The Time is Now

As circumstances surrounding the spread of the Coronavirus continue to change rapidly, I am now working on the third version of this blog entry.

The first one focused on my husband and I somewhat lightheartedly acknowledging

that we are by definition “elderly” and that we both have underlying health conditions.  At that point, we wisely decided to cancel our cruise in early April, which has since become a moot point.

Next, we decided to cancel all scheduled social activities, as well as all regular doctor appointments – my oncology appointment on April 7 being the lone exception – for now.

We have hunkered down and are practicing our social distancing.  My husband has ventured out to the grocery store twice and to the library twice before it closed.

I have not gone anywhere.

Which brings me to the focus of this blog entry.  Although I am feeling fine and my cancer treatments seem to be working so far, I feel extremely vulnerable due to my compromised immune system.  I realize that in the circumstance such as that described in Italy and hinted at here at home, I would definitely be on the wrong side of a triage situation.  That is a stark dose of reality.  I need no further encouragement to stay at home.

I have survived two bouts of cancer and am now in treatment for metastatic breast cancer.  I do not intend to succumb to this virus.  So…my husband and I continue to stay home and avoid contact with others.  I implore you to do the same.

I am concerned not only for myself and others around me. I am also concerned about my family – especially my children and grandchildren in Seattle and South California.

We must all do our part to help flatten the curve.  We need to self-isolate for ourselves as well as for others.  And we need to do it NOW if we have any chance of lessening the effects of COVID-19.

Remember to wash your hands often and use that toilet paper sparingly!