The month of April, and what happened during the month, was completely unexpected. Th best part of the story, is the love and support I felt from family, friends, and colleagues, has been absolutely amazing. I can’t thank them enough, and I feel very grateful. On March 29, I asked PJ to call an ambulance to take me to the hospital because my oxygen levels had dropped to the low 80s, my coughing was almost uncontrollable, and I learned the day before I tested positive for Covid. My sister-in-law Cathy recommended a pulse oximeter, which indicated my oxygen saturation. Who knew you needed to make sure it was in the 90s. I was diagnosed with severe double lung COVID pneumonia, The first few days are complete blur. I wasn’t allowed any visitors. Mom was gracious enough to drop off a few things, including food, call leave mgmt, and stay connected to the nurses. After a week, and reducing my oxygen intake, I was able to leave. Since my mobility was limited, and I needed to be on oxygen, Mom was gracious enough to let me move in. I needed help, was limited to one floor no steps, and attached to the oxygen 24×7. The best thing was real food. Hospital food was absolutely horrible, a bananas the entire time I was there.

The upside of the story is I’m on the road to recovery. I’m going back to work part time starting the first week in May, my mobility has increased and I can walk up and downstair without oxygen. While it will take me a couple months to fully recover, each day I see progress. Thanks to the advice from AJ, who experience the same thing, mom ensured I had home health care from Main Line Health. I also want to make a shout out to my friend Bowman. She made sure everything at work was covered for me so I was able to focus on my health and recovery. Thank you my friend.

Over the last month, I missed our weekly food adventures. I was in the hospital for Easter, so we eventually had our traditional ham Easter dinner with scallop potatoes. I was quite proud to be able to make the potatoes. Earlier this week, I had enough energy and endurance to finally make a full dinner. Mom has been making our meals, it’s the least I could do. I found this recipe for a spring asparagus salad with salmon, by watching the Pioneer Woman. I watched way too much Food Network over the last month. I made the salad first, and unusual way to eat asparagus using a peeler to thin it down. But in many ways for me the best way to meet asparagus. I sat in the dining room to cut the vegetables.

Salmon was easy to prepare, I made a lemon pepper mixture with lemon zest and pepper. Sprinkled it over the salmon and cooked it in a pan as instructed with olive oil. Both were delicious, and felt like a nice healthy meal.

Would I make it again? Yes absolutely. Peeling asparagus is the oddest part and definitely would have been easier with thicker asparagus.