Long Covid?

 Today is the final day of February.  

What have I accomplished?  Well, I finished that literature review that I was stuck on for all that time.  I won't say it was my best work, but it was finished.  Now I'm working on my overall dissertation proposal.  I'm 18 pages into it, and moving slowly.

I've been reading about a condition called "Long covid."  It's like the after effects of having it, but they stick around.  I had covid in June.

The following is from the CDC website: (Italic ones are ones I have).  If you're interested, they also link to the actual science behind this, which I tried reading, but was over my head.

General symptoms (Not a Comprehensive List)

• Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life
• Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort (also known as “post-exertional malaise”)
• Fever

Respiratory and heart symptoms

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)

Neurological symptoms

• Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
• Headache
• Sleep problems
• Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
• Pins-and-needles feelings
• Change in smell or taste
• Depression or anxiety

Digestive symptoms

• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain

Other symptoms

• Joint or muscle pain
• Rash
• Changes in menstrual cycles

Some of these, like depression, I had previously.  However, the "brain fog" fits like a wet glove.  I don't feel as 'sharp' as I used to, and working through standard tasks (like writing) seem like monumental feats.  

I've made an appointment with my doctor at the University health center to discuss it, and what (if anything) can be done.  If I'm not working on a given day, I'll sleep 18 hours either in bed or on the couch- dozing off while trying so hard to write something; anything.  I missed my column deadline for TG Forum a couple weeks back, and have been trying to put together the next column since.  Oh, and to write this entry.  And the dissertation proposal.   

At this point, the speed of my academic program is on me, and I stalled out at the gate.  I should be finished the first draft of the proposal by now, and working on the next step.  Instead, I have an entire section still to be written, then revisions.  

I'll keep plugging along I guess.  What else can I do?  

Oh, I signed up for the Keystone Conference in late March.  It's in a new location in downtown Harrisburg.  I'll be there on Saturday only to see old friends and maybe meet new people.  If you're a reader, please say "hi" if you see me.