We got Covid for Christmas. Even though it was not an enjoyable holiday, on the bright side, it provides great alliteration.

Despite B traveling for months with extra precautions and my school attending on campus, with masks, distancing, and cleaning protocols, it only took one person not taking it seriously to turn our lives upside-down.

B returned from a business trip on December 8. By 3:00 am the next morning, he was having trouble breathing and running a fever. Thus began our adventure with Covid, which still continues. I thought I would share just a few things I learned during the last few months.

There is a misconception that Covid is all or nothing

• We only hear about those who are hospitalized and dying or those with no symptoms
• Cold-like symptoms are common and, if not taken seriously, can lead to others being infected. This is how we ended up with it.

Symptoms vary, even within the same household

• My daughter had a headache, a low grade fever, and sneezed a lot for two days.
• I was exhausted all of the time for three weeks.
• My husband ran high fevers, had trouble breathing, brain fog, delirium, and crippling headaches and is still struggling with some of those symptoms more than two months out.

Even medical facilities will turn you away

• Due to his extreme symptoms, my husband’s doctor needed to have labs and scans done. Nowhere would let him even walk in the building.
• He checked into the emergency room on New Years Eve, spent a few hours in a tent in the parking lot, and finally got some answers.

Take advantage of any help that is offered

• You may not want to invite people in to avoid infecting them, but even if they just offer to leave food on your doorstep – take it.
• Making a sandwich was more than I could handle on some days. I never appreciated my mother-in-law’s cooking more.

There are so many Die Hard movies!

• A rare bout of insomnia helped us to enjoy them all!
  • Die Hard (1988)
  • Die Hard 2 (1990)
  • Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
  • Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
  • A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)

We finally fell asleep during the last one. Definitely looking out for the next one. Come on Bruce, we need more McLane!

It is hard to avoid, especially if you are in situations that make you vulnerable. We are all in this together. Stay safe. Stay well.