It's back....fear of blood

[gettinbetr]

Today while purchasing a prescription at the local WalMart, the lady on the other side of the counter cut herself (paper cut) on the papers of my prescription.  She stapled them to the bag and handed it to me, saying, "the cut is deep."  Now I fear that I got infected by hiv.

Now I'm freaked out.  I know that my fears are just fears, but I need someone to tell me it's all okay.  I've been strong for about 3 months now, but today it resurfaced.  

Inside my Walmart bag was a book, a baby toy for my grandson, etc.  The prescription bag was placed in this bag when I checked out.  Could these things be contaminated from the prescription bag?

Thank you....please advise.

[JGF25]

Husbands are great aren't they.  I was having a very bad day the other day...not really from OCD but from other stuff and then my husband comes and says he ran into my car with our other car.  Big dent in it.  I mean really, I just didn't need that to happen but you know what, it became funny.  I think we need to find the "funny" where we can.  

Glad the book helped and yes, rereading it sometimes does bring us back to reality.  

Take care...from one control freak to another!  LOL  

[gettinbetr]

Yes, I read the book....highlighted most of it!  I am definitely sure of my form of ocd....miss control freak!  My husband told me today to re-read it, I seemed to get better after that.  In the meanwhile, he came home with an open cut on his finger!  Does it ever end for people like me?

I had my blood checked 3 months after I bought the exercise pants, and I have healthy blood.  Now if I can just keep it healthy and not worry about every drop of blood in the world.  

Take care, my friend and thank you for being supportive.  God Bless You.

[gettinbetr]

Thank you so much.  I just wish I was as sure of myself as you are.  I just hate that I was doing so well and now have a setback.  The thought of someone else's blood does me in.

[JGF25]

So glad you read the book.  Did you like it?  I couldn't put it down once I started it.  I recommend it a lot and so I am curious to see if others find it beneficial or not.  

Hang in there.....it will be all right and anytime you need me to remind you of that just post!  :)  

[gettinbetr]

Thank you.  I can't believe I'm back in the snare.  I've really been doing well.  I read Joseph Luciano's book, Self Coaching.  At least I know what kind of OCDer I am.....control!  What if!   And insecurity...oh yeah.

You know, I just love my family so much.....I would never want to catch anything or pass on anything that could harm them.  My mind is like a broken record....it just keeps playing the same tune over and over in my head.  I do so wish I didn't have this.

I do not have any cuts or scratches on my hands.  I don't know why this freaked me out so badly.  I believe in God, and I think things happen to teach us to have faith.  Mine goes up one hill and down the other.  

I try to be a strong person, but every now and then I just need someone to take my hand and say everything will be all right....that's a quote I read that pretty much follows my life.

[JGF25]

I meant to say "we would all be walking around positive."  

[JGF25]

Man, you just can't catch a break!  

The key at this point is to fall back on past experiences and the fact that you got over those other incidents.  

Remember, HIV cannot live on surfaces.  And the person who had the papercut in all likelihood doesn't even have HIV to begin with.  Don't throw the book out becasue then you are just giving in.  There is nothing wrong with the book.  There is no HIV on it and therefore you cannot be exposed.  Nor is there anything on the toy that could hurt your grandson.  I understand though if you don't want to give him something that has blood on it general...taking HIV out of the equation entirely.  

Do your breathing, remind yourself of the ways of HIV transmission and try your best to move on.  Remember, if HIV could be transmitted so easily, we would have be walking around positive.  Take care.