Women need to talk...

[sara.smiles]

This really is the first place on FT that I feel like I can write without haveing to proofread and edit!!

I am preparing the best I can, at the same time keeping up with life today. I haven't made much progress in raising awareness of my community, but I still carry on.

For me the biggest issue is knowing when the time has come to isolate myself...the anxieties about money, paying bills, fear of losing my home, etc.. all come zooming up!

I keep thinking that in the event of a world financial crisis, maybe they would forget about lil old me and my mortgage, but then again, I worry they may pressure the living to generate the income they've lost on the deceased!!

Protecting myself, my home and my supplies is a big issue...I am actually thinking about getting a handgun.

It's good to have a place to talk...

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Women need to talk...

Do you live with anyone else?

 

[sara.smiles]

Re: Women need to talk...

No, I am a "fem sole"...a single woman.

I am also the health authority for my community, so i have the knowledge and resources to be well prepared, and numerous friends who are available for every other kind of problem a single woman might face in day to day living, but in this particular situation, choosing to isolate for my own wellbeing cuts me off from those resources.

There is also the issue in my heart of doing my duty and serving my community in time of crisis versus self-preservation...i wrestle with that thought often. At what point will my presence no longer make a difference in the outcome?

 

[colormyquilt]

Re: Women need to talk...

I am thinking that some of that, the unknowns, will lock themselves into a particular choice quickly as the pandemic hits. So, for me, it means being as prepared as I can be for the needs that may present for me. At first, when I started prepping, I was going for the food, water, etc. Then, when I realized I may be caring for two young children, in quarantine/ isolation, I realized I needed to prep also for what they may need to be able to remain in quarantine/ isolation for a period of time. Specifically, how to keep them psychologically, emotionally healthy as they go through it. My grandson loves sewing. I now have a large storage container and will keep adding. I literally have cartons of books so we could set up a library system. They will be better able to manage addressing these needs for them.
A pandemic will be something most alive today have not experienced. I understand, for myself, there will be things I cannot anticipate. Continuing to gain information, continuing to pass information, continuing to build support networks seems to help with that. However, not always.

 

[NurseNalts]

Re: Women need to talk...

I sympathize with your sense of duty and obligation to serve during a time of crisis. As a part of the health care field it is so practiced to give almost sacrificially. We give of ourselves for the good of the whole.

I practiced at the bedside for years. I was the kind who just didn't stop because there was work to be done, patients who needed help, hands and kind hearts to listen. It was very easy to start loosing yourself, loosing focus on keeping yourself healthy, physically and emotionally.

Your are surely gifted in the area you serve. And I'm sure that your work is very valued. Something to remember in all those preparedness plans is that if we do not protect ourselves, and the ones we love, we can not continue to help others, or ourselves for that matter. I believe there does come a point where we can only do so much once the pandemic comes.

I have already removed myself from bedside care (my job involved working in respiratory isolation, resistant organisms, post-surgical infections etc.) I have not stopped caring and have not stopped serving. I am focusing on caring for my family and working with some volunteer groups that can benefit from my areas of expertise.

My advice is to do your very best job in helping prepare your community now. Lead by example. Pursue every possible avenue for community education and personal preparedness responsibilities now: newspaper, TV, community ed classes, local schools and businesses, church and other volunteer groups, CERT programming, local chapters of Red cross, Salvation Army, kids clubs etc. Do all you can now, then you will feel more confident when the time comes to make a decision on self-preservation. What would your community do if you did not survive the pandemic?

We need people with the heart to serve others, but we can't help others if we become a victim of the pandemic ourselves.

 

[floridagirl]

Re: Women need to talk...

Thank you Florida1 for inviting me to this forum. There will always be issues that women (or men) need to discuss in a single sex forum. It is the nature of the human race whether we like it or not.

First a little about myself because I do not post often in any of the discussion boards, though I have been following many of them since last summer.

I spent MANY years in construction... (Long story, but suffice it to say... I know how to build a house).

18years ago, I had twins and gave up constuction after a divorce. I wanted to give my girls a stable enviroment so I became a nurse. (Yes, I took a Huge pay cut!).

That being said.....
I am a firm believer in the thought that "One person CAN make a difference". NurseNalts is right when she says you have to take care of yourself first. But, no matter how bad the pandemic, there will always be something you can do to help. And it will be needed.

If you live in a small county, I suggest you contact your local Emergency Operation Center (EOC) or the County Health Department. It is my understanding that most of the counties (at least in Florida) are looking for public support. You can volunteer now to assist with the planning and know how the process can help people even when it gets bad. Will we help everyone? Not a chance in He**! But we will try........

To colormyquilt.. (I sure hope I got your name right).

The psycological issues your children will go through will be difficult. But the ones you go though will be difficult also. Please remember, you are planning and preparing for a disaster to protect your family. You are doing everything you can.... The stress and helplessness you may encounter along the way is to be expected. (This will be difficult for all of us). Stare it down, then turn to your children.

Here is something that you might want to print out to help you know how to lessen the impact on your children.

http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN-01-0093/default.asp


One thought unrelated to the above:
Word of mouth will be the most effective means of convincing people to prepare. You ladies are some of the most informed about pandemics and H5N1 that are in your communities. Regardless of whether you do it formally or informally. Talk to people, tell them what it is about... you will be far more sucessful than anything coming from the goverment. and you safety and well-being may very well depend on the people in your community.

An RN in FL.........

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Women need to talk...

I am starting a thread called Diary of a Pandemic Neighborhood Watch. This would be a good way to connect and form a supportive social network for women, especially women who are alone with children.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=26566#post26566

 

[colormyquilt]

Re: Women need to talk...

Florida Girl post on 8-20
The psycological issues your children will go through will be difficult. But the ones you go though will be difficult also. Please remember, you are planning and preparing for a disaster to protect your family. You are doing everything you can.... The stress and helplessness you may encounter along the way is to be expected. (This will be difficult for all of us). Stare it down, then turn to your children.
I think there is stress and helplessness which will occur and which is to be expected. Simply because it will be very difficult days. That we can identify with and prepare for. I think there will also be moments which will require of us that we "stare it down", as you said, because in doing so we will be strengthened and then be able to turn to our children, grandchildren, families, communities, and do what is required.

 

[Dark Horse]

Re: Women need to talk...

I am starting a thread called Diary of a Pandemic Neighborhood Watch. This would be a good way to connect and form a supportive social network for women, especially women who are alone with children.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=26566#post26566

This is a very good idea. In so many other past social crises -- wars, holocausts, families and communities were physically close together, but in a pandemic with social distancing that neighborly, family and community support may not be available. This endeavor could be a real life line in a pandemic.