Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Blood-Gathering is not just for Vampires!

With all the hoopla surrounding the Twilight series, and all things Vampire-ish... I find it ironic that getting blood from folks is actually so difficult!

I have just been released from a 9-day stint in one of our local hospitals. It was not life-threatening, although I guess it could have been... but I was suffering from pancreatitis - which is caused by (for me) a rare genetic enzyme disorder called hyperlipoprotenemia type I. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=238600)

It can be quite painful and the treatment is simply no food and morphine for pain.

The no food thing can be tricky.

So when you go in, you are immediately hooked up to an IV with glucose solution... I was in pain and offered the ER folks my left arm, which has been my "lucky" arm for blood-getting most of my adult life.

BUT

that meant I only had my right arm to offer the phlebotomists at the hospital.
Phlebotomist is a strange name, isn't it? According to the dictionary: A phlebotomist is an individual trained to draw blood, either for laboratory tests or for blood donations.

I am no stranger to needles. I was a research patient at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD for a big part of my childhood - Mom took me up there for months at a time; when I was school-age, that's where my summers were spent. Then when I turned 12, I was given over to NIH (National Instititues of Health) in Bethesda, MD. At John Hopkins, I was subjected to a lot of different testing procedures, liver biopsy is the only one I can tell you here - I have happily blocked out most of my life during those elementary years. What is consistent in my memory is the constant need they had for my blood.

I optimistically thought that as I became an adult, this would become easier for me. What happened is that I have almost developed a phobia about it.

Some of my college friends will recall that Spring Break of my freshman year was spent in the ER and hospital... a result of my going crazy, whether rebellion or disbelief that I was really sick (?) - who knows - but I took my freshman quarter to eat out and eat whatever I liked, even went to a few frat parties... all of these things were damaging to my pancreas and increased my triglycerides level to 3200. Thus, a major attack, and that is when I met my wonderful physician who has cared for me so diligently over these past 30 years. After I was released, I naturally vowed that I would stay closely on my diet and watch everything that I ate. Oh how quickly we forget. I was hospitalized 2 other times with pancreatitis, once during my 3rd pregnancy. And so this was my 4th time - it's been 18 years since the previous time. I have been lax though. It gets tiring to always eat differently and to have to explain it to other people.

But if you came to read this post just for BLOOD, then I need to get to that part:
The lab folks came to my room each morning about 6:00 a.m. to take my blood. They turn the bright lights on. They set their little toolbox down on my bed. They greet you happily, a little too eager to do their job if you ask me. Then they pull out their rubber string to tie off your circulation. And then they start to flick your arm with their finger. Hard. And then they study, and sigh, and then they move the rubber string down to my wrist. My hand is going numb. They flick more. And then they rub the hand with alcohol, it's cold. And they say, "Okay. It's gonna be a big stick." Ouch!! It is. And then say, "Has anyone ever told you that you have tough veins?" or perhaps they say, "That one blew. Have to do it again."

The Wednesday lady said that something was wrong with the vacuum on the tube, let her try a new one, and then that tube did not work, and finally she ended up SCOOPING the blood that was dripping out of the hole she made in my hand! I was so angry and upset!!


I mean, seriously! What is wrong with these people?

After enduring the lab folks on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I had enough! I rebelled. I told my night nurse on Wed. night that I did not want them coming in for me. She assured me that she would stop them. She did - but she left at 7a.m. - and at 8:30, 2 more lab people came in, turned on the bright light, I jumped to alert when he said, "Can we get your blood?" and I said, "No you cannot!". He said okay and they slammed the door on the way out.

Thursday was a bad morning. When the doctor on call came in, I was a basket-case and told him that I wanted to go home, the lab people did not know how to do their job, and I was tired of them practicing on me. He says, they do know how to do their job -- well, technically, if their job is getting blood - then yes - but really (!) - do they have to get their training on my poor weak little arms?

So - poor Hospitalist got a crazy patient who became non-compliant very quickly. I was written up in the chart, 'ornery' is what the gastroentologist said.

My last 3 days were no-lab days, except I stayed on the IV through Saturday, and kept that needle in my arm until Sunday.

Did I say how much I HATE needles?

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Are you the Carrot, Egg or Coffee?

Something to think about...

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up; she was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.
She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.
The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

Think of this:
Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

Oh that we would all be coffee!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Are You a Masterpiece?

Don't we all do this?
Complaining?
Arguing with God?
Believing the lies?

Copy this url into your address bar - you need to see this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXut0HxncvY

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

35 Reasons Not To Sin

1. Because a little sin leads to more sin.
2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
10. Because my sin saddens the godly.
11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.
18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.
29. Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.
33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own.
35. Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.

Relinquish Your Rights - Reject the Sin - Renew the Mind - Rely on God


**WOW ~ #3 is very gripping, isn't it? And #35... remember back when you first gave your heart, your life to the Lord?
Think about these, deny your flesh, be strong and make a good decision.



Copyright © 1992 Jim Elliff
Christian Communicators Worldwide, Inc.
Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in unedited form
including author's name, title, complete content, copyright and weblink.
Other uses require written permission.
www.CCWtoday.org

Sunday, July 26, 2009

What Country Am I In???

It is so sad to me that our government is trying to tax us more, spread our money around to those who refuse to work, and continually try to take away our freedoms!

What is wrong with us - do we sit in apathy, or perhaps hopelessness?
The TEA parties that began this year seem like a good start for getting the people involved, but is it enough?

According to Wikipedia, healthcare reform is a phrase that is commonly used for discussing health policy changes. Wikipedia gives a general overview of various countries and how their health care is managed. All of us should take a look at how health care actually operates in other countries and educate ourselves. Our country was founded on freedom, that includes our freedom of choice regarding healthcare. I want to choose my doctor, discuss my options with my healthcare team, and then choose my treatment plan. I do not believe that the current healthcare reform will allow me to keep those freedoms of choice for myself and my family.

Sadly, one scenario that has caused some of the ruckus is that we Christians are not doing a good enough job of taking care of our widows and orphans. But the present administration has already said that Medicare and Medicaid are too expensive. We must become a neighborhood of caring again, and reach out to those who are in need. The complaints of those who have been neglected or suffered wrong in our institutional health care cannot be ignored, but you cannot fix those problems with the new healthcare plan that Obama has created. And -- You cannot legislate caring.

There is a good article here about the very recent attempt at my homestate to offer healthcare to all at no cost to those who needed medical assistance - sadly, this TennCare plan did not work and cost the state so much money, it got into a terribly bad financial situation. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/07/22/tenncare_lessons_for_modern_health_care_reform_97570.html

In any case, I am passing along the following website link so you can read some of the new healthcare "reforms" that our president is supporting. Nevermind any personal commentary, just take a look at some of the specifics and make your own intelligent decision. I know we can.

http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2009/07/whats-in-healthacre-bill.html

Monday, July 20, 2009

Yes, There is a Cost

Take a walk down the path of life and along the way you will find many surprises. The cost of living is high; it is not for the weak or the faint at heart. Living requires courage; it will take all the tenacity that you can muster.

The high road is never the easy road; it will grind you down to the bone and reveal the weakness on the inside. You will be given the opportunity to take advantage of each obstacle that comes in your way. A person without a vision will never take the high road, there are too many punishing storms that drown the weak and break the undetermined soul.

There cannot be a testimony without a test and no advancement without resistance.

Living must be intentional; failing to plan is planning to fail. Success does not knock on anyone’s door. To measure your success in life you have to take a look at your potential and then go beyond that. We are not called to what we can do; we are measured against the standard of Heaven. If you are living in what you can manage, then you are settling for what YOU can produce and that is way below Heavens standard. Try taking a step beyond what you are capable of and place your foot in the steps of Jesus.

... So you don’t think you have what it takes? You are right; because this road of life requires supernatural help. Our battles are not against flesh and blood, not against other human beings or our own bad decisions. We are at war against a force that is unseen to the human eye. Your discernment will be honed and your courage will be tested. Control is mostly a myth; sometimes you can control yourself but you cannot control the circumstances of life, you can only decide what your response will be to these events. A response should be pre-meditated. As Ed said last night, if you eat only once a week at church, you will be anemic and weak, unable to fight the enemy or feed yourself. The more you eat, the stronger you will be - and follow the pattern of the wilderness children by gathering and eating before the sunrise, before your day begins.

Yes - The cost of living is high. Our lives are shaped by the heavy storms that adversity brings; and we should prepare ourselves ahead of time. Life is worth living and it is worth living right. Count the cost before you start; look at your life with the end in mind. We are all going to die someday, but we will not all live. What will your choices be?

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

News Media

I get so frustrated with how our News informs us... do you think it's biased, one-sided, has an agenda??

Take this Swine Flu thing for example.
The Center for Disease Control says that each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; 20,000 of those are children younger than 5 years old; and 36,000 people die from the flu. Therefore, it is their recommendation that you get a yearly flu vaccine which protects from 3 main flu strains. They also suggest that you cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze - hey, I think this falls under "good manners" if not common sense. Also - WASH YOUR HANDS folks! You really cannot do this enough, so simple and yet so effective to keep germs from entering your body. The CDC also says to stay away from sick people. Might it be better to have sick people stay away from us? Why do we go to work sick? Why do we send our children to school sick? It is no wonder that sickness spreads to everyone in our midst.

Evidently 36,000 people dying from regular flu is not news worthy, not when you compare it to the panic of swine flu spreading rapidly at our borders. Perhaps the people who are so anxious to allow non-Americans come into our country will change their mind a little bit now. But this is not a note about our borders.

This is a note about politics however.

Today is President Obama's 100th day. I have not seen earth-shattering legislation that is helping me. I have seen my local property taxes increase. I have been watching how a stimulus bill (which was not even READ by our president) was passed, and I have watched him briefly on the news (and some YouTube news) as he "makes nice" with all foreign leaders. I have to tell you that it was a little scary watching him with other world leaders, reminded me of a Left Behind (the movie) scene. I have no doubt that we move closer to the end days. And in the end, the U.S. does fall from its top position as world leader. Did you ever think it would happen? We enjoyed so many days of excess and prosperity, as if it would never end. And we, so much like Israel, seem to always repeat the mistakes of our ancestors.

I have located some good blogs for conservatives, if you want to read any. They are in my blog list. But, if you are like me, you read these things, your blood pressure goes up and you get discouraged, depressed, frustrated... a good way to handle those emotions is to WRITE YOUR POLITICIANS! Let your voice be heard, whether you choose email, snail mail or even your telephone, get involved and get active. The only way that change will happen is if YOU get involved.

Don't just sit back and let someone else do it. You do your little bit too. It is going to take ALL of us.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Tis the season of Proms...

...and graduations... and awards ceremonies... another year ending... and my "baby" is leaving high school.

When they were small, I could never imagine this day. You are so overwhelmed with the constant demands of young children, they are always needing you, wanting you, touching you... and then suddenly, they hit the teenage years, going through hormonal changes and personality changes; oh, they still need you, but they are not as willing to share with you and tell you they need you! and when my first one left the nest, i still had the others, and then the next one, but i still had one at home... and so it goes.

I expected to feel more sadness, but somehow God really does prepare you for this time. And ~ perhaps my sadness is overshadowed by my more natural emotion of anxiety, stress, fear! (okay, that is supposed to be a little funny.) Truth is, when we send them out each day, we have no control over anything. I realize that the truth is: Control of anything is an illusion! But isn't it easy to convince ourselves that we DO have control? It is a daily struggle for me to NOT let my flesh control my emotions, my actions, my feelings.

For the present, we have a prom hair appointment to get to (more money added to all the other pre-prom festivities). You "dads of baby daughters" get prepared for the expenses involved in getting our girls out to their social events! You have a few years so start saving now. lol

Talk to you soon.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Stimulate What Exactly??

know that all of you are probably as sick of this "news" as I, but I get SO frustrated with the double-talk and lies that we hear from people in our government... and yet, even as I say this, I also realize that some of what we hear/see on the news is clips and are usually (always?) cut together in order to sway and slant things.

But... I do not like the way that things are going, have been going... and I'm an old person now, and perhaps did not pay enough attention to Mr. Hoover's or Mr. Allison's history classes at Dobyns-Bennett, so I decided to look up the definitions of these words for myself this morning.

Interesting reading, the dictionary:

com·mu·nism
Etymology:French communisme, from commun common
Date:1840
1 a: a theory advocating elimination of private property b: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2capitalized a: a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics b: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production c: a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably d: communist systems collectively

so·cial·ism
Date: 1837
1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

cap·i·tal·ism
Date: 1877
: an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

And, I have to share this video link with Nancy Pelosi, regarding the Pork... and how can our President promote a bill that apparently he has not read? or maybe he supports it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaDtkG6afBc (hopefully this link will work - or go to YouTube and search Pelosi Pork)

I guess I'm frustrated... just consider this a vent...

I'm not the sharpest pencil... maybe someone reading this can help?