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.

Friday, May 22

Jay's brother and family are coming to visit and so Jeanne and Jay were busy with getting the house ready for company.  Jeanne ended out doing quite a bit of work with making beds and cleanning.  Getting down to the floor is still a problem.  This will be the first out of town company they will have had since the virus and her illness.  They will have to self-quarantine afterwards. 

We have a nice happy hour zoom chat every Thursday with our AWEsome travel group.

Saturday, May 16

Jeanne hardly ever uses the walker now.  She uses the cane when she goes out and in the house she does not use any assistive device.  She is helping with some of the cooking and doing some of the home care, like laundry. Some things still present a challenge - like making the bed.  She is starting to have some feeling in her fingers but her feet are still numb and tingling. 

Ely has now had their first case of COVID 19.  Soon tourist season will start and then they will see what happens.  Things are starting to open up a little here.  With the opening of some stores they are encouraging increased compliance with the separation and mask wearing.  Nathan has started coming over for dinner once a week instead of just coming over to go on a walk.  We have been eating out on the deck.  So we are starting to "bubble with another family unit".  That's nice.

May 9, Saturday

Jeanne is using  the walker less and less.  She is using the cane for outside.  She had her therapy reevaluation.  The therapists were impressed with her progress.  They gave her some different exercises to work on her hands and feet.  She is starting to have a little feeling in her fingers.  She needs less and less help from Jay.  She still can't push the buttons on aerosol type cans or spray bottles. 

The virus still has not hit Ely, though they are thinking that when the tourists season begins that may change.  They are starting to open up a few things in the Portland area.  It will be a slow process. The social distancing and wearing masks may be around for quite a while. Many countries have not opened their borders for visitors.