COVID-19 is certainly unlike any other virus; don't let anyone tell you it's just a bad cold or a bout of the flu. It is AWFUL. It hits just about every system in the body: respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and neurological. It saps strength and weakens the body. I had a mild case of it, and I would not wish it on ANYone, including politicians (which is saying something for me).
Hubby got hit harder. He was in bed for four days straight, lost his senses of smell and taste, lost his appetite, and even with Paxlovid (R) which we both took, he felt so weak that just the trip to the bathroom was exhausting, even after he no longer tested positive for the virus.
He still can't smell much, and can only taste the strongest tastes of sweet, sour, salt, and bitter. He cannot taste eggs or potatoes or even lasagna. Not yet. And it's been 2 months since he tested positive. He is back on his feet and able to carry on his activities but ... nothing except super-spicy, sweet, or salt tends to flicker his needle. It's been frustrating for me, as I enjoy his appreciation of my cooking. And he clearly misses not being able to enjoy simple meals. Oh well, we're told this part will pass. 
Image by Miriams-Fotos at Pixabay
In the middle of our recovery, we found out that our dog Bullet (3 years old, male Pomeranian) had grade 3 luxating patella (dislocated kneecap) in his left knee (hind leg). We took him to an animal hospital on the mainland to get the surgery done - and so now HE is recovering. He is doing far better than we expected, and we hope that by this time next week, he'll be putting his full weight on his leg. He's already putting SOME weight on it, and his flexibility has not suffered. He'll just need to strengthen those muscles through which they had to cut to reach that kneecap area.
It has been, as you can imagine, a stressful time for all of us, including me. Thank goodness for my therapist, who has kept reminding me to use the relaxation and grounding tools I prescribe for my own clients, in this situation, to avoid stressing out. And at our last session, she told me to remember the good that I do and the treasure that I am to people - not only to my family and friends, but to my clients as well. I really needed to hear that. It's easy to get overwhelmed with the path ahead, but if I take it one day at a time (sometimes one hour at a time) I get through it and I am often surprised with how well things turn out.
Despite my aversion to the term "normal" for the most part, I can get back to my own equilibrium - if that is 'normalcy' for me, I'll take it. And perhaps I will (and so will the dog) get even better than normal.
That would be amazing.
