Most things tasting like leather to me
IT is surreal when Covid finally reaches your house after you’ve spent almost two years being obsessively focused on keeping it out.
Last time you heard from me, you might remember I was waxing lyrical about the fact my super strong Viking genes had probably helped me stave off the dreaded virus until now.
So obviously I tested positive as soon as this column was published.
Shout out to my best friend Pamela and her family who had a hoot reading my words out to each other as I boasted of my good health.
I think they especially enjoyed me vowing to eat my own shoes if I ever did get Covid, knowing full well I had it. Not one to go back on a promise, I’ll give it a go.
Given the fact I can’t taste or smell much yet, most things taste like leather to me at the moment, so what’s the difference?
In all seriousness, the coronavirus had an impact on all of my wee family. I’d have another joke about my husband and man flu if I didn’t still feel so sorry for him.
For me, it was more like a bad cold, I’ve had worse and I’ve went to work feeling more dodgy.
But for my other half it was a miserable time, and still continues to be, even though he’s not contagious anymore.
The most heartbreaking thing for both of us was watching our nine month old baby come down with it.
When our positive PCRs came back, it was pretty inevitable he would follow suit in the coming days, and I felt helpless trying to protect him from it.
Our fears were eased a bit by all the reports that babies tend to be the least affected by Covid, but we had a panicky moment a couple of days in when he started coughing like an old smoker and screaming in pain every time.
Shout out this time now for the utterly amazing NHS staff who dealt with us the morning after a particularly tricky night.
As soon as I reported my worries about his cough to his GP, we were guided and supported and we’d been seen at a special clinic for Covid patients by lunchtime.
I felt like a leper as I made my way into the surgery clutching my baby, and despite the military style precision with which they dealt with us, I left feeling comforted, looked after and well stocked up with Calpol.
The hardest part of Covid for us was the return of complete isolation, and it felt like we were right back in the thick of the first lockdown, except this time we had a baby to look after.
Being ill with a little one to care for was an experience but we got through fine.
It toughened us up and made us realise how much we rely on family and friends, and all their offers of delivering supplies to our doorstep reminded us how lucky we really are.