COVID 19: The Journey. Chapter 11, We survive virus, move on
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| Easier (non COVID-19) days: Kirstin, age 13, with her parents, in 2003. |
The month of January started with fear and dismay but ended much better: We survived a bout of the COVID-19 virus and bounced back to normal in a few weeks.
The month ended Jan. 31 with a celebration of daughter Kirstin's 31st birthday; it was a Golden Birthday for sure. Among other activities: "Papa Steve" got granddaughter Myla, age 2, to eat a bit of a Hostess Twinkie, a treat she's not normally allowed. Daring indeed!
The month started quietly as we dealt with COVID. A bright spot was Iowa State's football victory in the Fiesta Bowl. The Cyclones beat Oregon, 34-17, to cap off the most successful year in school history. Thank you, Coach Matt Campbell!
Myla's birthday is Jan. 6; Kirstin thankfully had sent us a video of the darling child enjoying her special day. That's what we looked at, repeatedly, when on the television the U.S. Capitol was swarmed by former President Trump's supporters and five people died, including a police officer.
The next day, Steve was scheduled to have an infusion, much like Trump had received. Nurses had some trouble at the start of the procedure but he got an experimental mixture: Bamlanivimab. He felt much better a few days later. I started working out on Friday, Jan. 8 and was back to regular work-outs Jan. 9.
We did stay home, mostly. There was a virtual Book Club for our neighborhood and I led the discussion on "A Thousand Acres" by Jane Smiley, who used to live in Iowa.
Later that week, Steve had a virtual doctor's appointment and virus follow-up while I cleaned the house. On Jan. 16 we ventured out, with masks on. We went with friends to the Icestravaganza event in downtown Davenport. There was not too much of a crowd but it was a fun to get away from the house for a little while.
The weather reflected our moods: Overcast, snowy, icy and more. I keep my spirits up by putting together scrapbooks and organizing photos.
We went out to lunch in downtown Bettendorf Jan. 23. In Iowa, you wear a mask inside the restaurant and then sit away from people. The waitresses all wear masks as well. We are allowed to remove masks to eat and drink, of course.
We met with four members of the Baker family (all of whom had also recovered from the virus), to plan a trip in March. This was at a restaurant in Davenport where we also watched the NFL playoff games.
The last week of the month, I got my hair done, finally. The stylist had been quarantined and I of course had the virus, so the salon date changed a few times. I did a hair color by myself earlier in the month. By the end of January the hair was professionally colored and cut.
We left for Ankeny on Jan. 29 to see Kirstin, Gage and Myla Rodewald to end the month. Myla and I ventured outdoors one day: She was all bundled up. I followed the two-year-old down the sidewalk, thinking to make this outing short. She was a determined little angel, marching along on stubby legs, but agreeable to go back indoors after about 10 minutes.
It's plenty cold where we live near Davenport, Iowa, but I think its colder and more windy in central Iowa, near Des Moines.
Steve and I, as well as other members of the family, now have some virus protection from antibodies developed after recovering from the virus. In addition, Kirstin and Gage, as well as Jill, Teiah and Mike, are considered "essential workers" in Iowa (Gage is a police officer and the others teach and work in schools).
They all expect to be vaccinated in February.
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