Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Comments
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Minus Two, I do the same thing. I have two sets of sheets just alike. I have one set on the bed and one in the laundry I wash the ones in the laundry, stirp the bed, put the clean sheets on it and the dirty ones back in the laundry basket. So -- I don't fold either. I watched a tutorial more times than I can count but I still never got it really right. So my dirty laundry basket is never quite empty.
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Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
- Mary Anne Radmacher -
I like Spam but don't buy it because it's so salty, even the reduced salt version. One salty meal and my body takes on 3 to 5 lbs of fluid.
Just heard Cramer on CNBC, a business channel, throw out the idea of isolating the people 60 and over and letting the rest of the world get on with business. As if those under 60 run no risks of becoming very sick with corona virus and even dying.
It's sunny out and our summery weather continues. Today is a walking day. Then I will continue with the pruning labor in the yard. I'm "hollowing" out a monster azalea bed so that I can more easily remove invasive vines, blackberry bushes, and upstart trees. I whacked the same azaleas to waist level about 3 years ago and they grew back with a vengeance. I don't have to worry about running out of yard work any time soon.
I haven't decided whether I will have my cleaning angel come in next month. A number of my women golfing friends are continuing to play golf but I haven't felt comfortable doing the same.
It's good to "visit" on our bc discussion forums.
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Gray again today, but temps. will be getting much better. That will mean some rain, but maybe most of that will come in the later hours of the day. I hope so. Won't be going out much, but just feeding the feral cats -- but always nicer if there isn't moisture at meal time. They come if it is a misty type rain, but it bothers me to think they have to get quite damp to eat. I am a softy here they are concerned.
Plenty to do ( most of it of course at home ) the next couple of days. I will have to see if I'm allowed to get some testing the Dr. ordered. Not at all sure, but I'll see.
Hope you are all going to have a good day.
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Need to vent - sorry for the rant. Waiting for call back from Dentist re: emergency visit to handle severe problem with teeth. Their office is closed except for emergencies. Issues started on Friday & brewed all weekend, so really excruciating now. Right cheek swollen, mother of all headaches in right temple & pain spreading to the ear. Called at 8:15 & called back @ 10:15 - Dentist supposedly on the way into the office. GRRRRRRR!
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Good morning, ladies. I actually have an appointment with my SO. It is the only doctor that didn't cancel. So, I am going out into the world today.
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Celia, I would be ranting also. I hope you're able to get relief today.
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Celia - I hope he gets you in, sounds like you might need an antibiotic for the swelling.
Fitted sheets - I gave up a long time ago. They're sheets. No one will show up, inspect, and fail me. LOL I fold as best I can, put the folded pillow cases on top & add the flat sheet folded nicely on top of them all. Done.
Have a great day ladies!
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- Cindy, you sound like you have all your priorities in place and, thank you, you made me laugh.y! You are all so lucky to be able to go into a store without being on house arrest or denied entry back into the Mather Retirement Home. They printed a Mather Market Order Form, where they'll order for you and deliver to your apartment, consisting mostly of Adult briefs and Panty liners and Grape jelly.I walked a lot yesterday, was cold, and wanted oatmeal( comfort food.)We didn't need anything delivered from Jewel or TJ's, Whole Foods, so went online to Amazon. Basically out of it until middle of April, except for the exotic stuff like maple honey chocolate which I would never go near. Did find an Irish Porridge with good reviews which will be delivered Thursday. Tonight ordering sesame noodles from Lulu's, tomorrow pad Thai and large cucumber salad from Siam Splendour, last night risotto primavera and apple celery salad from Trattoria DOC. Gil will have those leftovers tonight and make pasta for himselfDon't know about computer which I love, but never have time for Kindle.
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SHi, everyone,
Sorry it's been so long… as usual, mostly family related. Jackie, so sorry about your broken arm. Hope it's healing well. Carole, sorry about your Sister-in-law passing, and Sandy, hope you have gotten some relief from your ear problem.
I'll try to hit the highlights quickly. My brother moved out in Jan. His girlfriend bought him a condo in NC near his 3 kids. She was supposed to be moving in with him, but so far, nothings changed. She visits every 3-4 months. I miss him so much!
My DGS was offered the opportunity to go to the College Academy, where he would take 3 HS classes and 3 college courses a day, and would graduate with both a HS diploma and 2 yr college degree. They didn't really do any research about it, just signed up for it. His HS classes were 11th grade English and 11th grade math. He has been in AP classes since middle school. Did he tell anyone?- no, he just stopped going to class. In his defense he only went to the math class at the college for the first week, and he missed one question on the final. His GPA for the fall semester was .67. I didn't know you could have a GPA below 1.0. He's back at the HS full time..
My daughter in Atlanta had "something" wrong in her first ever mammogram. She didn't tell me at first, and was going around in circles. She called me the day she was supposed to have a biopsy. The Dr refused to do it because he didn't know what he was looking for. I told her to call my surgeon at Emory Univ. She did, and within a week she had her answer- no cancer. She has also changed jobs and is loving the new job. She's still in home construction, and she said it is so much fun when someone calls, and recognizes her voice. They are all so happy she made the change. And her commute went from 90 min each way, to 35 min.
She wanted to come down to see her nieces and nephew before she started the new job. This was just as they were saying not to fly, so she decided to drive. Hubby wasn't happy about her driving 12 hrs by herself, so he drove. His goal was to eat at 4 local restaurants in 3 days. He accomplished that goal, but like an idiot, I ordered full meals at each place including sharing appetizers and desserts. The morning after they left, I started throwing up. I thought I had food poisoning. I was so beyond nauseated for days. I could barely take a sip of liquid every half hour. The rest of the time I just laid in a fetal position. I didn't move, watch TV or read. Finally we went to the ER. One CT scan and an ultrasound later, I was told it was my gall bladder. There really isn't much they can do. They gave me meds for the nausea, and something to stop the cramps. I was on clear liquids for days. My DD made fresh chicken soup, and gave me ½ cup of just broth. It was the most incredibly delicious broth I have ever had. I am doing ok now, being very careful what I eat, but as soon as the Covid goes away, they want me to see a gastro specialist. I am self- isolated, but mine started two weeks before anyone else. So far, I'm okay being home. My DD stops at the store if we need anything, and yesterday I did an online order to our grocery store. It will be delivered tomorrow. My SIL is a truck driver for the biggest grocery chain in FL. He delivers in Ga. He has put on Facebook every night for everyone to calm down and stop over buying. He says their warehouses are full, but they can only carry so much in each truck. Where he used to service 5-7 stores a day. Now, especially with toilet paper and cleaning supplies being hoarded, he can only do two stores a day. He said if everyone would give them a few days to catch up, there would not be any empty shelves.
With all the bad stuff with the COVID, my son ( who is a teacher) is getting his first real vacation in years. Usually he.drives down to start camp immediately following graduation ( leaves from there) and the same thing in Aug. He leaves from camp on Fri afternoon and goes back to school that Mon. His girls are thrilled to have him home every day.
That's the highlights. So glad to see this thread is still going strong. I have a friend who is having a DMX. at the end of the month, and I told her she should get on here. She lives alone and is very private. I think this is the best place for her to find her community. I am so glad someone pointed me your way.
Love to all, Anne
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Petite - Hope your SO visit works out well.
Cindy and Wren - Thanks for commiserating! Dentist phoned in antibiotic scrip to start on immediately. Went to Walgreens drive through to pickup & ATM for $. I am to call back Dentist on Weds. AM. While the antibiotic may thwart infection, will probably still need to resolve the underlying tooth/teeth issues. Using Clove Oil & Tylenol to help alleviate pain. Last night, rubbed some of DH's sherry on my gums (done at his insistence). Just made a coffee mocha liberally laced with Chambord. Interesting to note that Liquor stores are apparently considered essential services, as I just heard on the telly.
Keywest - Lucky you have some great take out (my mouth is watering) & delivery options.
Our nearest Whole Foods & TJs are across the river in OH (we are in N KY), so delivery not possible. Placed an order with Kroger's for delivery, but not sure what we will get, or when. We try to buy Organic & some items may be unavailable. Delivery is $9.95 & they include a tip as well, so about $17 total.
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Oh Anne, I am so relieved. I worried and worried about you. Sent you a couple of pm's but then gave up. Still you were on my mind. You are a big part of this thread and though we carried on I personally felt an empty spot most of the time. I am so glad you are back. I am sorry about the gall bladder issue and having to wait. I think though it is like this dx. Once you know for sure you can start finding some ways to compensate. I think many are in your same boat of having to wait unless it is a huge emergency.
The virus issue has substantially changed so many lives. If and once we get through this I think we could be really strong and viable, but there are a lot of rivers to cross yet -- we just all have to paddle together.
Went over to my friend's house so she could have a 'bath' day. I am going twice a week. In the meantime scrubbing down her kitchen. Hoping she gets some home cleaning help and that is the major reason I wanted to scrub the kitchen a bit. I think it would help the cleaning person not feel overwhelmed. A lot of work, but I have always been in tune with the idea that those who can help a little can make a big difference for someone and even though it was not the best of times ( my own spring cleaning paused ) it is okay. Today I pretty much was able to finish cabinets, fridge and counter. From now on till a cleaning person is arranged, I will just keep an eye so that it stays okay.
Was finally able to get a hold of the lab at our hospital her and I will be able to go in and do my test ( Special urinalyses ), tomorrow morning. You use the bathroom upon getting up in the morning, but then I have to get dressed, go to the hospital, and not use the bathroom again until I'm there. Yikes !!! I'll get it done but the sooner the better.
Haven't been back to any of the stores as we are in fair shape right now, but it will be interesting to see if these silly people around here are still buying up like crazy. I'm still amazed about this since it all seems so unreasonable to me. I falsely assumed people here ( what in the world was I thinking ) would panic buy and I still don't see the why behind it. You can only use so much of this stuff and I have storage issues here at my house at normal times -- so no way could I "stash" paper goods or much of anything else.
BTW Anne -- my arm is coming along fairly well. I do have limits ( just as the Dr. said ) but so far since my arm has been out of the sling -- I think about 4 mos. now, I have been able pretty much to use my arm in anyway I wanted or needed. Can't fully stretch it all the way up, and I'm not yet comfortable laying on my arm for long on my left side, but otherwise it is almost hard to know anything much happened. Still having/feeling some weather changes but nothing one could call really bothersome. Again, I am so relieved to know you are ok.
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Not sure where to post this info, but believe some on this topic could find this post useful. Following is an excerpt from a daily update I receive from the AICPA, that included 10 ways to stay social at a distance. "4. Enjoy the arts with a night at the opera or virtual museum tour – Seize the opportunity to watch some of the world's greatest operatic performances from the comfort of your own couch with free streamed concerts from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The "Nightly Met Opera Streams" begin at 7:30 p.m. ET each night on the Met's homepage. The performances remain available for 20 hours and are also available on the Met Opera's On-Demand apps.
You can also experience the best museums, from London to Seoul. Many top museums from around the world are offering free online tours to help people cope with staying home. Go alone for a relaxing and personal experience, or coordinate with friends to take a remote tour together and share in the world's greatest art.
5. Go on safari with the Cincinnati Zoo – Every day at 3:00 pm ET, the Cincinnati Zoo invites people to join them on Facebook Live for a fun and educational tour. Each live broadcast highlights one of their amazing animals and includes an activity you can do from home. The first episode featured the world's most famous (and adorable) hippo, Fiona." -
I hope all that Spam was going to the local food bank! Our requests continue to rise and our delivery trucks are late. Much as I hate to look at our shrinking portfolio, I'm grateful I have a portfolio to look at. Daughter continues to report a mess at the grocery store where she works.
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Celia, hope you can get some relief with the oil of cloves & Tylenol. Back in the day, they used to sell it in little bottles as "toothache drops" with cotton pellets and a tiny orangewood stick to put them on the cavity. You might want to try gently icing the cheek on that side. The antibiotic should help.
Anne, we missed you.
Judy, that "order list" sounds like a stereotype. Adult briefs & grape jelly? Oy. (But panty liners--and Always bladder pads--have been my salvation ever since my pregnancy >35 yrs. ago. Kegels can do only so much). I wish I could eat noodles or risotto--I like Lulu's but Trattoria D.O.C. is awesome! I really, really miss Davis St. Fishmarket--we went several times a month starting when Gordy was only 4 yrs. old--the waitresses used to tie a lobster bib around him like Superman's cape--he'd run around boasting "I'm Lobsterman!" Terra & Vine next to the multiplex is also pretty good. I like Tapas Barcelona, but their paella is only "meh." (No soccarat at the bottom of the rice). All moot anyway, as I'm supposed to eschew (rather than chew) rice. And Christmas Eve at Chef's Station was starting to become a family tradition. (Did cheat tonight--1/2 c. of fried rice to sop up the soggy Chinese leftovers. Concluded it wasn't really worth it).
Never had Spam--must be salty as all get-out. Losing my taste for most lunch meats anyway--a slice of prosciutto or pastrami is enough for me. I'm even finding corned beef too salty.
The 2" of snow on the ground as of 3 am was gone by noon. So much for backyard deck-to-deck snowball fights.
Bob's partner had her lumpectomy today--Luminal A, Ki-67 was 10%. (My cancer center doesn't test for that--it does mitotic rate instead). She didn't say what grade, but I'm guessing that with the Ki-67 at the high cusp of "low" it's probably Grade 2 like mine. Not everyone in the office knows about it, though, so there has to be an alternate way of Bob getting my "PPP" ("Protective Pillow Purse," a shoulder-strapped pillow sewn by N. Shore volunteers to cushion SNLB incisions) to her. As far as anyone else (except Bob & her boyfriend) knows, she's out of the office due to COVID-19 because none of her patients have problems too urgent for e-visits.
My late FIL used to watch Kudlow & Cramer and then do exactly the opposite of what they recommended. He made a mint. Sounds to me like they're caring more about their portfolios than the nation's microeconomy (small business and workers)--and Kudlow's boss' hotels. (Ooops--hope the Mods don't delete this).
Bob brought home some of "The Precious" tonight--6 rolls of TP from the office (everyone from him down to the receptionist & custodian gets them) because patients aren't coming in.
I messaged the furrier about my mom's mink, which I prepaid them to repair, clean & condition---they e-mailed me back that what I paid didn't include shipping but that I could pick it up any time before 6pm this week (or Bob, since one of his hospitals is nearby). Which begs the question: why are they staying open (except perhaps to guard their inventory)? Bob is considering making it his last stop of the day, because he's afraid to keep it in his trunk in a S. Side hospital parking lot. But we don't have much winter remaining--and with this stay-home order in place, where am I gonna get to wear it? I was going to have them cold-store it beginning in May, but maybe it's time to start now.
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We just heard from the governor who issued a stay at home edict. We're allowed outside to exercise, but alone. The animal shelter is now closed to volunteers, so I won't even be folding the laundry. We can grocery shop, go to pharmacy and doctors'. That's it. I think they should have done this earlier, but it is what it is.
Bless DH. He made a huge mess in the kitchen and cleaned it all up. I'm thrilled. I've wanted to clean the stove all week, but he's had something cooking every minute. I was starting to wonder if my cleaning products were flammable.
Anne, Good hearing from you. Thanks for letting us know you're OK.
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Wow--WA didn't have stay-at-home till now???
Chicago alone now has >1200 cases.
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Good Morning. Ladies. The SO said I am healing well and never have to come back. YAY!
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A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others,
is stronger than any physical force in the universe.
- Wayne Dyer -
Petite yes, yes, yes, yay for you. Some milestones are very joyful. Sun wants to come out today. I sure would like to see it. Getting to 50 I think so no matter what not too cool.
Arrived at the hospital at about 6 a.m. Had to have a temp. check and wash my hands with sanitizer. All visiting at the hospital is forbitten save for patients not expected to live and of course accommodations will happen. My test was fine -- unless you want to talk about the fact that I accidentally dropped the plastic cup in the drink beforehand. Thank goodness I did this before I started to use it -- elsewise I would have had to wait until tomorrow morning. So, at that hour in the morning without coffee -- I'm not real surprised I 'goofed' so badly. Just glad that I didn't have to wait until tomorrow. The sooner I get this test done, the sooner I can move on. Maybe though -- I won't have any real need to move on 'quickly'. That is my hope. Not sure with this virus how many tests and procedures will continue to take place.
We seem ( some of it is more testing going on ) to be really ramping up the number of 'found' covid cases very quickly now and I think I heard/read that a quicker test yet will be in people's hands fairly quickly. Not being political here but I do hope the powers that be do not lift some of the restrictions we are under too quickly. We all need to stay as safe as possible and if too many work places and other areas are opened too quickly it could make a lot more issues for us.
I'm unaware of any cases in the county I live in as yet so I'm trying to be careful, but there are things one can't avoid too well -- like going to the store or a Dr.'s visit, or drugstore/pharmacy. Just have to be careful and watch your hands etc. I think the Aldi's store here ( maybe other places too ) are wanting people to pay with credit/debit cards so hands don't have to touch with money being exchanged. Sure makes me glad ( although I waited for such a long time ) that I finally started using a debit card.
Hope you are all doing well and will have a nice day.
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I just returned from a trip to a nearby supermarket and also to a smaller grocery store. There weren't many people in either store and I was able to get the items on my list. No paper products in the supermarket but I'm ok with that for the time being. No eggs or egg beaters either but I got both at the grocery store that is even nearer to my house.
I wore salon gloves since I happen to have a box of them. There shouldn't be any need to go out for food supplies the rest of this week.
DH was feeling very anxious yesterday but I think he's in a better mental state today. I'm sure losing his sister hasn't helped him to feel good about life. He and I both feel very threatened by the deadliness of the corona virus to the elderly with health issues. All we can do is try to avoid contact.
It doesn't help that summer seems to be here with the humidity and heat, limiting the time outdoors.
I feel so bad for women who are being diagnosed with bc in this medical environment. I hope they are able to get the treatment they need.
Let's all hang in there.
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ChiSandy - FL gov has not acted quickly nor has he issued a "stay at home" order. I believe it's all about tourism money. Many snowbirds are heading back to "home" states.
Petite1- great to hear good news!
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Surprised to hear of some of the states that have not "locked down" yet. Petite - Yay, for the good news. Have had some relief from toothache from taking the antibiotics, using oil of cloves, tylenol & gentle "icing" (thanks ChiSandy for the hint). Still hurts like heck as soon as the tylenol have worn off. Will see what Dentist says tomorrow.
DH and I will try foraging the smaller grocery store near us for items not able to find via delivery. Not happy about venturing out, but there a few food items DH needs & also trying to find dish liquid for those items that cannot go in the dishwasher.
Temps are on the rise here - mid-fifties today & steadily rising each day to a high of 72 on Sunday.
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ChiSandy, Texas governor stated he would not order shelter in place, that the cities and counties have the authority to do so, if needed. San Antonio (home of Lackland AFB where cruise ship folks have been quarantined)mayor and Bexar county official did just that, calling it "Stay home, work safe", to be effective at midnight tonight. No such order in my county yet but about the only things open are groceries, pharmacies, banks, gas stations. Hospitals are functioning (as a matter of fact a friend who was diagnosed last week with early stage BC is scheduled for a lumpectomy tomorrow and was told they could schedule so quickly because all elective surgery has been cancelled). Restaurants have only take out or delivery, etc so effectively we are at stay home without fines for being out; not so in S A/Bexar as significant fines, including possible time in jail for nonessential travel, were included in the stay home orders.
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If you go to grocery store and they do not have wipes for cart handles, the plastic bags they provide for produce make nice temporary barriers for your hands. Just put one on each hand and tuck into sleeves of coat or shirt. Use hand sanitizer before and after use. It works as a quick, temporary fix.
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I wanted say hi to this "older" group. I was first diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 57 and in February of this year found out I have a recurrence; I am 65. I have a unilateral mastectomy scheduled on April 7th.
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rosecal954 Welcome, but so sorry, and I send you warm wishes for success with surgery and healing ahead and your treatment plan.
RE: Pandemic, To Everyone on this thread: My son-in-law is an ER physician. His guidance right now is said with urgency and dread. He's on a FB group of 12,000 ER docs in the United States who are sharing with each other their horrific descriptions of unusual presentations, and a high rate of complication. Of course, there's a terrible situation ahead for us of not enough ICU beds and ventilators and PPE for hospital personnel.
The medical school where he teaches and is an attending doc is predictive-modeling the curve of cases nationwide to drop slightly in the summer, and be back up again in the fall, so we will not be through this any time soon. If we'd gone on nationwide lock-down three weeks ago, most models show that we could have turned things around so that almost everyone who needs ICU attention could have been cared for appropriately, but even starting right now, we can help the medical resources stretch if we limit exposure to protect ourselves and others.
You can confirm all of these models and guidelines at the CDC website, and the Johns Hopkins University daily updates can be subscribed to for free. CDC website has guidelines for cleaning, and other safety procedures.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
My DSIL has given me these instructions, more in the form of orders than suggestions.
- Shelter in place if you're in the "high risk/vulnerable" category: = over 60, have other respiratory (asthma, COPD, etc) or immune system issues, such as diabetes, autoimmune disease, immune-suppressing medications, etc. Whoever lives with someone in one of those categories should also Shelter in Place. This is the safe choice not only for you, but for everyone's access to ventilators, PPE and ICU beds for several more weeks.
- Hire someone to bring you groceries, medical essentials, etc., or have a young person who's not in a high-risk/vulnerable group do such errands for you
- The by-now-very-familiar don't touch your face, and WASH YOUR HANDS many times a day, always for 30 seconds, etc.
- Don't forget to wipe down (alcohol wipes) your glasses' earpieces/sides, hearing aids and phone several times a day
- If you must go out and be around anyone, do all protocols:
- Wear disposable gloves if you must shop
- strip at the door when you come home, set all clothes in washing machine and then take a shower before touching anything else in the house
- Leave outside shoes at the door
- wipe down doorknobs and anything you touch
- isolate everything you've brought into the house
- new groceries separate from older ones, let things sit for 3-5 days before using
- wipe everything with lysol wipes or spray with bleach spray and let dry
- Wipe down your credit card with an alcohol wipe or alcohol after you've used it--no cash unless you're wearing gloves and can keep it someplace you won't touch it with your fingers
- In your car & in your purse if you leave the house: gel hand cleaner, disposable gloves, alcohol wipes (for credit card), etc. in case of a break-down or needing gas or any emergency
- Grocery & Rx pick-up (windows, outdoor loading stations) are safer than going inside, and delivery to your home is the very best option
- Go to the ER if you find yourself struggling with breathing; the respiratory issues worsen quickly with COVID-19
- WALKING: Don't touch friendly dogs while walking, and stay 6-10 feet apart from anyone who's not your spouse/partner/roommate when walking--the viability time of droplets in the air is a concern due to recent lab research
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Welcome rosecal954. I am sorry you need to be here, but glad you found us. We don't hold real fast to age here but started posting in the group since unlike our younger sisters we tend to have different issues related to age. I hope you do well with surgery and will come often. It is a place of comfort for us and you might feel that too.
Hiking Lady -- thank you for your entry. I think a lot of us, me included, are feeling a bit rung out and strung out for being fairly harshly quarantined or feeling vulnerable because we may have to attend to a lot of things ourselves. Dh and I can come and go pretty much and have shopped for our groceries, but I will admit it does have an edge as we are moving around the stores.
I do note that someone took my temp. and I was instructed to use hand sanitizer before I proceeded to check-in at the hospital this morning. Those people are brave. The man who took my temp had to get fairly close -- and I was in a booth later on for some paper work. They can only basically use most of the precautions we might use at home or going to the store -- wiping things down etc. I can only hope and pray these people can come through this. I do note that most of the people 'seemed' young enough though that isn't a guarantee of anything, but it may help. It seems taking temps. may not tell you all you might want to know as the temp. may come later than first thought. Anything we can do to give us some guidance or clues to go by I think is important. I'm still a bit horrified as well that this wasn't addressed right away perhaps saving such possible dire outcomes, but it is what it is and all we can do is our best now as we move forward.
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Welcome, rosecal, sorry you had a recurrence--thank heaven it's "only" DCIS. They'll likely put you on an AI this time if they didn't on the first go-round. Sorry you'll need the mastectomy, since they can't irradiate the same tissue twice. "In your pocket" for any visits or procedures, as we say here on BCO.
Well, my husband the (no-longer-invasive) cardiologist won't take off his shoes, much less leave his outer coat in the car (we have a detached garage). It's a miracle I got him to throw his consult coat into the hamper. I don't go out (will only when I have to refill my alprazolam Rx, which can't be delivered), and for such a brief encounter I believe doing a complete strip-down upon returning is a bit extreme. I do shed my street shoes or boots at the door because my UGG mules are comfier.
Still & all, I am disinfecting my doorknobs, door-knocker, banisters, toilet seat & flush handles, faucets, fridge & stove handles & personal electronics daily--though I think disinfecting eyeglass temples is also extreme, especially when nobody else is touching them. (By that logic--i.e., that droplets can settle on non-porous surfaces, should I be sanitizing all my jewelry and wood furniture)? I don't flush until after washing my hands, with a piece of the paper towel I used to dry my hands after washing them. I change bathroom terrycloth towels daily too. I wash off takeout containers (and toss the bags) before dishing out the contents. I use only my own flatware, unless the plasticware in the takeout bag is sealed in cellophane. Setting aside groceries is also extreme, especially if pantry space is at a premium. Should be enough to wash or alcohol-or-bleach-wipe the packaging before using them.
If what I do is good enough for the CDC...
BTW, ApplePay is a Godsend--no need to have anyone handle my credit card, nor for me to touch the PIN pad or stylus. Vet's office e-mailed to remind me my cats' 6-month exams & shots are due, but I'm not gonna drive up and hand the carrier to the vet tech outside on the sidewalk and then sit & wait in my car for who knows how long (or drive home & back there again) until the visits are done. I know I'm paying a king's ransom every month for these prepaid services, but even in the best of times getting my cats into the carrier and hauling them to the vet is exceedingly stressful for them and only slightly less so for me.
Happy goes apesh-t when he even sees his carrier--he is convinced we are going to take him away and abandon him at the vet (like his very young and impoverished first owners did after he fell into a coma from a flea-spray O.D. when he was only 4 weeks old and then they couldn't afford to ransom him when he woke up healthy a few days later--the vet's nurse fostered him until I adopted him at 8 weeks). He pants and howls "NOOOO! HOOOME! I WUV YOU!" (this last one imitating me when I coo to reassure him that he is indeed loved). As our son Gordy puts it, he's afraid he'll never see us and nobody will ever love him again. Heidi is a bit more patient, but this COVID-19 protocol is a bit too much for them & me to handle--their vet visits, except for emergencies, can wait. (Especially since our own medical appts. have to wait as well).
Bob's partner sailed through her lumpectomy yesterday--clear margins, clean nodes. Waiting on the OncotypeDX--unlikely she'll need chemo. She has 6 weeks' leeway to start radiation. Finally, she told everyone in the office, so Bob can bring in my "Protective Pillow Purse" and set it by her computer screen when she returns Monday. Bob still hasn't asked her the size, grade or whether it's invasive vs. in situ. "She'll tell me when she wants to," was his answer when I asked.
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Found this on a local posting and it bears reading.
Hold the line WRITTEN BY Jonathan Smith- Infectious disease epidemiologist focusing the dynamics of disease transmission. PhD en route at Emory, Lecturer at Yale.
As an infectious disease epidemiologist (although a lowly one), at this point I feel morally obligated to provide some information on what we are seeing from a transmission dynamic perspective and how they apply to the social distancing measures. Like any good scientist I have noticed two things that are either not articulated or not present in the "literature" of social media. I have also relied on my much smarter infectious disease epidemiologist friends for peer review of this post; any edits are from peer review. Specifically, I want to make two aspects of these measures very clear and unambiguous. First, we are in the very infancy of this epidemic's trajectory. That means even with these measures we will see cases and deaths continue to rise globally, nationally, and in our own communities in the coming weeks. This may lead some people to think that the social distancing measures are not working. They are. They may feel futile. They aren't. You will feel discouraged. You should. This is normal in chaos. But this is normal epidemic trajectory. Stay calm. This enemy that we are facing is very good at what it does; we are not failing. We need everyone to hold the line as the epidemic inevitably gets worse. This is not my opinion; this is the unforgiving math of epidemics for which I and my colleagues have dedicated our lives to understanding with great nuance, and this disease is no exception. I want to help the community brace for this impact. Stay strong and with solidarity knowing with absolute certainty that what you are doing is saving lives, even as people begin getting sick and dying. You may feel like giving in. Don't. Second, although social distancing measures have been (at least temporarily) well-received, there is an obvious-but-overlooked phenomenon when considering groups (i.e. families) in transmission dynamics. While social distancing decreases contact with members of society, it of course increases your contacts with group (i.e. family) members. This small and obvious fact has surprisingly profound implications on disease transmission dynamics. Study after study demonstrates that even if there is only a little bit of connection between groups (i.e. social dinners, playdates/playgrounds, etc.), the epidemic trajectory isn't much different than if there was no measure in place. The same underlying fundamentals of disease transmission apply, and the result is that the community is left with all of the social and economic disruption but very little public health benefit. You should perceive your entire family to function as a single individual unit; if one person puts themselves at risk, everyone in the unit is at risk. Seemingly small social chains get large and complex with alarming speed. If your son visits his girlfriend, and you later sneak over for coffee with a neighbor, your neighbor is now connected to the infected office worker that your son's girlfriend's mother shook hands with. This sounds silly, it's not. This is not a joke or a hypothetical. We as epidemiologists see it borne out in the data time and time again and no one listens. Conversely, any break in that chain breaks disease transmission along that chain. In contrast to hand-washing and other personal measures, social distancing measures are not about individuals, they are about societies working in unison. These measures also take a long time to see the results. It is hard (even for me) to conceptualize how on a population level 'one quick little get together' can undermine the entire framework of a public health intervention, but it does. I promise you it does. I promise. I promise. I promise. You can't cheat it. People are already itching to cheat on the social distancing precautions just a "little"- a playdate, a haircut, or picking up a needless item at the store, etc. From a transmission dynamics standpoint, this very quickly recreates a highly connected social network that undermines all of the work the community has done so far. Until we get a viable vaccine this unprecedented outbreak will not be overcome in one grand, sweeping gesture, rather only by the collection of individual choices our community makes in the coming months. This virus is unforgiving to unwise choices. My goal in writing this is to prevent communities from getting 'sucker-punched' by what the epidemiological community knows will happen in the coming weeks. It will be easy to be drawn to the idea that what we are doing isn't working and become paralyzed by fear, or to 'cheat' a little bit in the coming weeks. By knowing what to expect, and knowing the importance of maintaining these measures, my hope is to encourage continued community spirit, strategizing, and action to persevere in this time of uncertainty.
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