Hi
I’m new to joining the site – have been trying to post and create a profile for about 3 days and have finally managed it after finding a post from the web team, was quite a trek to see how to do it all.
I thought the face mask post was hilarious but seriously (as I can be testament to)ebay has face masks, disposable gloves and all sorts at very low prices. I’m a bit OCD about cleanliness and if there’s one thing about K’s myeloma that I sort of take to easily it’s the infection control bit. A best friend works in the NHS in infection control so I take her advice too – apparently actually physical washing of hands thoroughly gets rid of more bacteria (especially the GI ones) than handwashes, 80% of viruses are transmitted by hand contact, only 20% by inhalation. So I’ve got K into the habit of very frequent hand-washing when we’re out and after going to the bathroom, after handling food and we use First Defence nasal spray when in crowds or after being in contact with people. I’ve got antiseptic wipes and disinfect the bathrooms, door handles, literally everywhere and sterilise toothbrushes at least twice a week with bleach. K had two urinary tract infections 2011 and 2012 which turned to urosepsis within hours – at the time we didn’t know why but of course now realise it was the meyeloma and the immuno suppression. That’s when I started the infection control full on and (touch wood)with him religiously drinking 3l of fluid a day he hasn’t seen a recurrence. Very sad that I wasn’t with him on the long flight when he was sitting next to the guy with flu who he subsequently caught it from and then developed pneumonia – I would have asked to be moved and kept up the infection control big time. Will be interested to hear what others find effective regarding minimising the risk of infections.
