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Sunday 21 September 2025: COVID Days and Nights

A woman with vibrant orange-red hair rests in bed under a teal blanket, flanked by two tabby cats who've appointed themselves as furry nurse companions during her bout with COVID - one perched on the pillow above, the other stretched out contentedly on the blanket beside her.
Sha with COVID with Jasper and Scarlett keeping her company @theaardvark

Well, this is proper shit, isn't it? COVID has decided to join the party because obviously, I didn't have enough going on. It's like my body looked at the existing chaos and thought, "You know what would make this better? A respiratory virus" JOY!

The nights are the worst. Lying in the dark, brain won't shut up, body aches in places I didn't know could ache, coughing like I've smoked 40-a-day for decades (I haven't, for the record). And the fatigue from COVID on top of my Ellyllons? That's a special kind of hell; I wouldn't wish it on any enemy. It's fatigue squared. Fatigue with a PhD in Making Your Life Difficult.

Paul and Connor have been brilliant. Paul is keeping his distance as he has long COVID, so I am being a good wife and isolating in the bedroom, obviously. I totally blame Connor for this because he had it first, kids, huh! But he's been giving me lots of comfort, cwtches, and checking on me, doing all he can to help.

I keep thinking about all the things I could be doing, all the people I am letting down. Appointments cancelled, etc, it's very lonely, stuck up here in my bedroom. I worry about my voluntary work at the council and at The Garrick. Messages I should reply to. Content I wanted to create. But right now? Right now, I'm achieving absolutely nothing, nada, zilch, and that's going to have to be okay for now.

One thing I learnt very early in my invisible illness journey is that recovery isn't linear. Sometimes, you just have to ride it out. Because COVID on top of chronic illness isn't a competition you can win through sheer bloody-mindedness (though god knows I've tried). So here we are. Day to night, I lie awake staring at the ceiling. What else was I going to do at 3 am?)

It will pass. It always does.

It's Just taking its sweet sodding time about it.

Today's Intentions:

  • Stay hydrated (even if it's just sips)
  • Take meds when they're due
  • Rest without guilt (ha! good luck with that one, brain)
  • Maybe manage a wash if the energy fairy visits (she's not answering my calls)
  • Be kind to myself
  • Accept help from Paul without the usual "I can do it myself" nonsense
  • Survive (aim high, that's what I say)

That's it, folks. That's the list. No grand plans. No productivity goals. Just getting through today without coughing up a lung.

Three Good Things:

  1. Paul & Connor, I don't know how I'd cope without their ongoing support and care. Fresh water by the bed, checking in without being overbearing, knowing when I need quiet. That purple beard is attached to a proper good human. I'm keeping him.
  2. Clean sheets. Paul changed the bed yesterday, and that feeling of clean, cool sheets when you're feeling this rough? That's luxury, that is.
  3. The cat's decided I'm acceptable today. Mika curled up at the end of the bed, just being a warm, purring presence. No demands, no questions, no judgment about the fact that I haven't moved or bathed for days. Just... there. Sometimes that's enough. Plus, she's an excellent foot warmer, and I suspect it's my electric blanket she loves more than me.

Deep breath (well, as deep as I can manage without triggering another coughing fit)Tomorrow's another day. Hopefully, one with more sleep, less coughing, and the miraculous ability to reach the bathroom without needing a sit-down halfway.

Living the dream, folks. Living. The. Dream.

Love, Sha x