The lonely germ debate



Fall is definitely here folks! The chilly mornings, the red and brown leaves falling, the Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations popping up in every store! However, along with the fun things come the sniffling, coughing and the dreaded flu season. Booooo!!

In the spring and summer when the sun is out and it's nice and warm, I'll admit we take Violet places. Not like sitting in a germ infested cart at the grocery store or to the crowded mall, but we've gone to restaurants and such, taken "risks" if you will. In the summer people tend to be healthier and there's less chance someone will be coughing on her, but at the end of the day it's all about maintaining our own comfort level. This summer was great! Violet got to go swimming, and play with all of her cousins (Ahem, all 5 boys by the way.some girl cousins would be great WinkWink) We went to the lake, had cook outs and hung out with friends and enjoyed being active as a family.

Then the fall came and the runny noses started ( not us yet, but man have I seen them in public) and so Violet's "hibernation" begins. We rarely do things as a family, meaning all 5 of us. That's okay though! It has to be, it's our reality, our normal for these first few years. As sad, confusing and hard as it may be sometimes, it's what we feel is best to keep our baby away from all those scary germs.



Of course with the holidays also comes what I'll refer to as the "Great Germ Debate" Andy and I both have families on the larger side ( me with 3 siblings and him with 2) So holidays are a big deal. Lots of food, drinks, gifts, extended families and with them come their germs.



Olczak-Davis-Ash cousins last Christmas, minus Violet

Kylie, Landon, Linden, Hadley, Ava and Deven

 



Last year wasn't so bad...(Violet was only 2 months old)On Thanksgiving we took her to my parents' with us because there were only going to be adults there and not our whole family, in fact less then 10 people. She slept in her car seat the whole 2 hours or so we were there so no harm. Then Andy took Ava and Kylie to his parents and I came home with Vi. ( there were a few little kids there, so the germ risk increases) Christmas we were fortunate to have a great babysitter who watched Vi while we went to my parents for a few hours. Andy's family celebrates the day after Christmas, so my mom kept Violet and the 4 of us went. On a side note that night was cut short as Andy got called out to work and right when he returned Ava jumped off a chair and we ended up in the ER with her.
The bad news was we didn't get to enjoy having all three kids with us, the good news was we survived the Holidays!! Oh and Ava's head was fine, no stitched required!

Now that Violet is over a year old, and walking and talking, the Holidays will so much more fun! Of course with any debatable situation there are pros and cons to her being older...

PROS: She's walking, so it's less likely people will try to hold her, she's very stranger aware and not accepting of unfamiliar faces, and she will enjoy opening presents and seeing all the decorations, that is a for sure!

CONS: She's walking, meaning she is touching A LOT of things as she passes, she's a beggar, and seems to not have qualms about approaching her aunts, uncles, sisters etc who have food that she wants, and also she's old enough now that she cries when Ava and Kylie go somewhere without her! Even though she is so young, she does have feelings too :(



I have read many a debate on message boards, other blogs etc from other CF parents about whether or not to take their kids(s) to family functions and such. I have to say it seems equally divided. Many are on the precautionary side of the fence, avoiding germs at all costs, even if it means total isolation. Others throw caution to the wind, and say they'd rather their kid enjoy life, and sickness is inevitable.

I'd like to find a happy medium. I would like to start exposing her to a little more, and letting her live her life to the fullest, with a list of rules of course. I have no problem leaving if someone has a cough, sniffle, even sneezes one time! Fortunately most of our family members have been pretty complaint with our wishes of not coming to functions if they are ill. I'm sure there are a few people who think I'm nuts, because they don't realize  just a cold to them could be 2 weeks in the hospital for our baby. To be honest I don't care if people think I'm over protective. This is our child, and while she is this young and delicate i will always be her biggest advocate. At the same time, I have to admit, being so precautious does come with the price of missing out on a lot, and losing touch with some people. It sometimes pangs me to think about how often (or not often rather) I get to hang out with friends and their kids, because someone is sick or they're going somewhere off limits to Violet. Next week turns to a few weeks later, then a month, then before you know it, it's been 6 months without seeing each other. This is probably the hardest part..feeling like your out of touch with friends and family. Feeling like we aren't connected like we used to be, but luckily we live in a world with great technology that allows us to keep up with people around the world with things like Facebook, and blogs and Picasa and such.
And in a few years (2years fingers crossed, 5 at the max) when Violet is on Kalydeco and all is great, we look forward to reconnecting and adjusting our "normal" once again!!

* I know some of you have dealt with similar situations with sick kids, or even just taking new babies places. I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions!!