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Category Archives: health

churros o’clock

11 Tuesday Jun 2024

Posted by azahar in health, sevilla

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Tags

breakfast, health centres, sevilla

churros oclock

I almost never eat churros. In fact I usually only have them when I am in Jerez and can go to Manuel’s churrería in the square in front of the central market… his family have been making light crispy churros in that same spot for 3 generations. But today it was get-up-way-too-fucking-early-after-not-having-slept-in-order-to-get-blood-work-done day. Ufff.

So there I was, up way to early, feeling like crap, knees killing me and on my way to the health centre. Peter came with me as the plan was to stop off somewhere for a nice breakfast on the way home. Things at the centre were quite backed up and I didn’t get in for my turn until about 40 minutes after my appointment time. On the plus side the nurse was fantastic. I held out my arm and said “good luck!” (they can NEVER find my veins) and she just laughed, pulled up her sleeve and said “hey, I’m the same!”. In the end she got it in one poke and I was out of there. But of course it was now peak breakfast time (10.00 am).

I knew exactly what I wanted. I could almost taste it, feel the textures in my mouth… a soft toasted mollete with olive oil, tomato and jamón Ibérico. At first we thought about going to a place that does just that, but then I foolishly said “let’s look for somewhere closer to home” (this place was a bit further away and… KNEES). And thus began the long and painful trek home peeking into possible bars along the way. There was nothing. Either the toast looked like crap or (the good ones) were packed full, some even with a queue. In the end I did get my wish, in a way, stopping in at Doña Carmen, a mere two minutes from my house. At that point it had to be churros because I just didn’t care anymore. And they were fine, but not as good as Manuel’s. Anyhow, doctor’s appointment coming up soon to check test results and see if there is anything at all they can do for my knees. Some hopeful news (???) is that I have been assigned a new GP. Fingers crossed.

covid spring 2024

05 Wednesday Jun 2024

Posted by azahar in coronavirus, covid, health, health & happiness, spain

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

coronavirus, covid, spain

covid spring 2024

This article mostly focuses on the province of Córdoba (an hour’s drive from Sevilla) but the gist of it is that the increase in respiratory conditions in the province is because Spain is experiencing a new epidemic wave of Covid. The incidence of Flu and RSV is zero. In other words, all respiratory illnesses happening now are Covid.

Meanwhile there are people coughing all over the place (in June!), others complaining about their “allergies” starting sooner or being harsher than before, and others having sudden “mystery fevers” that leave them in bed for a couple of days. Two weeks ago I was hit with a gastro bug that left me bedridden for 24 hours and then very weak afterwards. And yes of course I tested for Covid because… why the fuck not? Covid can hit other parts of you because it ISN’T PRIMARILY A RESPIRATORY ILLNESS. It’s actually a virus that attacks your immune system and your organs and can leave you totally fucked, even if your symptoms during infection were “mild”. I think the best trick the devil ever pulled was convincing people that Covid is no longer a global health threat.

People requesting my tapas tours are told that I am only offering tours to those who are fully vaccinated and boosted (last available booster). For the most part the response to that has been very positive with people telling me they are really happy to know I am taking precautions. Have had a couple of deniers send me a lecture on how I’m living my life wrong, but you know, fuck them.

BUT I have noticed it is getting more difficult. There’s a bit more push back these days about wearing masks, about even talking about Covid, and I can see that this is probably going to escalate as the world keeps pretending we are “post pandemic”. ALSO… just to point out that almost every article I see on Covid these days shows a photo like the one above of a sad and dirty surgical mask trampled in the street… as in we should all just give up and die already. Because the other greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing people that Covid is only harmful to the “vulnerable” creating an US AND THEM mentality with “healthy” people thinking they are immune. Well guess what motherfuckers… you are ALL vulnerable. You just haven’t found out yet. Have a great day.

gastro gut

24 Friday May 2024

Posted by azahar in health, home, sevilla

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

gastrointeritis, health, sevilla

gastro guts

Well dammit. Woke up yesterday feeling a bit off but didn’t really think much of it. Then at about 2.00 I suddenly had to LIE DOWN and I spent the next 24 hours in bed. It was pretty awful at first with severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, aches and chills, so sleep wasn’t even possible. I finally – and gratefully – dozed off towards dawn.

Anyhow, I am sitting upright once again and, so far, have managed to keep some toast down. Still feeling quite weak but compared to yesterday this is a picnic. Now waiting to see if I can still go to Vinoble on Sunday (so far it’s not Covid but I’ll test again tomorrow). I’ve been looking forward to this since the last one (two years ago) and have two amazing hotels booked (one is free!) so would hate to have to cancel. Fingers crossed!

compression

22 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by azahar in health, health & happiness, knee saga, knees, sevilla

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

health, knees, sevilla

compression

Well look at these sexy fuckers. Can I tell you? I’ve been looking for a compression knee sleeve since last year when my left knee gave out on me big time in May 2023 (now both knees are fucked). Could I find one? Well obviously no I couldn’t (or I wouldn’t be posting this now). All the ones I tried out cut off all circulation in a matter of seconds and then proceeded to just roll down my leg when I tried to walk.

Why? Because… legs too fat! Or so I was told. I didn’t fit into the acceptable size range, even the biggest XXX ones. And, while I acknowledge being fat I also know there are way fatter people out there. I mean, what do they do? Considering that many people with knee problems probably also have weight issues… wouldn’t there be a market for this?

It’s all been terribly discouraging because everyone tells me how wearing the sleeve makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE in pain relief. And since I have been denied any useful help from the various doctors I’ve seen lately  I’m kind of on my own. Been using an anti-inflammatory cream, been doing my chair yoga/pilates, and I keep on walking. But dammit it hurts.

And then these ones suddenly popped up on my Amazon page (while I was actually shopping for something else) and I thought… wait a minute, those look like they might actually work. The measurements were in keeping with mine, so I decided to give it a go. And so far… I can actually get it on. Will let you know how it goes.

protection

30 Tuesday Apr 2024

Posted by azahar in health, seasons, sevilla

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Tags

protection, Sun

protection

Gotta admit I’ve been pretty lax about using proper sun protection so the other day I dug out some Nivea spray stuff (originally bought for Peter’s head) from the back of the bathroom cupboard and gave it a try. And uffff… way too strong a smell for me to have anywhere near my nose (Peter doesn’t notice it). I started looking around for another brand and was immediately overwhelmed by choice, so it was Twitter to the rescue. This came up a couple of times when I asked for some advice and it sounded like just what I was looking for… then I had to either find it here or order it online. Turns out my favourite neighbourhood pharmacy stocks it, and so now I’m all set for the longer summer days. What sun protection do you use?

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