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 !
