Journal, Day 1387
Friday, 05 January 2024
Ukraine War: Day 682
Hamas-Israel War: Day 90
Mass shootings in the USA in 2024: 5
Twelfth Night
Get J. T. O'Malley’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
The last Friday of vacation. From here on, it’s back to the regular sleep schedule so Monday doesn’t slam into us like an out-of-control freight train. We both mentioned today that we could have used a third week — especially since I lost a few days after Christmas because I wasn’t feeling right.
We think it had to be a random virus or infection. My husband reminded me that it seems like every time I get time off and allow myself to relax (“let my guard down”) I come down with something. Like it was already there but I was holding it off by sheer willpower.
I tested negative for covid several times and my respiratory system was never affected. No cough, sore throat, not even the sniffles. It was just a racing, pounding heart and intermittent fevers, interspersed with severe vertigo and weakness. I’ve been checking my BP daily and it’s been all over the place, but the EKG on my Apple Watch has been normal, although my heart rate fluctuates quite a bit. On Monday I will reach out to our company health insurance advocate to help me find a new cardiologist.
Meanwhile, I’ve signed up for a few January “fitness challenge” sites that are geared towards older (argh) people who haven’t been as active as they should be. I have arthritis in several major joints, so all of the exercises are body-weight only, don’t require any special equipment, and can be completed in an hour or less at home. I plan on sticking to whichever program feels to be the most advantageous for my physiological (and age) limitations. Wish me luck. At the very least, maybe I’ll sleep better.
Tomorrow is brunch with friends and I have to drop off a box of clothing to donate, the first of several. We’re still working on making a better work / creative space in the upstairs office, but it starts with clearing out the clutter.
