Howdy, folks. It’s really me posting.
Please forgive the length, but if I go back again and try to shorten it, I’ll never get this posted.
Thought I’d post something before passers-by and visitors think I’ve abandoned my home here. Believe me, I never intended to become invisible. Nope, I haven’t neglected my website and you or your blogs by choice. Due to a lingering illness, my life has been put on hold. Needless to say, my upcoming book due out for release this past spring, then delayed until summer, will continue to be on hold for a while longer. The same with Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, Book #2.
I don’t have anything that can be caught by another human. A sinus infection and low electrolytes, especially sodium, have ruined my life.
Even before June, I hadn’t felt myself for some time, and I didn’t know what was going on. A sinus infection made all the other symptoms feel worse. In early July, I emailed my doctor with my symptoms because I continued to get worse, even losing weight.
Almost to the big white tent.
She told me to get tested for the dreadful “virus” because of my symptoms. After a two-hour wait at a drive-thru testing site in ninety-one-degree heat, I had an antibody test and nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19. It took days of going to hell and back to get the (negative) results.
Unfortunately, my troubles didn’t stop there. We discovered my electrolytes had dropped dangerously low. Let’s also add dehydration to this bag of hell! Through my own research, I suspected a drop in sodium because I take two medications that deplete sodium. I’m off of one of them now. This ain’t my first rodeo with low sodium. In the past, a couple of bottles of an energy drink put me back to normal. By the way, sodium controls fluid levels in the body. Hence, dehydration.
Some symptoms of low sodium include: Nausea and vomiting, Headache, Confusion, Loss of energy, Drowsiness and fatigue, Restlessness and irritability, Muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps, Seizures, Coma.
Emergency Room During a Pandemic:
Before having my results back from the Antibody and COVID-19 test, I called 9-1-1 because the symptoms were taking over my body and mind. My body needed something I could no longer provide, and it was SCARY.
2020 Safety First:
On this night, only one tech came inside in full protective gear because I had told them on the phone, that I didn’t have results back yet. After he determined I’d be transported, I chose to walk out. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention at midnight with the sound of a gurney rolling through the door. Five EMTs waited on the walk outside the door with the gurney, while one remained at my side. They had sent two trucks, as they always do here.
I said, “A girl never minds seeing five firemen waiting for her.” I don’t know how I had the sense to think of something so flirty. Once a romance writer, always a romance writer? On the way, the tech with me said he didn’t think I had the virus. My lungs were clear. I barely had a fever.
I ended up going to the ER twice a couple of weeks apart for the same symptoms—low electrolytes. The first time, they also did a nasopharyngeal swab test and bloodwork. This ER nurse did both nostrils. The drive-thru testing guy did only one side as I sat in my car. If you’ve had a nasopharyngeal test, you know what I’m talking about.
Soon after arriving in the emergency room, they attempted a bag of saline for dehydration while waiting for test results, but I blew a vein and the IV stopped dripping. Then they gave me a Sodium Chloride drip. Altogether, I blew out four veins in two visits.
This is how my boat floats, people.
Aside from low electrolytes, other tests came back normal. We still had no COVID-19 results when I had been discharged the first time, though the nurse in the ER said I had no markers in my blood to indicate the virus. So, I was kicked out released with antibiotics for the suspected sinus infection, Sodium Chloride tablets for low sodium, and instructions to eat salty food. French fries would raise sodium. Oh, yum. If only I could eat. *Don’t try this at home without medical supervision. Too much sodium can be just as harmful.
GOOD NEWS! A couple of days after my return home after the first visit, I found out all the COVID-19 tests, including the antibody test were NEGATIVE. Thank the good Lord. Thank you, thank you! THANK YOU!
I learned that when someone offers to help, you have to say okay.
The Waiting Game:
This was the end of July. *Since the second ER visit, and under my doctor’s direction, I’m drinking energy drinks with electrolytes instead of water–which dilutes sodium, while keeping Sodium Chloride tablets on hand for an emergency. I’m eating salty foods to keep my sodium level up until I see a specialist (waiting list) to determine what we’ll do about the medication. Hope all this salt doesn’t cause a stroke.
I’ve made an in-person appointment with a new primary care doctor. It’s time for a change and new set of eyes on my case. The appointment is in September!
Let’s Get Back to Life as a Writer: If Only I could.
Publication? It’s hard enough focusing on dinner, getting my mail, or taking a shower, and it’s taken me longer than three weeks to write this post. But we will see this book published one day. I haven’t given up. I keep trying. I’m too damn stubborn to quit, but I’m thankful for my persistent nature. As if I don’t feel guilty enough, a new holiday story has been calling me to write it. I want to slap my muse upside the head for doing this to me now.
Regardless, as bad as I feel for not getting my books out there, I need to think of myself and my worried family because this is my new reality.
Anyone have any answers? Is there a better way to keep my electrolytes stable? I’d like to be normal again.
I MISS YOU ALL. Thanks for reading. Continue to stay safe.
*Disclaimer: The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his or her health, particularly with respect to any symptoms or accidents that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
24 thoughts on “A Writer’s Life and Illness During a Pandemic”
Teagan R. Geneviene
Hi Mary. I didn’t realize you had been posting again. My lack of reliable Internet really has isolated me. September is here — and I hope the new doctor will soon have you feeling in the pink again. Hugs on the wing.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I’m not really posting again, Teagan. Thinking about it more than doing it. I’m ready to jump back in. Out of sight, out of mind, you know? I’m not seeing the new doctor at this time. I couldn’t wait that long. I saw my primary care doc who is new to me since my other one retired. I like her. With her suggestions, i am feeling a lot better. Not me 100% but better. Thanks for visiting.
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Teagan R. Geneviene
I think it’s good that you didn’t wait, Mary. I’m very happy you are seeing improvement. ❤
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Teagan.
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Jina Bazzar
One sentence at a time…. you’ll get there.
First comes the health. There are plenty of things to replenish electrolytes, depending on what you need, which you mentioned to be sodium – naturally that’s salt, but salt isn’t great, so perhaps try Himalayan salt? Aside from sodium, it contains potassium – which will help keep the sodium balanceed. Not sure though, I’m no doctor, so ask around.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I’ve heard good things about Himalayan salt, Jina. Thanks. I will ask my doctor about it today. I use sea salt now. I was so good about giving up salt, and now i have to use it when I know how bad it can be.
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Cathy Brockman
I hope you get better soon. Ideal with low sodium at times. It’s no fun. But yay popcorn!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Cathy. Popcorn would work. I’ve gone without eating salt for so long- now i have to eat it.
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Steven Baird
Thank goodness you’re alright, Mary.Sounds like you went through hell, and I wish you better health and plenty of rest. Oh, and bravo for still flirting. That alone is encouraging.Take good care of yourself. Your health is the most important thing. 🙂
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I’m hanging in here, Steven. Thanks for visiting.
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Steven Baird
Keep hanging in. 🙂
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Ed Hoornaert
Wow, you’ve really been through the wringer. You have my sympathy, Mary. I’m amazed you kept up your blog so well through all that. At least you don’t have the Big C, 2019-style.
One time when I went to a doctor she was concerned about my electrolytes, so she had me drinking some sort of concoction that didn’t taste too bad. Turned out, though, that I had sepsis, instead, and could’ve died. I was in Amsterdam at the time; my opinion of Dutch doctors plummeted.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Oh, my goodness, Ed. Sepsis? I assume that would show up in a blood test? I’ve had a few of them so far. Wish I knew what concoction they had you drinking. Mine is Gatorade, Powerade, or Pedialyte powder you mix with water for adults and children. I’m basically treating myself at this point. Thanks for stopping by.
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D. Wallace Peach
I was happy to see your post, Mary. I’m sorry that you’ve had such an ordeal with your health, and you’re right that it comes first. The books will happen when the time is right. I did smile at your flirting with the fireman. Lol. Keep following doctor’s orders. Keep the salt up. I’ll be thinking of you and looking forward to the “all back to normal” post. Let us know how you’re doing. ❤
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Diana. I will be very happy to write a post that says I’m back to normal, and even happier to write a new release post. One day at a time. God has been teaching me patience all year. I’m happy you visited today. ❤
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D. Wallace Peach
I hope the September appointment answers some questions. ❤ ❤
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Cindy Georgakas
Take good care! Glad your Covid results were negative!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thank you so much, Cindy. Thanks for visiting.
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Cindy Georgakas
You are so welcome!
It is my
Pleasure!
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Cindy Georgakas
You’re so welcome and hang in there!!!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Doing my best.
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Cindy Georgakas
🤞😘sending you a little light today!
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Mary Ann
I’m so sorry to hear you had to go through all of this, Mary. I hope you get everything figured out soon and continue to feel better. I was wondering where you were. I love that you flirted with the firefighters! I’m glad you didn’t get the virus. Take care.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Oh, boy, Mary Ann. I was so relieved to get those negative test results too. It was a stressful wait, but by then I had other things to worry about too. Thanks for reading.
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