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In the middle of things...

I want to say it started with Covid. Really, though, it didn't. It must have started awhile before. I'll find out more about that this week.

My exposure happened the first week of August. I found out about my exposure on August 12 and laid low awaiting test results, which came back positive on August 20. I'll save the story about the test result delay for another day.

Solid sinus infection/cold and flulike symptoms hit me. I feel like my Covid symptoms have been somewhat mild in comparison to others' experiences. And, in a strange way I feel like Covid was a blessing for me. Please stay healthy. Wear a mask. Covid is live and real and thriving. You don't want it. Trust me.

Last Monday (8/23), I woke up with severe pain in my right abdomen. I think I am tough and tried pacing the floor and adjusting my sitting, laying, and any positions. Nothing reduced the pain. Concerned, I consulted Google and then called ask-a-nurse. They recommended seeking help. When my doctor's office opened at 8 am, I called to schedule an appointment. He was booked. Based on my symptoms, they recommended going to Instacare or the ER instead of waiting for an appointment.

Mom drove me to Instacare. I had thought that I could have driven myself before we left. She's a wise woman and knew better. I felt every bump in the road, every crack, every crevasse. On the way over, I scheduled an appointment with Instacare and disclosed that I was Covid positive. They said to double mask. 

At Instacare, I waited in line to check in. Double masked. Socially distanced. Hand sanitized. At my turn, I explained my symptoms, and the ladies helping me looked concerned. Their eyes about popped out of their heads when I disclosed again that I had Covid. After consulting with some other members of their team, they suggested I go to the ER instead. 

We checked into the ER. I couldn't sit because of the pain. Walking and standing were not pleasant, but much preferred to sitting. In the ER patient room, we went through a series of tests and screeners. Standing up, sitting down, moving; it all hurt. All in the right abdomen. 

Dr. Davis ordered a CT scan so we could check out my appendix. My appendix looked great. The doctor thinks I must have pulled a muscle from coughing so much, because there is no other physical explanation for my pain. 

He did find an unknown mass in my CT scan. I am scheduled for follow up blood work, tests, and another doctor visit this coming week so we can figure out what is going on and make a plan. I think that we would have looked into it this week, if I hadn't had Covid. My fever has broken. I still have drainage and somewhat of a cough. I am tired, but I think that the worst part of Covid is behind me.

Everyone at the hospital was great from check in to nursing staff (V) to CT staff (K) to doctors (D) to everything and everyone. I am so grateful for their compassion, kindness, and care. Monday and Tuesday, it did not feel like a pulled muscle. Since then, the pain has lessened and does feel more like a pulled muscle.

This is the middle. We have found it. We don't know what it is yet; we will. We don't know when it started or when it will end, but we will formulate a plan to end it.

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