Cold and Flu Season

Dear Family, Friends and Fans of The Crosby Show:

November 1st marks the start of cold and flu season here in the South. Last year, with a newborn diagnosed with a severe, life-threatening lung disease, we were advised to hunker down for the next 5 months, not take Crosby anywhere and not allow sick people or any children in daycare or school to be around Crosby. We were told that viruses can lead to hard-to-get-rid-of infections, and infections in tiny baby CF lungs could have life-long damage. In an effort to keep him as healthy as possible, we followed those recommendations and by the grace of God, we kept Crosby healthy.

Now here we are, a couple of days into a new cold and flu season and I am once again paranoid about germs. Lance and I were at a CF fundraiser this weekend and Crosby's CF doctor from ACH was in attendance. We love him. He asked about Crosby and warned me that they are seeing A LOT of respiratory illness in the ER and on the floor already. He advised to keep him away from sick people and keep him out of public places. At the end of the evening, as our beloved doc waived bye to Lance, he shouted, "keep Crosby away from sick kids!"

The fact that it has been reiterated to us that there is NO such thing as "JUST A COLD" for CF patients, I thought I would write about why it is so, SO important that people not be around Crosby (or Lance and I, or my mom) when they are sick. 

This has been an adjustment for Lance and I. We are social people and hate asking all the time if folks are sick, asking folks to stay away if they are sick, canceling plans if someone has the sniffles, or coming off as complete germophobes. It can be very awkward for us.

I realize that colds are not a big deal for most people. Colds use to not be a big deal to me. Over the past year, Lance and I have had to force ourselves to think in detail about germs and that doesn't necessarily come naturally. However, I will say that I have gotten good at being cautious, after all, I have someone super special to protect and I will do ANYTHING to help him stay healthy and stave off lung damage for Crosby.

For you and I, a cold is just a little cold. We may sneeze, cough and feel achy, but it only lasts a couple of days and we're back to  normal. You and I are able to carry on with life as normal, without missing a beat. Most people even go to work with a cold. However, the mucous in our respiratory systems is the consistency of water. The cold virus in our bodies causes us to produce more mucous than normal, but our lungs are healthy and able to fight off that cold and rid the virus from our bodies within 7 to 10 days. 

Crosby's mucous as a CFer is the consistency of honey. The cold virus in the respiratory system of a CFer causes their bodies to produce more of that sticky, honey-like mucous than normal. Thick mucous hanging around in CF lungs attracts more viruses, lots of bacteria and even fungus. The honey-like mucous traps all those nasties there and they multiply. For many CF patients, catching "just a cold" means spending two or three weeks on IVs to fight off the after-effects. After all that infection, there is also the very real possibility that a CFer may become so sick that their lung capacity is permanently impacted. Colds for CF patients can mean IV antibiotics, extra lung treatments and hospitalization.

Because so many of us have the attitude that "a little cold" shouldn't keep us from going to work or sending kids to school, it is very easy for all kinds of germs to spread. I am beginning to realize just how selfish those actions can be for those who have compromised immune systems or diseases like CF. For those people, a "little cold" could have life-altering consequences. I am also aware that unfortunately, way too many people have bosses or teachers who are not understanding or lenient when it comes to calling in sick. If you find yourself forced to go into work or school while sick, while maybe awkward, wearing a mask is a great way to keep from passing the germs on. As for other things like church, parties, get-together, even going to the grocery store... I do not believe there is any other obligation that is worth spreading germs to kids like Crosby or their care-givers. Please be considerate.

Did you know that a cold is actually most contagious at the beginning, when the sneezing first starts and the nose is running clear? Later, when you still feel bad but you're blowing green goop out of your nose or your child has that green goop oozing out of their nose, you're actually much less contagious than before.  Obviously there are some exceptions to this—some folks have perpetually-runny noses during allergy season, and a runny nose that stays clear and lasts a long time with no other symptoms is probably just allergies. 

So please, please PLEASE be conscientious as we go into cold and flu season. Lance and I love all our friends and we love all our family, but as the Holidays are fast approaching, if you have any symptoms of a cold or the flu and we are going to be in the same place, please let us know. We don't expect everyone to alter plans because of us, but we do expect you to let us know that kind of information so that WE can make an informed decision on where we go and where we take Crosby. It is OUR decision, please let us make it by telling us if someone who is sick will be in attendance. We would certainly never shame or embarrass anyone for a cold, we will simply just choose to stay home. 

• If you are sick, please do not come to our home. 

• If you are sick and are going to be at a get-together where we will be, please let us or the host know. 

• If you come to our home, please immediately wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer. 

• Do not bring kids who are in daycare or school around Crosby during cold/flu season. 

• Do not kiss Crosby or get in his face, whether or not you have any symptoms. 

• And please, GET YOUR FLU SHOT.

We ask that everyone who knows and loves us to PLEASE be sensitive to the other people around you who might have compromised immune systems or have family members who do. 

Your willingness to help keep CFers germ-free might be the only thing standing between them and the hospital this winter.

Love,

Carmen