Tuberculosis Sanatorium? Oh heck no!

So, day 5 is winding down.... 

The other day I was talking with some of my gal pals & told them that the Dept of Health Nurse told me that Texas is one of the only states left that quarantines active tb patients. On some level I thought maybe she was just messing with me. I know...funny, right?  My friend Donnalee asked where they would put me & I said I'm not really sure. So curiosity killed the cat today. 

Not only do they, but I found a flyer for the friendly institution... The TCID, in San Antonio! Of course it's not like the old sanatoriums, The wonderful Joint Commission wouldn't put up with something like that, lol... Of course they need to be accredited too. :)

But holy crap, the thought of being taken away from my family for a stay of "minimum 3 months and up to 2+ years".

Although upon further research it appears the average stay for a quarantined tb patient is 182 days at the "all inclusive rate of $965/day" !!! I wonder if the state is paying for that too?! Hmm

Holy Mother of All that is good in this world, please never ever let me progress to active tb! Wowza! So, of course I had to see more & dug until I found publishing of diaries of patients at these tb sanatoriums (from 1920-1960) and all I can say is WTF?? The rules were incredibly strict (which, speaking as a nurse is not necessarily a bad thing) and they went through phases, like no movement, only potty basins in beds & eating flat, to advancing to toilet passes once a day to being able to sit for a few hours a day. It goes on & on & on. The rules also stated that they were not to dwell on their illness & most definitely not have self pity. Also to never expect visits from family members, but be overjoyed if they actually did come. Basically bend over & take it, but let's gag you first! 

So I am deathly afraid of ever developing active tb now, even though rationally I know that basically they just put you in a respiratory hospital & tell you what to do. It is still a little bit scary! I want my BFF to come over & hold me & sing "Soft Kitty" to soothe me, but she has a family too & doesn't live close enough! Damn you Nicole! :P

I do have to say that reading the journal entries was totally cool...did you know they used to collapse their lung routinely? 

My nurse friends would probably have a ball, but it's pretty sad to read about a woman missing a good portion of her little boys first years & him not recognizing her when she finally came home. :(

But let's move on to talking about me! Same ole tiredness.... I think I laid in bed until 11 when I had to get up & take the teenagers home. More GI fun & a terrible headache, but overall not nearly as bad as it could be.  So the countdown continues... 265 days left...

But seriously guys, you should search these stories if you have time, it's pretty cool (& sad) but still worth reading!

Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words! :)