My heart exploded two weeks ago, and then I got Covid

Two weeks ago, my heart exploded, but in a good way! My son, Ian, his wife Nephtys, and my grandson, Thiago, came to Hawaii from Orlando for a visit. Ian was once stationed in Hawaii, serving in the Navy, where he met his wife Nephtys. After getting out of the Navy, Ian became a warrant officer and a helicopter pilot. He is currently working out of Jacksonville, Florida, but living in Orlando.

Having Ian and his family here for a few days really lifted my spirits. I thought I would never have the opportunity to run or play with my grandson, who just turned two, like I’ve had the chance to do with my now nine-year-old grandson, Caden.

However, with my new power wheelchair, we were able to spend a day at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park chasing birds, with Thiago running and with me “running“ alongside him using my power wheelchair. Thiago was able to jump on my lap, allowing me to roll around the park with my precious grandson on my lap. The joy and smile on his face will forever be burned in my memory, and my heart was full of love and joy enjoying every moment of their visit.

After a few days of enjoying their company, they flew to Maui for a couple of days of vacation and to celebrate Thiago‘s second birthday. Their plans were to return back to Oahu and spend a few more days with me and Jen.

Those plans were abruptly altered when Jennifer and I tested positive for Covid. Covid hit Jennifer first, and she tried her best to self isolate, only coming out double masked to help me. Jen is my caregiver, and I depend on her for almost 100% of the things I need to do. Just one day after she started to experience her symptoms, I started to experience Covid symptoms testing positive just one day after she tested positive.

Having ALS, Covid presents a very difficult situation for me as it had the possibility of severely impacting my lungs. There were many moments of anxiety when the extreme coughing created a shortness of breath for me. I’m already experiencing weakness from ALS, which was only magnified by the weakness that is associated with Covid.

Jennifer had it doubly hard, as not only has she had to endure Covid but was not able to rest as much says she had to take care of me at the same time.

Thanks to the generosity of Jennifer‘s parents, friends, and family, food and medicine were dropped off at our door throughout our week of enduring Covid.

I am pleased to report that both Jennifer and I finally tested negative yesterday, and are both recovering and on the mend.

Jen and I were both fully vaccinated, and I was double boosted. We were both very careful these past two years, but it goes to show that Covid will find away to infiltrate all the safety precautions that one takes.

I want to thank Jennifer for being such a great caregiver, and partner during these tedious days of Covid. And I want to thank all of you who have sent good wishes via this platform, text messages, or for sending your good thoughts and aloha during this time.

We are both out of danger and safe, and both Jennifer and I continue to get stronger every day.