Sick and sad

[ChilliPepper]

Well, I caught a cold two days before I was supposed to leave for vacation. Now I may miss what could be my dad's last Christmas. I can't go until I am 100% better. I wish people that were sick would stay home and not bring their germs to work. It is so freakin selfish. Thanks to them for ruining my vacation.
My dad has cancer and it has been a month and he is no better. I don't know if that is normal or not, but I am scared we may not have him much longer.

 

[eroomlorac]

Why can't you go? Air travel? You can't be by your Father if you're sick? How far away is he?

Yes, I hate it when my co-workers come to work sick and cough all over the place. On ocassion, my boss has told people they need to go home until they are better. They think they are being dedicated employees, I think they inconsiderately rude. We have very many sick days and we are never given a hassle if we use them. NEVER hassled.

Anyway, could you maybe still go and wear a mask when visiting your Father? I feel very, very sorry for you considering your Dad is sick.

 

[tunes]

Ditto the mask. If you wear a mask and make sure you wash your hands and have fresh clothes on, you should be able to see your dad. Even if you have to stand in another room and talk through the doorway, don't feel that you have to miss the chance to see your dad, especially under the circumstances.

 

[mishellyshel]

i agree. mask. gloves. antibacterial. you can not miss this opportunity.

 

[ChilliPepper]

My mom specifically asked me not to come until I was better. I went in to work- I was scheduled to be off all week- and asked my boss if I can be off next week instead. If she would not have agreed to that, it would have been too hard to go and be home by Sunday since it is anywhere from a 10.5 hr drive to a 16 hour drive depending on traffic and snow through the mountains.
So assuming I get better, the plan is to leave Christmas Eve in the morning, drive all day and be there in time for the late service and be there for Chirstmas morning. We can then sty until New Year's too. Even if I am better, I will probably need to wear the mask just to make sure.

 

[Nancy]

I agree with your mom. I'm on chemo right now and I don't want anyone coming into my house that is obviously sick. If the ones that live here get sick, not much can be done but it's not worth the risk to bring something in. You would feel horrible if your dad caught your cold.

I'm glad you are able to get a different time off. By then you will be over the worst of it and a mask and lots of hand sanitizer will help when you do visit. Not all masks are created equal. Buy good ones that protect against the H1N1.

You will be better by then. :thumbsup:

 

[Rickman]

I, too, had chemo a few years ago, and it zaps you so bad, I can understand your Mothers concerns! I'd make EVERYONE take ALL the precautions stated above!
I'm pretty big, and a round-trip to the bathroom, all of 25 ft., called for a nap!
Knocks out your strength and resistance something fierce!

 

[mishellyshel]

glad you got the time off chili. hope you make a speedy recovery! and hope your dad does too.

nancy--hugs to you. i hope you are well for the holidays.

 

[eroomlorac]

The only mask I would trust is the N95 mask.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Bless you Nancy, I hope you are well enough to enjoy the holiday. He has not done Chemo yet, but he was so sick by the time they figured it out, he is in pretty bad shape. He is taking a different treatment first that they hope stops the growth of the myeloma cells. When he takes it, his pain increases and really weakens him. Today he is doing a bone treatment and last time he was very ill from that.
I am trying to keep hope, but I hate seeing him suffer.

 

[ChilliPepper]

The only mask I would trust is the N95 mask.

Where would I buy that? I want the safest thing possible.

 

[addictedtochins]

If you fly when sick, wear the roll-up ear plugs. I blew out my eardrums because I didn't know your ears can't adjust to the changing pressure

 

[Nancy]

The N95 mask is the one recommended to me too as being the best out there right now. I got them at the Home Health care stores that sell wheelchairs, walkers etc.

Thanks Chilli and mishellyshel So far, so good here. The chemo effects are not as bad as I expected but I just started a different drug so who knows over the next weeks what I'll be like.

The first weeks and months are the worst because not only are you trying to wrap your head around the diagnoses but scared &*^^% and the stress plus the disease takes it's tole. Pain is worse when you are tired and scared. Ask about pain management. This drug I just started causes muscle and joint pain which apparently can be severe but I'm on steroids to help prevent it.

Keep the faith that he will get through it. Love and hugs to your dad and family.

 

[alpayton]

Where would I buy that? I want the safest thing possible.

You can get them at CVS or Walgreens, probably even the big W word that I refuse to go to... http://www.walgreens.com/store/cata...frgl_535531&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku3983637

Everyone should know that these masks are for protecting OTHERS from YOUR germs...not the other way around.