I am trying to wrap my head around The Coronavirus. I suffer from anxiety so the idea of having to stay at home until further notice freaks me out. Sunday night I was not feeling well. I had a hard time catching my breath and I was vomiting. I did not think it was the virus. I knew it was kidney related and I needed to go to the ER. Mom drove, as she always does, but this time she was not allowed to come in with me. We both understood that these were precautions that were put in place and honestly I think it was harder for her to leave me than it was for me to be there alone.
After a CT-Scan, chest x-ray, and much bloodwork the doctors decided to admit me overnight because my Hemoglobin was very low. I was going to get dialysis with a blood transfusion in the hospital on Monday. The nursing staff and the doctors knew I was auto-immune compromised and they were very mindful when entering my room.
Mom was allowed to visit from 7am-7pm so she spent most of the day with me. I went for dialysis at around 6:30 Tuesday night and when I woke up the next morning I felt like a new person. My Hemoglobin had jumped to 8.7 and I was feeling great. I went home, caught up on sleep and tried to get back to normal.
But what is normal when the entire world has been infected by a virus. Numbers keep increasing and I can’t seem to stop watching CNN. I know this causes more anxiety but I have to stay in the know.
Today, after dialysis I went to Target to pick up medication and a thermometer. I knew I was taking a risk but I wore a mask and we literally went in, got what we needed and checked out. While at the register I was talking to the cashier about how difficult it is to get the necessities, like a thermometer and hand sanitizer. The gentleman standing in line behind us heard my story and immediately pulled a sanitizer out of his pocket and gave it to me. I told him thanks but I could not do that. He insisted that I take the bottle. He told me that he understood my struggles because his wife is a cancer patient. I was so appreciative and overwhelmed by his generosity in a time where so many people are only looking out for themselves.
I want so badly to be out there volunteering to help others but unfortunately my body says NO! What I CAN DO is FaceTime with parents and students who may struggle with schoolwork.
So, I am paying it forward the best I can. Please contact me if you need help homeschooling your children. I am a certified teacher K-6, ESE K-12, and Reading K-12. I would be more than happy to help.
STACY NEEDS A KIDNEY 