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What do you do when seasonal "bugs" upset holiday plans?
All of us understand the need to stay healthy by avoiding crowds where germs lurk. But what if someone in the close circle that planned to celebrate together gets a "minor" illness?
We're facing that today - our grandson has pink eye! We'll do what we always have done - postpone our celebration for 48 hours (until the antibiotics make him not contagious.) We'll video chat as they open a few gifts from Mom & Dad, but save the "big" celebration for Friday. It's amazing, but since Covid even our young grandchildren understand the need for flexibility to keep everyone safe.
How do you manage unhappy surprises?
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@pacathy So glad things truly have changed for the better for you "This is the first time in 20+ years that I have had a year without a few episode of bronchitis, sinus/ear infections!") Again, how long has it been that you started the BE routine?
In all things there are times when we "fall down" and forget...life happens. Just so long as we do whatever will help correct what we did or did not do in order to help ourselves get back on track or correct. Not easy sometimes.
Barbara
@sueinmn Regarding the two water filters under the sink.
1. Are they easy to reorder and find when needing to re-order etc.
2. Are they easy to replace being under the sink.
Number 2 is my concern for myself, more so. They must take up much room under the sink and therefore you would have to find another place for all that we normally keep there under the sink.
... Plus....at 83 years of age and beyond....getting down there to change the filters would/might just be a bit much for me??? It comes down to how many things can I afford to higher someone to come do things for me and still have enough left $$$$$ for the possible move to an Assisted Living one day. We just don't know the future!!! Decisions, choices and life!!!!
Barbara
@bbeers You and I are living with a MAC infection and have chosen not to do the antibiotics, so far. I also have done fine so far after the diagnosis in 2022 with BE and then in 2023 having found out I had a MAC infection (Intercellular) I apparently had the infection long before being told I had a lung infection and therefore was living with it and not knowing what it was. I am ahead of you...83 + two months.
I would say not masking when you hug another, you've been lucky. It is a matter of how long will your/our luck (in a sense) stay with us.
Personally, as much as we don't want to mask inside or with gatherings...it's probably best to do. I am concerned with someone getting too close....and not realizing they are in a contagious stage of an illness. I truly do not want to feel miserable, hospitalized etc. and also have to do BE therapy with nebulizing and huff coughing. I'd probably not be up to doing some part of all I do during my A.M. and P.M. sessions. So, I TRY to be extra cautious....
Barbara
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2 Reactions@blm1007blm1007 Aargh! I had a long answer ready and my computer ate it!
Here is a countertop unit that attaches to your faucet, with a bypass for using unfiltered water.
https://www.isopurewater.com/products/qmp-usa-qmp603-double-stage-counter-top-water-filter
You select and install your own filters.
Here is a .2 micron filter that I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Micron-Filter-10-Inch-Superior-Cartridge/dp/B0B61WX8M9/ref=sr_1_8
And a carbon prefilter to remove larger particles:
https://www.amazon.com/GOLDEN-ICEPURE-Replacement-Cartridge-Compatible/dp/B01N1IJ5V1/ref=sr_1_4
You place the carbon filter closest to where the water enters, and the .2 micron filter where the tap is.
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4 Reactions@blm1007blm1007 Great to hear from a fellow Barbara. Thank you. I know how you feel, wondering when things are going to progress to the next stage. As of now, I do not have any terrible symptoms other than I cough up a little mucus in the morning. For some reason when I was first suspected of having MAC , I ended up with pneumonia, shingles, flu and Covid all within a 3 month span of time. I don't do nebulizing, my Pulmo Dr. doesn't see the need for it. So I will muddle along living my best life for as long as God sees fit. You take care!
Barbara
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1 Reaction@sueinmn Sue, could you please explain about the carbon filter under your sink?
What kind of holder/apparatus do you use under your sink for the filter? How do you place it? I am not understanding this.
I am also curious about how often you replace both the counter filter and the filter under the sink. You purchase the filter housing for the counter filter, and then you purchase the filters to insert separately. So, those counter filters are not meant exclusively for RV use- is that correct? There is a diverted which can be used when you do not need to filter the water- for example, when you are cleaning the sink, etc? Approximately how long do you use the filters before replacement?
This sounds like a good alternative to the Pallet filters. We currently order 5 gallon jugs of spring water to be delivered, and I boil a large pot regularly for drinking. We also have the Lifestraw pitchers for rinsing produce, brushing teeth, etc… I am thinking that the expense of those two things is greater than what you do.
Also, thank you so very much for the link to the bulk masks on Amazon! WOW ! What a deal!!! Do you always use the N95 masks, or do you also use the KN95? Which KN95 do you use? I really like the brand of N95 that you use. They are quite comfortable.
Thank you for all of your very helpful suggestions.
@sueinmn I was pretty shocked when I looked at my med set and had missed my a m meds, then did it a couple days later again! I usually have a good routine, but with dau not being able to drive these several weeks, it’s been disrupted. I was also surprised Id forgotten the air filter with all here, so I’ll straighten up. : ).
My doc told me at last appt I could do saline nebs a few times a week rather than daily, but I’ll keep doing it most days since I do love not being sick!
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1 Reaction@sueinmn
What water filters do you use
@blm1007blm1007
Here’s what 3M says about expiration. Keep in mind, hospital staff wear N 95’s and their effectiveness is critical to keeping them safe while caring for and in very close contact for patients with TB, Covid, measles, etc. The standard for masks needs to be quite high. . IMO, I’m at far less risk when in a grocery store, etc. and wearing a mask for prevention, but can also beware of keeping distance. I don’t think I have, but I might opt to wear an expired n 95 if it looked good and wasn’t too far out of date. Caring for sick family members would increase that risk and I’d want a good one and a face protector or glasses.
https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1807271O/respirators-beyond-their-shelf-life-considerations-technical-bulletin.pdf
@blm1007blm1007 Here’s my little saga again-most have read it and can skip. : ) My first few nodules were found Aug 21 on X-ray from Urgent Care visit. F/u CT in Aug 22 showed trees-in-bud, ground glass and probable MAC. I saw a local pulmonologist Sept 22 who diagnosed mild asthma, said CT looked terrible and was poss MAC or from sinus drainage and started Stiolta with f/u CT Jan 23-no improvement on that. He called to give result and changed Jan f/u appt to May, 2023! He gave me ENT ‘s name, started Astepro and said he’d do bronchoscopy or PET scan if no better. Didn’t mention the bronchiectasis. He went on medical leave and I didn’t want to wait until June for a diagnosis. Penn’s first appt was August 2023 and I lucked into a cancelled appt March 2023 at Mayo. That’s when I started airway clearance, etc. and my bronchoscopy results came back negative for MAC in May. Sinus issues were also aggressively addressed by local and Penn ENT that spring to avoid surgery. I continued to pick up everything going around that year and Penn pulmonologist suggested I try hypertonic saline in fall 2024. I gave that and medicated sinus rinses credit for this good health until a couple months ago when it occurred to me that I’ve also been taking 4 antihistamines a day (required to get biologic approved) for my relapsed urticaria much of that time. Bottom line, I think…I get fewer infections with fewer secretions.