Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Killer Within

This may seem like a strange topic to blog about but as someone with a weakened immune system due to repeated bouts with bronchitis and pneumonia (meaning I catch one or the other every year, at least once, ever since being hospitalized as a child) this topic caught my attention and kind of scared the beejeezus out of me.

Sepsis, the body's inflammatory response to an infection -- can kill quickly. Sepsis is a serious medical condition characterized by a whole-body inflammatory condition and the presence of a known or suspected infection. The body may develop this inflammatory response to microbes in the blood, urine, lungs (ie. bronchitis and pneumonia), skin or other tissues

Severe sepsis occurs when sepsis leads to organ dysfunction, low blood pressure, or insufficient blood flow to one or more organs. Sepsis can lead to septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction and death - within a few hours.

Muppets creator Jim Henson died in 1990 from a case of sepsis that started out as pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs. He was 53.

A fever, a dramatic shift in blood pressure, rapid breathing and extreme confusion are all signs that someone needs quick medical help. Feeling bad all over, a high temperature and either high or low blood pressure, are all indications that your whole system has been infected. It could be sepsis.

The therapy of sepsis rests on antibiotics, surgical drainage of infected fluid areas, fluid replacement and appropriate support for organ dysfunction.



Sunday, January 25, 2009

Mmmmm...

I untangled legs and arms from the blankets, the cool air brushing over me as I rolled over in bed. It felt so good to sleep in and the view from my one open eye indicated that it was still dark outside and therefore not time to get out of bed yet.

As I rolled on to my right side I could see light coming from the patio doors in the living room. WTF? Who is shining their headlights outside my house and why are they so bright?

I sat upright in bed for a better look and through blurred vision and foggy brain I sought the clock on the shelf. 9:30? Yikes a bee, 9:30 in the morning? That's sunshine not lights. I slept until 9:30 without interruption, without disruption. No trips to the kitchen for a glass of water. No bathroom break. Just solid sleep, lounging in my bed with the warmth that only body heat can generate inside a soft, sweet shell of flannel and down comforter.

Mmmmm!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

A Grand Day!

My morning started out like any other Tuesday, got up, got dressed, went to the office etc. etc. etc.

One thing was different however. At 9:50 I turned the phone off, logged on to ABC News and CNN and prepared to watch the moment I have waited two years for. The inauguration of President Barack Obama was solemn and dignified - except for the smile that crept across his face during the oath of office. It felt good to see so many dreams come to fruition. Dreams that did not belong to me alone - the dreams of so many people - black, white, minority, majority, male and female. Dreams of a better America, not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us. The dream of a better America for those I leave behind is especially important to me now. I have such hopes that tomorrow will be brighter than yesterday.

The inauguration was greeted with smiles and cheers and hugs. Not just on the Mall in D.C. but in my small office, as we gathered around the monitor. We exploded with the cheers of "a new President" - what a grand day

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Worst Friend in the World

I have this friend.

Our friendship started out as jokes and funny stories and goofy comments made back and forth. It evolved during hours on the phone, long conversations, secrets shared, stories told. It progressed into the stuff of true friendship: love, respect, honesty, comfort, angry words, torn hearts, reconciliations, kindness, generosity and tenderness.

He has been my confidante, my partner in crime, my sounding board, a shoulder to cry on and my cheering section.

We both have busy lives and busy schedules. He lives far away but we try to see each other when we can. We go for weeks without talking yet each knows that the other is only a phone call away. I know that he would do anything for me.

I forgot his birthday this month. Not just "I forgot to call dwg last Saturday for his birthday" but "OH FUCK, I FORGOT YOUR BIRTHDAY!" Yeah, that kind of forgot, you know that kind.

For that I am the worst friend in the world. I suck! To dwg, I am so sorry I spaced your day and I wish you the happiest of days - not just on your birthday but every day. I love you my friend. Even when we don't talk that often, even when weeks and weeks go by. I love you and am only a phone call away.

Monday, January 12, 2009

I tossed and turned. On to my right side, the pillow nice and cool against my face. Sleep would not come. I rolled over on to my back, looking up at the solar system mobile hanging above the bed. Finally I turned on to my left side, my face buried in the pillow that I'd pulled down next to me.

This went on for an hour or so. Unable to find just the right position to fall asleep in. No matter what I tried sleep would not come. The dog crept up to curl into my chest. Within minutes I envied the slight snoring sound she made, jealous of how easily and quickly she found a warm spot to nestle into and drift off.

I tried every position, every configuration of blankets, every arrangement of pillows and still sleep would not come.

I didn't sleep very well without you there.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

LOL!

If anyone ever doubts that God has a sense of humor send them to Kalispell, MT in the winter.

Remember all that snow I've been shoveling for days and weeks on end? LOL! Well it warmed up.


The entire city is almost a lake. I swam through calf deep water to get to work this morning. Oh, and you know that scene in movies where the cars drive by and the person gets splashed with water? LOL! Well, it really happens.

This is my first winter living in Kalispell and so far I have not been disappointed at the adventure of it all.

Just please God, no locusts!

Monday, January 05, 2009

Shoveling Snow

Fluffy, white frosting

I always need good karma

Heavy, wet and cold

Whew, what a weekend - 3 days of shoveling snow. First I had to dig my car out. Then the car port was full of snow so I had to dig my way back in. Next came shoveling the side walks and the areas the snow plows had buried - again!

This morning I once again shoveled the areas of the side walk that the snow plow had buried - yet one more time.

Racquetball was a nice change of activity - except I got beat one of the games but I blame being tired from snow shoveling. Still, I managed to win 2 out of 3 so I'm hanging on to that. No more racquetball losses I tell you, war has been declared, the glove has been slapped - bring it on!

*sigh* and now it's back to work.