Covid19, coronavirus, pandemic....whatever you want to call it. Regardless of the name it SUCKS! I have been so humbled my the amount of texts, dms, emails, calls etc asking about Jay and how he is doing and if I am freaking out. I hadn't planned on blogging during this whole thing cause it seems weird to give you a new link to a dress or talk about my “homeschooling" or my "home workouts" when so many people are struggling with their health, finances, anxiety etc. It just doesn't seem right given the climate but what I can do is update you on how our family is, how Jay is, and what little things you can do for our country and the world.
How Jay's Doing
This was the last pic we took before he got on the plane to go back to WA.
First off I wanted to say there are a million people we should thank right now. Yes the doctors, nurses, techs, basically everyone who is working in the medical world are freaking rockstars. But let's take a moment to talk about the others, my Mom's sister Cindy works at Walmart in Arkansas and is working her butt off and getting exposed to everyone everyday to keep your fridge stocked. She is a rockstar too. My Dad's sister Kathy pizza factory is running 24/7 making frozen pizzas to keep our grocery store stocked. Her and her employee's are rockstars. Our very best family friend drives garbage truck, he is a rockstar. The list goes on and on to all of those who we should recognized and simply say THANK YOU for working during all of this madness.
As for Jay, I don't know if it is his personality or his training but he is truly cool as a cucumber during all of this. I think it is a little of both, personality and training. What I want to remind you all of (my husband doesn't know I'm writing this blog so these aren't his words they are mine)... But our medical professionals are so well trained. I have seen so many comments or posts about the hospital not testing people, the doctors turning people away, the lack of compassion, training etc. Let me tell you.... that makes my blood boil. These people literally have given up their lives for YOU! For their patients, anyone who has chosen to go into the medical field or first responders are putting YOU in front of themselves and their safety.
When Jay and I compare stories from college my stories are about going out, his are about studying. When we talk about life after college my stories are about skiing and working odds jobs, his are about going to medical school and working 24/7. So rest assured our doctors are trained, our nurses are trained, our hospitals are trying to figure this out at all costs.
So yes the hospital might not test you when you the 25 year old healthy male who comes in with the sniffles, no fever, no cough, no contact with a known positive case. Because they are saving that test for a 75 year old with a dry cough, high fevers, known contact with a positive case. Are they turning you away? My guess is no. My guess would be they gave you a flu swab, they ran other tests to make sure you most likely didn't have Covid19. They probably sent you home with specific instructions on what to do if your symptoms get worst what you should be looking for etc. So maybe you didn't get what you wanted but I promise you they gave you 100% and did what they thought was best in this time.
This is the unpredictable, we don't know what the future holds. We don't know what Jay's work life is going to be like over the next few months. We don't know if the US will have enough PPE (personal protective equipment), ventilators etc. We don't know but here is what I DO know. My husband chose medicine, he chose to help, he chose this life. So the doctors, nurses and first responders will all be there even if it gets worst they will be there to help you through this. I just hope it doesn't continue to get worst and most of all I am so thankful for him and so many other people right now.
When Jay and I compare stories from college my stories are about going out, his are about studying. When we talk about life after college my stories are about skiing and working odds jobs, his are about going to medical school and working 24/7. So rest assured our doctors are trained, our nurses are trained, our hospitals are trying to figure this out at all costs.
So yes the hospital might not test you when you the 25 year old healthy male who comes in with the sniffles, no fever, no cough, no contact with a known positive case. Because they are saving that test for a 75 year old with a dry cough, high fevers, known contact with a positive case. Are they turning you away? My guess is no. My guess would be they gave you a flu swab, they ran other tests to make sure you most likely didn't have Covid19. They probably sent you home with specific instructions on what to do if your symptoms get worst what you should be looking for etc. So maybe you didn't get what you wanted but I promise you they gave you 100% and did what they thought was best in this time.
This is the unpredictable, we don't know what the future holds. We don't know what Jay's work life is going to be like over the next few months. We don't know if the US will have enough PPE (personal protective equipment), ventilators etc. We don't know but here is what I DO know. My husband chose medicine, he chose to help, he chose this life. So the doctors, nurses and first responders will all be there even if it gets worst they will be there to help you through this. I just hope it doesn't continue to get worst and most of all I am so thankful for him and so many other people right now.
So what can you do to help right now.
1 Stay the "F*CK HOME!!" Plain and simple!
2. If you can donate blood there is a blood shortage and if you have a will to do something donating blood would be awesome.
3. If you have a friend in the medical field, fire departments, grocery store worker, someone who is working more than normal. Ask them if you can bring them dinner, get them a gift card to a restaurant (local one if possible), drop off cookies, 6 pack of beer, bottle of wine. order them pizza. Don't ask what you can do because these people have the type of personalities that will say “I’m fine I don’t need anything”. Instead say, hey I'm ordering you pizza tonight. Hey I dropped off a starbucks gift card on your door step. You get the idea.
4. Don't hoard, don't make someone 80 year old grandma drive to 3 stores to find paper towels or toilet paper cause you bought 6 cases. Basically don't be an assh*le.
5. Stay out of the ER or doctors office if you don't need to go. Don't go to the ER for an ingrown toenail or because you haven't had your period in 4 months. Chances are your toenail will be fine and congrats you are probably pregnant. Those are not reasons right now to go to the ER. Stay away from the hospital unless you need to go. But If you need medical attention at all then absolutely go to the hospital.
6. Give everyone a little GRACE. We are all stressed, anxious, over being at home, our kids are all bothering us, we are all struggling in 100 different ways. This sucks for EVERYONE. So let's try to be kind.
1 Stay the "F*CK HOME!!" Plain and simple!
2. If you can donate blood there is a blood shortage and if you have a will to do something donating blood would be awesome.
3. If you have a friend in the medical field, fire departments, grocery store worker, someone who is working more than normal. Ask them if you can bring them dinner, get them a gift card to a restaurant (local one if possible), drop off cookies, 6 pack of beer, bottle of wine. order them pizza. Don't ask what you can do because these people have the type of personalities that will say “I’m fine I don’t need anything”. Instead say, hey I'm ordering you pizza tonight. Hey I dropped off a starbucks gift card on your door step. You get the idea.
4. Don't hoard, don't make someone 80 year old grandma drive to 3 stores to find paper towels or toilet paper cause you bought 6 cases. Basically don't be an assh*le.
5. Stay out of the ER or doctors office if you don't need to go. Don't go to the ER for an ingrown toenail or because you haven't had your period in 4 months. Chances are your toenail will be fine and congrats you are probably pregnant. Those are not reasons right now to go to the ER. Stay away from the hospital unless you need to go. But If you need medical attention at all then absolutely go to the hospital.
6. Give everyone a little GRACE. We are all stressed, anxious, over being at home, our kids are all bothering us, we are all struggling in 100 different ways. This sucks for EVERYONE. So let's try to be kind.
How we are doing
We are doing pretty good. We are in Arizona, hunkered down even though there isn't a mandated shelter in place. I am trying to make things super fun for the kids. I hardly brought any toys down here so I ran out and bought a few things but for the most part we are being creative. Kids play a lot outside, we swim, yesterday we went and watched F-16 and F-35 fly around and had a picnic in a field. We hike, we do crafts, I try and make up fun preschool activities, and we do ALOT of dance parties. What I have found out is kids don't need a lot. They kids have been so content with the few toys. My goal in all of this is to make sure they don't have a clue what is going on.
How am I doing.... first off thank you to my friends and strangers on social media who ask that. How sweet are you. Not only do they ask how Jay is but how I am. I am honestly pretty good. It is weird being away from Jay for so long. But I know this is what is best for my family and him. He is home and able to get proper rest and able to focus on work. Am I a little scared, yes I just am always double checking with him that he is wearing all the PPE and washing his hands and being careful. He assures me he is. I see news stories of doctors being infected and that is scary but I also know stats are on our side. If Jay did get it he's a healthy 35 year old with no preexisting conditions etc. So chances are he would be totally fine. It is easy to let the what ifs and anxiety creep in but what I try to focus on is what I can control. I can't let his virus control my thoughts and life. I can't be paralyzed in fear everytime Jay goes to work. I trust he's doing everything that is current protocol for his safety and I also rely on stats. Stats show that he would be ok. I encourage you to go look at John's Hopkins Coronavirus resource center for your stats! Although we are being vigilant about safety and not leaving the house unless we need to. I also try and remember that the stats are on our side. The death rate is still relatively low.
How am I doing.... first off thank you to my friends and strangers on social media who ask that. How sweet are you. Not only do they ask how Jay is but how I am. I am honestly pretty good. It is weird being away from Jay for so long. But I know this is what is best for my family and him. He is home and able to get proper rest and able to focus on work. Am I a little scared, yes I just am always double checking with him that he is wearing all the PPE and washing his hands and being careful. He assures me he is. I see news stories of doctors being infected and that is scary but I also know stats are on our side. If Jay did get it he's a healthy 35 year old with no preexisting conditions etc. So chances are he would be totally fine. It is easy to let the what ifs and anxiety creep in but what I try to focus on is what I can control. I can't let his virus control my thoughts and life. I can't be paralyzed in fear everytime Jay goes to work. I trust he's doing everything that is current protocol for his safety and I also rely on stats. Stats show that he would be ok. I encourage you to go look at John's Hopkins Coronavirus resource center for your stats! Although we are being vigilant about safety and not leaving the house unless we need to. I also try and remember that the stats are on our side. The death rate is still relatively low.
So that was super long winded, but everyone has been asking and I thought I'd just address all my feelings here. Stay home stay healthy and remember to cut people a little slack. And THANK YOU to the countless people who have contacted me asking how Jay is. The outpouring of love and support during this crazy time has been amazing.
Cheers,
Jess
Cheers,
Jess
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