thank you so much. I keep thinking we should all rent a huge house on the beach or in the mountains with a saltwater pool or by a lake - hire a staff to take care of us so we can convalesce. I say this and I haven't been further than a block from my apartment except for taxis to Dr. appointments in a year or want to leave the comforts of my home and yet... crave community - doing this solo has been brutal and I can`t manage a cat sometimes and when I start to go down the self-pity route- I think of the single moms and the kids with long covid. so you are a hero to me Lisa doing this as a single parent and to be so eloquent and sing. I am a singer/songwriter and lost my voice but in vocal therapy geting it back. much love to all and thank you
Yes please to this! I think a retreat for long-haulers would be lovely - with the unfortunate caveat that of course we all have to be well enough to travel first. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost your voice, Eliza, and I hope that the vocal therapy will continue to help and get you back to where you want to be!
It’s a tough and challenging path we tread right now but I truly believe that all of us are getting better slooooowly and growing in the process. The fact that it’s taking so long can be hard to accept but take solace that we’re all here to support each other. Hopefully you’re feeling a bit better today lovely lady xx
Thank you, Kath!! I’ve been doing much better for a few days and even tried swimming a few laps at the gym for the first time since getting sick. Being in the water is like wrapping my entire body in a giant compression sock - it makes my heart so happy!
Hi Lisa I love your writings and your thoughts. I must confess I now wait for Friday to read your piece and somehow I feel connected to the emotions that you referred to. Today is exactly one year since I felt sick. I don’t really understand the impact of anniversary but strangely this anniversary is having an impact. With no major improvement on sight and with multiple visits to hospital still taking place regularly it’s easy to feel stuck in the dark. But Lisa please know than from my bedroom in south of the river Thames (where I have rowed for 2.5miles on 17 March 2020) I do cherish your words as they inspire me and help with my sense of hope. I am grateful we have connected. Wishing you well. Love Sofia
I’m grateful to have connected with you, too, Sofia! This is a strange anniversary. I didn’t think too much of it on the day of my first symptoms, but now when I look back to exactly one year ago, I was in the super scary sick phase of illness, and that feels heavier. I know I still have healing to do around the trauma of those early months. I’m sorry to hear you are still dealing with more serious symptoms and hospital trips! I’m sending a hug across the Atlantic and up the Thames to you (and to Kath)!
Hello Lisa hugs received and sent another one back. Also I forgot to share an important part in relations to your piece yesterday: the power of music! I have listen to your song several times yesterday. I loved your voice and the melody. My mood changed while listening. It’s almost like another part of my brain was coming alive! I now made a list of my favourite songs and listen to it as a therapy when I need. Also when I don’t. I want to wish you all a start of great week end with this my favourite song - I am half Italian afterall
Lovely thoughts. Several times recently I’ve been in that type of mood. I get frustrated and angry,which leads to a good cry. I don’t know if it helps physically, but it does help emotionally. It’s very hard when one moment I feel close to “normal” and next minute I feel terrible. Hopefully, all our days will get a little easier.
I hear you on that 100%. One second, I feel energetic and basically well, and just moments later I can be completely crashed! I tend to think that if a cry helps emotionally, it probably helps at least a little bit physically, too. Wishing you as many good cries as you need !
For what it's worth (I have degrees in math and theatrical set design, so I figure I'm basically a neuroscientist) it ABSOLUTELY helps physically, and I'm sure you can pull up studies to prove it. We are all working with nervous systems that are completely out of balance, and crying (and laughing) physically help restore the balance. I've actually made it a practice that when my shortness of breath is acting up, I listen to an album that always makes me cry, and find my breathing almost always improved on the other side.
Lisa! I'm so glad my column was a sweet reminder for you! Reading your words and everyone's comments was also a reminder for me to appreciate what I *already* know works-- allowing the painful feelings, giving myself comfort, and "moving through" with more gentleness. I will never stop needing to practice, but that's okay. We can always start again, as you've written. :) Connecting with one another here is truly healing, and I'm sending love to you all!
thank you so much. I keep thinking we should all rent a huge house on the beach or in the mountains with a saltwater pool or by a lake - hire a staff to take care of us so we can convalesce. I say this and I haven't been further than a block from my apartment except for taxis to Dr. appointments in a year or want to leave the comforts of my home and yet... crave community - doing this solo has been brutal and I can`t manage a cat sometimes and when I start to go down the self-pity route- I think of the single moms and the kids with long covid. so you are a hero to me Lisa doing this as a single parent and to be so eloquent and sing. I am a singer/songwriter and lost my voice but in vocal therapy geting it back. much love to all and thank you
The communal house at the beach or mountains with a pool to convalesce sounds wonderful 😊
Yes please to this! I think a retreat for long-haulers would be lovely - with the unfortunate caveat that of course we all have to be well enough to travel first. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost your voice, Eliza, and I hope that the vocal therapy will continue to help and get you back to where you want to be!
It’s a tough and challenging path we tread right now but I truly believe that all of us are getting better slooooowly and growing in the process. The fact that it’s taking so long can be hard to accept but take solace that we’re all here to support each other. Hopefully you’re feeling a bit better today lovely lady xx
Thank you, Kath!! I’ve been doing much better for a few days and even tried swimming a few laps at the gym for the first time since getting sick. Being in the water is like wrapping my entire body in a giant compression sock - it makes my heart so happy!
Hi Lisa I love your writings and your thoughts. I must confess I now wait for Friday to read your piece and somehow I feel connected to the emotions that you referred to. Today is exactly one year since I felt sick. I don’t really understand the impact of anniversary but strangely this anniversary is having an impact. With no major improvement on sight and with multiple visits to hospital still taking place regularly it’s easy to feel stuck in the dark. But Lisa please know than from my bedroom in south of the river Thames (where I have rowed for 2.5miles on 17 March 2020) I do cherish your words as they inspire me and help with my sense of hope. I am grateful we have connected. Wishing you well. Love Sofia
I’m grateful to have connected with you, too, Sofia! This is a strange anniversary. I didn’t think too much of it on the day of my first symptoms, but now when I look back to exactly one year ago, I was in the super scary sick phase of illness, and that feels heavier. I know I still have healing to do around the trauma of those early months. I’m sorry to hear you are still dealing with more serious symptoms and hospital trips! I’m sending a hug across the Atlantic and up the Thames to you (and to Kath)!
Hello Lisa hugs received and sent another one back. Also I forgot to share an important part in relations to your piece yesterday: the power of music! I have listen to your song several times yesterday. I loved your voice and the melody. My mood changed while listening. It’s almost like another part of my brain was coming alive! I now made a list of my favourite songs and listen to it as a therapy when I need. Also when I don’t. I want to wish you all a start of great week end with this my favourite song - I am half Italian afterall
https://youtu.be/_zQzLUlkz2o
We must be spitting distance from each other Sofia - I’m in Teddington
Hello Kath I am in Wandsworth may be when things settle a bit we can meet for a walk around Barn Elms (behind the wetland centre) for a walk? Xxx
Lovely thoughts. Several times recently I’ve been in that type of mood. I get frustrated and angry,which leads to a good cry. I don’t know if it helps physically, but it does help emotionally. It’s very hard when one moment I feel close to “normal” and next minute I feel terrible. Hopefully, all our days will get a little easier.
I hear you on that 100%. One second, I feel energetic and basically well, and just moments later I can be completely crashed! I tend to think that if a cry helps emotionally, it probably helps at least a little bit physically, too. Wishing you as many good cries as you need !
For what it's worth (I have degrees in math and theatrical set design, so I figure I'm basically a neuroscientist) it ABSOLUTELY helps physically, and I'm sure you can pull up studies to prove it. We are all working with nervous systems that are completely out of balance, and crying (and laughing) physically help restore the balance. I've actually made it a practice that when my shortness of breath is acting up, I listen to an album that always makes me cry, and find my breathing almost always improved on the other side.
Lisa! I'm so glad my column was a sweet reminder for you! Reading your words and everyone's comments was also a reminder for me to appreciate what I *already* know works-- allowing the painful feelings, giving myself comfort, and "moving through" with more gentleness. I will never stop needing to practice, but that's okay. We can always start again, as you've written. :) Connecting with one another here is truly healing, and I'm sending love to you all!
I suspect none of us will ever stop need practicing, and like you say, that’s okay. Thank you, Jenny! I’m sending you a big hug!