Just CANCELLED OUR TRIP-Afraid of the FLU

[leopardspot]

We were suppose to be at the Swan on December 14-19 but with the bad flu outbreak, I didn't want to take the chance of my 11 month old daughter catching it. She was a preemie so it would be real hard for her. TOO BAD THAT THEY CAN'T QUARANTINE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE STATES WHERE THE FLU IS REALLY BAD.
On top of my disappointment, the Swan is wanting to keep a deposit since it is less than 5 days until we are suppose to go. Atleast it is only $99.00 (we had a great rate)
I am really bummed out right now...

 

[CBRorBust]

WOW!


I didn't realize that people were taking the flu outbreak THAT seriously! I'm glad that you made your decision. In your daughters case, it is better to be safe than sorry. I'm sure that is how you feel about it too.

 

[PartyOf5]

This has been in the back of my mind also. As of now, we are a go but will monitor the situation daily. We are taking extra vitamins and vitamin C right now.

I think you made the right decision as well. As a parent, I truly believe you need to follow your gut instincts. Hopefully you can reschedule real soon.

 

[brunoflipper]

as a pediatrician and the parent of a now 8 month old (former 32 weeker) i think that canceling your trip was a bit extreme... did your child get vaccinated? how about everyone in the household? does your child attend daycare or, even, sunday school regularly?... you should've asked your doc first before cancelling... hell, i'd have put your/my kid on prohpylaxis (cutting transmission by 70-90%) before i'd have cancelled a trip... the states that the cdc just added to the list have actually been in the midst of the influenza outbreak for over 3 weeks... nonetheless, i hope she stays healthy...

 

[leopardspot]

I did check with my pediatrician...that is why I cancelled. The doctor said to. No, my daughter did NOT get the flu shot. Both of her doctors (pediatrician and pulmonologist) said they did NOT recomment the flu shot due to the thermisol issue. My daughter does not go to daycare or sunday school. We have basically been on "house arrest" since she was born due to the threat of RSV. Yes, she does get the synagis shot to prevent severe RSV. We live in Miami where RSV season is year round. I was so looking foreward to going to Disney... And, from what the CDC is saying is that the flu shot does not really protct people from the deadly strain that is going around now.
My doctors did not mention anything about "prohpylaxis." Are you talking about the anti-virals or are you suggesting antibiotics?

 

[Kimberle]

{hugs}
My dd was a preemie, too. So I know where you're coming from. We did not travel with her until she was 18 months, and then it was in the middle of the summer.

 

[goofy4tink]

Ohhhh, I'm so sorry you had to cancel. But, I don't blame you at all. I've had the same thoughts and my dd is 10!!!! But, we're going armed with anitbacterial wipes and Purell in our fanny packs!!! Lots of water consumption going on at my house. Hope your dd stays well!!! We'll give Mickey an extra hug from you guys.

 

[lovethemouse]

Personally, I think you made the right decision. I know you can pick viruses up anywhere, but at Disney or any other crowded place you are more at risk. My daughter was hospitalized at age 2mos for heart surgery and caught RSV while hospitalized. It was a long and slow recovery. I'm an R.N. and I don't think you are being extreme at all. Some things are just not worth the risk. You wouldn't have as much fun anyway if you are always worried about your DD.

 

[leopardspot]

Thanks Everybody!!!

Kimberle-Your daughter is beautiful. How old was she when you stopped being so scary about her being a preemie and considered her a "normal" baby?

lovethemouse-RSV is soooo scary and it is apparantly going around now too.

The Swan just called and the manager said that they would not charge me the $99.00 under the circumstances so that was nice of her.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I agree you did the right thing. My DS was born at 30 weeks. After he was released from the hospital 8 weeks later, we went NO WHERE until spring. I was so stir crazy, (we didn't have The Dis then.) There will be lots of time for fun trips later, this won't last forever!

 

[kaygela]

I agree with what you did. Disney will be there later and you can go with a free mind. My son had RSV at 2 years and it was miserable. The following year, he had a mild case of pneumonia. I really think the RSV left him vulnerable. He's 8 now and I still worry.

 

[Lexxiefern]

So sorry you had to cancel your trip! But I agree, you did what was best for your family.

 

[hammertime]

I'm not sure if I had the "flu" that is going around but I never get really sick. Usually I just don't feel well for a day and I had a flu this past October that took me 2 weeks to get over. I was down for the count for 4 days. I can't remember when I felt so miserable.

Since I'm a healthy adult and it knocked me down pretty good I think you made the right decision.

 

[shelleyz]

I think you made a good choice. My DS is 4 and he just got over either the flu or a really bad bug. He was sick in bed for 4 days. He is just back to normal today. You did what you felt is best for your family. Glad they refunded all your money. Go in the future and have a great time.

 

[amyhwang]

As the parent of two children, now 4 and 6, I don't think you were acting inappropriately either. My son was a preemie, by only a few weeks, and my daughter was almost born 3 months early also. Yes, bedrest and the "pump" etc was hell, but so was the first winter after she was born. They both caught RSV, had pheumonia at least twice (that is so awful) and if I could do it all over again, I would have not left the house unless neccessary. She was hospitallized also, with another virus, and it is just not worth is. You will blink your eyes, and they'll be so grown up and ready to hug Mickey and Minnie. Please take care of the angel you have.

 

[Brier Rose]

We just got home from Disney tonight, and all we saw while we were there was the inside of our room, and Celebration Hospital!
We got there on Saturday, and by Monday our DS was sooo sick with a high fever,chills,cough and runny nose.By yesterday we were in the hospital getting fluids, antibiotics, and chest x-rays!
They determined he has severe bronchitis. It scared me death thinking it was the flu, I think I'm still not convinced it's not. They sound so similar. He's doing alot better, and going for a recheck by his doctor tomorrow.
He didn't have the flu shot before, but as soon as he is well he'll be getting it.
I know I'm still just emotional from the past week, but I swear it makes me want to keep him inside till spring!

 

[HappyMommy2]

I am so sorry you had to cancel your trip! If it were just you and your DH I might think that was a bit extreme, but with a preemie still in her first year--better safe than sorry. Even with my very healthy 36.5-weeker, the pediatricians advised us to avoid crowded conditions (that would certainly include Disney!) till the season was over.

I hope you can rebook your trip soon!

 

[lookingforward]

I think you made the right decision! My friend lives in CO and said it is really bad for kids there. You can never be too careful, especially since your child was a preemie. Disney World will always be there. I just hunted down flu shots for my kids yesterday. It took me a week to find some. Now, if I could only find some for ME! HA! I hope you get to WDW soon when all this calms down. Happy Holidays and good health to you and your family!

 

[rngclick]

I suppose you can catch the flu just about anywhere, even at the corner store. It would not keep me from going.

 

[chirsty'smom]

I've been trying to keep everyone "healthy" but last night the 4 yr old broke down with a cough and congestion - after reading these "flu worries" I'm calling the ped. this morning. We don't leave til the 25th so I'm hoping all will be okay by then but not taking any chances - heading to the doctor.

Good to hear I'm not the only mother who plans for the worse - I guess it's just our motherly instincts.

Hope everyone has a HEALTHY Holiday!