The lockdown during the Covid era deprived us of many experiences in recent years, leaving us feeling that much of our lives revolve around staying at home. This situation is shared by countless individuals worldwide. Since our move to Idaho amidst the pandemic, we’ve created a cozy retreat with online shopping and various comforts. Slowly, we’re beginning to explore outside more frequently. While we used to enjoy dressing up and going out, we now often opt for casual outings on Saturday nights, occasionally settling for takeout. I continue to experience unusual taste disturbances post-Covid, which persist in an unsettling manner. Though labeled as long COVID-19, my symptoms mainly involve food tasting off. Despite many losing their sense of smell, I’ve developed an unusually heightened sense of smell, sometimes hindering my desire to go out to eat. We recently made a reservation for Valentine’s Day. Although not far, we had a delightful dinner celebration, relishing the experience of dressing up once more. Adorned for the occasion, we enjoyed a gourmet meal with live music, where a crooner distributed roses to all the ladies. It was a truly enchanting evening, and as usual, my lamb shank dinner extended to four meals – a familiar occurrence. I love my guy so much.

This week marked the commencement of two new medications as I’ve been diagnosed with two additional autoimmune conditions necessitating lifelong treatment. While disheartening, the presence of more autoimmune diseases in my family seems almost expected. Despite the stress, I am committed to managing these conditions. It’s disconcerting that autoimmune suppressants can pose risks of severe illnesses, creating a dilemma between succumbing to the disease or potential side effects. The field of medical treatment still has a long journey ahead.