Truscifi Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 My grandfather has stage 4 cancer (on top of a host of other health problems). He has not been doing well the past few months. This afternoon he was admitted to the ICU with pneumonia and dehydration. I had planned to go to my grandparents' for Thanksgiving on Thursday, but he will probably still be in the hospital. I really want to go see him, but I have a 2 month old and I am concerned about him being exposed to the pneumonia. I would of course not take the baby to the hospital, but I might still bring something home to him. He has already had a cold once - nothing too serious, but he had a low grade fever, which his ped was very concerned about because he was so young and nursing. She said nursing infants shouldn't generally get colds because they should have protection from the breastmilk. Also, my older ds has an immune deficiency. Not a really severe one, but enough that we had some rough times when he was younger. So I'm maybe a little paranoid. I will know more about my grandfather's status tomorrow, but as of right now they are thinking they will be able to stabilize him. So what would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I have no advice, but wanted to offer :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 If you want to go and see him, ask for a mask when you get to the hospital, and make sure you fit it snugly to your face. But are you sure your grandfather is contagious? (Or are you more worried about picking something else up while you're at the hospital?) I'm so sorry your grandfather is so ill. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 my mil is in hospital with same thing (end stage AND pnumonia) and so far the hospital has had folks wear face masks in her hospital room. I think you will be fine visiting him, just wash thoroughly when you get home, change your clothes. You need to go see Grandpa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I'd glove, mask and gown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Thanks. I thought about a mask, but he was very disoriented yesterday and today, and I'm not sure he'd know me with a mask on. I guess it would be better than nothing though. Stupid cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeterbug Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Stupid cancer. :iagree: I'd definitely go see him, you don't know when will be the last time. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatMomof3 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 :iagree: Wear a mask and wash your hand well after. My grandfather found out he had cancer and passed away less then 6 months later. When my grandfather found out, he and my grandmother sold their Florida home (this was before the bubble burst), moved to MD so that my grandmother could be near family. Once my grandmother was comfortable in her new place, he then checked himself in to a hospice. He told my mom that he was ready to go home knowing that his wife and family are OK, he passed away less than a week later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Visit him. Wear a mask and wash your hands. You will never regret seeing him. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghee Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Mask, glove, and gown, as Imp already said. Then I would derobe and shower before handling the baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I have never seen a baby visit an ICU. Ancient people with cancer and pneumonia don't usually have the kind other people "catch". I would be more worried about other people and their bugs at the hospital than a immunocompromised grandfather. That said, I had my infant come up to nurse in the hospital, but only because I knew I was colonized with and bringing it all come every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.Balaban Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 So what would you do? I would ask a nurse before you enter the room: "I have a two month old baby at home... what can I do to limit my exposure to anything contagious?" No question is dumb, remember, and you'll feel so much better being reassured than if you stay home worrying and later regret missing seeing your grandfather... That being said, I'd wear a face mask, and wash my hands thoroughly (before and after you leave ICU, and then when you get home) . I would probably wear a sweater (or layer a shirt) in the ICU, and then take it off and put it straight in the wash if I wasn't able to change clothes when I got home. I'm so very sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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