Infection Control and Visitation

Hey everyone, I'm the person who is helping Mic and Wendy set up and maintain New Marrow Uno. I do not intend on contributing to this blog frequently, but there is one thing that I feel needed to be posted. Wendy is a little to kind to say it, but I'm not. :-) Please know that the following is very important information.

Secondary infection is a leading cause of death in hospital patients. According to infection experts and federal statistics, as many as 5% to 10% of US patients contract an infection while in the hospital, resulting in about 2 million infections per year -- leading to 90,000 deaths -- at a cost of $4.5 billion.

Mic will have his immune system taken down to zero..ZERO...due to his chemo. This means that he'll be susceptible to anything and everything. His body will have no defense system. This can potentially lead to major problems.

Imagine it this way: Mic's immune system is going to be less than that of a new born baby. A baby starts this world with a least a little immunity given from the mother. Mic will have none.

So to help everyone out, here are some fairly obvious guidelines if you plan on visiting. It should sound fairly familiar because most of it is what your parents have been telling you since you were a child, and it's what you tell your own children.

• Wash your hands throughly before entering his room or right after entering his room. There are sinks and hand sanitizers all over the place;
• Any time you leave his room and then return, wash your hands;
• Do I really have to say anything about going to the bathroom;
• Be very, very cautious about handshakes, hugs, kisses, etc. Skip the high five for the fist bump if ya know what I'm sayin';
• If you have even the slightest symptoms of a cold, DO NOT visit. Calling works well;
• If you have to sneeze or cough while visiting, try to leave the room if possible. If not, sneeze or cough into your elbow. And then go wash your hands;
• If your children are sick, sniffily, or have any symptoms of a virus, please consider that viruses can survive and travel from host to host quickly, easily, and efficiently; and lastly
• If you missed it, Mic and Wendy have asked for some quiet time between 1p-4p every day so they can have time to rest, talk, journal or whatever.
  

Thank you all so very much for supporting Mic, Wendy, and the rest of the family during this trying time. I'm positive that I can speak for them when I say that they are very appreciative of your support, thoughts, and prayers.