Well, it looks like my 1955 Manufacturer’s Warranty has finally expired.
Suddenly at 69, my various body parts have given out all at the same time and I’ve spent more time at the body shop than my 2006 Hyundai.
If only my parents had purchased that Extended Warranty when I was born, things might be different now. But apparently, when the nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital offered that option to them for their new baby girl, they took the same path as they did with a new Maytag washing machine or Plymouth Belvedere. They passed on the extended warranty.
Like many, I have recently joined the legions of those suffering with back and hip issues limiting my mobility.
As walking becomes increasingly painful I temporarily headed back to my roots of creeping and crawling on all fours as a mode of travel at home. Less painful than standing, walking may be overrated anyway.
Given that I didn’t choose to walk until way after two years old maybe I was on to something.
But the most disturbing of all and what has kept me away from these pages is my struggle with the effect of Long COVID.
For some time I have been socked in with severe brain fog, one of the hallmarks of Long COVID. The effects on the cognitive and neurological systems are devastating. Along with impaired concentration, focus, comprehension, and word confusion, even my ability to write cursive has been affected.
The fog is so dense, it has basically shut down operations here at Edelstein Industries.
My once bustling, productive brain has been like an abandoned factory in Allentown, a “Temporarily Closed for Business” sign tacked to its entrance.
As though an observer, I wander through the desolate, labyrinth of halls, staring at the warren of once bustling offices. Where once the Creative Department, the company’s robust, rollicking heart and soul, is now eerily empty and quiet. Long-planned projects sit on the desks and drawing boards, untouched. A few new ideas roll in despite the fog but with no employees available to execute the work, they lay untouched, a fine film of dust covering them.
The day’s news continues to filter in and is received and continually processed, but because the main switchboard has been shut down messages between departments are not received.
I wanted to let you know where I have been and what was going on,
As I observe history unfolding on a daily basis, it is frustrating that I am unable to respond in ways I might like to.
But I am resilient and hoping there may be a slight change in weather, blowing some of the fog away.
I thank you for your loyalty remaining with me through these sparse times.
Envisioning The American Dream 
Thoughts and more thoughts Sally…
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Thanks, so much Pierre.
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Very clever analogy. Evidence that not all is lost. Hang in there. I’m not writing either, and after giving up my Tourette Syndrome medication, my brain hasn’t felt so sharp in years. Ebb and flow.
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I’m sorry for the challenges you are facing too. Reducing and/or eliminating some medications can have so many affects on our cognitive abilities.
Ebb and flow is a new normal for right now and I am trying to reluctantly accept it. There is still so much we don’t know about Long COVID, but I am trying to get the best information I can and manage it.
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Well a sharp mind is hardly a challenge. I’ve become complacent with Covid and forget it’s still a risk. I was in the DC area yesterday visiting someone in the hospital. Everyone had a mask on. In my rural community I probably see less than one mask a day.
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There has definitely been a resurgence this summer, both in NY and and in CA and I know so many careful and vigilant friends who have come down with it. Weve all become complacent to an extent also because many remark its nothing worse than a bad cold. But not everyone has that experience, and its still serious. I had a serious case 2 years ago compounded with pneumonia and rebound COVID and then had 2 other cases of it in July. The potential lasting effects can be awful.
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So sorry to hear what you’re going through. I didn’t realize with all the terrific essays you’ve been writing, it seemed like everything was fine. Sending much love, you’re strong. As my mother used to say: “This too shall pass”.
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Thank you. It as been a struggle that I have kept to myself but I am always determined to try to contribute something. Thank you for your encouragement and support and that my defecits weren’t as obvious as I believed them to be.
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So sorry to hear that you’re contending with this dastardly thing we call Long Covid. Both times I’ve had Covid, they’ve been of the mild variety. Friends say, “don’t worry, you must be immune to a bad reaction.” But honestly I’m scared to get it a third time, as we never know what our experience will be. As you have proven. And my goodness Sally. even with brain fog, your posts are phenomenally well written. You are the scribe of our current world situation. I pray that your Long Covid symptoms are reversible.
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Thank you so much both for your well wishes and for your very generous and encouraging remark that my voice is still being heard. The frustration in not being able to be as prolific, creative, and productive as I would like has been the most frustrating for me of all the symptoms that occur with Long COVID.This is still an area that is not fully understood which compounds the difficulties and challenges. I’m heartened to hear that your experiences have been on the mild side.This latest strain has been very virulent and in some areas running rampant. I am certain you are being careful and remain vigilant.
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