well said. I was very nervous getting those shots in the same day. I replied to DJan up above I handled both okay (I'm going to delete that) as one night later I woke up in the middle of the night with body aches, fever, the shakes. No idea which shot did that, but my right covid arm hurt bad for 2 days.
DeleteGlad you were able to get out for a while, and I hope it will be the first step toward many more outings and a healthier 2025. And I'm sorry that I didn't vote the way you would have preferred...but I'll say no more on that subject.
ReplyDeleteThank you David, I appreciate the kind wishes. As for the other thing, I'm sorry too, but we're entitled to our own beliefs. I hope it stays that way.
DeleteWonderful to hear that you got out and wow what a long walk! Ceci
ReplyDeleteThank you Ceci, you're very kind. I'm slowly but surely getting there. :^)
DeleteIt is so good to see you post Doug! I'm happy to hear you got out for bit and saw some friends. I'm sorry you have been going through so much for such a long time now. Long covid is a pain for sure and in different ways for different people. It sure created problems for my husband, Tom. I hope you improve more each day and feel better for your birthday! Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Bonnie, it's still a real struggle. I'm so sorry your Tom has been dealing with this too, I would like to hear more about that. I've felt so alone with this.
DeleteDoug, Sorry to hear the challenges and issues you are still dealing with but glad to hear you were able to get back to the center and see your friends. I worked with a guy who went thru long covid and had most of your issues; he finally made it to the Mayo Clinic. They put him on some medication that allowed him to return to a normal life and work after three years of struggles. I hope and pray your Doctor finds a solution for you soon!
ReplyDeleteTX Mike
Thanks very much Mike, I'm glad to hear about your friend--I wish I had the resources to go to the Mayo Clinic! I'm not getting a lot of help here in Pittsburgh, so I'm just hoping I can make a recovery on my own. Anyway, thank you again Mike.
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