I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Susie .. thinking of you today and hoping all went well.

hugs,

Bren

Wonderful, wonderful news!!  Congratulations!

Yeah,SusieQ!!! Drinks on the House!

LOL Athena - I wondered what the stink was

Thanks girls - I can relax now I think. Going for my thyroid ultrasound this afternoon - nothing to worry about there but hope the goitre has shrunk some as I've been taking kelp tablets.

Sue

Thanks Ann!! I'm loving it

I've gotten them for years. Of course, I work in health care (Respiratory Therapy, so I'm exposed to all the respiratory bugs every winter). On the bright side, work provides them to us free. On the down side for some, they're very close to making them mandatory for anyone who has direct patient contact, reasoning that care givers who aren't immunized are a hazard to our frequently immunosuppressed patients. Starting next year, those objecting to the shots may file for an exemption, but they haven't clarified what would or wouldn't be a good enough reason to be exempted. Anyone who gets an exemption will still have to do the full gown, gloves, mask garb for every patient, every time.

We can get them at work for free, but I don't have it - only ever did it once. Lots of people think the flu shot will stop them getting colds, but that's not so. They did have problems here with one batch that made little kids sick - no thanks.

Hope you all have a lovely day girls!!!!

Sue

Yeah, Susie - what wonderful news. The best part, beside the GOOD NEWS, is hving it over with for another 6 months.  I can't imagine how anyone goes for exams without Major Anxiety - we all know what they're looking for!  Hope we all have the Most Boring Exams on Record for a long, long, time.

I've gotten a flu shot every year for years, and I don't want to "jinx" myself, but haven't ever had the flu.  This year I got a pneumonia one too, last one I'll need  ( they don't give them to folks over 65).

I think the only "problem" with some of the flu vaccine, was the one "inhaled" - as it had an "active" virus - all those quotes are cuz Ole Chemo Brain can't remember exactly, but I do remember the oral inhaled one was different from the injection.  So,Riley will have to tell us for sure

That's great news, susieq!  I know first-hand how good it feels to get the "all clear" and not have to worry about a recheck for another 6 months, 'cause I had mine last week.

I have something to confess:  I was an immunologist in my previous life.  That's the last time I'm going to mention that, and I will deny it if asked. But, ... I always get a flu shot.  I believe in the immune system, but I also believe it needs to be told about the nasty things ahead of time so that it can protect us adequately if we're exposed.  I've known people who contracted the flu (not from the shot, which, as AnneW said, is a "killed" virus). They got really, really sick.  Much different from a simple cold or bronchitis.

Before having, or declining, a flu shot, please think about your risk factors. 

I have an elderly parent who is in a skilled nursing home, and an elderly MIL who lives in an independent-living retirement center. Both of them are in high-risk environments, and would likely develop life-threatening pneumonia if they contracted the flu. They get flu shots, but I would not want to catch the flu while visiting them or give it to them if I had it. (The shots tend not to work as well in elderly people.) 

I also have a 5-year-old granddaughter who spends much of her time in a place where viruses and bacteria are rampant: an elementary school. Like my father and MIL, my granddaughter is at high risk of contracting the flu and developing a serious illness, but she could also give it to me when we visit during the holidays.

So, for me, it's a no-brainer.  I got mine 2 weeks ago, at a walk-in clinic where it's free with my insurance. In previous years, I'd gone to Walgreen's, where it cost around $25.

otter

THANK YOU OTTER,  I sometimes feel like a cheerleader for flu shots, mammograms, and all the preventive stuff you can imagine, YET, still know so many women who refuse, it confuses me.  I try to "listen" to their "reasons" - but they just don't make sense to me. 

I had a serious reaction (hallucinations, extremely high fever) to the very first flu shot -- the swine flu shot -- I got in college. After that, doctors recommended I not get one. However, I have asthma and am highly susceptible to respiratory viruses, so I have had the flu about every 5 years since then. It is gruesome. One year when DH and I had it at the same time (got it off the airplane), he looked miserably at me lying miserably on the couch and said, "I understand how people die from this." One year mine was so bad that I relapsed and got pneumonia.



When the H1N1 virus made its debut, my doctor and I had a serious talk and we decided to risk it. I was fine. No problems at all. I have taken it ever since and will do so this year, even with the healing belly wound.



I also had the pneumonia shot and got pneumonia the year after. I was disgusted.



L

I had my flu shot this year as I have had every year for at least the last ten years. but am in a quandry about whether to ever get another one..

This year I had itchy eyes, a headache,a cough, hoarseness, fatigue and a hot hard red itchy reaction at the site that was about two inches in diameter.  The only reaction I didn't have listed under minor ones was muscle aches.

I am another asthmatic and know flu can be dealdy especially when complicated by pneumonia, I get that. I  had pneumonia all last winter and never ever want it again.But since I had a major minor reaction, if you will, I am at risk for what was so euphemistically called a major reaction, anaphylaxis.(Major sounds so much better than life-threatening) So which would be worse? The pulmonologist left the choice up to me.

I really don't know. she did say those who have hyper immune systems like people with asthma and allergies sometimes do get minor flu symptoms because their bodies see even dead virus as an invader. But she was concerned about the local reaction. She keeps telling me I should live in a bubble. But alas I cannot so I seriously don't know what to do.

Oh and to those who want to ramp up their immune systems to fight cancer, I say no you don't!!

Y'all have me rethinking my plan. Maybe after the cruise.

Sitting at the hairdresser with my hair foiled up waiting for it to cook. I am starving myself so I can !hopefuly, cram my fat butt into the dresses in two weeks. I'm eating low/no carb high protein and tons of veggies and a little fruit. Down two pounds and have seven to go. Ugh.

Otter - great news for you too!!!