Welcome to Mums Advice

Tag: flu

  • Imagine Being Born In 1900

    Imagine being born in 1900.
    When you’re 14 years old
    World War I begins
    and it ends when you have 18
    with 22 million dead.

    Shortly after, a world pandemic,
    a flu called ′′ spanish “,
    kills 50 million people.
    You come out alive and unscathed,
    you are 20 years old

    Then at 29 years you survive the global economic crisis that started with the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange, causing inflation, unemployment and famine.

    At 33 the Nazis come to power.
    You’re 39 when World War II starts
    and ends when you’re 45 During the Holocaust (Shoáh) 6 million Jews die.
    Over 60 million dead in total.

    When you’re 52 the Korean War starts.

    When you’re 64 the Vietnam War starts and ends when you’re 75

    A baby born in 1985 thinks his grandparents have no idea how difficult life is,
    and survivors of different wars and disasters survived.

    A boy born in 1995 and today 25 years old thinks it’s the end of the world when his Amazon package takes more than three days to arrive or when he doesn’t get more than 15 ” likes ” for his published photo on Facebook or Instagram…

    In 2020 many of us live in comfort, we have access to different sources of entertainment at home and we often have more than we need.

    But people complain because about everything.
    Yet they have electricity, phone, food, hot water and roof over their heads.

    None of this existed in the past.
    But humanity survived much more serious circumstances and never lost the joy of living.

    Maybe it’s time to be less selfish, stop complaining and crying.

    (Anonymous)

  • My Friend Died Because Of One Person

    I hate getting shots. But I owe it to James.

    My friend James died last week of cystic fibrosis. He was the toughest sonofagun I’ve ever known. He got his first double lung transplant when he was in his 20s and those lungs kept him alive for more than a decade. He fell in love, got married, and had a son.

    Last winter he got the flu. He couldn’t get a flu shot because he was immunocompromised, so he was counting on the rest of us to keep him healthy. Someone didn’t get that shot, got the flu, exposed James, and he got sick.

    The flu was so bad that his lungs began to fail. But being the lucky, amazing, walking, fighting miracle that he is, he was able to get a second lung transplant last spring. The procedure was more complicated, though, and his body began rejecting his new lungs. He fought as long and as hard as he could to stay alive.

    He died last week and leaves behind a wife, a 3 year old son, and a world full of friends who miss him deeply.

    Thanks to organ donation, James lived another 15 years. And thanks to folks getting vaccinations, we were all able to keep him healthy for so long.

    Get your flu shot, y’all. It might hurt, but it doesn’t hurt nearly as much as losing someone you love.

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/amberbriggle/

     

  • My Baby Boy Jude Died Here

    Six years ago we spent Thanksgiving weekend getting ready for two more people to join our family. We had no idea then who was coming, the wonderful chaos that would be Thomas and Jude. All we knew was how happy, grateful, thankful we were.

    Soon this room was filled with two little boys. Sleepless nights, cries, diaper changes, laughter, toddler babble, and love.

    Three and a half years ago Jude died here.

    Somehow this room has recovered, kind of, despite only containing one bed. One little boy. Half the laughter. Half the chaos. We can exist here. We can sing and play and love, and know that Jude is still part of our lives. But he should still be playing with us, singing with us, causing trouble. He’s not, because three and a half years ago a flu outbreak came through our community and stole his life from him, stole him from us.

    The flu is preventable when we all do our part. ~3500 Canadians and ~36,000 Americans die from the flu every single year, but they don’t have to. The flu shot is starting to become available throughout Canada now, and is easily accessible through the US. If you can find it near you, please get it now. Every flu shot might stop the flu from reaching someone who might not survive it. You could save someone’s grandpa, pregnant wife, dad fighting cancer, or Jude. You can do that. That’s everything.

    Thanksgiving is complicated for us now. We have a lot to be thankful for, but we’ve also lost a lot. It’s hard. Help us prevent others from being in our shoes. Get your flu shot, stay home when sick, cover coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands at least eight times a day. Whose life could you save?

    #forjudeforeveryone #flushot #fluprevention #publichealth #communityimmunity #herdimmunity

    Jill Promoli McGee Craig McGee

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/forjudeforeveryone/

     

  • The Truth About The Flu Vaccine

    Welp, I went and did it. I read the comments on someone’s flu vaccine post and in the process lost 5,642 brain cells that I can never have back. I’m going to say this real clear so that hopefully someone hears my voice louder than Lindsey the bartender who identifies as a ‘health wellness coach’ because she was “certified” by DoTerra essential oils company. At least I can sleep at night knowing that my friends list (and whomever they share this with) heard the voice of an ACTUAL certified medical professional.

    1. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. Ever. No matter what anyone’s told you. You CAN get an immune response such as low grade fever, mild inflammation, or local redness and swelling. This is GOOD. It means your body is fighting the inactivated virus it’s been exposed to and it will build immune cells specific to fighting that virus if it ever sees it again….. hence the entire premise behind getting vaccinated. It takes your body about two weeks to build fighter cells and for the vaccine to reach its maximum protectiveness. If you get sick within a week or two of receiving the vaccine, then you were exposed to influenza and hadn’t yet received protection from your vaccine. Crappy timing.

    Period.

    2. The vaccine does NOT cause strokes, auto-immune diseases, or severe allergic reactions. There is a very small percentage of people who’s bodies do not react normally and therefore those people should not receive the vaccine. Let me put it this way; I swell up like Violet in the Willy Wonka factory if I eat avocado. I think we can all agree that avocados aren’t dangerous, my body is the problem, not the food. Likewise, the vaccine is safe but like all things (even avocados) it can be dangerous for certain people. I cannot stress enough how rare this is, even though literally every online guru with a degree in alternative wellness claims to know someone it’s happened to.

    3. If you’re healthy, good for you. No, seriously, good for you. You have the luxury of deciding whether or not you want to get poked. If you get the flu, you’ll miss a couple days of school, maybe a week off of work and then you’ll return to your life. That’s not the case for many people in our community. When healthy people vaccinate, we protect the newborns and the grandparents and the chemo patients and the ones who truly cannot receive the vaccine. It’s called herd immunity, and it’s the cornerstone of a healthy society.

    4. You did not get the “stomach flu” from the influenza vaccine. The stomach virus commonly called the “stomach flu” is not a flu at all. Stomach viruses are commonly caused by novovirus or norovirus , not influenza. If you have symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea with a fever right after receiving the flu vaccine you are the unfortunate recipient of a sad coincidence. This sad coincidence is not uncommon since peak seasons of these virus’ activity overlap. I know you don’t want that to be true, but, science. In that same vein, if you get “the stomach flu” on a year you’ve received the influenza vaccine, your vaccine did not fail. The vaccine you received does not protect against stomach virus. Stay tuned though, vaccines for these viruses are all but guaranteed to be common in the coming years!

    5. The drug companies and the CDC and all doctors and all nurses and everyone ever who advocated for vaccination are all paid by and/or brainwashed by big pharma to sell these vaccines by convincing others. Yeah… just no. I’ve never received a check or any other compensation from anyone to advocate for vaccinations of any kind. I don’t know a single person in the medical field (and I know a lot) who has ever received a bribe. I’m just about the most cynical, skeptical human out there and I require a lot of research & data to formulate my opinions, again, most of my colleagues are no different. If I really wanted to look out for number 1 (me) wouldn’t I try to drum up business at my ER by convincing others NOT to get the flu shots? Wouldn’t I WANT people to become sick so that I had job security?? $$ think about it people. This rationale is just ass backwards. I advocate for vaccines because I’ve held a newborn with fever while the doctor does a lumbar puncture. Because I’ve put a grandfather on a ventilator who couldn’t breathe and because I’ve put the final drape over a mother of 3’s face after she beat breast cancer but died of the flu. I did all of this knowing full well that it was preventable. We had the ability to save those people as a society and we failed because of the Lindseys in this world that prey on people’s poor understanding and fear.

    So, who are you going to trust on this one, me or Lindsey?

    XOXO- save each other- vaccinate!!

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/beth.purkey

     

  • Mum Flu It Is No Joke Give Us A Medal

    The definition of Mum Flu, get out of bed and get on with things.  Reach for every available remedy, drink as many Lempsip Max’s or Benylin medicine that are allowed before driving would become impaired. No matter how much we want to be looked after, receive sympathy for our aches and pains or to curl up in bed, hide under the duvet and not appear until all ailments have gone it just is not possible.

    There was nothing better as a child when, if poorly mum (and dad) would flood you with lots of TLC. Being tucked up in bed, toast brought to your bedside a bottle of Lucosade (which I thought was medicine for many years).  Then as we progress into adult hood and are working, even a day off sick from work would mean the duvet on the sofa watching endless day time tv with a box of tissues and cups of tea on tap.

    Becoming a mum and being ill just do not go. I certainly know from experience in this house, life would come to a complete stand still if I was to take to my bed. Waking on a Monday morning feeling like I have been kicked in the chest by a horse, throat feeling like it has a thousand pins stuck in it and an ear that is throbbing so bad I could cry it just fills me with dread.  Not because I am ill, I can cope with being ill it is everything else that I have to do whilst feeling like this.  Nothing in my day-to-day life is able to suffer. Nothing can be put off for another day and the children will need fed.

    I am an organised person and so all school clothes are put out the night before, school bags at the front door at the ready but still this morning the children received my frustrations. My head is telling me it is just like any other day but my body is screaming….what are you doing woman get back to bed.  After school and nursery drop off, which signs of my current Ora was showing as a fellow mum asked if I was alright,(other words for you do look absolutely awful) it was time to get back home and start work.  Monday is Payroll day and is my busiest day of the week.  I am responsible for making sure no mistakes are made as this is my employees livelihood, they have mortgages and bills to pay.  My brain is functioning but certainly not on all cylinders. The process is slower than usual and I check and check again that all is correct. Working from home is full of advantages but on days like these is so wish I had someone to do my work for me.

    I long for the end of the day, I wish away the hours but I know I still have a few phone calls to make, school pick up, youngest swimming lessons, middle childs drama and oldests hockey training.  (once again I praise the Slow Cooker for its ability to make that part of the day easier). My partner phones a few times throughout the day only to ask have I been to the chemist to get more medicine.  There was a little hint of sympathy in his voice but he is in London and I am sure there is slight relief, one he is far enough away from the germs but also he does not need to be stand in mum until I feel better.

    Mum flu is worse than Man flu us woman are super heroes and deserve medals

     

  • This Is What The Flu Can Do- Please Stay At Home If You’re Ill

    These last few days have been a blur. This little man has been put through ringer…but tonight he is finally resting.

    Saturday: snotty nose, low-grade fever and I noticed he had a molar coming through. So I just assumed it was from the tooth.

    Sunday: decreased energy level, high fever and coughing

    Monday: lethargic, deeper cough, high fever that wouldn’t break.

    We started this journey with our son Jase’s pediatrician how instantly saw a very tired little boy. Jase was admitted Monday afternoon and started on IV fluids, breathing treatments and tamiflu.

    Tuesday morning I saw my little boy interested in his surroundings. But within a few hours it all changed…and for what we thought was the worse. Jase started to vomit but it was different…he couldn’t bring everything up. The cough progressed…he became very lethargic again and now his breathing started to decline. Without hesitation we elected to transport Jase to Munson where he would have a better chance of recovering.

    Tuesday afternoon Jase took his 2nd ride in an ambulance within minutes of being seen by the next doctor she ordered chest rads and additional blood work.

    Hours later this little boy was fading. His oxygen sateration was declining. He needed 100% flow to keep his saturation in the mid 80’s.

    After observing him and making adjustment in his meds the doctor started to see him decline…he was really struggling to move air on his own. He started to become very mad when we touched him…he would cry out is shear pain.

    Wednesday morning within minutes of getting the bloodwork back at 4:00 am a AreoMed chopper was ordered and our baby boy would be airlifted to DeVos. At this point he was not critical but we didn’t want to wait any longer.

    By the time Ryan and I made it to DeVos Jase was put on a bypass machine to help move oxygen. Jase had now been on a continuous albuterol treatment and multiple doses of steriods. Needless to say he was being very hard to handle. He was upset with the mask he needed to wear. He was crying because he wanted water. He would panic for no reason. After talking to the doctors we elected to give Jase a small sedative to help him relax. All the medications were making him upset…but these medications were needed in his recovery.

    We watching him struggle, panic, cry, scream, hit and the numbers continued to decline.

    So where are we now???

    Jase has been intubated and he is now on a ventilator we have many unknowns ahead but this is going to help him rest, help his lung repair the damage and get him back to his cheerful, full of energy self. His little body is so tired and can’t fight the nasty flu virus let along the infection in his lungs.

    Today is a new day but another day of unknowns

     

  • Mum Flu It Is No Joke Give Us A Medal

    The definition of Mum Flu, get out of bed and get on with things.  Reach for every available remedy, drink as many Lempsip Max’s or Benylin medicine that are allowed before driving would become impaired. No matter how much we want to be looked after, receive sympathy for our aches and pains or to curl up in bed, hide under the duvet and not appear until all ailments have gone it just is not possible.

    There was nothing better as a child when, if poorly mum (and dad) would flood you with lots of TLC. Being tucked up in bed, toast brought to your bedside a bottle of Lucosade (which I thought was medicine for many years).  Then as we progress into adult hood and are working, even a day off sick from work would mean the duvet on the sofa watching endless day time tv with a box of tissues and cups of tea on tap.

    Becoming a mum and being ill just do not go. I certainly know from experience in this house, life would come to a complete stand still if I was to take to my bed. Waking on a Monday morning feeling like I have been kicked in the chest by a horse, throat feeling like it has a thousand pins stuck in it and an ear that is throbbing so bad I could cry it just fills me with dread.  Not because I am ill, I can cope with being ill it is everything else that I have to do whilst feeling like this.  Nothing in my day-to-day life is able to suffer. Nothing can be put off for another day and the children will need fed.

    I am an organised person and so all school clothes are put out the night before, school bags at the front door at the ready but still this morning the children received my frustrations. My head is telling me it is just like any other day but my body is screaming….what are you doing woman get back to bed.  After school and nursery drop off, which signs of my current Ora was showing as a fellow mum asked if I was alright,(other words for you do look absolutely awful) it was time to get back home and start work.  Monday is Payroll day and is my busiest day of the week.  I am responsible for making sure no mistakes are made as this is my employees livelihood, they have mortgages and bills to pay.  My brain is functioning but certainly not on all cylinders. The process is slower than usual and I check and check again that all is correct. Working from home is full of advantages but on days like these is so wish I had someone to do my work for me.

    I long for the end of the day, I wish away the hours but I know I still have a few phone calls to make, school pick up, youngest swimming lessons, middle childs drama and oldests hockey training.  (once again I praise the Slow Cooker for its ability to make that part of the day easier). My partner phones a few times throughout the day only to ask have I been to the chemist to get more medicine.  There was a little hint of sympathy in his voice but he is in London and I am sure there is slight relief, one he is far enough away from the germs but also he does not need to be stand in mum until I feel better.

    Mum flu is worse than Man flu us woman are super heroes and deserve medals

     

  • Flu Jab And Miscarriage-The Facts

     A puzzling study of U.S. pregnancies found that women who had miscarriages between 2010 and 2012 were more likely to have had back-to-back annual flu shots that included protection against  flu.

    Vaccine experts think the results may reflect the older age and other miscarriage risks for the women, and not the flu jabs. Health officials say there is no reason to change the government recommendation that all pregnant women be vaccinated against the flu. They say the flu itself is a much greater danger to women and their fetuses.

    Past studies have found flu vaccines are safe during pregnancy, though there’s been little research on impact of flu vaccinations given in the first three months of pregnancy.

    This study focused only on miscarriages, which occur in the first 19 weeks of pregnancy and are common. As many as half of pregnancies end in miscarriage, according to a March of Dimes estimate that tries to include instances in which the miscarriage occurs before a women even realizes she was pregnant.

    Many tabloids are scaremongering and saying there is a potential link between miscarriage and the flu vaccine.

    When in fact the findings suggest an association not a casual link, and the research is too weak and preliminary, it other words there not 100% sure.

    The researchers who conducted the study emphasise that it is not a reason to avoid the flu jab.

    Science is an incremental process and a lot of people don’t understand that very seldom does a single study provide a definitive answer.

    Our advice to you all is to check it out before you make a decision, read up on it, do not believe what is written in articles written to sell newspapers.

    Remember how many scares there have been on many things and eventually they were found to be wrong.

    Flu and its complications can kill, this is just one study and not proven fact.

     

  • Do You Know The Possible Effects Of The Flu Vaccine

    A lady named Sandra Gandry has taken to Facebook to warn others about the flu vaccine.

    Me: “May I please have the package insert for the flu vaccine?”

    Rite-Aid Pharmacist: “Why?”

    Me: “So I can read it.”

    P: “Which one?”

    Me: “The one advertised with the little banners on every aisle.”

    P: “I will print you the information sheet.”

    Me: “No, that’s not the same thing.”

    P: “What do you want to know? I can tell you.”

    Me: “I would just like to read the whole thing before I consider getting one…side effects, contraindications, effectiveness, ingredients like mercury.”

    P: “I don’t think I have any. Let me check. (checks) Sorry, I can’t give you one until the box is empty, because it has to stay in the box. And there isn’t any thimerisol in the single dose flu shot any more. I can print you the information sheet.”

    Pharmacy co-worker with big smile at me: “Hi, I found one.” (hands insert to P, hands to me).

    ***

    Here are some things in the insert not on the store’s sheet:

    1. The single dose vial contains mercury at ≤1mcg (This is called a “trace amount” by the industry.) (The multi-vial contains 25 mcg.)

    2. People with egg allergies are contraindicated.

    3. “Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under four. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. This vaccine should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. It is not known whether fluvarin is excreted in human milk.”

    4. “Fluvarin has not been evaluated for carcinogenic or mutagenic potential, or for impairment of fertility.”

    5. “Antibody response is low in the geriatric population.”

    6. “Serious reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been observed.”

    7. “There are no data to assess the concomitant administration of flu vaccine with other vaccines.”

    8. “The vaccine has been associated with an increased frequency of Guillain-Barre syndrome.”

    9. “In some studies, fluvarin protected up to 50% of subjects.”
    With love to those who read this far. Please share.