JANUARY 2022 Chitchat

[agate]

Virginia, thank you for telling us more about what you went through. You've been through quite an ordeal, and it's no wonder that you're having some "aftershocks" now, some shakiness and a lot of uncertainty maybe--while you and your body sort things out and settle down and get over everything that went on during that time. The important thing is: You're still here.

And yes, my only concern about the hair coloring was that it was one more appointment to keep track of, and don't we all tidy up things just a bit whenever anyone is due to visit? So there's extra effort involved even if it's just for a service you're paying for.

[Virginia]

Linda, you are surrounded by beauty. I think bromeliads are a beautiful plant. However, mine is in a six inch pot. Do you call the center part of that a cup. It does say water the center cup, and I don't know what that means. Okay, not too smart here when it comes to house plants. I usually just try to grow green plants. I had 3 beautiful ones when I went to hospital. Two died to the point of not being able to bring them back. One is barely hanging on still. I will try to nurse it through.

Agate, actually I want to drive to the beauty shop rather than have her come here, but family says there is too much traffic around here. But they don't offer to drive me there. Eric is planning on taking me to the Doctor Thursday and also to the Cardiologist that I have an appointment with in February. They have done so much, especially Eric, that I don't want to ask any more of him than I can help. He was supposed to come and hang some things for me that the painters removed from the wall in the kitchen, but he is so behind in his work that he hasn't gotten around to it. He is so behind because of me.

[SuzE-Q]

Virginia, would you consider taking a taxi or an Uber to your stylist? I know how good it will make you feel, sometimes it's our routine that is important to us. Just splurge on hiring the car ride to and from until you and the brothers are comfortable with you driving again. These are extraordinary times, don't worry about the extra expense, it's worth it to make you feel good. Just be very careful and wear a good mask wherever/as much as you can throughout. Cloth masks are no longer sufficient to protect against omicron. Howie?? Do you have a good mask? N95 or KN95?

Virginia, it touches me how kind the nurses were to you, especially during this time of being overwhelmed and overworked. You wrote about your experience so eloquently. They are truly angels. Please consider writing out your appreciation to the hospital administrator, send out thank you cards to them, or possibly a letter to the editor in a local newspaper. Your appreciation radiated in every word you wrote, it helps keep them going during these trying times. No one is banging pots and pans for hospital staff any more, but a note of heartfelt appreciation like you shared here is worth so much more than clanging pots. They went above and beyond, your experience sure illustrates that for some, nursing is a true calling. Like you, Rose and others, I am not holding back expressing my appreciation to those who have shown up during this crisis as how essential they actually are to a well run and caring society. I am so thankful and I tip far more now too. So many unsung acts of heroism. I can only do my part to continue to let them know how grateful I am. I think often about how mad a world it would all be without all these courageous people facing the lion to do their jobs. Sometimes, I don't think we realize how dangerously close to the precipice we are standing, it is these people acting as the barrier to utter chaos and savagery. I fear our societies are close to tumbling over that abyss, and yet we are taking far too much for granted, this cannot go on indefinitely. That barrier is cracking and it will break if this continues, people can only take so much. This is what keeps me up at night as I try to do my part to be part of the solution and not part of this festering, bubbling problem that could erupt and cross over that line of decency and civil control at any moment. I feel we are getting closer. If climate change hasn't motivated people, and an out of control virus isn't motivating people...what exactly will it take? Or are we really doomed to be the architect of our own demise as a civilization and species? Not being strong and young, and being disabled, I will not be one who can hold out until the end, I cannot manage without these courageous souls now standing along the front lines and being battered. When they have gone, there will be no one left to stand up for me.

Virginia, congrats on getting some funding for your meds, I'm so glad all your efforts paid off!

Hi, Rose, I tire of the constant messages from Instacart while they shop, and I just don't want to delay the process by asking about replacements along the way, I usually don't like many of them. So, unless I specify a specific substitute, I contact them at the beginning of the order, thank them for their time, and tell them no subs unless initially specified. I just really don't enjoy the constant contact anymore and I want to expedite shopping and delivery.

Still thinking about Sunshine and sending my best wishes her way. I've started exercising again, so have not broken that resolution yet! I hope jingle is doing okay. Hello to snuggles, parsi, Laz, ANN and everyone else checking in here, good to see peeps here.

Ummm, I may have oversold my culinary skill level. Just duplicating pastas, salads (like your blackened salmon salad, Virginia), I've really been enjoying making flatbreads. Lots of roasted garlic in everything, lots of goat cheese. My new favorite dish was actually one I was buying at the deli, but I make now, and it's so simple, but oh so delicious: dill pickle pasta salad. It is made especially good using radiatore pasta and fresh dill. So fast to make, so cheap, so so good. I make a lot at a time, but it flies out of the fridge. I love that I have this as my new favorite, easy recipe on the internet. Good for Instacart to deliver lots of big, heavy jars of pickles too.

Virginia, am I hearing that you're not so sure about turning your fireplace white, or are you loving it?

Sorry for the doomsday thoughts, I've been having trouble sleeping. I hate feeling so out of control of my destiny. I thought having MS was bad enough challenging my control over my life. But these events have just taken it to a whole new level. Me, who has the luxury of not being forced to risk my life daily just to put food on my table and a roof over my head. I can only imagine how much worse the stress is for those at such greater risk and with no end in sight. To everyone who must risk their life daily to earn a living and thus, is helping to maintain some semblance of a functioning society by taking care of society's needs: thank you thank you thank you.

[Parsi]

The tree is finally down and packed away.

[Virginia]

]Suze-q, as usual, you put everything so well. I have been trying to decide how best to thank the nurses, but especially Hannah and Becky. Eric mentioned going up to the 4th floor and seeing if Hannah was on duty and possibly taking a plant or something. I really don't want him in a hospital now. We have the highest number of COVID hospitalizations since this began. I know that when I can think this through I will do something. I want to thank the nursing staff without giving much credit to the Doctors. The lady Doctor in the emergency room was a "drama queen" and the male Doctor who stopped by room a couple of times didn't even discuss new medications he was putting me on. There is no reason for this. At all times I was very aware and able to converse with them . My charts go on forever and I was always described as pleasant and very cognitive of all that was happening.

I also have to thank some people at the rehab I was in, but again there were very special people. My physical therapist was wonderful, and I miss him most of all. On my last full day there he came to my room and told me he would not be working with me that day. I was to be reevaluated by another therapist before leaving. Then he handed me a small paper bag. Inside was a hand painted Christmas ornament wrapped in a paper napkin. It is really pretty and so well done. He told me his six year old daughter had painted it. I could hardly believe it. On the back she had signed her name. He put his hand on my shoulder and said softly "I will miss you, I really will." We had discussed so many things in that relatively short period I had spent there. There were a couple of others, but he was the main one that I miss. The ornament hangs on my wall in my office. I am proud that he wanted me to have it.

I agree that things are scary now. There was one thing that came out of all that happened to me, I didn't watch any news at all and I found that I didn't miss it. As time went on I became less afraid. I found myself focusing more on the other people around me. When I came home everything was overwhelming. Now that I am getting back to having more time to myself I find I am turning back to the TV and seeing more news. I try to stop and remember there is a whole other world out there and I remember that it was not all bad. There are some good people wherever we go.

Suze-q, I am glad you are still exercising and eating well. We are among the blessed that we can be at home and not have to go out and forge for food, as you said, so I hope you will enjoy this time. If you would care to share that pasta salad recipe I would love to have it. My appetite has been off and I am finding it hard to find things I really want. I expect it will come roaring back soon.

[Virginia]

Suze-q, I forgot to answer your question about the taxi. Yes, I was just discussing that with one of the healthcare workers yesterday. She and I both kind of lean toward taxis over uber, though neither of us could come up with a good reason why.

Not loving fireplace yet, but hope to. Due to the fact that I was unable to go out and choose a softer white they just painted it a trim white, which I find a little stark. My couch is a little off white, so when things get better I will take one of the smaller cushions to the paint store and kind of go by that. Eric could paint it for me but I am not going to ask him. I will just call the painters again.

[agate]

Virginia, you never cease to amaze me. I am sure your house is always ready for the photographers from one of those interior design magazines that show elegant-looking living spaces, like Sunset magazine. Sample photo from Sunset magazine:



Once upon a time I had higher standards but these days my "standards" have totally disappeared.

[SuzE-Q]

Hi Virginia,

I added the recipe to Cat's food thread.

Oh good, glad you're considering just getting a ride. I prefer taxis too, they have many more regulations on them than ride shares do.

I'm sure once you get the color right, you'll love the change to your fireplace. It must brighten and modernize your livingroom significantly. You must have a good eye to know it was painted too white.

Thanks for mentioning the sit-to-stand exercises, I must add those back in again, too. As you have said in the past, they are truly important for keeping our core strong.

Sounds like you met some special people during your time of need, I'm so sorry some of the doctors and others were not up to par. I think the worst to me is being treated in a condescending manner, I absolutely hate that. Having no bedside manner is probably second, although, I can accept that so long as they're competent and just short on time. You sound like you were a dream patient and certainly touched many people during your stays. That was so sweet to receive such a treasured gift from the therapist's young daughter. I think those personal connections mean so much in a medical setting when we're feeling alone and scared. Just knowing we were actually seen as a person and treated with respect. You had the gold standard by many, above and beyond what we could hope for.

Yes, I think turning off the news is very wise advice, indeed.

[Virginia]

Agate, how I wish my living room looked like that. That is a pretty room. Mine has to have a TV and my iPhone and iPad and a few gadgets. But I do like for my surroundings to be attractive. It doesn't matter to me what other people's homes are like. I never judge because I don't know their circumstances or most of the time their backgrounds. I am sure some of my neighbors have much prettier places than mine, but I am also pretty sure there is more disposable income to do these things.

Suze-q thanks for the recipe. When I first came on and saw Cat's thread it took me back. Amazing how some people live on.

[SuzE-Q]

I think it was 18 pages back! But good to go through again, lots of good info and good people living on inside there. And no guilt tossing pasta in olive oil!

[Virginia]

Agate, I was so sorry to read that both your DIL and Grandson are COVID positive. You said your DIL had been feeling ill, but you didn't say about William. If all goes well and he is not, or doesn't become ill, maybe this will give him some natural immunity. Is your DIL sick enough to go to the Doctor? I don't know what they can do other than give her some monoclonal antibody to bring her out of it. I did hear that there may be a shortage of this in some places. I hope your son is able to find a test for himself and anyone else in the household.

A neighbor came by today and brought me some food. She was telling me that another neighbor, who was just here the end of last week has tested positive. I think she is doing alright but quarantining right now. We are all going to get it I think.

The neighbor who came today brought enough food for at least 5 days. She brought a big bowl, or container, of chicken in a mushroom sauce gravy, wild rice to put the sauce over, green beans with almonds in them and fruit fixed kind of like ambrosia. It had apples, pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut and sour cream. She even brought a whole package of rolls and a stick of butter. I ate more of the fruit than anything. I wish my taste would return. Nothing but vanilla ice cream taste like it use to.

Agate, I know you are concerned about your family. Please keep us informed. We all need to be extra cautious, but I think the people on here are.

[SuzE-Q]

Sounds like good food, Virginia, how nice of her. You might want to freeze some, you may want some variety in between and to preserve some of her's for later.

Food is such a wonderful connection between people, isn't it?

Hope you are feeling a little stronger every day. A lot of our sense of taste is also in our visual sense. It's funny watching Gordon Ramsay's shows, when he blindfolds the chef competitors, they often can't even identify what food they're actually eating!

[agate]

Virginia, I hope to get more information soon. My son had a booster shot a couple of weeks ago but my DIL was going to have her booster shot tomorrow. Now that can't happen but that may be one reason she fell ill. William was coughing on Sunday and when I saw him today he looked a bit pale and subdued but I guess he's not been acting ill. I understand that it's often quite mild in children, and at his age he couldn't have any vaccines.

There's also the roomer who lives there. I'll need to find out how she's doing.

Dr. Fauci has said that sooner or later most people will be hit with omicron. I wonder if it would be like that if more people lhad been vaccinated but we may never know.

[Virginia]

Add me to the list who has a relative who has COVID. Eric called and talked to me today and said he has it. He was able to get tested, but he said he probably would not have bothered except for me. He was coughing pretty bad but tried to reassure me that he was alright. He is still concerned about me because he feels that my condition is weak right now. He said if something did happen that I got it to just know that I would be quite sick for awhile, but that I would recover from this variant. I asked if he had given it to his wife and he told me that he was pretty sure that she gave it to him. She is now fine and going on about everything she normally did.

Eric and I were talking about the number of people who have gotten Omicron variant of COVID and have not bothered to get tested, so we feel that it has hit more people than we know about. He had a bad reaction from his second shot of Moderna and he said that he had rather have this than to go through that second shot. However, he realizes that because he had the vaccines that he probably had a lighter case of this.

I know two ladies in my neighborhood who have it. I started thinking about it and I thought the common denominator is that they both have Grandchildren that they are around. Though children often have mild cases they can still carry it to adults is my understanding.

Agate, I hope you have heard more news about your family. It is hard to wait for news of that kind, and you haven't posted on this thread since the 12th. I am hoping for the best when we do hear from you.

[SuzE-Q]

I can be added to that list too, just heard a family member tested positive last week. Went to hospital with chest pains, turned out to be covid. Doing better this week, thankfully, no one else in the household caught it.

[Parsi]

I wonder sometimes if it's worth getting tested. Yes, it would help contain the outbreak but with the long lines (probably not socially distanced) if you didn't have it when you got in the line what are the chances that you don't get it while in the line.

My son and DIL tested positive with at home test but weren't confident of the result, so he went to on site test. The line was very long so only he did it. Again positive so no doubt about his wife.

DIL had a harder case of covid which lasted longer. Granddaughter apparently not at all. Almost a miracle with both parents sick.

[agate]

I'm sorry about your brother Eric, Virginia! Yes, children are little germ factories, mainly because they are in contact with so many things and aren't usually going out of their way to be ultra-clean. And as they play with other kids, my impression is that they have close contact with one another often, especially in some games they play.

For instance, I can recall sitting around with other kids and playing string games. One person would show another how to do another string game, and to do that she might move the other person's fingers around this way and that way, and they would bend over the thing together until they got it right. This might go on for hours. That's just one example. Now they're often on their phones but they're sharing those phones, showing them to one another.

My grandson is romping around, running and running. COVID doesn't seem to have hit him hard at all. I'm glad of that. Since he was premature and in the NICU for nearly a week at the start, I worry. My DIL is still feeling rotten but I don't think she's been to a doctor. Doctors might not be eager to see someone with COVID symptoms unless the person was sick enough to be hospitalized.

My replacement test kits arrived today, much earlier than expected, and that is nice. On Wednesday (I've heard) people can sign up for the free test kits, 4 to a household.

Since many people might need to test often, seems to me 4 won't be enough? Or maybe people can request more of them later on? Someone in frequent contact with people might want to do quite a few of those tests.

[Virginia]

Agate, glad things are no worse than they are. I have been concerned. I assume your son has not yet come down with it. Of course, he might be like Eric who told me about 4 or 5 days before that he couldn't come over because he was catching up on his work. Now I know.

Suze-Q, I am sorry your family member also has it. Pains in the chest really scare me. Eric said that Omicron mostly stays in the head, kind of like a head cold and that it usually doesn't go into the chest. Both of the ladies in my neighborhood that I have heard of who have it have felt mostly like they have a head cold more than anything in the chest.

All of this is so concerning. I am doing my best to stay well, but I think of the health care workers who have been in and out of my house. While they do wear mask, I am not sure all of them wear the best of mask. Speaking of health care workers, I got a call last night around 8 or 8:30 from someone who said she was with Well Care. She wanted to know if she could come by this morning. I told her I had been looking forward to weekend and just wanted to rest and not do anything today. She said she would put it down as a "missed visit". Guess that is not a good thing to have on one's records. I was tired this morning and glad that I did it.

[SuzE-Q]

I'll have to check what variant of covid he had. Yes, he wasn't even thinking it was covid until they tested for it and it came back positive. But, being young, healthy and male, it is more likely a symptom. He's feeling much better now. His girlfriend was positive too, she lost her senses of taste and smell.

Hope Eric is feeling better.

Receiving such a late call for a home health visit the very next day should not be a negative mark on your record. I am glad you put your foot down, your own down time not worrying about appointments to rest and relax is important too!

I will be insisting anyone entering my home needs to be wearing an N95 or KN95 from now on. Especially when these people are going from house to house. And my double masking days are over, I too will need to wear an N95 or KN95 from now on. I don't want to take any chances. They say this curve will be bending soon, we all just have to hang in there for a few more weeks. I think this spring and summer will be better so long as no new variants emerge. Gotta get more and more people vaccinated around the world.