Friday, 4/24/2020

Corona Virus - looking at why it hits some people harder than others

Had to share this great article.

Happy Friday!

Weight 122.4, WW Bluepoints 8. This weight last seen 1/3/2019.

Nice to see your face early this morning, Devon! Great article. There was another article in Atlantic Monthly at the end of March which was quite thought provoking (I think BB may have shared it previously): https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/how-will-coronavirus-end/608719/

As mentioned yesterday, I am starting to feel like it is best to return home on 5/14. Hopefully the virus spread will be waning somewhat in Massachusetts at that point and I think my home state will be much more careful about re-opening the state than here in Florida. Though I haven't been happy about the beaches being closed, I'm not sure this is the right time to reopen them. I hope people are smart in how they use this new "freedom".

Yesterday I did lizard for about an hour. Thank goodness there was a breeze because it was HOT, but I did revive my tan a bit and the sun felt good on the body and psyche.

I get my new toy (golf cart) today. I will send pictures. Over the next three weeks I have to figure out who will watch over it while I am back north. Apparently the batteries have to be tended to very carefully.

My brothers girlfriend is coming home today. His son, girlfriend and cat arrived yesterday after a long drive from Boston to San Jose. I was hoping DS and I could go visit her once this pandemic had eased, but I suspect there may not be time. I'm glad they came to our home in November for DH's last birthday party.

Death and life... The bright light right now is hearing stories and seeing pictures of little ones. BB, I know this time can seem overwhelming but as I am sure others have told you, you will cherish your memories of this time ultimately. One of my favorites of my eldest was her flying around on a walker outside (I know we wouldn't even use them for safety reasons now). She was chasing around with all the older kids trying her best to keep up. I had to put solid soled shoes on her feet even though she wasn't walking unaided yet to keep her feet from being abraded.

Stay safe, stay home, stay healthy!

We used a walker too, daughter survived, but I have to agree now, not so safe.Our lower level was still unfinished when our daughter was born. DH used to put her in the walker on the concrete floor while he taped and mudded the sheetrock. Her little tennis shoes always had joint compound in the treads.

I did my first online IEP meeting yesterday, parents, Dean, mainstream teacher and me. It went smoothly and we had a substantive discussion. I was really nervous, it's good to have that behind me.

Dreadful news this morning about tornados down south. It's not logical, but, mother nature, can you just not. Seems like one plague at a time would do. Hope BB and her people were spared any tornado damage.

I'm taking it easy today, I either have a head cold or crazy allergy response. Sneezing, pressure in my face, raspy voice. Leaning towards allergies because HOW would I get a cold? I'm washing my hands like it's my job, and I'm pretty much homebound. This week I didn't even leave the yard, I got my exercise doing yard work.

My scale for Omada arrived, and I've been assigned my coach. I'll open the scale today or tomorrow. The program starts Sunday. Some focus is needed! I'm hoping some accountability will help me get healthier.

We are okay! I think day before yesterday a tornado killed a few in Madill, OK. But one of the scary consequences of this shutdown is that public storm shelters are closed. Typically, if we have a day designated as "particularly dangerous situation", people without storm shelters may flock to hospitals, schools, etc. that have underground areas designated. Not so right now.

Very thankful that we put in a storm shelter this past fall. Spring in Oklahoma.

I caught one, crazy careful as I am! It's possible!

Every time we have a little sniffle or scratchy throat, ny husband and I look at each other and say, "that you 'rona?"

That's hilarious!

Pros, your article confirms what my family and I talked about, if one of us brings the infection home, and one of us gets very sick, we cannot blames ourselves. It's one virus, but our own bodies will respond to it differently. Wouldn't we all love to have a milder version? But who knows for sure what will happen upon exposure.

We still think our daughter maybe had it in January, especially now, with the new modeling asserting the disease was in Boston much earlier than they suspect.

She was very sick, home from work for over a week, and fatigued for weeks after, with sore throat, aches, fever, cough. She had a negative influenza and streph test. Her roommates got it, as well as her officemates, but some were not as sick as her. For her sake, I hope it was. She has a hyper reactive immune system, and her potential response to the virus worries me.

I took Ferg to the eye specialist and he does have glaucoma in one eye along with an unhealed ulcer. He said the pain in a human of the level of pressure he's at would be like a constant migraine. My poor baby! I am kicking myself for not noticing earlier. 3 new drugs to add to the routine. But these are all drops. Recheck in 2 weeks. If the pressure doesn't drop by then or the ulcer doesn't heal, they have non-anesthetic procedure to try for both. The descriptions of both procedures made me weak in the knees as they involved needles and diamond dremels, but they said he shouldn't find them painful. I could soooo not be an ophthalmologist! They did say he was just the sweetest dog during his exam. Proud momma.

Another scorcher today weather wise, but not uncomfortable in the house with the door open. Stone floors help.

A nap is on my agenda today as Ferg woke me barking downstairs in the middle of the night and I struggled to get back to sleep. He likes to hide behind furniture like a den, but got himself wrapped up in a lamp cord and couldn't escape. I'm just glad he didn't pull the lamp on top of himself - it's really heavy and would have hurt!

Take care everyone. Liz, I love your new buggy! And Diane, your slug is adorable - something slugs don't get enough credit for. Peps, your puppy is precious!