Then we have the other side. I have "snoozed" a few people on Facebook. Either they are so negative, and no amount of positivity is going to help them(so I pray for them instead), or they spout rhetoric with no good source to back it. See.... when I did my doctoral program, I learned really quick through all of the research I had to do that you can skew data pretty much any way you want to.
Therefore, I continue to being a learner. I have a lot of questions, about a lot of things happening right now, but I have to be smart about the literature I read regarding these things. I need to seek out credible sources. I need to seek out MANY sources so I can read them, ingest them, and be intelligent. I don't mind asking the tough questions, but I will not do it on Facebook. I want to have a face-to- face conversation(6 feet apart of course). I want to see your body language, really hear the infection and tone of your voice.
When I ask my questions, please understand that I'm trying to gain more knowledge. It's because I have NO IDEA what it is like to be in your shoes. If I don't ask good questions to the correct people, then how am I suppose learn, grow, and make intelligent decisions on how I feel and will react to something? Do you want to learn something? Ask the right questions to the right people. Have a conversation first, not a debate or an argument.
Once this is done, you may agree or not agree with someone's perspective, but at least you have done your OWN research. You've asked your own questions.
I'm not a medical professional, but I have known and know quite a few of them in various situations. That, coupled with the vast amounts of medical professional I have seen through mine and Mark's health journeys puts me in a situation where I have a lot of research and opinions to draw from. I ask them what they think. I actually was at a well visit with my doctor the other day and I asked about my risk factor given my health conditions. I had already done some research on it, but wanted to hear it from a health care professional who knows me, and my situation. She said the cancer drug I am on is non-steroidal so therefore, my risk is lower. Some of the drugs they could have put me on would have put me at a higher risk. From my research, that is what I surmised as well, but wanted to confirm. My asthma could put me at higher risk, but I have had it under control for quite a while so that is low risk too. My neuropathy.....well..... that is just a pain (literally!) but is a permanent effect of chemo. The meds for it do not comprise my immunity. I asked, and I received an answer I'm comfortable with.
However, I will still be careful, I will still wear a mask, I will still maintain social distance. Even though I am good, I have others to consider. The first is Mark. I do not want to compromise him or his surgery(whenever that happens) He has a lot more medical things to consider.
Don't get me wrong. We are not hermits, but we are careful. The whole restaurant thing, or any busy place is something we gave up a long time ago due to his stroke the after effects. He can't handle crowds and noise anyway.
I also have to consider my parents. They are in the target age. I am their only daughter. If something happens, I don't have siblings to rely on. I do have wonderful cousins who are like siblings to me and would step in for me, but I still am careful.
I find joy right now in maintaining a safe environment for those I love. I clean, I make sure we have masks and sanitizer. I buy awesome smelling hand soaps and hand cream! It's what I can do. I don't live in fear, but I am not reckless either. It's a huge balancing act that we all need to do. We did it before Covid. It just looks a little different now, with more things to balance. We can do this though.....together.
#Findyourjoy
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