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M (is) Living with Long Covid's avatar

Oh my god I'm so sorry about Zira. And then the accident ! Sending lots of (belated) love.

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

Thank you 🙏🏻

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

Rest in peace Zira. Oh the ache Amy. These beings are such a beautiful part of life and it’s impossibly hard to say goodbye. I hope you’re feeling her spirit hanging around, maybe still jumping on that furniture, and abiding very closely to your heart.

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

Even your comments are stunningly written. Thank you for such beautiful sentiments 😌

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NiftyKeisha's avatar

I’m so so sorry about the loss of Zira! Losing a little one is so hard. What a beautiful collection of photos of her. May she rest in kitty heaven. 😞

The car accident, I’m sorry about that too! Wow though to so so much happening and coming out on the other side mostly unscathed! Such a testament to your recovery journey! Looking forward to hearing more about the CFS Recovery program. I keep starting and stopping a piece on my recovery journey thus far. Can’t seem to get the words down. I love that you are including a recovery section! It’s so important to see and hear more of these stories!

WTH to the Novavax vaccine! They’ve had it rough from the start! I’ve decided not to get anymore Covid vaccines, but I waited years for Novavax and I tolerated it fairly well considering. I think it’s awful to make this inaccessible to people. A new clinical trial for every strain update will basically make no viable vaccines available. This is absurd for the FDA to require!

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

Thanks for your kind words, Keisha 🫶🏻.

I’m so glad you like the recovery section! I know it’s a tricky thing to discuss with some folks who don’t seem to feel better. My hope is to present it and still present all other experiences as well. I want everyone going through this to see a little of themselves in the newsletter, and maybe also have some hope?

Novavax! Did I tell you that my functional medicine doc doesn’t want me to get the shingles vax when I turn 50 in June because he’s seeing long haulers react poorly to it? He said it’s the same technology as Novavax. I have a dear long hauler friend who suffered pretty miserably after Novavax. But I know others fared better with it than the mRNA ones. We are all so individual with these illnesses!

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NiftyKeisha's avatar

You’re so so welcome Amy! ❤️

I tend to see more about the other experiences (which are important and necessary, I've written a lot of it myself), but sometimes only hearing about the struggle is disheartening. For me, it's becoming more and more important to see a balance of both, so I love that you’re providing some.

Ohhh, I’ve been thinking about the shingles vaccine! I won’t be due for two more years, but I know so many people (several who are young) who developed shingles after Covid, so it’s been on my to-do list the minute I became eligible. Second-guessing this now, though. I remember you mentioned people who had a bad reaction to Novavax. I was terrified of the mRNAs so I waited for it. It set me back for about three weeks, both shots, but then I was fine. The day after, though, was woooofff, such severe fatigue, and I was still severe at the time. My wife had a better experience with it than Moderna as well. It is so wild how different we all react to these things!

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

I feel you - I do get tired only reading about our struggles. I’ve been *living* them, so I don’t want to necessarily always immerse myself further.

I so hear you on the shingles vaccine too. I do not at all relish the thought of getting shingles, especially since COVID reactivated a few dormant herpes viruses for me, so I’m feeling…I don’t know…extra herpetic? Lol. More at risk, I guess I should say. But I’m also leery of losing any of my recovery gains due to a vaccine reaction. So I’m just punting for a year and reassessing. The virus probably doesn’t know when I turn 50 versus turning 51. Right?! 🤞🏻🙏🏻😬

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NiftyKeisha's avatar

Yeah, it’s exactly that. Been living it so reading about it constantly doesn’t help.

I’m in the same boat as you in terms of Covid reactivating things. I have to eat a strict low arginine diet to keep everything “asleep,” otherwise it’s a party for my crew. Extra herpetic! 🤣 I felt that in my bones! I trust Mr. Shingles is age blind, one more year sounds totally doable.

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Natalie McGlocklin's avatar

I can't read the rest of this because my eyes are filled with too much water for our sweet sassy Zira. What a nugget, she will be missed near and far. What wonderful selfless parents you were to help her through all her ailments and give her the best life she could have. RIP ZIRA🖤🖤🖤🖤

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

You loved her from the very first Cat Dump, I believe. Thank you, my friend 😌💛

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Victoria SkyDancer's avatar

My condolences on the passing of Queen Zira. It never gets easier, seeing our four-legged companions over the Rainbow Bridge.

Also agree with 2025 being extra. We can dial it back any time, now!

Since you asked, our current car is named Poseidon. Himself named it, as he is a (former) Navy sailor. Pro tip: never name a car Phantom, unless you have really good car insurance.

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

Haha, duly noted 🚗. And thank you 🙏🏻

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Shauna Rowley's avatar

Oh love! Im so sorry to hear about your beloved Zira . Sending lots of energy of peace and comfort to surround your heart .

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

GIRLFRIEND!!! There you are! I have missed you a lot. Thank you for your sweetness 🫶🏻

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Shauna Rowley's avatar

Oh love! Im so sorry to hear about your beloved Zira . Sending lots of energy of peace and comfort to surround your heart .

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Teri Adams's avatar

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Zira. She was such a trooper!

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

She sure was. Thanks Teri 🙏🏻

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Katrina Anne Willis's avatar

Oh, Amy, I’m so sorry about the loss of your sweet Zira. She was a beauty, and I’m sending you a big virtual hug. 💙

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

Thank you 😌

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Mardi Crane-Godreau, PhD's avatar

I'm so sorry for your loss Amy.

As always, this post is amazing. So much here that it would take me a whole day to check out all of the resources!

Thank you for your ongoing support.

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Amy - The Tonic's avatar

Thank for your kindness always, Mardi. It means a lot!

Haha, it is always a lot to get through, I know. Bookmark it and take small sips each day 😉

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