What a Difference a Few Years and Vaccinations Make!
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (84217)
United States
January 22, 2026 10:29pm CST
Good evening, everyone!
I first want to begin by once again thanking everyone for their kind words, prayers, and concerns when I posted from the emergency room at the hospital last Sunday after being diagnosed with covid. I so appreciate the concern, and it’s so reaffirming to see what a great community we have here! 
I thought I should give you an update. The bad news is, the covid test is still positive. Hardly a surprise, though, because I’m technically still a little symptomatic. However, the symptoms have really been minimal.
It’s funny what a few years and vaccinations will do to covid. 
When I had it in December 2020, I seriously thought I was going to die. That’s all you heard in the news: people who were over 50 (me), overweight (me), immunocompromised (me), and/or had a history of chronic diseases (me), especially lung diseases (me) should just make that will out. I did, too: I spent the few moments I felt like being out of bed one day writing down the passwords to my accounts for my brother so he could get into things.
I haven’t been getting every vaccination; however, I was in line for those first two. Honestly, the “reaction” from the second one (where I was up to my chin in hot water in my tub because I was shivering one minute, then had my head literally in my freezer the next because I was so hot [all with a perfectly normal temperature, mind you]) was worse than most of this bout of covid has been. If we didn’t have the tests, I would say I had a case of bronchitis…only fast-moving bronchitis.
That’s the only strange thing (thank God! I’m not complaining!!!) about this round. It seems every “major” symptom has been around for just one day. You’ve heard of the 24-hour stomach bug? Meet 24-hour covid symptoms! I had the headache for one day. Sneezed my dang fool head off for one day. Zero energy for one day. Coughed for one day. Lost my taste and smell for one day. None of them “ganged up” on me, either. It was “one visitor at a time” symptoms! 
Of course, when you sneeze or cough that much, it’s going to hurt…and I do have soreness. But I was up a lot today, almost my “regular” routine (I just didn’t go to Chuy’s ).
The other true blessing from this go-round is that there was NOT the stomach problem I had in 2020. I lost nearly nine pounds in three days from not being able to eat. 
I haven’t lost any weight this time, because I haven’t lost my appetite. Even the day I didn’t have the sense of taste or smell I was hungry and able to eat. (I just had to look at what I was eating because I couldn’t taste it. 
)
Thank y’all again for your prayers, well-wishes, and concerns! Y’all have a great weekend. And, to all of you here in America in the path of this winter storm, stay safe!!!!
The photo is from healthier times, my trip to Utah in August 2025.
I thought I should give you an update. The bad news is, the covid test is still positive. Hardly a surprise, though, because I’m technically still a little symptomatic. However, the symptoms have really been minimal.
It’s funny what a few years and vaccinations will do to covid. When I had it in December 2020, I seriously thought I was going to die. That’s all you heard in the news: people who were over 50 (me), overweight (me), immunocompromised (me), and/or had a history of chronic diseases (me), especially lung diseases (me) should just make that will out. I did, too: I spent the few moments I felt like being out of bed one day writing down the passwords to my accounts for my brother so he could get into things.
I haven’t been getting every vaccination; however, I was in line for those first two. Honestly, the “reaction” from the second one (where I was up to my chin in hot water in my tub because I was shivering one minute, then had my head literally in my freezer the next because I was so hot [all with a perfectly normal temperature, mind you]) was worse than most of this bout of covid has been. If we didn’t have the tests, I would say I had a case of bronchitis…only fast-moving bronchitis.
That’s the only strange thing (thank God! I’m not complaining!!!) about this round. It seems every “major” symptom has been around for just one day. You’ve heard of the 24-hour stomach bug? Meet 24-hour covid symptoms! I had the headache for one day. Sneezed my dang fool head off for one day. Zero energy for one day. Coughed for one day. Lost my taste and smell for one day. None of them “ganged up” on me, either. It was “one visitor at a time” symptoms!
Of course, when you sneeze or cough that much, it’s going to hurt…and I do have soreness. But I was up a lot today, almost my “regular” routine (I just didn’t go to Chuy’s ).
The other true blessing from this go-round is that there was NOT the stomach problem I had in 2020. I lost nearly nine pounds in three days from not being able to eat. I haven’t lost any weight this time, because I haven’t lost my appetite. Even the day I didn’t have the sense of taste or smell I was hungry and able to eat. (I just had to look at what I was eating because I couldn’t taste it. )
Thank y’all again for your prayers, well-wishes, and concerns! Y’all have a great weekend. And, to all of you here in America in the path of this winter storm, stay safe!!!!
The photo is from healthier times, my trip to Utah in August 2025.17 people like this
14 responses
@DaddyEvil (170564)
• United States
23 Jan
I'm glad you're feeling better, even if you do still test positive for Covid. 
3 people like this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
23 Jan
I’m still testing positive for snarkiness, too.
Thanks for your concern.
Thanks for your concern. 1 person likes this
You're very welcome. 
@MarieCoyle (56251)
•
23 Jan
I am glad to know it's not as bad. Covid can be truly terrible. I am also glad to hear you can eat and have some appetite, it's hard to get well when you just can't eat anything. Just take it slowly...you'll be on the road before you know it!
Hope that you have everything you need there for the storm coming. We will be waking up Friday morning to -25 to -30 wind chill here. Oh, and it's already windy! We are hunkering and don't plan on leaving to go anywhere!
2 people like this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
23 Jan
The “good” thing about being “sick” with this storm approaching is that it keeps me home, because if you look at the weather map, there’s really no place to “escape” TO!
Y’all be safe!
Y’all be safe! 1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (56251)
•
25 Jan
@FourWalls
No, there isn’t any place to go that you would not have to drive on ice and snow. Not the best plan. I am just glad that you are safe at home!!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (115843)
• United States
23 Jan
I’m SO glad you are better! Your before and after Covid experience sounds like my dad’s. Back in 2020 we thought he was going to die. But when he got it last year it was vastly different. Still extremely unpleasant, but nothing like before.
We’ll keep praying for you!
2 people like this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
23 Jan
It’s night and day difference now. Thank God for the vaccines and the advancements in knowing what it is. I wouldn’t have guessed this was covid. I’m not saying I feel “great,” but I have had worse bouts of bronchitis than this round of covid hit me. If I hadn’t had those heart palpitations I wouldn’t have guessed covid being my problem initially (maybe after the sense of taste vanished for a day).
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
23 Jan
I think being able to maintain nutrition is very important, and I’m so thankful I didn’t have to resort to three days of Ensure for all my meals.
The western US has such a completely different landscape than the east. I was overwhelmed by the beauty.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (496172)
• Italy
24 Jan
@FourWalls - You are right, the west is so different. We enjoyed a lot visiting New Mexico, Washington State and Oregon.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
23 Jan
I’ll probably be well by the time all of this predicted sn*w melts (in March ). Thanks.
). Thanks.1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52405)
• Mojave, California
24 Jan
I am glad you good and that is why you get them. The military gives you every vaccination possible and find it funny how people who served go I had no choice. Well, you chose to serve. Then they get out and they like vaccinations are dumb. It never made sense, so its good you showing people how they work, especially when you older. When you are young, you feel insensible.
It never made sense, so its good you showing people how they work, especially when you older. When you are young, you feel insensible.1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52405)
• Mojave, California
31 Jan
@FourWalls Hepatitis Is bad and can get it from stepping on a rusty nail. There is different types, like body fluid, but also blood and military,, war, blood, you don't want to mess with Hepatitis if bleeding is your profession. Don't be dumb just because you scared of needles.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
24 Jan
They don’t think that through…do they really want to be stuck in a foxhole with someone who has measles? 
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (7993)
• United Kingdom
24 Jan
Sounds like you are getting through it. Like you, the 1st time I had Covid it was bad and I felt like I was dying. 2nd time it was just mild. I’ve had all the vaccines, but now they just give them to the over 75’s, or those who are vulnerable. I’m neither so I just have to suck it up if I catch it again.
I’ve read about the snow storm that’s hitting, or about to hit the US. I hope it passes quickly without too much damage or loss of life. Here we have just had lots of rain. Some snow forecast on high ground but nothing like y’all are getting.
Get well soon
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
24 Jan
We have one of these “whopper” storms every year, it’s just where it hits that’s different. There are areas that are accustomed to winter weather that know how to deal with it. I went to Milwaukee for their Winterfest one year. Six inches of snow overnight, but the streets were clear and I went ice skating that afternoon. Six inches of snow in Alabama closes the state down for a week.
Thank you for your sweet words.
Thank you for your sweet words. 
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
23 Jan
Thank you! I’m doing much better, thank God.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (131554)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Jan
Very glad you are feeling better. Sorry you won't be eating out yet. I have been keeping my vaccinations up to. It's just safer
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
23 Jan
I’ve been reading about the history of opposition to vaccinations, and it’s pretty fascinating (not in a good way). No eating out until February, because of the illness AND the invasion of the evil white stuff.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (131554)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Jan
@FourWalls It's amazing in these times how people can be against things like that.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
24 Jan
@wolfgirl569 — it’s “slightly” comforting to know that it is NOT new. But only slightly.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
23 Jan
You damn liberals getting your vaccinations!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (217094)
• United States
24 Jan
I'm glad you're slowly getting better. Prayers help. I am hunkered down for this storm. I'm very fortunate to have a standby generator. This cold has been horrific; and it will continue for the next week. Stay safe and warm and keep us posted...and don't forget to hydrate!!!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (84217)
• United States
24 Jan
The “good” (?!??) thing is that I don’t have anywhere to go for a couple of days, even if I was well, because of the storm.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (217094)
• United States
25 Jan
@FourWalls Wrap yourself up in a blanket and drink some Gatorade!!!
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (5004)
• Northampton, England
23 Jan
I had Covid over Christmas . Same as you but healthy so no need for hospital. Corona viruses are designed by nature to weaken over-time so not to kill the host so it can spread to more living people. Its 10% of what i was.
1 person likes this
