Day Two of Covid 19 - It's Confirmed

Just got the test results back. That was just a 36-hour turnover. They told me it would be 3 - 5 days and it was much sooner. So that's good. I'm so grateful for those people on the front lines. We are so lucky that we have a way to find out if we really have this stupid prickly virus 

Seeing the test result "SARS-COV2 POSITIVE" really takes your breath away. Too soon?

I mean, I saw Andy's result and I felt wiped out but seeing my own is conflicting because I want to take care of Andy. It's so shocking even though I sort of knew. I kept saying, all night, "maybe it's a false positive for Andy and we just have bad colds." Then 2 for 2. Whaaat?!

Let's talk about the quick evolution:

Andy - Andy is only 41 so maybe his reaction so far, when he got tested on July 2 haven't been too scary (except for seeing the initial test results! Ha!) His biggest complaint is that he can't move. He also can't smell anything. His insides are imbalanced. He is dizzy. His eyes hurt. That's interesting. I have that too. He has a dry cough but it isn't too bad yet. We are actors and vocal teachers and we tell our kids all the time - "don't cough if you can help it!" So that is our habit - but there is a point where you just have to let it out - however, with Covid, nothing happens and the pay-off is that it BURNS like a son-of-a b***h. 

I am 55. I am in good health, and Andy and I have been running around the junior high track every day. I feel stronger than I have ever been in my life. However, the little stoker's in my chest are just like "you should have taken care of yourself BEFORE you hit 50, you idiot." 30 years of teaching, never going to the doctor. My lungs are shot. This is day two or three - I think - my chest feels like an inferno and I sound like a 75-year-old lady who sits on the porch of her single-wide and smokes cigars all day. 

One thing is that has been just incredible in the last 24 hours is the ARMY of support that our neighborhood, friends and co-workers have assembled. We were given a list of neighbors that are taking over dinner and yesterday we had incredible teriyaki chicken and tonight we had hot homemade rolls and chicken noodle soup that melted in our mouths. So if you want to eat well - just get the virus! (I'm not serious here) I should videotape the opening of the front door after the doorbell ditch. It's like Christmas. Just minutes ago another beautiful neighbor doorbell ditched a pulse oximeter AND warm brownies. S.T.I.L.L. W.A.R.M. Shut. the. front. door. (Quickly.)

Because we feel oxygen deprived it was great to know, through the pulse oximeter, that we are not. When I first got tested it was 87% - "a solid B+" Andy said. I went as low as 82% but then figured out that if I took a deep breath I could get it to 95. SOOOOO... I will do the breathing exercises that several friends have sent me. I need to keep moving. It makes me take deeper breaths. There has been so much incredible advice. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

We have also been able to Venmo our friends and send them to the store for us. THANK YOU FRIENDS and THANK YOU VENMO, we didn't have to touch a single thing. The texts and outpouring of assistance you have all offered is humbling. We will take care of our debts when this is all over. Be sure of it.

More reasons to wear a mask, wash your hands, stay at home, don't touch anything:

     1. I really want to get things done around the house - but don't have the energy. My summer is wasting away while I cough. I tried to cut out a sewing project today and I gave up after five minutes. 

     2. With Covid - I can't sleep - it's like there are bugs in your brain. I have had the world's strangest dreams. Andy too. There just isn't good sleeping or good napping and even our Ambien is standing there with its hands up in surrender. If only I could rest.

     3.  Guilt. Who did I give it to while I didn't know I had it? Gah! This is the worst part. Don't live with that. STAY HOME. Invent fun stuff to do at home. We need to say "I might be a walking weapon of disease." COVID IS REAL. 

Things I have googled today:

"If you have Covid-19, what does your oxygen level have to be at before you go to the hospital"

"What over the counter drugs will help people with Covid-19" (So many different answers - we tried Dayquil - didn't touch it. We're popping cough drops, Tylenol and Vitamin C) 

"Best of Netflix July"