Final Kick in the Ass by 2020

It has been quite the year to say the least.  2020 has given me one last kick in the ass on the way out. 

Here's the story:

Like all of you, I had very lofty goals and plans for 2020.  I was set to do my second 70.3 triathlon, 56 mile bike race and the NYC Marathon.  Clearly none of that took place.  Once the lockdown lifted, I dedicated my time to sprucing up my Condo. After spending so much time at home in the spring, I was very excited to make some updates.  I also dedicated my time working out, getting stronger, and improving my swim.  I was riding my bike outdoors and on Zwift, lifting weights, going for nice runs, and swimming. I really started to feel that I was rounding into the best complete shape I have ever been in during my adult life.  I felt strong. I was running faster than I have on easy days in a very long time, swimming the fastest in my life, and biking outdoors & on Zwift was really fun with friends. We would bike up mountains (literally), and bike for hours.


          

       Zwift Ride                                                                         swimming


Riding outdoors before the weather got too cold

December was going pretty smooth.  Christmas preparations were in the works- baking cookings and getting ready for my Dad to visit. 



Then on December 21, I tested positive for COVID.😩

NO, NO, NO!!  I had been so careful. Wearing my mask, washing my hands, social distancing, and wiping everything down diligently.  But, I am a high school teacher, and we started in person instruction 8 days before Christmas.  Needless to say, when I got the call from the health center about my results I notified the school,  Dad changed his travel plans, I was now quarantining, and I started notifying anyone that I could have possibly been in contact with. 


COVID is Mean Mean Mean.

Day 1- It all started with feeling very cold and a dry cough.  A good nights rests and I was feeling better, but a little sluggish.  

Day 2- A random cough appeared that sounded like a bronchitis cough.  Just one cough, but it gave me pause. Still sluggish.

Day 3:  Sluggish and spent a lot of time resting.

Day 4 to Day 11:  The wheels fell off.  Oh Dear, COVID was really here. 

Fever, severe back and leg pains, major GI issues, headache that lasted for days, lost of taste and smell, a small rash on my arms, stuffy nose, cough, tremendous fatigue, felt very crummy. 

I slept 18-20 hours a day for 8 days straight. 

Day 12:  Finally feeling a tad better, head is clearer, body aches are gone, and a bit more energy.  But, COVID wasn't done with me yet. I felt my heart flutter very fast several times during the day when I was resting.  I called the doctor immediately.  Now I am hydrating to the max (more of a max than before), no caffeine, resting and monitoring.


Every day is a little better now.  It has been very rough, but I'm taking things one day at a time.


Reflections: 

* Wear your mask, socially distance, be smart

* Health is everything

* Cherish your family, friends & the kind, caring, compassionate and generous people around you.

* Bridgerton is a great show on Netflix (watched the whole series quarantining)

* Gingerale and Orange juice is delicious -- alcohol free Mimosa!


                                                            Looking forward to 2021!!
















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bajan Chicken (Barbados)

Image
My friend Natalie and I became friends in college.  We studied at the University of Minnesota, and we both were on the Track & Field Team. She was from Barbados and I was from New York. After college she moved back to Barbados and I moved back to New York. We reconnected via Facebook after many years. Long and behold, 18 years after college;  I took my first trip to Barbados to visit her, and see the beautiful island she was from. I  traveled to Barbados the past 3 years, because I can't get enough of the island. I have had the Time of My Life! Honestly, I believe this is my favorite island thus far. What makes this island so amazing? ---The People! Soca Royale 2015  You can find amazing beaches, great night life, and tourist attractions most places you go..  But in Barbados, the people are absolutely wonderful. Very friendly, very safe place to be, very relaxed, and just wonderful! I often envision myself living there. Brandon's Beach Barbados   I just ca
Read more

Oxtails and Bahamian Rice & Peas

Image
  My friend Anika and I met last year in Barbados. She is from the Bahamas and I am from New York. While out to dinner with mutual friends, we started talking about yoga, food and cooking. We exchanged contact information to keep in touch. Six months later we both were planning our trip to Trinidad for Carnival.  Anika and her husband Ryan knew this was my first trip to Trinidad for Carnival, and included my friend and I in All their plans (along with 17 of their other friends).  I was so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful group of people.  We had an absolute blast at Carnival. After we got back, Anika was visiting her mom. She left her mom's house, and started to head home. Then realized she wanted to send me some traditional, authentic recipes from the Bahamas. She reversed the car, and went back to get the cookbook (Gourmet Bahamian Cooking by Marie Mendelson and Marguerite Sawyer). She shared over 16 recipes with me.  I was overjoyed! Mas- February 2015
Read more

Swiss Chard Omelette

Image
Spruce up your breakfast with this delish omelette sandwich. Ingredients: 1 bunch of Red Swiss Chard 4 Garlic Cloves pressed 1/4 Sweet Onion diced thin Salt and Pepper to taste 2 Eggs 4 Tbsp Skim Milk Directions: Saute the onion with olive oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Add the pressed garlic and saute for 2 more minutes. Add the swiss chard and saute covered or uncovered until tender.  Swiss chard cooks like spinach.    Whip the 2 eggs and milk together and pour over the swiss chard. Cover and cook until the eggs are done. Take a spatula and cut the omelette in half. It's the perfect size for a sandwich.     Enjoy! 
Read more