July 30 Thursday
97.7 F
I am grateful for love in my life. I am working on staying centered in the love I can share. I'm trying to stay in the present moment.
I have good food.
My mom is getting good care. She's staying in touch with me.
My dog is relaxed :-)
My today-tasks are: trim lawn/ yard (done, early before it got too hot); make banana bread; have our Zoom chair yoga session later today.
I have plenty of other things to do, but if I do those three things, I have done what is needful today.
And it will be enough.
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Catching up: July 22-29
I drifted away from recording the goings on for a few days. I have continued to take my temperature daily. I am cautious with my time online on social media still; even the news can be very triggering.
Maybe especially the news.
I am working on appreciating the present moment, and the good that is in my life, while continuing to work for the betterment of our world in the ways that I can. I continue to educate myself, to make donations toward a better future, to practice self care and to care for those around me.
July 22 Wednesday
97.2 F
On Wednesdays, my DH (Dear Husband) and I are enjoying a half hour Zoom visit/ lesson with our granddaughter E, who is almost 300 miles away. We are delighted by these visits. We miss E, her parents (our favorite firstborn daughter B and our SIL D), as well as our other kids and grandkids. In addition to our daughter B, SIL D, and granddaughter E, our favorite youngest son A and his SO (Significant Other) JJ and our favorite youngest daughter CM and her SO KG also live in the same distant-from-us metro area.
Our favorite firstborn son, JE, lives with his wife JP and our other two grandchildren about an hour away. We have seen them once, so far, since all this began in March, for a socially distanced visit in a park. We've had a few Zoom calls.
For the July 22 Zoom visit we read Dr. Seuss' One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish and The Cat in the Hat, and William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray's Walter the Farting Dog. It was a lot of fun. We promised we would read The Cat in the Hat Comes Back next week.
I put a note in the mail with a red "fortune telling fish" so that E would get mail from us in between. NOTE: the mail is very slow!
/fortunetellerfish1-56a12b395f9b58b7d0bcb3b7.jpg)
July 23 Thursday
97.1 F
This was a busy day. I had my own much delayed* annual physical with my primary care doc at 7:20 am. They had good protocols in place and were timely. All my stats were good. My weight was the same, which isn't great, but I am forgiving of myself because not gaining is pretty good during this crisis.
Then, I went to pick up my mom for her IV hydration. Because she was feeling well enough, and the weather was not oppressive, I took her to a restaurant, with the same stipulations as when my DH and I went out: outdoor dining, not near any other diners, wearing mask to the table, hand sanitizer between everything, wait staff masked. My mom was thrilled and revitalized. It was a long walk for her, from the bench outside the restaurant, through the patio gate to the table, and then back afterward.
She commented it felt so great to be out- to feel like she was not a "leper." She has been only in her home, my van, or medical establishments since March.
Then, once home, DH and I had a Zoom yoga session with son A and his SO JJ. JJ is a yoga instructor. We do chair yoga, very gentle.
*originally scheduled for March, then May, finally July
July 24 Friday
97.1 F
Not much news to report. I had to check on my mom's health insurance payment, to make sure it was made- we are trying to shift it to automatic payments and nothing is every simple and straightforward!
We "attended" services with our congregation via Zoom.
July 25 Saturday
97.5 F
It was HOT and humid, so we were pretty lazy. I gave my dog her heartworm meds.
July 26 Sunday
97.4 F
A busy day. DH Ken started mowing the lawn EARLY so that it was before it got REALLY HOT. He only did the front before the mower started smoking. We eventually discovered it was a massive oil leak, so we just put that aside for the moment and prepared for granddaughter E's 4th birthday party, which was of course on Zoom.
Then we prepared to drive half way to meet our favorite youngest daughter C and her SO KG - we drove 2 hours, and they ended up driving much more than that, unfortunately, due to city traffic on their way out, and needing to stop to cool themselves and their dog since their van has no working air conditioning!
You see, daughter C and granddaughter E were both born on the same day- although a few years apart :-)
We had a socially distanced visit at a park. I had packed camp chairs and tables, and assorted foods and cold beverages. It was great to see them, even if it was at a distance. They had brought their dog, and we had brought ours :-)
July 27 Monday
97.8 F
I went to my mom's, because she was going to have her first in home physical therapy session and we didn't know for sure when the PT was coming. On Mondays, I take my mom's garbage out for Tuesday pick up (or my sister does, if it's not a day when I would be going to see my mom). So I did that.
I set up for my every-other-week Zoom chat with a group of women - we all worked together with my teen youth theater troupe years ago- about half of the women were the youths, and the other half are my age group, and parents of the youths. It was a first in doing a Zoom chat in mask :-) but since I am with my mom, I am very cautious.
It was a good Zoom for those of us who could show up.
The PT came after the Zoom. The PT is a pleasant, professional man. It's the first time my mom has had a male PT. She and I both felt comfortable with him.
He set up a schedule for twice a week, giving her exercises to work on in the meantime.
I went home just in time for a "Town Hall" meeting for the theatre and dance department of the university where I work. The meeting was of course a Zoom. I was impressed with the strategies that have been devised to keep the department up and running safely within a predominantly digital environment.
I will be teaching two classes this fall, asynchronous online.
July 28 Tuesday
98.3 F
This was a day that had been planned to be busy, and ended up even busier but not at all according to plan.
I drove to my mom's to pick her up for IV hydration. Usually, we do this on Mondays, but we had decided to wait until Tuesday because of the PT arriving at an undetermined time on Monday.
We were going to do a few things together on Mom's computer after her hydration, because we had some time between the morning hydration and a 2 hour phone call planned for 1:00 with the Council on Aging in Mom's area, to see what services she might be eligible for.
When I arrived, my mom was not feeling well. It was hard for her to get from one chair near her back door to the chair closer to the front. She had to rest before making it to her front door.
Maybe especially the news.
I am working on appreciating the present moment, and the good that is in my life, while continuing to work for the betterment of our world in the ways that I can. I continue to educate myself, to make donations toward a better future, to practice self care and to care for those around me.
July 22 Wednesday
97.2 F
On Wednesdays, my DH (Dear Husband) and I are enjoying a half hour Zoom visit/ lesson with our granddaughter E, who is almost 300 miles away. We are delighted by these visits. We miss E, her parents (our favorite firstborn daughter B and our SIL D), as well as our other kids and grandkids. In addition to our daughter B, SIL D, and granddaughter E, our favorite youngest son A and his SO (Significant Other) JJ and our favorite youngest daughter CM and her SO KG also live in the same distant-from-us metro area.
Our favorite firstborn son, JE, lives with his wife JP and our other two grandchildren about an hour away. We have seen them once, so far, since all this began in March, for a socially distanced visit in a park. We've had a few Zoom calls.
For the July 22 Zoom visit we read Dr. Seuss' One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish and The Cat in the Hat, and William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray's Walter the Farting Dog. It was a lot of fun. We promised we would read The Cat in the Hat Comes Back next week.
I put a note in the mail with a red "fortune telling fish" so that E would get mail from us in between. NOTE: the mail is very slow!
July 23 Thursday
97.1 F
This was a busy day. I had my own much delayed* annual physical with my primary care doc at 7:20 am. They had good protocols in place and were timely. All my stats were good. My weight was the same, which isn't great, but I am forgiving of myself because not gaining is pretty good during this crisis.
Then, I went to pick up my mom for her IV hydration. Because she was feeling well enough, and the weather was not oppressive, I took her to a restaurant, with the same stipulations as when my DH and I went out: outdoor dining, not near any other diners, wearing mask to the table, hand sanitizer between everything, wait staff masked. My mom was thrilled and revitalized. It was a long walk for her, from the bench outside the restaurant, through the patio gate to the table, and then back afterward.
She commented it felt so great to be out- to feel like she was not a "leper." She has been only in her home, my van, or medical establishments since March.
Then, once home, DH and I had a Zoom yoga session with son A and his SO JJ. JJ is a yoga instructor. We do chair yoga, very gentle.
*originally scheduled for March, then May, finally July
July 24 Friday
97.1 F
Not much news to report. I had to check on my mom's health insurance payment, to make sure it was made- we are trying to shift it to automatic payments and nothing is every simple and straightforward!
We "attended" services with our congregation via Zoom.
July 25 Saturday
97.5 F
It was HOT and humid, so we were pretty lazy. I gave my dog her heartworm meds.
July 26 Sunday
97.4 F
A busy day. DH Ken started mowing the lawn EARLY so that it was before it got REALLY HOT. He only did the front before the mower started smoking. We eventually discovered it was a massive oil leak, so we just put that aside for the moment and prepared for granddaughter E's 4th birthday party, which was of course on Zoom.
Then we prepared to drive half way to meet our favorite youngest daughter C and her SO KG - we drove 2 hours, and they ended up driving much more than that, unfortunately, due to city traffic on their way out, and needing to stop to cool themselves and their dog since their van has no working air conditioning!
You see, daughter C and granddaughter E were both born on the same day- although a few years apart :-)
We had a socially distanced visit at a park. I had packed camp chairs and tables, and assorted foods and cold beverages. It was great to see them, even if it was at a distance. They had brought their dog, and we had brought ours :-)
July 27 Monday
97.8 F
I went to my mom's, because she was going to have her first in home physical therapy session and we didn't know for sure when the PT was coming. On Mondays, I take my mom's garbage out for Tuesday pick up (or my sister does, if it's not a day when I would be going to see my mom). So I did that.
I set up for my every-other-week Zoom chat with a group of women - we all worked together with my teen youth theater troupe years ago- about half of the women were the youths, and the other half are my age group, and parents of the youths. It was a first in doing a Zoom chat in mask :-) but since I am with my mom, I am very cautious.
It was a good Zoom for those of us who could show up.
The PT came after the Zoom. The PT is a pleasant, professional man. It's the first time my mom has had a male PT. She and I both felt comfortable with him.
He set up a schedule for twice a week, giving her exercises to work on in the meantime.
I went home just in time for a "Town Hall" meeting for the theatre and dance department of the university where I work. The meeting was of course a Zoom. I was impressed with the strategies that have been devised to keep the department up and running safely within a predominantly digital environment.
I will be teaching two classes this fall, asynchronous online.
July 28 Tuesday
98.3 F
This was a day that had been planned to be busy, and ended up even busier but not at all according to plan.
I drove to my mom's to pick her up for IV hydration. Usually, we do this on Mondays, but we had decided to wait until Tuesday because of the PT arriving at an undetermined time on Monday.
We were going to do a few things together on Mom's computer after her hydration, because we had some time between the morning hydration and a 2 hour phone call planned for 1:00 with the Council on Aging in Mom's area, to see what services she might be eligible for.
When I arrived, my mom was not feeling well. It was hard for her to get from one chair near her back door to the chair closer to the front. She had to rest before making it to her front door.
At the clinic, when moving from van to wheel chair, she said she felt she
was going to fall. She was positioned and able to fall mostly into the
chair.
However, she was unresponsive and couldn't speak for about 10 seconds. She was moaning. After those seconds, she was responsive and able - with help- to scoot into a more secure seated position.
We
went up to the office, and when the nurse came out we described to her
Mom's episode. Mom also had another incident of shaking/tremors of her hands
and arms while we were talking to the nurse.
The nurse got Dr. P, Mom's oncologist. While talking to Dr. P, Mom became nauseous and threw up a bit.
Dr P had the nurses take her across the street to the ER (this ER is not in a hospital, it is part of a medical complex). She was evaluated and sent on to the hospital, where she was admitted. Her heart rate was very low (40s, sometimes dipping to 30s). Her blood pressure was very low. She was put on an IV at the ER, and this helped both heart rate and blood pressure.
She was transported to the hospital. There are NO visitors allowed in the hospital admitting procedures, and only ONE visitor allowed once the patient is admitted to a room- and the ONE visitor is per 24 hours.
I cancelled the appointment for the 2 hour phone call; I contacted the PT and cancelled my Mom's Wednesday appointment for PT at her home because, well, she probably wouldn't be there.
I contacted my brother and my sister and updated them.
My mom stayed in contact with me by phone. She was feeling better after having the IVs.
July 29 Wednesday
97.8 F
My mom texted me her room number at 6:00 am. She later reported that she was admitted to the room the previous night, but it was too late to text then- hence the early a.m. text.
She was feeling pretty well. Lots of doctors and lots of tests.
She thought she would be coming home that day (I doubted this) so she had me tell my sibs "just visit on the phone, don't come in". So they did that. Only ONE visitor is allowed any given day, and once that visitor is in the room, they can't leave the room and then return- once out, you're out, and nobody in until the next day.
DH K came home for our lunch session with E. We had our Zoom with E. As promised, we read The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. We also read Dr. Seuss's A-B-C. E loves the rhymes, and was excited that she was wearing a Cat in the Hat alphabet shirt! So she matched!
I put two letters in the mail for her- one with alphabet stickers and rhyming words, and one HOPEFULLY for next week with activities about bugs. I mailed them both from the Post Office weighing them for correct postage.
While I was out at the Post Office, I then stopped by the grocery store for kitty litter to soak up the oil spill in the garage from the lawn mower.
The repair company for the lawn mower came to pick it up. I was thrilled to see that the driver was wearing a mask! We talked a bit, and he was quite chatty, and so supportive of wearing masks- come on, he said, it's no big deal!
My DH Ken had a board meeting, on Zoom, but from his office at work. So he wasn't home to debrief until later.
As anticipated, my mom was not able to check out of the hospital on Wednesday. She was happy with the food, though :-)
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Dreams
97.9 F July 21 2020
I've been having vivid dreams. I have recorded a couple, and then there was another that evaporated before I could write it down.
I may add the dreams here with an edit later.
Dreams are what we have in our sleep, and the word is also used for what we hope for in the future. I am trying to find and articulate my dreams and let go of the fear.
This morning, letting go of fear is difficult.
Later today, I will read Arthur C. Brooks' article in The Atlantic "Love is Medicine for Fear."
Now, it's time to take my mom to her oncologist.
I've been having vivid dreams. I have recorded a couple, and then there was another that evaporated before I could write it down.
I may add the dreams here with an edit later.
Dreams are what we have in our sleep, and the word is also used for what we hope for in the future. I am trying to find and articulate my dreams and let go of the fear.
This morning, letting go of fear is difficult.
Later today, I will read Arthur C. Brooks' article in The Atlantic "Love is Medicine for Fear."
Now, it's time to take my mom to her oncologist.
Monday, July 20, 2020
Errands
97.9 F Monday July 20
Today I took my mom for her appointment for IV hydration. She is being treated for lung cancer. She has completed radiation surgery (she was not a candidate for traditional surgery) and completed 6 weekly chemo treatments followed by mega dose chemo, wait three weeks, second mega dose chemo.
She has not had nausea or loss of appetite, but she has had hair loss, extreme fatigue, weakness, malaise.
These hydration IVs do seem to lift her energy and spirits. Her blood pressure is running low; her heart rate is running low.
Tomorrow is her appointment with her oncologist. We hope to hear about her recent chest X ray, and blood work drawn today.
I am writing in response to the prompts in my new writer's journal. Aiming to keep up on emails. Gearing up soon for the new semester.
Today I took my mom for her appointment for IV hydration. She is being treated for lung cancer. She has completed radiation surgery (she was not a candidate for traditional surgery) and completed 6 weekly chemo treatments followed by mega dose chemo, wait three weeks, second mega dose chemo.
She has not had nausea or loss of appetite, but she has had hair loss, extreme fatigue, weakness, malaise.
These hydration IVs do seem to lift her energy and spirits. Her blood pressure is running low; her heart rate is running low.
Tomorrow is her appointment with her oncologist. We hope to hear about her recent chest X ray, and blood work drawn today.
I am writing in response to the prompts in my new writer's journal. Aiming to keep up on emails. Gearing up soon for the new semester.
My Corona
98.3 F Sunday July 19
People have been using the hashtag #mycorona and I've been thinking of the 80s song- as has everyone else, I suppose.
Today we went out to eat for the first time in a long time. It worked out bizarrely and quite well for us. We had a birthday meal card and accumulated points for our local fancy eatery. They have a lovely and expensive Sunday brunch. With all of our offers- which expire in July- we could have a real treat. We are also pretty sure that with the rising cases of the virus, this may be our only opportunity for a while.
We were able to get reservations for early - 10:30 when they opened- and were told that it was only out door seating. This is great because this is the ONLY way we will go to a restaurant- outdoor service and socially distanced.
It was important to have early seating, partly to avoid later crowds, and partly because it was supposed to be close to 90 and possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. This was the forecast when we made the reservations.
When we were up and getting ready Sundahy morning, the forecast had been revised so that it was predicted to rain *precisely* while we dined.
Which it did. Making for a memorable brunch under the umbrella at our table- we and our food stayed relatively dry, the temperature was comfortable, the air was fresh- our server was a terrific sport about the entire event, and we were their only table.
A number of other diners did arrive, but they all went inside.
It was fun, and even more socially distanced than we had hoped!
People have been using the hashtag #mycorona and I've been thinking of the 80s song- as has everyone else, I suppose.
Today we went out to eat for the first time in a long time. It worked out bizarrely and quite well for us. We had a birthday meal card and accumulated points for our local fancy eatery. They have a lovely and expensive Sunday brunch. With all of our offers- which expire in July- we could have a real treat. We are also pretty sure that with the rising cases of the virus, this may be our only opportunity for a while.
We were able to get reservations for early - 10:30 when they opened- and were told that it was only out door seating. This is great because this is the ONLY way we will go to a restaurant- outdoor service and socially distanced.
It was important to have early seating, partly to avoid later crowds, and partly because it was supposed to be close to 90 and possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. This was the forecast when we made the reservations.
When we were up and getting ready Sundahy morning, the forecast had been revised so that it was predicted to rain *precisely* while we dined.
Which it did. Making for a memorable brunch under the umbrella at our table- we and our food stayed relatively dry, the temperature was comfortable, the air was fresh- our server was a terrific sport about the entire event, and we were their only table.
A number of other diners did arrive, but they all went inside.
It was fun, and even more socially distanced than we had hoped!
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Living La Vida 'Rona
Today: 97.1 F
I keep meaning to come back to blogging daily.
My daughter gave me a journal of prompts- from Michelle Obama's Becoming- and I have been answering the prompts daily.
A beginning.
Here is a beginning on life, for me in the Midwest, with the Covid-19 virus and my social distancing. I'm hoping to write some meditations as well (I have at least three started), but here is a beginning.
I'm taking my temperature daily. This is for my own peace of mind. I've been taking it for about 3 weeks now. I've missed a day here or there, maybe once or twice. So far, it's ranged from 96.9 to 98.3. It's lower when I take it immediately upon arising, before doing any daily tasks.
In Michigan, we are in Phase 4 right now, but may be headed backwards to Phase 3 because of a spike in cases. Wear your masks, people!
Today, Saturday July 18, we will stay home. We may get some to-go food from a local restaurant, supporting local business.
Tomorrow, we have planned a restaurant visit- outside, wait staff are masked. We expect this will probably be the last time for a while, if the cases continue to spike. We only feel safe if we are outdoors, all masked until eating food.
Ken goes out to work. He masks while inside, washes his hands frequently, and stays in his office. Unfortunately, even though the law is that people indoors must be masked, several of his coworkers don't wear them.
He washes his hands immediately on coming home.
When I go out, it is usually to take my mom to her appointments for her cancer treatment. I run errands for her and for us while I am out. I disinfect my car with spray, and disinfecting wipes on handles. I wear my mask any time I am with my mom, as well as while running errands. I use my disinfecting wipes on the handles of doors and carts. I hand sanitize in and out of my car.
I am being as careful as I can.
I am lucky. I am stay-home-stay-safe with someone I love who loves me. We are taking precautions. I'm expecting that I will be increasing my precautions. I've told my mom I'm going to stop running in to the grocery store, and instead setting up weekly or bi-weekly online order with pick up.
I am concerned that the virus is getting worse, before it will get better.
I've gone through some deeply serious depression / anxiety. I am better now, still fighting it, but better.
One strategy I'm using is to name just 2 or 3 "must do" tasks in a day. Take my mom to her appointment, and send out thank you notes. Answer emails and change the sheets. Email three friends. Today, it's order birthday gifts and send a gift check for a new baby. I will do other things too, but if I get just my must-dos done, I will count that as success for the day.
I keep meaning to come back to blogging daily.
My daughter gave me a journal of prompts- from Michelle Obama's Becoming- and I have been answering the prompts daily.
A beginning.
Here is a beginning on life, for me in the Midwest, with the Covid-19 virus and my social distancing. I'm hoping to write some meditations as well (I have at least three started), but here is a beginning.
I'm taking my temperature daily. This is for my own peace of mind. I've been taking it for about 3 weeks now. I've missed a day here or there, maybe once or twice. So far, it's ranged from 96.9 to 98.3. It's lower when I take it immediately upon arising, before doing any daily tasks.
In Michigan, we are in Phase 4 right now, but may be headed backwards to Phase 3 because of a spike in cases. Wear your masks, people!
Today, Saturday July 18, we will stay home. We may get some to-go food from a local restaurant, supporting local business.
Tomorrow, we have planned a restaurant visit- outside, wait staff are masked. We expect this will probably be the last time for a while, if the cases continue to spike. We only feel safe if we are outdoors, all masked until eating food.
Ken goes out to work. He masks while inside, washes his hands frequently, and stays in his office. Unfortunately, even though the law is that people indoors must be masked, several of his coworkers don't wear them.
He washes his hands immediately on coming home.
When I go out, it is usually to take my mom to her appointments for her cancer treatment. I run errands for her and for us while I am out. I disinfect my car with spray, and disinfecting wipes on handles. I wear my mask any time I am with my mom, as well as while running errands. I use my disinfecting wipes on the handles of doors and carts. I hand sanitize in and out of my car.
I am being as careful as I can.
I am lucky. I am stay-home-stay-safe with someone I love who loves me. We are taking precautions. I'm expecting that I will be increasing my precautions. I've told my mom I'm going to stop running in to the grocery store, and instead setting up weekly or bi-weekly online order with pick up.
I am concerned that the virus is getting worse, before it will get better.
I've gone through some deeply serious depression / anxiety. I am better now, still fighting it, but better.
One strategy I'm using is to name just 2 or 3 "must do" tasks in a day. Take my mom to her appointment, and send out thank you notes. Answer emails and change the sheets. Email three friends. Today, it's order birthday gifts and send a gift check for a new baby. I will do other things too, but if I get just my must-dos done, I will count that as success for the day.
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