I caught Covid-19 back in March 2020 whilst working as a doctor caring for end-of-life patients. Unfortunately, I have been severely unwell since.
Alongside many things, Covid caused scarring and inflammation of my heart and I have been left a shadow of my former self. As a consequence of this infection, I have Long Covid and ME. It feels like a lifetime ago that I was able to come to this magical place.
My fiance and I would jump in the car on a sunny summer’s evening and drive here, so that we could climb up and have amazing views of Yorkshire in all of its sunkissed glory. I wouldn’t think anything of the climb up to the top and we would be chatting all of the way, often enjoying a beer or a slice of cake once we’d completed our ascent.
It’s one of our special and favourite places and it makes us think of blue skies and happier times. The thought of being able to be spontaneous or managing to walk up a hill without chest pain or crippling shortness of breath or even being able to just have a beer feels so unbelievably far removed from my reality right now.
Our absence from our favourite places can make us invisible. Please stand here for a moment for me. Take a deep breath and take it all in. I took for granted feeling the sun upon my face and breathing in that glorious fresh Yorkshire air.
I never realised how precious it all was until it was gone. Health is a crown that a well person wears but only the sick can see. So climb that hill, appreciate that view and please don’t ever take it all for granted.
I would be here if I could.
