Tuesday, April 11
This afternoon I realized that these last several months have been the longest period of sustained happiness I have ever spent. I cry easily for both sadness and joy, and laugh lightly without being giddy. Knowing this was to discover an inner and inexhaustible spring. We walked five laps on the sagrato and (even though I’m sure I didn’t look the part) I felt like I was flying. Frustration and disappointment come and go like ocean waves. Such freedom!
Wednesday, April 12
I am embarrassed to report that after five this morning (and after only four hours interrupted sleep) I could not find comfort anywhere; not sitting, walking, or lying down. This cast a pall over the day following and made yesterday’s buoyancy seem suspect. But both are real, and every reappearance of light is brighter and more golden.
Thursday, April 13
I didn’t even try going to bed until 3 am. I slept four hours, was up for a half hour, then slept until Roman woke me… at 11:15! He felt ill last night, so this morning he and is wife went for a Covid test. They both tested positive. Roman got by with light case, Maria got hammered. He and I will test together tomorrow morning. So anyway, I felt great until I took a twenty minute nap at around 15:00, and have been weak and wobbly ever since. Maria, Roman’s wife can do nothing but sleep. Natalia has it, too. Time will tell.
As the evening went on the wobbliness abated.
Friday, April 14
Roman is still positive, but feels fine. I tested negative but have a terrible cough and gallons of nasal discharge. We’ll test again, tomorrow.
This morning, especially, I experienced very clearly the heart-brain dichotomy. I felt great, but PD symptoms continued on their merry way; two distinct realities existing simultaneously. Friend says that by and by the heart will come to dominate.
Saturday, April 15
I tested positive this morning, spent the day coughing, and the night in the recliner waking up every thirty minutes to renew a cough drop (this in addition to the prescribed cough medicine). Remarkably there was no RLS at all, very grateful for that. Movement is glacial. One good thing about that is that several months ago movement was always glacial, and now I look back on Wednesday’s quality of movement with nostalgia.
Sunday, April 16
Slept all afternoon in the recliner and in two hour chunks; no RLS. Cough is milder and less frequent. There was a fever this morning that seems to have abated. Voice is reduced to a whisper. All walking involves the walker (with the exception of the acupuncture aftereffects debacle, for the first time since last summer). RLS returned with a vengeance in the evening, and with the random exception of a two hour period at around 03:00, plagued me all night, until I gave up on the recliner at five, and slept surprisingly well on the bed for three hours.
Monday, April 17
Was able to pace the hall and do some exercises for about a half hour. Tried to rest in the vibrating chair but RLS was too strong to allow comfort or sleep. I managed to get a few winks in after lunch. I have lost so much mobility in the last few days! Presumably it will return in the next week. I hope so!