Dec 26 2008
CLL: Cleanliness is Next to Many Good Things
Fortunately, life is more than squeaky clean hair or see-your-reflection shine on the wood furniture. At least, many of us have other pursuits which are important enough that we tolerate an environment which is clean “enough.” If it is not sticky, smelly, crumb-covered, plague-infested, or staphylococcus-drenched, we are satisfied.
On the other side, a cancer patient is immuno-compromised. Furthermore, if such an individual has neutropenia – a deficiency in neutrophil cells – he is in acute danger of infection. While perhaps not yet ready for hospitalization in “isolation,” the cancer patient needs something other than your normal environment.
Thus, the healthy caregiver enters the Cleaning Frenzy. Telephones, doorknobs. Steering wheels, light switches. I am currently partial to Lysol (TM), rubbing alcohol, Melaleuca and Trader Joe products. Then there is also the household white vinegar.
Who knows which chemical or germicide is the critical one? Maybe one. Maybe none. Maybe all. Perhaps there is only a placebo effect for the caregiver, and perhaps that effect is small. No matter; I’ll take it.
