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.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
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!
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
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.
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.
Friday, January 16, 2009
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Snow Diary
December 8 6:00 PM
It started to snow. The first snow of the season and
the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by
the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down
from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So
romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
December 9
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow
covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic
sight! Can there be a more lovely place in
the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've
ever had! Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a
boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks.
This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered
up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got
to shovel again. What a perfect life!
December 12
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a
disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to worry-
we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on
Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much
snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see
snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such
a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14
Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night. The
temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything
sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed
up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is
the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and
buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling,
but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish
I wouldn't huff and puff so.
December 15
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4
Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2
extra shovel s. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants
a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think
that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.
December 16
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in
the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The
wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very
cruel.
December 17
Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go
anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to
pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but
stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I
should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to
her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe
I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20
Electricity is back on, but had another 14 inches of
the damn snow last night. More shoveling! Took all
day. The damn snowplow came by twice.
Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said
they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're
lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about
buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have
another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob
says I have to shovel or the city will have it done
and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more
inches of the white shit fell today, and it's so cold,
it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes
to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I
had to piss. By the time I got undressed, pissed and
dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to
hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of
the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think the
asshole is lying.
December 23
Only 2 inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0.
The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house
this morning. What is she, nuts?!!
Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She
says she did but I think she's lying.
December 24
6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke
the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I
ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snow
plow, I'll drag him through the snow by his balls and
beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he
hides around the corner and waits for me to finish
shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100
miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just
been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas
carols with her and open our presents, but I was too
busy watching for the damn snowplow.
December 25
Merry f---ing Christmas! 20 more inches of the damn
slop tonight - Snowed in!
The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God, I hate
the snow!
Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation
and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife
says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking
idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one
more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.
December 26
Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It
was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze;
plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he
only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.
December 28
Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. The BITCH is
driving me crazy!!!
December 29
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or
it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever
heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30
Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver, and now
he is suing me for a million dollars, not only for the
beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the
broken snow shovel up his ass. The wife went home to
her mother. Nine more inches predicted.
December 31
I set fire to what's left of the house. No more
shoveling.
January 8
Feel so good. I just love those little white pills
they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed??
It started to snow. The first snow of the season and
the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by
the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down
from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So
romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
December 9
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow
covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic
sight! Can there be a more lovely place in
the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've
ever had! Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a
boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks.
This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered
up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got
to shovel again. What a perfect life!
December 12
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a
disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to worry-
we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on
Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much
snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see
snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such
a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14
Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night. The
temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything
sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed
up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is
the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and
buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling,
but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish
I wouldn't huff and puff so.
December 15
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4
Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2
extra shovel s. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants
a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think
that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.
December 16
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in
the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The
wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very
cruel.
December 17
Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go
anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to
pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but
stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I
should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to
her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe
I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20
Electricity is back on, but had another 14 inches of
the damn snow last night. More shoveling! Took all
day. The damn snowplow came by twice.
Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said
they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're
lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about
buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have
another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob
says I have to shovel or the city will have it done
and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more
inches of the white shit fell today, and it's so cold,
it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes
to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I
had to piss. By the time I got undressed, pissed and
dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to
hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of
the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think the
asshole is lying.
December 23
Only 2 inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0.
The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house
this morning. What is she, nuts?!!
Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She
says she did but I think she's lying.
December 24
6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke
the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I
ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snow
plow, I'll drag him through the snow by his balls and
beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he
hides around the corner and waits for me to finish
shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100
miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just
been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas
carols with her and open our presents, but I was too
busy watching for the damn snowplow.
December 25
Merry f---ing Christmas! 20 more inches of the damn
slop tonight - Snowed in!
The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God, I hate
the snow!
Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation
and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife
says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking
idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one
more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.
December 26
Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It
was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze;
plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he
only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.
December 28
Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. The BITCH is
driving me crazy!!!
December 29
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or
it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever
heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30
Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver, and now
he is suing me for a million dollars, not only for the
beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the
broken snow shovel up his ass. The wife went home to
her mother. Nine more inches predicted.
December 31
I set fire to what's left of the house. No more
shoveling.
January 8
Feel so good. I just love those little white pills
they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed??
Thursday, December 18, 2008
She: I bet you are glad you walk to work this morning huh?
Me: Yep, except for the 5 foot snow berms I had to circumvent
We just got DUMPED ON last night! It is soooo cool. The snow plows are piling snow up in the parking lots higher than my head and it is still coming. I haven't seen snow this deep in a while and I love it. Granted I'm not going to love driving in it this afternoon but I'll make it there and back I'm sure.
On second thought, if you don't hear from me by tonight you might want to call the Highway Patrol.
See ya kiddies :)
Me: Yep, except for the 5 foot snow berms I had to circumvent
We just got DUMPED ON last night! It is soooo cool. The snow plows are piling snow up in the parking lots higher than my head and it is still coming. I haven't seen snow this deep in a while and I love it. Granted I'm not going to love driving in it this afternoon but I'll make it there and back I'm sure.
On second thought, if you don't hear from me by tonight you might want to call the Highway Patrol.
See ya kiddies :)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Oooh baby, it's cold outside...
Woo hoo! Over the weekend we got snow. And more snow. And even more snow. It's not too deep in town but the drive to the office Christmas party of Friday night was interesting and the snow kept on a coming. You know what that means, right? 
Hehe, it's time for snowshoeing in Glacier Park, woo hoo!
Any outside activity right now requires lots of layers because as you can see by that little temperature gauge down to the right - go ahead and look, I'll wait - it is DAMN cold! Still I am so excited that it's finally snowshoeing time.
Grab your gear, grab your thermos full of hot chocolate and Brandy and let's go!!
Hehe, it's time for snowshoeing in Glacier Park, woo hoo!Any outside activity right now requires lots of layers because as you can see by that little temperature gauge down to the right - go ahead and look, I'll wait - it is DAMN cold! Still I am so excited that it's finally snowshoeing time.
Grab your gear, grab your thermos full of hot chocolate and Brandy and let's go!!
☮
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Happy randomness
"I've been an awful good girl so Santa baby, hurry down my chimney tonight"...
I have been having such strange dreams lately. Last night I dreamed I was filling an endless supply of toilet paper rolls.
Monday, December 08, 2008
I started out strong - full of Christmas spirit, ready for the holiday, eager to pick out presents for those I love, put up my Charlie Brown Christmas tree, played Christmas music, watched Christmas movies. And now...it's fading, fizzled, dimmed, it's lost the luster, it's etiolating - I'm kind of sad about that.
Now I just want it to be over. I want to start fresh, get on with it all ready, get the holidays over with and move on to a new year.
Bummer!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
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