Calm in the Chaos

Wow!  The past couple of weeks feel like a year. How quickly things can change. To say this is stressful is an understatement. Surprisingly, Mike and I are rather calm and taking things in stride. It doesn't mean we aren't worried. We choose not to live in that space. I think we are adjusting to our new normal quite well. I actually enjoy the fact that we are both home all day. We both enjoy taking five minutes here and there to check in on each other and pamper Sam. I think having separate offices is why we are handling being home together so well.

Nothing new on the cancer front. I finished my second cycle of Ibrance. I just started my off week. As with Taxol, I am handling this chemo with little to no side effects. Am I the chemo queen? With all the crazy, I am anxious to see how my blood levels are holding up. I go in on Friday for blood work, shots, and Ibrance refill. I think I see Josh again, aka Doogie Houser (that's what the staff call him because he is a young blonde PA). Anyway, how often do you hear someone excited about getting blood drawn? I am a strange woman!!

Hubby and I are weathering the Corona storm fairly well … so far anyway. Mike met with his surgeon for final follow-up from his appendectomy. He told Mike we were doing all the right things to protect ourselves:

• Wash hands frequently
• Wipe down all packages and mail with disinfecting wipes
• We let mail and cardboard boxes sit couple of days before we touch them, even though we wipe them down
• We pick up mail wearing gloves
• We wear gloves when pumping gas
• We practice social distancing when we take Sam for walks
• We use curbside pickup or delivery for groceries and other food
• Mike and I are committed to supporting our local eateries, so we've been ordering take-out and delivery. Here are some of our local favorites:
• Bow Ties 2 Blue Jeans Catering Company - they make 100 meals for a family of 4 every day; the menu is up for the next week or so; you need to order 48 hours in advance; well worth it!
• Green House - a farm to table restaurant. Great food; you need to order in advance here as well
• Both are about $10 per person; we easily spend that getting pizza ... and this stuff is soooo much better than pizza!

The doc suggested a few more things we can do to protect ourselves:

• Wash our hands and face as soon as we come in the house from walking Sam or being outdoors
• Be sure to wipe down our cell phones on a regular basis (duh - why didn't I think of that?)
• Start wearing a mask when we leave the house

Okay, the last one is a bit problematic. Masks are in short supply and are needed most desperately by those on the front lines, so buying them is out. Sadly, I have two boxes of masks I bought a couple of months ago for the office (a box of blue and a box of purple). They are sitting in my cube in my office. Great! I can head into the office and pick them up. The building is practically deserted. But am I putting myself at risk by doing so? 

My other option is to make some masks. That is more realistic, but I am not known for my sewing skills. Regardless, I think that is the direction I need to go in. It appears that Joanne's has curb side pickup. I will look into that tomorrow. If so, I will order fabric and needed supplies to make masks for me, hubby, my kids and grandkids, and for the others on the front lines. Why so many? Please … I know me! I can't just buy 1/4 yard of cute fabric. Plus, there are so many colors and patterns to choose from that would make cool masks! I will see what I can do. Will post pictures of my creations, but it may take a few days.

Meanwhile, stay safe everyone! Wash hands, practice social distancing, use common sense, minimize news coverage, be kind to everyone, a nd look for the silver lining.

Update: I ordered tons of fabric, thread, bias tape. All but 6 yards of fabric were canceled because they were out of stock. They were not out of stock when I ordered them. Wondering how soon they reverse the charges on my credit card. I also shopped for groceries on line. There are no curbside pickup or delivery times for ANY of the six HEBs in my area. None, nada, zilch. WTH?!! So, I am keeping my list full and checking delivery and pickup times frequently. If still no confirmation by mid-day Sunday, then I will be forced to shop elsewhere. Ugh! THIS is what prompts people to hoard groceries!!