Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Tales of Bed Bug Woe
Value I've learned
(16 posts)-
paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,034
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 28 2008 13:08:28
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After infestation, something I'm coming to realize. We are in the process of getting out life back together. Have had the all clear by k9 dogs..
Now taking risks by having people come into my home to do new flooring. I've been cauling, painting etcc for a fresh new start on life. Looking very very much forward to getting taxes done to get down some dept and stop charging groceries...
What I've realized today is value your family with everything you have. My mother was my most likely source. I can in no way afford any expense on another infestation. She has a very good chance of still having them. Therefore I have not seen her or my grandmother in over 9 months now. I miss my life the way it used to be. I miss having them here, the family bond and closeness. We still talk daily on the phone and up until recently was fine. Now my heart is aching more than I can bare.
So, my point is, if you have family, make sure you see them and use them for support during your ordeal with these bugs.
I have offered to have my mom move here and sell the condo, but she won't have it. She is basically existing in fear. I offered to see her in the mall, she declined.
I miss our family unit the way it was. It's soo dear. So what I'm saying is if there's some one in your family, take precautions, and go be with them, hug them now.
I wish I could but mine was my source. -
needtosleep
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 77
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 28 2008 13:28:28
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Paula,
So sorry you're going through this. I managed to spread the bugs to family members, but we're all wiser now. No one is allowed in my apartment. I am going to see my mother in public, but I'm so paranoid that my parents have them and don't know it. Could your mom possibly have the K9 confirm if she still has them?
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,034
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 28 2008 13:32:12
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Hi needtosleep. Thanks. There was one there a while back and she was clear. Since then, she has had possible bites. One day she says it's bites, then the next she says she doesn't think she has them. I'm working to get another k9 in there, just gotta find the funds to do it. May take a while.
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,034
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Jan 29 2008 7:38:35
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Hi. Well, I thought I would share since I started this post. Need to vent anyway.
Yesterday emotionally was not a good day at all. Cried a lot. I haven't done that in a while. Mostly due to the situation I have above. Well, let me tell you, my personality must be like an open book. I usually call my mom 3-4 times a day. Yesterday, no. Finally around 3pm I wanted to hear her voice so I called. She knew right away there was something wrong because of my voice and that she hasn't heard from me all day. I told her I didn't want to talk about it right then but wanted to check in on her.
Anyway, I went to therapy that night and afterward went for a drive, shopped a bit to clear my mind. Called mom. She's been so closed minded about her situation in the past and would get very upset when I mentioned things she needs to do (caulking, K9 etc..)
Well, she insisted we talk, I layed it on the table, she accepted it and wants to start and take some action! I cannot believe it! It feels soo good that she is willing to secure her place a bit and take more steps. I know it's still a long road for her, but maybe....months from now things will be better. It feels so good that this is not at a stand still anymore.
I don't know if things will ever be as they used to. (house full of relatives, kids running around playing and destroying my daughter's room :) but it's a step closer to seeing them and maybe someday having her and my grandmother over for dinner....someday...someday... :)
Thanks for my rant..but feels good to type this out to people who know where I'm coming from and not look at me as if I had three heads. I'm just grateful for my family and that we are able to work through this and in the right direction.
NeedtoSleep...Have a nice day with your mom. The K9 idea doesn't sound like a bad idea for your situation either. -
angie
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 399
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Jan 29 2008 10:52:33
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I am glad that things are looking better for you and yours. I have noticed a big difference in our family fun too. My house was the place everyone came to to have a birthday party or a bbq but not anymore. It does bother me but I am doing my best to make changes and will visit at their house. At least until there are no more bugs!! I do enjoy not having to "scoop" out the kids' rooms after everyone has gone home! Of course anymore, not too much to scoop out.
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wanda89
newbite
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 19
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 6 2008 1:29:48
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I jus found my 2 bugs over the weekend. This is destroying our family. I live with my boyfriend and told him once we get sprayed and go through all this hell his family and friends can't come in our apartment. (im sure they are why we have this problem). They haven't treated and I don't want them back. He says I am crazy and thinks I want hm to leave, Why do men think we are crazy?
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scaredandstressed
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Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 83
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 6 2008 12:17:09
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My nephew can't understand why he can't come over anymore .He and my son are really close.He keeps saying auntie I'm not scared of your bugs i'm a big boy.I really miss him and my nieces coming over tearing up my apartment..lol.
I pray everyday that this will all be over soon.I'm claiming the Victory for all of us!!
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mangycur
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Joined: Sep '07
Posts: 327
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Feb 12 2008 21:16:20
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Needtosleep,
How long before you realized you spread them to others? Was it obvious (like 2 weeks) or did it take a lot longer to manifest? Curious.
Thanks!
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,034
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 13 2008 10:52:59
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I'm curious on that as well...
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lieutenantdan
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 13 2008 11:27:05
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After not seeing a bb since Jan. 2007 which was one dead fourth instar I still keep up my battle. I vacuum, steam and inspect
and I believe that I will go on doing this for a long time. Why? Because of the possibilities of having to endure another future infestation. I understand the possibilities exist of another infestation because of the fact the epidemic is growing so I will not let my guard down. I was in the same position where my Mom did not visit me for six months. I am very conscience of the fact that her building had bbs and I may of got them from her but she may have got them from me as easily. Who knows?
My neighborhood is loaded with bbs so they could have came from anywhere. My wife had her niece visit us from a college. Can you imagine how I felt about this but what can I do? I figure that God forbid I become infested again then I will just have to deal with it this is why I continue to battle. My house is better prepared and so am I, I will not be surprised like I once was."Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."
Winston Churchill -
paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,034
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 20 2008 10:00:00
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Ok, the reason for this post is is for two reasons. One I want to share my absolute joy with those who would truly understand and second to show to everyone that things DO get better after bed bugs. The hardest thing is, is that you must allow yourself to allow things to get better. (if that makes any sense) There are many risks out there, large and small. There's no way to avoid them because most of the time you don't know if you've been in contact anyway. So, how do you move on to normal life? Well, you just say "F" it and you just do. I still bag my dirty laundry but hope to stop that some day. Bagging the dirty wash wouldn't stop an infestation if bugs were brought into the home anyway. I do it still because that's what makes me feel better. I still have all white sheets (that probably won't ever change) but hope to purchase a quilt or comforter soon. We use two thin blankets right now and it's cold where we are. I've actually come at ease about certain things. I've put up a new shower curtain recently and purchased a bath mat. This would be a forever no-no in my mind months ago. I've had workers in my home about 4-5 times redoing our floors. That was a bit nerve recking because I thought they would be bed bugs in. But so far so good. I hope to purchase a couch, but can't bring myself to take the risk of delivery.
SO that's my progress and now for some real progess and Great News.
Back in the fall I had a NEDSCA K9 inspect my mother's and grandmother's house. They both go the all clear. But do to my mom saying that she getting bites about a month later and my absolute fear,I still stayed away. Mind you she has had 4 total treatments, unpacked after two, lives in a condo, and none of the other units were inspected. We think her old boyfriend brought them into the house 6-8 months before we found the infestation. That being said, she still seems like a very high risk to me because I feel the bugs most likely spread to other units. Time will tell I guess.
WEll, We had another NEDSCA K9 go to her house and my grandmother's house this past Monday. For assurance I went down there for the inspections. I saw my mother and grandmother for the first time in 10 months!!! It was a very joyous and emotional day to say the least. What is even better, they both checked out clear, including my mother's car. My mom is ecstatic because now she feels safe enough to take my grandmother food shopping weekly again. These two women are pretty much my are closest and mean the world to me. It felt sooo good to give them both a huge hug after so long. The only precautions I took on entering their homes was that I sprayed down my shoes with alcohol. I figured I wasn't sitting down anywhere, just walking. And if these PCO's can come in and inspect, do treatments etc... and not bring them home I should be ok.
So finally this weekend we are all going for an early dinner and they finally get to see my children! Mom is still going to take precautions such as drying her clothes in the dryer and showering before she sees us. We are planning of getting her place caulked asap and get quarterly K9 inspections for her unit. I still have horrid fear of ever having her come to my home or accepting any gifts from her for the kids. Maybe some day that will be safe enough to do as well.
Sorry for the long story but had the need to share and show no matter how desperate it seems, life does get better and is soo worth the battle. Don't give up, look to the good things to get you through. I feel it was important to share a joyous experience because hearing everyone's 'whoas' can really get a person down when they are going through an infestation. Best to everyone. -
fightorflight
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Joined: Jan '08
Posts: 694
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 20 2008 10:46:27
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Thanks for the update, wonderful to hear it. Some things are changed forever,... but some others, not.
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"The hardest thing is, is that you must allow yourself to allow things to get better."
Yay, Paula! That makes total sense.
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St.BarthsBites
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Joined: Jan '08
Posts: 48
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 20 2008 15:14:54
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Thank you soooo much for sharing that Paula. We need to hear more of that...sometimes it all just feels like a big quicksand hole that you can't ever get out of. Its nice to be reminded that its possible.
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paulaw0919
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,034
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Feb 20 2008 16:32:45
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No, thank you all for all the support and Nobugs for the valuable info on this site. I wish to some day write a success story, but I cannot get myself to think that deep and detailed about it. Too many tragic details to relive. That's the reason I feel that people don't post more success stories. By the time you're done with it and realize your done with it, and then able to move and function again, there's just no more energy for reliving it with a story. I do try and post my experiences bad and good for myself as well as for other's to hear and learn from. :)
I'll tell ya, I'm nervous about this weekend....anxious in a good way, yet wondering if I should take clothing for the kids anyway. (see what I mean..about allowing yourself to allow things to get better? I have a hard time on when to take precautions and not)
Something we all have in the back of our minds at times I'm sure. I'm just soo glad I was able to hug my mom and grandmother that day. No feeling like it in the world. :) Even better yet is to see their faces when they see their grandchildren and great-grandchildren this weekend. My 3yr old can finally hand her a painted picture instead of putting it in the mailbox. -
Paula, you are very strong! Congratulations!! Yay for mom and grandma and the little ones.
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