#msconnections

While the vaccines were in the works... I watched the news very carefully each day to see Health Canada's approval and to see when the vaccine distributions would come to life in Ontario since my neurologist told me that the mRNA vaccines (like Pfizer and Moderna) are safe for people with MS.

Thankfully, the provincial government released the three-phase plan that will ensure a safe transition to the economy and normalcy (whatever that means lol). For MS-fighters, it means we are part of PHASE TWO because we are classified as INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH(EST)-RISK CHRONIC CONDITIONS. I had to take a step back and process everything because it was a lot of information to take in. I was happy that I was able to get the vaccine sooner -- but, just seeing the words [Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions] made me really nervous and want to do a countdown until APRIL.

Eventually, I was able to get in touch with my neurologist's office to request a LETTER OF DIAGNOSIS as proof for my upcoming vaccination appointments after the news reported that one of the hospitals in the GTA was offering appointments for individuals with high-risk chronic conditions a couple of weeks prior to April. Sadly, I wasn't able to get those spots -- but, that's okay. To be honest, I was happy to obtain the sacred letter.

Now, this is where it gets messy... So, the first time that I tried to book my vaccine appointment -- EVERYTHING WAS FULLY BOOKED! -_-" I was so pissed off, I had to call the City of Toronto to help me book it. Sadly, there weren't able to. They felt really bad for me over the phone and told me to try booking it earlier on the next day at 8am. On the next day, I made sure to wake up and have breakfast earlier for vaccine bookings. It was a ROYAL RUMBLE! Back then, the Ontario government's website told me that I had to contact my doctors to book an appointment on my behalf. However; we both know that is not the case. I brought up the inaccessibility issue with my neurologist's office and they have sent me another website containing the bookings with the hospitals.

AS OF APRIL 11, I WAS 50% vaccinated with MODERNA thanks to the doctors & nurses from NORTH YORK GENERAL HOSPITAL via Seneca Newnham Campus. The process for registration and check-in contained four line-ups lol, (and no, I DID NOT get a sticker). The doctor who gave me the first of Moderna was very kind and told me that I should keep a heads up from the Ontario government because there was a chance that I may get my second dose earlier due to my MS condition. From there, I was able to thank her for everything she has done. 15 mins later, I was able to return home with my mom and treated ourselves to desserts.

Now, you're probably wondering about the aftermath lol. To be honest, this is where it also gets interesting because I knew I was expecting to have a sore arm that lasted for a few days. However; I was also experiencing itchiness on the same arm the week after. It turns out I was going to be fine after contacting Googling my side effect and contacting the City of Toronto. I was letting the vaccine do its thing and telling my internal systems that it will be okay too.

The provincial government announced that we were able to get the second dose sooner than later during PHASE TWO of the vaccine rollout distribution. Eventually, I got an email from North York General Hospital that gave me a link to let me rebook my appointment.

Originally, it was supposed to be in August, however... AS OF JUNE 15, I'M FULLY VACCINATED thanks to the doctors & nurses from NORTH YORK GENERAL HOSPITAL! Thankfully, I was able to get the second dose directly from the hospital's site. The doctor was such a sweetheart and made my visit even more wholesome and worthwhile. 15 mins later, I was able to return home and treated myself to Thai food from a local restaurant nearby in the neighbourhood.

CONTENT WARNING [CW]: Mentioning distressing themes of pain!

In terms of the aftermath, I knew I was expecting a sore arm, BUT... I wasn't able to fall asleep at night because, I had a sore arm, PLUS chills and A LOT of pain. It was so bad to a point where I ended up crying and calling out for my late grandparents to help me out. Eventually, I was able to fall asleep for five hours and let my sore arm continue to heal for the rest of the week. On the next day, I was expecting to let the pain continue, however; it disappeared and I felt better.

What's cool about this journey is that I was the last one in my family to get the first dose. But, I was the first one to be fully vaccinated. [& yes, thankfully my parents are also fully vaccinated as well!]

Welcome back, everyone! I know Part One contained A LOT of tea... I hope, part two will be okay for you ♥.

So, things were going great after the lockdown -- you would think that the worst was over... But, COVID decided to say "Nahhh bruh! Not this time" -_-". That's when the world got mad and had no choice but, to eventually go on another lockdown for the SECOND WAVE... (Thankfully, I was able to celebrate my birthday prior to it).

Two days later (after my birthday), I was trying to keep myself busy while the cases are trying to drop during the second lockdown. I was focused on prepping for grad school and volunteering virtually. I knew I had to be on my A-game and manifest my dreams, hopes and desires to the universe, (or in my case, a galaxy far, far away lol). I was consistent, but at the same time, exhausted because I just wanted to go out and spend time with my loved ones without living in fear of COVID. Even though, I am used to staying at home with my family -- I do enjoy my freedom and living my life.

When 2021 arrived, I felt that things were going to get better in the future. BUT, to be honest, it was very difficult to visualize it because Ontario's approach of handling the lockdown was AND STILL is a DISASTER! There were a lot of factors to see which businesses are considered 'essential', (especially the small, local businesses who are struggling). Seeing some of them shutting down broke my heart. It really made me just want to go out and buy the items and/or take-out.

Given that Toronto is a major city, we have also been placed under stay-at-home orders to keep the case number down. It was totally understandable (and for good reasons too)! It definitely felt like an eternity and I just wanted to be free from this mess. This lockdown made me not want to go grocery shopping during the weekends due to the long, busy line-ups and reduced in-person capacity shopping in stores. Thus, it would be a mission that takes several HOURS to complete! Even if the stay-at-home orders would be lifted in some other parts of the province, it would not happen for the 6ix. So, we all knew that this will take a long while before we can resume to normal... (Whatever normal means...)

In terms of waiting for the mRNA vaccines to come to life... well, there's that too! As an MS-fighter, it is exhausting to fight two opponents at once (like a handicap match). But, I knew that waking up each day and doing my best is all that counts and that my friends are a part of a VICTORY right there!

To be honest, COVID-19 and its lockdowns feel like an eternity, but I am lucky that I am still here to share my lived experiences with all of you. In terms of where I should start -- well... let's go back to Friday, March 13, 2020. (& yes lol, I said FRIDAY THE 13th). On that day, it was my official last day of my work-study position as a Lab Monitor at York University. I was carrying out my duties at the Assistive Technology Lab as usual and one of the staff members told me that I can leave early. From there, it was bittersweet and thanked them for everything.

After I left, I had to take care of a few items as the President of the Social Science Student Association (SSSA) at the time. Sadly, I had to cancel the club's upcoming Mental Health event due to the pandemic. My team and I were very disappointed. At that point, my main concern for them was their safety and overall well-being. At the same time, my mom and I knew we had to cancel our trip to the Philippines. Since the world locked up their borders to contain the virus -- my mom and I knew we HAD to do the same at home. Hence, we stocked up on our essentials and got ready for the FIRST WAVE AND LOCKDOWN!

While the world was at a standstill of avoiding the pandemic and hoarding toilet paper... my mom and I are at home as usual with our cat, Cindy. If anything, staying at home throughout my childhood upbringing played a HUGE role for me to survive the lockdowns. (Thanks mom and dad)! For the first few months, we just watched the news while I was completing my remaining assignments and presentations for my courses. & yes, I had completed them on time and got great marks in the end. Thankfully, the high marks for the two remaining courses that I had to take made me eligible to apply for GRAD SCHOOL. I was able to apply to graduate (after 6 YEARS, 2 STRIKES AND A COVID VIRUS) lol. Surprisingly, York University delivered my graduation box (along with my degree and certificate that were framed by the campus' bookstore). My mom was so proud of me, she decided to display my accolades in the living room lol.

We have also reached out to my dad because he was stuck in lockdown in the Philippines where his hometown had a security checkpoint in each city. Sadly, he was not allowed to return home to Toronto at the time. So, my mom and I kept a close eye on him to see the current state of his overall well-being. We have also sent him money to ensure that he is able to get refills for his medications.

However; as time went on after May 2020 (which was his original date of returning home had difficulties accessing (lack thereof) medications from the doctors/pharmacies.

From there, that was when I got really concerned and knew that my dad must return home as soon as possible. Thankfully, one of the local police officers in my dad's hometown offered to escort him to the airport in Manila. In the end, my dad was able to come home safely after his long flight from Manila and was to isolate in quarantine for two weeks.

In terms of my squad, my college friends and I teamed up once more by having our group chats and video calls to do mental health checks on each other as well. Our vibes have always been the same since day one. Our talks from the past from gym class to food and beyond have continued to make it so wholesome. If we can survive and graduate from Police Foundations and gym class in 2014, then we can continue to hold it down by taking it day by day with COVID. I'm very thankful for having them in my life ♥. The best part is: we had a bit of a foodventure via POTLUCK after the first lockdown in the summer. It was fun and I made them bring a lot of food that will last them for 1-2 weeks xD.

I also got in touch with my neurologist via Zoom due to my six-month follow-up. Prior to my appointment, I always thought that I was at HIGH-RISK of getting COVID-19 due to my MS condition. Thankfully, my neurologist told me that I'm not. BUT, she told me to continue to follow public health guidelines, take my Tecfidera and labwork (as usual) and stay safe.