#captain trips

At the time, we didn't connect the GI issues she'd been having, as she often has some vomiting and lower gi tract issues (if you catch my drift), right before her cycle every month. Her symptoms seemed to clear after a few days, and she's been fine. Everyone has been fine.

Tuesday evening, my stomach felt a little weird, but nothing too awful. Then I woke up with a sore throat and splitting headache, much like she had a week and a half earlier. Zero energy. Shortness of breath but no real chest congestion or anything. The nasal congestion and cough didn't start for another two days.

It would almost come and go, to the point that I wondered if I was imagining it at times. But there was no was no denying the absolute fatigue and how quickly I felt winded after the slightest amount of exertion.

Then came Thursday after school. Ms. 8 and Ms. 11 both came home, not feeling well, with sore throats and stomach aches. I'll spare the gory details; suffice to say, after watching them struggle last night, I'm sooooo glad I escaped the gastrointestinal issues of this strain.

I was having a conversation with my BFF/heterolifemate, and she suggested it could be COVID, so I grabbed a test, and what do you know - it was positive.

COVID hasn't gone anywhere. It's here to stay. Sadly, it doesn't come with any real warning signs, and many symptoms mimic other viral infections. Despite having worked from home Wednesday through yesterday, I still notified all of my closest-proximity coworkers just to give them a heads up - two are immunocompromised, and one is 67 years old.

I just feel terrible, knowing that for however long this crap was incubating, we were all going about our lives, unknowingly spreading this. It's scary to think about (especially if you, like me, read The Stand by Steven King in 7th grade...Captain Trips...)

Anyway.

Wash your hands.

If you feel unwell, stay home.

Take care of your immune system by getting enough rest and eating fairly well.