2nd Vax

Before

After

My body is a complete mess, but this time, it’s for the greater good. I’m going to get past this misery, and I’m thankful to now be immune to COVID-19. It has been a long 13 months.

Back to bed. See you soon.

A summary of the last month or so

I realize I’ve been absent here, again. I’ve got to say it’s been a pretty challenging year so far, not only with my health, but other things.

My maternal uncle died unexpectedly in early March. It was and still is a huge shock. My brother and I rushed to Florida to stay with his daughter until his daughter’s mother arrived from across the country. Since then, I’ve inherited a large holiday tree, a piece of fine art, and was offered a car (which I was forced to decline due to social security restrictions). I will post photos of the first two things eventually. This has been a heartbreaking and stressful time for all involved, but especially my brother, who has had to travel back to Florida several times to assist.

I’ve been a mess post-vaccine, dealing with side effects that most people don’t experience, but I do because of my muscle disease. I am glad I had the vax, though, and will get the booster on April 20th.

I finally saw my internal medicine specialist for the first time in over a year (due to Covid), and had a lot of labs. Everything looked quite good with the exception of my blood cells. I have a difficult time with iron-deficiency anemia now that I am donating blood to a baby every two months. I’m on over-the-counter iron pills now to try to correct that, but the iron is causing digestive problems as if I didn’t already have enough trouble with my digestive system. Can’t win. My white blood count was high. I assume it is due to the vaccine, which would be a good thing because that means it’s doing its job, but I will keep an eye on it and have WBC checked again in June.

My kidneys and urinary tract are still hurting from January’s traumatic experience. I did confirm that I do not have an infection, so at least that’s a plus. I am unsure if the kidney stone or stones have all passed or if some of them are dormant. I haven’t had any kind of scans since the ER visit. Anyway, I’m taking potassium citrate and other supplements to try to keep the stones under control as much as possible. I truly cannot keep going through that. It is the worst pain imaginable.

I sent a new postcard to Twitter Art Exhibit for charity, and I will share more info about that reception soon.

I’m still on Instagram and Facebook, sharing the usual stuff. As for Twitter, I have switched modes back to what I was originally talking about before the Trump regime: art, food, medical advocacy, and most of all Pokémon. I’m cursing a little bit less and smiling a little bit more. So be it.

I’m in severe pain. I’m going to cope however necessary.