Inconveniences...

I have been quite worked up about the H1N1 flu shot. Really worked up. If you have had any conversations with me about this lately, you know I'm pretty frustrated with the whole thing.

Even though I NEVER watch the news...no way I would have it on while my kids could view it and all the violence, negativity, and completely pessimistic view of the world around us...H1N1 is still all over our town paper, in many status updates on facebook, and even chatted about with strangers at the park or at the grocery store.

What have I noticed? Is it that people are doing their homework and researching this vaccination and are looking at all their options before making a decision? NO! People are scared! They are filled with fear! People are counting down the days until they can get it!

And they feel free to tell me that since I am pregnant and have small children that I am (and this is a direct quote) "risking my life and the lives of my children."

Really? Even though there is a higher chance of me and my children dying in a car accident than dying from this type of the flu...

Why is there so much fear?

Well, I believe the media has caused much of it. The media, doctors, complete strangers, and even my family members are so worked up about it that they are scaring everyone they know into getting the shot as soon as it is available.

And they are calling me a bad parent if I don't get vaccinated or vaccinate my children.

Oh, wait, I thought I was the parent and was the one responsible for making the best choices possible on behalf of my children...

As you can tell...this topic quickly frustrates me.

A few weeks ago, I was content to live my life, do the research on the N1H1 vaccine, discuss it with my husband, and make the best educated decision and go on with my life. I never thought I would be under such great attack or that I would read articles like this one from my town paper.

This portion is taken from the October 7, 2009 Brainerd Dispatch article entitled "H1N1 Vaccines Arrive." I personally added the brackets for further explanation and italicised some words for emphasis.

"Smith [a local pediatrician] said he is seeing a hesitancy among parents to vaccinate their children, as he often sees for the seasonal flu vaccine. While he said it's true that the majority of children who will get the H1N1 virus will be sick for a few days and get over it, he also reminds parents that from a population standpoint there is a cost to the community in general in terms of missed school, further spread of the disease and an economic impact since people are not working because they're sick or home with sick kids.

"Yes, your kid probably isn't going to die from this but they can get pretty sick for four to five days," Smith said he tells parents who are on the fence about getting the vaccine. "You and your spouse could miss work, your grandma and grandpa could die from it. That's a decision they have to make."

Smith said doctors who have a good relationship with their patients can usually convince them that the vaccine is the right thing to do. He said his six children have all had the seasonal flu vaccine, which became available a few weeks ago, and Smith gave the vaccine to himself as well. He said they'll be getting the H1N1 vaccine, too.

Smith said generally otherwise healthy children who contract the flu and are sick but able to drink fluids should stay home and rest. However, if your child seems to have a shortness of breath or is in respiratory distress and flu symptoms are worsening, the child should be seen by medical staff immediately, Smith said. Children with chronic health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, should be treated aggressively so it doesn't develop into pneumonia and become life-threatening."

Needless to say, I will NOT be letting my children see this Dr. Smith anytime soon.

My first thought about this article is how it is filled with fear...even though it does say twice in this portion that people are not likely to die from it. The other thought I had was that vaccines were not so much about protecting our children from diseases but making sure we as parents are not inconvenienced and have to miss work...

I'm pretty sure when I signed up to be a parent, I knew every part of my life was going to be inconvenienced by my child...that's the nature of parenting!

As parents, we put our desires and wants on hold for the sake of our children. And it's hard sometimes to do that...okay, it's hard almost every time to put them first! Early this past Tuesday morning, Caleb woke up with a terrible cough and fever. My first thought was that he had croup. My next thought was that I was going to miss going to Tapestry (my church's Titus 2 ministry for women). I was bummed, but knew I couldn't take Caleb with me. Thankfully, I have a WONDERFUL husband who offered to take Caleb to the doctor while I was at Tapestry and then meet up with me and Sammy at 11:15. It was a huge blessing, one I don't take for granted.

Yet even now as I think about it...and think about the fact that I'm missing going to the YMCA and youth group tonight and possibly BSF tomorrow because Caleb is still sick...I would still put aside my wants for my children. They are more important than missed work, than "hurting the economy", then missing my workout. And if, I mean when, they get sick this winter season, I will continue to put their needs ahead of my own and be grateful that I have little ones that can "inconvenience" me so that I learn more about being unselfish and about being the parent God has called me to be.

And, just for the record, I don't believe that this vaccine is not for some people. If I worked at a clinic or if my child had previous respiratory issues, I would probably get the vaccine for me and my family. Everyone has the right to decide what's best for their family members. I just don't want to be scared into doing something when all the information is not clearly presented to the public.