Thursday, March 12, 2020

Read another good, reasonable article sent to me by an RN friend. Put some things into perspective for me. I like the idea presented of flattening out the bell curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also came to realize that many people do not understand that the words epidemic and pandemic do not refer to mortality rates, but to the rate and geographic that infection spreads. Perhaps if those terms were better understood, fewer people would be panicking? Don't know. Anyhow, I'm now a little more on board with the idea of isolating as a defense of spread. I still believe most of us will get the virus in the next year or two no matter what we do, as is predicted by many epidemiologists. But I do think we can lessen the rapidity of the spread of the disease and in turn lessen the potential burden on medical facilities which in turn will result in a lower number of COVID-19 fatalities. Hope that makes sense.

Thank you for the nice words regarding Ella. Sadly, it is what it is. I'm upset, but I know there is nothing to be done, so I am resigned. I don't understand cancer and the triggers, and I find its randomness and disregard for age maddening. Life is pretty damn random, I guess, anyway. Losing Ella was not in my plans. I have been preparing to lose Keira in the next year or two, but Ella is not even six until August, which I doubt she will see, but who knows. Last night the vet drained 4.5 liters of fluid out of her abdomen. That's almost 10 pounds of fluid! She is on a liver support med and we're going to see how she does over the next week and see how quickly her belly fills up with fluid again. If it is a slow refill, periodic draining until her liver fails is an option. If it is a quick fill (which it seemed to be this time), I will have some tougher decisions to make about her care.

I chose to feel my feels rather than eating through this. I am proud of myself for that. It is not as easy today, but I am managing knowing that once school is out, I can eat sugar, if I want. I probably won't because yesterday I did some impulse shopping on the way home from the vet and didn't eat any of it. Weight was down again today.

Mandatory staff meeting at 2:45 today. More virus stuff, I'm sure! Second mandatory meeting this week. First was about social distancing and cancelling field trips. Wonder what our next steps are going to be?

Gotta love a mandatory in person meeting about social distancing...

Wow! 10 pounds of fluid is like 30 pounds of fluid on me. I can't even imagine how all that would feel. I'm so sorry this is happening to both of you.

My, my. the world is in so much....., I love the Newton anecdote. A good way to look at craziness as opportunity. I'm just trying to roll with the flow.

We got a phone call this morning, out of the blue, from our financial advisor telling us not to worry, reassuring us that all is well and yadayada. I do not envy his job right at this exact moment in time. Having survived 2008 I figure it will pass (or not, in which then every one, with certain exceptions, will be in the same boat- trying to buy a loaf of Wonder Bread with a wheelbarrow full of worthless paper money.

Later in the day DS#1 called. He was on the way to the airport to catch a flight to Ireland (friend's wedding). He'll be there 10 days or so and his big concern was wether the rugby and soccer games planned for were going to take place. When he returns, his company's new policy is that any travel out of the country will result in mandatory 10 days working from home. Here we are, isolated smack in the middle of rural USA- how very small and intimate our planet has become.

Shirl, Diane, Ann (am I Missing anyone else..) sending pre-procedure healing thoughts your ways as you get ready for various hospital adventures. Devon, I'm thinking of you especially! My love to all.

Bonnie150 ... y'know, at my age I often wish the kids would "take things more seriously," but I also just thrill at their excitement about the adventures they are able to take and make. I hope your son has a GREAT trip. And that he returns home safely. And that he has GREAT stories to tell about it when he's an old man.