CAUTION: RANT!

Posted by danleone on March 17th, 2008 filed in health

I gave you fair warning, so each word you read now brings you closer to my rant.

I need to receive Remicade infusions every month or so as part of the treatment I receive for my condition. Remicade acts as an immuno-suppressant.  Essentially, the theory is that my body has an over-reactive immune system that kicks in at the slightest provocation causing this nastiness to happen to me. Remicade will work to flatten my immune system and basically reboot it.

During this time, I am extremely prone to infection (because I don’t have much of an immune system), but have managed to side-step most of the illnesses running rampant at the Leone Estates.

So, here is the rant part: The logical conclusion of everything I said above it that I need to avoid people who are sick. IT IS NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! I am not contagious, you idiots.  So, if you are pretending to be interested in my health and I go off and explain my treatments, the first words out of your mouth should not be: “OH! Stay away from me, then! I don’t want to get sick again!” Then proceed to tell me about the poor cold you just recovered from!

I don’t have leprosy. It is my immune system that is broken…not yours.

I just had this conversation on the elevator with someone and I am angry that this person got off the elevator and I am stigmatized, at least in his mind, as having a contagious disease.

It is important for me that people use their brains.  I am not a smart person, but I do the best I can to stop and think before I speak.

Thank you for allowing me a chance to vent.  Now it is your turn:

Go ahead and rant about something, anything that pisses you off. You are safe here. No one reads this stuff anyway.

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11 Responses to “CAUTION: RANT!”

  1. Terri Says:
    March 17th, 2008 at 8:59 am

    I read every word, along with many others I notice to be regulars here.

    People who react in that manner only prove that they aren’t truly listening to you and therefore aren’t worth the time it takes to explain your condition to them. People like this really piss me off; those people who are really only waiting for you to finish what you’re saying so they can top your “story” with something they perceive to be more important. Themselves.

  2. lilacspecs Says:
    March 17th, 2008 at 9:30 am

    I personally have an extreme disliking of hypocrites. I could go on about it, but this is your blog not mine, and as far as the jackass in the elevator…screw him. People are so self absorbed, all they care about is “what’s going to happen to me.” So much so that they assume everyone else is flawed, instead of their own way of thinking.
    I hope that makes sense to you…it does in my head anyway.

  3. meleah rebeccah Says:
    March 17th, 2008 at 9:38 am

    Oh Dan…I know EXACTLY how you feel. and Remicade = YUCK.

    I am FOREVER sick because of my meds and my health and people really do treat you like you are ‘contagious’

    I am really sorry that YOU have to deal with it, but you are not alone.

    Maybe WE can start our own colony. The No Immune System community and we dont have to go to work, or pay bills, or stress (all of those just make us sicker anyway) and we can sleep til noon, and blog all day.

    If only!

    I know this sounds trite, but it DOES get easier with time. But it is still VERY annoying.

    Ps Happy St Patrick’s Day! xxoo

  4. Deb (Missives From Suburbia) Says:
    March 17th, 2008 at 9:58 am

    I got nuthin’. I’m too tired to complain. How annoying is that? I love complaining.

    I hope everyone around you feels better soon. I’d hate for them to get you sick.

  5. Sue Says:
    March 17th, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    I’ve had similiar experiences with people thinking I’m contagious and a possible health-hazard to them when in actuality the exact opposite is true. Sometimes I’d like to tape record the ignorant comments and ramblings to play them back at a later time.

    I’m sorry you’re having to go through this…

  6. ender Says:
    March 18th, 2008 at 6:10 am

    lmfao … i know, i know, it’s not funny. but if i don’t laugh at those people i will have to kill them with my own two little hands.

    after my bone marrow transplant, i was not allowed out in “public” unless i wore a little surgical mask over my mouth and nose. i went to the grocery store all of once during that time. people avoided me, wouldn’t make eye contact, muttered horrible things just loud enough for me to hear, told me i shouldn’t be out where i could give them AIDS (it was non-contagious CANCER, you flipping idiots), etc, etc, etc.

    i suppose these are the same people who love to do “a complete turnabout, a 360 degree shift.”

    {insert eye roll here}

  7. Jodi Says:
    March 18th, 2008 at 6:22 am

    People suck. Plain and simple…the more educated people become the more stupid they are…I am speechless other than that I just uttered. I am in awe of your restraint…seee…I wouldve let my mouth spew. And let them know how misinformed and uneducated they really are…igits…(See my g works!)

  8. Ivy Says:
    March 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    I have nothing witty to say but sorry you have to deal with that. People can be so stupid.

  9. b Says:
    March 20th, 2008 at 8:24 am

    Um, idiots. Sorry.

    I don’t really need to be worried about catching anyone’s deficient immune system — I’ve got one of my own, thanks! ;)

  10. Jenna Says:
    March 21st, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    Oh good! A place to rant! Okay, here goes:

    my ex-husband.

    Enough said.

  11. soapbox mom Says:
    March 23rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm

    Okay, here goes:
    I am sick to death of pretentious, snobby attitudes and so many people who think that things buy happiness and all those advertising companies that work so hard to make people believe that ridiculous notion.

    (but I have nothing, of course, against the companies that make products (like running shoes) that help people stay (or get) healthy and fit…)

    Oh, and parents who don’t play with their kids b/c they think they’re “above that.”

    Sorry to hear about the butthead in the elevator.
    “Pshaw!” (as my kids say) to him.

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