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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Hitting the panic button

So, I don't know if you've heard, but there's this swine flu thing going around.

Are you sick of hearing about it yet?? I know I am. It is not helping that I have this paranoid freakness left over from when Caroline was in the NICU. I'm absolutely terrified of her getting sick, going back to the hospital, or worst of all, losing her. Really, I couldn't care less if I get this stupid pig flu, except that then I wouldn't be able to care for her. This is a terrible thing about being a mom, I am discovering. Reading the news and hearing about it nonstop just gives me this sick feeling in my stomach and makes me feel all shaky, thinking about something like that happening to my baby.

Tyler thinks I'm totally nuts. (Chances are, you do too, at this point... but hey, it's my blog and I'll freak out if I want to!) Our phone conversation from this morning, after I read the news about the toddler in Texas who died:

Me: We're not taking Caroline anywhere unnecessary until this whole thing is over with.
Tyler: Okay, fine, but I think you're going a little overboard here.
Me: I don't care, I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Tyler: Should I also pick up a shovel on my way home, so we can dig ourselves a bunker?
Me: Yes. But wear a mask at the shovel store.

Clearly, I need to step away from the CNN. It's scary, though, you have to admit! I definitely learned way too much in college about flu pandemics and how we're overdue for one. I had this one particular evolution professor who was obsessed with the idea. There are also three suspected cases in CT as of right now (all people who just traveled to Mexico), one right down the road from us. Still, I almost feel ashamed posting about it, because there's already enough propaganda about this flu out there on the internet.

And on that note, I will quit writing about it and try to stop obsessing! Luckily I have America's Next Top Model to distract me! Love this show...

3 comments:

TexasBobbi said...

Who do you want to win antm? I want ceila to win.

a friend from the nest said...

The baby that died in Texas was from Mexico City and was sick before coming up here. They also announced that he had underlying health problems, which most likely lead to his death (it wasn't just swine flu).

Also, there are regular flu bugs all around us everyday,not just swine flu. It's estimated that 36,000 people die a year from the flu. That's 99 a day...and they are saying swine flu isn't any worse than any of the regular flu viruses. The only thing that's different about it is that no one has immunity to it and there are currently no vaccinations for it. But it's responding to regular flu medications and you can easily survive it. Personally, I think the media is blowing everything WAY out of proportion.

You'll be ok! :0)

Julia said...

Bobbi Janay, I liked Fo :( I think Teyona is going to win, though.

And to the friend from the Nest, I know. I've totally overreacted. I'm worried about my baby, though, not myself (she does have underlying health issues and is too young for Tamiflu, etc.). Thank you for reassuring me!