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COVID-19 vaccination

2023 – The Year of Antibiotics

By HealthNo Comments

For most of 2023, I’ve been unwell with bacterial infections. I’ve had an infected knee, an abscess on my arm, pneumonia, a dental abscess, tonsilitis and sinusitis. As my mum would say: I’m surprised you don’t look like an antibiotic, with the amount you’ve taken.

Here is a list of antibiotics I’ve taken in 2023:

It is known that people living with Type 1 Diabetes, like me, have a weakened immune system. But to spend the majority of the year fighting bacterial infections and taking antibiotics is exhausting.

I’ve been trying really hard with the self-care including: regularly washing my hands, getting plenty of rest and sleep, drinking plenty of fluids, eating well, getting vaccinated for COVID-19 (plus boosters). I’ve even tried taking Vitamin C supplements. But nothing has seemed to make any difference. It’s like my white blood cells see bacteria coming and decide to go for a nap instead of fighting. Either that, or my immune system is made up of passivists, rather than warriors.

Every time I get an infection, it spikes my blood sugars. They go high and as much as I try to manage this by eating less and injecting more insulin, managing diabetes feels like having a full time job, on top of having a full time job and out of work commitments.

These regular periods of illness have affected my work and home life. I’m so lucky that Type 1 diabetes is classed as an unseen disability under The Equality Act (2010), otherwise I’d probably be out of a job.

I’ll be really honest, 2023 for me has been about managing illness after illness, whilst trying to maintain my employment. These two tasks haven’t left room for doing the things that I like to do, such as reading, writing, seeing friends and family, etc. That’s why the blog has been pretty quiet as of late.

Being on these different antibiotics has also got me worried. I’ve noticed that some of them haven’t been as effective for me as they previously have been at dealing with bacterial infections. Antibiotic resistance is something I’m noticing and with no new antibiotics on the horizon, what’s going to happen when antibiotics stop working altogether?

Blog soon,

Antony

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Sunday 10 December 2023

MEGA POST: What’s Been Happening To Me – The Welsh Mountain Zoo, COVID Positive, Certificate in Counselling Skills & A Double Ear Infection

By Adventures, Education, Friends & Family, Health, LifeNo Comments

In June, I visited the Welsh Mountain Zoo with my good friend Simon. Here are some photos from the day:

In June I also tested positive for COVID-19. It floored me. I didn’t have any of the usual COVID symptoms: no cough, no temperature and no changes to my sense of taste or smell. Instead I had the following symptoms:

  • Exhaustion
  • An intermittent rash
  • Lumps on my hands
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia

I had been double vaccinated, used the face masks and remembered about social distancing. It made me so ill, I was off work and generally out of action for nearly 6 weeks.

Part of the reason I haven’t blogged recently, is as following COVID I had to catch up on a Certificate in Counselling Skills I had signed up to at my local college. I am pleased to announce, that subject to external moderation, I’ve successfully passed the course. I’m now about to start undertaking another course a Certificate in Mental Health Awareness.

The great thing about these courses offered at my local college, is that they’re free. Unless you don’t complete them, then you have to pay £125 – a good incentive to get them done.

At the moment I’m struggling with a double ear infection, meaning an infection in both ears. Its been very painful. But thankfully I’m on some antibiotics now that seem to be doing the trick.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Saturday 18 September 2021

5 Things I’m Looking Forward To When Lockdown Ends

By LifeNo Comments

I think it’s fair to say that although we all understand the necessity of lockdown, at the same time we’re all fed up of it. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope. Millions of people in the UK have already been vaccinated for COVID-19. The Government has a road map for easing restrictions and for allowing a return to normality.

I’ve already been lucky enough to have my first (of two) COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Back of my COVID-19 Vaccination Card,

With hope in mind, here’s a list of 5 things I’m looking forward to when lockdown finally ends:

  1. Hugs – With being single and social distancing rules, I can’t remember the last time I was hugged. It’s been a while. I’ll be glad to be able to hug family and friends once again.
  2. Getting my hair cut – Apparently my hair is beginning to resemble that of Boris Johnson’s. Next time I get it cut, I’m going super-short, just in case of future lockdowns.
  3. Getting out and about seeing people again – I miss seeing my friends. Messaging and phone calls just aren’t the same.
  4. Going out for a meal – I used to love to do lunch with friends. I can’t wait until the restaurants and pubs are back open for meals out again.
  5. No More Face Masks – I’m always forgetting my mask, they are uncomfortable and I just don’t like them. I know it’s a bit odd, me being a Nurse, but it’s the truth. I’ll be glad to say goodbye to them. I’m thinking of having fire ceremony and burning them all.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Friday 26 February 2021
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