Today I write you all from the great state of Hawaii - the Big Island - and yes, you must fly between each (a woman on our plane said, "I'm driving over there next week!" People are so freaking stupid I cannot believe it; however, I am not here to rub your noses in my vacation - feel free to be jealous - but my grief lies with a much larger issue.
A few minutes ago, we were listening to the news when a report about free H1N1 vaccines began, stating that all health care workers were offered free H1N1 vaccines today as *they* are top priority. O.k. I get it as a semi-frequent visitor to hospitals and health care facilities, I want the staff to be as healthy as possible. However, the report went on to say: "Pregnant women, children, and the elderly are the only ones aside from the health care providers on the critical, must-have list."
Hello??? If there is anyone from the CDC listening or a person with access to them, please educate whomever is in charge of doling out vaccines that we have more people in this population who should be at the top of said list. Health-wise I have been quite lucky over the years, and my doctor says as a Congenital Heart Patient things could be far worse; so, I'd gladly donate my vaccine. With that said, we have a population of 1,000,000 adult congenital heart patients and 800,000 children, so why are they not on the list? Is it just me or has someone really dropped the ball on this one? According to my friend, also a CHD patient, we have to petition the CDC to get on the list and pray they deem us worthy of a vaccination based on need.
The media has bombarded us with misinformation as per usual, so I do not blame them in the least; it is their job to report whatever is keyed on the TelePrompter. It is not even the Heart Patients' for which I fight, but all people with potentially life-threatening situations when presented with the results of getting any flu, let alone H1N1.
Anyone who has ever had the flu (I've actually heard of people who have not) knows it is terrible, aches like hell, and makes you wish death come swiftly and quietly. However, we spend our time in bed be it 7 days to 2 weeks, and slowly but surely return to a place where we are glad to not have succumb to that death wish. Some are even smart enough to get out of bed and shower, drink hot tea with honey & whiskey to find it makes them feel much better though they remain sick. Just a side-bar: I drink the tea, but can barely lift my head from the pillow so forget showering or movement of any kind. :) It is the complications that come from the flu, especially this pig (swine) variety that should give the CDC pause to increase that "need only" list under lock and key.
Pneumonia is at the top of that list, and we heart patients see huge red flags with that first rattle in our chests. Even if one is not in congestive heart failure (fluid build up around the heart & lungs) at the time, it can happen fast and with very little warning. Personally, I have had pneumonia a couple of times already this year; fortunately, I was able to avoid hospitalization. The antibiotics, though, are getting stronger & stronger to the point where it's an eventuality and that scares the hell out me! So, why should I be scared if I am not even sick? My husband started with the flu at 2:30 a.m. Hawaii time today, and I as his care-giver (nobody else is going near him) am next in line. I'm at least a 15 to 20 hour travel distance from my physician; and, he brought his Tami flu not mine even though they were sitting together.
My biggest hope is the "list" for H1N1 vaccines I heard about today is state-based, so I can get my Congressman involved in getting me a shot - ouch!! As for this blog, knowledge is power; and, if you have a family member with health issues that could be compromised then get a flu shot NOW for them and yourself. When you wash your hands, sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself (in your head), think of it as a celebration of your life in that moment - whatever it takes. ;-) Most importantly, if you need to be on some list at the CDC, please start lobbying for your spot.
Good Health to all and let's hope we survive this scare with no more loss of life...
Respectfully,
~Nicole
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