This #scicomm tip is free:
I write a lot of my video scripts by telling the story to a friend or family member, and recording it on a voice memo. Then I transcribe that, and remove 14 "likes" 20 "ums" and 23 "so cools."
I've been bedbound since January with long Covid, but I still love to dress up for Halloween. So my husband made me this costume (posted by Kyle, the husband.)
6 months ago today, I got COVID
Today I can’t shower standing up.
Can’t do video calls.
Can’t read books.
Can’t drive.
But I’m still fighting to recover. 🥲
Today marks one year since I got COVID. I’m finally starting to see tiny bits of progress in my recovery, which I feel cautiously optimistic about.
But today I mostly feel a profound grief, missing the life I had a year ago. 😔
#LongCovid
(From husband Kyle) Dianna has been in a really tough crash the last couple months. She has very little energy so is staying off her phone. I’m in with her everyday holding her hand. Some days she’s in pain, some days not as much. She’s conserving energy so not to crash harder.
I tweeted a tweet about Science! I read the article myself, and wrote the tweet myself and posted it myself. 🥹🥹🥹
I haven't been able to do anything like that for a year and a half. 😭
It only took me three days lol. But I did it.
Why is this cool?? Because it’s one step closer to making a new element - unbinilium - which would be the heaviest element ever synthesized.
What’s cool? Scientist at Berkeley found a new way to make Livermorium (an element with 116 protons! So, just 4 protons away from
My condition has declined fast. It’s clear I have severe #MECFS
I can’t eat solid foods, or feed myself.
I have moderate pain almost 24/7.
I have trouble breathing and lose my ability to stay fully conscious when my symptoms intensify.
I cannot leave the bed.
I am scared 😔
From Kyle, Dianna’s husband:
Two years ago, I married my smart, adventurous, curious best friend. I loved her curiosity and so did her 3M+ followers on her Science YouTube channel.
Now, she’s been 100% bedbound with long Covid for 1.5 years. She lays in a dark room, earplugs
(From Kyle) - The last weeks were scary. ER visits were hard. Dianna still can’t walk, or even sit up in bed. But we see signs of progress. Sleeping more. Eating more. More treatments coming.
Di’s mantras: On the right track. Tomorrow will be better.
I had so many dreams.
I wanted my own science show on Netflix.
I wanted to start a family with Kyle.
I wanted to scuba in Australia.
Now, I just want to walk again.
I want to have a real conversation.
I want to read a book again.
I want to listen to music and see my family.
It’s been nearly 5 months of being completely bedridden. I’ve made very little progress. I can still barely move, or think or talk.
I want to be out in the world living a life. My body hurts. But my heart hurts more.
I wish I had a more positive update.
Merry Christmas everyone!
This Christmas I managed to walk to the couch (with a walker) and eat a turkey dinner (for breakfast haha). Things are looking up. 🥹