Quarantined

Today I met with my primary care doctor to follow up on my blood pressure issues. I am doing much better in that department, but she virtually ordered me home and told me to stay put. The swine flu has reached epidemic proportions here, and she told me in no uncertain terms that I was not to be in public places - especially doctor offices! - until further notice.

That in addition to my oncologist who had told me that from 10 days after infusion until next infusion my immune system is minimally if at all active makes me take this seriously. Besides, I can't help remembering that cancer patient at the Look Good Feel Better session who said she was doing well until she caught a cold right before her last chemo. She was so bad that she ended up with pneumonia and shingles and has yet to fully recover from the effects of such a bout. (Yikes! I hope she's not still contagious!)

I had already been concerned about exposure to germs and for that very reason had decided not to go on campus Monday or Tuesday because of the RWConnect when campus would be flooded with freshmen doing orientation. Although I would likely be safe in my office, many of the events were scheduled in the library instruction labs and conference rooms, and I would risk exposure.

Masks and gloves can only protect you so much - despite the numerous signs that are posted everywhere, the ones that say that if you have a cough or a fever, please let someone know and you will be given a mask and gloves. I have to say, our culture is so driven that we have learned not to stay home unless we can't navigate and that means that those who are not susceptible to these sorts of things will be out and about.

So for the time being, I am relegated to home, and will have to send Kiel to get supplies. I do still go out to walk the dog, but rarely encounter anyone while I am outside. I wash my hands every few hours whether I have touched anything or not, and liberally use Clorox wipes. Garbage goes out more often than normal, and I change the sheets biweekly. To get exercise (the Y is now off limits) I pulled the mini trampoline into the living room and I bounce whenever I get weary of sitting about.

The only thing I haven't done is forbid people from visiting though I do make sure they are not ill or feeling like they might be coming down with something. I also ask them to wash their hands when they visit . . .

Whew! Lots of precautions. I will find out next infusion on the 15th how long to keep this up or if I need anything else in the mix.