Category Archives: health

summer sick

26 Wednesday Jul 2023

Posted by in coronavirus, covid, health

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summer sick

Yep, getting annoyed with people (yet again), in this case those who are posting on their social media that they are sick with a cold, the flu,  a mystery virus (maybe a norovirus!), brand new allergies they’ve never had before, unexplained fever, gastroenteritis, well heck you name it. They are “summer sick” with ANYTHING BUT COVID. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FUCKING TESTING FOR COVID.

And why would that be? Other than the mass global denial that is going on everywhere. Covid is over! Omg we can all go back to NORMAL.

We all know Covid is not over, it’s simply permutating and getting smarter thanks to us. I really hesitate to start spouting what may sound like conspiracy theories but I mean… where has all the Covid data gone since about a year ago? No testing, no nothing, and even possibly no new vaccines this autumn…

Meanwhile, yesterday evening my right nostril suddenly started STREAMING… got all itchy and sneezy. Basically became a one-nostril mucus factory (you can imagine). Left one is fine. And so okay, I have had sinus issues all my life, cannot leave the house without a whack of tissues (either kleenex or paper towels) in my bag, but my nose ALWAYS RUNS. All my life with this. But last night was different. Itching, sneezing, pressure below my eye… something wasn’t right.

And so this morning I did a Covid rapid test – because WHY WOULDN’T I? – and it was negative. But I’ll be testing daily until the symptoms subside simply because it might be Covid. For everyone who thinks Covid is behind us (usually a line of thinking to justify them not giving a shit about anyone else) you may find out sooner than later that you too are “vulnerable”.

I have been accused of being JUDGEMENTAL, and all kinds of other things, because I still take Covid seriously, test every week, stay home if I have any “just a cold” symptoms, etc… And when I’ve had to travel for work I always test that morning. Because what if I was Covid positive? Yes, I would have to abort my plans, it would fuck everything up, it would end up costing me money… but what is the option? Getting on a plane or train knowing you have a highly transmittable air-born disease and you could infect almost everyone. Just because you put yourself first.

Well, that’s just not me. If it’s you, maybe take a good look at your life priorities and then hopefully come to the realisation that this world we share isn’t just about you.

blocked af

14 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in change, health, health & happiness

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block

So this popped up in my Instagram feed and I thought it was pretty timely as I had just received the notice that my appointment with the nutritionist/endocrinologist will be on August 4th (three weeks from today). Not bad as my GP just sent out the request last week. Anyhow, I have always felt “blocked” when it came to losing weight, pretty much all my life, but things got a lot more difficult after cancer/chemo, menopause and, well, getting older. As my friend Kate @sledpress wisely says, it’s not a simple binary about what goes in or doesn’t, which is something I have also noticed all my life.

The hope is that new doc won’t just put me “on a diet” but will address the various issues and help me find a more balanced and intelligent way of living with everything, without having to take more drugs. Though I think she has her work cut out for her because when I saw this pic I realised that I have ALL THE BLOCKS. In spades. Wish me luck!

hepa filter

13 Thursday Jul 2023

Posted by in casa azahar, covid, health, home

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hepa filter

In the better-late-than-never department (and thanks to a push from Amazon Prime Day – it was 20% off!) I decided it was time to splash out on an air purifier (with hepa filter) for Casa Azahar. It occurred to me that the times Covid has been in the house (me once, Peter twice) it was during either spring of autumn, so there was no problem with leaving the balcony doors open for ventilation. But if it happened during summer or winter we would be stuck with closed windows. And my bedroom window opens into the patio, so it is always closed.

In any case, it’s probably a good idea to have one of these going and this one is a good size for the living room / office space.  In case you’re interested here it is… Levoit Air Purifier.

nixing the statins for now

11 Tuesday Jul 2023

Posted by in health, health & happiness, sevilla

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no statins

Since my GP prescribed cholesterol meds for me last Thursday I’ve been uneasy. I filled the prescription but then I was hesitant to just start taking them without doing a bit more research. And what I was reading was not making me feel any better. Unlike the blood pressure meds I’m on, statins seem to be seen as an “easy fix” drug, so that people can take them without feeling they need to make lifestyle changes. Which we all know is bullshit.

And so, since I am about to meet up with a nutritionist soon, I’ve decided to take the route of modifying my diet, which others have told me has worked very well for them with lowering cholesterol levels. It just makes more sense. Take a drug with some rather dodgy side effects or cut out putting so much cholesterol in your body? I’m opting for the latter. Wish me luck!