Recuperating from COVID 19 Flu

 Karen and I were both were infected by the COVID 19 Flu virus on May 21st., 2024.

We have both had 2 basic COVID flu shots and a third; plus, the regular annual flu shot in 2023.

We both stayed home alone, rested, stayed warm, drank plenty of fluids, and regained some appetite.  Both of us are coughing frequently with yellow sputum, no fever, fatigue, tired, weak, aching muscles, having sinus infections, etc.

Tiresome, frustrating, disappointing, unstoppable.  So it goes.  

Reading, napping, Smithsonian Aerial America episodes, map reading, resting.

Unfortunately, my heart flipped back into AFib on June 2nd.  

Sadly, over 1,140,722 have died from COVID 19 and 1,147,399 have died from pneumonia.

Was I scared, worried, anxious ... yes, seriously at times.

We did not visit our physician or the hospital emergency room. We did get advice and medicine by phone from our physician.  

Not much energy or interest in writing, blogging, research.  Mostly reading, watching television, sleeping, harmonica playing, 

Falling Down

I was working in my front yard yesterday.  The whole west side of our yard slopes down to the street.  Because the area is not flat, we must be very careful when working there in our vegetable garden so that we don't fall.  

Yesterday, I turned and misjudged the curb edge at the street, stumbled, lost my balance, and fell hard on the street asphalt.  Injured my right hip, right knee, left leg inside abductor, and right elbow.  The right knee was injured the most.  Bruises and scrapes in a number of areas.

I iced the knee and elbow.  I put antiseptic cream on the abrasions.  Rested!  Complained to myself!  Pissed off about falling.  Mumbling Cussing ... for little while. 

I fell once in the July of 2016 at Red Bluff.  I feel once in December 2016 my daughters Alicia's home in Vancouver.  Both times the injuries were painful and serious.  I consulted with an orthopedic doctor.  I did physical therapy on my left kneecap, right knee, and right hip.  Now, I fell again in June of 2023.  

I guess I should not complain. At the age of 77 many folks get out of balance sometimes, stumble, or lose their balance temporarily.  Three falls in 25 years ... what am I complaining about.  

Still, getting out of balance and falling and hurting myself really pisses me off.  Carelessness?  Physical Health?  Dangerous area for working?  Clumsiness?  Balance Isses?    

I do think my practices of Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, and Walking do actually help me maintain better balance.

So, for now, REST, and ICE, and Gentle Movements.  Slow Down.  Be More Careful. Watch my Step!  Be careful in dangerous areas were stumbling or falling is a possible hazard.  Be Patient.  Stop complaining and move on!

Built from Broken. A Science-Based Guide to Healing Painful Joints, Preventing Injuries, and Rebuilding Your Body. By Scott Hogan. Salt Wrap, 2021, index, reference, appendices, 341 pages. VSCL, Paperback.  

Strength Training for Seniors

Cryo-Balloon Ablation of My Heart

 

At 9:30 am this morning, at the Peace Health Hospital in Vancouver, a team led by Dr. Reese will perform a cryo-balloon catheter ablation of my heart.  We hope this will correct some of my current electrical heart problems.  This is a non-invasive procedure, is "relatively safe," and does help 60-80% of people who undergo the procedure.  Dr. Reese told me he thought I was a good candidate for using this procedure.  

At age 77, I have been slowed down by shortness of breath, mild chest tightness, fatigue, and lightheadedness caused by paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.  My heart went into atrial fibrillation in May of 2022.

We shall see what happens in the next month to me as a result of this technical procedure.  

Friday, 7 am, 2/3/2023

The procedure went smoothly.  AFib controlled.  Dr. Reese said it would take three months to feel fully back to "normal."  Little discomfort, and no pain.  Sutures in thighs healing OK thus far.  Feeling very good.  Alert and thinking all night with little sound sleep.  Moving 10-15 minutes at the end of one hour of sitting.  Moving slowly, carefully, gently.  No chest tightness.  No lightheadedness or dizziness.  Clear vision.  

Cancelled February retreat to a yurt at Pacific Beach State Park in Washington.  My next retreat will come in April.  Waiting nearly 3 months to go on retreat.  Staying close to home until recovery comes.  Also, Karen has upcoming hip surgery on March 7th.  

Saturday, 4 am, 2/4/2023

Still feeling pretty good.  No problems.  Sutures healing OK.  No chest pain or discomfort.  Don't get out of breath.  A few cases of blurred/odd visual disturbances - wavy edges.  Trying to sit for 1 hour and then get up and gently exercise for 20 minutes today: walking, treadmill, qigong, taijiquan, yoga stretches.  

Before the ablation, I was in AFib frequently.  My heartbeat averaged 61 bpm when at rest.  Now my average heartbeats per minute is between 70-80 bpm at rest.  

Sunday, Noon, 2/5/2023

A little punked today.  Did not sleep well again last night: too much thinking.  My legs are a little sore from lots of Taijiquan practice yesterday.  Truly, a day of complete resting for me.  Sutures healed and looking good.  Very little chest discomfort.  Somewhat anxious.  No exercise.  Read, relax, sit, nap.  Ate  up to my recommended limit of calories 1500/carbohydrates 150.  

Monday, 2/6/2023,

Four days since the ablation procedure.  Slept 7 hours last night - excellent for me.  Feeling alert and ready to move.

Thursday, 2/9/2023

Met with James Mathey, Physician's Assistant, Peace Health Hospital today.  He ran an EKG and checked my pacemaker memory.  I am in normal heart rhythm with no AFib.  He checked my leg wounds.  In his assessment, overall, I am progressing well.  I return to be evaluated by him on March 6th.  I can ramp my walking up to 5,000 steps per day in the next 10 days.  No heavy workouts, sweating, or hard labor.  

Sunday, 2/12/2023

Injured my right leg.  Limping and in pain.  Start recovery process.

 

Back Ache Problems

For the last two months I have been trying to recover from re-injuring the middle of my upper back and neck, primarily on the right side under the shoulder blade.  All the usual remedies such as resting, massage, heat packs, cold packs, analgesic cream, gentle stretching, and extra sleep have been tried.

I injured his area while in my 30's while weightlifting.  I have had this area re-injuring numerous times in the decades since. 

This recent flare up has been a discouraging and painful at times.  Hopefully, I might someday heal this injury.  I am sure the injury is now, at age 73, compounded by arthritis problems.

Hoping for the best!

Back Home Again in Red Bluff

This past week, from 3/25 - 3/30, I was in Portland, Oregon.  I enjoyed visiting with my two children and their families.   We celebrated Easter in style!  

My son, Michael Delmer, is steadily recovering from his recent kidney surgery. He received a kidney transplant on 3/15 by a surgical team at the Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland.  He had been on dialysis for four years.  

Karen has been helping to care for Mick in Portland since 3/20.  

Karen and I and drove from Vancouver to Longview, and then by Route 4 to Long Beach, Washington, and down to Cape Disappointment State Park.  

Back to four days of my home routines, unpacking, reading, walking, taijiquan practice, webpage creation, gardening, home improvement projects, chores, etc.  I go back to my job on Monday morning.  Looking forward to some dry weather for outdoor projects.  

Travel Guides to Washington and Oregon