My Dad rushed into hospital with Coronavirus

Hello again,

Lets have a looksy at the numbers before I write my depressing post....

Yesterday
Total world cases: 912,910-------------------73,279 increase
Total fatalities:  45,611------------------------4,219 increase
UK total: 29,474-------------------------------4,324 increase
UK Fatalities: 2,352---------------------------563 increase

Today
Total world cases: 1000,547-------------------87,637 increase
Total fatalities:  52,418-------------------------6,807 increase
UK total: 33,718---------------------------------4,244 increase
UK Fatalities: 2,921---------------------------  569 increase

So today has been another bad day.  Last night - just as I was getting up to go to bed, Andy got a call from my sister Joanne - she'd tried me but my phone was on silent - as soon as I saw my sister calling Andy I knew it had to be bad.     She told us that my folks had taken a turn for the worst and had seen a doctor who had checked their oxygen levels - my mums were fine but my dads were low.  They have both been really ill - although some days my mum said that she was a lot better.  My dads oxygen levels were checked again later on - and an ambulance was called.  He had been taken about 20 minutes before this phone call.  After I got off the phone to Joanne I called my mum but it was engaged - so I tried my dads mobile and he answered from inside the ambulance!  He was breathless - and couldn't really speak - so I just said - I love you Dad - and then he'd gone.  I was really upset - and shaking, fearing the worse.  I have read so much about how people ended up alone, not allowed visitors - and also dying.

I took my depressed self to bed, and had a bit of a cry. 

Today I went to work/training course - fully prepared to leave if I heard any bad news.  I then heard that my dad has a chest infection and a blood infection - and had been tested for the coronavirus.  It was a pretty crappy day sitting in this training course worrying about my Dad.  The day finally ended and I was driving home and a friggin pigeon flew into my windscreen when I was on the motorway driving at 70mph - it was such a massive thump - i saw it coming a split second before it hit but there was nothing I could do.  This was awful - upsetting!  It was obviously killed outright and I was left with a horrible smear....and I thought - wow things are pretty shit right now!

When I got home - I called my dad and he sounded crap.  He is breathing was not good - they had put him in a side room on his own, on oxygen and were barely checking on him, had not given him his usual medication - and he was NOT happy - obviously lonely, worried and fed up - and ill!  So after a lot of messing about - I finally got to talk to the nurse responsible for him who told me that they have to stay away from patients suspected of having the Coronavirus - I had a chat with him and asked him if he could explain this to my dad because he was obviously scared and lonely and thought that the staff were just avoiding him and he couldn't understand why. 

I was chatting and updating all my siblings on a group app - a little while later my brother spoke to my dad and apparently he was much happier and was getting some sleep.  I think we might find out tomorrow if he has the coronavirus - but it seems pretty certain that he does.  I spoke to my mum who again, says she is feeling a little better.  She told me that she felt so bad earlier in the week that she thought she was going to die. 

Everything is just so stressful lately! I can physically feel the stress....I keep feeling sick, and am struggling to eat, I feel like I have adrenaline going around my system all the time, and feel slightly out of breath, I am tired all the time and not sleeping properly. 

One more day to go on this course and then I'll get the weekend off. I just want to get to that point - where I can maybe relax a bit - depending on my Dads health obviously!

At 8pm hundreds of ppl came out onto their doorsteps to clap for the NHS - I missed it AGAIN because I was writing this blog!  I must admit - I wasn't feeling that charitable towards the NHS after my dad felt so neglected....he didn't get any reassurance or much care really....but putting it into perspective - they are all amazing and are doing a great job at a difficult time. 

Another day in a bizarre world

Hi - lets have a look at the numbers - think its gonna be baaadddd

Yesterday
Total world cases: 839,631-------------------70,867 increase
Total fatalities:  41,392-----------------------4,365 increase
UK total: 25,150-------------------------------3,009 increase
UK Fatalities: 1,789---------------------------381 increase

Today
Total world cases: 912,910-------------------73,279 increase
Total fatalities:  45,611-----------------------4,219 increase
UK total: 29,474-------------------------------4,324 increase
UK Fatalities: 2,352---------------------------563 increase!!!!

So - the UK's biggest increase as far as deaths are concerned!  That is a lot of people!!!

The news today talks about a GP surgery sending out "do not resuscitate" forms to people with existing health conditions - they have had to apologise, and new data is showing that 25-50% of coronavirus carriers don't have symptoms, so are going around infecting others unknowingly.

So - yesterday I had a very crap emotional day - I was soooo depressed!  Today I feel much better, and have coped on the course a bit better - not as tired, the day went a little quicker - and we got a free lunch from Costa (on site).

I spoke to the guy that I think is going to be my Sergeant - he said to come in on Monday (late shift) and we'll take it from there.  I am REALLY hoping I'll be sent home until further notice!  It's going to be very difficult to get to know the new job and be productive atm...

We are getting booking enquiries for our Airbnb that we keep having to turn down!  Today a guy wanted to stay a few days with his wife and child because his dad who lives local to us is dying of cancer and only has a couple of weeks left!  SO SAD - and feel bad having to say no - but we don't cater for young kids and we are waiting on an NHS Doctor - he should get back to us tomorrow.

I am so looking forward to the weekend!!  I plan on partying on Friday night - if I can stay awake.

It was April fools day today - Connor got us all by telling us he had lost his job! Something I didn't really find funny because I felt so sorry for him!!!

Lissa did a very artistic pic of the position her baby is in - after seeing her midwife today:

I REALLY hope that her baby doesn't actually look like this!!

I am really missing her atm - probably because I know that I cant see her - and she is going through a life changing event.  My baby is having a baby!!  I am probably not even going to be able to go and see her when she has had the baby - I won't get to meet the baby, possibly for ages!

I can't wait until we can all get together - all of us! we are going to need a great big party when all this is over!!!

Apparently our village (Bishops Hull) are going to have a big party when its over too.

I'm already missing not being able to go out for a meal, or go to the pub - and its not even like we did that loads!  The world is going to be so different in so many ways after this is all over!

So tired...can't cope!

Yesterday
Total world cases:768,764-------------------84.955 increase
Total fatalities:  37,027-----------------------4,850 increase
UK total: 22,141------------------------------2,619 increase
UK Fatalities: 1,408--------------------------180 increase

Today
Total world cases: 839,631-------------------70,867 increase
Total fatalities:  41,392-----------------------4,365 increase
UK total: 25,150-------------------------------3,009 increase
UK Fatalities: 1,789---------------------------381 increase

The news today is basically the same as every other day lately.  People dying, people in lock down, super markets this and that, companies going bust, ppl losing jobs.

On the other hand there are a lot of people making very funny video's - people have a lot of time on their hands - and it is pretty awesome seeing the British sense of humour.

I've not had a good day.  I am struggling on this course - so tired...very long day, the time is going so slowly.  I am learning about the IT system which is essential but not interesting.  I drove home very teary and then cried when I got home.  I am definitely hormonal, but the whole situation in the world is very stressful and upsetting.  The roads are all empty and society is just so different and weird.

I don't really know why I was as emotional as I was/am.  I think it is just everything.  I don't like driving so far and then being so bored - struggling with my bad eye sight and stinging eyes - and just wanting to sleep.  Other than our room of ppl on the course, HQ is empty and depressing. I can see complacency setting in - people are getting to know each other and not keeping their distance.  When I'm driving there and back on very empty roads I feel like I am one of the very few ppl out and about in the world.   I just feel very down.  Today is just not a good day.

New job, 1st day during Armageddon

Hi,

So before I bore you about my first day at work - here are the figures....

Yesterday
Total world cases:  683,809------------------82.032 increase
Total fatalities:  32,177-----------------------4,659 increase
UK total: 19,522------------------------------2,433 increase
UK Fatalities: 1,228--------------------------209 increase

Today
Total world cases:768,764-------------------84.955 increase
Total fatalities:  37,027-----------------------4,850 increase
UK total: 22,141------------------------------2,619 increase
UK Fatalities: 1,408--------------------------180 increase

I usually do this number comparison earlier in the day but having been at work - these are early evening figures - which is what I'll probably stick to.

In the news today they are saying there are early signs of a decrease in the UK, and they are also saying we have not reached our peak yet.  India was in the news again because so many people were so packed together trying to get back to villages - same as yesterday really.  There are also pictures of major cities around the world deserted. 

So - I hardly slept last night for worrying about not getting enough sleep!  I was up at 6.50am  and Andy got up too and made me some sandwiches and a coffee to take with me! and then I was off....I got there in plenty of time as the roads were very very quiet!  First thing I was asked to do was to sign in, using a pen used by everybody else!  Exactly what we should avoid - I obviously used my own pen!  I think there were 8 of us on the training course - we were taken to a room where the desks had all been separated and we were given anti bacterial wipes and stuff so I was relieved that safety measures were in place.  I was given a laptop, and my collar number - warrant card etc.  We did a bit of training on the intranet etc. Was a long day really and I was knackered and my eyes were struggling to stay open, and I was cold all day!  However, I am impressed with everything tbh - much easier computer system than at Surrey.  So I am now much more relaxed about the whole thing.

Got back home and got straight into my PJ's with big dressing gown and got comfy and warm!  I'm sat here now - its 7.30pm and I'm so tired! guess I'll sleep much better tonight - and can leave a little later tomorrow.

Day before I go back to work!

Hi.

Lets have a look at the figures for today - not really seen them yet - I expect a much bigger jump today...

Yesterday
Total world cases:  601,777
Total fatalities:  27,518
UK total: 17,089
UK Fatalities: 1019

Today
Total world cases:  683,809------------------82.032 increase
Total fatalities:  32,177-----------------------4,659 increase
UK total: 19,522------------------------------2,433 increase
UK Fatalities: 1,228--------------------------209 increase

The PM Boris Johnson has caught the virus - he apparently has mild symptoms so he'll be back to normal very soon.

Very scarily, Italy are really suffering and there are reports of social unrest - so people are stealing and raiding - out of necessity apparently.  Many people were working for cash so they are not being helped out financially by their government.  They have also been on lock down longer than us so they are going stir-crazy.  I really feel so bad for these people!  In other countries - it looks like they don't stand a chance - with people still gathering - but when you live in a single room with 5 other people what can you do? Actually - from what I have seen they are not even trying to stay apart outdoors...its going to spread  like wild fire, and they wont have the hospitals to try and save people.

This is a picture from India today:



No attempt whatsoever at social distancing.  Apparently these people are migrant workers unable to pay their rent, trying to get back to their villages.  The news reports say that there was no public transport so some people were having to walk hundreds of miles - I don't really know how that is possible - but that is what it says!  So - they are going to be taking the virus back to their villages.  A disaster waiting to happen - with the virus and also possible starvation!  You can't dwell on things like this too much because it gets way too upsetting.

There is talk in the UK that we might be on lock down until June.  Imagine all the people living alone!  It is a very depressing thought.  So many businesses are going to be screwed, so many people are going to be skint and so stressed out about losing their house etc.  The banks are saying people can take mortgage breaks, and I don't think they will be allowed to repossess houses, so there are some reassurances.

We went for a drive this morning - first time we have left the house in 2 weeks.  I was curious to see the outside world, and see how busy the roads are.  It was a little bit like going out on Christmas day - it was very quiet.  I filled the car up with petrol (which was much reduced in price!) I took rubber gloves and hand sanitiser and was extremely careful....we got petrol from Asda - where you could see a queue all the way to the back of the car park, with people standing 2 metres apart - looked like a weird queue everybody spread out so much.  Some people were not quite far apart enough - but they were mostly good.  It was a strange sight to be honest.  We came straight back home after filling up - its nice to know that the car is full ready for work tomorrow!  When we got home we had a walk around the garden - like we keep doing just to get outdoors!

We had another enquiry on Airbnb from a camera woman for the BBC - we were a little concerned that really it was a reporter testing our Airbnb hosts, to see if we are following the rules!  As it happens the dates they wanted clashed with a doctor that has made an enquiry, and he wont know for sure until 2nd April, so we told the BBC person that the Doctor takes priority.  We may consider them if he doesn't want the place.  She replied saying - thank you Christine! lol - I guess she has been making enquiries at other places too and got me mixed up with somebody else!  We are thinking that the BBC want to come here because we are getting reports of deaths at our local hospital.

So - I'm all ready for work tomorrow.  I ordered new clothes online as I couldn't go out shopping and most of my existing work clothes are too small and are old! I've not worked for over 3 years (other than in the house which required totally different type of work clothes!).  Luckily the stuff I ordered were all on sale because of the current situation - and they all fit me (I stuck to stretchy stuff lol).

I have no idea what to expect tomorrow - 9 of us on this training course - I am going to insist that the rules on social distancing are followed otherwise I will just leave.  I really hope I get there and am reassured that I'll be safe.  Have to wait and see.....

Feeling yuck - alcohol related! Not Covid-19!

BLURG

Yesterday
Total world cases:  537,785
Total fatalities:  24,156
UK total: 11,813
UK Fatalities: 578

Today
Total world cases:  601,777
Total fatalities:  27,518
UK total: 14,751
UK Fatalities: 769

Later in the day our figures increased to UK total: 17,089, UK Fatalities: 1019


Yesterday there were 46,000 new cases and around 2,000 new deaths and today there are 63,000 new cases and 3,000 deaths.  So the rate is speeding up now - as expected.  I don't think it will start to decrease (because the whole country is on lock down) for another week or two.

So yesterday was awful.  We had a bit of a fallout - over nothing really.  We have both got ourselves wound up about the virus and me going to work next week - and its stressful!!  I ended up crying! Not because of Andy! I think it just built up gradually over the last week or so - watching all the figures - the temporary hospitals being built etc.  Andy is also very stressed! Not knowing if he is losing his job - on top of everything else....

I've also been waking up really early everyday - and only getting 5 hours sleep or so, and then feeling really sick.  According to google nausea in the mornings - which I've been getting everyday - can be down to lack of sleep and anxiety, which would definitely explain things!  This morning was worse - I woke up at 6pm after going to bed quite drunk last night, we didn't eat either last night, and I was quite drunk so I feel really sick and horrible.  I expect Andy is gonna feel as rough as I do!

Last night we got online with Helen and Paul - we had them on my monitor which has quite a large screen so it wasn't too much different than being sat with them! We played Play your cards Rights lol, but mostly just chatted and had a laugh - and we did not really talk about anything negative as the point was to try and de-stress.

So, knowing Lissa is ALWAYS up early, I video called her and we had a bit of a catch-up - always nice just to see her little face - and her not so little baby bump!  We spoke for ages before realising that we hadn't even mentioned the Coronavirus - which was good!  So we didn't focus on it too much when we realised either.  We did discuss the impact on them however in terms of having the baby.  I really feel for her - and Erika.  She can have Antony with her during the labour and once the baby is born he has to leave and won't see them again until she is discharged from hospital.  If she ends up in hospital for a couple of days that will suck.  Hopefully they will be trying to get her out of the hospital as soon as possible because the hospital will be full of people with the virus.  Both her and Erika feel that this very special time where they should be blooming and enjoying life with a baby on the way has been ruined somewhat - and I don't blame them for feeling that way!

We ended our call when we both needed a poo hahah we reminisced about the times we used to race having a poo when we lived in Sunmead Rd, one of us would leg it to the upstairs loo - and the other downstairs and see who could get back 1st.  hahah

We have just been out into the garden because its lovely outside and we have been cooped up in the house for weeks (2).

The cats always come and join us when we go into the garden!

Coronavirus FEAR

Hi.

I'm up early today (again!)- keep waking up at 7am - which is actually a good thing as I'm going to have to start getting up early every day soon!

Yesterday
Total world cases:  491,768
Total fatalities:  22,173
UK total:  9,529
UK Fatalities: 465

Today
Total world cases:  537,785
Total fatalities:  24,156
UK total: 11,813
UK Fatalities: 578

The UK has not updated it's figures yet.  46,000 new cases and around 2,000 new deaths.  Wow.

Update UK - 14,751 cases, 769 deaths. Big Jump.


So - I had a bit of a breakdown last night.  We watched, on youtube a doctor - youngish guy - just do a little video update at a couple of points during the day - he spoke about people in the wards with the virus and how hard it was for them suffering alone, watching those around them die.  I properly appreciated what he was saying, and felt it.  He spoke about the numbers of people they were seeing and how the ages varied - he said - we are seeing a lot of people in their 30's and 40's - and I am 48!  He said we have one side of the corridor for the Coronavirus patients, and the rest of the hospital is for everything else.  he went on to say that they were swapping it around - so that one corridor is for everything else and the rest of the hospital will be for the virus!

Knowing I have to leave our safe cocoon on Monday and everyday after that - scares me to the core.  I am pretty terrified of getting the virus and giving it to Andy - we have no assurances that we will live through it and it sounds awful.  Imagine what it would be like if me or Andy got the virus and were one of the ones that got really bad - we'd end up in hospital leaving the other at home to simply wait and see if we survive and see each other again - or get called in to say goodbye by which time the sick person is not aware of what is happening around them.  It really is so horrific.  Every now and again - I end up thinking - is this really happening?? It feels like we have entered the twilight zone. 

Andy was telling me last night - you are going to need to do this and that - stay away - stop people walking towards you - all these things, and eventually I just burst into tears - I felt that the pressure was too much - I've got to go out and mingle with people and do a training course and then a job whilst staying 2 metres away from every other person and clean my hands constantly in case I've touched anything contaminated, not touch my face - how I am going to keep this up!!  I really feel it is just a matter of time regardless of how careful I am.  Andy would argue with that last statement because as far as he is concerned we are NOT getting this virus!

Last night at 8pm the country all came out onto their doorsteps and clapped - for the NHS.  What those people are going to have to do over the next few months is probably going to push them to the brink - and I have no doubt that some will catch the virus too.  Its going to get hectic at the hospitals - so much suffering and death.  I am not sure how many deaths we are expecting - but Italy so far have had over 8,000.

This morning, I woke up at 7am - got up opened the curtains and shutters - gorgeous day - and the first thing I saw was an ambulance go past - lights flashing.  I thought - oh-oh - bet that has come from the Manor nursing home.  Then I thought, oh god this place is FULL of older people and retired people and nursing homes - our local hospital is going to be crazy! This is why we are getting newly qualified doctors being shipped in! (we have had a few enquiries now for the Airbnb from these Dr's).