REMEMBERING THE POLIO SCARE

SOCIAL DISTANCING

As a child I remember going to a small doctor's office in Liberal, Kansas to stand in line to be given a sugar cube containing the polio vaccine.  This was in the day that the doctor's office with a small lobby did not have the appearance of a health spa.  BASIC white walls with simple chairs in what was a small lobby.  A Nurse was the receptionist that led you to a long narrow exam room where the Doctor took a look at you.  There'd be a white medicine cabinet with a glass door front standing tall holding the supplies.  An exam table.  Lights.
  

DO YOU REMEMBER?  I was too young to see this.

During the POLIO SCARE we stood in the lobby, took our sugar cube and left on our merry way.  I did not see the horrific damage Polio did to humans other than one High School friend that walked with a limp.  I did not hear of people in Liberal that had suffered the disease.  Small Town Blessings in a big bad world.

I was blessed to not get POLIO.  Stricken with Rheumatic Fever at age 6.  Bed rest for three months and long after this pampering.  

This makes me think that my siblings and I have not been without many health challenges.  My oldest brother developed Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever as a child after a tick bite.  He was about 12 years old at the time.  High temperatures caused him to be admitted to a Hospital where he nearly died.  Say what you will but I believe this caused brain damage leading to other mental health challenges. 

My sister had difficulty conceiving.  She'd develop an disease called QUINSY which is a horrible throat infection that you may not have heard of.  Because there was another woman in the same town that she lived in had the same name, the attending Doctor did not want to see her as the other woman was a hypochondriac that continually sought medical attention draining the doctor's energy.  Sister was admitted to the Hospital receiving medical attention after my Brother in law visited with the doctor that his wife was not the other woman.  Also Sister had difficulty conceiving.  She would eventually conceive after much testing.  She'd have two babies 11 months apart.  Doubly blessed.  

Youngest brother is probably the healthiest of us all.  Some allergies, but no earth moving diseases.  He walked home in the cold once and nearly developed frost bite.  

TRAIN WHISTLE SOUNDING OFF IN THE DISTANCE.  Sitting in my living room getting ready to sip on some hot coffee.  Looking outside from my chair to see soft grey skies full of moisture for SPRING approaching on Thursday.

The first signs of SPRING.  Seeing OKLAHOMA daffodils, jonquils, and grape hyacinth this past week-end was refreshing amongst the overwhelming news about the C virus.  When I see these flowers appearing, I think of the first signs of SPRING.  Gives me a boost as it has been a very long WINTER.  Hubby retired, I fell sick in December.  Adjusting to NO PAY CHECK. Continued ill into January.  Water backed up into the basement.  Heater motor went caput. February, I wrestled with Asthma.  A brother in Law died from Liver Cancer.  Crown replacement on tooth.  March blew in with the Coronavirus.  So to see these vibrantly colored daffodils was a blessing and a half.  A cheery thing.

The Coronavirus is real.  This is a time like none I have experienced.  The world is closing up shop for a time.  As you all know, this is 2020 and we are facing something we don't completely understand.

We are hunkering down for the time being as best we can.  Taking Emergency-C in small amount of water. Started gargling with warm salt water.  Gummy daily vitamins.  Frequently WASH my hands with soap and extra warm water like never before.  Wash, wash, wash.  Pray.  Thought and continued cleaning.

Instead of getting out in the world, we're having our meds delivered to our HOME.  A first ever.  

I am staying HOME.  Are you?  Social distancing.  Talked to my Mom the other day. She's not staying HOME at 87.  When I talk to her again I will have to tell her if she gets ill I will not be able to come see her as I have horrible Asthma which makes me somewhat vulnerable to getting ill easier.  I have to take care of myself even if she doesn't understand why I am not visiting her every week.

She scolded me that I did not call her enough.  I call and she is not HOME to receive the call.  SO I get scolded even when I try to call her.  Makes for some frustration.  What I can do is never good enough for some folks and others want to criticize.    

NOW it is time to close my eyes for a few minutes and rest.
God Bless,
d