At the end of my "W.O.W. Diet" post I mentioned going off to give blood.
Just so you know, I was turned down for low iron levels.
I do not blame my new pseudo-vegetarian diet because I get turned down all the time.
I am noticing a pattern. Whenever I give blood at the Red Cross office, my iron levels are too low. Whenever I give blood ANYWHERE else, my iron levels are just fine.
Something in the air? Faulty equipment? My nephew, Six, thinks that it's because at these other places they're really using the blood for action movies. So the next time you see some splatter in a Vin Diesel movie, you know who to thank.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
There's No Place Like Home
So Nigel got discharged last night. He's still on oxygen and taking lots of medications, but he's much happier being at home than at the hospital.
He's doing much better and the hole in his chest seems to be healing quickly. He still gets coughing fits if he eats, talks or gets up and just walking five feet wears him out, but we're sure that he'll be well in just a few weeks.
We've had such an outpouring of e-mails, phone calls, visits, comments, flowers, baby-sitting, offers of meals, etc. What a wonderful group of people we are blessed to surround ourselves with. Thanks to everyone!
He's doing much better and the hole in his chest seems to be healing quickly. He still gets coughing fits if he eats, talks or gets up and just walking five feet wears him out, but we're sure that he'll be well in just a few weeks.
We've had such an outpouring of e-mails, phone calls, visits, comments, flowers, baby-sitting, offers of meals, etc. What a wonderful group of people we are blessed to surround ourselves with. Thanks to everyone!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Can you say "pneumothorax"? I knew you could.
From Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary (Fourth Edition):
pneumothorax /noo'mothor'aks/ [Gk, pneuma, air, thorax, chest], a collection of air or gas in the pleural space causing the lung to collapse. Pneumothorax may be the result of an open chest wound that permits the entrance of air, the rupture of an emphysematous vesicle on the surface of the lung, or a severe bout of coughing, or it may occur spontaneously without apparent cause.
OBSERVATIONS: The onset of pneumothorax is accompanied by a sudden, sharp chest pain, followed by difficult, rapid breathing, cessation of normal chest movements on the affected side, tachycardia, a weak pulse, hypotension, diaphoresis, an elevated temperature, pallor, dizziness, and anxiety.
INTERVENTIONS: The patient is assured that the condition can be treated, is urged to remain quiet, and is placed in bed in Fowler's position. Oxygen is administered through a nasal cannula, unless contraindicated, and the air is immediately aspirated from the pleural space. A chest tube is inserted and attached to a water seal drainage system; the tube is not removed until air is no longer expelled through the underwater drainage system and an x-ray examination shows that the lung is completely expanded. Pain may be controlled by administering appropriate analgesics, but the use of respiratory depressants is avoided. Intermittent positive pressure breathing may be administered, and the patient is taught how to turn, cough, breathe deeply, and perform passive exercises and is told to avoid stretching, reaching, or making sudden movements.
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: The patient is advised not to smoke but to drink fluids copiously, to exercise, to avoid fatigue and strenuous activity, and to report any symptoms of recurrence to the physician, such as chest pain, difficult breathing, fever, or respiratory infection.
pneumothorax /noo'mothor'aks/ [Gk, pneuma, air, thorax, chest], a collection of air or gas in the pleural space causing the lung to collapse. Pneumothorax may be the result of an open chest wound that permits the entrance of air, the rupture of an emphysematous vesicle on the surface of the lung, or a severe bout of coughing, or it may occur spontaneously without apparent cause.
OBSERVATIONS: The onset of pneumothorax is accompanied by a sudden, sharp chest pain, followed by difficult, rapid breathing, cessation of normal chest movements on the affected side, tachycardia, a weak pulse, hypotension, diaphoresis, an elevated temperature, pallor, dizziness, and anxiety.
INTERVENTIONS: The patient is assured that the condition can be treated, is urged to remain quiet, and is placed in bed in Fowler's position. Oxygen is administered through a nasal cannula, unless contraindicated, and the air is immediately aspirated from the pleural space. A chest tube is inserted and attached to a water seal drainage system; the tube is not removed until air is no longer expelled through the underwater drainage system and an x-ray examination shows that the lung is completely expanded. Pain may be controlled by administering appropriate analgesics, but the use of respiratory depressants is avoided. Intermittent positive pressure breathing may be administered, and the patient is taught how to turn, cough, breathe deeply, and perform passive exercises and is told to avoid stretching, reaching, or making sudden movements.
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: The patient is advised not to smoke but to drink fluids copiously, to exercise, to avoid fatigue and strenuous activity, and to report any symptoms of recurrence to the physician, such as chest pain, difficult breathing, fever, or respiratory infection.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter!
The Easter Bunny brought Nigel a chest tube for Easter this year.
I'm sure he's going to bring my present a little later. I'm hoping for a whopping big hospital bill.
What did he bring you?
I'm sure he's going to bring my present a little later. I'm hoping for a whopping big hospital bill.
What did he bring you?
Friday, March 21, 2008
W.O.W. Insight
So I was rereading Section 89 of the Doctrine & Covenants (you know, the Word of Wisdom chapter) and I came across verse 4:
"Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation--"
I was struck by this. "Evils and designs," "conspiring men in the last days." I totally think that means all the horrible stuff they're putting in our food supply now.
Think about it. Back when this was written, all chickens were cage free, all food was organic, none of the meat had hormones pumped into it, tobacco was just tobacco (not a bunch of scary chemicals), etc. Now the FDA has okayed cloned meat for human consumption? What? Why? Does that cow over there really taste so much better than this cow over here that we have to clone that one? Now we hear so much about buying local food while it's in season.
Hmm, has this occurred to anyone else while reading this particular verse, or am I just a nut case?
"Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation--"
I was struck by this. "Evils and designs," "conspiring men in the last days." I totally think that means all the horrible stuff they're putting in our food supply now.
Think about it. Back when this was written, all chickens were cage free, all food was organic, none of the meat had hormones pumped into it, tobacco was just tobacco (not a bunch of scary chemicals), etc. Now the FDA has okayed cloned meat for human consumption? What? Why? Does that cow over there really taste so much better than this cow over here that we have to clone that one? Now we hear so much about buying local food while it's in season.
Hmm, has this occurred to anyone else while reading this particular verse, or am I just a nut case?
Thursday, March 20, 2008
W.O.W. Diet
Along with my other spring resolutions (like keeping my house clean and actually brushing my hair and wearing make-up so I don't scare my co-workers), we're starting a new diet.
Well, I'm starting a new diet and I'm dragging Nigel (kicking and screaming) along for the ride.
In the spirit of the man who wrote a book about following all the laws in the Old Testament, I'm going to try to follow all the laws in the Word of Wisdom.
So, no alcohol (no big deal), no tobacco (not a problem), no hot drinks (don't drink them).
Now for the tough ones.
Fruits, vegetables, herbs in their season -- OK, I'll admit it. I don't know when things are in season! I'm so botanically challenged that I have no idea. Does it count if they're in season in Ecuador and it's imported? What about if they WERE in season when they were frozen or canned? Is there a Web site that'll tell me when things are in season in my area?
No meat except for in times of winter and famine -- I've heard some people say, "It's always winter in my freezer" or "I'm famished now." Of course, meat is very expensive, so my cheapness says to follow this one to the letter. Now it says "beasts of the field" and "fowls of the air," so I'm figuring that fish are still OK to eat.
Grains -- I'm trying to switch over to whole grains (last night I sneaked in some whole grain pasta and Nigel didn't even notice -- he normally hates it).
Today I'm giving blood, so let's see if I'll really "walk and not faint."
Well, I'm starting a new diet and I'm dragging Nigel (kicking and screaming) along for the ride.
In the spirit of the man who wrote a book about following all the laws in the Old Testament, I'm going to try to follow all the laws in the Word of Wisdom.
So, no alcohol (no big deal), no tobacco (not a problem), no hot drinks (don't drink them).
Now for the tough ones.
Fruits, vegetables, herbs in their season -- OK, I'll admit it. I don't know when things are in season! I'm so botanically challenged that I have no idea. Does it count if they're in season in Ecuador and it's imported? What about if they WERE in season when they were frozen or canned? Is there a Web site that'll tell me when things are in season in my area?
No meat except for in times of winter and famine -- I've heard some people say, "It's always winter in my freezer" or "I'm famished now." Of course, meat is very expensive, so my cheapness says to follow this one to the letter. Now it says "beasts of the field" and "fowls of the air," so I'm figuring that fish are still OK to eat.
Grains -- I'm trying to switch over to whole grains (last night I sneaked in some whole grain pasta and Nigel didn't even notice -- he normally hates it).
Today I'm giving blood, so let's see if I'll really "walk and not faint."
Springtime, That Ring-a-ding-a-ding Time
My spring cleaning is done!
The porch is immaculate!
Oh, behold my lovely living room where the coat closet is a coat closet!
I can actually cook in my kitchen!
Last night we ate dinner on the table!
The kids' bedrooms--unlike the kids--are spotless!
My bathrooms--just like me--are gorgeous!
The linen closet has linens in it!
The pantry has food in it!
Alas, my bedroom has all the stuff that WAS in all the closets (Nigel's art treasures), but my bedroom closet is fabulously organized. I'm happy to report that Nigel has been a fiend in sorting through his boxes and getting things whittled down to a manageable amount. He's also been busy getting caught up on all our laundry.
Oh spring--just like Nigel--I love you.
The porch is immaculate!
Oh, behold my lovely living room where the coat closet is a coat closet!
I can actually cook in my kitchen!
Last night we ate dinner on the table!
The kids' bedrooms--unlike the kids--are spotless!
My bathrooms--just like me--are gorgeous!
The linen closet has linens in it!
The pantry has food in it!
Alas, my bedroom has all the stuff that WAS in all the closets (Nigel's art treasures), but my bedroom closet is fabulously organized. I'm happy to report that Nigel has been a fiend in sorting through his boxes and getting things whittled down to a manageable amount. He's also been busy getting caught up on all our laundry.
Oh spring--just like Nigel--I love you.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Thorry, No Thursday Thopping
Nigel was supposed to have a show at some hoity-toity art gallery in Los Angeles, but the show got canceled/gallery closed down/art people being typical art people and flaking out.
Anyway, I took all these days off of work so I could watch the kids while he was gone and here he is doing my laundry instead of selling his fabulous art work.
So, I'm doing my spring cleaning. Sorry for the lack of posts, leaving comments, replying to comments, etc., but I've been up to my elbows in some serious decluttering and scrubbing. I only take occasional breaks to watch "Clean House" and get inspired (can I just say that I love Niecy Nash? She's awesome).
Well, got to get back to moving furniture around and vacuuming!
Anyway, I took all these days off of work so I could watch the kids while he was gone and here he is doing my laundry instead of selling his fabulous art work.
So, I'm doing my spring cleaning. Sorry for the lack of posts, leaving comments, replying to comments, etc., but I've been up to my elbows in some serious decluttering and scrubbing. I only take occasional breaks to watch "Clean House" and get inspired (can I just say that I love Niecy Nash? She's awesome).
Well, got to get back to moving furniture around and vacuuming!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Thursday Thopping
So I've decided that the best way to save money grocery shopping is to go to my local el cheapo supermarket and stick to my shopping list and buy store brand items.
But if I see an ad where a store is having a mondo sale (which is usually every other month), then I go to the manufacturer's Web sites of those sale items and print off coupons for those same items (since the stores that take Internet coupons usually are the ones that have the big sales).
For example:
Normal cost of various items: $32.80
Cost of items after store sale: $20.00
Save $5 for buying 10 items: $15.00
Cost after Internet coupons: $10.00
So from $32.80 to $10.00, not too bad -- and getting the coupons AFTER I know what's on sale is a lot easier than clipping a bunch of coupons and then hoping that those same items go on sale before the coupons expire.
But if I see an ad where a store is having a mondo sale (which is usually every other month), then I go to the manufacturer's Web sites of those sale items and print off coupons for those same items (since the stores that take Internet coupons usually are the ones that have the big sales).
For example:
Normal cost of various items: $32.80
Cost of items after store sale: $20.00
Save $5 for buying 10 items: $15.00
Cost after Internet coupons: $10.00
So from $32.80 to $10.00, not too bad -- and getting the coupons AFTER I know what's on sale is a lot easier than clipping a bunch of coupons and then hoping that those same items go on sale before the coupons expire.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
I've Been Tagged -- Again
ABC Blag
A- Attached or Single? Attached (but my earlobes are not).
B- Best Friend? guy: Nigel -- girl: I must admit that I haven't had a "call on the phone and talk for hours and go out to lunch every week" girlfriend since I've been married (though my sister, Lorna, is often dragged into those situations). I have lots of friends, but Nigel is my best buddy.
C- Cake or pie? Oh my goodness, it HAS to be pie. For my birthday? Pie. For Thanksgiving? Pie. For Christmas? Pie. I used to love Key Lime, but my body has revolted against all citrus. Chocolate cream or coconut cream is always good. Not into the fruit pies.
D- Day of choice? Tuesday (that's the only day I get off of work).
E- Essential Item? My budget paper that I keep in my wallet (I keep track of every penny -- I don't spend my money wisely, but I know where every cent goes).
F- Favorite Color? Pink
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? I hate all things gummy (or goomy as Gnat likes to say).
H- Hometown? Clover City, CA
I- Favorite Indulgence? Cadbury Cream Eggs or Pepperidge Farms Mint Brussels cookies.
J- January or July? July (I look forward to the Freedom Festival and Pioneer Day every year).
K- Kids? 3: Frances, Jeffrey, and Alice-Grace
L - Life isn't complete without? Old MGM musicals.
M- Marriage date? Dang coldest and windiest day to be outside taking photos while surrounded by turkey farms.
N- Number of brothers and sisters? 5 brothers: Clark, Spence, J.D., Henry and Stillwell; 3 sisters: Lorna, Myrna and Rena
O- Oranges or Apples? Peaches (always peaches).
P- Phobia and fears? Falling in the shower and knocking out all my teeth (Denturaphobia).
Q- Quote? "Mr. Green is Left-Handed" (graffiti at my high school).
R- Reason to smile? Seeing people trip (yes, I know that's horrible, but I can't help myself).
S- Season of choice? Fall (also known as pie baking weather).
T- Tag three people? Can I tranquilize and tag some wild animals instead?
U- Unknown fact about me? I went to junior high with the actor/musician Jack Black.
V- Vegetable? Green beans (the squeaky ones).
W- Worst habit? Biting my nails.
X-Ray or Ultrasound? I don't want to drink a bunch of water, so I'm saying X-ray.
Y- Your favorite food? Ginger's elk enchiladas (I can eat them every day of my life).
Z- Zodiac sign? "Keep Off The Grass"
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Coupon Update
Back in January I blogged about my quest to find coupons. I decided to look through my cupboards and find products that I really liked and send them e-mails asking for free coupons. Here's my results:
My favorite cereal company and my favorite dishwasher detergent manufacturer both told me to find coupons in my local newspaper (I don't get a paper) or to print them off from their Web site (I wrote that my grocery store doesn't accept Internet coupons). One of the companies even suggested that I shop at a different store! I must admit that I was very shocked by their response. Here I am, a loyal customer telling them how much I love their products and that I want to buy MORE, and they won't send me coupons. How rude!
A frozen fish company sent me a coupon for $1.00 off my next purchase.
My kids' favorite yogurt maker sent me a coupon for FREE yogurt. Score!
A toothpaste company sent me a free sample of their toothpaste along with the coupons. Mega score!
A major soup company sent me $4.00 worth of coupons and these coupons were good for any of their products, with no stipulations (they even included a booklet of recipes).
Today I got a letter from a major food company that included 7 coupons for their various products.
Despite the fabulous coupons that I received, I had to stop e-mailing these companies because I'm not too sure about their privacy policies (maybe it's just a coincidence that right after I gave all these Web sites my e-mail address, I became flooded with letters from princes in Africa that need my help transferring their funds to a bank account in America).
I will still continue my search for coupons!
My favorite cereal company and my favorite dishwasher detergent manufacturer both told me to find coupons in my local newspaper (I don't get a paper) or to print them off from their Web site (I wrote that my grocery store doesn't accept Internet coupons). One of the companies even suggested that I shop at a different store! I must admit that I was very shocked by their response. Here I am, a loyal customer telling them how much I love their products and that I want to buy MORE, and they won't send me coupons. How rude!
A frozen fish company sent me a coupon for $1.00 off my next purchase.
My kids' favorite yogurt maker sent me a coupon for FREE yogurt. Score!
A toothpaste company sent me a free sample of their toothpaste along with the coupons. Mega score!
A major soup company sent me $4.00 worth of coupons and these coupons were good for any of their products, with no stipulations (they even included a booklet of recipes).
Today I got a letter from a major food company that included 7 coupons for their various products.
Despite the fabulous coupons that I received, I had to stop e-mailing these companies because I'm not too sure about their privacy policies (maybe it's just a coincidence that right after I gave all these Web sites my e-mail address, I became flooded with letters from princes in Africa that need my help transferring their funds to a bank account in America).
I will still continue my search for coupons!
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