Doctor First Covid Second
Sep. 17th, 2023 10:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
taz_39Thursday I worked.
Ate lunch. Jameson went to perform at Disney.
I vacuumed. Practiced trombone. Ate lunch and dinner. Went to Publix for a few things that we need.
Wanted to go for a walk but it was pouring, but I have been in such a mood lately that I needed to do SOMETHING, so drove to the gym and did the elliptical for a scant 20 minutes (that's still a mile, and it was 8pm anyway.)
The storm clouds were moving off, and they looked pretty cool with the setting sun shining through them.
Back home I showered and emptied the dishwasher, and promptly broke one of our pint glasses because I was holding too many cups and trying to put them away too quickly. We have five pint glasses, four of which are Jameson's and one of which is mine, a fond memory from when I lived in North Carolina, emblazoned with the logo of a local bar.
Guess which one I dropped. Yeah, mine.
So then I had to pick up the pieces AND sweep AND vacuum AND mop to make sure I got as much glass as possible.
Just another exciting night in my life.
When Jameson came home from his gig (+ drinks with friends afterward) he sounded awful...he's been fighting some sort of upper respiratory infection, and he's like, "It's been getting better!" but no it definitely hasn't, and I think tomorrow when he's finally able to have a day off it's going to whack him hard. Having anticipated this, I had bought NyQuil and some sodas for him.
I think this same virus tried to come after me last week too, but when my throat became raw I gargled with watered-down peroxide. It stung but the sore throat quickly receded after that, so I think the virus chose the easier victim.
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Up at 6:30am to do a little work before going to my doctor appointment.
The appointment was to go over my bloodwork, and for me to ask as many questions as allowed in the allotted time, which turned out to be 3 questions and 30 minutes.
My bloodwork thankfully had nothing of concern. The doctor went over it thoroughly with me, something that not one single doctor has ever done with me before. I asked about the low alkaline phosphatase; over the last three blood draws it's gone down from 33 to 29. The doctor said, "Oh that's nothing. Mine came back at 16 once!" According to her, as long as it's present at all, it's fine, and the lower it is the better.
She was thrilled to death with my cholesterol and blood sugar and everything about my liver and pancreatic function. Remember that I'm about to turn 40 and my mom died of pancreatic cancer at 42, so checking on my pancreas is important to me, even if it doesn't necessarily constitute early detection. The only thing she mentioned that I could improve on was kidney function. My numbers were good, they just could be better. That's partially due to the high(ish) protein diet I've been doing, and partially hydration. Easy fixes. So overall I'm happy with all of that.
I asked about anxiety and she gave me several options to try, including St. John's Wort and Lexapro. I decided to try St. John's Wort consistently for a month, and if that doesn't help I'll get the Lexapro over the December layoff (I'll be insured then too!) Other than that, she said I'm pretty much doing all I can by going to therapy, eating well, trying to reduce stress, etc.
My final question was whether the weird twinging I've had in my side is anything to be concerned about. She did some abdominal poking and prodding, especially around my liver and kidney and gallbladder, and I didn't feel anything of note. But when she pressed on my upper GI stomach area, it was a bit uncomfortable. She thinks it's anxiety, my stomach being all acidic and achy and tension causing issues in my whole digestive system. She said to keep an eye on it of course, but that it's nothing to worry about until it's something to worry about. I'm so glad for that. And she only charged me $140 instead of the $180 I was quoted. Perhaps she felt bad for me.
On the way home I picked up some St. John's Wort and some flavored sparkling water to encourage myself to hydrate better. Then I checked on Jameson and ate breakfast and did what work was available, about 2 hours' worth. Jameson eventually got up, he's a mess but he will rest and hydrate and hopefully feel better quickly.
I didn't meet my 30 hours this week again because they ran out of work for us today.
I got 27.5 though, so not terrible. Can't do anything about it.
I stepped outside to get the mail and was surprised to see a glorious, shiny black racer snake lying full-length across our ugly palm plant, facing our door, blepping his little tongue at me. I dashed back inside for my phone and was delighted to find he hadn't moved when I came back. Perhaps he was sunning, or chasing lizards through the leaves. He was calm though tensed against my presence, and sat still so that I could fully admire his beautiful scales.
(CLICK HERE to see him!)
Black racers are lovely beneficial snakes to have around. It made me happy to see such a healthy and beautiful one relaxing so openly in front of the house :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday I "slept in" until 8:30.
Breakfast, anime, mixing up some overnight focaccia dough, dusting, trimming the palm plant out front, quick trip to Publix for things I forgot yesterday, practicing trombone, lunch. Jameson rested for most of the day, which I was glad for. And besides my chores, I chilled out too. Didn't feel like doing Foodie Finds.
Dinner was HelloFresh, then I went for the neighborhood walk.
Some roadkill bones. These are quite old, they've been here for months. A raccoon or possum I'm sure.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday...I try to do TSOLife work because I want one weekday as part of my weekend. But lately no one has been uploading more work before the weekend hits, leaving me with nothing to do despite getting up early. I might have to give up on Sunday workdays.
I worked on Foodie Finds instead, and took the focaccia dough out to rise.
When it was puffy enough, into the oven.
Turned out just as good as the last one, maybe a little more dense because I'd increased the quantity of dough a bit.
The pizza seasoning was very nice in the dough, it wasn't too much at all.
It did kinda burn the seasoning that I sprinkled on top, so maybe next time I'll just mix more of it into the dough or try coating it in olive oil and brushing it on. Either way we have a good bread to enjoy for the rest of the week.
Jameson and I were supposed to go to Halloween Horror Nights today, but Jameson is still sick and decided he'd better take a covid test. It's a good thing he did because he tested positive. Dropper sample section is colored out because there was a booger in there :p
So he's got the 'rona, poor guy. I gave myself a test as well. He's had symptoms since at least Wednesday.
I'm in the clear somehow, for now.
We messaged our friends to see if they'd still be comfortable with me joining them. Obviously I'd wear a mask the absolute entire time, I don't care whether we're indoors or outdoors or how hot it is. And handwashing and sanitizer. They were both ok with it. I did a quick grocery run for Jameson since he can't go anywhere now, wearing a mask and avoiding people in the store and only touching what I needed. Hopefully that is enough, since I am not shedding virus myself, and doesn't make me a hypocrite. But later on I decided not to go to Universal. With Jameson actively shedding virus, I could have covid and just not be showing symptoms yet (I have had a slightly sore throat all week.) I just don't feel comfortable going into haunted houses, and spending extended time around good friends, with that level of risk.
To be honest, I wouldn't mind getting covid now so I'd have a lower chance of getting it on tour!
We ordered a pizza and had a quiet night in.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
It looks like a normal week ahead for me.
Data entry, walks, trombone practice, HelloFresh.
We're supposed to go to Howl-o-Scream on Friday, and Halloween Horror Nights on Sunday, but we will see how Jameson feels and whether or not I've contracted covid by then.
Ate lunch. Jameson went to perform at Disney.
I vacuumed. Practiced trombone. Ate lunch and dinner. Went to Publix for a few things that we need.
Wanted to go for a walk but it was pouring, but I have been in such a mood lately that I needed to do SOMETHING, so drove to the gym and did the elliptical for a scant 20 minutes (that's still a mile, and it was 8pm anyway.)
The storm clouds were moving off, and they looked pretty cool with the setting sun shining through them.
Back home I showered and emptied the dishwasher, and promptly broke one of our pint glasses because I was holding too many cups and trying to put them away too quickly. We have five pint glasses, four of which are Jameson's and one of which is mine, a fond memory from when I lived in North Carolina, emblazoned with the logo of a local bar.
Guess which one I dropped. Yeah, mine.
So then I had to pick up the pieces AND sweep AND vacuum AND mop to make sure I got as much glass as possible.
Just another exciting night in my life.
When Jameson came home from his gig (+ drinks with friends afterward) he sounded awful...he's been fighting some sort of upper respiratory infection, and he's like, "It's been getting better!" but no it definitely hasn't, and I think tomorrow when he's finally able to have a day off it's going to whack him hard. Having anticipated this, I had bought NyQuil and some sodas for him.
I think this same virus tried to come after me last week too, but when my throat became raw I gargled with watered-down peroxide. It stung but the sore throat quickly receded after that, so I think the virus chose the easier victim.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up at 6:30am to do a little work before going to my doctor appointment.
The appointment was to go over my bloodwork, and for me to ask as many questions as allowed in the allotted time, which turned out to be 3 questions and 30 minutes.
My bloodwork thankfully had nothing of concern. The doctor went over it thoroughly with me, something that not one single doctor has ever done with me before. I asked about the low alkaline phosphatase; over the last three blood draws it's gone down from 33 to 29. The doctor said, "Oh that's nothing. Mine came back at 16 once!" According to her, as long as it's present at all, it's fine, and the lower it is the better.
She was thrilled to death with my cholesterol and blood sugar and everything about my liver and pancreatic function. Remember that I'm about to turn 40 and my mom died of pancreatic cancer at 42, so checking on my pancreas is important to me, even if it doesn't necessarily constitute early detection. The only thing she mentioned that I could improve on was kidney function. My numbers were good, they just could be better. That's partially due to the high(ish) protein diet I've been doing, and partially hydration. Easy fixes. So overall I'm happy with all of that.
I asked about anxiety and she gave me several options to try, including St. John's Wort and Lexapro. I decided to try St. John's Wort consistently for a month, and if that doesn't help I'll get the Lexapro over the December layoff (I'll be insured then too!) Other than that, she said I'm pretty much doing all I can by going to therapy, eating well, trying to reduce stress, etc.
My final question was whether the weird twinging I've had in my side is anything to be concerned about. She did some abdominal poking and prodding, especially around my liver and kidney and gallbladder, and I didn't feel anything of note. But when she pressed on my upper GI stomach area, it was a bit uncomfortable. She thinks it's anxiety, my stomach being all acidic and achy and tension causing issues in my whole digestive system. She said to keep an eye on it of course, but that it's nothing to worry about until it's something to worry about. I'm so glad for that. And she only charged me $140 instead of the $180 I was quoted. Perhaps she felt bad for me.
On the way home I picked up some St. John's Wort and some flavored sparkling water to encourage myself to hydrate better. Then I checked on Jameson and ate breakfast and did what work was available, about 2 hours' worth. Jameson eventually got up, he's a mess but he will rest and hydrate and hopefully feel better quickly.
I didn't meet my 30 hours this week again because they ran out of work for us today.
I got 27.5 though, so not terrible. Can't do anything about it.
I stepped outside to get the mail and was surprised to see a glorious, shiny black racer snake lying full-length across our ugly palm plant, facing our door, blepping his little tongue at me. I dashed back inside for my phone and was delighted to find he hadn't moved when I came back. Perhaps he was sunning, or chasing lizards through the leaves. He was calm though tensed against my presence, and sat still so that I could fully admire his beautiful scales.
(CLICK HERE to see him!)
Black racers are lovely beneficial snakes to have around. It made me happy to see such a healthy and beautiful one relaxing so openly in front of the house :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday I "slept in" until 8:30.
Breakfast, anime, mixing up some overnight focaccia dough, dusting, trimming the palm plant out front, quick trip to Publix for things I forgot yesterday, practicing trombone, lunch. Jameson rested for most of the day, which I was glad for. And besides my chores, I chilled out too. Didn't feel like doing Foodie Finds.
Dinner was HelloFresh, then I went for the neighborhood walk.
Some roadkill bones. These are quite old, they've been here for months. A raccoon or possum I'm sure.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday...I try to do TSOLife work because I want one weekday as part of my weekend. But lately no one has been uploading more work before the weekend hits, leaving me with nothing to do despite getting up early. I might have to give up on Sunday workdays.
I worked on Foodie Finds instead, and took the focaccia dough out to rise.
When it was puffy enough, into the oven.
Turned out just as good as the last one, maybe a little more dense because I'd increased the quantity of dough a bit.
The pizza seasoning was very nice in the dough, it wasn't too much at all.
It did kinda burn the seasoning that I sprinkled on top, so maybe next time I'll just mix more of it into the dough or try coating it in olive oil and brushing it on. Either way we have a good bread to enjoy for the rest of the week.
Jameson and I were supposed to go to Halloween Horror Nights today, but Jameson is still sick and decided he'd better take a covid test. It's a good thing he did because he tested positive. Dropper sample section is colored out because there was a booger in there :p
So he's got the 'rona, poor guy. I gave myself a test as well. He's had symptoms since at least Wednesday.
I'm in the clear somehow, for now.
We messaged our friends to see if they'd still be comfortable with me joining them. Obviously I'd wear a mask the absolute entire time, I don't care whether we're indoors or outdoors or how hot it is. And handwashing and sanitizer. They were both ok with it. I did a quick grocery run for Jameson since he can't go anywhere now, wearing a mask and avoiding people in the store and only touching what I needed. Hopefully that is enough, since I am not shedding virus myself, and doesn't make me a hypocrite. But later on I decided not to go to Universal. With Jameson actively shedding virus, I could have covid and just not be showing symptoms yet (I have had a slightly sore throat all week.) I just don't feel comfortable going into haunted houses, and spending extended time around good friends, with that level of risk.
To be honest, I wouldn't mind getting covid now so I'd have a lower chance of getting it on tour!
We ordered a pizza and had a quiet night in.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
It looks like a normal week ahead for me.
Data entry, walks, trombone practice, HelloFresh.
We're supposed to go to Howl-o-Scream on Friday, and Halloween Horror Nights on Sunday, but we will see how Jameson feels and whether or not I've contracted covid by then.
