Sunday, December 05, 2004

Everyone's natural inclination is to give Jinni a hug... Great friend, fellow Bourbon drinker, next-door-neighbor and physician's assistant Rick Miller observed (and was a part of) all of the activity here at the Hoggard abode this weekend.  It has been a bit hectic.  He had some concerns about the balance between our rigorous social life and Jinni's health and thought he better let me in on them via email.  I am passing along his observations and recommendations.... david, it was wonderful to see the support of so many friends and neighbors coming to visit jinni as she begins her chemotherapy and ultimately beats her breast cancer.  i wouldn't want to say or do anything to diminish that support.  however, here are just a few thoughts as a friend and neighbor and someone who works in healthcare.    the openness of your family's heart and home is well known.  it is in regards to the latter that i wish to comment.  during the past couple days i saw a near constant flow of people into your house to visit, which is pretty much the norm.  i know everyone simply wants to wish jinni well, but probably hasn't thought about the potential problems associated with their good intentions.  from an infectious disease angle, this is an especially bad time of year, ie colds and flu, but even worse for jinni.    jinni looks and feels pretty good now and so people generally don't give a second thought to coming to see her.  as she gets further into her chemo regimen however, her immune system won't be as strong and she will be more susceptible to infections.  everyone's natural inclination is to go give jinni a hug and with it goes the germs we all carry around on us.  i don't mean to sound paranoid, but it represents a real health risk to her.    you might let everybody know that if they're sick or think they might be sick, that they postpone visiting until they are well. Also ,simple things like handwashing prior to their visit goes a long way towards keeping jinni healthy. young children are potentially a strong vector for diseases, so limiting their contact is especially important. we certainly don't want to isolate jinni because she needs our support but we need to give her the element of control in how often she receives visitors.  we all know that when company comes over, that there is a part of us that must be "on" as the host or hostess. jinni especially has a giving nature in that arena and wouldn't think of turning well-wishers away.   i know you will find a kind way of letting everyone know that you appreciate their concern but that what is best for jinni is your prime concern.  well, that's my two cents.   love, rick Good advice, Rick... thanks.  A little balance and caution might not be a bad thing. Last night some of us discussed putting up a sandwich board on the sidewalk in front of the house.  On it we could post "not a good day" or "come on in" or "the dishes need washing" or "build a fire in the fireplace @ 7:00" or "anyone going to the grocery today? Pick up some dog chow - bring receipt" and the like. By the way, she is feeling great.  A little dry mouth this morning... a little achy... but overall everything's peachy.  She just left to take Jesse to a friend's house. 1:40:07 PM     comments to the above post so far, join in.

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