Maybe I watch too much CNN.
But the closer we get to Fall, the more nervous I am about H1N1.
Yes, I understand that more people die from the regular flu each year.
Perhaps it is my imagination, but it seems like H1N1 seems to to be more contagious than just the every day flu variety.
What isn’t part of my imagination is that Utah has one of the highest death rates of H1N1. Death rates of perfectly healthy people too.
And Parker? He isn’t what one would refer to as perfectly healthy.
He is more of a poster child for anyone who absolutely, positively, should not get this bug.
The chronic lung disease. The pulmonary hypertension. The overall ‘immune system, WHAT immune system’ status of the mortal vessal his spirit inhabits.
I have a script for Tamiflu.
I’ve stocked up on hand sanitizer.
Ibid on the hand soap.
I’m going tomorrow for face masks and the super duper heavy duty type of wipes that they use in the hospital to wipe items down with.
But with kids and a husband in schools all day, how exactly is this Mom to keep her Brave Hero healthy?
I know that in October a new vaccine will be on the market. Which is good. Although the ‘new’ is a bit nervous making, I’m sure we will secure a place in line for that.
But I feel like this is a very weak defense to layout before the likes of H1N1.
We’ve been flat out told that Parker’s ability to survive RSV comes in at ‘only by a miracle.’
And I’m pretty sure his odds of surviving H1N1 aren’t much better.
So, are YOU worried? What preparations are you taking to combat this season’s attack of H1N1?
Share your ideas!
Twitter: kadiera
Aug 3, 09
I’m torn on this one. I’m really not fond of the new vaccine bit, seeing as how they plan a year in advance for the normal flu shots, you know?
And yet…I know our last 2 ER visits, when Alex had RSV, we were the only family there the first trip, and the only ones other than the football player with a concussion the 2nd trip, who *didn’t* have swine flu.
Sad to say, but going by ambulance that second time, and knowing that we’re basically an automatic admit if we go in for anything respiratory, was what kept him from catching it there…we were in the ER less than an hour (just long enough to get things stable), and then up to the PICU.
I think he’s going to have to have the vaccine. We’re trying to get him *off* the vent, at least during the day, for the winter, and getting H1N1 would not be helpful in that respect.
My son had it this week. Or so they think. He tested positive for Influenza A and we have an outbreak in our city, so they’re assuming.
So, how was it? NOT BAD.
Ian is three and has a metabolic disorder. He cannot process protein, and he has a weak immune system. He catches everything, and it takes him forever to fight it off. Last time he had Influenza A (in 2007) he was sick for 7 days. Fevers over 105 for about 4 days on full strength meds. Ice pops in the bath tub kind of fevers. He couldn’t sit up for more than about 10 minutes without getting weak and he was sleeping 3-4 times a day.
So that was what we’re used to.
Right now, it’s mild. Very mild. His fever hit 105 and the dr said bring him in immediately, we hurried there. She said hopefully this wouldn’t be bad and he’d have some immunity when it hits full force in the fall. He had a fever of 102 for a few days, and it hit 105 for 2 days but came down with Motrin!! He was perky and in and out of bed the entire time.
And shockingly, no one else, including our one-year-old, has gotten sick. Our peed is very concerned about the fall, and she mentioned school closings. I’ve seen where people have been told to not get pregnant in other countries and I’m praying, PRAYING that he’ll have some immunity from this first run-in.
I hear you! Gosh Tammy, I too am petrified. Elliot ‘HAD’ RSV on top of pneumonia and Influenza A last year – TWICE. It was not a pretty situation either time. Elliot starts school in two weeks – among germ infested HE#$! I’m worried about the vaccine. I worry about everything though, so much, in fact, that I have yet to take Elliot in for his repeat liver panel (to determine what indeed caused the fibrosis). “Think” it was the gallbladder, but still no definitive. I pray that the enzymes are normal. I pray that the HINI virus stays away. I pray for Parker too…daily.
I say that we invent a new ‘brand’ of sanitary wipes, super strength for our kiddos specifically!
I am terrified too. Stocking up on germ-x, heavy-duty wipes, the lot. We’re going on lockdown mid september, unless this hits sooner. We need the tamiflu script, though–that’s on the agenda for our next vent clinic.
All we can do is pray, girl. Though I say that while lying awake worrying about it…
I’m no more worried about this flu than the others. But, Peanut is basically healthy even though she does have Down syndrome and considered to have a lower immune system. Her heart is strong, and not major respitory issues. I don’t plan on taking extra precautions, but I certainly understand why you would be more concerned for Parker and I would most likely feel differently if I was in your position.
Terrified my friend…Have been since day one course I stay in a sense of “omgosh he’s gonna catch something” most always…..
Here we are always on guard be it summer or fall/winter…..There is a sign on my door thats been there for years that says…..
“No vistors PERIOD…..Immune compromised child within…Please respect our wishes….Thank you :0)”
And yes I did add the smiley. Over the years we’ve made numerous delivery people as well as nosey neighbors quite mad…Do I care? Not really. His life depends on me being the best gate keeper that I can and if that means ticking off someone so be it….At least for one more day he’s alive…
All mail is left outside for at least a couple hours (even in the summer) and then we still spray it down with lysol or chlorox spray whichever one is the handiest…We open it “outside” WITH GLOVES then decide if it warrents a trip indoors…
Think about it……You get mail from ALL OVER…Bills come in daily and people go to work sick ALL THE TIME…What do they do? LICK that darn envelope and what do we do? Rip it open “Ungloved” then maybe “just maybe” one might remember to wash their hands but it’s unlikely……
Germ-X is stocked in batches….We too have the heavy duty wipes from the hospital as well as those wonderful Lysol wipes…I absolutely LOVE those things….
Nobody enters who has ANY SIGN of a sniffle at all….I don’t care if you do think its allergies…Are you postive? Can you put your hand on bible and say “for certain” your not contagious? If not your not coming in….
Medical supplies are delivered and left on the deck…We unpack those outside as well….In the winter we leave a table on the deck for all mail and packages to be left on till we can put it through our best hazmat routine…..
Hands are washed religously here ALL the time anyway but we also have signs up in BOTH bathrooms right in “face view” just as a reminder that you MUST wash more than 2 seconds AND all those who care for Jophie have been taught “Correct hand washing” methods AND have been checked off BY ME….
Installed in BOTH bathrooms are papertowel holders so nobody is “reusing” a hand towel AND we have anti-bacterial hand soap in both bath rooms and the kitchen…..Germ-X is in about every room and used often…
Masks are donned during trach changes even when we aren’t sick ……I don’t want anyone breathing down my babies trach with breath that tomorrow could be infected with some nasty bug….YOu just never know when someone is going to come down with something….
We truly have been in a bubble for years now…I don’t care and certainly don’t mind…..
Nearly 6 years ago I was told Jophie would not come home from that 6 month long hospital stay…He did but I was also told…KEEP PEOPLE OUT….Be more diligent than you ever have been….His immune system no longer exists ….it was poor to begin with and now it’s much worse then add in the steroids and there is virtually nothing….
His life truly depends on me being the best gatekeeper I can be….
Jophie, myself and all the nurses who care for him as well as anyone who will be in contact with him get the flu vaccine each year…..We’ve been doing this for years and since then Jophie has been flu free…
I will NOT let him take any “live vaccine” ….NEVER
I just pray this new vaccine is a form of the dead virus…
Am I scared about that darn thing? You betcha! I don’t like anything NEW but, with that being said each year they add a new cocktail of “what they predict” will be the flu of the year so essentialy we are getting something odd or rather different each year along with the standard Flu A/B/C that is always included….
No Tamiflu script as of yet but we’ve yet to make our visit to his peds office….I steer clear as much as I can especially during fall/winter months….They are however very cautious with him bringing him in the back door and into a room that hasn’t been used all day….
We use masks ALWAYS on him even if its summer….We always have AND I don’t use those cheapo flimsy things the hospitals use on the regular peds floor…I spend a bit extra and get the ones used on the Pediatric Cancer unit and they’re cute to boot! White with disney characters all over…They block in the 90 % range AND are still good if they get wet from moisture when breathing…
For 5 years now we’ve also been adding immunity boosters to Jophies water infusions and in his blenderized meals….Who knows if it’s actually working but I don’t dare stop…He’s been very well and it scares me even to write those words out….Seems when I utter even the littlest hint of his good health he dives to the deepest depths infected with some hooey booey black plague super bug….
(twitch twitch) Now look what I’ve done…Ive managed to just bring out my PTSD….
Guess this turned into a book eh? Sorry bout that but there is no way I could answer this with a …”well yea I think I might be a bit more cautious” LOL
Now I’m off to drink some Germ-X! Just kiddin’ :0)
Trina and Jophie
Just tossed you an email with the info you wanted…..Got ours ordered 😉
Trina and Jophie
I’m worried now. But it is a good excuse to skip church all winter
I’m not worried about the swine flu any more than any other flu. I’m not a believer in flu vaccines. My family has never had a flu shot nor will we be getting this one. I’m a researcher by nature (well, actually kind of forced into it by not getting help from medical doctors as to why I feel like I’m being poisoned for the last 3+ years). Just today I got this article from Dr. Mercola…a doctor who I fully trust. I will fight any goverment agecy tooth and nail if they try to force me to shoot my kids up with this new swine flu vaccine. This world is spinning out of control and God will only sit by so long and let us behave the way we do. He will gradually just keep continuing to allow bad things to happen…and unfortunately even to the good innocent ones.
Just my 2 cents…here is a link to the swine flu article.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/04/Squalene-The-Swine-Flu-Vaccines-Dirty-Little-Secret-Exposed.aspx
Hi Tammy!
I love the new look of your blog!! But I cant view any of the pics
I am so sad, I love seeing Parky!!!
I do NOT think you can be too cautious!! Of course, you know of my phobia. But I feel as a parent, we should be cautious and worried about it, And you definitely have the right to be! I know a lot of people say we shouldnt worry but I cant help it, I still do. Especially when you hear of all the deaths from it! It is definitely a scary thing.
Love and hugs,
Amy
Now I think the media is hyping the flu up for whatever reason. Heck they are even threatening to bring in the military supposedly to help distribute the vaccine. Call me skeptical but that is just a bit over the top for me when we are talking about a virus.
With medically fragile people, that’s a different story. I would want my child/loved one to have the vaccine, but then again, not.
A person is damned if they do and damned if this don’t this time around I am afraid.
We all should just be vigilant in keeping ourselves clean and using good hygiene, of course that should be a daily activity anytime, but you know what I mean.
Oh, I will add, that if the H1N1 vaccine happens to be offered to me, I will decline, and risk my chances.
My sister in law has that flu, and she lives in Utah. It’s all like top secret, but if she was in serious condition I would think I would be notified.
Stay germ free!
My son and I had it earlier this summer. It was pretty rough but we were okay – but neither of us are medically fragile, either. My oldest magically didn’t catch it, and she is my child that I worry the most about. Come fall, if there is a blood test available to check for antibodies, we’ll try that first and see if we’re still thinking about getting the flu shot for her.
My comfort for you is that H1N1 has ALREADY spread so rampantly throughout Utah that there’s going to be widespread immunity because so many people have already had it/been exposed to it. Not that you should let your guard down, of course.
Twitter: therextras
Aug 9, 09
Well, I thought I had a comment, but I think I am out of my league here. Clearly the other commenters know more than I about this. I most closely agree with Kay… yea, ditto Kay.
And, praying for Parker.
This is why I have chosen to homeschool my older kids. For me, we just couldn’t risk it. While I do sometimes look longingly at the yellow school bus, and day dream what I’d do with all my “free time”, I know it’s just not possible.
Turns out we do love schooling at home. We spend the warm, safe months soaking up every park, zoo, museum and play date we can. Living out of doors as much as possible… and when flu and RSV season hits we become recluses. it’s an unfortunate reality for the time being.
So far, cases are few and far between. I haven’t made a decision about vaccinations for it. if I had to decide right this very moment, I’d decline. But I’d consider if it got worse in my local area.
Hoping you and Parker stay safe!
This does worry me a lot. My daughter has PS, and a mechanical valve, plus an almost not existant immune system, so this does scare me. That’s just her, that’s not me and my health issues, or my other 2 kids.
The thought of the vaccine scares me. I mean its great if it works. Works without other effects that is.
Also with the face masks, most people don’t know but they only really work for the first 20 minutes and then most doctors recommend that you put a new one on.
My comments are late, I’ve been on “vacation” and then trying to recover from the vacation.
Twitter: valmg
Aug 23, 09
Hi Tammy.
I worry about my youngest this way as well. He’s also got DS and is prone to all things respiratory.
I hope you have a healthy fall and avoid the big nasties.