You know that commercial that shows what coughs and sneezes would look like were you able to see them? The commercial depicts a thick, green fog that permeates every molecule of the air around us, with no fresh, germ-free air to breathe. I totally identify with that commercial because with CVID (a primary immune deficiency) as my ever-present companion, I have no defenses against such things. Vaccines do nothing to help me (in fact, they are contraindicated in patients with the multiple autoimmune conditions I have), so the only choice I have is to avoid exposure altogether. And that means I must stay home.
I am not sure why people continue to go to the store, to work, to church, or have gatherings when they are feeling under the weather. Perhaps it is just an allergy or "sinus" as they often say. But what if it is a cold or flu, and the germs sprayed into the air via coughing or sneezing end up making a defenseless person critically ill? There are many immuno-compromised people out there--folks on chemotherapy, people with immune deficiencies, lung diseases, and autoimmune diseases of all kinds. To those of us in this situation, catching a "simple" cold or the flu can lead to pneumonia and result in a lengthy hospital stay or even worse--it could be a death sentence.
So I am pleading with you today to take care of yourself. Stay home if you are feeling under the weather. And if you and I have plans together and you are congested, coughing, sneezing, or are in any way less than healthy--let me know. I want to spend time with you--sometimes so much it hurts--but we can always reschedule for a time when we are all feeling better.
If you don't see me at church or other gatherings, please understand--it isn't that I don't want to be there. I do! But I must protect my health, and avoiding crowds during cold and flu season is one way to do that.
Won't you partner with me to make this season a healthier, happier time, especially for the many who are fighting a raging battle just to survive? On behalf of those warriors...those with Cancer, Lupus, Myasthenia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, Asthma, Primary Immune Deficiencies, Diabetes, and multitudes of other diseases, I pen this entry. I believe we can do this, if we work together!
May God bless you with a healthy and happy holiday season!
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others"
~Phillipians 2:4~
