Damn.

 So I got my nursing registration reinstated and started working last week. Had a shift on Tuesday, which was super busy with all day clinics, seeing patients, on my feet, talk talk talk. Wednesday morning, everything hurt (lower back, knees and feet) and my throat was scratchy! Having spent many months just chitchatting with the cats and the occasional person, my voicebox was not at all used to the verbal calisthenics to which it was subjected.

My second shift was Friday, which is a catch up on paperwork day, and prep charts for clinics in the weeks ahead. Not too busy, no patients to see, so much more relaxed. I did have to go up and down in the elevator getting my swipe card from security to be able to get into the unit, paperwork from my boss, etc. Saturday afternoon I started to cough. Sunday I tested positive for covid.

I managed to work through the whole damn pandemic without catching it!!!! But hospital policy is now you only have to wear a mask when doing direct patient care. So I didn't wear a mask in the elevator that was relatively full of other workers and visitors.

Luckily I have 6 covid vaccinations under my belt (or, in my arm, actually) so it is more like a cold. I have a barky cough so I am sure my neighbours think a seal has moved in. I am sneezing (but not stuffed up), and because this seems to be concentrated in my upper airway, each achoo tries to rip out my throat. Owie!! And I don't have much of a voice. I freaked out Aska when I talked to her because my voice was low and gravelly. She was horrified and ran away! I now have to whisper to her, which she is fine with. Goofy cat. My sister kindly picked up some things for me, including a couple of packets of losenges. That definitely helps reduce the coughing fits. No fever, no fatigue, I can still smell and taste. Mild headache yesterday, but that may have been from coughing and sneezing.

I will test every day and hopefully by Thursday I will be negative again, as I have another shift booked. This working for a living is bad for your health!

Trudging along

 I am still waiting to get my nursing license reinstated. It is a long drawn out process, with paperwork submitted to various agencies, then waiting on their processing of same. But yesterday, I finally submitted the last of the required paperwork and am now at the mercy of the College of Registered Nurses and however slow their process of approval is. Hopefully not long, as I would like to be working before the month is out. At least I know that I have a job to go to when all is said and done.

I had the Calico Kids in to the vet in October for their annual checkups and vaccinations. Andi had bloodwork and urine done to see where he's at with his health. He is a complicated little guy, that is for sure! Turns out he has hyperthyroidism, which is more often seen in senior cats. He is only 4! But the vet said it can cause overgrooming, so hopefully that is his issue with all the scratching and licking. He is now on a daily medication to bring his thyroid levels down and goes for repeat bloodwork in December. He seems to be less itchy now and, fingers crossed, that is all it is!! He is getting tired of eating rabbit every meal, as he sniffs his bowl and looks at me like "I want what they're having!", but he will eat once I pet him and stir it up a bit. I have started giving him some canned tuna (catfood) once a day when the girls get it, and that makes him very happy. He just wants some variety!! The medication is very inexpensive ($19/120 days) which is waaayyy less than the rabbit ($250/month). I would like them all to eat the same foods. Makes my life a lot easier, and the cats happier.

It is definitely the beginning of winter here. It is only about -1C (30F) but it snowed last night and today on the radio they equated it to driving through mashed potatoes. Yup, been there done that. And it is very slippery underneath. A lot of the rural highways are like skating rinks, lots of school closures, and just the advice to stay home if you don't really have to go out! So that is what I am doing. I have nothing pressing to do today so I am hunkered down inside with some hot cocoa, a good book, and cats on my lap.

Had my annual flu shot last week, the quad shot ~ 4 times the strength of the regular one. If you are over 65, it is definitely something to think about. I also got the pneumoncoccal pneumonia shot, also recommended for those 65 and up. Protects against a number of pneumonia strains. Us seniors are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses, so I am a firm believer in getting vaccinated. I am also due next month for my next covid booster. I got one in the summer prior to going to Iceland and I am quite willing to get jabbed every 6 months if that is what it takes to avoid catching that nastiness.

It's nice to see some of the US states doing things right. And I hope That Giant Tangerine Turd digs himself a hole so deep no one can toss him a rope to climb out (not that he would be able to haul his fat ass up a rope without a crane anyway...). That does not need to get into office again. I saw a clip of Hillary Clinton saying she can't imagine what the US would look like if that happens. I still think she would make a fantastic president.