Almost human
Saturday was the first day since late April that I didn't spend at least 18 hours in bed.
All my symptoms have faded except for the fatigue and occasional belly discomfort near my spleen. But that fatigue, and associated dizziness and the consequent lack of ability to focus for long, keeps me wiped out and useless. Loading the dishwasher and washing a few pots and pans has felt like an accomplishment - forget blogging or writing my now ludicrously overdue book. I rarely had the ability to concentrate even on TV.
Here's an example. Last Monday evening, my dad and some of our friends came over and while I was in bed they and the rest of my family had a game of Scattergories. I heard the commotion and went downstairs to try to be sociable (see, told you I haven't been myself). I got into the game a bit and played along as well as a non-player could but after 15 minutes I collapsed. I had to lie down on the dining-room hardwood with a few jackets as a pillow.
That's what it's been like. Thinking, stringing thoughts together, is like weight-lifting and like exercise has been tiring me physically. I typically could only read a quarter of the newspaper at a time.
Saturday, though, I awoke feeling magnificent and fortunately Elvi had chosen to be born on that day a number of years ago. I felt well enough to go pick up our girls from a sleepover and offer to take the family out for a birthday brunch.
We ate at Tiffany's to mixed reviews among us. I knew our girls needed dress shoes and even after the meal I was still feeling chipper so I agreed to accompany them all to the nearby Le Chateau outlet store.
I like shopping, but shoe shopping took a while even with my fashion skills helping us find perfect shoes for our daughters. I had to sit by the end, and go home immediately afterward.
the family spent time working in the garden while I spent three hours in bed, but toward supper time I had regained my energy and decided to take Elvi out on the town for some birthday fun. I paced myself and drank only water and lasted on the dance floor all night. It was a birthday miracle!
This morning, the dog woke me at 7:30 a.m. to let him out because apparently today is the one day in the year he can't just go pee in the hall. I couldn't get back to sleep and so I was a bit loogy all day, but I don't ascribe that to the mono. I may have recovered, and just in time, too - I start teaching my summer courses June 8.
All my symptoms have faded except for the fatigue and occasional belly discomfort near my spleen. But that fatigue, and associated dizziness and the consequent lack of ability to focus for long, keeps me wiped out and useless. Loading the dishwasher and washing a few pots and pans has felt like an accomplishment - forget blogging or writing my now ludicrously overdue book. I rarely had the ability to concentrate even on TV.
Here's an example. Last Monday evening, my dad and some of our friends came over and while I was in bed they and the rest of my family had a game of Scattergories. I heard the commotion and went downstairs to try to be sociable (see, told you I haven't been myself). I got into the game a bit and played along as well as a non-player could but after 15 minutes I collapsed. I had to lie down on the dining-room hardwood with a few jackets as a pillow.
That's what it's been like. Thinking, stringing thoughts together, is like weight-lifting and like exercise has been tiring me physically. I typically could only read a quarter of the newspaper at a time.
Saturday, though, I awoke feeling magnificent and fortunately Elvi had chosen to be born on that day a number of years ago. I felt well enough to go pick up our girls from a sleepover and offer to take the family out for a birthday brunch.
We ate at Tiffany's to mixed reviews among us. I knew our girls needed dress shoes and even after the meal I was still feeling chipper so I agreed to accompany them all to the nearby Le Chateau outlet store.
I like shopping, but shoe shopping took a while even with my fashion skills helping us find perfect shoes for our daughters. I had to sit by the end, and go home immediately afterward.
the family spent time working in the garden while I spent three hours in bed, but toward supper time I had regained my energy and decided to take Elvi out on the town for some birthday fun. I paced myself and drank only water and lasted on the dance floor all night. It was a birthday miracle!
This morning, the dog woke me at 7:30 a.m. to let him out because apparently today is the one day in the year he can't just go pee in the hall. I couldn't get back to sleep and so I was a bit loogy all day, but I don't ascribe that to the mono. I may have recovered, and just in time, too - I start teaching my summer courses June 8.
posted by Webs at
11:20 PM
3 Comments:
I came upon your blog from a Google search on mono. I can relate to not being able to concentrate, feeling like loading the dishwasher is an accomplishment, and having to lie down after reaching my quota for human interaction. At 32 mono has come to me later and stronger than most. Have you tried any treatment besides rest?
Chris, I've done nothing but rest and take ibuprofen for the headaches.
So, how did you get the virus?
I was really sorry to hear about your bout with Mono. I can only pray that I got a mild version of it at some point that I don't know about, or else I know I can look forward to it one day - boo-urns.
BUT very happy to hear that you're on the mend. I check in once in a while and your posts have gone from constant to hardly at all... looking forward to when you're back on your feet and writing again.
Get well soon!
:) liz
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