H1N1 Monster....

A friend posted a blog about whether to vaccinate or not....I just had a case of H1N1appear in my classroom so I decided to do my research...I posted this as a comment on her blog, but thought I would make it into a blog...I don't want to overreact, but I also want to have as many facts and as much knowledge as possible so that I can make educated decisions...I encourage you all to do that same!

My sister (a nurse) sent me this link today. I'm not getting the flu shot this year (and I have never), but I am going to get the H1N1 shot (and I am terrified of needles). The scary part about H1N1 (from my own research) is that the severe form is being found more often in healthy kids and adults (as opposed to elderly for the seasonal flu). It's respiratory and the severe form goes into your lungs and can cause severe shortness of breath. Sure, it's scary to get vaccinated, but the research I've looked at has shown that versions of it have been used for years with no adverse affects. I've also read that those with chronic conditions (like asthma), are more likely to get the severe form. There are so many urban myths and rumours that are going around, and we don't know what to believe....we all have an obligation to do our research and make educated decisions. I am worried about getting H1N1..VERY worried. I'm afraid that it would affect my trip to Russia if I did have it....and I won't let anything get in the way of that....NOTHING.

As someone who has never been an advocate of shoving unecessary stuff into my body...I sure sound intense. But I am trying to look at the bigger picture, and as someone who works with a high-risk population I need to keep the needs of the general public in mind. I want to be careful not to pass it on to them. I completely understand how those with children have a harder time with the vaccinations....that's a toughie for me too, and I don't know what I would do...seeing as holing ourselves up in our house all winter isn't an option. If it was me, I'd be talking to my doctor (and all of the health care professionals that I could) to get a range of opinions to make an educated decision. It's not the first time that we've had a "new flu" pandemic, and I'm sure it won't be the last...it's definately a scary time that we live in!

Let me know your thoughts!

Timing

I am starting to freak out a bit...we've been waiting for four months now for "the call..." That's not a long time to wait in the grand scheme of things, but we have been lead to believe that the call could happen any day now. This is exciting and terrifying at the same time. Of course, I am excited that years of heartache will begin to melt in seeing the sweet face of our child. But, the unknown is keeping me up at night!!! I'm scared about the call coming. While it's going to be the best call of my life we're going to have very little time to approve the proposal, book tickets to Russia, have a week's worth of lesson plans ready to go, pack, buy gifts (cause you better believe I'm not meeting my baby empty handed....), figure out finances, figure out what we're going to in Russia, I worry about what could happen while we're there...when I really begin to think about it, I start to shake!!!! I'm most scared about how I'm going to get back on the plane to come home without my baby...I can't even stand to think about that.

I am asking for your prayers...prayers for our sweet boy who we have yet to meet, for those taking care of him, and for us as we navigate such unknown waters.

I'll keep you all updated.