So, what does that mean? It means while I was away in France and Italy, I purchased a lot of postcards. My intention was to use them. But, I might add, I’m grateful it was hard to find post offices. Which means, I’m also happy not to be stuck with unusable stamps from France and Italy. All this to say, a lot’s happened between September 22,when I left and since I returned home October 4th. And why words wait to fill the blank halves of those postcards.
Life.
When I’m less fuzzy headed I’ll write about those amazing days. But, just so you’re not wondering where or if I am, I’m writing a brief blog. Brief because I have the energy of a snail or sloth. And because I returned home to Covid.
Yes, even though I am vaccinated and double boosted, the bug bit me Wednesday October 5th. It’s nasty but, hopefully, because I’m on a five day regimen of Paxlovid, which I started October 6th, the drug will make the bug sorry and give up. Well, it actually doesn’t say that in the find print. But that’s part of my hope, as well as lowering the chance I’ll need a bed in a nearby hospital or worse. And that IS one of the drug’s benefits.
So to update, I’m moving up the feeling better scale. I feel overwhelming love from family, friends, Gordon colleagues ,my bookend neighbors and Christ Church. And so grateful to isolate at home, crawl into my own bed and appreciate life in between coughing fits, lethargy (could be jet lag)nose blowing,some unmentionables and the metallic taste from Paxlovid. Small price to pay.
Postcards can wait.
Life, not so much.
To Life!
P.S. I promise to write again soon.
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39 Comments
Boy am I glad to hear this, Jan! Heather told me you’d tested positive. Sad way to end what was otherwise a fantastic trip, but I’m so glad you are already (slowly at least) on the mend.
I’m keeping you in my thoughts and hoping to hear more good news soon. Can’t wait to reminisce about our time together when I see you next!
Love, Julie
I LOVED being with you, Trevor and the Pandemic Pod of friends. I look forward to seeing you whenever I’m out to spend time with Heather, Matt and the Grands. You’ve become my friends, too. No bug could eat away at the great time we had together. And no metallic taste in my mouth tonight can erase the fabulous meals we shared together in Italy. To Life!
We will be praying for your recovery!
My daughter asked for some peanut butter to help with the metallic taste from Paxlovid (unless you are allergic).
Wow! No, I ‘m not allergic and I love peanut butter. Great idea! My daughter said sauerkraut and pickles help, too. Hard to swallow those two tastes at breakfast! But I’ve done so when I have to take the second dose of the day. Like I wrote, “the metallic taste is a small price to pay.”I hope you’re daughter’s moving up the line on the “feel better” spectrum. Thank you for sharing. It’s bound to help someone besides me.
Dearest Jan,
I’m sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Praying for a quick and speedy recovery, for your energy to return as well as sense of taste. That metallic taste icky!
Italy and France must have been beautiful to visit!
What a wonderful time you must have had had with your girls!!
Looking forward to you being back on your feet and hoping to spend time with you again. You’re a treasured friend!
God bless you, thank you for sharing your adventures.
Much Love, Nancy
Thanks, dear Nancy. I loved lunching with you and Margaret. Yes, the wonderful time with “my girls” more than compensates for this bout with the bug. I’m feeling much better today. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
Jan, praying for your strength to return daily. I recommend Vitamin D3 5,000 units daily for the rest of your life. So good to boost our immune system. ❤️❤️❤️ Toni
Always good to hear form you, dear Tori. I’m feeling much better today and so grateful for all the prayers.
There’s nothing like Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps, horse drawn carriage rides, Vatican City, and Orvieto memories to blow any aches of COVID far, far from beautiful Y.O.U.
Please let all of your loved ones (us included) know if specialty food offerings are in order…..I make THE BEST chicken & rice soup!!! Whatever the need, we are all there for you! Consider yourself hugged with the warmest embrace.
Wow! Thank you, dear Valerie. I’m being fed well by my bookend neighbors and others. Dean and Gail Borgman brought that great Greek lemon/chicken soup and my neighbor, Judy brought another yummy kind of chicken soup. Yum! So, I’m good and nourished. But the love and prayers are gifts that keep giving. Thanks for all your encouragement over many years, Valerie.
Praying for your full recovery, and sooner than later.
Many thanks for your thoughtful blogs and encouraging words.
Thanks, dear Marnie. I’m overwhelmed by all the love and prayers. Feeling better minute by minutes.
Well, just to see your name pop up, dear Barbara, cheered me! Blessings on your day.
O secours! C’est dommage! Pardon mon français. I wish you a quick recovery. I/we all need JC in our lives – yes Jan and Jesus! Rest for now. Love you. Laura
Well, your French is better than mine, dear Laura. As one who travels a lot, you know the relief to be back home when a sickness comes along. I’m much better today. Strong enough to watch the Patriots and hope for a win!! And if this bug came as a result of the trip to France and Italy to be with Lily and Heather, it was worth it!! I hope to go again. Can’t live LIFE behind yellow caution tape.
Hope you will soon be feeling better. God bless and heal you.
Oh, dear Carol, how good to see your name. Thank you for your prayers and good wishes. I’m so grateful for women like you and so many faithful, generous colleagues from our years at Gordon College. May God bless YOU!
Hope you get well fast. I was hospitalized and had surgery last week. Know how you are feeling grateful to God and the doctors and the wonderful staff at Mount Auburn hospital
Wow! Pleased to read you’ve had good care and are left feeling grateful. Me, too. May the God you love and serve continue to heal you and bless those who tended you so well.
Dear Jan,
Not the way you planned on ending your vacation, I am sure. But I am so grateful that you are recovering at home, in your own bed!
You know the drill, rest, fluids, good hand washing. Overall, take care of yourself and enjoy the love and strength of friends.
WooHoo! If it isn’t my favorite nurse practitioner! I miss you at Family Medicine but am so happy to still feel connected. So happy you get to enjoy being a grandmother, now, in Minnesota. Obviously, you’re still telling me what to do! And I’ll do my best to follow your guidance. Well, it takes a village to raise a child and a whole lot of folks to form a safety net of care to cushion tough times, which we all have. Don’t worry my house isn’t filled with scatter rugs to trip me when I head for a cup of WATER! And I still know what day it is! Hugs to you, dear Pat.
This is easy. We love you, get well and skip the pictures to reduce the envy.
Blessings, Dale
Well, good morning, dear Dale and Marty. Thanks for your love and good wishes. I’m feeling much better today, almost normal. But not sure what that is anymore. Life’s full of surprises. Loved encouragement to “skip the pictures to reduce the envy.” Good to wake up to a laugh. Actually, at my age, it’s good to wake up. Period!
Oh dear Jan, I am sorry to hear that like other intrepid travelers of late, you brought home the “C” souvenir. Thank you for letting us know. I am heading to New England this Friday for a couple of women’s retreats at Monadnock. I won’t have access to a car or I would be bringing you chicken soup. (Although perhaps that’s just as well, since soup in a carryon bag would be a breeding ground for an as yet unnamed new breed of bacteria.)
Well, New England welcomes you back, dear Maggie. You’re very loved in these parts. I’m feeling much better today and have a reserve of soups from many friends and neighbors. No soup needed. Blessings on your retreats and all you touch through your written and spoken words. And humor!
Oh, no! May God bless you with a complete and rapid recovery. I look forward to reading your next blog.
Me, too! Thanks for your good wishes, dear Nancy. I’m much better today. Hard to believe I landed back in New England a week ago today. Time flies when you’re having fun…or sleeping for several days.
God bless you, Jan❤️ I’m glad you’re on the mend and have plenty of soup to nourish that C bug away
Love
Kathy and Ted
Me, too. Always love seeing you two at church. And I appreciate all you do for the children, dear Kathy, at Community Bible Study. Hope to see you all soon back at church. i need Christ Church, even more than soup.
Just want to know how much you were missed at our favorite breakfasting place. Your chair was empty and Russ’s held together this time. So glad you have close friends close by. Next time, Jan. Much Love, Polly Ann and Ken
Well, I missed you all, too. And the crispy bacon. I look forward to next time. Hopefully, soon.
Oh my – I’m so behind and feel terrible to have missed this post and the opportunity to pray for you. But so thankful so many others were way ahead of me, and to know that you are so well loved, cared for and prayed for. Wonderful to hear you’re feeling better! So much love, Wendy
Well, it’s never too late to pray for me, as long as i’m still on this earth, dear Wendy. But always happy to hear from you. I used to have a sign in the laundry room at Wilson House. It read: “I’m so far behind I thought I was first.” Feeling much better but such low energy. Hard to be patient with myself and let the healing continue. Tested negative so I’m very grateful for that…and for you, dear Wendy.
I feel like it took forever to get my energy back after I had Covid – but it did come back, very gradually. I will pray you’ll see that happening too dear Jan! Do please be patient and let your self heal completely. Love you.
Thanks for the reminder. My Dr, son-in-love reminded me it may take a while. Today I felt much stronger, which is encouraging. And it was a beautiful New England day so it felt good to get outside.
Yay! ❤️❤️❤️
Looking forward to your future post about France and Italy! Rest up, you are loved <3
Thanks, dear Alyssa. Good to hear from you in faraway Utah. I’m working on another post. It will probably fly your way tomorrow, as in Wednesday.