Flu season is about to reach it's peak here. The hospitals in Spokane (just north of us) expect it to reach pandemic levels by next week since all the college students have returned from vacation this week to resume classes. They have been tracking "the wave" of cases move across our state from the Seattle area over to the East side where I live. They are already turning children 12 and under away from being able to visit loved ones in the hospitals up there as a safety precaution because so many people are being hospitalized or going to the emergency room with flu symptoms. This flu season has already proven to be really bad and even deadly in some cases. The people that I know that have gotten the flu so far have had their flu shots and it did nothing to protect them.
I am one of those people that cannot get the shot anyway. I had a horrible reaction to it and was told NEVER to get one again. I am also someone with not one, not two, but three different autoimmune diseases that we currently know of. Yes, I am a mess! Today I have to venture out to the hospital for a pre-op appointment for a colonoscopy next week. Oh joy! NOT! I'm thinking I may just wear one of the masks while I am there. If I get sick I then have to put off having this "roto-rooter" procedure for another 2 months (that is how long it will be until I can get another appointment). Even though it is just a routine screening, I don't want to have to put it off. I already had to wait over a month to get this appointment. So I am becoming a hermit.
In the past, I was told by one of my doctors that I had to stay away from people so I could limit my exposure to any viruses if I had any medical procedures coming up. My friend, who works at a hospital in Spokane, also told me to avoid being around people and to stock up on anything I might need today and then stay put at home until after this procedure is over and done with. I already emailed and cancelled working with the preschoolers next week because I catch everything they have. I hated having to do that because I love being with them but I am almost always sick within 2-3 days after working with any of them that is sick. I should be able to return the following week though.
So today is the day for stopping by the store and picking up a few things after my appointment. I need milk and some fresh fruits and veggies. I'll make it a quick trip in and out. That should be it for another week or two. I am once again thankful for a full pantry, freezer and refrigerator and thankful for my friend who warned me about how bad things were getting this flu season.
Embarking on and embracing this next chapter of my life where I start the great adventure of becoming a grandmother.
So nice all the help with your neighbor's car. (In our area school would be closed with that much snow!) I think that tractor is the way to go! I bet the men had a fun challenge.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the flu going around. I've never had the flu shot. (and I haven't had the flu since I was in high school). They make those shots with educated guesses that a certain strain of the virus will come...and it seems to me it is not on target too well! I normally don't make any dr. checkups during the winter months. I bet being around pre-schoolers would be an easy way to get sick. Andrea
HI Andrea. :) Most years the flu that hits our area is not one that they guessed it might be when they made the manufactured the vaccine ahead of time either. I wish I could have avoided having appointments during the winter but when I went in November to get things done before the end of the year so I would have at least part of my deductible met in case there was anything seriously wrong, I had no idea I would be having to wait until mid January to get this done. Best laid plans right? ;) Be blessed!
DeleteYup...I had my flu shot and have been laying on this couch for the past week with the flu! I am on the mend, but it's still been difficult (losing the time mostly--)
ReplyDeleteHopefully, you can stay home and do lots of super fun things--like try a new recipe, or whatever is fun for you. Good luck with your procedure. I had that last winter for the first time, and drinking the stuff ahead of time was the worst, but the rest was a piece of cake.
Oh Becky, I am so sorry that you are still feeling ill. Praying for you my friend. I am not looking forward to the prep at all, especially with all the other issues I deal with that will make me all the more miserable. I'm going to try to keep myself distracted and my hubby is taking time off to be with me for the night I start the prep and for the next day with the procedure. I just want it done and over with. ;)
DeleteI totally get it. For 2016, I limited my activities to shopping (ie grocery and thrift store) and swimming. I avoided any and all 'gatherings' of people. I had to do it; I was so tired of being sick. It made for a very quiet and secluded life, though.
ReplyDeleteSo, with the New Year,I added back my weekly Senior dinners. I did get the flu shot and hope that helps. I'm also following the advice of a dear friend who has very young grandkids. She suggested drinking Echinacea tea. She drinks a cup a day and 3-4 cups on the days she sees her grandkids. The tea is supposed to have anti-viral qualities. I thought, what the heck. So I started the tea about two weeks before my first dinner last week. I'm holding to one cup a day. I like the tea and I needed to start weaning myself off coffee, so win-win if it helps at all to keep me healthy.
Do what you have to do to stay healthy. But sorry you had to give up your job for a week. That must be really tough right now. More time for swagbucks?
Also - have you give any thought to becoming an Amazon affiliate. Not necessarily to push products, but I for one would be likely to order through a link. Another blog I read does that and the blog writer gets a little something $$$ wise or amazon credit (ie gift cards) for the link. Anyway, just a thought..
Cheers, SJ
Hi SJ, I will have to try the tea. I used to drink it and take echinacea too. I may have to add that back into my "arsenal".
DeleteFunny you should mention becoming an affiliate with Amazon. I actually had thought about that. There are always books or movies that I love to share about and even kitchen products. That is a great idea! Thanks! Be blessed!
I also catch things easily. Praying you have a healthy month ahead.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chrissy, me too! The hardest thing is having to be away from my grandkids until this procedure is done. They have the crud running through their home right now and I can't risk getting it. I miss my little buggers! I have not seen them since Saturday.
DeleteThe older I get the easier it seems I catch things. So far this season it has only been a lingering cold. Generally I spend Christmas through Spring with bronchitis. No fun! Take care and keep well!
ReplyDeleteWendi, I am so glad that this year you have not gotten bronchitis so far. :) Praying it stays that way for you. :)
DeleteBeing a hermit is the best way to go, Debbie! I used to think I was so healthy because I hadn't caught a cold in years, then my grandson started pre-school. Now I'm always catching something. Since the weather is so frightful in the winter, being a hermit has more than one advantage. Stay well!
ReplyDeleteHUgs
Jane
Hi Jane, isn't it amazing the things our grandkids pick up and share with us. Our little Isaiah was sick almost all last year because he constantly picked up whatever one of the other kids at daycare had. It really is not hard to be a hermit today, it's currently 9F outside and I am more than happy to stay in my nice warm and cozy house. ;) Be blessed!
DeleteGood luck, make sure you use those hand sanitizers as much as possible and a mask isn't a bad idea!!
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah, I stayed away from "sick people" at the hospital while I was there. ;) Now I am in hermit mode here at home. Considering that it is icy and frigid outside, I'm pretty content at the moment. ;)
DeleteOne year in college, I was a live-in nanny for a 4 and 7yo. They shared everything with me, the darlings...smile. It was actually a great experience.
ReplyDeleteHow's life as a hermit?
I'm in for at least today. I ventured out last night for dinner with my senior's group. Planned a stay at home day today and probably tomorrow. So far so good. Yea for no crashes!! Cheers, SJ
HI SJ, I am so pleased that you have not had any crashes! That is wonderful my friend! Life as a hermit is pretty easy with the bad weather outside. I have no desire to go anywhere and risk falling on the ice. ;)
DeleteGood idea to stay home, avoid crowds, wear a mask, etc. That's what I had to do all last year, when I was undergoing chemo! I only went out of the house to go for treatments and then, wore a mask. I took the flu shot, too. Some people thought I was being too careful, but I didn't get a cold, cough, or the flu.
ReplyDeleteHope the preparations go well and you'll go through the procedure without any problems and the results will be normal. Take care.
Hi Bless. :) I'm so glad that you did not get sick while undergoing chemo. That would have been miserable. Thank you for you kind thought and wishes. Have a great weekend!
DeleteHi, just came across your blog. You might want to visit Autoimmune Wellness website and blog and also The Paleo Mom website or blog. They are run by ladies with multiple autoimmune diseases between them. They have been a huge help for me with my health problems. Best wishes for you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Sheila and thank you for the suggestions on the blog and website. I will be checking them out! :)
DeleteSorry to hear you have to hunker down, but I hope that it does the trick and saves you from catching anything that will cause you any delays. Hope the actual procedures go well too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy. I'm praying for a good bill of health also. :)
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