Let's all check in,please

I'm glad that I had my biennial endoscopy and colonoscopy in February so that I could get that out of the way before the burden fell on the health care professionals and facilities.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I did have a respiratory infection early in March. The fever and fatigue went away after about a week, but the cough – which was very bad – is still lingering. I don't know if I had the seasonal flu (despite getting the flu shot last fall) or Covid-19.

My state has a "stay at home" order, so I'm only going out for groceries occasionally. I do wear gloves when I'm out and I try to keep the recommended distance from others.

Except for occasional visits to a client's site to gather the initial data needed for a new consulting project, I've worked at home for most of my career. So I already had a fully functioning office with the associated technology. Therefore, the stay at home order hasn't been a significant problem for me (so far!).

I, too, am worried for those currently in treatment who don't have the choice of avoiding medical professionals or facilities. I hope that everyone in treatment reads JillAndrea's post of March 25^th (https://csn.cancer.org/node/321523) where she described the steps she is taking to stay safe during radiation treatment, as well as comments from others on their safety measures.

I will say, however, my two cats don't believe in social distancing!

A couple of days ago I tried to post and got the blocked message.  Keeping all of you in my prayers!

I had problems posting on the 19th and contacted the technical staff.  Here is what they advise doing if you should encounter issues posting:

https://csn.cancer.org/forum/200

I'm from Michigan but I fear that I'm from the opposite side of the state where we don't have those kind of descriptions. Left there 40 years ago but still have family there. 

Like so many others we are under Stay Home and Stay Safe orders from our state. The organization I work for sent everyone home to work. So far so good. We haven't been out, other than to walk and hike on our back road and the trails at the end of our road. We were well stocked but our adult children have been dropping off fresh fruits, veggies, and dairy.  We are in our third week. 

We were doing well in spite of the stay at home orders. I have lots of books to be read, dogs to walk, and a vegetable garden to get in. Then last Tues I started with a stomach ache which switched to the right side. Got a ct scan Wed. and have a ruptured appendix. I was in the hospital for a few days but now I'm home and doing 14 days of iv antibiotics. Once infection heals and covid19 calms down, I'll go back in for an operation to take the little rascal out. Duri g the ct scan they saw a couple abcesses on liver. They think its from the appendix rupturing, and will heal but I'm scheduled for an MRI to check in a couple weeks. I worry about mets of course but my ct was clear in Novemer and abscess in liver due to appendix rupturing is the most common reason for abscess there.  I thought this heal the rupture first before operating sounded strange but after looking into it, it's become more common and is much safer.Sometimes they don't even need to operate but I want the appendix gone.

My immune system is usually pretty strong but drs are concerned because of covid so we are self isolating as much as possible.

It's always something.

Glad to hear everyone is coping as best as can be, even the brave ones still in treatment. We have been home for almost two weeks since our crooss country move. Pretty scary, but we had to get to a place where we could safely shelter in place. Spring is sprung here with the first bulbs popping up, snow drops, early daffodils, and the blue scilla is about to explode into azure carpets. We got a big head start on the spring cleanup as we got here about a month earlier than normal. Migrating birds and winter hold overs are coming by to check out the feeders. Almost every year we have bluebirds nesting and we are so happy to see the pair, checking out the nesting box, eating the mealworms. The male we have named "Electric Blue" as he is so brilliant. My native gardens are starting to show little green shoots here and there, as we take the old leaves and debris away and cut down last year's growth. A few days ago it was warm enough to sit outside before dinner, have a cocktail, and enjoy the fresh air. Soon, the migrating Orioles, Indigo Buntings, and Gros Beaks arrive, and then the hummers will be back. Such is my life 6 months of the year. Looking forward to the newest grandchild coming in June. All the adult kids are unemployed, but will be ok once this thing blows over. A little help from unemployment, and from Mom and Dad, if needed, will tide them through. Luckily, my daughter in law is able to work in isolation while waiting for the baby to be born. I have been checking in with one friend a day, as we are all scared that one of us "elderly" will get sick. We are all sheltering in place, and even though we are all high risk and many of us either had cancer like me, or are actively in treatment, we are all well. It is nice to catch up, regardless. Dreaming of the time when we can go out to eat again as I am really getting tired of cooking! 

xxoo

Denise 

Hello,

Its weird here in Utah much like other places as well. We are supposed to stay home stay safe execpt were nesasarry. Ive been working still because i serve lunch at school so they still need us. We do a drive up service for those families that come.  It feels weird though around here. Its working out ok though and we are trying to ajust to another new normal.

I'm ok. My husband and I have each other and are well-stocked. The anxiety is all on behalf of my daughter who is riding this out by herself in Hoboken. We sent her 2 care packages so far so that she doesn't have to repeatedly go hunting on foot for that one roll of tp that most stores there are rationing people to, but I'd be sleeping better if she had been able to move in with us by now. I'm a worrier, so this is driving me a bit crazy. She's my fearless child, so not always as cautious as I would have her be.

I'm so glad to hear that Denise made it to Michigan ok! Let's all stay safe, ok?

Armywife, glad you made it to your new home and hope you'll be getting settled soon.  Best of luck finding a new care team!

I hope and pray everything goes well with everyone's kids who are in various locations.  Can't imagine how hard that is.