Fall Appeared

It seems that the fall season in Wisconsin decided to make a grand entrance yesterday. It is now only in the low 60's and not even a week ago, it was near 90. I don’t mind temperature changes but you have got to be joking! 90-60-70-50-80-70... Pick a temperature range and stay in it! (laugh) I just pray this is not a sign of how bad of a Wisconsin winter we will be having. (sigh) Is it time for the snow blower already?? (laugh) Heck, I am too cold to even shave! (Did I really just announce that to the world? *big laugh*) At least the winter cold kills off our allergens but, alas, flu season is right around the corner...

In the world of transplants, you can never be too careful about protecting yourself from bugs. Greg is on heavy immune system suppressants that a cold can make life extreme difficult and could potentially kill him. That does not mean that transplant people need to live in a bubble. Granted, Greg in a bubble could make for interesting fantasies but it does not do well for one's quality of life. (smile) In order to prepare, we both get the flu shot as soon as it comes out and take time to wash our hands frequently. This behavior grows over time - you see, Greg has had 4 upper respiratory infections and one major systemic infection in the first year of being post-transplant. Why? Because he couldn’t keep his hands away from his face!! I have told him a million times to keep them away but he does not listen. I am actually starting to believe that a husband goes out of his way to do the opposite of what his wife says if she says it more than 1 time. (laugh) I am getting to the point of tying his hands behind his back. Again, this can lead to an interesting fantasy but he cannot live like this. (innocent smile)

Does this all mean that there is no life after transplant because you have to be thinking of colds and germs every minute? No! It means be cautious to both transplant patients and their family members. Note: This DOES NOT mean that a family member who does not live with the patient has the right to jump in front of everyone else for a flu shot when there is a shortage. Alas, one member of Greg's family did this last year and even though I am normally very reserved around his family - I let this person have a few choice words because we hardly ever saw this person and this person used Greg as an excuse to get the shot. You know I was peeved! But, for a majority of people - they have been respectful of others and waited - and others have lived because of this respect. Ultimately, we should take care of one another by taking care of ourselves first. (smile)