Diary of self-isolation

JUST KEEP SWIMMING! DIARY OF SELF-ISOLATION WEEK 1

Major Karen Sandford (Harlow) gives a day-by-day account of family life in a time of quarantine

DAY 1

Tuesday 17 March

My husband, Chris, has been coughing for a few days but today was different somehow. We decided he should stay at home.

I went to the hall to make plans with our centre co-ordinator. We are the church that helps – the ones who go into difficult situations, who feel the fear but do it anyway. But this is a potentially lethal disease. The decision was made to cancel activities while we awaited guidance.

Within a few hours our family was in self-isolation, and Chris was coughing and spluttering and feeling worse.

Apart from my mild asthma we are all healthy but I am a little anxious for all that is unknown. And as much as the thought of being incarcerated in ‘Testosterone Towers’ with four grown men fills me with dread, I realise that others face the future alone. So tonight I’m praying.

DAY 2

Wednesday 18 March

I convened a family meeting. We agreed lots of things: binge watching was allowed but not in the main living room; communal TV was to be agreed by the majority, but Mum would have the final word. Everyone was happy to cook. We have enough for ten days without having to get creative – but we decided to get creative first, before the novelty wore off. Mum would put craft activities together (this was hilarious, apparently). Daisy, our dog, needed walking, so there would be a rota.

Today’s announcement about students not sitting exams was significant, as one of my sons is doing his A-levels and another teaches. Chris has been quite poorly today. I discovered he’d been working on a funeral for next week. He received a stern reprimand. Highlights of the day included a phone chat with my mum, a bird singing its heart out and craft supplies from friends.

DAY 3

Thursday 19 March

We are all feeling a bit flat – partly due to Chris collapsing in the night (he’s fine) and partly because of yesterday’s news about exams. Work was quite consuming: lots of questions, conversations and decisions to make. I’m grateful for a team who are proactive, offer a listening ear and deliver goodies.

Nathan received good news from his chosen university. I made quite a lot of noise. I also relaxed social distancing for a few seconds. It was good to have something to celebrate.

We played uplifting songs during the noon call to prayer, and Psalm 46 was on my mind. God, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Not just a concept for us, but reality.

DAY 4

Friday 20 March

Chris is feeling a little better today. He spent half an hour this morning chatting, checking things were organised and generally making a nuisance of himself.

There is an ‘all hands on deck’ vibe in our house. There’s also the reality that most of us will get this illness.

I’ve spent the last few years coming to terms with, and learning to manage, the illnesses I have. There are times when I’ve felt weak or ‘less than’. Over the past few days I’ve realised I have a whole new skill set: I’ve learnt to live day-by-day. I give myself permission to practise self-care and encourage others to do the same. That’s enabled me greatly this week, and I’m quite proud of, and a little amazed by, all I’ve done.

Tempers were high for a few moments. One by one we are all having difficult days and it’s been hard not to react badly. Extra TLC and understanding have been required – also distraction and space.

DAY 5

Saturday 21 March

Today has been hard, but largely uneventful.

We’re struggling and getting on one another’s nerves. Chris is getting stronger, but his bursts of energy are short-lived. It’s a relief that he’s improving, but I think recovery could be a long road. We have a few more coughs in the household, and there’s the uncertainty of whether it’s a cold, coronavirus or just that we’re tired from the situation.

DAY 6

Sunday 22 March

I woke up to blue skies and sunshine, a cup of Earl Grey and a fist-bump from my eldest son. It’s been a strange Mother’s Day, but amid the weirdness I realised how blessed I am to be with my family.

Highlights were watching the film What We Did On Our Holiday, having a roast dinner cooked for me and hearing about what others have been up to in self-isolation. People have been creative and innovative, especially about church. I’m really proud of what our corps has done today.

DAY 7

Monday 23 March

Over the past few days I’ve had waves of feeling great and poorly. I’ve increased my asthma inhalers as a precaution, but I’m wondering if my immune system has ramped up a gear since I’ve been cold-water swimming. Maybe this is coronavirus but I only have mild symptoms. We shall see.

Testosterone Towers is a hive of activity: one is taking conference calls, one is chatting to his girlfriend, one is recovering, with new achievements every day, and one has joined the multitude of people unsure whether they will be paid because they are on a zero-hour contract. Chris longs to be ‘out there helping people’. That day will come. I’m grateful that there is nowhere we go – or don’t go – where God is not with us.