This is your brain on Long COVID. This week, we attempt the impossible: to describe brain fog while experiencing brain fog. We also share what's worked for us to fight it and Amy gets on her sociological soapbox for a moment and gives a mini lesson on the concept of ANOMIE.

IT'S A LOT LIKE LIFE

Fog creeps in, seeps in slowly. It’s a tricky fucker. Slipping into the tiniest of crevices, spaces I didn’t know were there. My mind slows to a crawl. Words slip away, just out of reach.

Mental tasks that were once so easy are impossible now. Thoughts trapped in a dense, damp mess that I can’t see through or push away. I can resist but eventually I have no choice but to live with it. Live in it.

It's unclear exactly when the fog took over – I'm the frog on slow boil – but eventually I can’t deny that it has. The clarity I once had is gone. This is life with Long COVID. No more Life 1.0 … Life 2.0 has begun. Life-adjacent. Life-like. Life-ish. Life sorta kinda.

I’m reminded of a song I had on repeat during my teen years; Depeche Mode’s “Master and Servant.” The lyric goes “You treat me like a dog, get me down on my knees.” I’m the dog, down on my knees.

I’m the servant and the fog is my master. On rare days I’m allowed out. But always, the servant heeds its master. Afterall, “Domination's the name of the game.” Playtime always ends, and when it does, it’s back to the fog and the certainty that this is my life now.

Posted at https://amyblackstonephd.substack.com/p/its-a-lot-like-life

In this episode, we reflect on our 30 year marriage, lessons learned and, perhaps more importantly, lessons unlearned over the years. Topics range from the Grim Reaper and date nights to Dr. Phil and sticking together behind enemy lines.

LIVE~LAUGH~LONG COVID

Lance and I celebrated 30 years of marriage recently. And by celebrated I mean it went something like this. And by “something like this” I mean it went exactly like this…

Amy "What day is it!? Is it our anniversary!?!"

Lance " ... " (Thinking ...)

Lance " ... " (Looks at phone ...)

Lance "Not yet."

Later that night, I got a text from Lance, “Dinner at Novio’s tomorrow at 5.” We were gonna celebrate!

Thus marked our 30th rotation around the sun as a legally married couple. Perfectly befitting a perfectly brain foggy pair, if you ask me.

Continues at ⁠https://amyblackstonephd.substack.com/p/livelaughlong-covid

Short episode coming at you this week. Amy's checking in solo while we adjust to a new time zone and settle in to our summer digs in Italy! She's got a few reflections to share about one of her favorite places on earth, how she navigates it with health challenges, and a new health update. Listen in and we'll both be back next week!

I REMEMBER

I almost thought I'd forgotten what life was like in the Before Times. Then someone asked what life looks like for me these days. And then I remembered what I forgot.

Skiing. Parties. Travel. Late night meals. Driving. Diving. A whole day without naps. Big screen TV. Live music. Italy. Italy. Italy.

You can keep it all but please let me have Italy. I remember Italy but I'm afraid I'll forget. The carrots. Just carrots but perfectly carrots. The pear. Just a pear but perfection. The church bells. Wholly unnecessary but fine, I'll forgive those because PROSCIUTTO.

And grapes. The vines. The valleys. The views. THE WINE.

I remember these things. I remember Italy. I'm keeping Italy.

-----------------As promised, here's a link to Amy's Instagram if you want to check out the views from our villa: https://www.instagram.com/a.maria.blackstone/

And in case you want to stay at this incredible place too, which we highly recommend... https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/36460651?source_impression_id=p3_1751033391_P3h_GQcZWmQfMzTM