flu shots, f-bombs and Multiple Sclerosis

Bringing Patti some comfort food for dinner at her care facility tonight I expected to find her in bed. “Hey there! I hear you are not feeling well.”

“Yeah! I’ve got some f#cking flu thing or whatever and just want to go to sleep!"

Actually her cough began three evenings earlier. It was so gross to listen to during an outing that I had jokingly offered her the cat’s hair ball remedy.

By the next morning she was presenting all the flu symptoms  including fever over 100˚F, except nausea. After being examined by her doctor, decongestant and additional sinus meds were ordered along with a portable chest x-ray. 

Personally I still find it bordering on magic that doctors make house calls to care facilities and x-rays machines come to residents.

Fortunately the x-ray determined no evidence of pneumonia, bronchitis, or more dangerous for someone like Patti with MS related dysphagia – aspiration pneumonia.

Patti had previously received the flu vaccine but as ‘we’ have learned some people can still get the flu even if vaccinated. Fortunately it will be milder than the real McCoy. However Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease and Patti’s immune system is the proverbial new frontier.

Her fever statistically peaked yesterday at 101˚ in between Tylenol dosages. Her cough was reported as croupy.

Today’s high reading was 99.5˚F. Her cough remained croupy and her voice while hoarse was still capable of f-bombing the flu. After convincing her to try a cup of fruit because it contained peaches, which she loves, she conceded it was indeed “a cup of good f#cking shit”.

Fatigue was ruling her world and she is in the right place to maximize bed rest. 

Sooo we watched the Simpsons on TV, one of her favorites, while I fed her dinner in bed from Helena's Chocolate Café & Crêperie.  The care facility kitchen does a wonderful job but … what could be better for the flu than a dark chocolate and strawberry crepe? ... Duh! A dark chocolate raspberry ganache cupcake, of course. 

Only family and friends can provide TLC. Only an advocate can make noise for someone unable to direct their own medical care when so many residents are affected. Reverse the roles what would you rather have - professional care or TLC bearing dark chocolate cupcakes? 

Visit the sick and don't forget the cupcakes!

Patrick Leer

Health Activist:

Caregivingly Yours, MS Caregiver @ http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/

My Lung Cancer Odyssey @ http://lung-cancer-survivor.blogspot.com/

care facility multiple sclerosis caregiving

flu shot shout-out

Annual vaccination for the flu is a no-brainer for caregivers, family, and friends that care for or live with people at risk for influenza-related complications.

Additionally a caregiver down with the flu is not only a non-caregiver, but even the comfort of visiting or companionship becomes risk as you can infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. 

If you cannot care for someone then someone else has to and on it ripples.

More at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Seasonal Influenza (Flu) 


All 3 flu vaccinations in 1 shot this year! 


Plus there is this out of Great Britain ... Flu shot linked to REDUCED heart attack risk. 

Often the challenge is simply trying to find and get a flu shot between obstacles of time, locations, availability and more. After frustratingly trying a publicized Pennsylvania State flu shot locator I figured it was going to be another difficult year.

Monday, on a rainy cool evening outing, I dashed into Target (always bemusing Patti with the ‘Tar-zhay’ pronunciation) for a hot chocolate from their in-store Starbucks and was greeted by a Target Flu HQ campaign rivaling Halloween merchandising.  (and somehow not listed on PA flu shot locator)

Returning the next day I treated myself and our daughter to 2010 flu shots. Patti gets her flu shot through her care facility.

Advertised at $24 we discovered our AAA membership was worth a 33% discount, bringing the price to $16.

Outside of a form to fill out there was no appointment, no hassle and no wait. Pharmacist gives the shot, and one of the kinder and gentler shots I have ever had.

Additionally for each shot we got a booklet of $40 in ‘cold and flu’ season coupons, over half of which are products I actually buy, and for the pièce de résistance a tub of Dum Dums to pick from!

Wonder if I can choose Target for my health care plan under Obamacare?

Flu IQ

Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer 

web site: http://caregivinglyyours.com/
videos: http://www.youtube.com/daddyleer 
musings: patrick ponders