When I’m Sick

when I'm sick

I hate when I’m sick.  I realize not many people like it but some definitely cope better than others, more content (the advantage of being introverted, I guess) to lounge around day after day.  Not me, it’s driving me crazy!

A Cold or RSV but not Covid?

These past two weeks I have been feeling miserable, with a hacking cough and sinus infection.  Hubby caught whatever it is a few days after me.  His coughing is worse (chestier) than mine as his lungs are weakened by allergies. He typically suffers much longer than I do too.

It hit me the day we were scheduled to host Christmas dinner, a mere week after we arrived home from Florida. I woke up with a scratchy throat, assuming it was from a poor sleep. I performed a rapid antigen test, the kind we have available at our local grocers, just to be sure it was not Covid related, so I could warn family members (before they arrived) if it was.

I have repeatedly tested myself for Covid since then with negative results.  Who knows though, if rapid tests are capable of detecting the current variants.

Immune Systems

My immune system used to be much stronger, in fact, at one point in my life its over-reaction was the final verdict (after thousands of tests) in the saga of my stillbirths.  

Within the past (almost) three years that hasn’t been the case.  Instead, I seem to catch everything that goes around. I know I’m (aren’t we all?) getting older but this seems drastic to me, considering otherwise I’m in good shape and health. I guess that’s why they have an over 60 category in vaccination availability, I just keep forgetting that this category refers to me.

My immune system has definitely been significantly weaker since I was sick with a brutal cold in February of 2020, the worse one I’ve ever experienced.   I now believe that the virus that struck me down back then was Covid-19, before Covid was a household name here.  At least here in Canada. Suspicious theories have it lurking long before we reacted to it (shut down) in mid-March, 2020.

Due to our weakened immune systems, and the desire to travel and spend time with our six rapidly-growing, active grandchildren, we obligingly rolled up our sleeves for four rounds of Covid vaccinations over the past two and a half years, and one flu shot most recently. I hate to think how sick we would be without all those shots; it sure does make you wonder about their efficacy. But that’s a whole other story, one I’m quite happy to let the scientists rule on.

Limited Accomplishments When I’m Sick

I’ve been getting lots of rest, in fact wake up in the mornings thinking I’m better, only to be frustrated with a return of coughing fits and green-filled (gross) sinuses around 2 pm. I did the same that other time I was so sick, thought I had recuperated when I had in fact not. Passing out in the shower was the rude awakening then, so this time I am trying to be more patient. Pun intended.

I’ve managed little things around the house, like (lovingly) banishing Christmas decorations to the garage for another year.  And sprouting and potting up new plant babies that were meant to be birthday gifts for my two late-December-celebrating daughters-in-law.  I figured with no human babies due this year (that I know of) some plant babies would be appropriate.  If you two are reading this, your (plant) babies are still here waiting for me to be healthy enough to drop them off.  And, I cannot wait to spend time with your real babies!  And you and your husbands of course. That is the worst part when I’m sick. Hands down, this extrovert misses her family.

Spending time chatting with my youngest son has also been a bonus as he’s been home from Victoria for a month over the holidays.  Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to go out much; lunches at new (to us) spots are our favourite. We did go check out the outdoor Christmas lights in our neighborhood and downtown one evening though. And cheered on the Canadian hockey team as it competed in the World Juniors tournament, emerging as the champions in the final game. Some of the games, including the final, were a little too nail-bitingly exciting, with the winning goal delayed until 3-on-3 overtime. Despite my cold, I was able to hold my breath (both in fear and anticipation) as well as yell and cheer loudly, joining many other hockey fans across this hockey-loving country.

That’s about the extent of my excitement though, so far this year…Cheers to a happy and healthy 2023!

photo credit

Uvlizer Destroys Covid Virus and More

uvlizer

I’m sure you’ve heard that UV light destroys those invisible pathogens that the COVID virus is spreading around. While sunlight is the best source of UVB rays and a great (and free) way to keep your immune system healthy, UVC is the most effective at cleansing. The Uvlizer uses UVC rays to destroy bacteria and viruses, including Covid-19.

What is Ultraviolet (UV) Light?

Ultraviolet light is defined as:

denoting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength shorter than that of the violet 

end of the spectrum, having wavelengths of 4–400 nanometers.

ultraviolet A (UVA): ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 320 and 400 nm, 

comprising over 99 per cent of such radiation that reaches the surface of the earth. 

Ultraviolet A enhances the harmful effects of ultraviolet B radiation and is also 

responsible for some photosensitivity reactions; it is used therapeutically in the 

treatment of a variety of skin disorders.

ultraviolet B (UVB): ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 290 and 320 nm, 

comprising less than 1 per cent of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the earth’s surface.

Ultraviolet B causes sunburn and a number of damaging photochemical changes within 

cells, including damage to DNA, leading to premature aging of the skin, premalignant and

malignant changes, and a variety of photosensitivity reactions; it is also used 

therapeutically for treatment of skin disorders.

ultraviolet C (UVC): ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 200 and 290 nm; all 

of this type of radiation is filtered out by the ozone layer so that none reaches the earth’s 

surface. Ultraviolet C is germicidal and is also used in ultraviolet phototherapy.

ultraviolet rays: electromagnetic radiation beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum;

they are not visible to humans. They are produced by the sun but are absorbed to a large 

extent by particles of dust and smoke in the earth’s atmosphere. They are also produced 

by so called sun lamps. They can produce sunburn and affect skin pigmentation, 

causing tanning. When they strike the skin surface they transform provitamin D, secreted by

the glands of the skin, into vitamin D, which is then absorbed into the body. Because 

ultraviolet rays are capable of killing bacteria and other microorganisms, they are 

sometimes used to sterilize objects in specially designed cabinets, or to sterilize the air in 

operating rooms and other areas where destruction of bacteria is necessary.

photo credit

What is Ozone?

Wikipedia offers the following information about ozone:

Ozone or trioxygen, is an inorganic molecule with the chemical formula O3. It is a pale blue gas with a distinctively pungent smell. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the diatomic allotrope O2, breaking down in the lower atmosphere to O2 (dioxygen). Ozone is formed from dioxygen by the action of ultraviolet (UV) light and electrical discharges within the earth’s atmosphere. It is present in very low concentrations throughout the latter, with its highest concentration high in the ozone layer of the stratosphere, which absorbs most of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

How does Ozone Kill Germs?

Ozone is a powerful oxidant (far more so than dioxygen) and has many industrial and consumer applications related to oxidation. This same high oxidizing potential, however, causes ozone to damage mucous and respiratory tissues in animals, and also tissues in plants, above concentrations of about 0.1 ppm. While this makes ozone a potent respiratory hazard and pollutant near ground level, a higher concentration in the ozone layer (from two to eight ppm) is beneficial, preventing damaging UV light from reaching the earth’s surface.

wikipedia

What is a Uvlizer?

Healthcare uses the germicidal effects of UVC. Germicidal UVC light produces ozone during the cleansing process which also disinfects the areas where ultraviolet light cannot reach. This contraption was created based on that knowledge. The Uvlizer is natural and safe, leaving no chemical smells or residue on the surfaces in your home when used properly. It does leave a faint chlorine-like smell in the air, but that dissipates quickly, well within the 40 minutes indicated in the instructions.

The Uvlizer is very portable and easy to use; you simply turn it on and leave the room. After the required wait time for the smell to disappear, move it to another room and repeat the process. As indicated, you must leave the room and remove plants from the room while the uvilizer is working as the ozone is toxic to humans and plants. When turned on, a timer counts off 30 seconds to permit you time to leave the room. There is also a remote for this purpose. The unit shuts itself off after the time limit you set based on the size of the room.

Where can I get a Uvlizer?

Currently, you can purchase a Uvlizer online for $80USD or $102CDN with free delivery worldwide! Shipping from Wyoming in the USA, delivery takes 6 to 10 days within the USA or Canada and longer elsewhere.

You can also purchase one from Amazon.

Protect yourself and your family. Sanitize your home by destroying Covid and other bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. Reviews are all very positive for disinfecting homes (including pet odours), offices, businesses, hotel rooms, and even the masks we have been wearing.

Covid Restrictions, are Canadians Over Cautious?

Covid Restrictions, are Canadians Over Cautious?

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry right now. Christmas morning and hubby and I are sitting here, alone, with our turkey still in the freezer. The presents are all wrapped, placed lovingly under the tree, and stockings are stuffed, but no other family members in sight. Covid restrictions have put a kibosh on our Christmas plans.

Isolating and Covid Restrictions

One son and his family are “isolating” after a positive covid test. Both hubby and I have “symptoms” but we are not convinced they are Covid-related. Testing is not available so we will never know. Isolating is still recommended.

As a family, we decided it prudent (and law-abiding) to cancel our Christmas plans.

Two other sons and their significant others are symptom and positive test-free, so permitted (according to provincial restrictions/rules) to attend (scaled down) Christmas get-togethers with their partners’ families. I don’t begrudge them their holiday plans, but it does feel weird. And quiet.

Covid Restrictions Outside of Canada

The kicker is that I just read a Facebook post of a relative in Texas whose family attended a family reunion. Her husband and daughter tested positive earlier this week and she was feeling ill. I’m not sure which happened first. The difference? They don’t have the same isolation/quarantine rules so positive tests or symptoms don’t appear to slow them down.

Don’t get me wrong; I don’t begrudge them their celebrations either, I am just really ticked off that our governments (federal and provincial) are telling us to stay home if positive, feeling symptoms are even been in contact with someone that has tested positive…..

…And jealous, I am realllly jealous, even moping, feeling sorry for myself, getting greener by the minute.

Enough about me though, I really feel bad for business owners forced to turn away patrons to try to control the herd immunity that is not only imminent but a healthy thing in the long haul.

Who is right? I believe Canadians, in general, are more cautious etc etc, but is that a good thing? Are we turning into an over-cautious, judgemental, economy-tanking, Negative-Nancy or Debbie-Downer country?

Merry Christmas wherever and however you are celebrating. Or not.

Covid Restrictions, are Canadians Over Cautious?