Sickness and Immunizations

(Warning: the last paragraph contains controversial content)

Last night at 7:00 our house was aglow with candles. Yesterday was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. We lit candles for all of the little ones who were lost due to complications associated with Trisomy 18: Tristan, Noah, Molly, Ryan, Gabriela, Abigail, Brianna, Isaac, Meiko—to name just a few. We also know of many women who have lost children during pregnancy due to miscarriage, including myself. So we lit candles in remembrance of those babies, as well. I am sure I am forgetting some names, but not intentionally. Some of those lost were older than newborns, but it felt like a fitting time to light a candle for them, too. I was amazed I had enough candles for everyone. I must be keeping the candle industry alive.

On a different note, Justin was sick with what appeared to be the flu this past week. He had a fever for over 60 hours with some respiratory issues. He had the flu mist for the A strain over a month ago, so we can only assume it was the H1N1 virus. We kept Justin isolated from Zane the whole time he was sick, and so far Zane is his same happy self. I took him to get his flu shot at the pediatrician’s office today. They have been waiting on preservative-free shots, and they finally received them. We’re not sure whether we’ll have Zane immunized for the H1N1 yet. It appears as though Justin has already been exposed. The boys’ doctor is supposed to release something in writing as to her professional opinion about the vaccine. We will follow what she advises. She has always been very balanced when it comes to eastern and western medicine, so she is never eager to do something that could prove harmful to a child.

Speaking of immunizations, Zane has qualified again this year to receive the Synagis shot to prevent RSV since he falls into the high-risk category. The one time he did not receive it, he came down with RSV and wound up on supplemental oxygen. Obviously, we attempt to avoid that at all costs. Many children each fall/winter wind up in the hospital because of flu and RSV. We don’t want to be any of them, thus the vaccinations.

I know there is a lot of controversy about immunizations in general, but there is a reason many of the diseases of the past have been eradicated. We’ve always weighed the pros and cons of all situations (we’re very A-type personality that way), and the scientific evidence for immunizing is far stronger than the qualitative and subjective reasons not to. I respect everyone's personal choice. I just don't like people giving me a hard time because of my choices. Thus, the ranting last paragraph. I’ve stepped off my soap box now :-)