Visiting Jeanne Sept 15-22

Jay was going to be out of town for two weeks.  I thought that it would be the best time to visit Jeanne with the least amount of risk (other than the flights).  We made a few changes before we settled on the dates.  Luckily, there were no change fees with Delta.  I also was using e-tickets because of a previously canceled flight. We settled on the 15th to the 22nd. 

It was a pretty painless flight.  I worn my face shield and mask. Once I got to Jeanne's vehicle I stopped wearing the mask and shield, except in town when we were both wearing our masks.  See www.barbarastravels.blogspot.com to read about my trip and how Jeanne and I filled our days.  I had a great time. It was really nice to see how well Jeanne is doing.  But it is frustrating for her because she feels like she is not back to "normal".  Walking is not enjoyable because it hurts her feet and she has to concentrate, because of the numbness and tingling in her feet.  She can do most activities of daily living but not as quickly or easily.  She moves slowly in the morning until she has done her exercises to limber up. Driving the automatic is fine but she does not feel ready to drive the stick shift.

When I left Portland the air quality was hazardous close to 400 and Ely was 20.  But on the day I left Ely, Beaverton's AQI was 21 and Ely's was 49.  They think that some of the smoke from Oregon has blown east.

Rescuing a bird

Visiting lakes

I think that this will be my last post in this blog until Jeanne feels like she is either back to normal or deciding to accept where she is at.  Currently, she is still seeing slow improvement.

August 25, 2020

 I got the following from Jeanne 

"Still have partial numbness in my hands & feet.  Get depressed frequently about how I've pretty much reached this level of being able to do lots of things but have seen very few notable improvements in the past couple of months - especially in the numbness, balance & stamina.  I really miss my morning walks but walking is uncomfortable & quickly tiring regardless of what footwear I have or where I walk.  Uneven ground is hard because I am still pretty unstable.  All my exercises don't seem to help other than keeping me at this level."  

It is hard since the progress is so slow. 

She and Jay have had a very busy summer with a lot of company.  They had one week with a total of 9 kids between 2 and 11 and 8 adults.  The adults were definately outnumbered.  Jeanne finds that she does get fatigued and has a hard time taking that daily rest break.        

Portland has now had 88 days of demonstrations for BLM.  Most of them have been peaceful demonstrations but some have turned into riots. 

I decided to go visit Jeanne and Jay in September. I have been reading up with how to travel as safely as possible. 

August 10, 2020

 Jeanne continues to have a busy summer with company.  Now, both Ben and Laura are visiting with all 6 grandsons, plus another couple with their 3 kids (all between the ages of 10 and 2 and only 1 girl).  WOW!  I don't know how she is doing it.  I hope that they respect her need to rest once in a while.  

We continue to have our nightly Black Lives Matter demonstrations in downtown Portland (72 days). Most of the time they have been non-violent. But the more police enter in the more violent they get.  

Because of the increase in Covid cases we still have not entered phase 2 of the return to our new normal.  People are gradually meeting more in yards and driveways.  Keeping social distancing.  Some restaurants are open, if they can follow all the guidelines.  

Nathan comes over to eat once a week.  We eat out on the deck and try to maintain the distancing.  But it is nice to see him. 

July 16, Thursday

Jeanne and Jay drove to Chicago for a wedding of a niece.  There were several friends and family members there.  It was a small, official wedding with the big shindig to happen next year, on their 1st anniversary.  It was postponed due to Covid 19.  People are being creative with how they are dealing with the virus and scheduling events.  Jeanne said that there was quite the range with how people complied with the social distancing and mask wearing.  In Chicago it is just a recommendation to wear a mask.  In Oregon it is a rule.  We have to wear a mask when indoors in public spaces and outdoors if we can't maintain the 6 feet of separation.

Then Jeanne and Jay headed off to Cleveland to be with Ben, Erin and the 3 grandsons.  They are all dealing with colds.  Luckily not the virus.  They are taking their turns being sick.  It is harder to find things to do since so many kid things are closed.  What would we do without the internet and TV?

Jeanne has been able to do some driving now.  That is a big thing.  She also is balancing better so she can now stand and put her pants on without falling over.  The big frustration is the numbness/tingling that is in her hands and feet.  It gets worse as the day progresses.  It helps to put her feet up. 

Sunday, July 5th

Happy July 4th! It was a quiet one this year.  Most of the professional firework displays were all canceled.  On TV they televised highlights from previous years.  But the neighborhood fireworks seemed more than usual.  People were trying to make up for not having big ones.  More small groups.  There seems to be a rise in Covid 19 cases.  Maybe because we have started opening up more stores and restaurants and people immediately started gathering.  Also the protests and demonstrations continue. 

Jeanne's condition is at a plateau.  The increased strength and endurance is harder to notice and the numb hands and feet have not changed in a while.  The big frustration for her is that she can't drive yet. 

They had a great visit with Emmet and Liam and then with the whole family.  Everyone left and they have a short break.  Tristan and his cousin Sear will be up later.

Busy June

June is a full month for Jeanne and Jay.  They drove part way to Madison to meet up with Laura and the twins, Emmet & Liam.  The twins returned with Jeanne and Jay.  They will be with them for 2 weeks.  Then Laura, Wilhelm & Tristin will join them for a week and then when Laura and Wilhelm leave they will take the twins with them and leave Tristan with Jeanne and Jay.  I guess Jeanne is getting a lot of therapy just trying to keep up with them.  Luckily they are old enough now that they do not need any help.  She has been so busy she has not been able to join our zoom conversations. 

Jay, Liam & Emmet playing games

Going fishing

Fun time at the beach

Liam and Emmet after Jay made them chocolate chip pancakes.

After the murder of George Floyd by the police there have been a lot of riots and peaceful demonstrations all over.    I hope that changes will be made to be more supportive of Black issues and  other people of color. Black Lives Matter.  I heard one discussion where the speaker said that making changes at the top and hoping for a trickle down is not working .  We need to make changes at the bottom and look for it to effervesce up.  I hope that happens.  I don't want to get into a political discussion but I have been following the virus. The question is "Will we have increased cases of Covid 19?" Are they maintaining social distancing and wearing  masks?  Many are. This was happening just as we were entering phase 1 of opening things up a little.  Our governor put a pause on the opening up process as we wait and see what happens with the numbers of Covid 19 cases.   

May 26, Tuesday

Milestone day!! Jeanne was able to put in her own earrings, both the French hook and the studs!  That means that some of the feeling is coming back in her fingers.  Yipee.  Also she was thrilled that the holes had not closed in the 3 months since she last wore earrings.  And she can do buttons now!!

Jeanne and Jay will be having a lot of company this summer. So far, Ely is a low risk area but that may change.