Diabetic Dad's Stuff

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Living with (but avoiding) Covid & Type 1 Diabetes


Ugh! Another Covid blog? I hear you, I'm tired of it too. I think Covid lethargy is a very real thing and it probably has been for a while, now. I think it's pretty normal to become tired, even burned out, by illness and disease. I'm a Type 1 Diabetic, remember? I've been there and perhaps you're reading this and nodding because you have too. 

I still fear Covid. Many don't! Maybe it's already visited the fearless and left again without any affect. Maybe there is a "head in the sand" approach going on by some - I understand that, I took a similar approach to the news of my eye complications, a decade ago. This can't be happening, if I ignore it then it'll go away. It didn't, of course. Or! perhaps the conspiracy theorists are sticking to their guns. How history will view their words and actions will be interesting for those still around in the decades to come.

I don't know how history will view me. My blog and social media will likely be around forever. My feelings, fears, joys and sadness there for everyone to read. That might be sobering for some or, if you're like me, you publish these things without fear because you've gained so much from sharing and you'll continue to do so regardless of the future or, indeed, the knickers which may become knotted as a result.

So, Covid fear is where I currently am. Sprinkle some Covid burnout on that, too. The reason? The virus has infected each person in my house since the turn of 2022. One after the other until the last person with a negative test remains - Me! That, as I've already noted on Twitter, is a remarkable thing. I live with 3 other members of my family and have shared a lot of personal space with each one. The LFTs have all been negative. I stopped believing them and took a PCR - also negative.  Yet, still the fear. It feels like one of those scary movies; the bad guy, the monster, the alien wandering around and picking off victims one by one until only one person remains, usually the hero. 

I'm not a hero but I'll tell you what's happened and if it helps you then great. Firstly, I've isolated myself within my own bedroom and bathroom. I know that many can't do that because we don't all live in multiple-room and bathroom homes. I've opened windows and doors to the outside as often as possible. It's January, it's cold, so layers have been worn. I'm hand washing after each visit to a room where positive members of the household have been - mostly the kitchen and using anti-bac as often as possible. I'm preparing meals which are left outside of the rooms of the positive. I'm leaving the house for at least an hour each day and walking around an isolated area near my home - no other people access this area (it's great!) and I'm only going to that isolated area in case I become positive in between tests, I have no desire to infect anybody. That hour or so guarantees me some fresh air and no viral load for a while and it's a well needed mental break. I know that's not possible for everybody but if you can safely get out for a little while then it might serve well your mental health.

That's it. Despite 10 days now passing since positive case #1, I still fear the symptoms and the little line on an LFT. I still think that it's just a matter of time until the bad guy takes a hold of my throat. 

And Diabetes? I'm paying attention. Any unusual spikes or prolonged lows result in the usual annoyance but now they're accompanied with the thoughts of "Is this Covid?" Not so far! but those thoughts and fears will undoubtedly remain for another week or so, until the isolation periods end or negative tests are returned. 

A few days ago, I felt (for want of a better term) frazzled. Many positive results and worries will eventually take their toll. It passed and acceptance resumed because there is very little that I can do to protect myself beyond the measures that I've already taken. I think that's the case for us all. I am in no way unique in this regard, especially living in England. I encourage you all to keep doing the right things. Please don't take unnecessary risks over your own health or the health of others. 

Thank you so much for reading this blog. I do appreciate your visit and your support. As you might know, I LOVE COFFEE! So I've teamed up with a thing called Buy Me A Coffee. If you enjoy my content and appreciate the time it takes to create such things then you can buy me a coffee! If you leave your Twitter @ name when you buy me a coffee, I will personally thank you. If you'd rather be anonymous then that's totally cool. Thanks for the caffeine!
 

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