Cherry takes the reins

greenbee

If you have a positive antibody test at least they'll get the information, and start to build up the picture. And much better to have it unknowingly. I've had it 'mildly' and it hasn't been fun. Test at 10 weeks showed no active virus (so far longest active virus has been recorded is 50 days after start of symptoms), so I need to get myself organised for an antibody test to confirm it (otherwise i'm assuming a case of chronic hypochondria!), and add to the record on the Covid-10 tracker where they are tracking symptoms, diagnoses, test results and activity. If you're not using the app, please do! The more data they have the better. Today is one of those days when I'm convinced I have had it, as the fatigue is overwhelming. 

Onebrokelady

greenbee said:

If you have a positive antibody test at least they'll get the information, and start to build up the picture. And much better to have it unknowingly. I've had it 'mildly' and it hasn't been fun. Test at 10 weeks showed no active virus (so far longest active virus has been recorded is 50 days after start of symptoms), so I need to get myself organised for an antibody test to confirm it (otherwise i'm assuming a case of chronic hypochondria!), and add to the record on the Covid-10 tracker where they are tracking symptoms, diagnoses, test results and activity. If you're not using the app, please do! The more data they have the better. Today is one of those days when I'm convinced I have had it, as the fatigue is overwhelming. 

Is this app the government track and trace app or a different one 😊

Onebrokelady

Cherryfudge said:

Nothing spent today - and I once again forgot to ask DH for yesterday's receipt.

I've spent a while trying to sort out my hours for May, which were all over the place due to being sent home early on certain days and working at other venues. However I understand that if we are sent home then we can claim for the whole shift, and I've also read my emails and attended meetings from home so I think my hours are about right, with one sleep in to claim for.

It's raining this evening, quite hard I think, but the forecast is okay so I think I'll be walking to work in the morning.

The big news today is that DS2's antibody test came back positive, so he's definitely had Covid. He thought he had as he lost his senses of smell and taste but that was before those were 'allowable' symptoms so although he mentioned them at work, he had to go on working. Of course there can be other reasons for losing those senses, but there can be other reasons for a fever or a cough, too. I suppose, working on a Covid ward, at least he's not infected his patients. I'm glad I didn't know at the time, but I'm also glad he has some antibodies.

I've tidied up the file of papers for Mum's estate and done some weeding and wood chopping in the garden. We now have a box of kindling for the log burner. DH has been for a walk and started mending the roof of my chicken coop, which need new plywood and roofing felt, or an alternative. Given that the plywood was rotting under the felting, we're thinking of corrugated plastic next time. Having chickens is still part of the plan, an DS2 found a local place where I may be able to buy some, though I'd quite like to get rescued ones.

Tonight I'm thankful for DH's work on Mum's mortgage, for yet another NSD (we ate from the freezer: tuna pasta), for the rain and for the amazing birdsong and super-bold robin in the garden.

We had antibody tests last week but I still haven't had my results yet, I'm hoping to hear soon though 😊

How exciting that your chicken coop is repairable 😀I'm still trying to decide whether to get anymore after the two I've got now, I am tempted to get some bantams because they don't cause so much damage and their eggs are good for cooking even though they are smaller 

Cherryfudge

Is this the symptom tracker, greenbee? I was tested a few weeks ago (negative) but of course that's well out of date now. I understand the antibody test may become available through work soon. I don't think I've had it but I'd like to know for sure. Both DH and I have been more tired than usual but not generally overwhelmingly tired. I'm putting this down to lifestyle changes as I don't think something asymptomatic would account for the tiredness.

Nothing much to report today: work was a bit more hands-on and thus more interesting, and I'm in for three days next week. I've even managed to send in my timesheet, just in time for it to be passed (I hope).

I also managed not to go to sleep when I got home. DH has been to the shops (and for the third day running I forgot to ask what we've spent - ETA: £21.27). He got scampi for tea, which was a very nice change. And he's fixed the roof on the chicken coop! It looks excellent.

I decided to use up some of my sourdough, which is growing with alacrity, but found I didn't have time and energy for bread buns so I tried waffles, but didn't grease the waffle iron so now it's in to soak, and I made 32 scotch pancakes instead! So guess what I'm having tomorrow? DH doesn't like them. I'm packing three tubs of sourdough into the freezer - I don't want to waste it but I can't keep up with it either!

Incidentally, the rain last night/this morning was actually heavy so I had a lift to work this morning and I'll have one again tomorrow. I decided to walk home and got caught in a blast of hail, but at least I had a mack with me. The rain water barrels, which were down to about 2/3rds full, are now up to the top again.

So tonight I'm thankful for a bit more involvement at work, days off after tomorrow and the rain.

greenbee

Yes, it’s the symptom tracker ... https://covid.joinzoe.com/  The more people who use it the better the scientists will understand what is and has been going on. The fatigue is overwhelming when it hits - can’t get out of bed even to get a drink of water kind of thing. Last time i had it i took 4hours to get up. This time I could barely get myself to bed - just managed to clean my teeth at 2.30am when I woke up again. I should have gone to bed when it hit at 4pm instead of struggling on.

i’m very jealous of your rain!

Cherryfudge

We had so much rain on Saturday (6th) that DH gave me a lift to and from work but that night I couldn't get to sleep so I didn't bounce back yesterday. Nevertheless it was okay: we had church then an online zo om meeting with the speaker which was interesting. I spent the afternoon finishing my course before access expired, and actually managed to get to the end which has inspired me to restart a similar one that defeated me twice in the past. Then at tea time we had an extended video call with family, so all in all a satisfying day.

Today is a day off in theory but I joined in work's team briefing, having missed two last week, then worked through some new material we all have to read. This puts my hours nearly right this week. I've also had a chat with DH and almost decided to offer to stay on this placement longer. I'm getting the hang of it now and it doesn't make sense to move staff between settings more than necessary.

Running is going nowhere recently. I was too tired with walking too and from work, and now I have a mysterious twinge deep in my knee. I'm hoping a few days rest and a bit of a support bandage will enable it to put itself right. AS DH still has a problem with his ankle and his bike's gone for repairs, exercise is restricted to a walk around the block.

Meals over the last few days haven't been particularly MS. We had scampi on Friday, non-chippie fish and chips on Saturday as usual and a lamb tagine on Sunday, followed by a tin of that rice pudding that has sultanas in. Today I went all healthy and did a lentil and chorizo soup. so between the scampi and the lamb, that was £7 for the focal point of two meals. The scampi was really nice but the tagine was disappointing. I'm also disappointed that I didn't keep on top of fridge contents and have had to throw stuff out. Need to plan, Cherry, need to plan.

Tomorrow will be some sort of pie as I have a roll of pastry to use up. I don't think there's much meat but I remember finding some sausages that need using from the depths of the freezer, so maybe sausage and onion? Dh is due to shop (again) tomorrow, it seems to be getting a lot more frequent but I think the lack of activity is getting to him.

DH gave me the shopping receipts: £12.76 on 3rd and £21.27 on 6th, so the lentils were definitely a good idea.

I've spent much of this evening texting colleagues. Many of us are dispersed right now and it's nice catching up. I had intended to get on with the new course but actually this feels like best use of the time even though I didn't get round everyone.

This evening I'm very thankful for chats with colleagues and time with family over the weekend on zo om.

Cherryfudge

A couple of non-food expenses: Dh had to replace his glasses (£39.00) and slippers (£12) but we aren't exactly spending a lot on clothes right now.

Cherryfudge

Today was something of a lesson in how not to do the food shopping economically, and I never even meant to go at all. DH and I drew up a list and he set out for BeeandEm and Mr S as there were items we couldn't get nearer to home. I rang the pharmacy to chase up my prescription and it turned out it was there but no one had texted me. On the way out I met up with a  colleague who has made something for a family member so I collected it and paid (it will be a £1 donation from me plus what the family member has already repaid to me). We also swapped experiences as she is placed at a different care home.

On the way into town, I had texts from DH about what he'd not been able to find so I realised I would actually be shopping  in Mr T for the first time since March. I did remember to collect my prescription then spent ages going round getting the things I thought I might as well buy while I had the opportunity, and some bits that had been on DH's list so I really should have trusted him to get them. I also bumped into a member of our relief staff who of course has had no work for some time. He's keeping himself very busy and doesn't have to worry about the finances but I was able to give him the gos from base. It was lovely catching up.

Of course, I can't be trusted in a large supermarket especially as there were a few bargains in the fruit department (I got two punnets of apricots at 21p each). I ended up buying three bags as the large one I'd bought wasn't enough, and I spent £41.77. Then I realised I couldn't even get a lift from DH as he had his induction session for the charity where he's hoping to help out. I made it home okay but I think my arms have got longer.

So far, I've found we both bought a large loaf of bread, a dozen eggs and some liquid soap. He bought some apricots and I got two punnets of them as well as two punnets of peaches, some cherries and some grapes - plus vegetables. He also bought me bananas which was kind but unnecessary as I have a bunch from a few days ago. Yes, we are rather overrun with fruit but DH eats lots of it and I can always make banana bread.

I ticked three items off my longer term wishlist: socks (£5), pens and a notebook (£1.75). Pre-lockdown world, see me fly! It's odd that a few months ago these would have been less significant.

I admit a number of the purchases were indulgence. Olives, soft cheese, pickle, another couple of boxes of cappuccino while on offer, brazil nuts, custard slices... and those will last me a while, apart from the custard slices which we had for pudding. (And very nice they were, too). Dinner was some fishcakes that DH bought with veg and new potatoes that were on offer.

This evening was my friends evening, so I've been on Zo om again, and now I need to have a bath and get to bed as I'm at work tomorrow.

Things I'm thankful for tonight: no queue and a straightforward shopping trip, new socks ( ), custard slices and all the fruit I could want for days and days.

That reminds me, DH was bewailing the fact we didn't have our London trip in March so we are planning a 'virtual trip'. Hotel breakfasts will feature very large and we'll find an online gallery to visit. I'm sure YouTube can provide a show for evening entertainment.

Cherryfudge

Nothing spent on groceries today (just as well) but DH has bought a new kitchen cabinet to further the work he did a while ago (£28).

Work has confirmed I'm to stay at my current placement for a further three weeks. I think there was probably a collective sigh of relief as my usual place is still overstaffed and my new place can use me. I'm okay with this (it was my idea, after all) but still a bit concerned about how tired I've been. However the work so far has been pretty straightforward and, after a rubbish night's sleep last night, I moved my alarm on 45 minutes and asked DH for a lift. He then drove me home as well so I'm not too tired. I am, however, sleeping on the sofa for the second night running as DH wakes me by being a restless sleeper, and I need sleep tonight.

DH had a phone call from a distant relative as we've been trying to trace DFiL's cousin. She lives about half an hour away and we had arranged to see her before lockdown but she called it off as she hadn't been well. Recently she'd been off the radar but after a bit of sleuthing DH found her brother's son and it was he who rang. It turns out this lady has sadly had to go into a care home with suspected dementia. We felt she was probably ill, if still with us at all, but it's the end of another era.

I don't think much else has happened today, but there's plenty to be thankful for: my twinging knee seems to have settled down, I'm not so tired and DH turns out to be a dab hand at cooking liver and sausages which is something we've not been able to get for weeks till now.

charlies_tribe

Hope your tiredness settles down after having a lift. While the weather has turned maybe a fes more lifts will help you recover.  
Dementia is definitely a horrible thing! I saw my gran a few weeks before lockdown and she was fine. A week later she was completely different,  originally they thought it was a water infection but after 2 weeks of antibiotics she was still trying to escape at half 2 in the morning,  Leaving all doors open to go to the bank, she couldn't sit still for a few seconds. My grandad who is also seriously ill couldn't cope any more and she had to go into a care home on the Friday of lockdown. They have now said it looks like Dementia. A horrible disease.