Working at Home, Prepped, and Ready for the Long Haul

Soooo...how is everyone doing?  These are definitely some strange times we're all experiencing, right?

First things first - Dan is doing well.  Physically, he is feeling pretty good other than the usual fatigue-insomnia combo that he's been dealing with since all of this began.  Considering the side effects that he could be dealing with, we consider ourselves lucky that he's only experiencing a couple of minor dizzy spells and the fatigue-insomnia situation.

He is still scheduled to go in every Friday for his weekly treatment.  That will continue until we're told otherwise.  Last week, he was able to have a detailed discussion with members of his care team about the Covid-19 situation. They didn't tell him not to worry about it, but they did discuss the basic common sense practices that we all should be taking.  Things such as frequent and thorough hand washing, avoiding crowds, sanitizing home surfaces, eat healthy, getting enough sleep (that one is a challenge), avoiding anyone with any signs of obvious illness and as much self-quarantining as possible.

Last Wednesday, Dan was told by his employers that effective today (Monday), he would be able to work from home.  I cannot tell you what a major relief that is.  On days when he had no out-of-office appointments, he would take public transportation and while he was relatively secluded in his work studio, he still had a lot of contact with co-workers, clients, vendors, etc.

As news about Covid-19 spread, I was more and more anxious about him going to work.  Like REALLY anxious.  Stomach aches, headaches and my own insomnia were at an all-time high.  So when he called me on Wednesday to tell me the news, I literally started to cry.

If he didn't have Multiple Myeloma, I would not be that concerned for either of us.  Prior to his diagnosis, he was the healthiest person I knew.  However, MM changes everything.  Literally EVERYTHING.  If he sneezes, my heart skips a little.  If he coughs, I immediately say "Why are you coughing??? Are you sick???".  It drives him nuts, but I can't help it.  I worry.

At this point, I really need to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone at Entercom Communications who not only made working from home a reality, but also to everyone who has been so supportive of Dan since all of this began.  A very special thank you to Lindsey Peterson, Shannon Knoepke and John Hanson for their flexibility, support, kindness and goodwill.  I will never be able to fully express my gratitude.   

Random thoughts about Quarantine:

True confession time:  I'm a little bit of a Doomsday Prepper.  I don't have an underground bunker or 20 years of freeze-dried Chicken Ala King in the basement or anything, but I am a "stocker-upper".  So much so that when my niece Laura opened our upright freezer in the garage, she said "Well, I know where I'm going if there's a nuclear war!".  Oops.

You can't be too careful

I blame my mother.  OK, I only blame her for a part of it.  She was a stocker-upper too and one day in high school, I made a sarcastic crack about the 20 boxes of Kleenex in the closet and she replied with "Well, if you grew up during the Depression, you would stock up too!"

Then comes the Fall of 1983.  ABC broadcasts a movie called "The Day After".  If you're not old enough to remember, it was the story of the fallout from a nuclear war between Russia and the United States.  Remember, this was before the Berlin Wall came down and well before the relationship between President Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev was formed.  

The movie showed the impact of an atomic bomb dropped on the area in and around Kansas City, MO.  It was utterly terrifying.  It wasn't the result of special effects or big explosions or gory scenes. But it was the most upsetting thing I had ever watched.

Scary Content!

Then, because I'm a masochist, I went to see a movie called "Testament" that had been released in theaters just a couple of weeks before "The Day After".  It was a similar premise and in some ways more scary.  Testament focused less on the politics and more on the effect on an everyday family.  Those movies cemented my weird "stocking up" tendencies.  Don't even get me started on "Jericho", "Under The Dome", etc.  I can imagine that those of you that are younger probably think I'm insane.  But if you grew up doing "Civil Defense Drills" as a young child, you'd understand better.  

Don't worry.  I don't go through life thinking the end is nigh, but I do get some comfort from having a well stocked first aid kit, batteries, food, water, paper products, etc.  A few years ago, I REALLY wanted Dan to buy me a generator for Valentine's Day. (P.S. I didn't get it.)

So when all of this panic buying started recently, I admit that I felt pretty proud of myself for stocking up on hand sanitizer, masks, cleaning wipes and Airborne when Dan was initially diagnosed.  See?  There is some benefit to being a little neurotic and more than a little OCD.  

In all seriousness, PLEASE follow the guidelines that have been put in place so we can "flatten the curve" on new cases of Covid 19.  Its not "just' those who have cancer or are elderly...even though I hate saying "just" because unfortunately that represents A LOT of people - people whose lives are just as precious as everyone else's.  

Seriously limit the time you are out in public, wash your hands multiple times a day, cough and sneeze into your elbow, practice social distancing and STAY HOME whenever you can.  Watch a movie, read a book, clean out your closets, balance your checkbook, call your friends and family, take an online class....anything that keeps you home and safe.  

We're all in this life -- and this pandemic together.  Let's make the best of it. 

Comments

[Jane]

I'm so glad he is doing well and can work from home. I think I was one of those people who laughed at how "prepared" you always were. Guess it paid off! Your garage is gold right about now. By the way, what time do you guys go to bed.....any alarms there? just asking for a friend of course. Stay healthy!!!

[Janice]

Nancy, I love you so much and you always make sense with what you say! I too, am a stocker! You were right when you said our mom’s lived during the depression and they stocked food and supplies. I diffenitly am my mother’s daughter too! I think Kelly and I would be good for at least a good six months.😊
I have thought about you and Dan and I am so glad to hear that he can work from home! Now....just because he is at home, don’t let him get to bossy! Remember!.... You are the ”Queen” of the house hold and if he doesn’t behave, he will be sent to my house , cleaning and cooking! 😎 ( We love Dan ❤️)
You take care of yourself too! Caregivers are so under rated and it’s such a difficult job! I do know Dan appreciates you a lot but in order to take care or support him, you need to take care of you !
At this time family and friends have to help each other out, if needed. I went to 3 stores to try and find butt wipe ( toilet paper) for my little brother who couldn’t find any, and just by “luck”, i got a big package for him at target (which you could only by one) You see Big Sister’s don’t let their little brother’s go with “ poopie butt’s”! 🧐...... Point is, if family and friend’s run short of something, let’s give and help them out..😊
Be safe sweet girl, keep us updated on Sweet Dan, i know he’s a tough guy, but we still worry about his well being ❤️
Sending Love ❤️ & ((((((Warm Hugs)))))) to you both! 🥰🥰
Ps....Puzzles are good to pass time too! To bad I don’t have any!! 🙄

[Carrie]

So glad Dan is doing so well! Such great news!!!! Prayers that his recovery continues to keep him healthy. We all need to take the chaos of our current world, as a reason to slow down and to enjoy life together with those we love and cherish , one minute at a time.
Carrie

[Nancy J Mitchell]

Thanks to all for the kind words of love and support. I guarantee you that we read each and every one and they are SO appreciated.
Stay safe.
xoxo
Nancy