01:18
The physical and mental fatigue is really showing when you find yourself slumped on your office chair since…. last night’s blog entry!
Still no letting up from the fever (just yet) and I’m getting used to moving around with the room spinning a bit.
Time for a round of Panadol (hope that doesn’t make me sound like a drug addict) then sleep in bed. Good night!
08:34
Good morning London (UK, World)!
A solid run of sleep followed by improved stats (I’m under no illusion that it can easily swing back to the dark side as seen on previous occasions but let’s look to the bright side eh?).
A new change, or shall I say, a welcomed return is the ability to smell although it is very faint. Still no taste at this point.
With the on-going issue of maintaining balance whilst moving around, a couple of readers have sent in some hilarious but interesting ways to try out. The most successful one this morning has been to walk in smaller steps, flat-footed… like a duck.
Quack!
12:25
Feeling like dopey from the seven dwarfs.
Lunch-time Update
Fever: Fever is still looming so not much change here.
Cough: The persistent cough has yet to improve.
Aches and Pains: Knee and shoulder joints are aching, everywhere else is fine.
Headache: The headache is still mindblowingly bad (yes, another pun), I suspect until the fever is out, the headaches will continue.
Smell and Taste: Smell has partially returned as of this morning. I can actually smell a whiff of the lit Yankee Candle that has been burning since this morning. Still no taste though.
Fatigue: Fatigue has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, some remote working today to see how some distraction fares. Have taken Panadol Extra (the added caffeine variant) to give a bit of a boost (for good or for bad, we shall have to wait and see).
Stability: Movement around the house is constantly met with the room spinning effect. Taking slower, flatter steps to help with balance. Quack!
Confusion: Still none after the over-40s high fever moments.
Lack of Appetite: This is still on-going, currently eating light at timed intervals to ensure I’m giving the body the fuel it needs. There’s a hint of nausea at times after eating.
Breathing: This is still normal, can breathe through the nose normally, no rapid or difficulty in breathing.
Diarrhoea: This new symptom is still live and kicking since yesterday.
15:05
Falling asleep on my office chair for 30 minutes, thank heavens for good lumbar support otherwise my lower back would be mush!
A quick temp check as work resumes.
Heart rate: 88bpm
19:22
The persistent cough appears to have finally paved way to some breathing difficulties and tightness across the chest, the one major COVID-19 symptom I have yet to exhibit until now.
Each deep breath only encourages another cough, the only way to reduce the likelihood of coughing is to take short, shallow breaths for now. It will be interesting to see how this develops.
20:20
The cough has moved into a whole new level of continuous and persistent, I won’t be surprised a sore throat will develop at the rate things go.
Trying to maintain calm for at least 5 minutes to take a conclusive blood pressure reading has, instead, taken 20 minutes.
Breathing hasn’t gotten any worse since the last report an hour ago.
23:05
Last reading of the night and another feverish one at that after enduring a prolonged session of coughing.
I’m afraid no BP reading tonight as the cough won’t stay put long enough to allow a proper reading.
Heart rate: 97bpm
23:21
Something felt like it wanted to come up as I am coughing, first thought was phlegm, a quick rush to the bathroom and the cough has been so bad, it has brought up some blood, not cool!
No major concerns just yet as this is a side effect of a severe cough, will see how tonight’s rest goes.
Good night peeps and stay safe!