please help

Makratz

VERY humid here in MA.

lvtwoqlt

Another hot and humid day here in NC. Although overall this summer has been somewhat cooler than normal. Overcast and looks like the sky will burst open at any minute. We do need more rain. They have been getting thunder storms in Charlotte the past 2 or 3 nights but we have only gotten the thunder and no rain.

Sheila

my3girls

Hi Sheila...it's been a very, very cool summer here in Ohio as well.  What does Donald think? Since he travels all over, has he noticed a difference in temperatures this summer?

It won't stop raining here.  We kinda needed it.  But nobody mowed my grass while I was gone, so it needs mowed, and afer this rain, it really will!

xoxo

Lisa

Anonymous

No, Lisa, 97 is not normal in Seattle. Neither is 103, which is a possibility for today, though it looks like the latest prediction is for 99. Very few people have air conditioning here because it is only useful for a week or so per year and usually not actually necessary. Humidity is 50% and climbing at the moment and it is 92 in my apartment on the 8th floor with lots of big windows. I leave windows wide open when it is cooler outside than in, then close windows and blinds when the sun hits. I am sitting at the computer in the nearly altogether with a wet washcloth on my head that is one of several I rotate between my head and the refrigerater. A large fan is blowing directly on me. It's tolerable until I have to go into another room. The news is letting people know where they can go if it is making them ill...libraries, grocery stores, malls. It's serious.

Funny tale from my haircut yesterday. I go to a little barbershop around the corner that has one barber, one chair, owned by that barber, a Vietnamese woman with gifted hands and a strong work ethic. She is open 7 days a week. I live on "Pill Hill" where all the Seattle metropolitan hospitals are within blocks of each other. My cancer care center is two blocks from where I live.

So anyway, I go in for a haircut (no appointments, just wait your turn) and there is a woman in the chair getting her head shaved while her husband waits in a chair. Lan (the barber) carefully shaved her head, and when finished advised her to go home and throw everything away. "No matter if it good or bad, even if it new it no good now. Throw all in garbage!) The woman didn't say anything, but as she decided whether to put on a scarf or hat and mentioned how good it will be not to have handfuls falling out, it was clear that she was a chemo patient. I think Lan thought she was shaving her head because of lice!!! So funny. Because of the heat, I then got the shortest haircut I think I've ever had. It didn't help. It will grow out.

I'm seriously considering cancelling surgery. It's not an overnight stay, and the predictions are that it will cool a little, but still be hot. It's an elective procedure. I need to decide today. 

Glad things are a little cooler for you, Helen.

Linda, you've had it rough, too. So much rain, now heat and humidity.

Cuppa global warming effects anyone? You want that hot or with ice? I can give you either, but you'll want lots of sugar either way.

Gotta get nose back to my eBay grindstone. I'm trying to get some of my son's audiophile equipment, music, and collections sold. I have done very little of this before, so it's slow going and not much fun.

Anonymous

Here's something to give you the sense of how abnormal this weather is:

Southwest Interior-East Puget Sound Lowlands-Everett And Vicinity- Seattle/Bremerton Area-Tacoma Area-Hood Canal Area- 430 AM PDT Wed Jul 29 2009

...Excessive Heat Warning Remains In Effect Until 6 PM PDT Friday... ...Air Stagnation Advisory Remains In Effect Until 6 PM PDT Friday...

Hot And Humid Conditions Are Expected To Continue Through Thursday. High Temperatures From The Upper 80s To 105 Will Be Accompanied By Rather Humid Conditions And Only Light Breezes. Temperatures At Night Will Remain Quite Warm...Falling Only Into The 60s For A Couple Hours Late At Night In Most Places.

Record High Temperatures Will Be Widespread...And Seatac Airport Will Likely Tie Or Break Its All Time Record High Temperature Of 100 Degrees. While Today Is Expected To Be The Hottest Day Overall...Thursday Will Be Only A Degree Or Two Cooler In Most Locations.

Friday Will Be Somewhat Cooler As The Low Level Flow Turns Onshore ...But Temperatures In The Western Washington Interior Will Still Be Well Above Normal With Many Spots In The Upper 80s To Mid 90s.

In Addition...The Stable Air Mass Will Limit Dispersion Of Ozone Pollutants And Air Quality Will Deteriorate.

An Excessive Heat Warning Means That A Prolonged Period Of Dangerously Hot Temperatures Will Occur. The Combination Of Hot Temperatures And High Humidity Will Combine To Create A Dangerous Situation In Which Heat Illnesses Are Likely. Drink Plenty Of Fluids...Stay In An Air-Conditioned Room...Stay Out Of The Sun... And Check Up On Relatives And Neighbors.

lvtwoqlt

Lisa, Donald isn't in any one area consistently to get an idea of what is normal in any one area. He does run his truck nights with the AC if it is too hot or if the temps are somewhat cooler he has a battery operated fan (we get the DuraCell Pro-Cell batteries that last longer) that he runs instead of the AC. Here I think today was to get in the lower 90's. It still hasn't rained any today but if it doesn't it sure missed a good chance. Weatherman said chance of rain/storms through Sunday.

Judie, I sure hope that your hot spell gets broken soon.

Sue, how is your arm doing that you burned last week? I worry about you!

Sheila

1Cathi

FEELING-HOT-HOT-HOT.   I actually think here along the coast is not as bad as the past 2  years though,  but then my hot flashes are way better than they used to be.  Poor Ed comes home after being outside on hot pavement all day soooooooooooooooo exhausted and STINKY - LOL.

His lot is about 35 minutes from here across the water,  so they get storms almost everyday,  not here on the beach though,  if they come from the East don't quite make it this far,  we have to hope for Storms out of the Gulf,   soon Hurricanes will be cropping up with our high water temps,   if they stay little tropical storms it's actually a good thing it cools us down and gives us much needed water,  its those big CAT 4's & 5's we don't need.

STAY COOL GIRLS.

livesstrong

Hello all,

I just love the way everyone shows support around here - its just great.

Well here is my tale of woo.

Mel,OMG - I swear reading about your SO was like reliving the past few days with my brother.  I will try to make it brief - 

Last Friday he collapses, I got a call from a friend and UB & I go to the hopsital - he is on a ventilator. He went into cardiac arrest and had to be paddled twice to bring him back. The resident tells me he was out for 10 minites and they were concerned about brain damage.  By Sunday he is sitting in a chair and talking!!! - had some short term memory problems but they thought it would pass. I call Monday morning to see how he is and they proceed to tell me he was suffering form the DT's and had a horrific night - hallucinating, anxious, argumentative. I couldn't believe it - I am thinking he has been sober for over 20 years.  They did give him something to control the withdrawal and by late Monday he was a bit calmer.   Tuesday they put a stent in and the doctor tells us he wants to put a defibrillator in also, but will wait a few days.  He also has a leaky valve that needs to be replaced but doesn't want to do that just yet.  They proceed to tell me that he is still withdrawing and it pretty out of it - that it takes 3-5 days to get out of his system. Meanwhile I spoke to his friends who told me over & over again that he wasn't drinking (they are all former alcoholics that work with him and know all the signs).  I finally spoke with him today and he is still out of it, but not as bad.  He SWEARS to me he hasn't been drinking.  I'm beginning to wonder if the lack of oxygen he experienced contributed to his behavior. It is all one big mess. He is not married and has no kids - I'm all he has.  UB & I are going tomorrow to see him and try to get some concrete answers - I would really like a brain scan done to rule out things.

Anyway, that is the story and how my vacation ended - all that and UB starts back on chemo next week!

You gotta love it................................

AE

1Cathi

AE - XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Makratz

AE and UB, best of luck with yiour brother.  I will keep you all in my prayers.

barbe1958

It will be interesting to see what the results show for his disorientation! What an insult to someone who has worked for so many years to stay clean. He is in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

1Cathi

Barbe  how the heck are you feeling???????????

barbe1958

REALLY bad Cathi! They don't know what is going on to cause me so much pain, but I have been kept drugged up very nicely...thank you very much!

Surgery on the Friday, ER Saturday, ER Sunday, then finally admited on Sunday night. Been here ever since....sigh. Been stealing internet cards when people go home so I can use the one at my bed. I don't watch TV so this is okay for the first 8-10 hours in a day....sigh. 

1Cathi

Oh gosh I just don't know what to say, just know that your in my thoughts,  and hopingg they get this all fiqured out and fixed real soon ,  we all miss you -  xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

honeygirl

AE and UB (((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))). I'm so sorry to here what you all have been going through. I do know from past experiences , just Anastesia and the other drugs they use can cause someone to become agressive , or lethargic , or comebative , and talk out of there heads. I wouldn't for one minute think that he was drinking again. Just from what he ,and the others have said. And on top of the drugs and trama to his body , he was without h2o for sometime. He just needs some time to straighten out. I have read that for every hr. you are under anastesia , it takes a week to get totally back to normal. If the docs knew of him being a recovered alcoholic , that maybe the reason they thought this was withdrawal.And they just acted on that. Things like this are so scary. But hang in there. I will continue to pray for your brother. He is alive , and after what has happened to him , thats a very good thing! I think he will be fine. But he will probably have to have surgery. I am praying and hoping for the best. Love you Valerie. Love you Bill. God love you and bless you both and your brother with everything that you need in this lifetime.xxxx

Cathi , thanks for the good wishes. This is coming up on your big weekend with your daughter and her family coming. Isn't it? I hope you all can talk and set some ground rules. And I hope this is a blessing for you all in the long run. Remember , communication is the key to getting along. You and Ed will be such good examples for them. Good luck to you both. xxxxx

Barbe! I'm sorry , I'm sooooo confused. You are in the hospital? Did they not find Mic? But you are still in pain? Prayers to you sweet sister. Have they done an ultrasound? Phantom pain sucks! Hope they find whats wrong , and soon! Keep stealing cards so you can talk with us!!! xxxx Mel

hrf

Barbe, keep us posted on your condition. Sorry this turned out to be so difficult for you.

livesstrong

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Barbe)))))))))))))))))))))))))))) - get well my friend.

Mary22

Barbe, so sorry to hear you are back in the hospital. ((hugs)).

AB, have the docotrs check his amonia (sp) levels. My aunt had a very bad experience after surgery for anesthia and her am levels were to high. She too hallucinated, tried pulling her IV's out, we all thought she was going crazy.

I live in PA, in the Pocono Mountains. We actually had a tornados touch down all around us day.It has rained all day. I should not complain about the humidity, since for the most part of summer we have been much cooler than normal.

(((((((((hugs)))))))))))))) to all.

Anonymous

Oh, Barbe! Not fair. Mick did a real number on you, didn't he? Praying for a quick diagnosis and cure. Drugs are nice, but all better is nicer. I wish I could help...but do send warm hugs.

AE, it sounds like something else is going on which is being ignored because of a history of alcoholism that has no bearing whatsoever on now. As my sister would say, the've all jumped to the same confusion. My ex's father was hospitalized for minor surgery once. By evening he was acting crazy, belligerent, out of it. They assumed he was psychotic and restrained him with heavy meds and planned to send him to the looney bin. This was a Yale educated, respected man who had never had a psych problem. It turned out to be viral encephalitis. He could have died if his daughter hadn't put up a huge fuss. Also, as with Mary's aunt, an electrolyte imbalance or buildup of kidney or liver toxins can cause the same symptoms. I hope they get to the bottom of this soon and quit chasing their assumptions.

Hang in there dear ones!

1Cathi

Thanks Mel,  yes the family will be here Saturday or Sunday,  excited and anxious at the same time.  We (or I should say Ed mostly) is busy preping the house,  rearranging furniture etc,  etc.

Busy-Busy- Busy. 

Barbe hope your feeling tons better this AM- XOXOXOX.

barbe1958

Kind of weird day. The priest came in before the doctor! He remembered me from last December when I had requested a prayer of thanks after my mast surgery. Today, not having asked for him in the first place, but glad to see him, I asked for a prayer of healing. He annointed me and within minutes of leaving the doctor came in with my diagnosis!

I have a perfusion defect to my kidney which means there is a whole area that is not getting oxygenated blood and is going into spasms. No dialysis or surgery needed but may be a couple weeks still until I'm out of pain. He hopes I can go home in the next couple of days. I am thrilled that I don't have to be opened up as I know that opens a whole other can of worms. Glad it's not all in my head and had a medical reason (no, I'm not hysterical). It is something that got exacerbated by the surgery last Friday.

Then a second priest came in !!!! so we did a prayer of thanks.

Wow, I've got all my bases covered so now I can concentrate my energy on those in more need.

AE, please let us know how your brother is doing! So many other medical issues could be causing his angst and they could be ignoring such an important issue. My prayers are with you all.

Cathi, I have not forgotten your DDDay (heheheehe) and want you to keep us posted on how it goes.....how is Jaclyn handling the imminent arrival of her sister? 

Judie, please know that as you mail off each item of your son's that you are spreading his love for music, not diluting his memory. It will be hard for you, I can only imagine......

For everyone else in need, I will catch up as you post.

Love to all.... 

EWB

Hugs Barbe- guess God is watching over you today! Always good to have a name to put on the pain, hoping you get home soon and they are able to control the pain for you. Is this something that may be a problem in the future, or it just IS.

my3girls

Barbe...was about ready to send you big hugs...then I kept on reading and got your new news. So glad that it's not too serious and they found out what was causing you the pain.  You sure do have the prayers surrounding you!! Two priests in one afternoon!!  But...what the heck...big hugs to you anyhow..cause your so darn awesome! (((((BARBE)))))

Val and UB...so sorry to hear about the problems surrounding your brother. I agree with the other ladies...I don't think his reactions have a thing to do with alcohol or lack of. Stay on top of it, as Judie said...sometimes that is the only way to get answers!! Hugs to you and UB and good luck to UB as he goes in for more Chemo.  (((((UB)))))

Mel...how is the ex so doing?  Any new news on his condition/progress?  Thinking of you dear Mel.

Cathi....my thoughts are with you sister!! I am sending good vibes your way...I know you will need them.  I am praying this new living situation will work out just fine and dd will realize what a great set of parents she has! Hopefully being a mommy herself, has opened her eyes.

I have not spoken to any of my girls really.  Danni is home.  The other two have been at the hospice all day for the last 3 days.  They didn't think she would last thru yesterday, but as far as I know she is still with us.

Back to work....xoxo to all of my sisters here.

Mary...I saw on the website for weather about the tornado in PA....those are very scary.  There has been so much odd weather this summer.

xoxo

Lisa

1Cathi

Barbe glad you have all basis covered,  and I am happy they know what they are dealing with and can have you up and out ASAP and pain free.

DD and SIL are ready to hit the road this evening, there plan is to drive at night ,  sleep some Friday and back on the road Friday PM, SIL will be doing most of the driving,  so Amanda can entertain the kids while he sleeps I guess.  So I am spending today and Friday cooking up a storm so we have plenty of food at hand.

Jaclyn is looking forward to seeing her sister,  they have not been so close the past years (even through their early teens years) Amanda always thought I protected Jaclyn to much (and I did because of X) Jaclyn was always jealous of how X treated Amanda,  but they have now for awhile been talking via phone,  e-mail,  text, FB,  and both are eager to start a relationship again.  That makes me very happy I must admit. 

Well back to cooking.

Anonymous

Barbe, it's either the drugs or all that praying, but your post today was especially eloquent. What a relief! I've been worried about you. I especially appreciate the image you painted about sending my son's stuff into the world. I'll be sending lots of perfusion energy to your kidney. It's nice to be able to be specific!

Cathi, what can I say. Focus on the wonder of grandchildren and pray for a matured and healing relationship with the adults. Most of all, hang on to that feisty attitude and stay on top of the heap. Will be thinking of you.

Meg, that story was a hoot! Scary at the time, though. It's also scary that so many of us have one to tell. Why isn't the medical profession as perfect as we are? LOL

Back to eBay. It's harder than I thought and on my first listing I didn't protect myself as well as I should have, so have to hope and trust that I get an honest, reliable buyer. I'm learning.

PS: Canceled surgery. Too hot.

1Cathi

Judie I could have Ed give you some E-Bay lessons,  he is always selling his cars there believe it or not, people love Fla cars and come from all over to buy them.

Hey Lisa I was just thinking about the girls and their time w/G-ma.  It actually says a lot about you and your being a GREAT MOM,  even though she wasn't there for them as you and they probably would have liked,  they are now there with her providing peace,  love and comfort in her last days and have obviously forgiven her.  Who taught them those great values -  YOU!!!!  I know it bothered you about Alyse and your mom,  but again she was a 16 year old -  we know how self centered girls can be at that age.  YOU DONE GOOD MOM!!!

hrf

(((Barbe)))

1Cathi

Thanks Meg,  just spoke to DD, they are in VA- 719 miiles away,  if they do as good this evening travel wise should arrive about 9AM Saturday.  What the heck am I doing on this computer I HAVE WORK TO DO!!!!!!!! LOL

Barbe  -  hope your feeling TONS better today.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO - TO ALL.

1Cathi

Oh Yeah Mary our news just showed the Pocono Tornados hope all is well for you.  Please check in.

Mary22

All is weel in the Poconos. The tornado hit in East Stroudsburg, which is about 10 miles away. The day the tornado hit is the day I was at the doctors all day. I had my c/u w/bs, she said everything is healing nicely and all three kids had their physical and immunizations for school. My sn was getting nervous about all the reports on the news. It was only an F1, and only took trees and powerlines down. So thank goodness nobody lost their home.

Good Luck this w/e Cathi. I hope your DD and SIL have a safe thrip. Have fun.

I have to take my son to the therapist for his ADHD.  Then I have to fold laundry and clean house. An exciting and fun day ahead for me.

Hugs to all , hang in there Barbe, this too shall pass.

Have a great weekend ladies.