Michelle and Brad Chaney are trying to settle in to their “new normal” as a family of five.
They welcomed baby Chloe into the world just 2 1/2 weeks ago.
“She’s born during a pandemic,” laughed Brad Chaney.
They can laugh about it, but they recognize that life right now is far from normal - especially since they both work on the frontlines of the coronavirus. Chaney is a lieutenant with South King Fire and Michelle Chaney is a nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way.
She described her concerns, which led to her taking leave a couple of weeks early to reduce her exposure to the coronavirus.
“Being in the frontline, we’re exposed. We don’t know how often or when by some of these patients because they present so differently,” Chaney explained.
Because of concerns over COVID-19, hospitals across the area have implemented stricter security. But even the Chaneys were caught off guard when they arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.
“We get there, and it just has a different feel. It’s not bad. But it’s cold, and it’s empty. And there’s no hustle and bustle of other family members anxiously awaiting the arrival,” Brad Chaney described.
There are also strict rules about visitation. In their case, it meant Brad Chaney and Michelle Chaney’s mom could be in the delivery room. But only Brad Chaney could visit in the hospital as his wife and daughter waited to go home.
Michelle Chaney’s best friend was even having her baby two doors down. They couldn’t visit, so they FaceTimed instead.
Even though they’re home now, because of rules about social distancing, no friends or family outside of the grandparents have met Chloe.
“Everyone else is anxiously awaiting, and in fact we just got a text message: ‘Hey, you want to set up a Zoom meeting so we can finally meet baby Chloe?’” said Brad Chaney.
The Chaneys recognize it’s a difficult time for many - especially for first-time parents.
“We feel your struggle, we see your sorrows of the new rules of the lockdown to hospitals, the fear that you guys have wanting to do best for you and your family,” Michelle Chaney said.
They want to express their gratitude to the frontline hospital workers who are working in extraordinary times.
“The nurses really are unsung heroes. They don’t get enough credit for what they do,” Brad Chaney added.
And they have these words to share with others.
“This, too, shall pass. It’s a scary time, but listen to your providers,” Michelle Chaney said.
© 2020 Cox Media Group
