Such a day...

Yes, it is true...as Larry shared with you we are now in isolation.

A sample from Amanda's lung - that was taken last week - came back positive for the flu. They tell us that they believe it is the common form of Influenza A (which is the good news) but because of the recent outbreak of H1N1 (swine flu)we are a high priority risk and will be treated as though it is swine flu until we can prove it is not.

The flu confirmation was the start of an unusual day...

1) I have been with Amanda all week and Caleb and Abby have both been with her since Friday. Now they technically have 4 individuals who are a flu risk. So the first thing they had to do was move us out of our regular room. Caleb and Abby happened to be back at the hotel grabbing a shower and some fresh clothes when they moved us. After putting Amanda and I in masks, googles, gowns and gloves, they cleared the hall and rushed us to the negative pressure room. A door, a hallway and through another door and we are in our new room.

2) The Dr's of the Infectious Disease team, our nurses and some other people have had a number of meetings about us. There is some confusion as to what to do with four infected people. (Amanda, by the way is the easy one.) First they had us dressed in all of the protective gear anytime we left the room but in the room Amanda was the only one with a mask. Then we were told we have to be protected from Amanda even though we have already been with her. So after a number of discussions and another check on the policy, Amanda now is mask free and Caleb, Abby and I have to wear masks & gowns to be in the room with her. We shed our protective gear into bio-hazardous boxes when we leave the room.

3) The final decision has yet to be made as to whether or not a new round of antibiotics will be started. Although they won't fight the flu, Amanda is once again at a high risk for getting pnemonia since her system is already weakend. We will learn tomorrow what the treatment decision will be.

So, here we are. Together in isolation, taking pictures of each other with our phones because we look like ducks in our yellow bill type masks and gowns. As we have been told, we are a "threat" to those around us. That's not something you hear everyday. So we are here, making the best of it and trying to protect the rest of humanity from us.

I went out and picked up a loaf of bread, some peanut butter & jelly and we've been eating pb&j sandwiches because we are all getting tired of hospital food.

We are here, dressed in yellow, in isolation on the 9th floor. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers,

Amanda Joy, Abby, Caleb and me