Covid-19 Diary, 15 months of Hibernation!

6/9/2021

The "ROWENA" is finally out for the very first time after 15 months of hibernation! I had my 1st and 2nd dose of Oxford-Astrazeneca Vaccine. I am now confident to go out in the world. But of course, I still follow the Health and Safety Guidelines: social distancing, face mask, face shield, hand sanitizer and handwashing.

A few days before my Self-isolation and Lockdown..

3 March 2020 - I went on a nature and wildlife walk on the North Cornwall Coast to celebrate World Wildlife Day.

4 March 2020 - Attended Probus Ladies Group Annual General Meeting.

5 March 2020 - Attended Soroptimist St Austell and District Club Meeting.

7 March 2020 - Attended Campaign to Protect Rural Cornwall Annual General Meeting.

8 March 2020 - Attended Unsung Heroine Awards of Soroptimist St Austell and District at Carlyon Bay Golf Club.

9 March 2020 - Attended Ladock Parish Wildlife Group talk and presentation at Ladock Community Hall.

10 March 2020 - A parcel has arrived from my Mom and Dad in the Philippines.

10 March 2020 - Attended the Cornish Chough Pre-Season Briefing by the National Trust and RSPB.

11 March 2020 - I went on a nature and wildlife walk in Bedruthan Steps.

11 March 2020 - I gave a talk and presentation on "Top 20 Rarity Sighting of the Decade 2010 to 2019" to the Lion's Club of St Austell.

My Self-isolation and Lockdown Begins...

12 March 2020 - The news about the deadly covid-19 virus got me really worried and scared. So, I just went into immediate isolation and total lockdown.

25 March 2020 - I launched “Connect with Nature” online. My aim is to promote, raise awareness and encourage people to connect with nature because it benefits both the mental health and physical well-being. You can do this wherever you are. But you don’t have to walk and drive miles and miles to do this most especially at this time of the pandemic. You can do this in your home or in your garden.

25 April 2020 - I had a huge accident when I had a "Moth Evening" in my back garden. I went out at 11:00pm to check on my traps. I missed one of the steps and I fell flat on my face. My head, cheeks, lips, arms and legs were bruised and swollen. My chest was aching, I can barely breath. I cannot walk for 2 weeks. I have difficulty in eating and swallowing. I refused to go and see the doctor. I have not taken any pain medication. I just endured the pain. I never complained. I just prayed and it really helps. I never told my family and friends about the accident because I do not want to worry them. When I got better and back to my normal self, that's when I told them about my accident.

18 June 2020 - I had a severe stomach pain. I have been constipated for a few days. So I stop eating steaks, rice, bread and potatoes. I started eating more fruits and vegetables that are rich in fibre. I started drinking Yakult too. In no time, my stomach feels better again. I have been eating more healthier now.

2 January 2021 – In January 2021, I started organising events again, but this time it’s VIRTUAL, via ZOOM. 15 March 2021 – Beavers in Cornwall by Chris Jones. 5 April 2021 – I gave a talk and presentation on “A Decade of Chough Watching”. 3 May 2021 – Dragonflies and Damselflies in Cornwall by David Cooper. 7 June 2021 – I gave a talk and presentation on Butterflies in Cornwall, virtual butterfly-watching around the spectacular countryside of Cornwall. I set-up "Ladock Parish Wildlife Group" in July 2019. I started organising events in January 2020 - talks and presentation in Ladock Community Hall and nature and wildlife walks around Ladock Parish. But due to the covid-19 pandemic, I only managed to have talks and presentation in 13 January 2020, 10 February 2020 and 9 March 2020. I have to cancel the rest of the events from April to December.

10 January 2021 - My 2nd premolar tooth, which has undergone a RCT (Root Canal Treatment) a few years ago is painful and there's swelling on the surrounding gums. I've been having loads of problem with this tooth. I am not really a huge fan of RCT (Root Canal Treatment). I have difficulty in opening my mouth. I cannot eat solid food. I was on liquid diet for weeks.

24 February 2021 - I had my 1st dose of vaccine at The Clays Practice in Roche.

12 May 2021 - I had my second dose of vaccine at The MS Merlyn Centre in Hewas Water.

2 June 2021 - 3 week inoculation period had passed.

Medical Conditions

I have a few medical conditions. I have experienced a lot of pain and discomfort, I just endured and tolerated it. I would have gone and see the doctor, but I’m just so scared to go out of the safety of my home. I told myself, I will only go out when I have my 1st and 2nd dose of vaccine. I managed to surpassed all the hurdles of my condition for the past 15 months.

I have "Diabetes and Asthma". For the past 15 months, I have not seen my Doctor and Nurse. Every 3 months I usually have a blood test to check my glucose, potassium, etc… It’s also to check if my kidney, heart and liver are functioning properly. One of the things I will be doing these coming days is to book an appointment to see the Doctor and Nurse.

In 2016, I developed a "Hypersensitivity in my Airway Passage". I have seen 3 consultants in Treliske Hospital and 1 consultant in Penrice Hospital. Every time I smell something strong or eat something my throat doesn't like, I cough sporadically until I end up vomiting and having a sore throat. I had sore throat many times for the past 15 months. But I try my best to avoid my triggers.

In 2014, I had "Laser Peripheral Iridotomy" on both eyes to treat my Angle Closure Glaucoma. For the past 15 months, I have not been to the Optician to have my eyes check. There were days that my eyes are really blurry. All I see is a blank space. I have been spending a lot of time on my computer. They really need to rest and recuperate. One of the things I will be doing these coming days is to book an appointment to see the Optician.

How I manage to get thru the pandemic...

Virtual Chat via Zoom, Google Hangouts and Messenger - I speak to my Mommy and Daddy (Philippines) everyday. I speak to my brother, sister-in-law and 2 nephew (Dubai) every weekend. I speak to my sister (Canada) everyday. Every Friday is our "Virtual Family Get Together". I also speak with my friends around the globe. Thanks to modern technology, we get in touch with everyone. Thank God for the amazing support system I have from my family and friends.

Connect with Nature because it benefits both the mental health and physical well-being - I have always love nature and wildlife. Before the pandemic, I go walking, bird-watching, butterfly-watching and taking photographs around the spectacular countryside of Cornwall. But now, I do these in my own garden.

Wildlife Watching – I have been Bird-watching in my garden. I’m really lucky that I have plenty of birds and other species of wildlife in my garden.

Photography and Videography - I have been taking photos and videos of the flora and fauna in my garden.

Gardening - I have been planting herbs, vegetables and other plants. I have been watering my plants everyday.

Baking - I have found and learned a new hobby. I have been baking bread and cakes everyday.

Cooking - I have always love cooking. I have been trying our new recipes and even making my own one.

Reading - I have been reading "again" all my favourite books from my favourite authors: Judith McNaught and Johanna Lindsey. I have read all their books a hundred times but I never get tired of reading them. I just love the stories.

Writing - I have been writing a book.

Webinars - I have been attending several interesting webinars.

Work - I have been keeping myself busy doing voluntary works for my various organisations virtually and online.

Virtual Talks and Presentation - I gave a talk and presentation for Ladock Women's institute on "A Decade of Chough Watching" in January. I gave a talk and presentation for Ladock Parish Wildlife Group on "A Decade of Chough Watching" in April and "Butterflies in Cornwall" in June.

Advocacy and Raising Awareness - I'm a "Wildlife Advocate". I have been raising awareness on the importance of wildlife through "Wildlife Matters". I'm a "Metal Health and Physical Well-being Advocate". I have been raising awareness through “Connect with Nature” because it benefits both the mental health and physical well-being. I have been promoting the beauty and wonder of Cornwall with my photographs through "Cornwall Matters". I have been awareness online via my Website and Social Media.

Stronger, Wiser and Happier...

I had numerous ordeals for the past 15 months. I've been through a lot. But I came out STRONGER, WISER and HAPPIER.

I have realized many things during the pandemic. Reflected on various things. I have eliminated everything that causes me unhappiness, stress and anxiety. I avoid anything that triggers me. I have removed all negative thoughts. I only think positive. I only encourage positive vibes. And above all, I keep on praying. I know that sometimes, it will not turn out the way you wanted, but don't get disappointed. Just remember, there's a rainbow after the rain.

8 June 2021 - Finally out for the very first time after 15 months of Hibernation!

Lovely walk in Portscatho!

Beautiful meadows in Roseland!

Went to Goss Moor with our friend Paul Miles. We're so delighted to see 4x Marsh Fritillary butterfly and loads of Dragonflies, Damselflies and Demoiselles.