The New Water Cooler
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Another Monday. Meh.
I'm glad you feel a bit of peace after your visit with your brother. I hope you can all find some treatments that give you more time and him comfort. I pray for more!
No doubt you will be extra stressed. Maybe an extra long hot shower or bath to loosen up. Hopefully your workout friend gets past all her covid interactions and you can workout again. That would be a big help for you too.
The laptop I'm sure will be really appreciated. Great idea.
I'm ok. I'm worried about the increase in cases, I really am scared for Caleb to get exposed and miss more school. It has been such a nightmare getting caught up. I know I should be more supportive of the school people. I do understand they are in a tough situation. But I am just so sick and tired of the answer always being, we're just so busy. You are supposed to help all the kids. Not just the ones you decide 'need' it most. Just because my kid doesn't have an IEP or ILP does not mean you get to put him in a boat and shove him off. Sometimes average kids need assistance and you are duty bound to them to. I suppose that just means my white entitlement is showing. Bleh.0 -
I think all parents with school age kids are frustrated with schools, teaching models, hybrid and distance learning right now. It's a burden on parents, kids and teachers. I am guessing that schools are getting lawsuits from parents of special ed kids claiming they aren't meeting their IEP needs as identified. A former coworker/friend called me today to tell me that the MN Dept of Ed says it's time for early intervention providers (that is what I was), to go back to servicing students in their homes because some of the kids' needs aren't being met. My former program/district hasn't made a decision of what to do yet but they are talking to staff this week. I AM SO GLAD I AM RETIRED (screaming)! 100,000 new cases per day this past week and MN is one of those rising states. Wow!
I am so fatigued today and have a headache. The last two days were way over stimulating for me and stressful. Russ and I went to pick up computer today, I did some laundry, and took Charlie for a short walk. I don't know if headache is from me clenching my jaw/grinding my teeth the last week, weather change that is coming, illness or all of them.
Russ has an 8am doctor appt tomorrow with the wound specialist. That means I need to get up early and we have to leave house by 7:20 am. When are his appointments going to end?
I am in a bitchy mood so sorry if I sound like one.
Still down 14 pound pounds but scale hasn't moved any lower. Why does it have to be so hard for women to lose weight? Russ drops it so fast no matter what.
Well have a nice night and take each day as it comes.
Jenny0 -
We had the wound care appt this morning. Ugh!!!!!!! I waited in the car since our experience has been that no one can go inside but the patient. Not so at this place. After an hour, a nurse came out to the car to get me. They wanted to show me how to change his dressings on his unhealed incision. I have avoided looking at it since I knew it was open and ugly. Is it ever!!! So I have to be the one to pull off the gauze, stuff it with gauze soaked in an iodine antiseptic solution, and wrap the foot. This is done once daily. If it doesn't close over time he will have to have a skin graft which means surgery.
He has to increase his protein intake so we went to Costco and I ran inside to get him protein drinks that have more protein than his current ones. Then I picked up chicken breasts, hamburger, and high protein snacks. I also bought another large toilet paper since I saw on the news that shelves are becoming empty of essentials again. They would only let me buy one which is 30 rolls. Luckily I have another in the basement so we are set for awhile.
I took Russ to see my brother at the hospital so he could take him the computer and show him how to access things he may want. I sat in the parking ramp and knitted a baby head band with a bow. Not done yet but it will be by tomorrow.
I still have a headache today but the weather is changing. Cooler temps as it rains.
Jenny0 -
holy ice storm. We had quite a mess yesterday. It's better today. I hate ice though. Lots without power, it blinked at work multiple times and then was down for over an hour. It's terrible on the machines. Still luckier than many surrounding us who went nearly a whole day. Mess.
I must have missed an earlier conversation about Russ' wound being open. What a pain. And I'm sorry you have to be the one to deal with it. I'm not sure I could for Bernie. I suppose I would, but it would really bother me. When I was little I wanted to be a nurse, until I realized I don't have the stomach for it. Same with butchering.
I have been wondering about the essentials. I should be ok on tp, have made a point to buy some most trips if it is there, just because. I am out of lysol spray and haven't been able to locate any normal priced. The price is very high on Amazon and other sites.
Out health district (four counties) posted on FB last night that there are ZERO ICU beds in the district. OMG. So I didn't sleep last night chewing over that anxiety-ridden update. I mean what about heart attack? Car accidents? Pneumonia? Right back to the terror I held in the beginning. Even doing the right things, will we be not cared for because of lack of space? Terrifying. Plus the cost of being transported to somewhere that may have space. As I know from recent family experience, Over $65k for flights and over $5k for rides (short ones). Not covered by insurance. Hello bankruptcy and probable death anyways for lack of care. Sorry, I'm still highly freaked out.
I'm concerned about your headache (and the fatigue). Is it any better? I don't want to add more stress to you, but headaches (and fatigue) that don't go away could be a symptom. I am praying you are better.
I am so glad you are retired too. Maybe I can run away from all this and live in your basement? ;>) Great job on the 14 down. Woo hoo!!
Be well!0 -
I briefly wondered about my headaches and fatigue too. The fatigue was episodic during the first two days of stress learning about my brother's situation. I am not fatigued today at all. I think the head aches happen when weather fronts are coming in here and there are drastic changes. My allergies with sinus stuff is ongoing. They don't drain so I probably should take some Mucinex and see if it helps. Peppermint oil has been helping my headaches when they occur. I don't have one today. The weather broke yesterday and we had rain and high winds. Luckily no power outages. If I get to feeling bad consistently or think the symptoms are occurring too often I will look into a test. My temp is normal everyday and I don't feel bad. I would think that being overweight and older I would get extreme symptoms.
I don't think I posted much if anything about Russ' wound not healing. Since I'm not in his ortho appts and refused to look at his incision, I didn't realize how bad it is. I just did my first "nursing" job and cleansed the wound, packed it and wrapped it with clean dressings. It went ok. I told him yesterday he owes me big time for his fall off the roof, this accident and other stuff in our marriage. I want a diamond anniversary ring and have said so for years. The time is near...I sound like a selfish individual but oh well!
I agree it is scary that hospitals are at capacity and patients have to be transported to other states. This was why they wanted masks, social distancing and closed public places down last spring. They wanted to flatten the curve of cases so hospitals weren't overwhelmed and they could manage COVID patients and others. Very few listened and some states refused to request that of their residents. They still deny it and people won't do their part to lower the spread of this. Drives me crazy. No one ever said these precautions would rid us of the virus, just help space it out and reduce spread.
I hear gun shots. Deer hunting starts Sunday. I don't know what season it is now unless it is some kind of bird (turkey, etc.).
Jenny0 -
I wish we would go back to having bars closed, and no activities outside of school. No sports, clubs, parties. Nebraska did a good job in the beginning, but frankly once the bars reopened and people started going to games and parties (even if lowered attendance) that's really when it seemed to go downhill. Anyway, I've said that before.
If peppermint oil is helping your headaches and your fatigue is better with some rest you are quite likely good. Keep taking care of yourself!
I sure hope you get your ring sometime soon. You deserve it!0 -
I agree that when they started opening up and people were sick of seclusion and not being able to go out to bars and restaurants, they increased their social exposure and the spread got worse. How many have to get sick and/or die for people to take it seriously?
Well I heard from my workout partner that she and her husband have COVID. The last time I saw her was 10/28 and her symptoms began 11/4. We called off our workouts when two parents of players came down with it. So glad! The health department told her I was not with her when her contagious period began. She will let me know if anything changes. She coaches volleyball and her team made it to regionals. Now their season is over due to players and her having COVID. The local school she coaches at is going to total distance learning due to increase in cases. My old district in MN is also going to full distance learning because teachers are getting sick, a shortage of teachers and not enough subs. What a crisis for all in this world!
I just finished my first baby knitting project, booties and matching head bow band. Small projects are easier to finish. I have many unfinished projects, LOL! I want to find a cute preschool size sweater pattern that I could make and have a lot of time to work on.
My brother is being moved to the nursing home next to the hospital. Once there, he can't have visitors. We don't know when they will move him. I'm guessing by this weekend.
I will take care of myself and am keeping public exposure to a minimum when possible. I'm glad we canceled Thanksgiving. There would have been 9-10 people. I was not comfortable with that number.
Jenny0 -
I'm glad you weren't exposed via your workout friend. But sad you won't be able to visit your brother in the nursing home. Hopefully he can continue with phone visits. Oh, this year.
The school is having a FB live thing tonight. I guess to address the fact that they haven't adjusted their in school risk color (still yellow) even though the health district is red. But anyone who paid attention in August, the school always said it was possible they wouldn't do the same color as the area since for them it was about teacher availability. But I would guess they are going to have to change since it sounds like more and more teachers are out and there's never enough subs anyway. We'll see what the words of wisdom are. If I hear one more time, "well, we're just trying to build this plane at the same time we're flying it." Catchy, but we're 8 months in. Time to finish that plane. And the word unprecedented needs to go. Guess what, this is precedented now.
We are 10 (sister and her family, my family and folks). But even though I am not that worried about me since I should have some immunity, and basically I see Michele most days we are exposed to each other, I am starting to have big worries about the folks and even Caleb (for having to potentially miss more school). But sister and mom seem set on having it. I get not wanting to disappoint anyone. I have seen some people are posting that they are adults and can decide that if this is the last year they have then they want to have spent it with their loved ones. I get that. But will they still feel that way when they are being turned away from a hospital? Sigh.0 -
I saw on the news this morning that they are discouraging holiday get togethers because that is a big spread event and will cause numbers to go up in December. I'm glad we canceled even though I love Thanksgiving and want to have a gathering. Hopefully all of us are alive next year and we've had vaccines by then.
My brother called me yesterday morning and he was moving to nursing home yesterday afternoon. He's there now so no more visiting. My brother in AZ called last night and we switched over to Google Meet so we could be face to face and I could show him how to access that format. He liked it and thinks we should do it with Steve so we can "visit" him. He wanted me to call Steve early this morning and ask questions, request he have a doctor call one of us locally and ask him if he would like to learn how to join a face to face visit. I made the call. Steve (almost 72) thinks phone is fine and face to face not needed. Not sure he will ask a doctor to call one of us or not. Going in circles here...
I'm going to his house this afternoon to get his mail, drop off clean clothes, pick up dirty ones and pack some things for him. I don't know where or how I get his clothes to him or pick up laundry from the nursing home. I texted him and asked him to find out.
Good luck with the school meeting and your holiday. Are your parents staying home most days or still out and about? Maybe C should wear a mask at the gathering except when he is eating. This is all so crazy and frustrating isn't it?
Russ talked to his doctor yesterday. They are starting to only see crucial patients and Russ is at the end of the ortho recovery. He can now wear his own shoes, drive by himself, and continue to see the wound doctor. So he is planning to drive himself to the grocery today. He's excited. I need to treat his wound this morning too. Ugh!
Well I need to eat, nurse and shower. Have a nice day!
Jenny0 -
It's IT Armagedden. We apparently have been hit with a huge ransomware attack. The threat actors have been in our system for probably a week watching everyone and pulling data and information. Discovered this morning. As of about 7 a.m. our entire system/network is 100 percent offline including any machines that are programmed or computer-based. Can't retrieve or add anything. No payroll, no receiving, service, can't build loads or dispatch trucks, no inventory moving, no hours being tracked. Nothing, nothing. We're all pretty much in fetal positions trying to get our minds around the scope of this disaster. The FBI will be called in, but it could be days or weeks to get back. And then everything has to be manually recreated. OMFG. I quit. No more. I don't want to play anymore. What is wrong with people. This is the livlihood of nearly 1000 people. We service America's (and beyond) farmers and ranchers and more. I am home for now because after I scrubbed my desk and did some filing. There was nothing more to do until an emergency plan can be created. I foresee a lot of late nights and weekends and unending manual entry in my future.
And in other good news - my dad apparently broke a leg yesterday. Perfect. It's just going to issue after issue isn't it? Supposedly he was just walking to the mailbox.
It's Friday the 13th of 2020. Yep.
I hope your brother is settling in and you figure out to get him what is wanting.
I'm so glad Russ is getting a bit more independence. That has to be a relief.
I can't even look at it being Friday and be relieved for the weekend.0 -
OMG Marla! That sounds awful and scary for your company. Who in the heck would do this? I read a book by James Patterson and Bill Clinton about cyber attacks on this country and it will be the worst form of terrorism, create chaos, damage corporations, banks, power, water supply etc. In the forward of the book, Bill Clinton talked about the USA's grid system being out of date and nothing in place to ward off attacks from other countries. Hopefully this has changed since the book came out a few years ago. What does your company think happened and what do they do about it? I hope the FBI responds quickly. They must have a cyber dept.
We will be connecting with Chantrelle and David today on our new Facebook Portal to test it out. We gave them one so we can interact with the baby, watch her grow, read to her, etc. We will test it with just us adults today. Then I have to pick up stuff at my brother's house and drop it at the nursing home's front door for him.
Beautiful day here and temps will stay 40's and 50's this week. So glad we aren't getting all the snow MN is getting. That makes for a long winter.
What do you know about your Dad's leg? That is awful! I hope he has a better experience with healing than Russ. Is your Mom able to wait on him and take care of him?
When it rains, it pours! Hang in there. Take time for yourself or get ready for the holidays while you are home.
Jenny0 -
No good news yet.
I don't have great hopes for the folks with this. First off, he was still healing his brain injury (I'm sure part of the reason he fell), and he is wobbly anyway, now being on one leg and wobbly. Sigh. My mom will do what she can, but they are both not great physical shape or health. We'll see what this brings. Oh and it's winter. Oh and they'll continue to do things they shouldn't (like going to the farm for the horse, or to Costco). And I shouldn't even say those were what caused it, because it sounds like he was just walking down the driveway.
The last update I had (last night) from Michele, was it's even worse than they originally thought. The hackers may have been in our system for weekS. WEEKS. They have corrupted the back ups that are created for catastrophic events. They may have corrupted all the fiscal year-end work that was just completed 10/31. They are going to have to try to negotiate with the hackers supposedly. Not sure how that works. But it's just sickening. They aren't just harming the Raimondo family. The money and time this will cost won't come out of their personal pockets. It will come from us having to work to recreate all thats lost. The jobs we lose because we lost so much production. The customers we lose because we couldn't service them. People will lose jobs. If you get to keep your job, you will lose an unthinkable amount of time and sanity working to fix everything. These people are obviously super smart. Why can't they use that and make their fortunes without devastating us regular people.
The weather is supposed to be pretty good for a few days.
Let's see what updates this day brings.
Come on 11/14!0 -
Are the hackers one of those people that demands money and they will fix it? Or could it be someone who use to work there and has a grudge and is techy smart, knows the system? Is the FBI involved yet? What a mess!
How long is your parents' driveway? Was your Dad walking to get mail and slipped on ice? How close do you or your sister live to get the mail from the box 2-3 times per week or have it delivered to one of your homes and then take out there on weekend? Another idea would be to have a PO box in town and go pick up. Unfortunately, address would have to be changed for bills, credit cards, bank, insurance, doctors, etc. Ugh!
I dropped off clean clothes at my brothers and packed up what he wanted at nursing home. Now my other brother wants me to contact oncologists clinic and get a form for Steve to sign that names one of us as person for doctor to call with info or for us to call with questions. Steve would have to choose and sign it. We will see if he is willing.
I think I have a vertebrae squishing a nerve in my back or it's out of place. My right leg and lower back hurt and it is hard to move around. I'm going to look into a chiropractor and see if an adjustment helps.
I have to meet my sisters at my brother's house at 10am tomorrow to make a plan to clear and clean out his house. Fun times in retirement!
My workout friend, Laurie, and her husband are not doing well with COVID. I texted to see how they were and if they needed anything. She said "not well". Her symptoms began 11/4 and it has been 10 days. Nervous for them...
Jenny0 -
From what I understand it's the ransom demand and they will restore it. I doubt it's disgruntled employee since this seems to be so sophisticated. We'll probably find out they are in Serbia or something. I think they consider themselved 'grey hats' since they believe they aren't hurting anyone and going after 'rich' people. Well the owners might be well off, but again, any money lost will be recouped in other ways as we all know. And, yes, it hurts us to know that people may not get paid correctly, customers are hurt without product. When the supply chain is broken many are hurt. Sigh. Still no updates. I don't know if I go to work yet tomorrow. I may be counting the days until I don't have to work anymore, but I don't wish this on businesses honestly just trying to do their best.
I'm sorry your back and leg are hurting. I bet the stress from everything isn't helping. Hopefully you can find someone tomorrow.
I hope your friend will start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel soon. I was about 14 to 15 days before I started thinking the worst was over. Longer than many who were well over it at 10 days, but better than some too. Encourage her to stay hydrated, not just water. I know I let myself get way dehydrated and that didn't help anything. Even though we all know these things, that virus seems to really have a way of making you lose your will to do the things you know you should do.
The folks driveway isn't super long, but it was after a snow last week. They were supposed to have made arrangements to get it scooped. Hopefully my sister got that straightened out with them this weekend. I guess the doc didn't even cast it. So I don't know what that really means. A hairline fracture? Stress fracture? I don't know. Mom bought him a brace to wear and he is just walking really slowly and cautiously around the house. We are about an hour and forty-five minutes each from Wayne. So we could make a schedule of getting up there in turns. But honestly they are still at the point of just doing whatever they want even though they know they shouldn't. I kind of feel like if they aren't even going to be good, why should I pay? I know, wrong attitude. They are just so freakin stubborn.
I'm sure there will be lots of interesting and stressful things to come this week.
Oh, and school has announced they are taking off the whole week of Thanksgiving not just the Thursday and Friday. Because that's going to help community numbers? Do you know what people are going to do with a whole week off? Take off and go places. Get together with people. And then come back home and bring it back. Stupid. At least the govenor finally made a bit of an adjustment and made a chart of varying restrictions based on the percentage of people hospitalized.0 -
MI governor and Dept of Health announced some restriction today, a 3 week pause. No inside dining, limited numbers in groups getting together and masks worn inside and outside, high schools and universities going to online learning only. Essential businesses open but appointments and guidelines will be followed.
My sisters and I met at my brother's house today to form a plan for cleaning it up and moving him out of there. Wow, not a pretty picture. A bachelor his whole life, possibly depression or no sense of what to throw away, clean, etc. We filled 3 large garbage bags and that wasn't even putting a dent in the amount of papers and ratty stuff he has laying around on all surfaces, floor, in cabinets and drawers. Two of us are going back tomorrow to make some progress. I imagine we will be doing this for awhile.
Well your Dad must have a minor fracture if no cast or treatment recommendations. You are too far away to get mail, etc. You are right, if they won't try to stay safe, what can you do?
So bizarre about your company. I think there is more vulnerability in this country right now with COVID, our health care system being overloaded, change of presidents and the resistance of that change, etc. I wonder if any other big companies have experienced this? Has the FBi started an investigation?
My leg was a little better in the night and slightly better today. It is still stiff and I walk funny but I'm managing.
Well enjoy being home while you can.
Jenny0 -
It was pretty awful. I worked about 14.5 hours yesterday and it will likely be like that for the forseable future. The branches don't even have a computer they can work on since almost all the computers are in some way compromised. IT got about a dozen systems running, mine was ok, then went 'red' (another virus struck it mid-morning). We are trying to key hundreds of thousands or transactions manually and it's pretty frickin messed up. We can't do this long term but the ransom ask was supposedly millions of dollars, so that's not happening. I don't really know how this will play out. The FBI was called, but they made it clear if they get involved everything gets shut down for a minimum of two to four weeks. That's also not real. The business wouldn't survive. It's already possible it will be permanently damaged. What a disaster.
I imagine its pretty hard to clear out someone elses stuff. I dread that day with my folks - well anyone. A lot of emotions involved in stuff.
Time to get ready for today's adventures.
Hope you feel better!0 -
Off for another day of fun with my sister to sort through my brother's stuff, pack it up and come home to shower.
Weather is changing again. Lake effect snow is headed our way. I have a sinus headache and feel congested. No temp and Oxygen is fine.
Well I need to pack a lunch and get ready for my sister to pick me up. We have to go get boxes at my niece's house and then head to my brothers. I took boxes yesterday but only two are empty now. I need to do some more unpacking...
Jenny0 -
We spent 4 hours at my brother's house yesterday. What a disaster! He is starting to get edgy that we are interfering even though we are trying to help him. I finally got through to a social worker at his rehab home. She talked to him about picking one of us to be able to talk to oncologist. He said he would sign the form so I had cancer center fax one over and she was going to take it to him to do. We'll see...
My oldest sister talked to him today about his bills, ordering more checks, and what accounts she put his name on at his bank. He is so unorganized in his life that he doesn't know for sure and got testy. We found a paper that he put her as beneficiary for his investment account. He has no will, health directive, or power of attorney named for him if needed. He's getting testy and angry so I think we just back off and let the chips fall where they may. I raised 3 toddlers and teenagers and I don't need to treat my 72 year old brother as if he is one (acting like one too). We can't plan his living situation if he won't cooperate. If he thinks he is so capable, then he is on his own with all the decisions as far as I'm concerned. I don't think he understands his own reality and what his very near future needs are going to be.
I found a primary care physician. Hope I like her. I may be able to be seen in the next few weeks and get a referral for a mammogram, new prescriptions and a physical.
The snow never arrived but it is cold out. I am lazy today and refused to go clean at my brother's. I don't know if I will go back. Russ is going to arrange for an old car in his garage to be taken away as junk but that may be it for us for now. If we can't get information on his needs, it is hard to clean and pack up for what happens next.
Did I tell you that Jeff and Karah are engaged? An additional surprise...they called Saturday and they are expecting a baby boy in March. She didn't realize she was pregnant with all the craziness of their move, jobs, coming here, etc. She is 18 weeks! They've been together for almost 3 years (live together for 1-1/2). So in addition to the engagement we will be grandparents to two babies within 4 months. I don't know what they are planning for getting married as of yet.
How are you feeling? How is your Dad?
Jenny0 -
Oh wait! Two babies coming! WOW!! Congrats. Look at all that wonderful news. Blessings.
I'm sorry things are tough with your brother. You definitely can't make him want to take care of things. And pushing will probably only cause more push back. Hopefully after some reflection he'll decide he's ready.
I don't really have any updates from the folks. We have been working so hard and so late, I should reach out but I was pretty ambivalent after the last update from them and so exhausted at night. I would be perfectly fine canceling dinner since we will be working 7 days a week for the forseable future including the holiday. Ah well. Hopefully the boys will want to cook.
Zach will start his finals on Monday and should be home Wednesday afternoon and we are currently planning dinner Wednesday night. I don't have any idea how we'll get it on the table (at sisters house) since we are working insane hours.
Ah well. Think of all that OT.
Weddings and babies oh my! That's what we will focus on. (For you - ) hopefully a few years for me!
Good luck with your new doc.
If I go a few days don't give up on me. I'm here, just curled up in a fetal position if not at work.
HUGS!
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Russ and I ordered a Thanksgiving dinner for two from a local restaurant. I've heard it's really good. We don't want to cook and clean up for just two of us so we will pick it up Thanksgiving Day and eat when it is hot. Do you have a local restaurant that you could order a dinner for your family and make it easy on all of you? It wouldn't have to be turkey, it could be whatever you like (Italian, etc.). This has been a crazy year so why not make the holidays different too? Good luck, it sounds like your work is exhausting and endless.
Russ was able to arrange for the junk car my brother was storing in his garage to be towed today. Yay! I can't believe the amount of stuff he doesn't throw because "he might need it" or just doesn't get around to it. I did get permission to talk with the oncologists and the social worker at the nursing home. I will call the doctor after Monday to get updates on tests, etc. He has a meeting with Steve on Monday to talk about the radiation treatments and if they have helped, etc. The social worker is very nice and I was able to ask some questions and give her things to consider when making recommendations for discharge and living situation. I may help tomorrow afternoon at the house but haven't decided yet. I'm really trying to minimize my exposure to family too. I want to stay well until I can get a vaccine. That's my goal!
I have an appt on Monday to meet my new doctor. I'm going to ask her to make a referral for a mammogram so I don't get too far behind on that. I emailed my MN clinic to tell them I moved and changed insurance and asked to close out my chart. I did ask if they would send prescription orders for my 3 meds to my pharmacy here and they did! So surprised since I haven't had a physical in a year. I did have a telehealth appt in June though. So my refills are good for 3 months. I'll have the other doctor refill when those expire. I hope I like her.
Well hang in there! Get as much rest as possible and try to let the stress go when you can. It's not good for your body.
Stay in touch when you can.
Jenny0
