Friday, February 28, 2014

Quarantine

We are still keeping the babies quarantined to our house.  With the first 3 months of their life being the most critical and it being the most dangerous if they were to get a fever, we made the decision that we weren't going to expose them to anything other than going to their doctor appointments.  Because they are preemies, they missed out on the vitamins and minerals that babies get in utero during the last few months of pregnancy, so their immune system isn't as strong and they are more susceptible to catching something.   Anybody that comes to our house and is around the babies is required to have their T-DAP vaccination and flu shot. When Tony comes home from work, he promptly changes his clothes before handling the babies.  When I go to the store, I come home and change my clothes.

A person doesn't have to have the Whooping Cough to be a carrier of it and pass it on.  People generally don't know they have come down with the flu for another day or two after contracting it.  The RSV virus stays alive for up to 6 hours after contact, which is why we change our clothes after being out in public.  I just read on Facebook this morning that two of my friends have babies that were just diagnosed with RSV. The thing is, if Ayden and Rylee were to contract any of these things at their young premature age, it's not that they would just get sick.  Those things could actually kill them.  They could die. Nope, we aren't taking any chances.

We have hand sanitizer available in our living room and in the nursery.  We have had a few visitors wear face masks if they have been sick, but feel fine and think they are over it.  If anybody has a cold, they simply don't come over.  Did you know that if a baby gets a fever during their first 3 months of life, that they are usually admitted to the hospital for all sorts of testing?  Yeah, we aren't taking that chance.

I am sure that there are plenty of people that may think we are being excessive, maybe ridiculously so, but you know what?  We don't care.  We have waited for our babies for more than a decade and we aren't going to risk them getting sick during this critical 3 month period.  We love to have visitors and have welcomed anybody that has wanted to come over and hold the babies.  We just ask that they are current on their T-DAP, have a flu shot, and have no sickie symptoms.  

There has not been a single family member or friend that has questioned us (at least not to our face!  haha). I'm sure there are plenty of people that don't understand, but everyone has just accepted that this is the way it is.  They have either gotten their shots or are choosing to wait until March 24th, the day after the babies' 3 month birthday.  

That means I am house bound during the week, but Tony takes over on the weekends so I do get out.  I have escaped to go grocery shopping and to return some baby shower gifts.  This last weekend I got to go see my nieces and nephews, and watched my oldest niece play in her basketball game.
Loving my time with Nathanial (2), Steven (4 next month), and Eliana (8)

Making funny faces
I'm looking forward to being able to take the babies out and about.  My nephew Steven's 4th birthday party is coming up in early April and I can't wait to introduce and show off our babies to everyone!  I can't wait to take the babies to watch softball games at the local high school where I've coached the last 20 years.  I'm excited to be able to watch the team, because I know that there will be lots of people wanting to hold the babies and I'll be able to focus on the game.

We've kept ourselves pretty isolated so far, but we only have 24 more days.  24 more days and it will be the day after their 3 month birthday.  24 more days to go and we can introduce our babies to the world.  24 more days and they will have reached what our pediatrician has called the "safe zone," where those illnesses aren't quite so life threatening.

23 comments:

  1. This makes perfect sense to me! We have already told everyone in our family that they need to get their tdap and flu shots in order to spend time with the babies. I think that we will spread the word to our extended family and friends as well. I am totally thinking that B should bring home some medical masks from his office to make people wear too!

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    1. We actually posted it on Facebook so everyone would know. I posted pics of the babies, said we loved visitors, but that they needed to be current on their TDAP and flu shots. That way everyone knew. And if someone asks to come over, we confirm with them that they've had their shots. Several friends and family have gone and gotten their shots if they weren't current, and several have opted to wait.

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  2. This all makes total sense and you have every right to keep those babies quarantined! I am so happy for you and I hope you post more pictures :)

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    1. Thanks Katie! I will definitely be posting more pictures :)

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  3. The boys were over three months old when they were discharged so we didn't have their age as a guide. Instead, we were quarantined for the entire cold/flu season in our area--mid April! I was crazy by the time we got out! ;)

    I'm glad hat everyone is being respectful of your wishes and things are going well in this regard. Many hugs!

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    1. Stacie that had to have been hard to spend so much time in the NICU and then to be quarantined even longer after escaping the hospital. Does that seem like a lifetime ago for you? Or do you remember it like it was yesterday?

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    2. It's both. Some things have grown fuzzy in my mind. Other things are still razor sharp. The smell of the hospital soap, the pitch of the monitor beeps, the isolation, and many of the more raw life or death feelings I had while they were in the NICU and shortly after are among the freshest memories. I couldn't tell you the names of the nurses, though, and they were people I talked to for months!

      It's funny what the mind holds on to after all these years.

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  4. Continued prayers that they stay healthy!

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  5. I don't think id be any different than you! You've made it this far- 24 days will go by before you know it!

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    1. At least when your boys are born it won't be in the middle of cold/flu season! Hopefully you won't have to worry about it as much :)

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  6. Understandable how you are being cautious. I know I would be!

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  7. Here is toasting to 24 days!!!! May you have something fun to do that day and enjoy every moment as I know that anyone that comes into contact with those 2 precious babies are going to enjoy their time with them!! And bless Tony for letting you get out and about on the week-end! He is just special!!! Cute pics!! You two are wonderful parents and I am still so grateful for the time that I got to share with all of you!!! Love, hugs and prayers for continued good health from Auntie

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    1. I'm hoping there is a softball game that day and we can celebrate by going to watch what we love!

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  8. I admittedly have made fun of parents who I thought were being overly protective (read: obsessive about the hand sanitizer) but none of them had premature IVF babies with massive hemangiomas (did I spell that right?). I'd be the same as you, a protective Mama Bear until I was absolutely sure it was safe. Glad you'll be able to take them out and about soon!

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    1. Haha! Wellllll, I admit that I have had those same thoughts about over protective parents, but I guess I have become one. Sigh. I'm not sorry though :)

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  9. Sounds to me that you put a lot of research and thought into your decision. You are doing what is best for the babies. I bet in 24 days they will be getting extra lovins!

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    1. Thanks T! I have no doubt they will get LOTS of extra lovins :)

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  10. 24 days! That seems so soon!
    I'd be just as protective. My husband recently had the flu, and he basically said, if this is so hard on him as a grown man, how awful would it have been on them if any of our daughters had made it to 24-ish weeks... I hope they stay healthy, and that you both get to keep your sanity by occasional outings ;)

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  11. I think it's great that you two are sticking to your guns and putting your babies first. It's probably tough sometimes but it's important to keep them healthy - especially with preemies.

    With adoption, the recommendation is to have only Mom & Dad comforting and caring for the child in the first few months after coming home in order to create a strong bond. People ask their family either not to visit, or if they do allow visitors, they ask them not to pick the child up etc. I was worried about how tough that was going to be to tell my family, but I suppose I don't have to worry about it right now. But I admire you sticking to your plan and putting the best interest of the babies before potentially hurting other's feelings.

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  12. Good for you! It's also important to keep them away from the inconsiderate parents who won't get their kids vaccinated!

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  13. You gotta keep those babes safe and don't want to have any regrets. I get it! Glad you're almost to the safe zone.

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