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Saturday, January 8, 2022

Oh whey...

 Good morning dear Blogger friends. As soon as I thought I had it all under control, the rug was pulled from under my feet. 

On New Years Eve! 

 I woke up at 2am on Friday 31 December 2021, with a violent headache. At 5am I sent a message to my Taigelates instructor to say I'd not be attending group that morning. At 9am, I drove  to Winterton and saw the clinic sister who gave me meds and told me to go home to bed. 

I did just that. 

 I slept from 11.30 until 2pm when my neighbor, Ronnie phoned me. Her daughter and family had been visiting on Wednesday. I remember sending a wave to Mandy who was sitting in the garden with her mum,  Ron, her brother, Gavin and her own little girl. Ron phoned me to say Mandy had been tested positive with Covid and their family had returned to Johannesburg. Ron and John had been to town to be tested - they were negative. 

I got up out of bed; drove to the doctor in town (not my doctor) and requested a rapid test.  I watched the little red line move across to the right; the doctor checked and pronounced me positive. I came home, phoned Ron and told her I was positive. She asked if I needed anything and suggested I stay home and in bed.

Which I was doing! 

On Saturday morning, Nine (my neighbor on the other side) phoned to say she was in her way to the Clicks pharmacy which was open on New Year's day. She returned with pain meds, a multi-vitamin and two meals from PicknPay supermarket. She'd had Covid in December and knew exactly what was needed to alleviate the terrible back and neck pain and fever; symptoms of the virus. She'd also treated me to a punet of mango slices which was most welcome. 

That evening Jenna (Nine's daughter who is home from her teaching post at St John's private girl's school) arrived with a delicious vegetable stir fry and asked if there was anything she could do for me. I said that on Sunday, I had an accommodation changeover from weekend guests to a family who were arriving for a long stay. No problem to Jenna and Derryn, (who is home from her teaching post at a private boy's school in Pretoria/Gauteng)!  They met Thandi at the local lifestyle center at the Valley entrance and the three of them proceeded to clean, sanitize and prep The Bunker for the next guests! I had supplied a check list of how to do this and of course, Thandi is very au fait with the process. So all went exceptionally well and quickly and the guests were thrilled by the welcome. 

That evening Derryn arrived with a platter of baked whole wheat wraps cut into triangles, sliced brie,  cocktail tomatoes and guacamole. 

The light and tasty snack which my neighbors brought me on Sunday night

So far my symptoms were only the back and neck pain. The antibiotics from the clinic sister had alleviated the fever.  

On Monday morning Ron went to town and did a small shop for me. On Wednesday my friend Arina (Avon mentor), arrived on my veranda. Both masked, we spoke through the window. She had brought me a bunch of flowers from her garden which she left on my patio table .

A cheery arrangement of roses and snapdragons from my friend, Arina's summer garden 

On Thursday Ron shopped again and brought me a selection of juicy fruits : nectarines, grapes and cherries as well as cocktail tomatoes and a frilly lettuce. These were foods I felt like this week! 

I have turned the corner, Praise God. And on my way back into society on next week. I am not sure where I contracted the virus; I am ultra careful, wearing the mandatory mask as soon as I step outdoors. I wash my hands regularly and we have to sanitize at every business area we enter in South Africa. I never hug anyone (the elbow greeting has been the norm for me since the pandemic broke out in April 2020) and I don't appreciate it when people ignore the social distancing rule while waiting in a queue. 

However, I am grateful that I am alive to tell the tale. This is due to being tested quickly and then reacting by going to bed and sweating and waiting it out, just as quickly. The care from my friends and neighbors was invaluable in keeping up my strength and my morale. I have been isolated - not having contact with anyone - since 31 December 2021! 

And the ultimate saving grace? 

I believe if I was not vaccinated, my post may have been written as an obituary, by one of my many caring friends! 

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL ! 

15 comments:

  1. You were really lucky ! I know people who are vaccinated twice and still got the Virus in a less stronger form, but still, fiever, a cold and coughing ! Rick has got it after the 3rd vaccine ! It's really crazy. I had my 3rd on Tuesday and have little side effects, like being a bit dizzy or my had is turning. Can't go to Rick today. I just lay down and blog and watch TV !

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  2. You have the most amazing friends & neighbours, Jo. Thank God for them. So happy to hear you are recovering & feeling so much better. Lots of love - Rose. xxx

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  3. Hello, Jo
    I am sorry your tested positive for Covid. It is good you are recovering quickly. Your friends are so nice to bring you food and medicine and to help with the bunker. The flowers are lovely too. Take care and stay safe. Happy weekend to you!

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  4. i love the closing shot you gave us. pun intended. so glad you are alive and well and typing. you are truly blessed to have these friends that fed you and let you know they were there if you had a need. wow on having friends that did the cleaning for you,..

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  5. I am so glad that you are recovering. I hope it is quick and complete. Hooray for vaccinations.

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  6. OMG dear Jo! Thankfully you are here and will be for a long, long time I'm sure!
    Wonderful that your 'angel friends' have stepped up to the plate to help you out - bless them all.
    Be really well again soon - remembering you in my prayers and sending best wishes and love for 2022.
    MARY -

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  7. I saw on Gaelyn's blog that you had COVID. Hope you are now on the mend and feeling much better. Take care Diane

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  8. Good that you turned the corner.

    I am rapid tested at work.

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  9. Dear Jo, I'm so glad you are vaccinated and have had access to rapid testing and that you now recovered. You have an awesome community of friends that helped to see you through.

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  10. I am so glad to hear you are on the mend. Not a good way to get days off from your always busy schedule. Thankful for your friends.

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  11. Hi Jo! I've been trying to post a comment for days but no go!
    This is another test...
    hughugs
    Donna

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  12. You never know where you got it, so far I escaped I had my 3 vaccines which I am sure don't help, maybe you are less sick. It's so cold and rainy that anyway I don't go out only for shopping and visit Rick. I reduced my visits to 2 per week, because each time I came home I was so depressed and I thought I have to stay strong. Anyway if I would come every day or once a week he wouldn't realize. Sometimes he seems normal but then he has forgotten everything. It's not easy to take all the paperwork out from another computer with passwords I don't know and he doesn't remember, but meanwhile I became a professional hacker ! In fact it was not so difficult, he had taken the names of our cats and the birthyear ! Take care and rest as much as you can this virus is very vicious !

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  13. Glad you are doing so well after a rough time. May you continue to regain strength. Thank goodness for your caring friends!

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  14. Oh My! that must have been awful. you are lucky to have such a network of wonderful friends. Hope you are nearly better now. Was it omicron? Its running amok here now since the govt opened the border and let it in.

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  15. Glad you are on the rebound. Very scary but with the help of great friends, you made the turn for the better. Take care and stay safe, Jo.

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