Couch 213: The Tulip couch

I woke up in the middle of the night with a sore throat. No fever, no cough. I just had strep a few weeks ago; maybe it's rearing its ugly head?

Either way, I'm going to call Occ Health today.

Today I found toilet paper at the supermarket. Today is a good day.

Ugh, hope it's "just" strep or maybe a cold? Or seasonal allergies maybe? Pollen is really bad in my area thanks to our really mild winter.

Ugh, occ health is making me get tested for COVID. I think it's mostly a liability thing, so I won't spread it to patients if I have it (which I really don't think I do).

I'm now on a 14 day quarantine but my doctor is not testing - she said "it's a pain" - she's just assuming that I have it.

I tried calling our Occ Health but their phone is ringing off the hook and they are not answering.

I hope you feel better!

Ugh, I hope you feel better soon!

My state just issued a stay-at-home order except for essential things like groceries, meds, etc. starting tonight. Because people wouldn't listen and follow the rules of the less-strict order, now people can be fined and I think arrested for violating order. My first reaction? Panicked run to local liquor store (where I wore gloves and followed social distancing, only one other customer there, but they were getting a bunch of calls for possible pickup). Still waiting for more details on the restrictions, but I think we can still go for "short" walks in our neighborhood.


Glad I have Dr. T in an hour...

Don't know about your state, but in mine liquor stores are "essential." Also it sounds like fines/arrests would be for people who try to have parties or something. But that might be different where you are. My state hasn't been hit very hard yet.

Mine were considered "essential" in the previous order from last week ordering "nonessential" businesses to close. But unsure about this order? Or it could be, they may only be allowed to provide delivery? (Which used to be illegal in my state, but they changed it with some of these restrictions.)

I just read having no taste is a symptom of Coronavirus.

I think that means Info has a permanent case.

Ba-da-dum-CHING. I’ll see myself out.

My state also considers liquor stores an essential business and we are under a stricter shelter in place.

Hey couch. Just heard this morning that some stupid kids at the local university had a big house party over the weekend. The city manager and chief of police are now looking at instituting a new policy that basically says "any unruly gathering of five or more people, even on private property, that causes a disturbance to others will result in a fine of at least $500 to each person involved." I don't know what will be considered unruly but am pretty sure this one was since the cops found out about it. I'm just heartsick right now. Our community just had another spike in cases it's like every couple of days the number gets bigger. We're getting close to 200 cases in my county now. I'm so pissed at this virus, so pissed at those kids, so worried about L being sick. I feel so helpless, looking for something I can do to help locally on my off day. Our mandatory overtime at work was reinstated this morning after having the weekend off. I got my housework caught up so now I will find some way to volunteer.

I hope you both feel better soon.

but it is passive and not active. I'm not feeling self destructive, just ugh not well. I'm super tired and unwell and my brain feels slow. We were asked to take an extra day off of work this week so I'm working Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. I'd rather have Friday off than Thursday but the boss wanted me here on Friday so okay. Sigh. I just don't feel well. And my head hurts. I'm supposed to see Pastor T tonight. I'm not really up for it, but I don't think I should cancel. I'll probably text him and let him know what's up and let him decide if we should meet. HUGS if you want them. Kit

Hugs Kit, I hope you start feeling better.

Hugs, Kit...

So, today, Dr. T said to me, regarding being stuck at home with D (who can be a challenge under normal circumstances, though I love her dearly of course), "I would really hate to be in your situation." Me (kinda laughing through tears): "So my therapist is basically saying to me, 'It sucks to be you'"? And he basically agreed. He also said that he didn't think he could do any better as a parent to my D than I was doing right now, and he later said that I was doing a great job, even if she wasn't responding well to all of it. And those things meant a lot. And seemed really genuine. As I was just saying to someone, the fact that Dr. T is so straight with me about things, good or bad, makes me more likely to believe the positive things.

I just feel exhausted from session because I basically sobbed for much of it. But I also feel lighter in a way, though, that I got all of that out, the frustration and fears and sadness. And it's different getting it out with someone else witnessing it (albeit via a computer screen) and validating it, than me, say, just sobbing in the shower, alone. Still, I kinda want a nap now...

I am really missing therapy right about now.

Glad you had a good session. I almost always feel like I need a nap after therapy. Or else I wander around in a daze.

Darn. Pastor T says, "Of course we are meeting tonight." Ugh. I don't feel like talking. By meeting I mean Skyping.

Thanks, Kit. It's one of the reasons I'd often go out for a bit after a session, especially if H was working from home (and even more if D was at home). Because I would just feel awkward being in that glazed state with H, like if he was trying to tell me about something in person that was going on with work. Like, I'd feel like I should try to act normal, which could be challenging.

I would think alcohol/stress/restricted movement would be a recipe for disaster in a lot of cases. Even without the restricted movement it is how a lot of my criminal defense clients became my clients in the first place

*groan*, even coronavirus can’t stop university senate meetings from happening on Zoom.

At least they can’t see if I’m paying attention.

Well, if you're not supposed to drive much, should cut down considerably on DWIs, if nothing else. (When I was out earlier, roads were fairly empty.) The issue with suddenly closing liquor stores is that alcoholics could flood emergency rooms from going into withdrawal, which can be deadly. I think it's the form of drug withdrawal with highest fatality rate? Like withdrawing from heroin is reportedly horrible, but not much chance of dying from it.

I figured my still-not-ex-husband would have had some serious medical issues when they arrested him and he had to go cold turkey on alcohol and benzos. He was always telling me how dangerous it would be for him to quit. But he apparently survived.