Tag Archives: Health

Not My Ideal Way to Start Off a New Year

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Belated New Years, World!!! I want to apologize for posting a late New Year’s post as I came up Covid-19 positive. Which has worn me out completely. I did go to the hospital; specifically the emergency room as I thought I either had strep through, the flu or an a reaction the the booster shot. Turns out I ended up having Covid. Now the way I thought I would been ending the year of 2021 or starting they year 2022. On a plus note at least the Emergency Room (ER) sent me home instead of hospitalizing me. I take it as a good sign they sent me home. I get diagnosed on December 30th of 2021 and was not able to work at all for four days due to how shitty I felt from having Covid.

As shitty has having Covid is, I am taking a leave of absence from my volunteer to job at PAWS Cat City for the month of January so I can make sure I have enough time to become symptom free and be able to quarantine the ten days after being symptom and able to get one negative Covid test back so I can go back to volunteering in February. I will miss volunteering with the cats as well as helping find the right cat for their furrever home with a human that loves them

As far as work goes, I called out sick due to Covid-19 for four days even though I can work from home. I was just feeling shitty as hell. I did go to work (from home) this past Friday as I was feeling better to be able to work. My employer appears to be supportive of me and my colleagues when we are sick with whatever we are sick with be they are more supportive when it comes to Covid-19.

I did end up having to go to the hospital emergency room when I first noticed the symptoms I was having. I went because I wasn’t sure if I was have a reaction to the Covid booster I received the day before I went to the emergency room or if it was the flu because it felt like a really bad flu. Turns out it was Covid and that my booster had nothing to do with me getting Covid. My entire family got tested and all them were negative but my mom is still waiting on her results of her test. I’m hoping it is negative as then I think I know where I got it from. It most like would have been from the hotel I stayed at. Any way I feel like the hospital wouldn’t have sent me home with Covid if it wasn’t a minor case even though Covid feels like hell even when you are sent home. I am beyond grateful to be home with Covid than to be in the hospital with Covid.

There is know place like home even if you feel like shit especially from Covid. It’s is nice to be home with my wonderful loving cat Billie Dean. Billie is such a loving cat the enjoys snuggling with me especially when I am not feeling will.

As far as work goes, I will be working from home till I am symptom free for ten days with two negative Covid test in a row before going back to the office two days a wake. I like how they want to protect my colleagues and clients a like.

My volunteer job like the fact that I am taking a leave of absence for the month of January to protect employees, volunteers and potential adopters from Covid especially since I am not sure when my symptoms will be gone and able to do the post symptomatic quarantine and able to get tested with a hopefully negative test.

As much as I am grateful that I am home sick with Covid and have the luxury of being able to work from home now that I am felling somewhat better, I am thrilled that I have my cat, Billie Dean to keep me company. I do miss face to face human interaction. Billie, my cat hasn’t exactly left my side since getting Covid as I think he want’s to make sure I am taken care of by him. I love my cat so very much.

On the note it snowed in Seattle and I am grateful that it is gone as I highly dislike snow even when I am stuck home sick with Covid. Seattle basically shuts down at any chance of snow. Snow is not my friend.

Honesty, I am really missing volunteering at this very moment as that is what I would be doing this very moment if I didn’t have Covid-19. I miss playing with other cats and able to do what I need to do start the day at PAWS Cat City. I love volunteering at Cat City. I just want to expose my the employees, potential adopter and fellow volunteers with Covid.

As sucky the ending of 2021 was and how sucky the beginning of 2022 is due to having Covid, I am happy that Covid did not get my hospitalized. Getting Covid was not my ideal way end one year and start a new year but at least I am not hospitalized because of it. At least I get to be home spending it with my cat, Billie Dean. I love the fact the Billie is more cuddly at the moment due to me not feeling well. I am also grateful that I am feeling better to be working from home despite how tired I get. I love my job and that my work understands the need to work from home due to Covid.

I do not have much more to stay in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog as if wasn’t for you the reader, reading my blog I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. It means a great deal that you read my blog. Happy New Years and Peace Out, World!!!

The Start of the 2021 Holiday Season

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Hanukkah, World!!! Yesterday evening (Sunday, November 28, 2021) was the start of Hanukkah. I am personally not Jewish and I enjoy the meaning of the holiday as it was a miracle. Don’t know what to say as a non Jewish person but I do know it was a miracle and wouldn’t be able to share the story of the miracle which deserves some who is more familiar to share the miracle. Happy Hanukkah to the readers who are Jewish.

Honestly, this past week has been both emotionally and physically draining for me. It was physically draining for me because deep cleaned the bathroom as I let it get really gross and disgusting. Cleaning helped me feel a since of accomplishment even though I missed my cat, Billie Dean wasn’t around to “help” me with cleaning which isn’t helpful so he went my grandpa’s as I cleaned the bathroom as well a couple of corners in my living room.

The physical stuff was due to cleaning. The emotional stuff was missing my grandma almost four years ago as well as loosing my last cat Lil Gertie two years ago which landed on Thursday, November 28, 2019 which happened to be Thanksgiving Day that year (2019). The other emotion stuff was attending a goodbye dinner for my cat’s Billie’s last vet, Dr. B. Sadly, she had to make a tough decision close forever.

Speaking of vets, Billie Dean saw his new vet today. He tolerated a couple of things and I think that is a good thing. This vet and I are going to do our best to keep Billie a healthy quality of life which is why this vet wants to see Billie twice a year. When I adopted Billie, I knew there were dental issues and upper respiratory infection (URI). So, I knew there were going to be issues. I’m happy that I made the decision to have Dr. B (Billie’s old vet) take some bloodwork done while Billie was under to get his teeth cleaned. I really miss Dr. B even though the new vet is great. Billie was not quite sure of the new vet but sure in the hell impressed with her.

In fact I partly took today off from work to take care of Billie. The other part was give me some me time. Me time was taking Billie to meet his new vet who is awesome. The other me time I have been doing is spending time with Billie while I do some art while listening to Christmas music. I think it’s okay to place Christmas music now that Thanksgiving is over.

I know there are many other holidays this time of year and hope to find the time to blog about them. I don’t want to exclude out when it comes to holidays being celebrated. I want to make sure I can learn about other religions so I can share about them when it is time to celebrate them. I will do my best to post other holidays celebrate this time of year.

I don’t have much more to say in this particular blog post. I just want to thank you for reading my blog as if you weren’t I would not be writing it. I really appreciate you the read my blog as if it wasn’t for you I would not be writing it. Again, thank you from the bottom of my hear for reading my blog. Happy Hanukkah and Peace Out, World!!!

Disappointment of the Christmas Holiday

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I am greatly disappointed right now. My greatest wish that I have had since I was three was that both sides of my family would celebrate together with me. Sadly, this has never happened. My paternal grandfather over to drive me and my dad’s side to my moms side of the family to give me the one wish I have wanted since I was three, to have my family spend time with me so I wouldn’t have to do all the traveling. Sadly, my mom, brother and two uncles on my moms side refuse to get vaccinated while my dad, grandpa and two uncles on my dads side our vaccinated. Hell, I am vaccinated. My mom’s side doesn’t want to get vaccinated for personal reasons and I respect that. My grandpa isn’t willing to put his health or the health of my dad as risk. So I am very disappointed that other peoples choices are effecting the one Christmas wish I have wanted since I was three. I respect both sides of my families decision with their health choices. I just wish they would realize my Christmas wish is for both sides of my family to get together. Something that hasn’t happened since I was two years old. I am now 42. It’s be 40 years since both sides of my family were together for Christmas.

It’s very disappointing the my family has continued to not make my life long wish not come true and I am “the selfish one” for wanting this since I was three years old when my parents divorced the summer I was three years old. It should wasn’t my choice my parents divorced. I am lucky that my parents have remained friends.

I guess for me this pandemic know as Covid-19 has put my greatest Christmas wish to a halt. I respect everyone’s choices regarding their health I am disappointed my greatest Christmas hope isn’t going happened once again.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope you all have a great evening. Peace Out, World!!!

Monday Blues

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I am having the case of the Monday blues. I can blame it on the typical weather here in Seattle. I can blame it on my messy ass apartment. I can blame it on my right knee being in pain. Hell, I can blame it on everything I just mentioned which is part of why I am partly depressed.

Not only am experiencing depression from what I just mentioned, I am experiencing it from my actual diagnosis of depression. Sadly, I can also contribute the depression the anxiety that I have been having. The increased anxiety and depression is partly because I was physically attacked by a neighbor a few weeks ago.

When I got attacked I didn’t call the police first because I thought going to the emergency room first was the most important thing I could do so I did. Sadly, I am still in pain in my right knee. Specifically, my right is the knee that is bone on bone arthritis which sucks shit when it got injured while being physically attack.

The attack finally caught up to me both physically and mentally. I took today off due to the depression and anxiety while being in knee pain. That is why I am taking tomorrow off due to going to the doctor’s office to get my knee checked out by my doctor. I will also be seeing my therapist like I always do on Tuesdays.

As much as I wish I worked today and can work tomorrow but I need to focus on myself so I can help my clients. If I’m not doing well physically or mentally, how can I be have help to the clients I serve.

On that note, my cat Billie Dean is helping me so much. Billie is helping a great deal with both my anxiety and depression. Billie’s unconditional love for me is amazing and helps me love other people. Pets can also help with depression and anxiety and help with the healing process of health issues.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Check-In

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! This week has been an up and down week. I missed two days of work due to the fact that I wasn’t feeling well. Some of what I feeling was physical stuff while other stuff was mental health stuff.

I am currently at my grandpa’s house doing laundry. My uncle made some dinner that was awesome. Since I am currently at my grandpa’s my cat, Billie Dean is at home alone. Don’t worry I will be home later this evening. I am really missing Billie.

As far as my health, it is getting better. Some of it is because of my mental health and yes, I am getting help with that.

I don’t have much more to say. I do want to thank you for reading for my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Another Self Care Day from Work

Posted on by Gertie

Good Friday, Evening, World!!! I am taking another self care day from work for my mental health. It was triggered by a therapy session I had this past Tuesday. As much as I wish I wasn’t triggered to where I didn’t need to take time off for mental health reasons, I look at is as a sign of strength. A strength to take care of myself.

Today and yesterday have not been a waste of time in regards to work as I have been reading two books that are completely different but very similar. As a colleague says seeing parallels in books that are so opposite from either is awesome and a great way to learn. I am hoping to post about the intersections of the books into both my profession and personal live which I find fascinating. Reading even though it is both for professional and personal live for me is a form or self care for me.

Another form of self care for me was spending time with my beloved cat Billie Dean. Billie is an amazing 15 pound kitty that loves me unconditionally. I am so grateful that he is in my life. I hope he knows how much I love him back. Despite the weather today in Seattle, I still managed to get in a walk. In fact, I go two walk in today which is a great thing.

I did have a brief check in with my therapist today via the phone. The check in with my therapist was quite helpful and think she is a great fit for me and my recovery. I am grateful to be able to have access to therapy as many people sadly do not have access to therapy.

I do not have much more to discuss in the particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog post. If it wasn’t for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Taking A Sick Day From Work

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am taking a sick day from work today. I am taking it off today because one of my disabilities is sadly acting up. I did let my supervisor know via text to her cell phone as well as an email to her work email and a voicemail to her office phone. I just wanted to make sure I covered my ass even though my supervisor is beyond awesome. I admire my supervisor and how well she works with clients. I also did let Human Resources (HR) know that I am out due to my disability. I let HR know it was disability related to also cover my ass. I do plan on letting my supervisor know tomorrow when I am in the office that I was out due to my disability. I do not fear getting fired for calling out sick especially when it comes to my disability. I don’t tell my supervisor the full story about being out due to disability because I don’t want to put her in an awkward situation if people ask her why. My direct supervisor and the HR director are both amazing people.

Since I am taking care of my health today by taking care of my disability, I still plan on doing some reading for work. Both of the books that I am reading help me both professionally and personally. I am really enjoying the books and have started another blog post about these books and how they intersect with my professional and personal life.

The one thing I did do was go to the pharmacy to pick up my medication. Picking up my meds was extremely important because they help with my health issues as well as with my disabilities. So, I am happy that I got my meds.

Since I am hope sick from work I not only will be spending it reading the books I mentioned earlier in this blog post, I am spending the day with my cat, Billie Dean without any interruption. I love my cat so very much. The weather here in Seattle today makes it easy to spend it reading as I hang out with my cat, Billie.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader do read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Mixed Emotions Regarding Covid-19 Vaccine

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am going to be writing about a topic that is considered controversial or at least it is here in the United States. I’ll be discussing the Covid-19 vaccine and my many emotions around it.

First and fore most, I chose to get the Covid-19 vaccine long before it was “required” of me to get it due to working in the “health” field. I say “health” field because I work in mental health care. On that note the governor of Washington (State) made a mandate the people working in any type of health care setting (including mental health, EMT’s, Paramedics and Firefighters) to be fully vaccinated by a certain date in October which I know has already passed. I understand why the governor put this into effect but I feel like it’s putting people in an ethical and moral bind.

Even though I have the Covid-19 vaccine, I feel like if I was forced to have it for my job, I would hesitate working where I work. But then again, at two previous employers, I was required to show proof of a TB test as well as vaccines for Hepatitis A and B. I started asking myself what the difference is and there really isn’t a difference except for the fact that I was required to have the Hepatitis A and B vaccines to attend public school so it wasn’t a choice as my guardians had me get it.

On that note, I am also a believer in my body, my choice. What I mean by that is that, I should be the one making decisions for my own health. For me, if I am pro-choice regarding abortions then I need to practice what I preach by having people have a choice in getting the Covid-19 vaccine without worrying about loosing their job.

So, I have mixed emotions about the Covid-19 vaccine as I personally want other people to get it to protect those who cannot get it but I also want people to have a choice in what they do for their own health care. I hope that makes sense.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

A Sleepless in Seattle Type of Night

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am having a bad spell of insomnia. I think part of it is because I am in pain due to having kidney stones. Kidney stones is not something I would call as fun or enjoyable.

Since I am not able to sleep, I decided to do something that I find fun and enjoyable. That is listening to a podcast with my cat, Billie Dean, laying next to me in my bed. I am listening to a podcast about philosophy. Specifically, I am listening to Philosophize This. I really like this podcast and am almost caught up to the most recent one of it.

I do not have much more to say as I want to get back to listening to Philosophize This as I lay next to my cat, Billie as he purrs. I want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you do read my blog. If it wasn’t for you my reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great rest of your weekend. Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Check-In

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I am tired as hell, so I will keep this brief. This week has been a long week or at least that was the case regarding work. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, it was just a long week.

Despite a long week at work, I ended up in the emergency room yesterday (Friday) evening due to having pain in my right kidney. I thought I had another kidney infection but I do not. I have kidney stones and they hurt like fucking hell but at least it is not another kidney infection.

Even though I didn’t get to bed till midnight last night, I still went for a walk with a friend this morning. It was a good way to get some exercise and catch up with a friend. My friend and I hadn’t hung out since last year before the pandemic so it was to catch up with each other in person.

Not only did I hang out with my friend, I volunteered mid afternoon at PAWS Cat City today. It was nice to be able to volunteer and help cats get new furrever homes. I love volunteering.

I don’t have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. If it wasn’t for you my reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!