Thursday, September 24, 2009

Two Steps Backward - or - Please Stay Home


Scenario: Two days ago...in my hometown thrift shop...a place that is run by the hospital auxiliary which uses their profits to fund many things at our rural small-town hospital which has been a Godsend to me this past year.

I walk into the shop. Several ladies are near the cash register. One asks Ms. M the usual "How ya doin'?"

It's a polite greeting...similar to a "Howdy!" except nobody around here says "Howdy!"

Ms. M replies, "I've got the creeping crud."

At this point I want to remind you that this past winter, while doing chemo, my personal immunity to illness was at a personal all-time historical low. Bottles of alcohol (the hand cleaning kind) were my friend. If someone sneezed, even in the far back of the grocery store, I fled the scene leaving my shopping cart and contents behind. (I exaggerate only slightly.)

Anyway, Ms. M says she has the creeping crud. Every woman in the place took two steps backward. And stopped inhaling.

Ms. M added this reassuring note, "I hope it's not contagious!"

Two more steps backward.

Then Ms. M adds this very reassuring comment..."I'll be over it in two weeks. That's how long it lasted last time."

We flee the scene. Holding our breath. Scrubbing our hands with alcohol once we get in the car.

Ms. M wonders where everyone went.

The thrift shop loses sales for the next three weeks and goes into bankruptcy. The hospital itself, bereft of the assistance of the auxiliary funds, struggles to remain afloat.

I'm not going any further on this. It's ridiculous enough.

However...IF YOU ARE SICK, PLEASE STAY HOME, Ms. M!!!!!!

8 comments:

Cat Rocketship said...

STAY HOME STAY HOME STAY HOME

This week I got an email informing me that a fellow board member went to the doctor directly from our last board meeting and was diagnosed with H1N1. She wanted to let us know that we had been exposed.

If you are sick, I do not want to see you. Especially in the age of electronic communications.

Debbie said...

AMEN! My oldest progeny lives in NYC and she was telling me this morning that if anyone sneezes or coughs on the subway then people rail back in horror. But it is hard to back up two steps in a subway car.

Sandy said...

I soooo agree. When TJ was going through chemo I was so afraid I was going to get sick and bring it home to him! I too was addicted to hand sanitizer. Truth be known I still am addicted!

Cornfield Quilter said...

I am with you on this one! It really irks me when people come around when they should be home and quarantined! Knock on wood I have been healthy and get the flu every year during the NCAA finals. It is not on purpose but it has been each year now for the past 4 years. Not a good trend but I do love to watch the tournament! Thanks for stopping by my blog and writing a note. I love hearing from you even though I am bad about writing back. I am at work and waiting on a truck to get loaded. :D Gotta love the overtime!!! Hugs!

Debby said...

That is really thoughtless. Were I you, I'd probably just matter of factly explain that she should not run the risk of infecting people with already impaired immune systems.

Daria said...

People just don't get it ... it's so frustrating.

Karen said...

I couldn't agree more, especially with flu season gearing up. I love reading your posts and particularly the way you insert Scripture verses within them. I'm a 3 and1/2 year breast cancer survivor and I don't think that I could have handled (or continue to handle) the bumps in the road without our Heavenly Father walking along with me - each and every day.

Thanks for your encouraging words! :)

Dandy said...

I so remember that lack of immune system. It was horrid. Creeping crud makes me laugh... what a name.