H1N1

I know. EVERYONE is talking about H1N1. But, I need to tell a story. I've never been so embarrassed in my whole entire life as I was last Friday night. I met 2 of my friends for drinks at a restaurant/bar. We also met up with another mom that one of my friends knows. For the purpose of this story, let's call her D.

My "Friend", H (I use that "friend" term loosely...) is very opinionated and VERY set her in ways. Fine. I always welcome a healthy debate. In fact, I like RATIONALLY discussing important events. As with a lot of people, the debate came up about H1N1. Poor D. This was the first time meeting H. And I wanted to just disappear under the table and run away.

D has a VERY sick child. In fact, if her child doesn't get a bone marrow transplant, he might very well die within 3 years. It's a complicated situation and even though D's son is on the registry, there is little hope that a perfect match will come up. My heart breaks for D. She had just mentioned that she had the H1N1 vaccine on Friday afternoon. Her son, her daughter and herself got the vaccine.

If you've been reading my blog, you'll know that Jillian is immune-compromised. We, as a family, have decided not to get the vaccine. I've done a lot of research and I just don't feel comfortable, just for OUR family. That doesn't mean that I think less of you if you decide to get the vaccine. H is strongly against the vaccine. Or any vaccines for that matter. Could she just leave it at that when D had said they got the vaccine? Nope. Of course not. What started as a healthy debate, became QUITE heated after a few moments.

Myself, my friend B and D were all saying that we understand H's position. But could H understand where WE were coming from? We're all mothers of immune-compromised children. I support ANYONE that makes decisions for their family. And that's why I felt we needed to stick up for D.

I was so upset that I wanted to cry and run away. I felt so bad for D, meeting us for the first time and getting a tongue lashing because she's trying her hardest to protect her terminally ill son. It's fine to feel passionate about something you feel strongly about. I get that. But when you start putting other parents down? That's not ok with me. H could have dropped the conversation, instead, she was yelling at us over a bar. She hasn't talked to us since the "incident". And you know what? I'm glad. I don't need a toxic relationship in my life. I have enough of that.