JZ I want to agree with sj about leaning into denial...if it's going to be a tool that will help improve your life then you should use it.

sj -- that's awesome that ltc can make her own snack!

You may recall more than ten years ago my bat-shit-crazy co-worker developed breast cancer. (note: this ends well) She had shown us the lump and we all argued with her about seeing a doctor. Nope, she wasn't buying into big pharma, blah, blah. She went on a diet that I only remember included raw yogurt. She was taller than me, maybe 5'8" and got down under 100 pounds. We teased her calling her a 97-pound weakling, and of course, tried to get her to see reason. The tumor had broken through the skin under her arm, which she said meant it was breaking up. Then her lung collapsed. At this point, her husband said he didn't care if she divorced him he was taking her to the hospital. They were never able to get the lung working again, but she finally listened to this super charming oriental doctor. She was far too weak for anything but child dosage oral chemo. Her doctor made her list her food intake and insisted it included things like bacon cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes. #1 objective was to fatten her up.

She'll probably have to take some level of medication forever, but she is fine. Last time I saw her she was up to 140 pounds. She now lives in central FL and has a thriving vegetable garden and raises chickens. She even has the energy to take care of her grandchildren. Frankly, all of us, including her family, thought she had no chance of survival. She's doing great. Full remission. Also, still insane, most recently posting some 9/11 conspiracy meme since she buys into it all. Chem trails, vaccine horrors. But at least she decided big pharma might be a good plan.

JZ and David and family, I'm sorry for the news. Best care and technology and best options~ma to you, and all of the love in the world.

(and in a separate, much more minor health news: after almost three years, COVID finally caught up with me. Sick since Monday, got a positive PCR test on Wed.. Doing better now).

I do hope it is brief and mild, Shir. Which reminds me that I really need to boost.

Which reminds me that I really need to boost.

Tim and I are boosted, but no one at his work is wearing a mask. We got Covid in January of '21 AND '22, and I am going to be furious if he (and therefore also I) get Covid yet again. I'd like to break the streak and not have a threepeat.

I don't want to say this out loud because I'm afraid I'll jinx myself, but I feel like the Long Covid fatigue is improving incrementally. I've had more energy since the beginning of the year (yeah, I know that's only 2 weeks, but I'll take 2 weeks of NOT feeling like my life force has been siphoned out like in The Princess Bride), and I'll be beyond pissed if I get Covid again and lose that progress. I REALLY want this to be the year I have the energy and strength to get back to hiking, and maybe even walking a 5k again.

I scheduled my booster for tonight. I'm also going wild and getting a flu vaccine for the first time in 50 years. I'm around a lot more people now with the sharing of elevators and such. My doctor will be so impressed and pleased. If I am sick all weekend I will not be pleased. Particularly since I have never had the flu.

Steph, that's great to hear. The fatigue improving.

Laura, yay boosters and flu vax.

I've had the bivalent booster and flu shot. And next up will be Shingles vax.

next up will be Shingles vax.

I got the biggest fucking goose-egg welts on my arm from the Shingles shots. I am, however, very likely an outlier who is just a delicate flower and has weird reactions. But my arm really did hurt for like a week after each shot, and the goose eggs hung around for a good 10 days after each shot. Upside: fully vaxxed; suck it, shingles!