living well and dying with dignity
We, the people of the Long Covid (LC) support community have concerns about access to information, guidance, and science-based recommendations for COVID-19 and its many mutating variants. A recent Senate Finance Committee hearing with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. offered little guidance. Two Republican senators, questioned RFK’s flip flop on covid vaccine … Read more
This spring marks the five-year anniversary of the Sars-CoV-2 (COVID) pandemic and my personal five-year anniversary of living with Long Covid (LC). Since December of 2019, I don’t get sick with colds and flu like many people do. I get sick in other ways that I’ve written about extensively in the LC Series blog posts. … Read more
Autumn’s chill and respiratory viruses usually arrive hand in hand. While most people who “catch a cold” don’t test for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) any more, many who do find that their at-home tests are negative even on day 3 or 4 after symptom onset. To be clear, one in ten people infected with any COVID variant … Read more
It’s been a while since my last Long Covid (LC) Series post. That is because I am better but not normal. The good news is that I have been enjoying summer in Flagstaff. There have been social interactions (virtually and outdoors), Llumination Quests (ask me about this), reading, research, writing, consults, and precious time with … Read more
For the first three years living with Long Covid (and not knowing it), I spent a lot of time avoiding allergy triggers and another covid infection. I masked in public places (still do), and tested frequently for covid before and after social interactions. Most of my limited social interactions were (and still are) in outdoor … Read more
Readers following the Long Covid (LC) series may note that I referenced a “trigger event” that increased my symptoms in 2023. Today I want to share about this, hoping it is of some use to other LC patients. The event was related to a covid vaccine. To be very clear, I am not anti-vax and … Read more
In a previous post, I discussed the way Reiki and holding space are interwoven tools that help me to navigate Long Covid (LC) symptoms. While holding space (for self or others) can be learned via studying and practicing its guidelines, Reiki requires training that might be out of reach for those who are bedbound or … Read more
Today I’m offering an intermezzo in the multi-course dinner that is my Long Covid (LC) series. I will get back to the series in April, but for now, a little celebration is in order. For the first time since 2019, I traveled on my own to Phoenix to serve as a wedding celebrant. In some … Read more
This post will weave the concepts of Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) and holding space. The Japanese word, “Reiki” translates to universal spirit (rei) and life force energy (ki or chi). Reiki has been an important component in my personal and professional life for decades. It has become more important while dealing with recent health challenges. The … Read more
When I realized that these troubling Long Covid (LC) symptoms may never go away, I joined the Long Covid Support Group on Facebook. The group has its origins in England and has over 65K+ members worldwide. For me, the group is supportive and exemplifies what it means to hold space. These new friends face challenges … Read more