Covid Manifestations

There is a LOT that I have not blogged...like the fact that we were on LOCK DOWN for a full 11 days before we went on the current quarantine and we added 2 grandsons....I decided I better just update as often as I can NOW and catch up as we go....

Michael was too tired to get out of bed on Thursday or Friday.  His sore throat and dizziness joined exhaustion on Friday. Nolan came home from work with a 101.8 fever and sore throat. We prepared for however Covid would manifest in our home. 

We planned to keep all the kids in the basement...leaving our two high riskers - Michael and Dad on the top floor.  We went to bed with a plan.... My plan included homemade chicken and dumplings.  I'm a firm believer in homemade Chicken Noodle Soup to help most ailments. 

Friday the sick "adult kids" and Michael proceeded as they had on Thursday.  Dad began cramping and well...imagine the GI tract. It was quick, hard, and nasty. Dad began retching. Krista developed new GI symptoms.  I ran between everyone. 

I called numerous doctors and it appears most take Friday off. I called the urgent care about Dad - they didn't want to see him. They said to go to the hospital if I had questions. Well - I'm NOT taking anyone to the hospital for QUESTIONS when they are so over-booked and full of germs and I know WE have covid germs. I talked with the home health nurse once - but when things got bad and I REALLY needed to talk to someone - I could reach no one.  We soldiered on.  The nurse had told me to get jello, Pedialyte and such. I had a click it order ready to pick up on Friday night.....Cory ran and got that stuff for me and I picked it up when  I got the click it order...no contact with ANYONE....and poor Benny cried and I cried because you know - it's ALREADY been 11 days and we are missing milestone days...for real...new babies. 

That evening I became worried about Dad retching and the many meds he is on...and the fact I had insulin to give him. Since I couldn't reach any medical professionals I called the family nurse...and she gave me confidence. 

People began texting to see if we needed anything - at this point I couldn't think of a thing we needed. 

Saturday morning the cramping and such were gone....everyone felt better. Most stayed in bed. 

Krista made up the dandelion salve she and I had begun in the summer. 

McDonald's wants a covid test for Nolan NOW. The result won't change the instructions to quarantine and no one FEELS like going anywhere,  but OK - He and Michael went in for Covid tests. We decided not to take any of the rest of us - because we know we have it and we're already locked down. Our thought is if Michael is positive we can ALWAYS call the VA and get a doc to answer questions, maybe easier than all the civilian docs who are gone Fri-Sunday.  If Dad gets sick enough for the hospital they'll do a covid test then - why make him have 2? 

Stacia and I watched Christmas movies and MacGyver. Millie reacts to dogs on the screen. 

A friend texted to see if we needed anything at Carrs. Freddies is out of zinc throat lozenges and I realized we needed more. Sweet - 2 packages delivered at home - and I got to see an "outsider" from the front door. 

I made a big pot of Chicken and dumplings. Since we figured everyone but Stacia and I have Covid (her sinus congestion is clearing up), we decided to lift the basement dweller mandate and enjoy dinner together. 

We watched a "Google Translate Thanksgiving" and laughed - a lot. We discussed this won't be terrible when folks are feeling better and we can just have "home" time with family. 

I woke this a.m. to a quiet home. Everyone slept in. Most still haven't gotten up. I drank a quart of Yogi Immune Support Tea. It can't hurt...I choose to believe God is keeping me healthy to serve all the sickos around here. 

I assumed everyone would be feeling better and made a bunch of bacon. Stacia and I are the only ones up for a meal. Krista has gone to get tested. She realized IF the rest of us test positive willy-nilly she will keep getting extended for another 2 weeks. We are praying she has enough of the virus left in her system to test positive. She WILL be here with us until at least Dec 4th as is....

Dad got up. He said he felt wonderful. I couldn't talk him out of a big breakfast. He is now back in bed with renewed GI discomfort. Sometimes you just have to let a person figure it out for themselves. He said he'll stick with the Jello and clear drinks today, too. 

I'm doing laundry, lots of laundry. Running drinks, crackers and Jello here and there... It's SNOWING. 

Snow and Ramp

 It's a treat when it warms up enough to snow. On this quarantined Sunday, the snow is a blessing.  I've been wanting to grab photos with the house now that it has a ramp and used the trip out for the paper to take a few. 

And Today in Our Home...COVID Makes an Appearance

 One never knows what a day will bring. Today was Krista's FIRST day back at work. Krista was exposed at work to covid. The entire class was quarantined. 

She was SICK. She tested negative. Alex got SICK. They both got better. 

Alex was fever and symptom free for two days before he went back to work on Monday and Tuesday. 

The good thing about Alex getting sick - even though Krista had tested negative and was the one locked down, not us - we all stayed home....we figured there was a bug and we didn't want to spread WHATEVER it was. 

Tuesday was Michael's birthday. Dad had a dental appointment. Everyone was feeling well. Michael, Dad and I went to lunch afterwards and Alex and Nolan met us. That night Alex had a fever of 101.8 again...and a sore throat....the fact that it came suddenly, left suddenly, and came again SUDDENLY...clued me in....I was pretty sure Krista had been positive and the rapid test gave a false negative. 

I drove Alex to get tested yesterday morning.  We got the positive result today. The contact nurse hasn't reached us yet - but we can see the results.... 

The trees are GORGEOUS this week. They are covered in frost and snow. I've been wanting to get out and take photos before the wind arrives....but it hasn't worked out that way with scheduling and quarantining....I took advantage of the covid testing to stop for this shot on our way home. 

Nolan walked in the door shortly after we saw Alex's results. He had SUDDENLY gotten a sore throat and fever...

Stacia is congested - no fever - most likely a cold? Michael feels "off" but nothing concrete. 

We have our own "Ask an almost nurse" and she told us it is best to wait a few days after exposure to be tested...we'll be sure to ask when the state calls us....and so now...

We had one glorious day off of lock down...Krista went to work but the rest of us were home due to home health for Dad. I had plans to brave a Walmart run with Dad tomorrow, but we'll be settled at home for another 2 weeks. 

All the going back and forth about what to do about the kids and Thanksgiving....not a problem now. BreZaak, CoRielle and those sweet new babies won't be near us for a good long time. NO ONE will be coming for Thanksgiving....maybe Christmas. I have enough food here to serve a crowd ham dinner....we won't starve. 

We'd appreciate your prayers for Dad to be in a big ole HEALTH BUBBLE and not catch this. We're doing all the things....

Millie's Winter Gear

Millie seems to be enjoying  all her people in the house...but she is not so sure about being STUCK inside. She doesn't have an undercut and so gets very cold, very quickly.  

Now she can got out in style....she has a coat and snow boots.... LOL 

Quarantine Photo of the Day 

But it was quite the job to get her used to these. First we tried just the boots....

The next morning we added the coat first....

And THIS is what happens when she goes out without a coat and boots....little ice/snow balls between her toes and up and down her legs. We considered getting leggings too - but this seems to be helping. 

G Dog Getting Strong

Dad doesn't enjoy physical, speech and occupational therapy...but he's getting stronger bit by bit. We are thankful for the good care Ancora Home Healthcare are providing. 
 

GG and Millie

GG and Millie have an odd relationship. He LOVES her, but he pesters her. Come to think of it - that's not overly surprising. ::snort:: She watches him like a hawk and seeks to keep him in right in his place. LOL 

It will be fun to watch this relationship develop. 

 

Quarantine Irony

 This is finished! It's lovely. Michael had Aaron use metal grating so the snow and ice melts through....Aaron did a great job.

The irony is that we ARE QUARANTINED and can't use the ramp. We've waited so eagerly for it to be done! LOL 

We are enjoying the Christmas Tree up before Thanksgiving...maybe it will become a new tradition. LOL 

It was a blast from the past to find these pottery ornaments the kids made back in 2002 at the Elmendorf Arts and Crafts center. 

Stacia and I got OUTSIDE today and took a walk to the mailbox...1 1/2 miles in the OUTSIDE. It was great. We came in contact with NO ONE. 

Thus ends another day in Quarantine.