Despite some lingering reservations, I recently decided to go out of town with my girlfriend Nataliya for the 4^th of July holiday. We returned to Cumberland Falls and the Daniel Boone National Forest in eastern Kentucky, which we had previously visited for a 10k trail run in 2019. Nataliya and I love the iconic Cumberland Falls and wanted to explore some more of the vast region (which spans across 21 of Kentucky’s 120 counties). We were eager to do so after the COVID-19 pandemic torpedoed our previous travel plans this spring to Disney World and my trip with my dad to Paris and Normandy. Even though the cancellations were disappointing, I’m fortunate to even have the means to travel so much.

Nataliya was especially impatient to take a trip; however, due to my ongoing cancer treatment, I was initially quite reticent to do any traveling. Since that part of eastern Kentucky is quite rural, there were hardly any COVID-19 cases there, plus we planned to spend all of our time outdoors which reduces the risk of infection. However, I insisted on wearing a mask indoors at all times, including the car ride down, and Nataliya eventually agreed. We also drove to the park without stopping in order to avoid more risky areas such as public bathrooms. We reserved a large two-bedroom state park resort cabin. Although the cleaning staff sanitized all the common surfaces, we brought our own sanitizers and did our own cleanup as soon as we arrived.

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our relationship, but Nataliya has been very understanding. Having cancer puts me at high risk for serious complications for COVID-19, and a small study from Italy suggests the mortality rate for lung cancer patients who contract COVID-19 is nearly 35%. Although I am younger and “healthier” than most typical lung cancer patients, I would prefer not to roll the dice in the first place. As a result, I completely avoided Nataliya for 2 weeks after her 11-year old son returned from the Ukraine (Nataliya’s homeland) in August from an extended vacation with his grandparents. His journey involved 3 international flights, and I had to be absolutely certain that he was healthy before visiting in person. In the interim, we communicated via Facetime, which was better than nothing. Although other people have pretty much returned to normal now, my interactions are still mostly conducted through Facetime or Zoom meetings (even a recent birthday party!).

I rarely even left my apartment until recently and still remain quite cautious. I use curbside pickup at Kroger to get my groceries and workout in my spare bedroom instead of going to my regular CrossFit gym. When I do visit Nataliya, I wear a mask and keep my distance since she works at a hospital. Although she has protective equipment at work, she is still at higher risk even though she probably has less exposure as a technician than a nurse or doctor. It is the perfect trifecta of risks: COVID-19, my cancer diagnosis and Nataliya’s work environment. In addition, we live separately so we could not shelter in place together. Most other people might only deal with one or two of these complications, but only a “lucky” few must handle all three of them.

Nevertheless, Nataliya has been coaxing me to try and relax. I miss the casual affection of our lives in the pre-COVID era; for example, we haven’t kissed in months! I know she has suffered too, and I admire her patience. That’s just one small example of COVID has suddenly altered our lives in completely unexpected ways.

It’s a small step, but I did recently go out to dinner at Taste of Belgium for my birthday. I agreed only because the restaurant has outdoor seating with ample space between tables and was pretty empty on an early Sunday evening. I won’t be dining anywhere indoors or doing other things I love such as visiting the art museum or attending any concerts until there’s a vaccine (Facebook live performances will have to do until then).

I am also reticent to return to CrossFit classes at my beloved “box,” except for possibly the yoga class which can easily be done outdoors. The membership is very expensive, but I can still adapt the workouts to my very modest home “gym.” The coaches organized a competition in which I can participate from home. Teams earn points for wellness, nutrition, fitness and various bonus challenges, although I’ve never tried something like that before. It looks like fun and is a way for me to reconnect to some of my teammates who I haven’t seen in nearly six months! Although some members have left since I was diagnosed, the gym has been a constant resource and ally during my treatment. I loathe to give it up, although I might have to if it seems like no vaccine will be forthcoming in the foreseeable future. While most other people are getting back to normal, I will stay hunkered down for some time to come (especially as long as people refuse to wear a mask or socially distance).

The separation and stress from COVID have taken a toll on both of us, but our return to Cumberland Falls was a wonderful, albeit temporary, respite for Nataliya and I.