March 18, 2020
Hi everyone!!
So a lot of thought has gone into this post and whether to actually write it or not lol… and long story short I believe everyone should have a voice. Everyone should be able to share their thoughts and feelings in regards to this novel virus that feels surreal, eerie, and unnerving for most.
I have questioned everything my entire life! Like not to get religious or anything but I was THAT kid that asked my parents “well why can’t I see him?” and rolled my eyes with whatever response they had. Lol its in my DNA.. I seriously can’t help it! And when I first heard about this novel virus that suddenly appeared in China back in early January I was worried. I remember talking with a few friends in regards to the epidemic and they thought I was crazy to think it would ever become pandemic. “Kel, it won’t happen in our lifetime”. I started feeling crazy… Kelly your crazy.. stop it! And also thought to myself… theres a really good chance China will be able to contain it.. just like SARS back in 2002/2003. We’re good… but wait are we? lol 😳
At the end of January/early February we quickly started to hear about new cases in other countries around the world. Weeks went by and the list grew quickly… I kept thinking to myself… OK their having a hard time containing it… clearly this is fast spreading… is it too late to slow down or eradicate? If so, how are we possibly going to stop it? Will it become endemic? Maybe it will die off with the warm weather and become seasonal like the flu?… or maybe there will be millions of people who get it/survive it and we can build immunity? ..or maybe and hopefully they can come up with a vaccine or treatment within the next year or so …clearly my brain was RUNNING lol! ..but everyone around me was still like “ehhh… no big deal” …I wanted to scream!
Finding out it is pandemic has been heart breaking and starting to get REAL fast. The coronavirus has now infected more than 200,000 people and killed more than 8,000 globally.
I think at this point everyone will agree with me that this is very serious. As a community and nation it is SO important that we work together and not only listen to our healthcare professionals but comply to what they are trying to tell us. Right now the vision is to “flatten the curve”. I am so impressed by this theory as I initially thought there was no way in hell we would be able to pull it off as a nation. But they are actually taking steps to do this …they are actually doing it (clapping hands)!!! Are we going to eradicate the virus by doing this… probably not. But hopefully it will prevent our hospitals from overflowing (which they already are) and ensure that patients who are critically ill get the care they need. As of right now we are on what is called an “exponential curve”… experts are worried if the number of cases are to continue to double every 3 days, there will be about a hundred million cases in the US by May. That is math, not prophecy. The spread can be slowed down through proper social distancing and avoiding public spaces. If we don’t work as a team we WILL end up like Italy and Europe… its just a matter of time. Large corporations like Walmart, Target, CVS, etc. are willing to use their parking lots for “drive through testing”. This is huge! Schools, gatherings, meetings, sporting events, restaurants, etc are being shut down. Its happening and VERY quickly…
LETS FLATTEN THE CURVE!!
Yeah… it sucks, its uncomfortable, and people want to continue living their lives. I get it! And straight up… some people CAN’T stop working. We need doctors, nurses, and health care workers to continue doing what their doing (saving lives) and I don’t know about you but I enjoy running water, electricity, food, and cable.. oh my gahhhh cable… Moms can you imagine life without Disney Plus?? LOL!! But in all seriousness there are some people that will need to go to work and I get that. But for everyone else try to come up with a plan and stay home if possible!!
If you’re thinking well I am not at risk… thats great… but do it for the people who ARE at risk. Do it for my 300 residents who I absolutely adore at the Goffstown nursing home… do it for my friends son who was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and has to be extremely careful due to his depressed immune system, do it for my dear friend who lives in California and currently fighting breast cancer with a depleted immune system and currently going through chemo, do it for all the Moms and Dads out there who are at high risk because of underlying health problems like diabetes, heart disease, COPD, etc. Do it for your grandmothers and grandfathers. Please… just take a minute and really think about this and who it might effect in your circle.
Also, as of right now children seem to be presenting with mild to no symptoms at this time which is a blessing! BUT this does not mean they aren’t little transmission machines!! Gosh.. they are so gross hahah! …keep this in mind!
Today is day 3 of “social distancing” with the kids. Not sure when I will be able to see my family again which makes me super sad. BUT I think we will be clever and come up with ways to say hi to one another. Tonight Andi and I went for a bike ride around the neighborhood. We stopped our bikes at the end of my sisters driveway and gave her a call. They all came out and said hi from their porch (more then 6 feet away)! Be creative!
Lastly, I don’t know about you but I NEED the laughter and the coronavirus jokes (if you have read my blog since day one you know I pretty much laughed my entire “cancer experience” away lol!!) It is the BEST medicine. I recommend following Bob Marley & Amy Schumer on instagram if possible! Love them. And just continue sharing jokes, pictures, comments, whatever you can to make someone laugh or smile!
And lets continue being kind to one another!! Went to Market Basket last week and was stuck in a massive line to check out and noticed I wasn’t moving AT ALL. Well I look a little further and noticed an elderly man bagging items and an elderly women scanning. These “high risk” members of our community are putting themselves at risk so a “low risk” person like myself can stock up on food and non-perishables…. ummm that seems so wrong! A mom in the next aisle next to me realized I literally wasn’t moving and insisted I go in front of her!! It was SO sweet ❤ The lady who was scanning our items jokingly said “I am not sure when I will eat next” …(she wasn’t joking). I literally started going through my bags asking if she wanted a granola bar or snack. She smiled and said she was ok. My sister and I went out last week for last minute items and a man grabbed some TP off the shelf and looked at us and said “are you guys all set?”. SO kind! Lets continue!!
BE KIND ♥ PRAY ♥ LAUGH ♥ LIVE IN THE MOMENT ♥ TRY AND SEE THE GOOD ♥ BE POSITIVE
I am so sorry… this was so intense hahah!! I will continue posting “my thoughts”! Stay tuned or just find that little X in the right hand corner… I will totally understand lol!
Oh and I guess I should write a little tid-bit on myself. A lot of people have been concerned and asking how my immune system is and if I am “at risk” or not. I actually saw my oncologist a few weeks ago and she said my immune system should be back to where it was prior to being diagnosed. PHEW! ..I have been struggling with a headache and sore throat for about 2 weeks now and starting to get achy! 😳 No fever though! I will keep an eye on it….the kids have also been sick on and off. As most of you know Zacky was sent by ambulance to the hospital a few weeks ago. Temp of 105.5… SCARY stuff but he seems ok now and I am doing daily head to toe assessments lol! Jamie is also sick and I had my stethoscope out checking his lung sounds the other day… I don’t think he was impressed!! 😂
Gosh I love you all so much and praying for every single one of you!
Lets do this ✌
KPOWPOW
Kelly’s Breast Cancer Blog 🎀 