Test Time

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Mom and me in the 1990s.
My mom and me in the 1990s.

I’ve been sick for a week now. Some days I feel like it’s behind me, then today I woke up feeling worse. I’m not sure if it’s a cold, flu (I did get a flu shot) or Covid.

Then I had a scary feeling today thinking about last year.

A year ago, I got a call from my brother that mom had tested positive for Covid. She was in an assisted living facility near Seattle, close to where my brother lives. But she was asymptomatic.

By New Year’s Day we lost her. Without symptoms, she died in her sleep. I wrote about that and a shared a children’s story I wrote about her HERE.

I decided I needed to test for Covid, although I’m not sure what I’d do differently if I have it — or if it’s the common cold. At least I’d know. And thinking back to a year ago, I felt scared. And sad.

I tested negative. Next weekend, we have guests coming from Santa Barbara to surprise my husband for his birthday. I’m throwing a small birthday party for him with three couples from our neighborhood, our friends we were supposed to spend Christmas with — and our surprise guests.

I have to be well. So, I’ll continue with rest, fluids, vitamins and other remedies that are suggested.

When I have a day like today, where I feel like I’m relapsing, my body must be telling me that I tried to do too much.

This is my last post of 2023. Last year was very stressful with losing my mom and my daughter-in-law’s diagnosis with Stage 3C colon cancer. I’m praying for a better 2024 and good health for everyone.

What were you doing one year ago before New Year’s?

What’s your favorite cold remedy?

41 thoughts on “Test Time”

    • Thank you, Vicki! My DIL will be done with chemo in March and I’m hoping we can spend more time with family this coming year. I hope you and yours have a great 2024 💕

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      • I’m so glad to hear there’s a date on the horizon – when Buff’s treatment will conclude. March will be here before you know it. 💕 Take care of yourself…and a happy early birthday to the hubs! xoxoxo!

      • Thank you! Six months of chemo is going by quickly. Thank you for the birthday wishes for hubby! Our friends from Santa Barbara wanted to surprise him and she’s a baker and has owned bakeries. She’s insisting on baking a cake, so we might as well let a few friends enjoy! 😊

      • Love that! And yes…where does the time go? Hugs to Buff and your son. 💕
        I forgot to mention that I can’t believe it’s been a year since you lost your mom. Remember her well…in all the ways that you can. Not least of which sharing photos like the one you included in this post. Two beautiful ladies. 🥰

      • Thank you for the hugs. I’ve been thinking a lot about my mom this past week. Probably because the one year mark is approaching. You are so kind. Thank you for your support ❤️

  2. Prayers and best wishes EA that you’re feeling better. I don’t have any favorite cold remedies. I’m a horrible patient, I usually end up throwing everything but the kitchen sink at it and just make it worse! And as far as blogging goes, thanks for sharing your journey, love reading your posts each day. ☺️

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    • Thank you for the kind comments about my blog, Brian. I look forward to reading yours, too. My friend in Santa Barbara called and told me to steam. It’s so simple and works. Boil water in a pot, sit down next to it with a towel over your head and breathe steam. It really helped!

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  4. Rest and fluids . I’m taking Delsym 12 hour to keep the coughing under control, mucinex , ibuprofen, and Benadryl as needed. My sister tested positive for Covid . She’s going to the doctor to get the antiviral.

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    • I’m sorry for you and your sister. I’ve been taking mucinex and Allegra, plus Benzonatate (cough suppressant pills from when I had Covid). Is your sister going to take Plaxovid? I had Covid in March and that made me so sick instead of better. Good luck!

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  7. So glad it’s not Covid! I hadn’t remembered that your mom passed on New Years. My mother in law lost her husband to Covid on New Year’s Day in 2022. She has it now. It feels more eerie since this is the same time of year we lost him. I understand your sentiment. I pray you continue to gain strength and are back in the groove by party time!

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    • That’s where the eerie feeling comes from — it’s the same time of year. I’m sorry for your mother-in-law too. Losing someone you love on January 1 is not the best start to a year. I hope your family stays healthy for the New Year.

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    • Thank you! He wanted to spend his birthday at the beach resort near us in Mexico. But the legal border crossings stopped Dec. 4. Alternative routes are too dangerous according to our government after three Americans were shot. I think neighbors over for charcuterie and cake sounds much better!

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      • We hear about it every day because we’re in the Phoenix area. The border crossing is called Lukeville and three hours south. The last time we went to Puerto Penasco was in October and I saw a line of at least 1,000 men on foot — no women and children. They were waiting to get in. The border patrol is so overwhelmed that they closed the border to normal tourist traffic to handle the influx. I hear they are getting 30,000 to 40,000 migrants every four days. The town of Puerto Penasco is devastated economically.

  10. The thing with these diseases, especially colds, is that just have to ride them out. I take ibuprofen and Benadryl. Love hot water with honey and lemon. I also have an orange spice tea with abundant vitamin C. But I learned not to drink really hot beverages with a sore throat – made it worse.

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