Month: March 2020

Like all of you, I have been home for two weeks now.  It looks like the schools will be closed beyond the April 15th timeline that was originally set.  I have had the opportunity to do things I haven’t been able to do or experience since I was diagnosed with my multitude of immune disorders.  Here are a few things I have learned about myself in the last two weeks that make disability or retirement not so scary for me now.

I was able to clean the apartment.  It took 5 days.  My husband even helped a little with the vacuum.  I used this cleaning activity as a different form of exercise.  I did the old fashioned type of mopping on my hands and knees with a rag.

I slept each night without the assistance of any sleep aids or pain killers.  In fact, I was able to keep the cpap machine on for an extra hour a night during these last two weeks.  I only fell asleep a little later than when I work, sleeping an additional hour.  The dog wakes me up.

I was still motivated to do yoga in the morning.  I even threw in circuit training once a week.

I used less to no cough syrup during the week.  I did not have severe coughing attacks everyday that I normally experience.  Less coughing meant less body aches.

My arthritis was not as severe.  I even finished a big knitting project.  Less pain, less pain killers, less water retention from the pain killers.

I was able to assist with one of my favorite charities.  Designing spreadsheets and work flow processes.  I haven’t had the time to that before for that charity.

I have gone down to 2 meals a day.  A large breakfast and a late lunch or early dinner that was medium size was all that I needed.  Less activity, less food needed.  I was able to maintain my weight.

I did get a little stir crazy around day 13 when I hadn’t left the apartment complex in a long time.  I alleviated it with doing an extra set of circuit training.

What does this have to do with retirement or disability?  Honestly, quite a bit.  It has been an anxiety of mine to be forced to leave work because of my health in the future.  I know now that I will only be little bored.  I have enough projects, friends and volunteer opportunities to keep me busy even if I am unable to go about business outside.

I am grateful for God allowing me to experience this with minimal worry about finances.  I am also grateful that God has allowed me to help the charity keeping my secretarial skills honed.  It will be interesting to see how God guides me through the next set of weeks to come.  Keep reading the Bible.  It provides peace of mind during this time of unknown economic and health crisis.

I have good news.  I saw the pulmonologist this last week.  I had been concerned because I have not been feeling very good lately.  In fact, I have been in a lot of pain with a lot of coughing.  I was concerned my lung function had started to decline.  The doctor assured me that I am still stable.

After some diligent research on the Lupus site, Everyday Health and Sjogren’s Foundation, I did find out something interesting.  It is normal to have a flare of an auto immune during winter and spring.  Why?  Well, it seems that unbeknownst to us, our muscles and tendons flex with the movement of the barometric pressure changes that afflict the northern hemisphere during those seasons.  So, my increase of pain goes with the fibromyalgia being over stimulated.  The extra coughing goes with the lack of rain, increased wind and higher pollution counts.  Of course, the cold encourages me to stay in and cease exercising, causing a cascade of stiffness.  There you have it.

I have been getting a lot of questions as to my dealings with the Covid 19.  Honestly, my routine has not changed.  What changed was what I did when I was first diagnosed with Lupus three years ago.  I invested in gloves and clorox wipes.  I wipe down the main points of contact every morning.  Last summer, I upgraded to the hospital strength wipes.  I take the time to wipe down the coffee pot handle, fax buttons, telephone, keyboard, mouse, scanner screen, copier screen, door knobs, light switches and the handle on the toilet and sink every morning.  By the end, more than 2 minutes has passed as per the directions on the wipes allowing me to begin my day.   I am more concerned about getting the flu and roto virus than Covid 19.

On the lighter side (or heavier) depending on how you are feeling while reading this.

Covid Conspiracies I have heard-

1.  New virus to distract from problem afflicting the elections.
2. Coincidence that Covid came about when 5G phones were released in China.  Virus could be riding the technology wave.
3. China getting back at world for sanctions.
4. Shutdown of global economy.
5. Elderly cleansing of the planet.
6. Force United States to become self sufficient instead of importing so many goods.

I know that some of the ideas sound pretty weird.  But, it could be any one of those or none.  It is just interesting to hear what people think.

My job now has the custodians wiping down door knobs daily.  That wasn’t even done during the bird flu, H1N1, SARS and MRSA outbreaks in the last 10 years.   What I would like to know is why wasn’t this done on regular basis to begin with.  Every year, within 10 days of school opening, Roto Virus and the flu are rampant through the staff and student body.    Maybe this little extra step will continue to the beginning of next school year.  Maybe….student and faculty absences will be less with this step.

I recently listened to a broadcast about Covid 19 and the cause.  It was one of the conspiracies I listed above.  My favorite part of the whole broadcast was the end.  The guest speaker said that all this does not matter, except to know Jesus and hold our hope in Him.

Whether me or someone I know succumb to this virus, it is in God’s hands.  We all have a beginning and an end date that only God knows.

Every day God allows me to wake up.  He is not done with me yet.

Closing thoughts totally off the subject….

Take some time and see Code 8 and  Farmaggedon.  Code 8 is thought provoker and makes a person consider just how far we are from a new type of prejudice.  Farmageddon is a funny Shawn the Sheep movie.  Just sit back and laugh.

Enjoy the little things.  Let God carry the big things.