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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Now That's Spooky

You wanna see something spooky, Mama K?

I'll give you spooky...



Any of you science nerds out there wanna try to tell us lay people what that is?

Don't bother Googleing it, I'll tell you what it is.

That, my completely-confused-but-undeniably-intrigued friends, is a picture of little brown dirties, in the form of influenza, invading the cilia of a human lung. *SHRIEK!*

I know, right?!

How disgusting is that?

Very.

That's how...Very disgusting.

And, it's what I'm deathly afraid is going to happen to the dudes this winter.

And, I don't know quite what to do about it.

I'm not a huge fan of giving the them unnecessary medication (like when the doc told me to give #3 Benadryl every day).

Nor do I like to get them shots (I do fully support routine vaccinations though) any more than the next mom enjoys watching her kids in pain and acting like they're dying (it is kinda funny to witness all the dramatics #2 puts on when it's inoculation time, but I do feel bad. No, really, I do.).

But, the flu and I, we go way back. Those microscopic instruments of death were responsible for #1's first trip to the ER when he was less than a year old.

And, they can also be blamed for his next two trips to that same locale including the time he projectile vomited all over Mimi in the waiting room (all of a sudden, after waiting 2 hours, a room freed up and we were ushered into a cubicle. Nothing gets action like projectile emesis spewed all over innocent bystanders and their friends!).

But, our worst, most horrifying experience with the flu fiends to date occurred when Hubby was away and #1 was 2 and a half years old. Let's just say his flu related illness was responsible for a febrile seizure that required CPR, two ambulance trips, and Hubby to run out of a wedding (at which he was the best man, incidentally) and hop a plane back to the East Coast.

Not. Cool, flu.

We have been flu vaccine protected every year since and we've not had an issue (knock on wood!)

I've considered not doing it, but since it's working out so well for us I'm afraid to stop and jinx our good luck.

So, we get the shot (or the mist) every year and we're happy.

But, this year I have something new to consider: Swine flu, H1N1, or whatever we're calling it now (personally, I call it The Swine, I think it has a nice ring to it).

Do we get the shot or don't we?

I think I'm largely decided that #2 and #3 will NOT get the shot.

Don't want them growing a third eye or losing the ability to speak in complete sentences when they're older (although, from what I hear, this will happen regardless once they hit about age 15).

But, #1, he's another story entirely.

He has asthma.

Viral induced asthma. Meaning when he gets invaded by upper respiratory dwelling baddies, he gets all effed up.

This condition puts him on the endangered list (or whatever they call it) and pretty much guarantees that should some of the protected elixir (you know this stuff is ridiculously hard to come by) come available he'll be one of the first to be offered it.

But, the question is, when it's offered, should we accept?

I just don't know.

Taking a drug that has not been tested longitudinally (how you like that big word?!) makes me, um...uneasy.

It's like all those people who bought the first generation iPhones...

They were all ticked off when they didn't work all that great and stuff was breaking and malfunctioning and crap like that.

This could go the same way, right?!

You know, he gets the secret sauce, and a coupla years from now he grows a third ear in the back of his head. I mean, maybe he'll be able to grow his hair out to cover it, or they might be able to lop it off, but still, it's not ideal.

I'd rather wait, see if any third ears grow, and then decide.

But, on the other side, what if we pass, and he gets IT? Then what?

It would be my fault.

And, it could be really bad.

Or not.

I just don't know.

And, that's what makes this whole thing so spooky.

Spooky enough to earn this week's Thursday Thank You.



To super evil super germs everywhere, thank you, and you're welcome.

Dear Super Evil Super Germs,
Thank you for lying in wait around every corner, on seemingly innocuous surfaces, up friends' noses, on playmates paws and every single other place you can possibly squeeze yourself into, so that you may sneak into the largely unguarded system of my young children. The fact that they are not the cleanest creatures on the planet, coupled with the fact that you maniacs are invisible to the naked eye and you just won't die poses a huge health risk for my dudes. And, for that I hate you. Please consider not mutating further. You've done enough. Thanks. XOXO, Dumb Mom

*I've decided not to waste time actually handwriting this one, they just don't deserve it, you know, since they're plotting to kill us all. But, I Super Evil Super Germs, I'm armed with an industrial sized bottle of hand sanitizer and I take it with me, in my over sized handbag, wherever I go. So, in yo face with a can of mace hand sanitizer.

17 comments:

MommyLovesStilettos said...

I'm a huge supporter of vaccinations, but I'm not getting the H1N1 for my kids. My daughter has asthma but after talking it over with her pediatrician I just don't feel it's necessary. They both got a regular flu shot but that's all they are getting. I just don't feel comfortable with the H1N1 at this point.

I also found out that they had 1200 shots available for my daughter's school and only 600 were used. I was shocked. I thought a LOT more parents would be freaked out and move forward with it.

Kmama said...

Great post! Thank you so much for linking up.

My little dudes aren't getting the H1N1 this year. I am going ot try to get the regular one for Buster, but Buddy (even though he has asthma) can't have either due to an egg allergy. WHY do they have to add egg to the flu vaccine???

supahmommy- somethin's wrong with that girl said...

I AM TOTALLY commenting in email format but disqus is stupid and isn't relaying my AWESOME NESS comments to the comment section.


Listen up Dumbie-

I did not KNOW that your Thank you Thursdays, often handwritten unless you're lazy, WERE available to the public for open casting call submissions. I THOUGHT YOU WERE SNARKIN IT all fo yo self.. and forcing us to read but not participate in the funness.

how bouts you put a little linky doo on it.. give it a namey wamey and call it a carnival..
YOU HAVE LIKE 56778834455 Million readers waiting in the wings to play along I bet.

you take THAT TEXT BACK RIGHT NOW.. OR IM TEXTING BFF MYSELF. I know who she is you know.. I HAVE STALKED YOU.

I am NOT outside of your window right now - * stink eyein you ( my friend says that.. and i love it0

xoxoxoo
I love when you stop by.
let's do this more often.


p.s. the mace/ hand sanitzer.. classic.

Claremont First Ward said...

NOW THAT IS SPOOKY. Who would have known that's what it looks like. I like that you have who in your family should get the vaccine based on individual factors. I'm trying to decide on one of the twins who gets the sickest, too.

Mira is triplet crown said...

Oh you've opened up a whole can of worms now. People gonna comment on you like a hailstorm. The H1N1 vaccine is made the same way the regular flu vaccine is made, so I don't know why it needs separate testing. Whatever. I have to get my kids vaccinated because I'm pregnant and preggo ladies are dying from this crap, so my decision is made, however I woulda done it anyway. Good luck with this debate!

Anonymous said...

I think you should follow your gut. I know that sounds silly but I think you know inside what you should do. For me my gut says no - I don't have any good reason I just don't wanna! I don't think everyone's gut will or should say the same thing, but I think you should follow it... that's my silly advice.

Dumb Mom said...

Of course Mira is right (because she like almost always is, no?!) there is not much difference btw the old and the new flu vaccines, but I think my skepticism is shared among many other parents (see: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/09/h1n1.vaccine.skepticism/). That being said, I'm 100% sure that if there were a huge outbreak and my family was a significant risk I would jump on the stick-me-now-please but in a minute. As is, I'm a health care worker so I"ll be getting it myself. I'll let you know if my third ear comes in (although, that would be really handy, wouldn't it?). And, just to reiterate, vaccines are not spooky, super human super germs are!

Jennifer said...

I'm with you. I have no idea what to do for my oldest either. This is some scary shit.

Jennifer said...

Oh, and I forgot to add that we were talking about it last night and she overheard and asked what she could do to not get sick so I told her to wash her hands and not touch her face. I think I've inadvertently turned her into a hand washing, germaphobe freak.

Evonne said...

That picture is gross! My daughter has the same type of asthma. I just don't know about the Piggy vaccine. I think like a lot of people I know, it just seems so new and that makes me worry.

Anonymous said...

Mira is right, there's not much difference between the two. My husband and I had basically decided that we'd vaccinate our baby. Then his pediatrician recommended against it because she felt the vaccine was too risky, too untested, for someone his age and with his risk factors.

My husband and I will be getting the shot whenever it finally comes available though, b/c we're both at high-risk for flu complications, especially my husband. Yep...the H1N1 virus is a scary topic in our house too this Halloween!

Anonymous said...

Whoops I left off that we, like you, decided to not vaccinate our son against H1N1, based on his pediatrician's recommendations (and like you we support most vaccines).

Nicole @ WhenDidIBecomeMyMom.com said...

Get it for him.
My oldest just went back to school after being quarantined for it. It was just like any other flu for him. Except he developed wheezing.

It did eventually go away, but this kid doesn't even have asthma.

I do, and even though I only got a very mild case (thank you Vitamin c + Zinc) I had lots of trouble breathing.

Don't risk it with #1.

DiPaola Momma said...

I'm so torn over this one. You know our state has had some very serious cases, even deaths but I'm freaked about the whole vaccinations and such.

Hey can I just say that I LOVE your slide show of Vegas?.. well even if I can't I am.. so there! You guys were just lovely (as always) and I wish we could go BACK all the girls, no boys, accept maybe JT right?

Tracie said...

I'm kinda freaky but I like the picture. I have no idea what we're going to do either.

ck said...

I guess I'm not too worried. We don't even have the shot around here yet, so it's not like we can make the decision.

You should've seen CVS today. I can't believe the way people are freaking out about the flus around here. I went in just to get a thermometer and the entire place was wiped out. Maybe Arlington is about to go Pig...

Anonymous said...

Ok, I've done quite a bit of research, talked to a few doctors and even a head nurse at a NICU, and they are all in support. The H1N1 is the same as the regular flu shot, just a different strain. They actually change the strain of the flu every year; we just don't pay any attention. The flu vaccine that their using has been used since the '50s. I'm pregnant, so I have to get because a third of pregnant women who get the swine flu die, and my boys need a mama. The boys will get it as soon as I can get it to them because a majority of the deaths are children. This flu kills as many people as an ordinary flu. The reason everyone in the medical community is freaking out is that rather than old people dying, it's the young. I fully support you getting your kids flu vaccinated. They haven't ever had the flu because their last pediatrian was big on vaccines. And I always took the chance, expect not this year. Besides I realized I did get the flu once in college and I thought I was going to die, FOR REAL. I don't want to repeat that.

Good luck with your decision what ever you choose. Always remember to scrub those boys up ;-)

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