To Go or Not To Go

[ladyprescott]

Well; here it is flu and cold season and Thanksgiving is almost here in the US. I'm supposed to fly next Tuesday to see family and the airline has said expect a wait of 2-1/2 hours to get through security. My daughter's husband is not feeling well, my daughter has a cold and she has three little girls 10, 9, and 5 yo. I'll be there 12 days. Also, all the people I will come into contact with. I just got my flu shot this past Tuesday and it will not be fully protective (my fault), and colds are a possibility. I am almost into all normal ranges with my counts. May I have some input from you wonderful people. Thanks. Carole

[AussieNeil Administrator]

Given you are mostly concerned about viral infections, how healthy are your immunoglobulin counts? Your neutrophil counts are also important in protecting you from bacterial and fungal infections, plus with CLL, you need to appreciate that absolute blood counts are only indicative of your ability to fight off infections. CLL suppresses our immune system in multiple ways, so that you can have good counts and still be very susceptible to infections that can hit you harder than healthy folk experience and will also take you longer to get over. For that reason, you need to include in your consideration on whether to travel, how often you've been ill recently and how long you've taken to recover.

Neil

[ladyprescott in reply to AussieNeil]

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your reply. My neutrophils are in the normal range, my ALC is 8.7 (range 0.9-3.3), Hgb 12.9 (range 11.5-15.0), lymphs normal. I don't get colds, haven't had upper respiratory issues, but do have asthma. The last infection I had was in May on a finger and it took a long time to heal. Right now have a stomach problem, but began taking a Pepsid prescription with my Ibrutinib and it has helped. I'm going to Colorado where it's very cold and will be traveling around a lot of people.

[ladyprescott in reply to ladyprescott]

Oh Neil....my IgG at last check end of July was 789 (range694.0-1616.0).

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to ladyprescott]

You do seem to have all the indicators in your favour. Happy and healthy travelling!

[ladyprescott in reply to AussieNeil]

Thank you.

[johnl]

Carole, I tend to skip all the holiday parties and use my CLL as an excuse, but I have to admit I really don't want to go in the first place.

Ba Humbug

john

[ladyprescott in reply to johnl]

Hi John,

I hear you. I'm not big on the holidays either. A lot of work and a lot of money spent. Thanks for sharing. Carole

[blowinginthewind in reply to ladyprescott]

In that case, you have a perfect excuse. I am in UK, so no Thanksgiving, but Christmas went through a period of being dreadful; husband and I did discuss telling our extended families that we had converted to a new religion which didnt celebrate Christmas.

[ladyprescott in reply to blowinginthewind]

I won't go that far, but I'm not going back again until next summer when the harsh cold is over. Just praying no one is sick when I get there.

[blowinginthewind in reply to johnl]

I was going to say something along those lines; do you like being in contact with extended family. Because if not it is a great excuse.

[ladyprescott in reply to blowinginthewind]

No; it's my daughter, her husband, and three little girls. They moved from California to Colorado and Colorado has seven months of very cold winter. I will go this time, but I'm telling her if she wants to see me it's up to her to come see me. I will not go back to that cold until next summer when it warms up.

[Carajito]

It's all about what you really want. I just flew to Venezuela recently. I got bitten by mosquitos. Got a couple days a fewer but would I have wanted to miss it: no way!

Right now I'm having a fever again, but that's from being in contact with coworkers. Yes we cll patients are more susceptible for all kinds of trouble but I rather live everyday to the fullest instead of worrying about what could happen.

Carajito

[MyStarlite1]

We just got back from Israel. Lots of hand washing and hand sanitizer. I had masks with me if it sounds or looked if someone was sick near me. I don’t let this control my life .

[ladyprescott in reply to MyStarlite1]

Thank you. I am going to go and with a mask. Carole

[kathymac52]

I would go because I would be heartbroken not seeing my grandbabies.....they are little so very few years.....I would bring a mask and encourage everyone to hand wash.....

[ladyprescott in reply to kathymac52]

Thanks for your reply. I am going. Carole

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer in reply to ladyprescott]

Have a great time! Take lots of masks. They can be reused for smoke, dust, etc., but need to be changed when they become moist to continue to protect from germs. I think I learned that from Brian Koffman. I found them in bulk -N95 NIOSH approved - at Home Depot.