Just a quick note
Gentle readers,
Just a quick note to say I’m still alive and kicking.
And that I’ve started four experimental Long COVID drugs. I found the first two—a small study showing some decrease in Long COVID fatigue from the two of them taken together—and my Long COVID doc signed off on the idea. The drugs and/or my physical therapy (and/or the progress of the disease) seem to be improving my fatigue levels, albeit slowly and unevenly.
The other two, my Long COVID doc suggested. One is used to treat traumatic brain injuries, the other, ADHD; they’re being tried now, in tandem, to treat Long COVID cognitive issues. Four of twelve Long COVID patients in a (very!) small study failed to finish because of side effects or other issues, but the remaining eight all saw substantial improvement in (and, in some cases, complete resolution of) their memory, concentration, and executive function deficits. I just began them this week, and so far my side effects are minor, so I’m hopeful about the possibility of improvement.
I’m also reading up on a fifth drug, primarily used to treat opioid addiction. It’s also been used, in very low doses, to reduce inflammation (which seems to be a major player in Long COVID) in several other chronic illnesses such as lupus, MS, and Parkinson’s—and, as a result, to treat a whole host of symptoms including fatigue, cognitive issues, insomnia, and pain (help with all of which I’m here for!). And it’s now being tried in the treatment of Long COVID.
I rarely take a Tylenol. (I once had a tooth extracted without drugs because the dentist couldn’t find the nerve, and I couldn’t stand the way nitrous oxide made me feel.) So this is a huge step for me. If you have time, energy, and inclination, I’d appreciate your prayers for God’s participation in my experiment. Unless YHWH builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. . . .
In other news, I’ve . . .
taken up the mandolin. I’ve thought about it for years, but never found the time. But a friend found an old mandolin at a garage sale, I found videos on YouTube and, practicing 15 minutes a day, I now have two songs under my belt. (I am, for your listening pleasure, not including a video!)
almost finished memorizing Psalm 31. I suggested it to you last March when one of the chief rabbis of Ukraine invited Christians to join him in praying it for his country. Which I did. But I noticed after a while that I was praying it for myself as well. I’ve been working daily on memorizing it for 11 months now, and am still nailing down the last couple of verses. It continues to be for me a very nourishing psalm.
given myself a goal to shoot for. Amtrak had a huge sale on their 30-day rail passes (because, apparently, who wants to ride the train in January?!). I love solitary road trips, just me and the lonely miles, and this seemed like a scaled-down and perhaps attainable version of that. I couldn’t do it now but I’m hopeful that maybe sometime later this year I’ll be able to ride the rails. I can cancel and get a refund if it turns out that I can’t then either—but in the meantime, it’s out there urging me on!
Grace to you, and peace,
Carolyn
You should ride the train east!