Zombie Apocalypse be Damned

      We had a plan (I had a plan) for the predicted Zombie Apocalypse for a long time.  The plan included using me as the scavenger and Rachael as the defender of our home.  We would keep the girls and ourselves safe that way.  In the perfect scenario, Mariah and her Derrick would be home safe and sound with us.  Linda, Jennifer and her crew would make their way here and we would hole up together.  We had food and space to keep us all safe- wait, everyone’s got their own life now.   And then the Big Q happened.  Quarantine due to COVID 19 happened and everyone was shut into their own home bases. 
      We were both teaching our classes using Google Classroom and Google Meets.  Libby didn't understand why she wasn't getting to see her people, except weekly visits from Grandma Linda.  The feeding, medicating, lifting, bathing, adjusting, moving, tube feeding and potty changing schedule stayed pretty much the same.  Except now, we were bouncing into the front room to get Libby taken care of.  Keeping her on her regular school schedule helped keep her in stasis; I think. And keeping a schedule keeps me sane.  (I have changed Libby while on a Google Meet with my a group of my students.  No body parts were shown, yet I was mortified.)
      And then one morning after six weeks of mandated quarantining at home we realized the zombies had been attacking already. Rachael had to drive herself to the local clinic.  We thought she had a UTI.  Two weeks more and she was driving herself to the emergency room in the middle of the quarantine when NO ONE wants to be in an emergency room.  She was now through two rounds of antibiotics and was still in extremely progressive pain. 

     She was alone.  Libby and I were alone at home waiting for news. This was excruciating.   
     She had an initial emergency surgery to get what we now know was part of the infected diverticulae removed from her intestines.  Six days later she was taken in for a six plus hour longer surgery and over eight inches of her colon was removed. 
      Because of quarantine none of us could go and visit.  I wasn't given face to face directions on how to take care of her.  I was allowed to drop off clothes. I also included notes to her from Libby and I, as well as graduation announcements from her beloved students.  She’s now been home almost nine weeks.   

We have learned a lot since Rachael’s surgery including how much we need Rachael to be healthy.  And how much she was missed while in the hospital. We’ve learned to be gentle to each other. 

 We’ve learned how to close down our classes using remote learning.  (Although saying goodbye to this group of students may take several more years. These sweet birds were released before we were ready!)  

This illness and then surgery was a hard blow. And ugly blow, but like so many other things we’ve been able to move on.  We had to move forward, and I feel blessed to have the chance to keep going. 

Today is eight weeks. Eight weeks since her surgery and I am so very proud of how determined she is to regain her health.  Since her release from the hospital, she’s slowly begun walking loops around our block and has now returned to loops around the school track. We’ve been able to take Liberty to Cook Children’s to get her Baclofen pump refilled.  Only one parent allowed with the child in the hospital, so Rachael waited outside. Make several of her own doctor appointments and a feeding tube replacement in Amarillo for Libby. We were also able to get away for two quick nights- thank you!!  

So.  It’s been eight weeks for my own personal apocalypse. No zombies, just several wrenches thrown into our ever spinning world. It’s not the zombies that are so terrifying, the truth is it is the fear of the unknown that so many fear.  

I’ve learned that even in the most terrifying times, my faith is what holds me and gives me the strength to fight.  To keep moving.  Because truly, what is the other option?  Hide under the bed?  Nope.  Got to keep getting up and kicking ass everyday.  

      So apocalypse be damned.