Wellness
How ‘Sleep’ Helped Me Recover in a Time of COVID
From Hardly Being Able to Move to a Full Recovery
My office mate had already been diagnosed with COVID-19 and no one told me. The logic was I had already been fully vaccinated and we did not have direct contact for more than 15 minutes. That was the first time. The second time, I heard him coughing and making an appointment to be tested. I was infuriated.
Whether he had the virus or not, he should have stayed home and made his appointments from the comfort of his residence instead of possibly spreading it to his co-workers.
Dr. Deborah Birx: If you feel sick, stay home. — YouTube
On Dec. 26, 2021, I had a COVID-19 test because of a pre-test procedure in which I was participating later that day. I tested negative. I was COVID-19 free. On Dec. 30, 2021, I took my family on vacation to Miami and Fort Lauderdale. On Jan. 2, 2022, our eighth wedding anniversary, I took my family on a deep-sea fishing expedition. We had an awesome time.
Video from my deep-sea fishing trip.
But as you can see, there was quite a bit of work required with pulling in those big fish. After returning home, I began experiencing muscle aches and pains. Over the next several days, exhaustion became a normal daily experience. So, while trying to figure out what was wrong with me, resting was the one sure-fire things that helped me recover.
I was already very weak from muscle exhaustion and after blood work was drawn and tested, results indicated elevations in sedimentation rate and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, I had an elevation in AST (Aspartate transaminase) and a slight elevation in ALT (alanine aminotransferase). While these indicate a secretion of enzymes in the blood that would point to liver damage, muscle damage also increases enzyme secretion into the blood. I wasn’t concerned that I had liver damage. As it turns out, I was correct.
After returning from our vacation, I ended up remaining home for another week. I was down hard and had to get body coordination again. I am not sure what I had, but I needed rest. That’s exactly what I did. My family was concerned because I am normally a very energetic, young guy. To see me down and out, in the bed day in and day out was scary for them. They wanted me to go to the hospital, but I refused. I had heard too many stories of people going to the hospital never to return. After it was all said and done, I began to recover. Drinking plenty of fluids and sleep helped me to recover.
We are still in a time of COVID and now, you can add Omicron to the mix. Whether you are a mask denier, a vaccine denier or just plain _____ (you fill in the blank), if you don’t feel well, the least you could do is stay home. If you are not going to wear a mask and if you aren’t going to get a vaccine and if you don’t feel well, please stay home. That goes for those who wear their mask and who are vaccinated as well. If you don’t feel well, stay home.
There are plenty of people who did not recover. Please do your part and let’s beat this thing together. Previously, the phrase was to beat the curve. We don’t care what you call it, just stay home. If you find yourself in that position, get tested, drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest.
About the Author
Julius Evans has a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI; a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ; a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from City University, Bellevue, WA, and an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas. He is a 1985 graduate of the Defense Information School (DINFOS) of Print and Electronic Journalism and Advanced Public Affairs. DINFOS was relocated from Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, IN, to its current location at Fort George Meade, MD.
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