We are currently doing a quarantine within a quarantine. We had to leave our house for two weeks while it got remediated for mold (see previous post). When researching for a rental home, I was looking for two things: sanitization, and the best chance of not having mold.
For the latter, I looked for a house on the newer side that did not have any wall to wall carpeting or drapes (they hang on to mold). I also asked the rental agent about any history of mold and/or water damage.
The house I landed on seemed to fit the bill. It is all wood floors with only a few area rugs. Blinds instead of drapes, and it got high marks for being clean as a whistle. Also, the rental agent assured me there had never been a mold problem.
You can never know for sure if mold is present, as it often is not visible and does not give off any odor. When we entered the house, it seemed fine as far as we could tell. We brought several air purifiers just in case, though.
I was feeling very crummy when we arrived here, most likely due to the new exposure at our house, and I was hoping a new, hopefully mold-free environment would help improve the way I felt. Unfortunately, I felt the same, maybe even worse.
About three days in, I was laying on my back practicing yoga in the master bedroom. I happened to turn my head to the side and that’s when I saw the above water damage stain on the master bath ceiling. I have no idea how long that stain has been there, but it’s safe to assume it led to mold, as mold follows water. Generally, it forms within 24 to 48 hours of water damage.
So, this house likely has mold.
Ugh.
And remember, I have a genetic defect that makes my immune system unable to “see” mold. So, if there is mold around, I’m absorbing it and am not eliminating it.
Yeah, I’m frustrated. Any mold I absorb adds to my toxic burden, which will make it harder to get well.
Some people with mold illness get so frustrated with trying to keep their environment safe, they literally resort to pitching a tent in their yard. Some people walk out of their houses with nothing but their credit cards and never look back. I’ve been tempted to do both, or to move into an RV, but I’m not quite that desperate. Yet.
On the bright/hopeful side, our house will be remediated by the end of the week, and I should finally be in a mold free environment for the first time since I was diagnosed with mold illness last summer.
This will not be an overnight fix for my health. In fact, I still face a very long road, but I’ve come to understand recovery is impossible if I am not in a safe environment. So, here we go with step one.
Wish me luck.
Swimupstream 