Picture description: two leaflets. The one underneath and to the left is a 'Covid-19 self-test step-by-step guide'. It has written instructions and some symbol imagery on the front. The second leaflet (to the right and on top) is a 'test receipt card'. My barcode and serial number has been edited out.
So it seems my recent post talking about how good it was to be back at work was slightly premature.
Nearly two weeks ago my nephew tested positive for Covid. Luckily he had absolutely no symptoms and was absolutely fine. My sister had only organised for them to all get tested as someone they knew and had been working in close contact with, had come down with the virus. Thankfully, everyone else tested negative and my nephew didn't have any symptoms. I am very grateful that he wasn't sick at all.
But, as he is in my support bubble, it did mean I needed to get tested too. I really felt for my sister when she made that call to me, she really sounded so gutted and worried. She said something along the lines of, "you're the last person I wanted give this news to". I know she felt terrible, but these things happen, and it's better to know and do something about it.
So off I headed to the drive-in test centre. The test was pretty straight forward and you can opt to do it yourself so you don't have to have contact with anyone. I then dropped my test into a collection bin through my car window, and waited for the text telling me the results.
Luckily, like the others, I tested negative. But, the 26 hours spent waiting for that test result were torturous. I went through a whole range of emotions; from thinking it must have been me that gave it to my nephew and like the world's worst aunty, right to the opposite end of the spectrum; that I didn't have it because, as someone immunosuppressed, surely I'd already be sick? But regardless, getting the 'your test was negative' text was a huge relief. It does mean though that we're not sure how my nephew got it; whether he picked it up at the park, the zoo, or in the shops. I guess we'll never know, but it goes to show just how vigilant we all need to be when it comes to this virus, because we just don't know when, where or how we could pick it up, and we might not always show symptoms once we do.
Although my result was negative, I still had to isolate, just in case I developed symptoms. Usually, the isolation period would be for 14 days but mine started later as they backdated it to when I last saw my nephew, so I really only had to do ten days after finding out. It hasn't been great, or ideal, but it also hasn't been as tough as the last two isolation periods; I'm classing isolation 1.0 as the one that we all had to do, and isolation 2.0 as the one where I had to go into shielding just as lockdown restrictions were lifted. I think knowing it wasn't for as long, that I was doing it for the benefit of others and knowing that none of us were actually sick made the time slightly easier. That and my very cute, fluffy kittens, of course.
The only thing more challenging about this isolation period was accessing the things I needed. Obviously I had no idea I would need to isolate again, so I wasn't prepared with a two week stockpile of all the necessities I needed. I ran out of three of my tablets (luckily two weren't so important; Ormeprazole just stops me getting stomach ulcers/digestive problems, and Calcium just helps keep my bones healthy whilst on long-term steroids). The other was much more important but thankfully, my pharmacy delivered it to me. I also very nearly ran out of electricity (my house is old school and I top up via metre), and the day before quarantine ended, the last of my milk went off - so no brews for me. I hate having to ask for help, especially as some of my family and friends helped me *so* much during shielding, and I don't like to put even more on them. So it just meant that I had to skip a few tablets and be a bit stingey to make my electricity and food supplies last, but I made it 🎉. And now a lesson has been learnt; make sure you *always* have a minimum of two weeks supply of *everything* you need in. ESPECIALLY medication. Speaking of... I run out of steroids and immunos next week. Must, must, *must* order more.
I also can’t say isolation 3.0 has been as productive as the previous quarantines... In the past ten days, I have made one batch of brownies, re-watched an old series (New Amsterdam - it's amazing, please watch), and slept... A LOT. And that’s literally it. Seriously. It also means my August Fitness Challenge went right out the window as I wasn't allowed to leave the house for exercise. I did debate trying to run the length of my downstairs, up the stairs and back down again for fifteen minutes straight, but for some reason, that just wasn't all that appealing. And like the exercise, the healthy eating plan also went t*ts up, because, well, I was sad that I was back in isolation, and I eat rubbish when I'm down (pls don't judge me). Hence the batch of brownies... which I won't lie, are nearly gone. September calls for a restart... so roll on tomorrow.
But thankfully, that's it! Isolation 3.0 came to an end on Sunday, and I went back to work the next day. The rest of this week will be dedicated to starting up running again, ordering food shopping, and... well that will probably be it, as I'm still trying not to interact with people *too* much. Hopefully, things will stay like this now and we'll all keep healthy. I know I'm not alone when I say I just hope this whole nightmare is over soon.
In the meantime, stay safe, isolate if advised, wash your hands, wear a mask and do your best to protect yourself and those around you 💕
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