well, shit.

[barbtries]

My oldest grandson just Duo'd me to let me know he's got covid. He lives with his mother, her boyfriend, and his little sister, and they all have it.

My youngest grandson and his girlfriend had it a month or so ago.

i feel the clock ticking away...i'm 66 years old, obese, high BP, etc, etc. this fucking virus is insidious. It feels inevitable, but I'm staving it off for as long as I can. Maybe if I evade it for long enough, the hospital won't be too crowded to fit me in, the meds will be available, my vaccines and boosters will prop me up, and I won't die.

guess we'll find out. I still know a lot of people who have not had it, but with every day it seems I know more and more who have.

[Skittles]

1. it's a real crap shoot, barbtries

when my younger brother was in hospice in March of 2020, dying from Parkinson's, he got covid before shots were available - and seemingly was able to just shake it off ......but then other perfectly healthy people ended up dying from it. Just do all you can - the stats overwhelmingly say your chances are so much better when fully vaccinated. And of course take the other precautions - social distance, hand washing, etc. That's all we can do. Try not to live in fear......and you know we are always here for you.

[barbtries]

7. Thank you!

It's that "living in fear" part - I'm struggling with that. I am afraid of this virus, but you are right, I need to just shake that off because it's just an energy waster, and I do all I can reasonably do to keep myself safe. Fuck fear!

[Skittles]

10. indeed

also, constantly living on edge for sure hampers our immune systems and we cannot have that! FUCK COVID AND REPUKES, WE WILL FIGHT THEM!

[Deuxcents]

2. Stay positive

You’re vaxxed n boosted so you know the drill. I’ve been fortunate,too. W/ some friends n family getting sick but over it soon. I stay away from crowds n mask wherever I go. You’ll be fine even tho it’s awful not being socially active but it’ll be alright. Stay well

[barbtries]

8. Thank you Deuxcents

you too!

[FirstLight]

3. yea, it seems like we all will end up getting it at some point :(

That doesnt mean Im not set up to get my booster. My sons GF family had it over christmas, he ended up stayng with them for a week...I think I might have had it. But was unable to get tested to be sure.

I saw a joke about it the other day
"Having not gotten COVID yet feels like I've been hiding in the back of a 2+ year long middle school dodgeball game...and the front lines have been THINNED"


hang in there...

[barbtries]

9. exactly.

I was hanging around the back and with this wave, i'm being pushed to the front and that ball is coming at me.

[Haggard Celine]

4. I'm about 14 years younger than you, but my stats are similar to yours.

I finally got it the day after Christmas. The worst of the sickness only lasted a few days. I had upper respiratory congestion that lasted over a week, but I took mucous relief meds and cough syrup and that handled my symptoms pretty well. I advise that you continue to try not to get Covid, but don't get too upset if you do. If you're vaccinated, you'll probably be fine, or at least won't get so sick you have to be in the hospital.

[barbtries]

11. that's pretty much what my doctor told me.

I had changed our appt to virtual and I asked him, "when I get it, will I be able to be treated?" and the answer essentially was no. He said he wouldn't even refer me because (thankfully) I don't tick quite enough of the vulnerable boxes. One thing that pissed me off was that he said because of shortages, the antiviral medications and monoclonal antibodies (he said, the one that still works) were being reserved for unvaccinated people.

just have to keep on keeping on and dealing with whatever happens. It's a true cloud over my life, but I know I'm not alone in that. I'm glad you were able to beat it in a fairly short time.

[citizen blues]

22. I had it before the vaccines rolled out

I was 56, high blood pressure, obese, pre-diabetic, and asthmatic.

Start taking Vitamins D, C, and Zinc now to bolster your immune system.

For those who have it, breathing exercises (find on Youtube) can help tremendously. Walking around even just inside the house and getting as much fresh air as possible help a lot. Also, do not sit in a recliner; do not lay on your back. These positions just push the virus deeper into the lungs. Instead, laying on the side is better, pronating with a pillow underneath is the best.

I was sick for about 3 weeks and did have to take a round of steroids to get my lungs opened up. Honestly, I've had to occasionally do that in the past for my asthma. My doctor told me to expect it to take about 6 months to fully start feeling myself again which turned out to be true. During that recovery time, I easily caught a couple of colds and had to take more steroids with both of them. However, I have now fully recovered, and since I've lost 20 lbs. and am no longer prediabetic.

Remember, I had this pre-vaccination. I'm sure it would have been very different and not nearly as stressful if I had been vaccinated and boosted like I am now. Keep in mind this virus isn't the type that you can lay on the couch and binge watch Netflix with. Still, even with comorbidities that we've been warned about, it's not nearly as scary now as it used to be since we do have the vaccinations now.

[barbtries]

23. it still sounds like a horror show.

Glad you're back up to snuff!

I've been taking the supplements all along, the ones you mentioned plus NAC and quercetin. I got the advice from MedCram:

Also the breathing exercises. i smoke and have been doing them all along as well. I had a lung cancer screen in 2021 and my lungs were obviously in much better shape than they had expected to find them.

In Oct2019, I went to CA and ended up as sick as I have ever been. I was sick for 9 whole days, longer than I have ever been before. Possibly it was covid, but of course we'll never know. The virus was definitely in CA during that time frame though. But that was the sickest I've ever been. To think about being that sick for 3 weeks just - no. So sorry you had to endure that.

you're right. I was fortunate to escape it until the vaccinations arrived, and if I do get it now, my prognosis is much better than it would have been before that. But if there's anything I've observed about this virus, it's that nobody really can KNOW how their body will respond to it. A 100 year old man walks out of the hospital after 3 days; a 30 year old succumbs after weeks of solitary misery. I guess it's that uncertainty that keeps me anxious, but I really need to work harder on losing it.

[Grasswire2]

5. my oldest grandson also has it.

But he is vaxxed and boosted, so says it is like a mild cold. I pray that's all. The end, hopefully.

Best wishes to yours.

I haven't seen my grandchildren in two years because of the pandemic. It's all very, very sad.

Take care of yourself.

[barbtries]

12. My grandson feels sick,

has a sore throat, and thinks he has a fever. he looked sick.

I traveled last year and this particular grandson was the only one I did not see, but he visited in 2020 so it hasn't been 2 whole years. It was more than one and looking as if it could be that long again. I'm hoping against hope that times will be less perilous in Oct, when my youngest son is getting married. I dream of us all being together for that.

[Deuxcents]

18. Keep that dream close to your heart

Stay well n don’t forget to mask up n even tho it seems so far off, it will get her and you’ll be healthy n ready to celebrate. Haven’t seen my grandkids in over two years, either. Saw my sister n bil at Christmas for the first time in 2 years n it was wonderful..sure made me feel how much more I loved them by being away hiding from Covid n the selfish people out there. You’ll be ready to dance the night away..my wishes for you 🙋?♀️

[wendyb-NC]

6. I know, just don't give up

or give in to this damn virus. Wear your mask, stay home as much as possible, social distance. Stay positive, believe you are going to be okay.

[barbtries]

13. I totally do.

As I said to my grandson, "I'm sem-locked down again." A little more out than in 2020, but not by much.

[LoisB]

14. Goodness. I hope everyone comes out of it okay.

If only we could get everyone to act as if they don't want to get it.

[SouthernDem4ever]

15. The vaccines and boosters should make it better

won't be so hard to handle, even if you get it.

[slightlv]

16. Hea, I feel ya....

This week, found out my youngest grandson has it. Also, my sister had it (she retested as negative today, but hasn't come back to full health yet). Yesterday, tho, both of my other grandsons started complaining about not feeling good.. both in different ways (which seems to be how Omicron presents), also my daughters stupid husband is sicker than a dog. They haven't been tested yet, but I'll bet dollars to donuts they're all infected. So far, my daughter is doing okay, thank goodness. She just stays masked all the time. Everyone has been vaxxed, and boosted when possible. Hubby and I are just isolating at home. Even made my next doctor's visit a telemed visit. This version of corona is definitely nerve-wracking.

Hang in there... I'm the same age as you. I don't think my BP will go down until every Repug is out of office and away from politics! I swear between them (including TFG), Covid, MAGAts, and Climate Change, we're all suffering PTSD in some way or another. But know we're all in it together. And that's the way we'll get through it -- together.

[barbtries]

19. so right.

i switched my Dr visit to video too. Which he approved of. We are in it together, but there's a disconnect between those of us who understand the gravity and are horrified at the mayhem and death that this virus has brought, and those who "don't look up" so to speak. Anti vaxxers, anti maskers, out and about as if the virus does not even exist. Some are in my family and among my closest friends. No getting through to these people and they're pissing me off more by the day.

good to know i'm not alone though!

[slightlv]

26. Nope... not alone

Just heard from my daughter yesterday... she's sick as a dog now, and my youngest grandson, who was doing better, is now back down in bed with a fever. So, that's her whole family... all of whom are vaxxed and boosted. So far, hubby and I are doing okay. We're just staying home, isolating from everyone.

I have to go out to get groceries tomorrow. Expecting big snow storm here on our birthdays on the 3 and 4th. Need to lay in some provisions. I mask up like crazy. Whatever I'm doing seems to work; I've managed to avoid C-19 so far. I do have to take a letter out to my Mom's nursing home tomorrow while the weather is good. But they're more pedantic than even I am! (LOL)

Do miss having my daughter and oldest grandson (especially) to hug and yak with. Dog misses having the kids around to play with. We old farts here are just not up to his antics, and he knows it. Take care!

[left-of-center2012]

20. You're vaccinated and boosted ?

Five of my family (in another state) were vaccinated and boosted
and got COVID over Christmas.
Each said they had 'flu-like' symptoms. One lost his sense of taste and missing his morning coffee.

Do as I did after hearing from them. I stocked up on over the counter flu remedies and food items appropriate.

Be pro-active.

[barbtries]

24. oh, definitely.

all of the above.

turns out i bought so much toilet paper in 2020 I didn't buy any in 2021. Snatched it up whenever I found it in stock. Still have a reasonable amount for a few more months. ha!

[LisaL]

28. Well my vaccinated and boosted relative got infected and died.

So don't assume it won't kill you just because you are vaxxed and boosted.

[left-of-center2012]

21. "the hospital won't be too crowded"

Why assume it'll put you in the hospital?
You're vaccinated and boosted. If you get COVID reports say chances are it'll be a mild case.

[barbtries]

25. just the numbers

and my general health is not as robust as it should be. you're right of course. I'm working on losing the fear.

[LisaL]

27. My relative who was vaccinated and boosted is now dead from covid.

If you are vulnerable, all the vaccines and boosters might not be enough.

[In_The_Wind]

29. I'm sorry for your loss, LisaL.

[barbtries]

32. I'm so sorry.

that's the thing. nobody knows exactly how their body will respond.

[hamsterjill]

30. The fear is real...and it's hard.

I’m in my mid sixties and so far I’ve been able to avoid getting it, but I feel like it’s inevitable at some point. I’m vaxxed and boosted and I mask, distance and wash.

The fear is real, and it’s been with us all a long time. I keep hoping the longer I stall getting it, that more will be understood about it, etc. Not sure that’s actually happening. But I keep hoping.

Stay safe and my best to your family members.

[barbtries]

31. thank you hamsterjill.

My son's getting married in October and we decided to check out Indian restaurants for the rehearsal dinner (my responsibility).

We went to the first of several I looked at online yesterday and I feel as if there's a definite chance I got covid in there. there was no social distancing whatsoever, and even though we were the first people in there, by the time we left it was packed. I'm not sure how long to wait to test for it, but I'm not planning on going anywhere for at least 5 days, then test, and we'll see if i dodged the bullet or took a bullet.

i don't know how to go forward with this search. We need to know the food's good.