Fight Like a Girl - We're all in time-out
Stay away from people, don't touch things, sanitize EVERYTHING! UMMMMM duh, I was social distancing before it was cool. I've been near people once since March 13th, and that was for an appointment to get set up for radiation because Cancer doesn't care about COVID, or maybe COVID-19 doesn't care about cancer, either way, being immunocompromised makes my chances of complications that much higher, whether it be from the common flu or some wicked mutant version like COVID-19.
The appointment went well, I was greeted by triage nurses in full battle armour screening everyone as they walked through the doors. The LRCP was basically empty! They had warned me at my last appointment that all non-essential in person visits will be postponed and to not bring anyone with me unless it was absolutely necessary. Add that to the staff constantly wiping down any touch surfaces and I felt pretty confident I wasn't contracting COvID there. I did however acquire 5 new tattoos. haha they are actually just single pinprick dots that will help me be lined up in the machine properly for my treatments, two under my arm and three from clavicle to stomach. I need to lay flat on my back with my arms raised above my head and let me tell you that is not easy to do. I'm still working on my ROM exercises and although I've improved dramatically I'm not yet back to where I was. Radiation can tighten things up again so I want to make sure I am as good as possible before starting. They said I can also expect some skin changes but they will go away, but the thing that worries me the most is how susceptible to skin cancer I'll be after. I guess this summer I'll be rocking scarves and sleeves ALL the time, but thats okay, I love scarfs! I officially start March 30th, and will go 5 days a week for 3 weeks. These appointments are quick, like in and out in half an hour, and they run on time!!!
Time seems to be something quite a few people have in abundance now. For us and ours things haven't changed though. Adam still has to work and will likely have to pick up some extra shifts and my MIL is still working her full rotation in the ER. The kids are enjoying the relaxed schedule though. They were very much ready for a break and although they miss their friends, they have each other to play with/annoy/cuddle/fight. This mama is loving that it is perfectly acceptable to sleep in, wear pyjamas all day and watch Disney+. I also love that they view their new chores as fun because they break up the day a bit, win-win! Asher actually ASKS to clean the bathrooms!!! But in all honesty, this is a great time to teach them because we have the time. Add in some info on how bacteria creates the nasty smell and how germs die with soap, BAM science lesson for the day.
The whole homeschooling thing doesn't scare me either because we already did it for a bit last school year when we moved. I think the best takeaway from that experience was that 'school' doesn't have to be in set times or set lesson plans, at least with my kids. I try to incorporate lessons into everyday life and then once and a while they do some worksheets to 'test' their knowledge. Also there is a plethora of apps and free educational websites available right now, like a learning candy store, so many options! Depending on how long the isolation lasts we may change things up a bit but for now we're enrolled in the School of Life.
With the arrival of Spring brings the return of my energy! I'm finally able to complete regular tasks without needing a lie-down! I love opening up the curtains to the sunshine although I don't love how it highlights all the areas in need of a dusting! I've just finished new crate pads for the pups because theirs were stanky! They were meant to be washable but because they are filled with fluff they have ripped into them and now they are falling apart. The new ones are made differently so fingers crossed they don't chew them and they'll be able to be washed on the regular to keep the dog smell down. I've also completed a few other WIPs (works in progress) and it feels good accomplishing things again.
My favourite meme from the past week is the one that says maybe Mother Earth has put us in a time out to think about what we've done. Hilarious and quite possibly true. I think it's a great way to look at the situation. Reports are already showing what a world with less human activity can be like and damn it looks good. I guess nobody can say that humans aren't the problem any more.
At the very least, a forced down time can do wonders for a person. Take the time to meditate, exercise, try something new, play a game, read, spring clean, and love each other, maintaining social distance of course!
Stay home, stay well
Love Katie