Preparing for the Germ Factory

The pre-k school year is less than a month away. Unbelievably, the summer has flown by and we are getting ready to enter the germ factory known as school. I am finding this year better and worse then last year as far as the anxiety of it. I feel more confident in knowledge and experience in managing the immune concerns. But I feel more concerned because of the knowledge and Maggie will be there more days so more exposure. Either way she will encounter germs and we need to plan and prepare.

Maggie's teacher is a friend of my Mom's who I have known for at least 20 years. I grew up around here and she was even at my wedding. Mrs. F is a great woman and teacher. I have a lot of confidence and trust that everything that can be done to keep Maggie safe and healthy will be done. She is in the best place she can be. I am not leaving her with a stranger and having to struggle with communicating about the information or immune deficiency.

Tomorrow I am going to meet up with Mrs. F to teach her about Selective IgA Deficiency. We will talk about the basics, what can be done to minimize germs and the best way to communicate with us about them. I was hit with the realization that this is probably a conversation I will have to have every year at with both kids' teachers. Our beginning of the year will consist of a rundown of what the deficiency is and a request to help minimize their exposure to germs. I also am aware that right now I have it easy. The teachers we are dealing with are people who I have a history with. These are friends and ex-coworkers who are willing to go that extra mile to help. In the future, I may meet up with a teacher or two who is not so willing to do the extra to help keep them healthier.

I feel a bit of anxiety rear its head when I think of the germ factory Maggie is walking into. I have had those moments of panic when I think I should just keep her at home. But I also know that the positives of being in school outweigh any negatives. She needs the socialization and experience of being in school. It helps her to grow, learn and manage (especially with primary immune deficiency issues). The honest truth is either one of them could get sick from the grocery store or the library or a play date. Keeping them home and protected in a bubble doesn't guarantee they won't get sick.

This is the place where faith walks in and sends anxiety packing. I have to believe that God is watching over them. No matter what germ they get or treatment they need, He will be there. I will continue, like I have for the last year or so, to place them in God's hands in the morning and thank Him for caring for them at night. It gets hard sometimes to let go and let God take care of my most prized blessings. But when I do the rewards are amazing and I am always grateful. And I am extremely grateful this year for a teacher who feels it is important to do the best to keep my girl as healthy and safe as possible!