Pandemic, April Style

As of today, according to CNN, the number of US coronavirus cases has surpassed 1 million. It'll be very interesting to see over the coming months how many cases are flying under the radar at this point. My hope is that everyone will get tested to see how great the scope of this actually is. We are back full time at work and slowly making our way towards a more normal schedule. We've only had 2 docs in the lab and I hope upstairs gives us the go ahead to go back to 3 because last week sure felt like we could have used a third doc. 4E is filling back up and we are getting STEMIs...last Tuesday was my first call shift since this started and it started with COVID rule out patient then a midnight arrest which ended up being a VSD-related thrombectomy. Needless to say, I didn't go to work until 12 on Wednesday. This week is going to be a little wonky as well because I am home post BCC excision. I'm glad it's behind me now, especially since it had to be delayed twice due to the pandemic. I have a pressure dressing on my sore forehead and a button bandaid on another spot that was tested on the fly and found to be another hotspot. I will be wearing hats all summer, every summer from now on. I was supposed to be on call tonight but got rid of it due to restrictions...I can't bend over, heavy lift, or do anything that will raise my BP and HR. Cannot risk having to do chest compressions or move heavy patients. This extends my weekend a bit which is nice because I can sit here and relax and get this done in my cozy chair with X on my lap. I am unable to exercise for a week so I plan to go for a long walk later...better than nothing. Weekends have been isolating except for going out for grocery store necessities. Saturday, I did my usual Saturday stuffies and grocery shopping. It was the only nice day this weekend so I chose to sit outside for a bit (finally finished my book about the Plague) instead of going for a run. Sunday, I did a virtual cardio class through Mighty Yoga and made a big pot of fish chowder. Yesterday, I cleaned Xander's potty room, ran some errands and used the elliptical.

My last entry was the tail end of my quarantine so nothing too exciting and far-reaching has occurred in my life. This entry, to be honest, will not be very substantial. I think it'll be easier if I just write a long, run-on sentence starting March 26th: went for a run/started watching Outlander on Netflix (finished season 1 last night...brutal), 27th: virtual Barre class/long walk, 28th: Occ Med clearance/ groceries and errands/ordered new running sneakers/elliptical, 29th: made Thanksgiving dinner, 30th: cleaned Xander's potty room, 31st: lazy, April 1st: went back to work, 2nd: work, 3rd: virtual Barre class/LM?, 4th: laundry/groceries/run, 5th: meal prep and clean up, 6th: virtual financial fitness meeting/started setting up a college fund for Simone/deck drink/run. Here resumed my normal work schedule.

The weekend of the 10th was interesting and a little scary. That Saturday, I grabbed groceries, finished setting up the college fund, and did some Pilates at home using a DVD that came with my yoga mat when I bought it years ago. After I showered, I started having trouble breathing and my lungs felt super tight and audibly wheezy. I got a headache from coughing so much and was up most of the night. Sunday morning, I went to CVS to buy new allergy medication and felt better throughout the day. I made baked Mac and Cheese for Easter and went for a long walk. Monday, I HOA and other computer stuffies, cleaned my bathroom and used the elliptical. Went to work on Tuesday but had to step out of the room mid-morning to have a coughing fit. As soon as that happened, I had an obligation to let Occ Med know so I promptly went home after going through the drive-through COVID testing place. I would rather have stayed at work because that swab going up my left nostril felt like it was scraping my brain. Anywho, the test came back negative and I went to work the rest of the week. Fast forward to this past Saturday...it dawned on me that it was most likely a reaction to the strong fumes from an old can of Nair hair removal cream I'm trying to use up in place of shaving cream. Saturday is leg shave day. Leave it to me to harm myself because I can't just throw things out *eye roll emoji*

Last but not least, last weekend. I did my usual Saturday stuffies and went for a run. Sunday, I went to Ctown to join the birthday parade for Miss Maria Goss. A great turn out, we all met in the Ames parking lot and slowly drove by her house being led by a firetruck and a couple cop cars. It was so nice to see them! Such a special 10th birthday. Afterwards, I visited with my mom outside then headed back to town to grocery shop. I meal prepped for the week and made cookies. On Monday, I went for a hike in the woods with PA Crain and Addy girl on some trails I didn't know existed in Hartford. I ran a few errands then got Five Guys curbside pickup to celebrate 4/20.

It is what it is and the world is taking this one day at a time. The new normal remains to be seen. Maybe this summer is a good one to finally buy a kayak and do some solo exploration. The Iration concert has officially been postponed, Dayna's shower was pushed back a month and they had to scramble for a new venue. Right now, it's still June 13th. I need to get my dress shortened and figure out their gift. Other projects are frozen because I shouldn't have anyone in my house. What else can I do? A long walk it is.