Being sick and not knowing what’s wrong with you is probably one of the worst feelings. Such has been the case with me for the last three weeks.

Prior to Oct. 26, I was exercising every morning between 1.8 and 3.6 miles. Muscle toning. Stretching. Eating healthy. All was well. Then, as they say, came the boom. I woke up Wednesday, Oct. 27 and could barely move/function. I missed three continuous days of work and my favorite holiday: Halloween. 

Symptoms: Extreme fatigue. Amazingly cold. I had the heat cranked up in my bedroom. Despite that, and being covered from head to toe, I was freezing. Achy all over (muscles and joints). Headache. Medication didn’t help the pain. I couldn’t seem to get my brain to function properly. I couldn’t concentrate. I was lightheaded. All I could do was sleep, and I did a lot of that. 

COVID was everyone’s speculation. So, I got tested. It wasn’t COVID. 

While the symptoms eased off some after a few days, they did not disappear – fatigue, cold, achy, inability to concentrate and lightheadedness. None of those made for a good workday for me. I was in bed by 5 p.m. every day. Bed is also where I stayed, from Friday evening to Monday morning. 

I struggled mentally and physically, to say the least. So, doctor’s appointment here I come. That was Nov. 2. They had two guesses: depression or anemia. 

Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues. Having anemia, also referred to as low hemoglobin, can make you feel tired and weak. 

Depression would have stemmed from a relationship ending at the end of September. After three years, he decided we didn’t have enough “interests in common.” I wasn’t entirely satisfied with that reasoning, but I didn’t argue it. I walked away heartbroken.

I knew the needle was the next step. While the diagnosis of depression isn’t detectable by bloodwork, anemia is. Process of elimination time. I hate needles.

Day one was Oct. 27. Diagnoses came Nov. 12. I’m anemic. Everything else was fine. Iron pills began that morning. Hopefully, I can get back to being me, working out and being a work-a-holic. I’ve missed the newspaper. I love my job, even when I have to argue with elected officials. 

As for the latest goings-on with the city of McMinnville and the Blue Building project, I’m glad I stayed well long enough to win the tug-of-war over the proposals. Open government is always best.

After reviewing the proposals regarding renovation of the Blue Building, I say give it to Investment Partners, LLC. I’m not entirely happy about the low-ball offer of $250,000. 

However, it has sat there 12 years deteriorating while city officials discuss what to do with it. Time to stop discussing. Make a decision and let’s move on. 

Standard reporter Lisa Hobbs can be reached at 473-2191.