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Thursday, April 9, 2020

into the unknown

I'm about to  head out to get my allergy injections.  I finally graduated to "maintenance" mode and need to just get the shots every 4 weeks.  The clinic has assured us that they're open and dishing out injections, and I'm due this week.

I've noticed a marked improvement in allergy symptoms since I began getting the injections, but I'm not totally free.  For me, the worst symptom is being off balance.  Apparently, my allergies mess with my inner ear(s), and it's like being drunk without the fun part.


Speaking of drunk fun, I thought I'd share this pic a friend of mine put on her facebook, highlighting her covid-19 look.

I blurred her features, although I think anyone would be hard pressed to pick her out of a lineup from the photo.

I can definitely relate to the hair.  The DIY comfort mask is working for me too.

And yes, she's an essential employee.  She fittingly owns a liquor store.  Masked up and advertising all in one.



One of the things that makes me a bit anxious during this coronavirus upheaval is when I get a hit of allergy response - sneezing, runny nose, coughing - when I'm out among the people. In addition, since I had that tooth extraction that opened up my sinus last fall, my left nostril is on constant slo-drip. I almost want to wear a sign that says something like,

"No, really!  It's pollen and a bum sinus, not the virus!"

I'm loving the recent warm temperatures and sunshine, but as for trees, weeds, and grasses, I'm allergic to just about all.  And they're all waking up and spreading the love right now.


So I'm off to the clinic to distantly sit among others trying or not trying to suppress the sniffles and coughs.
Alone together.

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Linking up this week with Mama Kat for the prompt:
4. What do you do to manage anxiety or uncertainty caused by the current Covid19 climate?



14 comments:

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

Abby I had allergy shots for years!! Then maintenance. But I was always miserable during spring and fall. Dayquil got me through a work day and Nyquil through the night. Then I was diagnosed with celiac. I had to change my diet and viola - after 1 full year of eating this way I now have no allergies at all or hayfever symptoms I should say. Been getting shots since I was a kid in school and I can't even believe it. In the mean time my husband makes up for it. He, like you, is having a difficult time. Right now the trees are at their highest so I feel your pain. Pretty but miserable. I hope you get relief soon I got masks today. I wore gloves and a mask and felt like I was in the wild wild west and I should have been on a horse and not in a Toyota Highlander. :-)

Chatty Crone said...

Stay well - I have those dang allergies too.
Boy you are pretty good on the computer if you know how to fuzz a face like that!

John Holton said...

Love the thing at the end about needing a Claritin...

Abby said...

Peg, interesting that your change of diet alleviated your allergies. I wouldn't be surprised of a correlation there. I got a donated "comfort" mask from work and know the awkwardness - like I should go knock off a 7-11 or something.

Sandie, with a bit of instruction, I'm sure you too could "fuzz" a face :D

John, it's always a toss up. I'm a Flonase girl myself.

Madamdreamweaver said...

I have upper respiratory allergies to certain odors---usually something chemical inspired and it will give a cough as a result. A harmless, non-catching cough, but I worry if I'm in public I might get kicked out of a store or something. I'd like a shirt that says, "I have respiratory allegies." I try and take a antihistamine before going to like a grocery store because I'm afraid I might react to their cleaning solutions. And I don't have to actually smell it to develop a reaction.

Abby said...

MadamDW, I know what you mean. And the more I think, "don't cough", the more I wanna cough.

LL Cool Joe said...

I'm suffering with allergies but am not sure if I'm dying from the virus, still injured from the fall I had (neck really hurts) or just unfit and old.

Abby said...

Joey, so many questions the older we get! Sorry about your fall and resulting neck.

ShadowRun300 said...

First of all, I have not gotten into Tiger King... but I have to say, my interest is now peaked.
And yeah.,,. The allergies! I constantly feel like I need to explain my drippy nose or a sneeze. But then, I do that to others too - especially in the hotel. My reactions to someone sneezing or coughing is a little ridiculous. I may as well follow them around with disinfectant. Are we ever gonna get back to normal again?

Patty said...

I don't have allergies but, of late, when I sneeze...I grab the thermometer! And, of course, on the rare times I make a run to the market, I've witnessed people scattering when another shopper is heard coughing or sneezing.

Good question wondering if we will ever get back to normal...I don't think that will happen, how can it? With reports of a possible resurgence of this virus in the months ahead IF people fail to be proactive with their safety measures, I think the new "norm" will involve being as safe as possible and ride this damn situation out. Hopefully, in time, a vaccine will be developed to better protect people from another Corona-onslaught.

For now, we mask, we disinfect and we hope for the best.

Stay safe, stay healthy, Abby!

Abby said...

SR300, I sat in the waiting area of the allergist with two others. One was a college student, seemingly without a care. The other was all covered up in mask and gloves, clearly avoiding breathing our air. But nobody sneezed :).
Yeah, Tiger King. I hear there's a sequel on the way...

Patty, the virus should eventually die out, once we build up a herd immunity. The longer we stay apart, the longer that will take. It's a trade off.

Larz said...

When I saw the photo, I thought this might be about how glasses fog up if you don't have the right sort of mask. It's been the bane of my existence!

Abby said...

Larz, yep, that's about what it's like without touching up! Bane of my existence too. I find that if you tuck the top of the mask well under the bottom of the glasses, it helps.

KatBouska said...

Your friends DIY mask is amazing! lol! And I feel you on the coughing/sneezing in public. You really do feel like you need to assure someone it's not the Virus That Will Not Be Named. Stay healthy!!