Friday, April 9, 2010

Dreams and Vaccines

I have been having a hard time sleeping these last days. Perhaps partly due to the fact that getting comfortable these days is hard. But I am always "waiting" for the baby to come, I keep busy, but still expect its arrival at any time. Then when I do fall asleep I am very hot, or I have strange dreams.
I have odd, vivid dreams all the time when I am pregnant. But last night I had a nightmare about Daniel being sick, and having a horribly high fever and not knowing what was the matter with him. Then it was whispered that perhaps he had meningitis. I woke up then, fearful and worried.
I couldn't fall asleep again and went to journal and read my Bible. I realized that I really fear illness in my children. I think that having had 3 hospital stays with Daniel has traumatized me in some ways. I fear illness, I fear not making the best choices for my children.
One of the biggest choices that I/we ponder is that of vaccines. I read "The Vaccine Book," by Robert W. Sears. It is a very good book. I refer back to it often for advice. But there are a number of illnesses that he  admits are not necessary to vaccinate for in the States because they don't occur anymore. BUT that if you plan on living abroad, among the locals, then you SHOULD vaccinate for them.
I wonder to myself, do I live among the locals? I guess I do, but for some reason living in Europe seems like it "ought" to be a civilized place to live. TB is a required vaccine here, given in the first few days of life because of the high TB rate, though it is known not to protect against all forms of TB.
Daniel hasn't been vaccinated much. Since he was born at home, and very small 2470g. we didn't vaccinate him in the beginning. Then we decided we would pick and choose the vaccines we thought most necessary. Our family doctor gave us a hard time about vaccines, acting as if we are crazy for not vaccinating. Her attitude really made me fear the monthly check ups Daniel had.
So far we have only had him vaccinated for Polio. We want to have him vaccinated for Diphtheria and Tetanus. But we will not vaccinate him for the common childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps, etc. A persons immune system becomes stronger if they have these illnesses and they are not serious. And having Chicken Pox when one is an adult is much, much worse then  having it as a child.
But what about all the other illnesses out there, and all those vaccines we haven't given him? Like HIB, and HEP B, etc? Should I fear the disease? Or the possible risks from vaccines? Vaccines aren't completely harmless or without risk.
I know I don't need to fear. I need to make informed, wise decisions and trust God to keep my children safe. The 3 times  Daniel has been hospitalized were not for any of the serious things he would have been vaccinated for anyhow.
Now, on to deciding what to do for this next little one.
To vaccinate or not, and for which illnesses, that is my quesition. . .

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