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INSPIRATION | MINDFULNESS | LIFE LESSONS
Pacing Myself for the Long Haul
New meaning for the Tortoise and the Hare fable
I love a long road trip but have never wanted to be a long-haul truck driver. For the last ninety days, a semi has barreled through the gamut of symptoms on my physical and mental health.
The diagnosis of COVID-19 long-hauler becomes official after 90 days. Today, I arrived on day 91. Sometimes, it takes a long time to accept that things still happen even when you take all the precautions.
It all started the night of September 30th after I received a phone call from someone I had seen a few days before to advise they had tested positive for COVID-19. Even though I had no symptoms, I tested because of the exposure since I work in healthcare.
It came back positive. My symptoms developed slowly each day, adding new symptoms. I tested positive beyond the 10-day window. My doctor told me I could stop testing on the 12th day. The symptoms continue.
Over the 90 days, I have had to learn to pace myself with extreme self-care. Too much exertion, both physical and mental, can trigger a relapse of symptoms. Fatigue, malaise, and brain fog keep me off the road of activity most days.