On Covid, Chaos, and Strep…
Truth be told when we returned home from our most recent work trip to Loblolly, I fully expected to spend the last week of August tying up loose ends from an incredibly busy summer.
After all, our fall theme is “enjoy the season you’re in” and for weeks now, I’ve been bound and determined to make the transition as seamless as possible so we could do just that.
My first order of business was to finally commit to an office refresh where I could sip pumpkin spice lattes while planning out the rest of the year using my 90-day calendar system.
I even daydreamed about a cozy bedroom refresh too.
But the Saturday after my nephew’s football game, we woke up with scratchy throats.
I didn’t think anything of it at first because the game had been a total nail-biter and we screamed and cheered throughout the entire second half.
By Monday though, we were down for the count with flu-like symptoms and it took every ounce of energy we could muster to prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Idalia.
Late Tuesday night we watched the weather reports one last time and mentally prepared ourselves for the “high impact” wind damage they predicted knowing we’d done everything possible to help mitigate any risk.
But early Wednesday morning when I woke up to check on things, the hurricane had wobbled to the west.
And while that was better for us on the island, it made things so much worse for my entire family living back in our hometown who were directly impacted by Hurricane Idalia and subsequent tornadoes just a few hours later.
On Thursday morning I realized our flu-like symptoms hadn’t improved at all and by that afternoon, our household had their first diagnosed case of COVID.
The following Tuesday, I was diagnosed with COVID and Strep.
To say things have been chaotic lately is an understatement.
During this same time, my Dad had surgery, and 10 additional family members came down with either COVID or severe head colds. This stuff is so contagious we literally started falling like dominoes!
In a million years I would never have imagined being sick and stuck in quarantine while my family members began the cleaning and rebuilding process.
I fully expected to put on my work gloves, roll up my sleeves, and help wherever needed.
The good news is that power was finally restored to Loblolly yesterday and save for 3 family members we all have basic services again.
There was some damage at Loblolly but it’s minor compared to my aunt and uncle who lost the roof of their house, and a big workshop. And if that weren’t heartbreaking enough, after a more thorough assessment, they will also have to repair some kind of damage to nearly every structure that sits on their farm.
Truthfully, we don’t know of a single person that didn’t have something to address and there is still so much to clean up.
But there is also so much to be thankful for.
And despite the hurricane chaos, COVID, and strep those are the things we continue to hold onto each and every day.
According to the doctor, I still have a few weeks of meds and healing to get through. They estimate it could be an additional month before I get my energy back or feel like myself again.
I’m hopeful it won’t be that long though.
For now, I’m just taking it day by day.
If you had told me a few weeks ago, that we would start our fall season out like this I wouldn’t have believed you.
It’s been a busy summer but also a beautiful one and I fully expected to ease into the fall season in much the same way.
But these past few weeks I’ve been reminded that loving the season you’re in has nothing to do with a perfect season or even a perfectly imperfect one.
It’s all about finding grace, silver linings, micro joys, and prioritizing what really matters.
As we move even further into September, I hope you’ll find ways to be fully present right where you are.
Even if things are not going quite like you had planned or imagined.
There is a way to hold space for two things at once, I promise.
You just have to find a way to process and honor the tough times, savor the magical moments, appreciate the blessings, and fully celebrate the victories along the way no matter how big or small.
As always, I’ll be cheering you on.
Thank you again for all your extra prayers, emails, kind comments, and words of support. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate them, and I can’t wait to reconnect soon.
With love,
CoCo
One of the things I discovered while I had covid was make yourself eat. Your energy has no way to function if it doesn’t have fuel. For me, my symptoms were mild, but because I had suffered with mono several times in my life, Covid reenergized the mono again. Dead dog tired. Nothing sounded good & even the thought of eating sickened me. The only food that I could think of that I might tolerate was Chick fila minis. Protein. Getting some protein in is essential.
Don’t overdue it on any day. Sleep when you feel like you can & don’t beat yourself up for not getting things done. Take care.
Janet
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you sharing this, Janet. I am currently struggling in this area but couldn’t tell if it was “normal” or not. I’ve been eating maybe 1/4 of what I usually eat because as you say, it makes you sick to even think about eating but you have to eat something because of all the meds. I had not considered chicken minis though so I will try them. I cannot imagine having to deal with mono on top of Covid and I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through that experiece too. The intense fatigue/lethargy/malaise is like nothing I’ve ever been through before so I appreciate your kind words and reminders to pace myself and double the daily grace. It really helps to keep things in perspective. No playing I thought I would be painting pumpkins right now because so many people told me it was like having a “bad cold” or a “mild flu” but that hasn’t been my experience at all. Thank you so much for sharing your story so I can learn from you. It makes this experience a little less scary. Big hugs, CoCo
Oh my goodness! That is a lot to handle! I always love your positive attitude, even in the hard times! I will continue praying for you and your family! I hope you get your strength back very soon!
Thank you so much for all your words of encouragement and extra prayers. We definitely need them and they mean so much! Hugs, CoCo
Oh, CoCo! I am so sorry that you have been so sick and that your family and your hometown have endured so much damage and physical loss. I didn’t realize the extent of either situation. I’ll continue to pray for you and your bestie as you get well and your family and friends who continue to deal with clean up and repair.
I really like this line you wrote: “It’s all about finding grace, silver linings, micro joys, and prioritizing what really matters.” Those things and a lot of prayer are what have gotten me through tough times. And looking back on them, I see how God brought good things–even beauty–out of them. Good for you for keeping your eyes open for those things.
A huge hug from here,
LeAnne
I really appreciate your kind words, encouragement and prayers, LeAnne. These past few weeks have been like nothing we’ve ever experienced before so knowing you’re praying right alongside us means so much. Hope your week is filled with all good things, CoCo
Coco, I am so sorry for all that you are going through. Your calm, quiet grace is inspiring. I would be a wreck worrying about my family. Not that you are not but your wisdom to embrace the season tells me you are handling this well.
Thankfully you are on the mend, don’t rush it. As much as you would like to help others put yourself first so that you can be there for them later.
As for your family, I am devastated for them. IT is so hard to see your cozy home that provides comfort damaged in such a way. I hope and pray the insurance will have it fixed and ready for them to be back in soon.
Take care!
Thank you for these kind and considerate words, Elizabeth. It’s hard to believe we’ve started off our fall season in this way but we’re beyond grateful that we have each other. It’s been a huge blessing to see how we’ve all rallied around each other and how the community has stepped up to help during this time too. While the experience has not been an easy one it has been a gentle reminder that we’re all in this together and we need each other in good times and in bad. Sending you lots of hugs and thank yous for your continued prayers. We definitely need them, CoCo
I’m so sorry, CoCo!! Sending love and healing energy to you as you muster back your strength. Hugs, friend!
I really appreciate it, Rachel, thank you so much. Big hugs and keeping your family members who’ve had covid close as well, CoCo
So very sorry to hear of your (and your family’s) diagnoses as well as the major major destruction from the hurricane and storms. Thank you for your realistic and encouraging words to look for grace and (I love it ) “micro joys” and “to find a way to process and honor the tough times, savor the magical moments, appreciate the blessings, and fully celebrate the victories along the way no matter how big or small.” These are important concept. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words, Kim, I really appreciate it. It’s definitely been a wild ride these past few weeks so looking for the micro joys have helped ease the stress a bit and to keep things in perspective. I hope your week has been filled with all good things and your fall season is off to a great start. Hugs, CoCo
So sorry to hear, CoCo! Despite all
precautions Covid hit my family as well and it was a real challenge. But you are right to look for the positives where possible and do your best to move forward. I wish you well and Godspeed. Hang in there! Xo Kathleen
Thank you for your kind words, Kathleen. This is our first experience with Covid and wow it’s been a rollercoaster to say the least. I’m shocked at how differently it hits people from “mild flu like symptoms” to hospitalization. It’s hard to know how to navigate it all sometimes so I really appreciate your encouragement. Hugs, CoCo
Praying for your family to have a relaxing and healing weekend!
Thank you so much, Stacie. I’ll definitely be adding my prayers to yours. Hope your week has been filled with all good things, CoCo
Hugs, blessings and prayers coming your way, sweet friend.
I really appreciate it, Renae, thank you so much! Big hugs, CoCo
Dear Coco,
So sorry to hear you and your family are quarantining due to sickness……these things do take time, unfortunately, praying you will be better soon. Thankful to hear you did well in Idalia, but sorry to hear your family sustained so much damage, Will pray for your Aunt and Uncle as I am sure that is very hard on them.
We were braced and ready for the storm, and we gratefully had very lil affects, as well as did our Daughter and Son-in-love who live in S. Carolina.
Take Good Care of Yourself ……and know that soon you will be up and atta again!
Blessings, Nellie
So happy to hear you and your family were safe from the storm, Nellie. It’s so hard once it leaves Florida because we know it almost always heads up north and affects another community and it’s such a scary experience to go through. I will definitely be glad when hurricane season is over. It feels like every year gets harder and harder to navigate. Sending you hugs and thank yous for all your prayers. It means so much to me and my family, CoCo
Oh CoCo I’m so sorry you and your family have to deal with all that! I’m sending calm and healthy energy your way. Thank you for sharing the not-so-good times as well, and thanks for the reminder to honor it all. Hold tight Girlfriend!
Thank you for sweet words, Barbara, I really appreciate it. We definitely need all the love and light we can get right now. Sending you lots of hugs, CoCo
Hi CoCo-
Ugh! I’m so sorry that you have had to deal with so many issues on so many fronts. I am thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery. If it’s any sort of guide – I had COVID last September. The first week was the worst. I gradually got a little better every day after that. After 6 weeks, I was back to my old self. Hang in there!
This is super helpful information, Anna, thank you so much for sharing it. Someone told me having Covid was like having a “bad cold” and that hasn’t been my experience at all. Honestly, I was getting a little worried because the recovery is taking a lot longer than I anticipated so this definitely helps me to adjust my expectations. Sending y ou lots of hugs and thank you for sharing your experience. It helps so much, CoCo
So very sorry to hear of all the problems that you have been dealing with of late. Hoping that each day gets a little better for you and your family.
I really appreciate it, Karen, thank you so much. It’s been a hard road but we’re grateful to have each other as we navigate each day. Sending you lots of hugs, CoCo
I’m so sorry you had to deal with so much bad stuff at once! Sure hope you and all of your family are feeling better! You all are still in our prayers! Take care and take your time easing back into work!! Blessings and hugs, Donna
Thanks so much sweet friend, I really appreciate it. I know you guys went through a bout with Covid too so I just keep reminding myself – baby steps. Sending you big hugs and thank you for all the prayers. We definitely need them, CoCo