Just CANCELLED OUR TRIP-Afraid of the FLU

[blanq]

There were so many parents of preemies weighing in here, that just had to post too! Really, unless you have experienced the scare of having a severely premature baby, you just can't understand some of the precautions we are told to take as parents of our tiny babies.

My DS was a 26 weeker (born 14 weeks early), so one of the earliest compared to the responses here. He was extremely sick and had many lung complications. When he finally came home, after over 3 months in the NICU, he came home on oxygen (24/7) and a breathing monitor (the little stinker liked to quite breathing on us!). He came home in Oct, just as we were heading into winter, and we were very nervous that first winter! We were told "no daycare", and to keep him away from public places for the winter. We spent that winter hibernating, and he got through it healthy. We finally put him in daycare (montessori school) at 2 1/2 and he thrived.

I think it is really important to be extra cautious that first year when you have a really tiny preemie, and it pays off. A simple cold, never mind the flu, can kill a preemie. Some of the parents posting here really did not have preemies, even though their babies were slightly early. Nevertheless, whatever your situation is, it is important to follow doctor's orders! I would have never considered taking our DS to WDW that first year! Our DS is now 10, and has always been one of the healthiest kids at school. He rarely gets sick, and shakes off illnesses quickly. I am thankful we have him, and have him healthy, and that we followed our doctor's directions regarding his care!

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by blanq I am thankful we have him, and have him healthy, and that we followed our doctor's directions regarding his care! [/B]

That is what is most important! Disney will still be there next year!

 

[HappyMommy2]

Originally posted by MELSMICE


My twin DD's were born at 37 weeks & I was told that they were considered full term for twins, (they are 11) They were sent home with me after 4 days, so I'm not being sarcastic here, maybe just naive - is a baby really considered preemie if they are 36.5 or 37 weeks? ?

Hi MELSMICE--

I'm the one who posted about a 36.5 weeker; just to clarify, I was pointing out that even though my baby thankfully wasn't really premature, the doctors STILL told me to exercise extra caution as he was on the early side--the OPs baby was 34 weeks so you can imagine that the docs would especially advise caution for her.

 

[Gretchen]

Hi-
Don't blame you at all-Iknow how you feel. My DS was 2 weeks early. (not a preemie, but before his due date anyway) Born in April. I have a7 year old DD. She was in preschool at the time. DS was a section, so we were in the hospital a little longer than we were for my DD. DD comes to visit DS for the first time, and she has a nasty cough. I could've killed my DH. DD ends up on the Neb and antibiotics. DS ends up with pnuemanitis. Coughing, no fever (I would've wigged even more!) antibiotics, neb, steroids for him. He was really sick, our Ped. offered to have him admitted so I could get some sleep! So anyway, here we are 1 1/2 years later, I'm freaking out about the Flu. We went to WDW last year in Dec. and are planning to go in Jan. DS has gotten respiratiory stuff like DD, not as bad as she was, thank God, and we know what to do when they get sick. So, the point of this is I am on the fence as to weather or not to go. On the one hand, all of us (except DS, he is allergic to eggs, and you shouldn't get the vaccine if you are) have had the flu shot. DS is in school so I can't closet her away from germs. On the other hand, I'm worried about taking him on a plane (germ capsules that they are!) and off to WDW. I'm hoping it will all resolve in the next month, and I won't have to worry anymore!
Gretchen

 

[A1A1]

Okay. Just went to Walmart and our largest grocery store with a very nice health food section. I bought a ton of stuff. If we can't get the flu shot this year, at least we will try to avoid the flu and other illnesses on our own. I bought things that were recommended on the boards, and some other stuff. DD and I began to take it today. I hope we have a healthy winter and spring. We will keep our plans in tact, but may cover our faces on the plane. I always manage to sit in front of someone who hacks and snorts for the entire trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Wash your hands. That should help a lot.

 

[WDWgirls]

tnkrbell - I tried to pm but it wouldnt let me. I clicked on pm which I am assuming is all I have to do. Im obviously not a computer wiz.

Michelle

 

[snyderla]

2 things:

1st: I know hand washing is very important for preventing infections of all types, but isn't this flu airborne? I mean, please everyone wash your hands often, you will definetly be healthier for it, but I don't know that it will help against the flu?

2nd: how long is flu season? We are going the first week of April, will it be mostly over by then?

If I had a preemie, I'd go another time, too. There are alot of people out there with weakened immune systems that really should be careful about going into public places this season.

Lori

 

[tnkrbell]

wdwgirl, youmust have it turned off go to your cp and check how you have yourself edited!! I would pm you but you dont have it available

 

[Madi100]

My daughter was born at 26 weeks. We went NOWHERE her first winter. She was born in Oct., and I think the first time I went anywhere with her was April. She came home right before Christmas. She had the Respigam IV to help prevent RSV. She didn't get sick for the first time until she was about 1 1/2. It was in the middle of summer, and she caught a cold from our church nursery Having a preemie, I don't blame you for cancelling. At that time, we would have never planned a vacation during the winter. We would have waited.

 

[rngclick]

the original post . Didn't know you have an 11-month-old who was also a preemie. Forgive my ignorance. Either one of those factors would make me rethink my plans. As parents we do what we have to do.

Robin

 

[summerrluvv]

I don't blame you for cancelling. At first I thought, what a drastic move, but who wants to be sick on vacation!!!

This is my second time being home sick with a nasty cold in the past 3 weeks. My son seems to bring it home from school and then pass it to me and he gets better and I pass it back to him.

He has a weak immune system, as he has probably 12 colds a year!! We had his adenoids checked and they were enlarged so we got some nasal spray for it and they shrunk, but the colds are still around.

Today my sister came home and is achey and has a cough, runny nose. I hope she doesn't have the flu. I've been lysoling everything in the house she touches and I'm doubling up on the Vitamin C chewables as is my son. I work for a company that makes vitamins and I have taken a lot of things and honestly nothing really works to shorten colds (at least for me), but I'm trying!

I hate being sick!!!!

 

[GEM]

Just another preemie mom checking in here to reassure you that you did the right thing! Our baby was born this past May at 28 weeks. He weighed only 1 pound and 7 ounces. We spent 83 days in the NICU. He's doing great and has no lingering problems so far, but we're on house arrest now until late spring due to worries about RSV, the flu, etc. There is no way I'd take him anywhere this winter!

 

[AmyM]

Hi to all...I'm mom to a 32 weeker who just turned 9. The first 3 years were ridden with illness but since then has been quite healthy (had his tonsils and adnoids removed). As a parent I take any and all precautions possible to ensure the health of my family. There are many things in life that cannot be controlled, but for those few things you can do! How awful it would be knowing you could have prevented something. I'm not saying that you need to lock yourself in your house, but be logical.

 

[4 Princess Morganne]

I had to return early from my trip last week due to the flu. I came down with it on Tuesday AM and didn't care if I lived or died by Wednesay. YC Conc. arranged for a DR. to come see me in the room. The Dr. did prescribe a med which helped me get over it sooner, but we high tailed it home (12 hours via car) the next day - before my husband had time to come down with it (he did have it by Satuday - our originally scheduled return date). I am just now back to normal - and from what I understand that is good - usually it takes 2 weeks.

For what it is worth - on Wedneday morning as I lay sobbing in bed, my husband took my DD to her 7th Bday breakfast with Cinderella at the castle. She was crying all the way over on the bus and several people ask what was wrong. She said she was upset that her mommy was sick and couldn't come. It was amazing, but out of the 15 or so people on the bus, 3 different families had a sick family member back in the room! I do believe it is a quiet epidemic at the YC if not all over WDW!

Glad to be safely home and feeling better. Now trying to figure out a date to try again... How is late February for crowds???

Morganne's Mommy

 

[NicsMom1500]

I would be cautious about traveling with a preemie baby as well. My son was a 28 weeker. 2 lbs 13 oz. NICU for 8 weeks. He is just about to turn four years old. The first two years were a nightmare (RSV, etc) but he now has no lingering health issues.

Last December 2003 we were in WDW and all of us got sick. My son started first, then me, then my husband. We were all vomiting, etc. It was awful.

What can we do this year during our late January/early February vacation to stay healthy?

Do you bring lysol? anti-bacterial stuff?

Any tips would be appreciated. I would hate to be that sick again on vacation and especially in WDW.

Stay healthy!

 

[leopardspot]

The deadly strain of the flu has been reported in Orlando. There are at leat 4 confirmed cases...2 adults and 2 children. It is just not worth getting dd sick to go to Disney. We were on "house arrest" for the last 12 months so we will just extend it for 4 more months until flu season is over. WDW will be waiting for us in April!!!

 

[tnkrbell]

Leopardspot, 4 people have died??? Or theyhave the flu???

 

[leopardspot]

No, they have NOT died. Just confirmed cases of the deadly strain of the flu.

 

[DebbieB]

We were there Dec 6 to 12. My Mom has been undergoing chemo for breast cancer. She had her last treatment about 10 days before our trip. The doctor didn't have any concerns about her going (she has been getting chemo for about 3 years and we've gone on many trips). We didn't hear much about the flu until we got down there and then it was all over the news. I was so paranoid she would catch something, we washed our hands frequently. One day we rode the safari and a girl in the seat in front of us coughed constantly the whole ride. A kid behind us in the American Adventure coughed through the whole show (why would you take a coughing kid into a theater?). We've been home over a week and so far neither of us has gotten sick, I'm so thankful. She didn't get a flu shot before, but got one last Tuesday after we returned. If I would have heard these stories before we went, I'm not sure what we would have done.