Why us?

I have started many days asking myself “Why us?”. I am fairly certain many of you have had this same feeling. When unfortunate things happen to us, we often question why we are the “chosen” ones. (That little play on words has NOTHING to do with our faith. Just trying to add a little humor to something that has been extremely challenging and difficult.).

When many people are faced with that question, they will often answer “Why NOT us? It wouldn’t be any more fair for it to happen to someone else.” But, I DO think things happen for a reason and before giving you the Steve update, I’ll share my thoughts:

1. Steve is a fighter. He has the ability to connect with just about anyone. Through this experience, I have learned just how much he means to so many people. When you are married for 21 years, sometimes everyday activities get in the way of seeing the good in life and in your mate. Steve and I have had our trials over the past year, but I know that he has a heart of gold and I see this everyday with the calls, gifts and efforts from friends and family. As we know, Sea Schor Environments is his heart and soul and I TRULY appreciate all of the efforts that have been made to make sure his business is still alive and thriving when he is back on his feet. But I would be remiss if I didn’t say, I hope that this experience helps him truly understand the balance between work, family and friends.
2. I am a teacher. One of the things I love to do is write. I am hoping to use this experience to help educate others on this disease and to hopefully, convince people to stop being so cavalier about Covid. Believe me, I was getting to the point where I didn’t think we were going to get sick. In fact, I got tested for the antibodies thinking I may have already had it. The vaccine is on its way, but we all know many of us will be the last to get it and some of you may not even want to get it at all. I cannot even get into that controversy. Let me just say one thing… This argument about “It’s my body, I shouldn’t have to wear a mask or social distance” is just about the most selfish thing I have ever heard in my life. If you don’t believe in the efficacy of wearing a mask, that’s fine. But what if someone you know and love comes into contact with someone who also doesn’t believe in masks and in an instant your loved one is hospitalized fighting for his/her life? You just put up a pretty dumb fight for something as innocuous as wearing a mask.
3. When you think you miss your family and friends and you all want to get together because it’s been 9 months and it’s holiday time, please take a moment to think about our family. We lit our Hanukkah candles and said the blessings as a family of 3. I taped the children opening their gifts in hopes that we can show Steve once he is well. It is Winter Break for the kids and I and we spend our days worrying and praying for Steve’s recovery rather than enjoy our respite. This is ONE year of your life, don’t take silly risks.

If you made it this far, I’m guessing you really want to hear an update on Steve. Covid is very tricky. It doesn’t play fair at all. One day, we will think Steve is doing better, and the next day he will regress so updating on a daily basis may not be possible. (Who knows if you really want to visit the blog daily anyhow?)

As of today, December 27th, he has been in the ICU on a ventilator for 17 days. He has been at Condell Hospital since December 2nd. Currently, he is holding steady but he requires a great deal of support to stay “steady”. His x-ray yesterday seemed to show a slight improvement, so we are hoping that his body is starting to also recover from the pneumonia (which he got from having Covid). He is truly fighting with all that he has to give.

Steve is what they describe as hemodynamically stable. (After all of this, I may just retire from teaching and become a Dr.) The rest of his organs seem to be doing their job, but his lungs are really struggling to recover. He requires a lot of of oxygen and he must be proned for 16 hours of the day. Proning means he is placed on his stomach to help his lungs recover. So, the nurses rotate him throughout the day because he is heavily sedated and paralyzed. Keeping him paralyzed and sedated help to prevent him from fighting the ventilator.

As I have said before, fighting Covid is a marathon. It takes a very long time for patients to recover. Doctors are consistently tweaking his ventilator and changing his meds in hopes of seeing progress. I must remind myself daily that although we may not see huge improvements, stable is good….

There are still no visitors allowed so Steve has been in the hospital alone for 25 days. (Just another fact for you to keep in mind when you are thinking you want to go to a party or think it’s unfair that you must wear a mask.) We have not seen him since Dec. 2nd, but I have started to ask the nurses to place the phone near his ear each day so that we can say “hello” and give him an update about our day. I’m not really sure he can hear us but it makes us feel more connected to him and we are hopeful that it helps him feel less alone in his battle.

Thank you, once again for all of the support you have given us. I truly do not know how we would be able to get through this without the support of our people. Love you all.💕