Cancer during Pandemic - Part 1 of 5

THE LONG AND PAINFUL HIATUS

No words can adequately express my heartfelt thanks
to the millions of you from all over the world

who have joined me in home-isolation.

For over a year now,

I haven’t left the house much except for medical care.

Now that I know you are staying home from church with me,

not holding club or eating out,

I feel your strength and benevolence.

What?

You’re staying home because of the pandemic, you say?

That’s actually smart.

I got tested for the virus

before I could have surgery Wednesday April 22.
So did Verla before her surgery on April 27.
Count us in the polls.
Negative.

PANDEMIC

Quoting Brooke from his weekly letter: Covid-19, our friend the Coronavirus.  It’s literally all anyone has been able to talk about for weeks and weeks.  Crazies and not crazies have been flooding the grocery stores, the big box stores, the Costcos and Sam’s Clubs to buy toilet paper, flour, sugar, paper products, meat, fruit, vegetables, medical supplies, bread, and everything else.  I’ve never seen shelves so empty throughout every store I’ve been to.

     It all happened so quickly last week, I couldn’t possibly recall the facts accurately but the main thing was that Monday and Tuesday we were still feeling pretty optimistic but it was declared a world pandemic on Wednesday.  That was the day that members of the Utah Jazz were diagnosed with the virus and the NBA shut down.  The next day universities across the state closed and moved to online instruction.  4 PM on Friday brought the news conference that confirmed that schools would close for at least 2 weeks leading up to spring break.  That means at least 3 weeks without classes and the promise of online classes and somehow helping students continue to learn while keeping them at home

     News along the way changed nearly by the hour.  Temples closed, missions closing.  Missionaries being sent home early.  Missionaries from the Philippines being shipped out of the country.  Today missionaries in Africa are being shipped out.  European travel was restricted and on and on.  We were very glad that Isaak didn’t end up going to London last week.  That would have been even more stressful.
    The other day of note was Ed's Birthday. Wednesday March 11. Elizabeth was preparing all day and even for days. She made the most delicious Russian honey cake  and enchalautas that were just for the family dinner after the main event. She also made cupcakes and other treats for the neighbors. We invited them all to come over for a quick party for Ed and almost all of them came and brought greetings and gifts. Ed had a good day.

     Our last contact with people was the openhouse for Ed’s birthday. Schools closed on Friday March 15.

     March 18, we woke up to a magnitude 5.7 earthquake that messed with all our heads and our plans.  (end of Brooke)

APRIL 1 THROUGH APRIL 21 – Since schools closed on March 13 – Friday the 13th! –all days seem the same. You can’t tell one from another.  Every day feels like Sunday to me. Why I don’t know, except that maybe it’s because I don’t do anything.  Just keeping the Sabbath Holy every day. Ed is getting a little more used to entertaining himself in his room. He and Amy generally go on a trike/bike ride each day.  He’s becoming an introvert again. I talked to Carol and Verla every day that Carol was up to Verla’s. Verla said she couldn’t have done it without Carol.  The Shepherds brought Shepherd Pie, jello salad w/fruit and chocolate chip cookies for dinner one night. Alan and RaJean brought chicken soup, fresh green salad, cookies made without flour, a fresh fruit bowl and a fresh loaf of sour dough bread. Nearly everything is closed: gyms, restaurants, theaters, schools, library, churches, beauty salons, parks, including State and National. Grocery stores are open. Gnocchi languished. Amy thought everyday was his last day for a couple of weeks. Then on a Saturday, Pancake suddenly took ill. She groaned from that moment on. On Monday, Amy took both of them to the vet (separate vets). Both were full of cancer. So Tuesday, she took them both in and watched them die in peace. Gnocchi and Pancake: April 14, 2020. We were in mourning the next day and longer. They were a big part of our lives and we will miss them. Then Thursday, Amy came home with a 7-month old kitty that is so beautiful. She has fox ears so we’re wondering what her pedigree is.  Amy and I have about settled on Sola. The trouble is, we can’t remember it.  Last Thursday, April 16, I went to my doctor’s appointment. They wouldn’t let DeRay come in. The doctor wants to put me on a different chemo because he says this one isn’t working. Brooke definitely doesn’t think I should.  I hate to give up but I don’t want to prolong suffering either. I needed my people there to help me ask the right questions and make the right decisions.
     It seems I have abnormal cancer cells. All cancer cells are abnormal; mine are abnormal abnormal.  Rarely, if ever, do breast cancel cells go to the uterus or cervix or to the bones. Nothing we have tried has worked. Cancer just keeps spreading. Since the kyphoplasty relieved me of a lot of pain, the doctor has decided to try a new non-chemo drug "Piqray". So far, from the meds all I've got is side-effects. No help. Not even radiation has helped relieve pain or spreading. Nothing.


Ed's comments in March after the shut-down:.
“Somebody got the garbage can in, Mom.  It burns me up. It’s a long time until next week.” “I can’t believe someone is doing my job. They know it is my job, not theirs.”
“You’ve got appointments this week, Mom. I’m jealous.”
“I miss my friends.”
“I miss our swim.”
“I’m getting nowhere because you’re here. I don’t like to be lonesome.”
“I hope everyone gets feeling better, Mom. I don’t want to be stuck here.”


To Brooke, Elizabeth and Klarissa:  I guess you told Eddy that Isaak and Klarissa were driving to San Diego and back.

He comes whining to me:  "I don’t know why Klarissa can’t stay home. What does she use for brains? She knows there is a stay-home policy."