2021 has not been my greatest year. It started with a lockdown which consumed a second birthday that could not be celebrated outside my own four walls. And ended with ill-health. The last few weeks have been challenging. At the beginning of October my fitness and strength started to deteriorate, I lost weight, my pulse quickened and my heart palpitations often kept me awake. I convinced myself that my heart issues were returning. At the beginning of December I got a diagnosis of an overactive thyroid. By that stage it felt as if the life had been sucked out of me. I felt so fatigued. But it wasn’t long before the medication kicked it. I started to feel better.

The fatigue that had consumed me delayed my Christmas preparations but somehow I got to Christmas Eve with everything ticked off, a clean house and saucepans of prepared vegetables.

As I contemplated a glass of Salted Caramel Baileys an unusual sensation swept over me. I felt hot. A few minutes later the thermometer confirmed I had a temperature. A couple of hours later I was in bed feeling very unwell. And that’s where I stayed for the next few days. I did my best to rally on Christmas Day for the family Christmas dinner that had been delayed from the previous year. But I couldn’t stand without feeling dizzy. My husband had to cook the dinner assisted by my sister-in-law. He is going to dine out on that for months.

I ate very little, drunk only water. I felt awful. What a way to spend Christmas.

I did a PCR. It was negative. I didn’t have COVID. I suspect it was Norovirus or something very similar.

But I blame my thyroid. Even though I’m on immunosuppressant medication I’ve not had a cold for years. I can’t remember the last time I had to take to my bed with a virus. The only thing I can put it down to is how depleted I am due to my body being saturated with thyroxine.

But I’m on the mend. I had the stress of getting a negative ‘fit to fly’ antigen but I’m now in Jamaica. A holiday booked before Omicron.

Being in Jamaica is a great way to start 2022. Sun, sea, food and rum. I’m already feeling so much better. The last three dark, scary months are behind me.

Here’s to a healthier New Year.