Checked in with my sisters - YouLookFab Forum

I'm the middle of 3 girls. My older sister lives in Monterey Co., CA, in a rather remote sections of the hills above the bay. One son lives maybe 50 miles away, but she and BIL are not in the best health, but they are relatively isolated. Two grandsons live in Europe. One along with his wife are pursuing graduate studies in Norway, and she feels they will be okay. A younger boy is in Spain, also a student, and has 2 ER doctors as roommates, which she doesn't feel so good about.

My younger sister and her husband lived in Mendocino Co., where the fires burned around 3 sides of their home. They sold it last June and moved to Rocklin, where their daughter lives. Also where the first California death from COVID-19 occurred. A few months ago she was diagnosed with PMR, polymyalgia rheumatic, a type of arthritis. She is on prednisone and methotrextate and says her current condition puts her under house arrest. My Mom had PMR and had a terrible time getting off the prednisone. Her son and his wife are MDs, and they are currently in Australia, but not in a region affected by the virus yet.

I offered to make her some of our Mom's homemade cinnamon rolls, which she took around to all the shut ins and suffering people in our neighborhood. She always made plenty for us too. BIL has been hinting for some rolls for some time, but now Sis says no, she can't eat sugar. She can't drink wine either. DH is on a low-carb diet and won't eat them either, so I guess I won't make them. Maybe I will.

My son and his family are in the Chicago area and I worry about them as well, but there won't be any visits for the time being.

I'm worried about my family, but I'm also grateful that thus far I'm doing just fine, and I feel fortunate that DH and I are doing relatively well now. We can still take walks when it stops raining, and boy, do we need the rain.

Hope all of you are doing well. Those of you who are staying home like me probably soon will have the cleanest houses we've had in years. I'm cleaning out my cosmetic drawer today.

Online friends are important right now. Take care.

5 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

It's hard not to worry, isn't it? Especially when you can't be there. It sounds like you and your family are doing the very best you can with the circumstance, though, and I wish you all a safe "journey" through this incredible time.

If I wind up at home I suspect I will be expected to work, but that situation will develop over the next few days. My biggest worry is my parents, who are Canadian snowbirds in south Texas. They drive home (takes about four day), and my dad says they really can't leave before Thursday because of bad weather north of them. I don't need my 80-year-old dad trying to drive long days in snow or rain. He's not up to that anymore, so to leave too soon would be potentially more risky than waiting. Still, I just want them back home as quickly and safely as possible.

MsMaven

Wow Carol, that's tough for your parents. I wouldn't want to drive four days, even in good weather. I hope they take their time and get back safely. It is hard not to worry about family.

kellygirl

My dad is scheduled for eye surgery tomorrow at UCSF. I can't believe it's not been cancelled yet. I'm fine and have not been around any big crowds--not doing anything really besides going to work. (Our office is small. My boss travels but I told him he's quarantined after his last flight to LA--he laughed but I wasn't kidding.) My mom is a retired RN so she's taking all the necessary precautions. Except for the grocery stores, the news reports on public places being ghost towns. It seems unreal. DH played in a golf tournament yesterday--I guess they figure since it's outdoors, there's no worry. It's the 55+ crowd so I'm a little surprised because that's the age group that seems mores susceptible. DD#1 is still at university--on line classes for the next month and commencement possibly cancelled. DD#2 is at home for spring break but her classes will be on line for the next month but the campus and facilities are open...
Glad you all are faring well. We're fine but I haven't stockpiled--could barely get my weekly groceries yesterday at Trader Joes. Feeling a little underprepared but I didn't expect all of this grocery store mayhem.

Helena

Sending love to everyone, and especially to your parents who may be more vulnerable right now. xx

Kelly, I thought all elective surgeries were cancelled. I hope this goes well for your Dad.

We were going to go to Valley Fair this weekend to see the new Bloomingdales but put it off. We're told it's okay to take walks and do outdoor activities as long as we keep our distance, and thank goodness we live in a great place to walk.

RobinF

Quite an international family! Hope it all goes well.

My family is pretty spread out, but it sounds like all their areas are basically the same as here, schools closed, many work from home, no TP in the stores. We’ll remember this year I think!

Cardiff girl

it’s tough isn’t it worrying about relatives and not being able to do anything for them.We are all collectively keeping our fingers crossed for each other.Stay safe and well.

@susan: we got the call that surgery was cancelled as I turned on to 19th avenue. We just turned around and headed back. Kind of a relief. I had just read that two UCSF employees tested positive. His surgery was at a surgical center but still...

slim cat

I work at Valley Fair and it's now on the shorter hours: starting this Tuesday - 11am to 7 pm on weekdays and Saturday, then 11am to 6pm on Sunday ( Monday 3/16/20 - 10 am to 7 pm ). Bloomingdale's is open for business but traffic is slow and there is not a lot of people shopping.
Hope all your family is doing good and staying healthy.
My mom in Moscow, Russia is doing ok so far but she is listening/reading news too much and worrying about everyone everywhere.

Gretchen

DH and I have been keeping a low profile the last 2 weeks. Most concerned about his elderly parents, but not visiting them as we both have traveled in the last 14 days.

DS is still in DC but approved for teleworking so risk is lower. DD is home from college and Very unhappy w the situation. School will be on break/remote next 4 weeks but she’s hoping she can return early. We’ll see.

My mom is an RN in western CO, where the mood seems to shift daily from denial to freak outs. I’m concerned about her risk profile, but also know that she‘ll follow her calling, so worrying won’t fix the problem.

Wishing all of you safety and some degree of serenity this week.

Style Fan

Mr SF and I have been in Montreal since the end of January. Yesterday the Premier announced that all gyms, schools, etc were to be closed. The theatres and museums had already been closed. We can go outside for walks but we are to maintain social distancing.
Our home is in Ontario and I am expecting the same actions will be happening there. The gyms and Yoga studios are closing. We have our Montreal apartment until mid-April but really do we want to be in a one-bedroom apartment for 3 weeks? I would rather be in my home. I can do cleaning and de-cluttering there. We are still discussing this subject. Mr SF is still hoping things will open up soon. Not likely.
My family is all fine. My brother and sister-in-law have prepared themselves. They are mostly retired. My brother is a musician and my sister-in-law just retired from working at a cat vet clinic. All their activities have been cancelled. They have lots of hobbies (playing guitar, sewing, knitting) to keep them busy. My sister and brother-in-law have also prepared themselves. They are working from home. They are University professors/employees. My younger sister and brother-in-law have been waiting for some action but they are in a different part of the world.
I am doing a home Yoga practice and working on my journals.

Anonymous

Hugs! My family is spread out too, my mom and inlaws in different counties- 2 hours away in different directions. My dad in FL. Was going to visit but cancelled and glad I did!

catherine

Pretty happy right now that we decided to move out here to be near kids and grandkids. Despite the fact that the culture shock has nearly done me in, I would be exceedingly worried to be far away from them.
Sending the best of thoughts to all of you who are undoubtedly on edge with your families spread out across the globe.

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