<br>My son was in a summer camp, a reptile camp to be exact, and at the end of each day everybody went to look at all the animal displays. And I am with my kids who both have CF and they of course want to see all the animals. The only problem is that one of the other parent who looks about 30 something is on supplemental oxygen. I try not to be paranoid with my kids as they have yet to pick up any bug like straph or pseudomonas. But I wanted to be cautious too so we did stay at a distance of about 5 feet away. I wasn't sure why the Mom was on oxygen. I did try not to be obvious but I would gently pull my kids back like on the collar when she got near. Well she saw me pull my son and got upset and said that she wasn't contagious. To which I said sorry but both my kids had CF and if they got the wrong bug they could be dead very quickly. I then asked if she had CF to which she replied no. She then she walked away. Which leaves me with the questions how would you have handled this kind of awkward situation. How do you respond. And is it really that upsetting to have people pull back when you are on supplimental oxygen?
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How do you handle seeing somebody on supplimental oxygen?
- Thread starter Gnome
- Start date
<br>My son was in a summer camp, a reptile camp to be exact, andat the end of each day everybody went to look at all the animal displays. And I am with my kids who both have CF and they of course want to see all the animals. The only problem is that one of the other parent who looks about 30 something is on supplemental oxygen.I try not to be paranoid with my kidsas they haveyet to pick up any buglike straph or pseudomonas. But Iwanted to be cautious too so we did stay at a distance of about 5 feet away. I wasn't sure why the Mom was on oxygen. Idid try not to be obvious but I would gently pull my kids back like on the collar when she got near.Well she saw me pull my son and got upset and said thatshe wasn't contagious. To which I said sorry butboth my kids had CF and if they got the wrong bug they could be dead very quickly. I then asked if she had CF to which she replied no. She then she walked away.Which leaves me with the questions how would you have handled this kind of awkward situation. How do you respond.And is it really that upsetting to have people pull back when you are on supplimental oxygen?
<p><br>My son was in a summer camp, a reptile camp to be exact, andat the end of each day everybody went to look at all the animal displays. And I am with my kids who both have CF and they of course want to see all the animals. The only problem is that one of the other parent who looks about 30 something is on supplemental oxygen.I try not to be paranoid with my kidsas they haveyet to pick up any buglike straph or pseudomonas. But Iwanted to be cautious too so we did stay at a distance of about 5 feet away. I wasn't sure why the Mom was on oxygen. Idid try not to be obvious but I would gently pull my kids back like on the collar when she got near.<p><p>Well she saw me pull my son and got upset and said thatshe wasn't contagious. To which I said sorry butboth my kids had CF and if they got the wrong bug they could be dead very quickly. I then asked if she had CF to which she replied no. She then she walked away.<p><p>Which leaves me with the questions how would you have handled this kind of awkward situation. How do you respond.And is it really that upsetting to have people pull back when you are on supplimental oxygen?
M
Mommafirst
Guest
It is really hard having a child who is susceptible to these bugs to not insult others who don't understand and are already sensitive about their own illness. We were at Children's once and the elevator opened with a child who had a mask on. I decided not to get into the elevator with Alyssa, figuring that he was either another CF patient or that he was a cancer patient susceptible in his own disease to the staph Alyssa has. The mom glared at me and said gruffly that he wasn't contagious. I didn't have time before the door closed again to explain. I've felt badly about this for 3 years since it happened. You did the best you could. I'm not sure there is a good way to handle this.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
It is really hard having a child who is susceptible to these bugs to not insult others who don't understand and are already sensitive about their own illness. We were at Children's once and the elevator opened with a child who had a mask on. I decided not to get into the elevator with Alyssa, figuring that he was either another CF patient or that he was a cancer patient susceptible in his own disease to the staph Alyssa has. The mom glared at me and said gruffly that he wasn't contagious. I didn't have time before the door closed again to explain. I've felt badly about this for 3 years since it happened. You did the best you could. I'm not sure there is a good way to handle this.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
It is really hard having a child who is susceptible to these bugs to not insult others who don't understand and are already sensitive about their own illness. We were at Children's once and the elevator opened with a child who had a mask on. I decided not to get into the elevator with Alyssa, figuring that he was either another CF patient or that he was a cancer patient susceptible in his own disease to the staph Alyssa has. The mom glared at me and said gruffly that he wasn't contagious. I didn't have time before the door closed again to explain. I've felt badly about this for 3 years since it happened. You did the best you could. I'm not sure there is a good way to handle this.
My Mom was on supplemental oxygen for years for Pulmonary Fibrosis which is not contagious. Usually when you see someone on oxygen it's for a lung disease(usually not catching) not for any bugs. I work in the health field and half my patients are on oxygen for COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis ect.. But I do understand about wanting to protect your kids also. It's hard to deal with especially since you don't know if they are battling any bugs at that time. You don't want to offend anyone but you have to protect your child.
I think you did the right thing in explaining to her why you did it. That's all you can do.
I think you did the right thing in explaining to her why you did it. That's all you can do.
My Mom was on supplemental oxygen for years for Pulmonary Fibrosis which is not contagious. Usually when you see someone on oxygen it's for a lung disease(usually not catching) not for any bugs. I work in the health field and half my patients are on oxygen for COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis ect.. But I do understand about wanting to protect your kids also. It's hard to deal with especially since you don't know if they are battling any bugs at that time. You don't want to offend anyone but you have to protect your child.
I think you did the right thing in explaining to her why you did it. That's all you can do.
I think you did the right thing in explaining to her why you did it. That's all you can do.
My Mom was on supplemental oxygen for years for Pulmonary Fibrosis which is not contagious. Usually when you see someone on oxygen it's for a lung disease(usually not catching) not for any bugs. I work in the health field and half my patients are on oxygen for COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis ect.. But I do understand about wanting to protect your kids also. It's hard to deal with especially since you don't know if they are battling any bugs at that time. You don't want to offend anyone but you have to protect your child.
<br />I think you did the right thing in explaining to her why you did it. That's all you can do.
<br />I think you did the right thing in explaining to her why you did it. That's all you can do.
JennifersHope
New member
I don't blame you one bit, better to ruffle feathers then to expose your child. That being said, I am currently on oxygen and I feel so stupid being out in public with it, so much so, that sometimes I don't wear it.
I don't think you could have done anything different. Since your kids don't culture anything you can't say you are afraid to get the women sick... I just think the whole situation stinks.. I know I feel so awkward being in my 30's on oxygen, (though I plan on getting off of it) I think overall you would have been feeling much worse if you let your kids go up to her, not knowing what she had, then you would have it in the back of your mind forever if you exposed your kids.
I don't think you could have done anything different. Since your kids don't culture anything you can't say you are afraid to get the women sick... I just think the whole situation stinks.. I know I feel so awkward being in my 30's on oxygen, (though I plan on getting off of it) I think overall you would have been feeling much worse if you let your kids go up to her, not knowing what she had, then you would have it in the back of your mind forever if you exposed your kids.
JennifersHope
New member
I don't blame you one bit, better to ruffle feathers then to expose your child. That being said, I am currently on oxygen and I feel so stupid being out in public with it, so much so, that sometimes I don't wear it.
I don't think you could have done anything different. Since your kids don't culture anything you can't say you are afraid to get the women sick... I just think the whole situation stinks.. I know I feel so awkward being in my 30's on oxygen, (though I plan on getting off of it) I think overall you would have been feeling much worse if you let your kids go up to her, not knowing what she had, then you would have it in the back of your mind forever if you exposed your kids.
I don't think you could have done anything different. Since your kids don't culture anything you can't say you are afraid to get the women sick... I just think the whole situation stinks.. I know I feel so awkward being in my 30's on oxygen, (though I plan on getting off of it) I think overall you would have been feeling much worse if you let your kids go up to her, not knowing what she had, then you would have it in the back of your mind forever if you exposed your kids.
JennifersHope
New member
I don't blame you one bit, better to ruffle feathers then to expose your child. That being said, I am currently on oxygen and I feel so stupid being out in public with it, so much so, that sometimes I don't wear it.
<br />
<br />I don't think you could have done anything different. Since your kids don't culture anything you can't say you are afraid to get the women sick... I just think the whole situation stinks.. I know I feel so awkward being in my 30's on oxygen, (though I plan on getting off of it) I think overall you would have been feeling much worse if you let your kids go up to her, not knowing what she had, then you would have it in the back of your mind forever if you exposed your kids.
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<br />I don't think you could have done anything different. Since your kids don't culture anything you can't say you are afraid to get the women sick... I just think the whole situation stinks.. I know I feel so awkward being in my 30's on oxygen, (though I plan on getting off of it) I think overall you would have been feeling much worse if you let your kids go up to her, not knowing what she had, then you would have it in the back of your mind forever if you exposed your kids.
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I too am on O2 in public, I don't get offended if people shy away as I do have CF and some pretty gnarly bugs to boot, so it doesn't bother me. I say it is better to be on the safe side....I agree that most folks on O2 are on it because of COPD, PF, pulm hypertension etc and not for CF and are not usually contagious. But I understand your situation, she could have had CF so I think it was wise to keep a distance.
Jenn 39 w/CF
Jenn 39 w/CF
I too am on O2 in public, I don't get offended if people shy away as I do have CF and some pretty gnarly bugs to boot, so it doesn't bother me. I say it is better to be on the safe side....I agree that most folks on O2 are on it because of COPD, PF, pulm hypertension etc and not for CF and are not usually contagious. But I understand your situation, she could have had CF so I think it was wise to keep a distance.
Jenn 39 w/CF
Jenn 39 w/CF
I too am on O2 in public, I don't get offended if people shy away as I do have CF and some pretty gnarly bugs to boot, so it doesn't bother me. I say it is better to be on the safe side....I agree that most folks on O2 are on it because of COPD, PF, pulm hypertension etc and not for CF and are not usually contagious. But I understand your situation, she could have had CF so I think it was wise to keep a distance.
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<br />Jenn 39 w/CF
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<br />Jenn 39 w/CF
I would comment on this subject from a different perspective, coughing in public. As a former salesman I was constantly being asked by customers and suppliers, if I was ok. Sometimes at restaurants othere would stare and wonder if I was contaminating them. Those were my good days.
If i'm having a "bad day" I try to avoid being in "public places" and I avoid making others uncomfortable. Usually just saying "sorry but it is not contagious.
You are wise keeping a minimal distance but remember most people on O2 are more concerned about the public than the public should be about them.
Bill
If i'm having a "bad day" I try to avoid being in "public places" and I avoid making others uncomfortable. Usually just saying "sorry but it is not contagious.
You are wise keeping a minimal distance but remember most people on O2 are more concerned about the public than the public should be about them.
Bill
I would comment on this subject from a different perspective, coughing in public. As a former salesman I was constantly being asked by customers and suppliers, if I was ok. Sometimes at restaurants othere would stare and wonder if I was contaminating them. Those were my good days.
If i'm having a "bad day" I try to avoid being in "public places" and I avoid making others uncomfortable. Usually just saying "sorry but it is not contagious.
You are wise keeping a minimal distance but remember most people on O2 are more concerned about the public than the public should be about them.
Bill
If i'm having a "bad day" I try to avoid being in "public places" and I avoid making others uncomfortable. Usually just saying "sorry but it is not contagious.
You are wise keeping a minimal distance but remember most people on O2 are more concerned about the public than the public should be about them.
Bill
I would comment on this subject from a different perspective, coughing in public. As a former salesman I was constantly being asked by customers and suppliers, if I was ok. Sometimes at restaurants othere would stare and wonder if I was contaminating them. Those were my good days.
<br />
<br />If i'm having a "bad day" I try to avoid being in "public places" and I avoid making others uncomfortable. Usually just saying "sorry but it is not contagious.
<br />
<br />You are wise keeping a minimal distance but remember most people on O2 are more concerned about the public than the public should be about them.
<br />
<br />Bill
<br />
<br />If i'm having a "bad day" I try to avoid being in "public places" and I avoid making others uncomfortable. Usually just saying "sorry but it is not contagious.
<br />
<br />You are wise keeping a minimal distance but remember most people on O2 are more concerned about the public than the public should be about them.
<br />
<br />Bill
DH has an uncle with COPD and on oxygen. We don't see much of him as he's very very ill; however, in the past he's asked his doctors to culture him as he's concerned with being contagious to DS. There's also an aunt by marriage who had mrsa pneumonia years ago that we avoid.
When DS was a baby, I moved in church when a gentleman with a productive cough on oxygen, sat in front of us. They were glaring at us anyway as ds was too loud. I'm just not going to risk DS' health. I figure we can keep our distance and remain vigilant. I'd rather risk being a little embarrassed and offending someone that risking my child's health.
When DS was a baby, I moved in church when a gentleman with a productive cough on oxygen, sat in front of us. They were glaring at us anyway as ds was too loud. I'm just not going to risk DS' health. I figure we can keep our distance and remain vigilant. I'd rather risk being a little embarrassed and offending someone that risking my child's health.
DH has an uncle with COPD and on oxygen. We don't see much of him as he's very very ill; however, in the past he's asked his doctors to culture him as he's concerned with being contagious to DS. There's also an aunt by marriage who had mrsa pneumonia years ago that we avoid.
When DS was a baby, I moved in church when a gentleman with a productive cough on oxygen, sat in front of us. They were glaring at us anyway as ds was too loud. I'm just not going to risk DS' health. I figure we can keep our distance and remain vigilant. I'd rather risk being a little embarrassed and offending someone that risking my child's health.
When DS was a baby, I moved in church when a gentleman with a productive cough on oxygen, sat in front of us. They were glaring at us anyway as ds was too loud. I'm just not going to risk DS' health. I figure we can keep our distance and remain vigilant. I'd rather risk being a little embarrassed and offending someone that risking my child's health.