The Aftermath

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I had no idea that a wedding could prove so tiring. I don't know whether it's been a reaction to all the excitement and anticipation, repeatedly climbing spiral staircases or a couple of late nights even. Does age and retirement really now reduce me to the horizontal in return for a good day out? Whatever the cause, I have been in a state of utter exhaustion all week.

If truth be told, I think I've fallen from the high shelf I was on a week ago and the only things keeping the adrenaline pumping are the memories as well as the expectant wait for sight of the official photographs.

Mind, anxiety and apprehension may also have played a part. One branch of the family had to cancel their attendance after a nephew had tested positive for coronavirus only hours before they were due to set off. Then this week there have been reports of first an uncle of the bride and then his daughter testing positive too. Fortunately neither sounds as if they are overly ill and there's a good chance that nobody was actually infectious at the wedding as, in a sign of the times, the invitations did ask all guests to take a Covid test before travelling. Still I won't rest happily for another week yet at the thought that I may have jointly hosted a superspreading event, whilst trying also to take comfort from the evidence that these vaccines really do help protect.

Fortunately my own lateral flow test this morning was negative and, unless that situation changes overnight, I'm off for my booster tomorrow. I wonder if that will knock me out for another two or three days as well?

I did make my way back to the gym yesterday, just for a short swim and a very gentle Pilates class keeping my leg in a brace. I thought it might energise me, but this morning not only was I still yawning but my knee remained stubbornly swollen and sore. A week on nearly and I'm thinking all that time on my feet at the wedding (including on the dance floor) probably wasn't a great idea. Hindsight is such a wonderful gift!

At least I haven't totally lost my commonsense, in that I cancelled my place in Aqua Aerobics today and spoke to the doctor instead. Turns out that if I have torn the meniscus again, however slightly, it's going to take a little longer than the 16 days so far to heal. However, he thinks exercising in water and benign stretching classes are great, so long as I don't twist (not much chance with a brace on) and don't look to return to my usual exercise regime too soon. In fact he said it sounded as though I've been doing all the right things, but no, of course I didn't tell  him about the dancing! So I continue with the anti-inflammatories, rest with my feet up, use ice and the brace but if there's no improvement in a couple of weeks then they'll investigate further.

Meanwhile, a weekend of good food and drink coupled with an inability to burn off the excess calories since then is resulting in some old fashioned shall we say sag? It's very much a personal tale of the horseshoe nail.

Still there are some positives. Discovering that my wedding outfit was washable was one and I got a much needed boost, when I simply popped it in the washing machine and it came out smelling of the roses with which it's patterned, rather than the smoke from the castle fireplaces!


 And, writing of flowers, Dilly didn't throw her bouquet; instead it's been in a vase in my house all week. It might sound silly but I've been elated at having it there too: so pretty. No anti-climaxes for me then, if I can still find pleasure in the beautiful, simple aspects of life.




Comments

Treaders said…
I expect the anticipation ahead of the wedding has something to do with your fatigue also. It's a lot to think about and then "whoosh" it's all over. I'm glad your own covid test was ok and fingers crossed for the other relatives that they will be fine too. The only people I know over here who have had covid have either had a bad cold or basically no symptoms at all except for tiredness!
29 October 2021 at 18:17
Caree Risover said…
Yes, I definitely have the whoosh did it really happen feeling! Luckily and so far, it seems to just be one family (in addition to the one that pulled out at the last minute)that has succumbed, with a good chance that although one has infected the others he wasn't contagious at the wedding. That's what I'm hoping anyway.
29 October 2021 at 18:54
Jean said…
We feel very nervous about going to places that are full of other people, especially young people. We have a wedding to go to in February which has been delayed for over a year. I feel nervous about that.
I read today that much of the spreading is being done by symptomless vaccinated people and the whole world is waiting to see how the UK gets on, with its lack of restrictions and high numbers of infections. The number of deaths each week is still horrifying - nearly two aeroplane loads a week. If we knew more detail I might not feel so bad - were those deaths largely people who would have died from something else anyway, or people who still had years ahead of them if they hadn't caught the virus? Are their deaths the price they paid for the right of others to go around as if it's all over?
30 October 2021 at 17:49
Caree Risover said…
I empathise with your nervousness but fortunately despite having 100 people at our wedding, it still felt like a very controlled event, knowing that we had responsible guests who would have taken tests as asked and also that the venue was, should I say, rather well-ventilated. I read about some statistics recently that show that most transmissions are still in the home and are being introduced by school children. Whilst I do now know of older people who have caught it (including the bride’s uncle although it’s looking less and less likely that there was any spreading at the wedding itself), their symptoms all seem very minor, presumably because of the vaccinations, and in most instances probably wouldn’t have registered if it wasn’t for all the testing that’s taking place. With my booster today, a trip to London and the big event behind me, I’m at last beginning to feel more confident.
30 October 2021 at 19:11
Jeanette Lewis said…
My guess is that you are suffering a mild case of 'post-event blues' which is a common reaction as adrenaline levels get back to normal. Regardless of how much joy you experienced (and how much fun you had at the wedding), there was stress involved albeit positive stress. Coupled with the scare of guests who had positive Covid-19 tests after attending, your feelings are understandable. Taking time for yourself, going back to routines like gentle workouts at your gym, and doing a check-in with your physician are great strategies. You deserve a bit of relaxation -- I'm sure it will promote healing and soon you will be back on you feet and back to your usual self! Take good care!
31 October 2021 at 03:40
Caree Risover said…
Yes, I think I could now relish a honeymoon too!
31 October 2021 at 06:49
Unknown said…
Went to a christening recently where 3 of the guests later tested covid positive Fortunately for us we didn't catch it and the triple jab gives more confidence. Ventured to a musical recently too

21 November 2021 at 02:04
Caree Risover said…
Yes that 3rd dose deserves the name booster when it enhances both immunity and confidence. At the time of the wedding, its roll-out hadn’t reached many guests including some very elderly ones who weren’t scheduled to receive it until the following week. However, testing and sensible behaviour as well as double vaxxed guests helped defeat any waning protection - much to our relief!
21 November 2021 at 07:35
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