I tend to be private when it comes to matters of my health on social media. (My thyroid cancer blog in 2011 is a small acception.) I do this for a few reasons.  One of them is that I usually like to share after I've had my own time to process and reflect and navigate the worst 🙃. So as the restrictions are being lifted, I ventured out-- to the gym, to a restaurant, to dance, to a potluck, to church.  I remained masked 😷 unless I was eating or drinking. After over two years of wellness, I started feeling symptoms by Sunday/Monday, mostly long 12 hours sleeps, a sore throat and exhaustion.

Then my blocked sinuses, runny nose, and chest congestion began and my voice became hoarse. By Wednesday, I decided to do a rapid test and this was the result- covid.  I made calls and texts to notify everyone I saw in the past days.  Only one tested positive and she was asymptomatic. 

For a few nights 🌙 ✨ my throat felt like it was on fire 🔥 and sneezing 🤧 felt like my upper respiratory was being raked, but today I feel a bit more energy and my symptoms have lessened. Given my medical and family history, I decided to see a medical professional.  Today/Saturday he checked my vitals (oxygen, BP, 🫁 breathing) are all good. I even asked to do a retest to see if it was truly covid. (Yup, I did the "brain 🧠 tickle" test again. Ouch.) The doctor said it could be just a virus but most likely covid.

And yes, I've been double vaccinated and boosted.

During this time, I've also reflected a bit on my relationship to health.

I was in and out of hospitals and doctors a lot as a child before the age of 8.  My siblings nicknamed me "sick chicken 🐥".

Years later, I got cancer at 33.

And coincidentally (I think it's God), on March 25, yesterday, I was supposed to undergo a medical procedure but it was canceled a third time since the hospital 🏥 was short staffed.

Over the past week, I've had to reschedule my virtual presentations and some deadlines, but I've listened to some amazing audiobooks and reflected on what I am thankful for and my purpose. 

I’m thankful that for the past two years, while in grad school, I have been a self-employed writer.  This means that I am my own boss and can cancel and reschedule to fit my schedule and my health.

For someone who rarely takes breaks, I’m so thankful for the grace that’s been shown when I need to cancel or postpone.

​I’m in love the world of stories and books.  I’ve been listening and reading wonderful stories and I also get to contribute my stories to the world.  I thank God that there is no limit of ideas or abundance to share.

I’m thankful for a free and accessible healthcare system in which I could have all of these services done.

I await the results of my test as I rest and recover.  These will help me decide when my quarantine is fully over.

Thats all for now.  

​Stay well folks.

These stats helps us to understand the publishing careers of BlackCanadian book creators who traditionally published in 2021.

Since last September, I’ve created weekly profiles for #Black #Canadian #kidlit #authors and #illustrators who had #traditionally published books 📚 in 2021, #KidLitCreatorSpotlight2021. 

I did this out of a love for my industry, concern for the lack of diversity in Canadian book publishing, and to learn about #kidlit creators of #African descent. 

This list is a result of many hours of work. I have received no funding and completed this list without assistance from any organization.

These results have not been tested for validity, reliability, or peer review.  However, they are compiled with integrity and to the best of my ability.