Barn Cleaning and horses after being diagnosed with MAC/Bronchiectasis

@blm1007blm1007
I bought Amazon’s Medical Nation ones last summer. They’re cheap and my glasses and a mask easily fit under. It’s just a simple physical barrier.

As I’ve said, I only use them occasionally when I’m doing something that wouldn’t be recommended for us-dirty work or caring for sick. Examples-I swept the utility part of my basement that had a lot of dust/dirt and used one in addition to mask and glasses. It was a dirty job and I didn’t want to ask others.
I also used it when I was digging to plant flowers and a few veggies. I have used one a couple times to rake leaves, but decided the last 2 seasons to hire that out. I’ve also hired out the lawn mowing.

When I’ve picked up my young grandkids at school and they turned out to be sick, I’ve added a mask annd shield until their parents come. When we know they’re sick, we try to limit my exposure, but it’s not always possible. I enjoyed my grandaughter Thursday afternoon with no mask as usual. That night she spiked a fever. I just did my hypertonic saline yesterday and today and will see her when she’s fever and cough free. I took her bro to a movie yesterday during her doc appt. He had no symptoms.

I’m not sure if you would need a shield if you aren’t doing these higher risk things.

I didn’t. But I have changed the way I do things. For instance, I no longer stack hay. I have someone do that for me. I clean stalls and waterers with a mask. It’s a pain, but I do it. When I mow, I wear a mask. If I drag a pasture, I wear a mask.

I have a lot of fatigue, so I pace myself a bit more than I used to. I’m more organized, actually, because I have become more mindful and efficient.

T

@tracestew, what are your thoughts on grooming your horses? What about dogs... my Goldendoodle loves to dig in the dirt, roll, and play outside. I have been limiting him to going outside. I see my world differently now, 🙁 And I feel that everything around me is something that I need to avoid.

@tracestew, what are your thoughts on grooming your horses? What about dogs... my Goldendoodle loves to dig in the dirt, roll, and play outside. I have been limiting him to going outside. I see my world differently now, 🙁 And I feel that everything around me is something that I need to avoid.

@mtinderscott2626 I had to tell myself early on that I would not let this infection impact how I feel about the things I love. I have five big dogs. They all love to run and play in the dirt. I towel them off with a damp towel. I have wipes to wipe their feet, but I’ve always done that because we have chickens . We play together outside. Their life will not change because mine has to. I wipe down my horses, and then I brush. I try to eliminate dust before I brush them. When I pick feet I wear a mask. Anytime I move hay or dirt I wear a mask. Same with dealing with the chickens.

What I came to understand about myself is that I am more stubborn than MAC. I refuse to let it take away the joy I have in my life. I think it’s easy for us all to descend into some sort of paranoid madness ( and the first months I really wanted to sell the farm and move… but where?) but even with that “bubble” we create, MAC will be there. So I live my life. I try to eliminate dust as much as I can, and I wear a mask when doing chores. I nebulize with my saline , and I exercise every day.

Please, don’t let this rob you of the life you love. Now I just look at all of these habits as a part of life. Yes. There have been changes, but they aren’t awful.

I hope I’ve helped in some way!

@mtinderscott2626 I had to tell myself early on that I would not let this infection impact how I feel about the things I love. I have five big dogs. They all love to run and play in the dirt. I towel them off with a damp towel. I have wipes to wipe their feet, but I’ve always done that because we have chickens . We play together outside. Their life will not change because mine has to. I wipe down my horses, and then I brush. I try to eliminate dust before I brush them. When I pick feet I wear a mask. Anytime I move hay or dirt I wear a mask. Same with dealing with the chickens.

What I came to understand about myself is that I am more stubborn than MAC. I refuse to let it take away the joy I have in my life. I think it’s easy for us all to descend into some sort of paranoid madness ( and the first months I really wanted to sell the farm and move… but where?) but even with that “bubble” we create, MAC will be there. So I live my life. I try to eliminate dust as much as I can, and I wear a mask when doing chores. I nebulize with my saline , and I exercise every day.

Please, don’t let this rob you of the life you love. Now I just look at all of these habits as a part of life. Yes. There have been changes, but they aren’t awful.

I hope I’ve helped in some way!

@tracestew Thank you for sharing! I wish I could hug you!!! You understand my thoughts, live a similar life, and have helped put things in perspective for me.

I have advanced BE now. Think that’s more genetics. And MAC for ten years. Got rid of twice and back. Am sure cleaning the pastures and the horses may be where it started. But the BE give hiding places to the MAC and may have got anyways and had less fun getting it. Protect when u can but don’t give up the life you love or what’s the point in living. Horses help your heart. So that’s worth something.

@tracestew Thank you for sharing! I wish I could hug you!!! You understand my thoughts, live a similar life, and have helped put things in perspective for me.