Like many people I have a few ailments that have been with me for so long that I rarely think about them. For everyone, that will be any type of ailment, known or unknown. These ailments do not hinder the daily activity or require a visit to the doctor’s clinic. This have been happening with me for several years and then came the COVID-19 pandemic.
For a few years I have been keeping a logbook of my vital signs. This is mostly for me and I share it with all my doctors so that they can get an overall picture of my health and not just for the day I visit them. This is more important during these pandemic days. I am imagining you saying this is a lot of work and time but contrary to that, it is not a lot of time and it is beneficial.
In my logbook, before I have my coffee or eat anything, I get my blood sugar test, date, time, blood pressure, weight, and body temperature. I can compare this with whatever was written yesterday, last week or whenever. I can think about what I ate yesterday or drank or whatever to make these readings increase, decrease, or stay the same. I am not a doctor but want to know what is going on with my body.
However, during this pandemic I keep a weary eye on my temperature because that is one of the signs that something is wrong. I keep an eye on my wife’s temperature because she wants to know about hers also. I am leery these days more so than in the past. Before I was in a routine, a habit, and it did not mean much to me. It was just a log of my body’s vitals, ho-hum. Now, every slight vital sign moves, up or down, have me wondering if it something I should be concerned about.
Years ago, when I first started keeping a record of my vitals, I never thought it would mean as much as it does now. A high temperature would be worrisome, at best. A drop or height in blood pressure and I start to wonder if I should be cautious. Is that cough a warning and am I smelling things? Should my blood sugar really rise would have me calling my wife and the doctor (I never had). Maybe I am too cautious, but it is better to be safe than laying in the hospital telling myself that I should have.
I am rambling on and on just to say the times have changed for many reasons and this is only one. Now is the time to really take care of your body and your significant other to stay healthy and give the doctors and nurses a needed break. You only have one life and it is up to you to take care of your body and see another day. Now is not the time to throw caution to the wind and take your chance of not getting sick. This COVID-19 is nothing to play with nor that a chance that it will pass you by.
I will continue to take my vitals, seldom venture out, stay away form people/crowds, wash my hands/sanitize often and always wear a mask (not only for my benefit but for the safety of others). The world has changed, and it is time we all do the same. There is nothing that is as normal as before. Stay safe and good luck during the re-openings.