INSOMNIACS place to talk in the wee hours
Comments
-
tangandchris - I have somewhat of a different opinion on what constitutes "precaution" and "paranoia"...
My DH has incurable kidney disease. He takes Gengraf and Prednisone in very large doses, helping with his disease, but effectively destroying his immune system.
We have become like Howard Hughes around here.... complete germaphobes. We go through Costco-sized cans of Lysol spray (we even spray the soles of our shoes before we enter the house...); we wipe down counters with Clorox wipes, and each time we have to go for a doctor's visit, we wear surgical masks. We both carry hand sanitizer and use it constantly.
We are very careful to not be around our grandchildren when they are sick, which is difficult, as he comes from a family that ALWAYS insists they are not contagious. GRRRR!
I follow the same universal precautions. If I get sick, he'll get sick, only he can't fight it off. (He did get a nasty stomach virus that I dodged thanks to our crazy precautions!!!)
We chose not to go to the County Fair this year, not because of germs, but because of weather. It was HOT!
I wouldn't be paranoid about Ebola, but at the same time I do not believe that it is as difficult to catch as the CDC would have you believe.
In 1982, I almost died from Hepatitis B ("Dirty Needle Hepatitis"). I was hospitalized for a week, and on Disability for a year. Every medical professional told me the only means of transmission was through bodily fluids..... sharing of IV needles, sex with an infected person, etc. Only I had NONE of those. Eventually, my Gastroenterologist told me that "anyone could have coughed in your face." YIKES!
So I definitely think Ebola will be found to be much more transmissable than first thought.
HOWEVER - and this is a big one - we can't live our lives locked up inside our houses or in plastic bubbles.
After what you have been through this year, you NEED some fun and some normalcy in your life.
If you have the physical energy to go (and even if you don't, there are wheelchairs available) you should probably take advantage of this opportunity, and have fun!!!!
Just be safe. Take disposable masks, plenty of hand sanitizer, and use caution around anyone who is sneezing or coughing. There are tons of viruses out there besides Ebola.
And if you go..... please post pics!!!!!
-
Well, tonight is Night # 6 with my loaner APAP machine.
The first few nights were difficult... I was futzing with the headgear and the masks all night long... kept changing from Small to Medium sized ones.
And it was VERY hard to find a happy medium between Desert Mouth and Drooling. (The loaners don't have humidifiers.)
I'll turn the machine back in this coming Wednesday, along the computer chip inside it that measured my air intake, and the log I kept every night of how I did.
I haven't noticed much difference in how I feel, except that for the past 3 nights I do remember dreaming (finally reaching REM sleep) and this morning I felt rested. Not "energetic", but more rested than before.
Once they analyze the results,they'll order my personalized machine, which I should get in 3 weeks.
I got the actual Pulmonologist's report from my PCP - it shows that I have not only Obstructive Sleep Apnea (the most common kind, where big guys snore like chainsaws and then gasp for breath - only I don't snore) and CENTRAL Sleep Apnea.
For some reason my brain does not tell my body to breathe. I can lie in bed for what seems like five minutes without taking a breath, and when I do, it's just a shallow breath - not a gasp for air. That's a little scary, and I'm not sure what causes it, but the treatment - the APAP machine - is the same.
Hoping this works for me!
-
good morning everyone
I finally slept. I feel so good this morning. It is so beautiful to get a good nights sleep !
Have a great day all !
-
it's wrong if somebody goes to ER? It's wrong to get checked out?
Guess we will have to agree to disagree on this.
-
CHEVY, I can't get it to go either. Sorry!
-
Ah geez! I get up this morning, and you are all sick! I mean if you are NOT sick, you all give such good/excellent advice on what our problems could BE! Do you all know how fortunate we are here, to have these educated women on here? Thanks to all of you....!
It all comes down to if you can't fix it yourselves, just go get it checked out.!
See, DH waited for 2 weeks, always losing energy.... couldn't climb stairs....! 2 WEEKS and would not go in.
Finally, he could barely WALK a few steps! I made an appointment... (He thought it was nothing.) Went in.... tests, they stopped doing everything abruptly after the cardiogram, and wanted to call the ambulance to take him to hospital. It was Heart Block. He let this go on for 2 weeks, feeling terrible!
I drove him there... him still acting like no big deal! They rushed him in, because the DR. had called, telling them a Heart Block patient was coming in.
Cardilogist came right in... Pacemaker the next morning. It WAS serious after all!
Line going through his groin up into his heart... and a St. Judes Pacemaker installed.... just like a new engine!
The top of his heart was alright, but the bottom part had quit... He was almost damn near dead, and would have been if he had stubbornly waited any longer.
So I'm glad you guys are all listening, and advising on here! We just have to listen to our own bodies... Except I mean most Husbands don't... but that's another story.
This is something sweet, I thought!
-
Punography
1.) I tried to catch some fog…..I mist.
2.) When chemists die….They barium.
3.) Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.
4.) A soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray…Is now a
seasoned veteran5.) I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid…He says he can stop
anytime.6.) How does Moses make his tea ?…..Hebrews it.7.) I stayed up all night to see where the sun went….The it dawned on
me.8.) This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club..But I never
met herbivore.9.) I’m reading a book about inti-gravity…..I can’t put it down.10.) I did a theatrical performance about puns…..It was a play on
words.11.) They told me I had type A blood…But it was a type O.12.) A dyslexic man walks into a bra.13.) PMS jokes aren’t funny….Period !
14.) Why were the Indians here first ?….They had reservations.
15.) Class trip to the Coca Cola factory…..I hope there’s no pop
quiz.
16.) Energizer Bunny arrested……Charged with battery.
17.) I didn’t like my beard at first….Then it grew on me.
18.) How do you make Holy water ?….Boil the hell out of it.
19.) What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary ?…A
thesaurus.
20.) When you get a bladder infection….urine trouble.
21.) What does a clock do when it is hungry ?..It goes back for
seconds.
22.) I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger….And then it hit
me.
23.) Broken pencils are
pointless. -
Spookie wasn't' t referring to that. I was referring to the condition thing.
But to continue in that direction, she doesn't' t have s/s' s that are similar to yours.
-
OMG Spookie! I did it! I think my computer was on the fritz yesterday.
So I have this girlfriend I have known since we were about 12... Our Brothers were in the Denver Junior Police Band together... We all grew up together, and I introduced her to "Bob." He was my neighbor boy since grade-school.... They got married! I was the maid of honor, which I have no recollection of.
Had 3 little girls... lost the 2nd one, due to everything going wrong with the baby, ...... So they had another one.
We all would get together... Us and our kids and them.
They finally moved from THIS house, and we moved in! That was 1964. Then somehow, due to her controlling, Lord of the world attitude, they got divoced, due to his indiscretions, or whatever. So that meant I should not ever talk to him again.
But I did, once in awhile, because I had grown UP with him! But their marriage was a complete bust. She hated him, and still does, and it almost consumes her. She turned out to be a rigid old lady with more grudges than she can handle.
Their Daughter's won't even talk about their Dad, because she is so bitter about her life, that she can't stand to have any one talking about him.
She had lunch with a Grand-daughter.... She told him Bob had open heart surgery! Now she doesn't know why they didn't SAY anything to her!
So I wrote her back, and told her just how I felt... That it is time to bury the hatchet, and the hatred she has had for him for way too many years... that it hurts her Daughter's AND me to know we must never spedak his name....
That she should learn how to forgive and forget.... for her own good. I'll tell you, when she thinks of him, she just freezes up! Her face turns red, and she clenches her fists.
It has hurt our friendship, because she is just so bitter, and no fun to be around.... so I might have PO'd a friend, but she deserved it.
-
OMG I come here and everyone has some kind of cough/flu or waiting for it. I don't think it's catchable thru the screen at least.
Tang I hope u did the fair thing, sounds like fun, well really not to md I hate those things but to most and especially kids.
Chevy it is my responsibility to educate Joey my goofy DD thinks he's to young and is embarrassed, I'm not and he isn't really talking to me and since I learned it on the streets like every other tramp I'm sure to be an expert now, oh like you. U've had more street learning that I did for a longer time.
I'm so glad to hear when someone tells us they slept well last nite, something we all took for granted before now we treasure.
I have to run, well not literally, can't do that anymore, but I have to limp along to get things done here and ready for work, yes chevy my little job takes a lot of wise advice-like call the firedept first, or just leave the house, or call 911 or even call a riest for an excorsism,, I am not aloud to continue that advice anymore but I did tell one woman divorce her Dh, he wants the furnace to hot==Egad I have to do my job.
Hope everyone has a good day--it's still raining here.
-
Just lounging around for a bit before I get in gear.
-
Chevy, very funny play on words !!
-
Chevy your list just cracks me up!! Where did you find that. What a hoot.
Hope you guys go to the fair and enjoy yourself. You are not going to catch ebola at the fair! Might get a tummy ache from all the fried food!
Enjoy the farm animals and the 4H animal projects - always my favorite part of the State fair!!!
-
http://www.breastcancer.org/community/get-together...
Hi you guys! I couldn't figure out how to post our picture on BC.ORG, under "get togethers!" But the Mods did it, and sent this back to me... If I would have gone through all 40 pictures, there is a link where you can post it yourself.... but I am NOT exactly computer endowed!
-
This just cracks me up!
-
Funny list chevy!!Thanks for the feedback on the fair deal
I will let ya'll know what we decide to do. I was also invited to do the Komen walk this Satuday. My BS's office has a team and asked me to join them....but to register it's $35!! Shouldn't BC'ers get a discount or no charge?? sheesh. -
That's us, but the caption and names are wrong! State is wrong too!
-
Tang - I'm with everyone else. Go and enjoy. I think Ebola in the general population is overhyped. Not that flu and other things are aren't out there but those kind of things you can get anywhere. Most of the fair is open air anyway. Take your hand sanitizer. Try not to touch your nose/eyes/mouth without sanitizing. Soap/water is not magic - it's actually the friction that removes the germies then rinses them off. Can be done with sanitzer but you need a goooood squirt and lots of rubbing. The fair might have sanitizer dispensers. Move away from anyone coughing which I do at the grocery (wonder if you can still smoke there?). Just be smart. Plan that it will be a great day - weather sounds perfect. But be aware it will prob. be a shorter visit than you've done. Rest when you can. Let DH do more so you can sit and enjoy DD. Take your sunscreen. Eat a Fletchers' cornydog for me.
Sassy - did you have those special fit masks, not respirator-fancy type but reg. boxed kind? The ones you have to have a test to fit to check how much air escapes. Talk about suffocating. I took a standard size, thank goodness otherwise doubt I could have had it so readily available.
Going for a pedi in a bit. A treat for sure. Last one was after surgery almost 3 years ago. Shoulders bothering me so much I can't really reach toes well. And my fat belly getting in the way.
Chevy - loved the puns.
Spookie - I'ss cornfused. What's wrong with the captions?
-
Good Morning all, I do not think I have ever posted these photos. I live a few miles from the falls. Thought I would share.
Chevy, good job gently telling your friend to move on. She married this man, chose to have 3 kids with him. Women that try to control the DH & kids generally seem unhappy in the end.
Susan, love that coffee photo. Happy you slept well & feel good.
Tang, I agree, you should walk for free! I have participated in many walks, runs, fundraisers. Always nice to participate but sometimes seems silly to spend $ on something I can do for free. There is a St. Patrick's 5K that is my favorite. People dress up with green, spring is starting, they have a fish lunch after. Lots of families, multi generations. The $ goes to the local youth programs.
Have we heard from Dutchie lately? Badger?
-
I found out today that the CT scan they did was specifically to rule out pulmonary embolism. Today they did a chest X-ray and echocardiogram along with blood work. They cannot find anything that would account for the shortness of breath, they can't even hear it. But they decided to play it safe and not take the chance that chemo could make things worse. So I will see the MO Monday morning and he will decide what to do. I'll be finished with Avelox by then. A bit disappointed, wanted to ring that bell, but silver lining is I get to eat for the next 6 days. Cousin is making chicken enchilada soup for me.
-
Whew
-
I second that Spookie!
-
Dear Insomniacs and Maniacs....and any other ACKs,
I really am alive! I know that Sassafrass has kept you updated on my sadsackself. I will never catch up here so I won't even try. That seems to be my new motto: Is it difficut? Screw it! It's nice to see that chemo has not changed me.
I love you all and miss you.. I'm just to lazy to do the whole logging in thing...and anything else. I'm on my week off of chemo so that may be why I'm typing.
Chevy and Cammi, you made me snort on page 605. Thank you! (there was no snot involved)
-
hi phillwemissusomuchgraham, rest up on your off week..hugs and prayers to you !!!!!!!!
Holeinone....great pic..jealous
I got so much done today. Amazing what sleep can do for you.
Hope all that are not feeling well, are on the mend.
Chemo tomorrow, so I will have a beddyby break for a few days. Well, actually a week.
Talk to ya soon..bye bye
-
Just finished watching the news. Sometimes the richest folks do pull through for the common effort - the 25 million Face Book sent to the CDC and the other 29 million from micro soft I think (20 million this week and 9 million last week if I have my numbers correct). How cool that they are helping fund a response to Ebola. I love to see folks coming together to help. Wonderful. We are all on tiny earth together. Super cool they are taking care of Bentley the dog and the Texas nurse received the antibodies from the other missionary doctor. Hope that young nurse pulls through. I was appalled by the mask they had them wear. They showed it on the news. Inadequate, just a shield and open on 3 sides. I can't get over that. Now I think they will call in teams and move the positive patients to the 4 containment institutions best able to care for them. Yay. Sas Schatzi - you were right it appears the antibodies were given to most of the survivors. Duncan didn't get them because of some concern over compatibility.. I don't understand that.
Hope everyone sleeps well, at least 5-6 hours. Night Owlettes. Be well.
-
oh yeah! I have to go in for jury duty tomorrow.
Sleep tight everyone.
-
Rose, the control of the doc's in the management of Duncan may have been the reason he didn't get a transfusion. Whether there was a CDC doc on the management team to make the suggestion that a transfusion would be warranted may have caused it to happen. But the management team in Presbyterian did they think of it. In the USA with the cases at Emory and Nebraska even while Duncan was being dealt with, the two successful bio-containment groups were in the midst of developing protocols. But Emory and Nebraska did transfusions of plasma early. There success is going to lead everything hereafter.
So much as happened so fast. The common factors are again. 1. early recognition and isolation. 2. survivors received a transfusion of plasma from a survivor. In that plasma was antibodies, that kick starts the immune system response . 3. antiviral medication. What is unknown to the public is the other management of all the systems. How was fluid management maintained.
What many docs on a high high level right now are comparing is the management of Duncan, Teresa, and Nurse Pham. It's not that this hasn't been ongoing, but there is a difference now. It's outside the Africa's. Ebola has only been in Africa. Now, it's not contained. Predictions are dire in Africa for development of the disease within 3 months.
The two stars in Africa are Nigeria and Firestone. Nigeria nipped Ebola in the bud because of the infrastructure to fight polio. Firestone because they had one man, the man in charge, who knew how to use the internet and his management structure on the Firestone rubber plantation in Liberia. The Firestone Rubber Plantation has 80,000 people. I wish I could state that managers name here. He stopped Ebola at ONE. They have treated more, but they came from outside the Firestone plantation. I linked that many pages ago.
I believe that while the family is questioning the treatment of Duncan and Jesse Jackson is trying to make it racist. It will come down too not enough known for the exact time that Texas Resource Hospital was in i.e. if Duncan's scenario had occurred a couple of weeks later the, fact that a plasma transfusion would have helped, he would have gotten it. Bottom line NOT enough known for that two weeks.
What many are looking at is the survivors in Africa. Why did they survive when there whole families died? How did their treatments compare to side by side patients. Is their something about the survivors that gave them an advantage? If their is an advantage how can that be used? I've sent these same questions to the CDC on their website. Plus many more thoughts. It's a for there eyes only type thing because it's things that could cause undue harm by causing anxiety to regular folks, but the CDC needs to think of.
One that's easy to talk of is, if the transfusions has been a benefit to survivors here in the USA. What is happening in Africa? Why not use transfusions of plasma with antibodies from survivors to help the sick? There is a stigma attached to the survivors because of African beliefs. Rather than being seen as valuable survivors, they are seen as "something evil". Their blood right now can turn around this epidemic.
It's a two for one: 1. Halt the epidemic by transfusion of plasma to the infected 2. The stigmatized become the saviour's(sic). There is a public health issue that is resolved and a societal problem of association with the disease.
-
Phylissishere!!!notintheklinker!!!!! Yah, happy to hear from you ! We miss & love you back! Keep in touch when you can, hang in there with the shitty tx & give them hell !!!
Susan, hope the chemo is gentle, catch up on whatever brings you peace, crap TV, old movies, dirty books...I got hooked on Words with Friends, during chemo. Does anyone here play? It's scrabble. I am not very good, but I still play a lot. If anyone here wants to try it let me know, I have always liked the game, just not a word wizard. I have a acct. & can play anyone that also has it on there computer or IPAD, iPhone.
Rose, I am on the 8-9 hour sleep plan. It is probably more than necessary, but it works for me. I can certainly function with less, but not for more than a few days.
Mags, sorry you missed out on your LAST chemo....arrrrg, it will be there when you are ready. There is no bell at my center, just a certificate of completion. Such a strange, difficult thing to think you are done with. My heart & soul are guarded on that one.
Night to all....
-
Mags, because it says a dx code of pulmonary embolism it doesn't mean that you were actually a patient that had a serious consideration for a PE. I hope I can explain this well. Because Spookie's mad at me, and I love Spookie.Generic patient entry into ER with respiratory complaint. Standard minimum CBC and BMET and chest xray. Depending on Physicians assessment a CT. In order to get reimbursement for the CT they have to give a diagnosis that that will cause reimbursement by insurers. They can't use the term rule out pulmonary embolism. They have to use the term Diagnosis: Pulmonary Embolism.
What happened in the last 20 years is Er docs learned to depend on CT as a "cover your ass", CYA, for everything chest and abdomen was order it, using a qualifying diagnosis --covered their ass.
In 2004, The national regulating body of radiology published a position statement on the overuse of radiologic procedures that exposed people to too much radiation. One Ct scan is the equivalent of 200 chest xray's. One of the goals of the publication was to educate ordering physicians in the more judicious use of CT. I came across the publication on Medscape in 2006 doing a search on something else. I watched what was happening.
THEN I became a BC patient in 2009. The number of CT's ordered were amazing. My question always was "Is there another imaging source available. i.e MRI or Ultrasound. In the first three years after I was dx'd I was given a PET scan . In the third year, Part of the canned statement was we are now going to do a Cat Scan and then the Pet scan begin. I was shocked. I hadn't studied PET scans. Low and behold, I screwed up. I didn't know that part of the PET was a CT. I missed the amount of exposure I was getting with a PET.
Interestingly to me, my Mo when questioned about a PET after that avoided the question. Didn't say it wasn't indicated, just diverted. I know there is controversy about usage now, but can't say b/c I'm not current on the literature. My MO stated said we didn't need to do PET scan any more. Was it because they weren't needed or because the 2004 implications of radiation exposure finally made it the training to the ordering physician? AND why was the addition of the phrase "now we will do the Ct scan before we start the PET scan. AND AND what is the Radiation exposure of PET scan. Since I was at the end of needing PET's I decided enough--I don't want to know.
The difference between you and Spookie's s/s' s was stark.
If your CT had shown evidence of PE's you would have gotten the same treatment as she did. You wouldn't have left the ER
But based on your entry symptoms to ER, I think your symptoms didn't warrant a CT. But I wasn't there for your initial evaluation. I have however been under the same circumstance and had a spiral CT for PE. It was long before the 2004 radiology paper was produced, and I concluded in retrospect it was a CYA test. Again CYA is a cover your ass test.
What we must protect ourselves from is "cover your ass test" Radiation is radiation. If it is truly indicated-yes. CYA -no
-
Sandra in u r pocket tomorrow hugs
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team