herpes zoster? or MRSA

allie_smom
Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:20:57 +0000

I just had a conversation with my freshman D and one of her suitemates (on speakerphone) regarding a problem they are having with another suitemate concerning some hygiene issues. Before anyone accuses me of “helicoptering” - they have already spoken to the girl, and to the RA. They called me - not vice-versa. She is not acknowledging that there is any problem. This was simply a follow-up to find out what the RA suggested last night as a next step to attempt to resolve the problem.

One of the 4 girls in the suite “borrows” everything - shampoo, deodorant, towels, etc. They have all asked her not to do this, but to no avail. She is also the one they all have to pick up and clean up after. Frankly, after over two months of doing this, they are all fed up, not to mention the concern over the MRSA virus.

So, what does the college have on their website alert today - cautions about the MRSA virus and recommendations about what precautions they should be taking, including “Not sharing towels and razors”, etc. I hadn’t even thought of the razors - if she is “borrowing” hair care products from their shower caddies - I can almost be certain that she has also borrowed a razor or two.

Now, there are issues involving foul odors permeating from a pair of leather boots, that she wears 24/7, rain or shine, without socks. Well, you get the picture?? Last night, it was so bad that it wafted throughout the suite and no amount of air freshener or open windows could help. When D went to speak to the RA and suggest that he come over to witness this in person, he didn’t even have to walk in the front door to get the picture. He suggested that they go to Res Life and pursue a “roommate conflict resolution contract” that all 4 girls have to fill out and sign. They are doing this today.

What next?? I feel badly for all of them. For D and the two other girls for the inconvience and unhealthy living conditions, but also for the girl who obviously has her own issues that she needs to deal with. I told them that as much as we parents want to pick up the phone and call housing, they need to be the ones to resolve the problems on their own. It angers me to know that all of us are paying good money for them to live on campus, yet they are so embarrassed by the situation and don’t even want to invite anyone over to visit and it is causing them all unnecessary stress. Hmm, wonder if this is what caused the 6-hour visit to the ER earlier this week for D who thought she was having an appendicitis attack?? Thank goodness it wasn’t that serious, but maybe the elevated BP they found has something to do with the stressful living situation??

The roommate told me that she feels like she is this girl’s mother - making sure she wakes up for class, asking her to keep her side of the room clean, and everything else. Not fair - she is not the girl’s mother (who by the way, only lives 10 minutes away, yet has never contributed one item to the common upkeep of the suite) but the rest of us have carted trunks from several states away filled with paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc. various times since move-in day. Just another “bump” along the road to independence, but I just wish they could concentrate on being students and enjoy the entire college experience.

Sorry to vent, but it really has made me mad!