Monday, June 3, 2013

Sickness Over the Road

Recently my home was hit with a stomach sickness. Luckily it was during the week and I was able to take care of things and disinfect our house before A got home. I took the time and bleached EVERYthing, I tore the bed clothes off the beds, washed every sheet, blanket, and pillow, and doused our bathrooms with bleach.

When Friday rolled around I was proud of myself. The house was immaculate and I did my part to help keep my hubby healthy so he could work his hardest and provide for his family. We went on to have a very nice weekend and nobody got sick. I did my duty.

A left Monday morning with confidence that he was going to be okay.

Then Wednesday rolled around and I got the phone call. A was sick too. Crap!

I did everything I could to try to keep him from getting any germs. Now I sat and worried about him being on the road. I sat and thought about all the things I should have packed for him in case this scenario popped up.

So I went to work at creating a medicine cabinet for my hubby to take with him!

 
1. Ibuprofen: Fever and Pain Reducer
2. Acetaminophen: Fever and Pain Reducer
3. Phenylephrine HCI Tablets: Non-Drowsy Nasal Decongestant
4. Guaifenesin, USP: Non-Drowsy Cough Medicine
5. Loratadine: non-sedating Anti-histamine
6. Pepto-Bismol: Nausea, Heartburn, Indigestion, Upset Stomach, Diarrhea (You know you just sung that like the commercial!)
7. Cortisone Cream: Anti-Itch Cream
8. Icy-Hot: rub-on muscle pain reducer
9. Thermometer

Always remember to purchase NON-DROWSY drugs at all times! This is very important when they will be behind the wheel all day long. It is also always a good idea to keep well-hydrated at all times, especially when fighting an illness because dehydration can happen quickly. Drinks such as Gatorade and good old fashion H2O are best for this! Encourage your trucker to pull over and rest if it is that bad. He does not want to risk hurting other drivers on the road or himself, and find the closest urgent care or emergency room!

I meet lots of sick truck drivers at work because I work in a small rural hospital located near a turn pike off ramp. It is a common stop for drivers who are having health problems. Many of them have asked to keep the adult diapers and urinals or bedpans in case they get sick while driving....I brought this up to my husband half joking, he adamantly refused! haha!

Another thing you might want to think about adding to your trucker's medicine stock, a good daily multivitamin! I am not sure about your significant other but I am sure A does not eat as well as he should be eating while on the road. A good multi-vitamin will help him get the nutrients his diet is lacking!

It is also a good idea to purchase a medication to help support the immune system, such as the name brand product Airborne or a vitamin C tablet. It is very important for us all to stay healthy, but I think its more important that A stays as healthy as he can because he is driving all day long, away from home, and away from convenient health care.

Whatever kind of medicine box you put together for your significant other, keep it as simple as possible and as small as possible so it can tuck away in his bunk until needed! Also remember to check the expiration dates after so long, many medications expire after a year!

If you have any other suggestions of things I must add to hubby's medicine chest, leave me a comment! Also keep checking back to read about the first-aid kit I am planning to put together next!


1 comment:

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