R(etired)N

Diabetes: In Remission!!!!!

2012-01-28T10:22:00.000-08:00

Remember my diabetic cat?

It's been 20 days since I started her on an "all protein" diet, and 18 days since I started insulin....and guess what?

I think she is in remission!!

A Miracle!

Kitty relaxing, but keeping one eye out for the lancet....!

If you were witness to what I went through with my other diabetic cat... you would understand what a relief this is.

By the end of the first week, I was giving 2 units of glargine insulin twice daily to my present diabetic Kitty.

After a couple days of 2 units, her blood glucose was dropping a little lower than what I liked, so I dropped the dosage gradually to 1.5 units, then 1.0 units of insulin.

By the end of the second week, I had reduced the dosage down to 0.5 units of insulin.

When even that small of an amount dropped her afternoon 2 hour pre-lunch glucose to 1.9 mmol/L - I stopped it entirely - yesterday afternoon.

She has not had any insulin for 24 hours!

It isn't just for MY convenience that I am relieved....but also for my cat's comfort and quality of life - although it will be a lot cheaper when we go on vacation not having to find a sitter that can do blood glucose levels and the administration of insulin!

Yay!

My Kitty has gained weight (YAY!) and I can't feel her spine as much...her coat is definitely healthier-looking and she is playful and full of energy - perhaps even more than when she was eating dry food.

So, let this be a lesson to everyone out there with cats:

HIGH PROTEIN DIET!!!! Don't give the dry catfood - it's KILLING your cats!
Check the label of what you feed your cat.

As with HUMANS: PREVENTION is better than a CURE!!!

I am going to start giving raw food next week.....it is available at our local pet store (mom and pop store - NOT the big box store!) and it is cheaper than canned food by a mile.

A local (Vancouver) company prepares it...it comes frozen. I might have to incorporate it gradually, but it will be a lot healthier than the canned foods.

Let's keep our fingers crossed!

I have a Veterinarian appointment for a week and a half from now and hopefully I will have the evidence of complete remission!

SNOW DAY!!! TOO COLD! The City shuts down.....

2012-01-23T09:51:00.000-08:00

"Relaxing is another way of saying you're getting old"

Last week was a snowy one for most of British Columbia.

Here is a video that was shot a couple days ago when Victoria got their snow day.

The Band playing is a local one.... "Current Swell" singing "Too Cold"......

Enjoy the song! ....And the quick run through Victoria, the Capital City of the Province of British Columbia......if you have never been there!

Even if you have been there...you probably haven't seen it when it snows!

I am leaving you with a family of Sea Otters in Victoria.......enjoying the snow:

and another at the Science center:

Enough already!

But you have to admit.....animals ARE cute!

Year of the Dragon!

2012-01-22T15:04:00.000-08:00

Gung Hay Fat Choy! "May Prosperity Be With You" - the popular saying during the Lunar New Year!

The Year of the Dragon!

Most of the world celebrates this Chinese New Year Holiday.

A local B.C. artist has an amazing piece of sculpture that is now on display at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, B.C. where there is a large Asian population.

This same artwork was on display throughout the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver this past summer.

He has also been commissioned to build an eagle sculpture for Dollywood. Take a peek (by clicking on the links in this blog) at what he is doing! It is nothing short of incredible!

It's one thing to look at photos, but my husband and I had the pleasure of seeing these up close and personal....and even got to talk to the artist himself....Kevin Stone.

Looking from the tail, through the coil to the head

The head of the dragon up close

My husband taking a photo of the eagle

If you ever go to Dollywood, you will be able to see the eagle....and know that it migrated all the way from British Columbia!

Expand Taxation: a Viable Option

2012-01-20T16:16:00.000-08:00

I have blogged on this subject before, however, a new poll taken in Canada has surfaced that shows Canadians are in favor of legalizing a Certain Herb - 66% in fact.

It's no surprise that B.C. residents are the top supporters of legalization at 73%. Quebec was the lowest at 61%.

It just makes good health and economic sense - and in addition, it takes the money and power out of the hands of the criminals.

It is estimated that $400 million is spent annually for police, courts, and prisons to enforce the current laws.

Wouldn't that money be better spent elsewhere - say nursing care or education.....?

The taxes gleaned from governmental controls and distribution (similar to alcohol) would be enough to take a chunk out of the deficit and also remove the criminal element so those wanting the pleasure of medicinal (or otherwise) use of the Herb can do so without fear of a criminal record or the possibility of ingesting/inhaling a product that isn't safe.

The Liberals are on board, voting 77% in favor of legalization. The Senate special committee (chaired by a Conservative) had also given the recommendation to FREE THE WEED - 10 years ago! I had published some of the findings and recommendations in a previous blog post that somehow got taken down.

Certainly The Herb is not as damaging as alcohol, cigarettes or Tylenol .......

The age group most in favor of it's liberation? My age group and older - age 55-64. If people could get over the stigma and smear campaign that has been waging in the media and political field.... and if politicians can look at and act on actual statistics that show Legalization is the best route to take - perhaps they can make the changes - before I retire - so that I can look forward to a *comfortable* retirement.

I happen to not like the taste of alcohol. I like wine but it makes me turn a beet red. I don't like the side effects. I need pain medication for various aches and pains ( some admittedly of my own doing - skiing and occupational injuries) but don't want the damage that tylenol/NSAIDS/cortisone injections can do. I happen to like my liver.

The Weed is a useful herb that can be affordable if grown in one's own house.

I am all for it and even though politically I am more on the Conservative side (by the way - for the record - "Conservative" in Canada is definitely not equal to "Republican"! We are too far left)

Stats show that legalizing MJ actually helps control it's use. Look at how education - as opposed to prohibition has led to the decrease in smoking and drinking in recent years.

If all those kids at the Stanley Cup Vancouver Riot had been puffing instead of drinking....perhaps there wouldn't have been a riot at all!

Definitely the surrounding stores would have benefited from the extra demand for munchies.

Predictions out of the Past....

2012-01-19T08:22:00.000-08:00

I found this to be very interesting.

The Ladies' Home Journal article from 1901 gathered predictions from the best and brightest scientists and learned a century ago - of what it would be like living in the year 2001.

It's incredible how close they came with their forcasts.

Read it and compare with life today. (Click on the above link to read)

My husband FINALLY got to use his Snowblower!

2012-01-17T15:46:00.000-08:00

This was taken this am at approximately 0630.

He is so happy to brush the dust off it and give it a run around the block!

At the rate the snow is coming down - he will be able to take it out tonight too - after work!!!

It is whiteout conditions here.

We are snowed in!

I think I can still safely go and get groceries. Having grown up where snow is no big deal.....what is going on out there is manageable.

Holy Hanna!!

2012-01-17T13:31:00.000-08:00

How can you have a blood glucose of 1.9 mmol/L* - and not be convulsing???

Just took Kitty's blood glucose and after giving only 1.5 units - she is very LOW. Now, I have seen numbers that low on neonates....but not on adults - not any that were coherent - and not any that were able to eat.

Yet Kitty was able to scarf down 15gms of chicken.

I am wondering if she is already going into remission?

That would be great!

Meanwhile, these low blood glucose readings cause problems with work. How do you do a glucose level and treat a hypoglycemic reaction if one is not at home?

Lucky for me, this week I work at home and then I have vacation time coming up. I was hoping to run off to somewhere sunny, especially since the weather is getting slightly chilly here.... minus 10C and we are pretty much snowed in.

Oh well!

Today, I will be at home for the afternoon.....doing q2h blood glucoses!

I suppose I could get my groceries later.

This am - very early

so much snow! Long awaited!!!

*UPDATE #1: After eating 15gms of chicken, one hour later, her blood glucose is 3.1 - still too low. I gave her the remaining 15 gms of chicken, so hopefully her 2 hr post lunch glucose will be a little more than that. Still not out of the woods!

*UPDATE #2: 2 1/2 hrs after the initial low blood glucose - it is now 5.1 mmol/L. Not optimum, since her next dose of insulin is due in a couple hours. I think I will go back to 1 unit bid.

Low blood sugar Alert!!

2012-01-16T16:35:00.000-08:00

This morning my Kitty's glucose reading was 5.8......normal. As per online information, I did give her the usual morning dose of insulin anyway - 2 units of glargine.

Just before her "lunch" - I tested her blood glucose again, since I had my blood draw technique a little more refined - and I wanted to make sure 2 units wasn't too much for her.

My Diabetic Kitty relaxing in front of the fireplace

It's lower than what I would like at 2.7mmol/L.

She didn't have any symptoms of hypoglycemia, however.

I gave her usual 35 grams of chicken and at one hour post lunch, repeated her glucose level - 4.1mmol/L.   Two hours post lunch, her blood sugar was back to 5.8, better but slightly lower than what I like to see for a cat on insulin.

I may have to reduce her insulin to 1.5 units bid (twice daily).

Apparently, according to research done, it doesn't work to go to a sliding scale, since the best insulin to use is long acting and best given as a bid dosage - 12 hours apart.

Human grade chicken, free range and
hormone and antibiotics free
I use the 100% chicken breast-
no veggies added

I had used sliding scale on my last diabetic cat and found first hand that it didn't work - and that was using a short acting insulin. Mind you, I believe the diet I was giving my poor cat at that time was not conducive to stable blood sugars.

Back then, only 15 years ago, a diabetic feline diet didn't mean giving a high protein diet, as researchers now recommend.

It also is advised not to withhold insulin dosage due to low blood sugars. This makes sense, since with the long acting insulin - if you withhold it - you would end up with a high blood glucose hours later after a meal or two.

The object is to keep the blood glucose at an even level throughout the day in a normal as range possible - and this is accomplished by giving bid insulin at a level just right for the cat.

Finding that stable dosage is what may take a little tweaking.

I probably should have increased the dosage by .5 unit instead of one whole unit - hindsight is 100%, but I had felt that since one unit overall decreased Kitty's glucose level by only (on average) 5 mmol/L - it wouldn't hurt to add on another whole unit.

I know better now. Since then I have found supporting evidence that recommends .5 increments.

Kitty with our other cat

Two good things I have noticed with the change of diet - her coat is much shinier and healthier looking, and her problem with dandruff has almost disappeared. It could be that the grains that are added to almost all cat food was causing an allergic reaction in her system.

I also believe she is vomiting less.

I wish I would have done research on cat food a lot sooner. Incredibly, very few cat foods are available out there that don't put grains and veggies or fruit in them.

If my Kitty weren't such a lazy cat, and got out there and caught some mice, she probably would be healthier!

As it is, she is afraid to step off the doorstep...... even when the door is open.

If you like Coldplay.....

2012-01-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

Watch this. Very good version....some say better than the original.

If you go to their Youtube channel - take a look at other songs they have done. It's incredible!

Here is their story.

On Poking my Cat's ear....

2012-01-15T12:56:00.000-08:00

My cat has been on insulin twice daily for 6 days now.

glygine: long acting man-made human insulin

My hope is in the research that was done in Australia - that cats, when caught early, and had their diet changed and put on glargine insulin, tend to resolve their diabetes in four months:

"An important finding that changed management of diabetic cats world-wide is that treatment with insulin glargine results in remission rates close to 100% compared to 20% for lente insulin and 30% for protamine zinc insulin in newly diagnosed diabetic cats"*

The great thing about the study is that it includes tables of dosage and target blood glucose levels based on body weight.

First thing I had to do is buy insulin and a glucometer and strips.

Expensive! (it was hilarious that the pharmacy asked me for my Medical card even though it was my cat that was the patient!) - but totally worth it since my cat stresses out going to the vet and I am definitely up to doing blood glucose testing - again! I think it will turn out cheaper in the long run and will definitely be less stressful for my Kitty.

I downloaded a diabetic record, much like we keep in the hospital - but with more space for food details. (Weekly one for me, a monthly one for my Veterinarian.)

Testing a cat is no easy matter. The videos that shows how to do it makes it look easy, but with my kitty - not so much. Even with the application of heat, it's difficult to get enough of a sample to register..

I had a much easier time with my other cat - and I suspect it has less to do with my expertise as the type of lancet I used. The stick pen I use has a much finer point than the lancets I used for my last cat - the kind used for a baby's heels. (doesn't that make you wince!!! Poor babies!)

I started Kitty on one unit of insulin bid (twice daily) just to make sure I didn't overdose and cause a hypoglycemic seizure. It's best to aim for a gradual reduction in the glucose level.**

Her blood sugars started out at 29.7 ( I am using mmol/L measurement that we use in Canada since I am more familiar with it) and only went down to 19.2 by the end of the day.

The next morning it was 8.2 so I skipped the pm insulin. I shouldn't have, because cats have a faster metabolism and and require bid dosages to maintain a consistent glucose level. Sure enough, the next morning's glucose level was back up again - 18.3 mmol/L.

Lesson learned.

I decided it would be best to stay at one unit of insulin bid for a couple more days. I monitored her intake in grams and kept it consistent for insulin dosaging purposes. The Ozzie researchers had allowed their cats to free range eat for the first 2 weeks of the study and then put them on a restricted diet.

I fed her when she was hungry (four times per day, as it turned out) and kept track on her chart.

After a few more days - it was evident that her glucose levels had stabilized at 18 to 20 mmol/L.

Yesterday I started her on 2 units bid and this am her blood glucose level was 12.6......so we're getting there!

Apparently after being on insulin for two weeks, her pancreas could kick in and start creating it's own insulin. As I already quoted above, after four months, it could very well be that I can discontinue her insulin altogether.

I wish I had known about the importance of high protein diet back when my other cat had diabetes.....his blood glucose levels could have been better maintained and possibly could have recovered. The diet Veterinarians were advocating for feline diabetics back then wasn't at all what diabetic cats actually require.

As my present Veterinarian states - we should be giving our cats canned mice - and unfortunately, people won't do it because it's not esthetically pleasing to us.....so we ignore what cats actually need and give them what we think they need......creating the proliferation of feline diabetics!!!

I suppose that is the importance of research!

Preventative medicine and improving patient care!

* http://www.uq.edu.au/ccah/index.html?page=43498&pid=0

** Meters calibrated for feline use may read higher or lower than the actual value, in
contrast to consistently lower readings for meters validated for human blood. Therefore, my target range for Kitty's blood glucose level is 4.4 - 7.2.

Finally......

2012-01-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

The snow we have been waiting for!

This was taken out front of our house at 6 am.....only 2 1/2 hrs ago....

Finally my husband gets to use his snowblower that has been sitting gathering dust for a couple years.....!

Diabetes......AGAIN!

2012-01-12T13:40:00.000-08:00

In the mid 1990s I had a cat that developed Feline Diabetes. Back then, the treatment was insulin but the diet wasn't ever changed as part of the regimen. Not much, anyway.

On the left "Spike"-my 1st diabetic cat

I would give three-times daily doses of porcine insulin and test his blood sugar a couple times per day. His blood sugars would swing wildly (yes - I did blood sugars on him!) and on occasion, I was witness to hypoglycemic seizures.

I would rub a little bit of corn syrup in his gums and in a few minutes he would come to....albeit, slightly dazed.

It was difficult to go on vacations because it was a chore to find anyone who would look after him....no one wanted to take on the task of insulin administration. I don't blame them. It would be a daunting task for anyone without experience in the area or a love of my Cat.

Eventually, after approximately 2 years on insulin.....he died from Kidney failure, which is quite common with Feline Diabetes.

Three years ago, our renters had a cat with diabetes. When they went on vacation, I offered to give the twice-daily insulin. I didn't mind at all, and they were relieved to have someone take over that was aware of the challenge.

Their cat did well......and lived for another 3 years.

In the past couple weeks I noticed that my Kitty (featured in a few of my posts) had lost quite a bit of weight. At first it wasn't worrying me since we had her on a weight reduction program for her slight obesity. It wouldn't hurt to have her lose 2 lbs.

My present diabetic Kitty...

In the last month and half alone - she lost probably 2 lbs more than her target weight... now weighing perhaps 10lbs, which wouldn't have worried me, except her spine was quite bony when I ran a hand down her back.

I ended up taking her to the Vet last Friday, and she is now diagnosed with Feline Diabetes.

Who would have thought I would have 2 diabetic cats in a lifetime! They are a LOT of work, but it's worth it - as long as she isn't in pain and she can lead a normal healthy life.

More tomorrow on her Treatment Plan.

Interesting Fact: Apparently, cats can go into remission and if treated early and correctly, can rejuvenate their pancreas spontaneously and not require insulin at all!!

Mixed emotions.

2012-01-11T13:03:00.000-08:00

Just thinking back 17 years ago today when my friend was killed in a Medevac plane crash on their way to an Obstetrical emergency on Haida Gwaii (formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands). I blogged on it last year, in case you missed it.

The same exact day, 16 years after the crash, my friend's niece, whom he was very close to - had her baby girl. I blogged about that, too.

I just wanted to mention it.....every year I think of Danny......and now, as salve to a wound - that ominous date has been turned into one with more joy than sorrow. Happy 1st Birthday, Little One!!

But I will never forget him.

Beauty Tip: Revolutionary !!

2012-01-11T07:10:00.000-08:00

When you are my age, the realization that youthful beauty has slipped by - slaps you in the face. Why is it that we place so much weight on our looks and not on the substance beneath?

This *fake* ad says it all:

What do you think??????

***************************************

Here is the story behind the video. It was made by a Friend of my GF's kids in Redding California.....

Can you Guess????????

2012-01-10T15:05:00.000-08:00

Which photo is Texas and Which photo is Canada?????

Can you guess?
Look at the photos carefully..........

*******************************************

Answer: The photo with all that SNOW is Texas, USA in my cousin's back yard, taken this am.

The second photo with the kids on their bikes was just taken by myself only 5 minutes ago here in B.C. Canada!!!!

A couple of weeks ago it was warmer here than in Palm Springs, CA.
What's going on here??????

Couldn't resist this......

2012-01-09T20:43:00.000-08:00

Ok. Yah. I do tend to overuse emoticons sometimes. :(

My nephew posted this on Facebook. I wonder if he was aiming it in my direction?

I told him that it didn't matter if I used them - I no longer care if nobody takes me seriously.

After all, I'm nearing retirement. :)

And that, dear internets, is the truth.

{{{{ Dang, tell me again why I am taking that University course???? :^( }}}}

Inside a Toddler's Brain:

2012-01-08T19:20:00.000-08:00

I guess there really is a "Phone Call Interruption Ganglia"

The Constant Texter ......

2012-01-06T14:51:00.000-08:00

I will probably catch a little flak on this posting, but - oh well. Here it goes.

Years ago my pet peeve were mothers who would halt a phone conversation every few sentences in order to talk with (or yell at) their small children. Continuously. At times I would wonder if it would matter to them if I just hung up - and at times I did. It was exasperating and frustrating trying to carry on a conversation.

Interrupting adult conversations was something I would never have done growing up. That was a big no-no.

Now, decades later, in the world of iPhones and computers and instant communication, I find that a good many mothers will also insist on texting nonstop back and forth to their children while I am trying to socialize with them.

I may as well be having lunch by myself.

I can understand a mother's need to know her children are safe but - why the need for the constant stream of texting going back and forth - are umbilical bonds not yet cut? I swear, if this game were being played, I would always win, hands down.

When my niece lived with me for three years while attending University, she enjoyed a freedom she could never have had living at home. I didn't feel it was necessary to know every move she made around the city. She was a wonderful gal and I trusted her judgement. She is now an accomplished, mature young woman with a master's degree and a great job with a lot of responsibility. No harm done.

During the New Year's weekend, my husband's sister and husband were here with their two kids. The son went snowboarding, while the daughter accompanied us as we toured around the City.

Instead of coming with us for the Grand City Tour, my husband's sister chose to stay on the mountain and sit in the ski lodge the entire time whilst the son snowboarded - because she didn't know if he would be ok by himself on the mountain.    I couldn't figure out whether she felt he would be kidnapped or somehow in danger....

I explained to her that he would not actually be by himself on the crowded ski hill  - and I even loaned him my cell phone so he could send her reassuring texts if needed.   It wasn't good enough.   She wanted to be there *just in case*........hovering around.

You are probably thinking - well that's a responsible parent.....   except - This "kid" is 20 years old!

In our province, he is old enough to have been legally drinking for a year. At his age, I was living on my own and travelling to Europe.....getting ready to buy my first house....all by myself.

I just don't understand it. Some will say it's because I am not a parent.

At 20 years old backpacked through Europe for a month with a girlfriend of mine. I didn't phone my mother the entire time.

Phones were expensive and scarce and communication service in the parts of Europe we went to was sketchy anyway. I didn't have the money to spare to make that call - today's equivalent of $50 for a five minute call - if you could get a line out.

There were no "cell phones" or "email" or anything else for contacting family in emergencies. When we jumped off the overnight train from Italy to Germany to catch a train connection into France while our forgotten passports carried on up north with the train - we had to problem solve all by ourselves in order to get them back. When we were given incorrect directions and ended up at the end of a rail line in rural Italy with no one to pick us up - we figured out how to get where we were going on our own.

I did think to send the folks a postcard at one point - but it arrived in Canada after I got home.

My old roommate from when I was in my 20s (I was already in the rental business!) explains to me that she likes to hear from her daughter when she is getting on the bus from University to ensure her safety, since she says there are too many "pervs" around in the "big city of Ottawa".

I can understand wanting to keep your child safe. And yes, if you are going to worry - why not just text once if it calms the fears? But should fear restrict activities and strain other relationships?

It's not the once-in-a-while checking in that I am talking about here. It's the constant texting back and forth - that seems to replace normal human contact - that I am complaining about. It just doesn't seem normal to me. Always having to keep tabs on the kids every single step they take could be creating unadventurous neurotic children that can't make decisions for themselves.

Personally, keeping that close of contact with my own mother would have driven me absolutely crazy. I didn't want my mother knowing every little facet of my life - although I would hazard a guess, since she is now an avid emailer and has a Facebook account, she would have loved to have kept closer track of us if there were such technology in those days - and if it were actually affordable.

Long distance, only several miles away was 75 cents to a dollar per minute back in the 1960s and 1970s. That added up to a lot of money.

Getting back to the perv fear of my friend, I don't believe for a minute there aren't just as many "pervs" in our communities as was 35 years ago. I think nowadays, we are just made more aware of them. When I worked as an RN in the prison system a couple years ago, there were plenty of older incarcerated "pervs" that must have been wandering about on the loose when I was a teen/young adult.

And, while we are on the topic of University - I have had friends that accompany their "children" to their first days of the first semester, and actually attend a "parent" class. They also bought tons of stuff (without consultation of their offspring ) for decorating their children's dorm room....and even went as far as to do that work for them.

I was thinking back to my own college days.....not only did my parents not ever step inside my dorm room......they didn't even actually see the outside of my college/universities I attended. College was 400 miles away from home and I even had to do my own planning to get there on my own steam.

my dorm room 1st year college '73

I don't recall any interest on the part of either parent - they didn't ask about my courses or take an active interest in what I was doing. It was my dollar that paid for my entire education. I sometimes sacrificed eating to pay for my studies....and I didn't even think to let my parents know how difficult it was or ask for help.

As a result, I put value on my education and was determined to succeed. I took chances. I problem solved on my own - creatively at times. I had confidence in the decisions I made. I was responsible for my grades, my behaviour and my life.

I bought my first house at age 21 despite my co-workers telling me I was nuts for doing so.....and I made decisions on what direction I would go with my nursing....including moving a thousand miles away to a different country - all without even thinking of consulting my parents.

So, forgive me when I say I don't understand - and I suppose I never will.

It's a whole different generation growing up nowadays - one that is the product of our baby boomer's parenting style. Whether it's good or not - the verdict isn't in yet as far as I can see.

Time will tell.

Meanwhile - do you mind putting your cell phone away for a half hour while we have lunch?

Thank you!

*********************************************************

This is an interesting article about "Helicopter Parents" in the Workplace. It discusses the phenomenon of parents of today that get overinvolved with their children - even into their employment years.

FREE MUSIC: Leonard Cohen

2012-01-06T06:41:00.000-08:00

I have been a long time fan of Leonard Cohen....ever since the 1970s.......hearing "Suzanne" and "Bird on a Wire" and of course in the 1980s - Jennifer Warnes version of his songs on "Famous Blue Raincoat".....

So, I am very pleased to see that Leonard Cohens songs are the free download - for today only.

It's my opinion that he is one of Canada's best poets and Musicians.

FREE MUSIC!

2012-01-03T19:51:00.000-08:00

Hedley!

This Canadian band has some great tunes! Their origin was in a town in the Vancouver area and they named their band after a tiny mining town in British Columbia's interior.

Interestingly enough, the lead singer entered the Canadian Idol contest (Canada's version of American Idol) on a $150 bet with the other band members - that he couldn't make it to the top three. When he did reach the top three, he stepped out of the competition.....to join his band again.

Check it out!
You have only a couple hours in which to download for FREE! (four songs and a video)

I especially like the song "Beautiful"

The Bachelor

2012-01-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know. It's a cheesy and silly show.

But it's one I just can't turn away from, just like a trashy novel.

And that cute little guy from the last show was so adorable....just the type of guy I would have gone for - oh, say - a million years ago.....

And .....there are - not one - not 2 - but 3 RNs in the competition for Ben.
One is an L&D RN (from Vancouver BC no less!and omg is she related to the notorious Bacon Brothers?????holy cow - !!!Ben, you made a narrow escape!.....), the other a Critical Care RN(quit your crying already!!It's only a TV show for gosh sakes!)....the other one - from NY (picked for next wk)...not sure...but there must be a shortage of nursing jobs......for 3 of them to be on the show...

And then there is the blogger (awkwrd! drunk! Ben, are you nuts???). And, just in case you were wondering what blog......here it is.

Have fun!

....more Drama to come.....

Happy New Year! PARTY ROCK ANTHEM - Free Music before 12 midnite ET....

2011-12-31T19:17:00.000-08:00

Here you are from LMFAO! PARTY ROCK ANTHEM!

You only have an hour and a half to download!

iTunes freebie today only: Kelly Clarkson

2011-12-28T16:26:00.000-08:00

Missed yesterday's freebie, which was a TV show download anyway, so - didn't miss much.

Here is today's freebie iTunes download:

Kelly Clarkson

I am not overly fond of her myself, but hey....worth a listen.......

Free offer ends at Midnite ET tonite.

Christmas Whine.....

2011-12-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

Minus the mug. The chocolate was a
tiny little square, which of course, I cant
eat anyway - gives me mouth ulcers...

A couple weeks ago, my husband's employer hosted a Christmas dinner outing at a local restaurant. The employer was footing the bill for the food - but not the alcohol - which, to me was quite a reasonable and responsible thing to do.

Who wants to sit and eat with a bunch of drunks who are trying to max out on the free drinks - then possibly have them drive home?

Liability issues.

The meals averaged anywhere from $20 to $40 per plate. Most everyone ordered the most expensive. I ordered salmon, which came in at $20 - the lower end of the scale. Everyone also ordered dessert.

The guy sitting across from me was the husband of the gal that works at the front desk at the office. He was complaining that the boss (not attending) was demanding that the *actual* bill was sent to headquarters, as opposed to a scan or fax. It wouldn't even be her own stamp or envelope that she uses to send it!

Personally, I didn't quite get all the complaining going on. After all, he was getting a FREE MEAL.
Having run several of my own "businesses"....and also now our rentals - I can understand why one would want the *actual* billing. It makes good business sense, especially if you are going to be audited.

And - why would they whine and complain about that anyway? It could be that they felt it was a matter of trust, but still.........

I suppose I wasn't very popular when I spoke up and pointed out that it was well within the employer's rights to want the original receipt and said - "I wouldn't care what type of paperwork he wanted - when I am getting my meal paid for!!!"

Uncomfortable silence ensued.

I made a point of telling my husband the following week to let his fellow employees know that all I got from my employer was one tiny piece of wrapped chocolate and a cranberry teabag tucked inside a Christmas card.

I suppose now, I'm the one that appears to be whining......

And Just Because....

2011-12-27T19:27:00.000-08:00

After Nursing for 35 years this coming year, forgive me if I like animals way better than people sometimes.....

Watch this dog's reaction when His Owner plays the guitar...

Pink Stuff.....

2011-12-27T07:54:00.001-08:00

12 Days Of Christmas: FREE MUSIC -- Coldplay

2011-12-26T17:52:00.000-08:00

Our local newspaper is offering free downloads from iTunes store - today is the first day. Catch is - you have to download it before midnight tonite....ET.

Tomorrow is another artist...but the freebies will continue for the next 11 days (December 26 to January 6th)

Here is where you can find the invite - oh - and here

Not sure which ones are coming up next......

One more Christmas Video ....

2011-12-26T00:49:00.001-08:00

Another one, similar to the Little Star in a previous post....

It's All Wrong!!!

2011-12-24T09:21:00.000-08:00

looking down my cousin's street

It's snowing in East Texas where my cousins live......and yet, here where I live in Canada....NOTHING!

I want SNOW for Christmas!!!

Is it too much to ask????

********************
I have flowers blooming for pete's sake! I want SNOW!!!!

I blame it on the expensive snowblower that my husband bought last year in anticipation of the horrible snowfall they were predicting we would get......that never did materialize.......

Sure-fire way to prevent snow - buy a snowblower!

Electronics for Christmas: Beware!

2011-12-21T22:48:00.000-08:00

Ok, when you are cheating when playing a game on your iPhone......using an animal......

Expect the animal to not understand.......and get even........!

A Christmas Present: HIV Vaccine

2011-12-20T10:24:00.000-08:00

An announcement was made that the HIV Vaccine got the OK to proceed to human trials.
This vaccine has been 20 years in the making.

This work is being done at London, Ontario's own Western University here in Canada.

Here is the announcement:

What a great Christmas Present!!

Kindergarten Nativity.....The Christmas Star

2011-12-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

My girlfriend's granddaughter is the little "Star" in this rendition of the Nativity Story.

She is only 2 years old.

The whole production is so cute:

the Christmas Star from the Stirring on Vimeo.

Public Service Announcement from the CDC

2011-12-16T01:26:00.000-08:00

Pay attention.

There will be a quiz.

And by the way, if you fast forward to 2:30 - you will get the entire song in a nice, compact 30 seconds......

A Year in Review: Zeitgeist!

2011-12-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

Once again!

Only 301 views....see the total grow as it gets passed around the globe!

What do You with the Lousy Xmas Gifts?????

2011-12-14T20:39:00.000-08:00

Think twice about your gift- giving!!

Consumer Reports has a good article on what *actually* happens to those Christmas gifts you give that the recipient doesn't care for.....

Thanks to Consumer Reports website

Sad............ but true.

So - what do you do?

Personally, I think that Christmas is so overdone, so commercialized.......why can't we go back to just homemade gifts.....or just - doing the simple things? Such as.....telling each person what we wish for them or how we appreciate them in a poem? Or doing a good deed? Or paying it forward to a stranger?

The thought of even considering that a gift is "lousy" is repulsive to me.

I swear, I didn't have much as a child, yet I was just as happy with what little I had. We were lucky to get one gift.

We didn't have the fancy electronics or the latest fad gifts. My dad was too busy trying to put food on the table....gifts weren't a priority. I don't think I ever got a doll as a gift - not one that had a full set of limbs anyway!

Things were so much simpler. It was a magical time.....hiking around in the snowdrifts....tobogganing with friends and family......hot chocolate fireside by the frozen lake after skating.....the snow floating down softly from the black sky....so quiet your ears hurt.........hauling home the Christmas tree from the next valley over.......

It didn't matter that there weren't stacks and stacks of gifts under the tree......

I truly believe the satisfaction level and happiness was at a far greater level than what is experienced today.

The Spirit of Christmas has somehow been lost in the last few decades.

***************************

And in light of the current subject, here is something for you to watch:

All I want for Christmas....YOU!

2011-12-14T12:23:00.000-08:00

She is only 10 years old.

Her 2 brothers are the backup band - I had featured them last month with one of Adele's songs.

Adorable! And it's Christmas!

For Those of You who have Been Busy studying:

2011-12-12T00:52:00.000-08:00

Thanks to http://www.9gag.com/

Ban on Christmas

2011-12-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well.

Common sense prevails for once - in Quebec.

Service Canada...the working end of Canada....has got the OK from the Conservative Government to decorate for Christmas.

The Quebec Government had banned any Christmas decorations (holly boughs and trees included) because a Muslim complained that it "offended" them.

Now, I am certainly not offended by any type of religion displaying their icons, or prayers, or clothing or having their own celebrations go public with the parades and such.

I am perfectly fine with everything (well, I do take exception of the ceremonial knives if worn on commercial airplanes) and anything that another religion celebrates - even in public. It's a free country.

Please don't take this as an anti-Muslim rant. It isn't.

I have taken part in other religions' ceremonial celebrations.

I have joined Muslim friends to watch parades celebrating Muslim culture - specifically Ramadan - in the next town over when they publicly celebrated their religious beliefs right down the main street and through the city more than once.

The nurse that sits next to me at work is Muslim and she was telling me how her family takes part in some of the Christmas celebrations.    I even got a Christmas card from another one of my girlfriends who is Muslim  last year (and yes it did say "Merry Christmas" - not - "Happy Holidays").

I have attended services at a Jewish synagog and partook in the Hannukka celebrations. I have attended both Protestant and Catholic churches.

Our Santa Parade downtown Vancouver includes all local ethnic groups.

Live and let live is my motto.

I don't tell you what you can and can't do -   you don't tell me what I can and can't do. Within reason and the confines of criminal and civil law, of course.

Why does the Government bow to only one or two voices of objection out there when there are thousands - no - millions of others out there that are OK with celebrations, or at the very least - even neutral about them?

To ban Christmas decorations because they offend is just plain stupid. It's a cultural thing, not a religious thing for most people. It's political correctness taken too far.

Shouldn't we be ALL-INCLUSIVE???

That's what this country is all about!

I know that all of my Muslim and Buddhist friends agree. They wouldn't like to see their own celebrations and customs outlawed - so why ban so called "Christian" celebrations?

Certainly the Muslim community as a whole in Canada has no objections, quote:

Religious minorities, meanwhile, lined up against the ban. Salam Elmenyawi, head of the Muslim Council of Montreal, said he enjoys seeing Christmas lights and other decorations.“I guarantee you, for most Muslims this is a non-issue,” he said. “I’m not offended by these decorations at all. They remind us of the spirit of giving.”

I am glad that the Quebec Government has come to it's senses.

Although, I do note that "religious icons" are still not allowed.

AND: I still say the Christmas tree is not a "Holiday" tree...........

HEAD INJURIES : one stop shopping

2011-12-08T10:38:00.000-08:00

I have made comments on head injuries in sports in previous blogposts here and here. I heard recently on the news how even a series of minor head injuries can cause early dementia to those in their 20's.

There is a mishmash of data on the web already, but there was never one place to go for all the information.

Now, a Canadian Sports Medicine doc, Paul Echlin, has created a website - The Sport Concussion Library - that pulls together all the information into a one-stop shopping place for Researchers, MDs, First Responders, Parents, Coaches, Schools and Athletes, where one can get information about sport induced concussions.

Chart obtained from this website: Science 2.0
Notice that it does not include Ice Hockey!

It is aimed at educating the public.....but also professionals. He was tired of seeing so many young persons come into his office - poorly diagnosed and treated and with little understanding of the seriousness and the effect it has on the youth's future.

It is a non-profit, no fee resource. It has all the up-to-date research that has been done on concussions.

The site gives access to 1500 studies and articles published in Medical Journals and 60 thesis' and book chapters dealing with concussion. It is linked to many prominent reliable Medical websites.

There are interactive teaching modules.

There is a SCAT2 test - a concussion assessment tool - that can be given by therapists and MDs and PARENTS to screen an athlete for concussion post injuries. Use via the MD's website is FREE OF CHARGE.

As Dr. Echlin states: (as reported on Global News)

"This is a public service ... It's not about commercialized sport. It's about the public health of our children.
"Parents are key to this. They can be proactive and empowered. Because I think in the past the parents haven't been empowered and they felt at the mercy of sports people, and not even physicians.
"So it's about them determining what's best for their children."

Hopefully, there are people out there who read this, and can use it to further educate themselves and prevent further brain injury and protect our younger generation who have others making decisions for them based on the attitude of "buck up and get back out there on the ice".

Frustration Times Two

2011-12-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

Don't you just hate it when Blogger creates an error that wipes out most of a post?

Yes, it just happened to me.

Frustration.

2 hours of time wasted.

So this is all you get:

Photos I took when I visited my folks in November. One day it was fall....the next day it was winter.

Overnight.

The difference a day makes.

The driveway is 700 meters of almost vertical winding road. It's a chore for a vehicle to get up it in the summer, never mind the winter.

My folks (mom - 80, dad - 82) will get out there first thing in the am, before they do anything else and clear the drive - mostly by hand with two snow shovels.

My dad has a heavy duty snowblower that he uses when the snowfall is too deep to shovel by hand, and for someone who has Parkinson's and often almost falls over using his walker in the house......he gets out there and is the first to push it up and down the drive.

THEN he gets the salt and makes another trip up and down the drive. I swear it's the only thing that keeps him healthy because I took the shovel and cleared half of the drive with him that morning and I was out of breath!

I am waiting for a call that they have fallen and broken their hips. They just refuse to call someone for help.

One Christmas we even paid someone to go over there to do it for them, but they still did it on their own.

Frustration.

FREE Christmas Song Downloads....

2011-12-05T16:24:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it?????

Click on the link above to download in your choice of audio format for FREE!

My favorites?

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Angels We Have Heard on High

She Won't Be Home

Silver Bells

White Christmas

Baby It's Cold Outside

Silent Night

What Child is This

Hey. If you can get something for free nowadays.....go for it!

At the very least, you can listen to Christmas Songs while blogging....!

I know it's old - but it's still funny......

2011-12-04T10:35:00.000-08:00

This is from 2007 but, in the spirit of the start of the winter season, it's one of my favorite cartoons:

And since I can't get enough of Christmas.....

2011-12-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

I love this interpretation of "Little Drummer Boy"! My cousin is a teacher at the high school this 17-year-old attends!

I wish we had snow!!!!

Christmas is coming:

2011-12-03T10:03:00.000-08:00

Here is a brand new song out by a brand new 17-year-old Canadian artist, the niece of my girlfriend from Ottawa:

"A Country Boy For Christmas" available now on iTunes.ca as part of the 'CMT – The Gift of Giving' compilation album. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this album will go to Canadian food banks through Corus Entertainment's community giving initiative Corus Feeds Kids.

"Gift of Giving" is a one hour performance/documentary program featuring an enchanting Christmas concert performed before a live audience. A blend of traditional and original songs will be brought to life by our diverse case of artists. Documentary-style story elements will weave between the performances telling the story of hunger in Canada and the important role provided by food banks and charities.

Hosted by Canadian country music singer and humanitarian George Canyon, the special will feature performances and interviews with fellow Canadians Chantal Kreviazuk, Barenaked Ladies, Great Big Sea, Jimmy Rankin, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Kira Isabella. Gift of Giving will air throughout December on CMT, YTV, W Network and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada). (Full list of airdates below.)

A companion CD features the show's performers as well as holiday music from Johnny Reid, Rascal Flatts, Dean Brody, Gord Bamford, Darius Rucker, Chad Brownlee (former professional hockey player defenceman turned musician), Luke Bryan and Sugarland. Gift of Giving, the first ever holiday compilation CD from CMT, is now available in-store and on iTunes.

CMT Airdates:
Saturday, December 3 at 9am ET/6PT, 1pm ET/10PT and 10pm ET/7PT
Sunday, December 4 at 7pm ET/4PT
Tuesday, December 6 at 6pm ET/3PT and 11pm ET/8PT
Friday, December 9 at 9pm ET/6PT
Sunday, December 11 at 10pm ET/7PT
Thursday, December 15 at 8pm ET/5PT and 12am ET/9PT
Friday, December 16 at 1am ET/10PT
Saturday, December 17 at 9am ET/6PT
Sunday, December 18 at 10am ET/7PT
Monday, December 19 at 4pm ET/1PT
Thursday, December 22 at 11pm ET/8 PT
Friday, December 23 at 7pm ET/4 PT
Saturday, December 24 at 8pm ET/5PT
Sunday, December 25 at 7pm ET/4PT

OWN Airdates:
Sunday, December 18 at 2pm ET/11PT
Tuesday, December 20 at 9pm ET/6PT

W Network Airdate:
Saturday, December 10 at 1pm ET/10PT

YTV Airdates:
Monday, December 19 at 10pm ET/7PT
Saturday, December 24 at 11pm ET/8PT

Grey Cup Feud

2011-11-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

Generally, in Canada, hockey is the violent sport.

Unlike hockey and the Stanley cup celebrations....the Grey cup celebration is very peaceful - with fans of all teams coming together to celebrate in a non-violent manner.

Well, not this year.

What a surprise when 2 honoree's at a pre Grey Cup Alumni Luncheon Fundraiser went at it...

They are 73 years old!!!

The scuffle was the result of an ongoing feud between Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca ( Both Americans who played in the CFL league) stemming from a 1963 Grey Cup football game where one of Joe Kapp's running backs was knocked out by a late hit.

Watch the video! Kapp delivers a punch that knocks Mosca to the floor after Mosca hits Kapp in the face with his cane....

They are very lucky one of the two didn't break a hip!

Honestly, kids.

Play nice.

On a good note - British Columbia's BC Lions won the Grey Cup!

Nurse Phobias & The Grey Cup

2011-11-27T03:53:00.000-08:00

My niece is just learning the dangers of what happens when you start to learn about diseases. She is training to be an esthetician. They learn some of the same things that we do in nursing.....anatomy and physiology, diseases.......

Here is what she posted on her Facebook wall:

The arrow points to my reply.

I had to laugh because I happen to understand the phobias that develop with that extra knowledge about diseases and germs.

I have even blogged about it. I have also blogged about my opinion about someone else's careless disregard for contagious diseases when they spread it to others around them.

Which leads me to the reason for this post.

Today is the Grey Cup and last week my husband invited a couple over that he interacts with through his work.

Unfortunately, what he didn't know is that last weekend on their way home from vacation, she managed to develop an URI.

When she phoned my husband the day before, I could hear her voice loud and clear over the phone from across the room.

She sounded terrible. I assumed she was phoning to decline the invite today.

So yesterday afternoon, when I was making out the grocery shopping list, my husband mentioned that there were going to be seven of us........

My phobia starts to kick in. "Your sick friend is coming????"

"Of course!" he states.

But......she sounded so sick!!! She can't be coming ....!!!

"Yes..". a little more cautious, seeing my horrified face and sensing my phobia kicking into high gear. "They are..."

"Who goes visiting out in public when they are sick????!!!!" I am starting to get panicky. My husband is too....he sees what is coming....

I tell him he has to find a way to "uninvite" her. After all, she's HIS sick friend....

So, trying to correct the situation, he emails a polite note to her:

"Sorry you aren't feeling well. I can understand if you can't come tomorrow. I can imagine you aren't feeling up to it....you sounded so sick yesterday on the phone. You will need your rest to get better"

To which she emails back, "Oh no! It sounds worse than it is!!! We will be there!!!"

*SIGH*

So much for beating around the bush and hoping someone gets the hint.

Just to let you know - I won't be downstairs watching the game in the enclosed space of the Mancave. Nope. My girlfriend Jan is coming over - and her husband - and she and I will be upstairs watching on the smaller TV in our living room........

The month I was off work sick last winter with an URI is still fresh in my mind and I am NOT going to expose myself to any bugs if I can help it. I was traumatized.

And - thing is - my girlfriend who is also an RN is almost as germophobic as I am. I am wondering if I should warn her in advance. It isn't as though she would want to be downstairs watching on the 110 inch theater screen anyway. In fact, I suspect she will bring her iPad so she can play Angry Birds.

As for the food.....I won't be touching anything downstairs. I have bought chips in small portion bags so there aren't bowls of shared food. I will keep a stash of food upstairs so I don't have to go downstairs to get anything.

Why do people insist on going out when they are coughing and hacking and sound like crap?

Sometimes I curse nursing, and wish I were oblivious to those invisible germs out there and then I could be one of those stupid people who goes out and spreads those bugs to everyone in the community with no thought whatsoever.....

*SIGH*

Well, at least I could still laugh about someone else's developing phobia......

I'll let you know if I get sick.

I've already told my husband that if he gets sick.....I won't be his nurse.....

Kids can get into a lot of trouble....

2011-11-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

...when left to their own devices.

Mom was in the bathroom for a prolonged period of time and while preoccupied with getting sick.....her little boys, aged 1 and 3 - managed to get themselves into a whole lot of trouble.

I can't imagine what this would be like to clean up.

I think I will stick to the difficulties real snow brings.....

I need this!

2011-11-22T01:01:00.000-08:00

This company is coming out in early 2012 with this revolutionary product that I could actually use! Right now!

Go to their website and take a look at their videos - the applications for this product is incredible.

And no, it's not a joke or a spoof. It's real.

Young Talent

2011-11-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

Ages 10 to 13, this brother/sister group - Angie,Gustavo and Abelardo Vazquez singing Adele's "Rolling in the Deep"

Talent plus!

She is only 10!

Hockey vs Football

2011-11-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

Just because it's that time of the year.

Our football season is wrapping up in Canada.

Today is the semi-final game between Edmonton and our team : the BC Lions.

OUR TEAM IS IN THE FINALS.

You would *think* that the brand-new stadium would be sold out, here in Vancouver, since it is the SEMI-FINAL (Western Final) in the Grey Cup challenge?

This is a significant game.

The stadium is super deluxe, holds up to 50K fans and last word has it that only 38K tickets ( costing anywhere from $35 to $85) have been sold.**

Why?

Because tonight at 6 pm ( the football game is at 1:30) the Vancouver Canucks hockey team is playing, and no one wants to miss a game, even though the Canucks aren't doing very well and by comparison it's only the start of the hockey season.

Despite the Lions probability of WINNING the Grey Cup next weekend - being played in right in Vancouver - there is a lackluster reaction here in BC.

Hockey trumps Football every time, in Canada........

And this, my friends, is why you will never see the same enthusiastic crowds for football at colleges* and high schools......as you see south of the border.

Grey Cup and a couple Mounties

************************************

* The Vanier Cup Challenge is being held this Friday (our version of the College/University games) in Vancouver - and you can buy a ticket for as low as $17. Lots for sale still! The same ticket for an American College final is over ONE THOUSAND dollars for the cheapest seat!!! The most expensive is over $4K!!

** The Grey Cup final game - East vs West - is sold out - although Showtime states you can still buy. (cost of Grey Cup tickets? $279 for the cheapest, sideline tickets are $695-$1200 and club sideline seats - $2400 In comparison, the American equivalent - Superbowl - tickets in the cheapseats start at $2300 - sideline tickets are $5100 and up, and club seats are $8000 to $20,000!!!! And, by the way, the $20K seats are sold out already - you are out of luck if you had intentions...... )

More Snow!

2011-11-19T17:02:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine thought this photo I took would make a great Christmas card!
I have to say, I love what he did with it!

Meanwhile, our cat loves to make snowmen! No, this isn't where he did his "business".
He just likes to go out in the snow and play, and this is something he does....
Gathering the snow in a mound - a kitty snowman!

Snow! Snow! Snow!

2011-11-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

The first snowfall in the Vancouver area always garners a lot of attention.

For those who love skiing......get ready, because the mountains will be opening up before the end of the month!

Here are some snow scenes from all over our province!

What it takes to get on Ellen Degeneres' Show...

2011-11-14T08:39:00.000-08:00

What happens when you win a lottery and you work at the TV station that announces it? This aired live a couple weeks ago at our Local TV station here in British Columbia:

The story is quite heartwarming. Barry and his family live in a rental in a suburb of Vancouver, where it takes him at least an hour to drive to work.
His daughter went through 2 years of chemotherapy when she was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 4. Since then Barry has supported the BC Children's hospital Fundraisers.....and this is the rest of the story:

Everyone is happy for him - it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!
$2 Million or a $2.5 Million house....tax free (all lotteries/winnings in Canada are tax free).

I like what he says at the end of the first video above "wow...now I just made 20% of what Roberto Luongo (goalie for the Vancouver Canucks Hockey team) makes..."

Typical of a Sportscaster.... to bring the favorite Canadian Game into it..!

Today he appears on the Ellen Degeneres show with his boss - the quirky Squire Barnes.....

Grandma's Nursing Pin from 1922

2011-11-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

Here is my post on How Grandma Decided to be an R.N.

My cousin came to visit from Texas and brought along a HUGE surprise for me!

My Grandma-the-Nurse's nursing pins!!!!

"ver: tot CHR: verzorging van krankzinnigen" or
"Christian care for the insane"(per my aunt)
Grandma worked at a psychiatric hospital

She graduated in June 1922 after 4 years of training

This is the Hospital at which she trained

This is the Star of David, given to the nurses who worked at the Jewish Hospital

The back of the pin. Notice the initial lettering on the back of one of the points

Close-up of the initials: "G.B."
No one is really sure of what those initials stand for....

my Grandmother's Nursing Graduation photo: She is in the back row, 2nd from Left

The Forgotton Nurse Heroine : Remembrance Day

2011-11-11T15:51:00.000-08:00

As you already know, if you have been following my blog, that my grandmother was a Registered Nurse - trained in the Netherlands.

My cousin recently was visiting Paris, and on her trip she visited Ypres and brought me a Poppy from the famed museum there - "In Flanders Fields".

When you enter the museum, you are given a card which you insert in various places throughout the museum, which allows you to follow the life of a person who happened to live around the area - and what happened to them during the Great War.

Roosje Vecht (Rosie Fight), or "Sleeping Beauty" as her friends called her, was one of these.

Thanks to Sjoel Elburg website

Roosje was born July 18, 1881 in Elberg, Netherlands into a very wealthy and strict orthodox Jewish family.    She was the oldest of 6.

Rosje was viewed as the "Black Sheep" of her family and as a young woman,  she fell in love with a non-Jewish man.   She was forbidden to marry due to her father's strict faith.

Unhappy, she turned her back on an easy life to one of nursing.  Unsatisfied at a job as a private nurse she quit and was hired to work with the Red Cross in 1914 at the time when Germany invaded Belgium.

The Netherlands was a neutral country at that time.

She chose to work at the "Iron Front" in a Belgian field hospital set up by a British contingent in Antwerp.   When Antwerp fell and was taken over by the Germans - she was forbidden to return to work in the field hospital.

Determined, in the round-about way, she went to England - and thus returned to her work in the Belgium field hospital which had now been moved to an unoccupied portion of Belgium close to the Front where war was being waged.

The hospital was established in an Episcopal college in the city of Veurne, a town which was under constant barrage by German artillery fire. As one can imagine, this was making the function of a hospital next to impossible and the decision was made to move it once again to Hoogstade.

During this move, Rosje was wounded by shrapnel from a bomb dropped from an airplane. Her upper leg was crushed. Two ambulances were hit and two EMTs were killed.

Rosje  was taken to another hospital where they amputated her leg.   She lamented to the doctors with whom she worked - "Now my poor soldiers - I can no longer nurse them!"

Sadly, she died 24 hours later on January 24th 1915 - at age 33 - from loss of blood.

Five years later, she was reburied with Military honors in the Dutch-Isrealite cemetery in Muiderberg, Netherlands.  She was one of only a couple of Dutch civialians that was a casualty of the war*.

Her gravemarker still can be found there (The grave is located in area D, row P grave number 165).

Three years after Rosje died, my grandmother started her nursing training. I wonder if my grandmother heard about Rosje and her sacrifice, and if this inspired her to become an RN.

Today, I am thankful, not only for Our Canadian Troops, but anyone in the free world that sacrificed their lives and time for our Collective World Freedom.

************************************

*Interestingly enough, most of her remaining family were killed during WW2, some at Auschwitz ... only one brother - Aaron - survived. He donated the lion statues from his house's gate to his home town in Goor.

Food, Glorious Food!

2011-10-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

One thing that I have found at this particular hotel, it isn't like other all-inclusives.

No buffets or hordes of people.

It's quiet and the waiters will serve you where ever you happen to be... poolside, restaurant, or in the room.

Room service 24/7.

Here is a sampling of some of the dishes we have been served:

seeing the ocean through the glasses on the bar

fish and chips for lunch

Cilantro and Roasted corn soup!
I had to try it and compare with my own cilantro cold soup
I should give them my recipe. While their soup was good, in hot weather,
my soup is much better....

this one is exceptional! Shrimp/avocado/mango salad

this one was so good I had it half eaten before i realized i hadn't taken a photo!
Spinach/walnut/apple/goat cheese salad with raspberry dressing

assorted fresh fruit for breakfast

Chicken taco, supposedly. They were delish!

my husband loves his desserts! Fruit crepe with coconut icecream

I am in love with Flan and I order it whenever I can....

Filet mignon with vegetables el dente

Caesar drink - made just perfect!

Last nights appetizer - cheese quesadilla with salsa and guacamole and a couple taquitos
These might look huge, but they aren't - they are mini servings....

this was left on our pillows at night, with turndown service

....unwrapped it to find a coconut sweet inside! Flavor!

a wonderful tastey delish glass of chilean merlot shared with my husband

Our little place

2011-10-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Quite comfortable.

When I first spotted this place on the internet, I thought it looked nice.

This is what the hotel looks like from the beach

In person - it is fabulous!

While we didn't need a kitchen, it certainly is nice to have the fridge and occasionally the toaster when we order up food or need to freeze the waterbottles.

it's as nice as any kitchen i have ever seen - you can see the
#2 bathroom through the doorway to the left

Check it out!

The kitchen area and the eating area in front

The living room area as seen in the 7 foot tall mirror beside the flat screen tv
The master bedroom is through the door on the right

the #2 bathroom with shower

Master bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, two sinks and a shower and private separate
toilet and shower areaboth with glazed glass doors

They provide robes and slippers

Crabtree & Evelyn products

Master Bedroom with Kingsize bed, flatscreen tv and turndown service

The view from the balcony is to die for:

Large balcony with table and chairs and 2 loungers
If you wanted, you could nude sunbathe with no one seeing you!
(and no, we didn't!)

3 jacuzzi pools and one infinity pool, one adult pool
Great poolside service!

And there you have it! This is where we are!

Well, technically speaking, mostly my husband is on the golf courses, since the whole package included unlimited golf on the local PGA golf courses.

And now, time to go for that 90 minute massage!

"And we all know, Security is Mortal's chiefest enemy..."

2011-10-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

On our second day here...we were curious about the American Navy boat out in the harbor and - later that morning - a group of police helicopters hovering overhead.

What I didn't realize is - the Pan Am games are on here in Mexico.

Guadalahara is where the main events are taking place.

Saturday was the big Triathalon - right here in Puerto Vallarta. We could see the bike portion of the race from the back door of our apartment as groups of them whizzed by.

We were advised that the security was on high alert for the protection of the participants.

Thus the hovering waves of helicopters.

Yesterday my husband went golfing and he noticed that he was being followed on several of the holes. He approached the young man and asked what he was doing. "I am your security" he replied. "There are bandidos that will come out and try and rob you, so I am here to ensure your safety."

Well, that's nice to know. Except, all he has for a weapon is a can of mace.

Probably just as well.

Coming into our hotel, security is also very high. They wouldn't let our taxi pass through the gates without having spoken to us and taking our names.

There are those with watchful eyes and every move is monitored....but very discreetly.

It is still the low season here and the hotel we are staying at only has approximately 70 persons staying here at present.

It's nice and peaceful. I love it.

There are no buffets or loud annoying music by the pools.

Everyone is friendly and accommodating.

But there is a little air of reserve also.

This isn't the same Puerto Vallarta I knew when I first came by myself in the 1970s and wandered around carefree and uninhibited.

Innocence is gone.

But we can still enjoy the beauty of it all.

That much hasn't changed....

Vacation - getting there...

2011-10-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

If you have never been to the Vancouver International Airport...I have to say, it deserves it's high ratings as one of the best in the world. Even since my last visit, it's changed....

my husband sitting and waiting in one of the chair pods
Internet access is free for anyone

Lots of play areas for kids. So cute!

the aquarium is huge and has all kinds of sea life! Above is
huge plates of glass with artwork engraved suspended from the ceiling

greenery with tables and chair pods interspersed along the flowing "river" and bridges

one of the restaurants. Regulations have pricing the same as outside the airport so no gouging

glass fish in the river

Then, once on the plane....we put on our sound cancelling Dr Dre headphones and watch the satellite tv....no charge. By the way, the airlines we took also includes one piece of baggage in the price of the ticket plus 2 carry-ons. Got to love that!

What we could see out the window

what surprised me, is that the Discovery channel was allowed to air the show "Mayday"
which tells the story of a plane crash

this is the plane that crashed. At the moment of impact (simulated) our plane
went through a minute or two of turbulence - freaked me right out!

Great flight - once I forgot about "Mayday", and we disembarked and safely found our hotel.

Mexico!

It really, really does....

2011-10-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

Remember all those disastrous visits to my local hospital?

When I visited my Aunt the day before she passed away, I couldn't help but compare my own experience with that of my Aunt's.

She was admitted to a hospital in downtown Vancouver..... where I had worked more than five years ago....and the place I was born more than fifty-five years ago.

The building is full of mold in the walls and ceilings due to the poor construction - I know of many instances where leaks developed from floors further up and in fact one or two evacuations due to flooding out of one half of the unit - and that was the newer part of the hospital.

The entire 6 years I worked there, I don't remember one time that there weren't tiles missing on the ceiling above the central nurses' station. On the way to the NICU you could look straight up at all the venting and wiring.

For a good decade now, there has been talk of tearing the present building down and building elsewhere several blocks away. I believe that some of my respiratory problems are a result of time spent in that building. I feel no sentiment at all despite the fact my life began there.

So, knowing this, you would think that this hospital would have staff problems.

Quite the opposite, depending on what floor you worked on. I was certainly happy for a good portion of the time on the unit I worked.

My Aunt was on the 7th floor, the unit comprised mostly of patients whose last stop it was before the morgue.

My aunt's nurse for both days was a little Filipina gal with a sweet disposition.  She introduced herself and her fellow LPN.    While I sat with my aunt, holding her hand, the RN came in many times to ask if she needed anything, and to ask did she seem to be in pain? and could you ask her in case she responds to you differently?

She was very gentle with her, and in turning her made sure she communicated the entire time. She explained what she was doing whenever she came in.   She asked if we needed anything for my aunt, and made sure we knew when she went on her break and introduced the nurse taking over for that period of time.

Even the other nurses were wonderful. When I requested a comb so I could do my aunt's hair (she was not sent in with any of her personal items when brought in by ambulance from the home), the nurse gladly got one, smiled and said - let me know if you need anything else....

The IV Team came to start an IV because there were antibiotics going in the present IV and a secondary line was required for a blood transfusion. I told her good luck - there wasn't much to choose from - but why don't you put in a small bore where you can and have them transfer the present abx line to the smaller bore and flush the larger current bore and use it for the transfusion?

By the date on the site, it would have to be discontinued in 24 hours anyway, so might as well move the long term IV over to the new site.   She never blinked an eye at a family member making a suggestion. Great idea, she said - smiled - and promptly inserted a small bore - less pain for my aunt....easier for her... win/win I would say.

When I called the next day and the same nurse was on...she came to the phone to tell me how she was - and knew me by name before I even told her who it was. She knew my uncle - my aunt's brother - by name and told me he had also been by - plus another cousin.

When my aunt passed, she took the phone when I called and let me know..... and said I am so sorry for your loss and if there was anything that I could do..... and when I cried on the phone the RN comforted me......she wasn't in pain when she passed, and the doctor was with her.......

Some people look at a building and see beautiful architecture and stones and waterfalls and artwork and say "What a nice hospital".

For me, a great hospital isn't the mortar and the brick - it's the heart of those that work there....the RNs that really care, the workers that go out of their way to make you feel like a human being and someone worth caring for.

The smile flashed, the kind word, the gentle touch and the simple gestures .... to those in pain ....it means the world.

And even though you might think that those small things you do doesn't seem to make a difference - I have to tell you from experience on the other end - it really, really does.

Saying Goodbye

2011-10-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have written earlier about my aunt Millie whom I visited in the Seniors home several months back....and how she touched my life.

She was a simple soul, and although sometimes her life was more of a tortured existence....she was loved by her whole family. My sister wrote a little eulogy in honor of her:

Wednesday, my Aunt died ....the same day as Steve Jobs. As I listen to the accolades pour in for him,

I cant help comparing lives.
He envisioned new ways of doing things....her schizophrenia meant she sometimes hallucinated.

He created innovative ways to communicate....her notes to us were simple, with pen and paper.

He was a strong leader who pushed for excellence and innovation....she was gentle and kind.

He impacted the world with new technology. . . she prayed for every one of her nieces and nephews.

He shared his creative thinking with the world. . she shared Gods love with a resident in her group home.

He expanded the work of digital memory... she remembered little details of what was going on in our families.

He was known throughout the world... our Aunt was probably only known by us...her family, people in the church and in the home where she lived - a very small number of people.

As all over the globe people laud Steve Jobs' many accomplishments. . . I'm sure she heard from Jesus a simple

"Well done, good and faithful servant!"

And on a day that everyone was focused on the passing of a powerful man whom everyone knows by name, my precious aunt quietly and without fanfare, passed into another world.

family photo: cousins with our dear aunt circa 1958

What a Good Idea!

2011-10-06T08:43:00.001-07:00

The exercise bike incentive is the good idea - is what I am saying.

As for the "calcium drink" - there are better ways to get your calcium without the use of another plastic bottle for the landfill.....

another Hospital Visit. Sigh.

2011-09-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

Well, you all know that I have blogged about previous trips to the hospital plus chest pain....

Chest pain.

I had experienced chest pain at bedtime but decided it was stress induced so took a propanolol and ibuprofen,  watched a movie with my husband and then went to bed.

2 am.

Sharp squeezing pain in the area of the Left chest woke me up. I tried to sleep but the discomfort kept sleep from me. After an hour trying to get comfortable, I slipped downstairs, and wriggled around in the easy chair - mulling over what to do next.

It wasn't typical chest pain that you hear patients talk about when they are describing cardiac MI type pain. No shortness of breath. No cold perspiration or nausea. No epigastric or back pain. I did have pain that went down the left arm, though.

Having a history of shoulder injury with arm pain, I could be forgiven for thinking perhaps it came from sleeping awkwardly on that arm.

And then there was the neck pain that went up to my jaw. Hmm. I palpated my neck thinking that perhaps I had done something to that also.

Denial, denial, denial.

Finally at 6 am my husband comes downstairs. Told him he should probably take me to Emergency this am. I must have sounded really calm and nonchalant because the next thing I knew, he was going out the door to sit in the hot tub for a while.

Ok.

So, I get dressed, put on makeup, make the bed and am ready to go just as my husband gets out of the hot tub.

At this point I was thinking to myself...."If this were one of my patients, I would be giving them supreme hell at this point for not calling an ambulance...."   I couldn't blame my husband for the lack of action. I didn't give him any indication that this might be an emergency. What would he know about chest pain?

He drives me to the hospital and lets me off at the door.

I kiss him good bye, tell him I will call when discharged and he continues on to work while I go up to the triage desk.

"Sit down over there" the clerk told me as I approached the window. She's busy talking on the phone about that night's statistics. Didn't even look up from the computer screen in front of her. From the last trip in with my girlfriend's mom, I knew how this would play out.

I sat in the chair, obediently waiting. Deja vu.

Serves me right for wandering in at shift change. I should know better.

Finally, 10 minutes later, the clerk crooks her finger at me. I sit down on the chair outside her mouse hole opening in the bullet proof glass and I pass her my information, my care card and my drivers license and tell her I am having chest pain. She's unimpressed.

She points to the waiting area - "Go sit back over there until we call you"

I walk over to the chairs and sit down.   I am the only one - except for a cop sitting with a young man - in the entire waiting area. A security guy ambles past. I'm wondering if he knows CPR.

Five minutes later the Triage nurse calls me over, takes my blood pressure, pulse,temperature and asks a few questions about my chest pain. She's unimpressed.

I guess I don't look like I am in pain, and not wanting to overdo it I tell her I am 6/10.....(here I am thinking it would definitely be a lot worse pain if my leg were hanging half off) She then tells me to move over 2 cubicle spaces and give more information to a second clerk and get my ID/Allergy bracelets.

The clerk insists on putting my girlfriend down as contact person (her name was still in the system from my gall bladder incident a couple years ago) - which, at this point, I can see would probably be a smarter choice, however, my husband would probably object. I tell her my husband would expect to be listed as my primary contact. She says - so I will put your friend down as first contact - to which I reply - no, you had better put my husband as contact person.

At this point I am wondering if I am speaking in an unintelligible language.... because no one seems to be hearing me.

Having sorted out who would be making my end-of-life choices for me, the nurse tells me to go through the double doors.    There are two sets - one to the left and one to the right. She doesn't indicate which one, and since she has already departed and no one is at the windows - I enter through the set that swings open and stand there waiting for her.

And wait.

And wait.

There are a couple of gals talking and joking by the desk - ignoring me - and I am thinking at this point I must be invisible.   If I knew what bay I would be put in, I could probably walk there myself.

I am re-thinking my decision to come to this Emerg...after the last visit here, I swore I would have my husband drive me all the way to Running Wildly's place of employ, especially since she had saved my friend just the day before when she arrested in her ED.

Along comes the Triage nurse - around the corner. "Where did you go????" - she gives me heck as if I were a little kid sneaking around where I am not supposed to be.

One of the other gals laughs and goes "Oops - I guess I opened up the wrong set of doors"......

I follow the nurse to what turns out to be the furthest bay in the Emergency Department. As we are walking along, she hands me 4 tiny pills. "Chew these".   I know what they are without her saying. ASA.

She waves me in the direction of Bay Number Nine. "Go on in there - someone will be with you shortly".

I sit down. Again.

And wait.

I am realizing that five minutes is a long time to wait when you don't know what's going to happen to you. I think back to my many patients that had to wait....

The RN assigned to me approaches - a Filipina gal, very serious.     "Here" is all she says as she passes me a gown - and leaves me to it. My brain is telling me it's all good, while my panic mode is struggling with what's going on. She closes the drapes behind her, and shuffles through my paperwork at the desk.

I change into the gown and sit down on the bed.   The RN returns to take my blood pressure and applies the heart monitor electrode patches to my chest. No sooner does she have me decked out with stickers, but a ECG Tech comes and does a 12 lead ECG on me.

I laid back on the bed and the Tech jokes about my allergy to latex, clearly marked on my armband: " You are allergic to lattes hmmm?"     I smile at her attempt at a joke but, lost in the distraction of the moment, I don't quite get it right away. Confused, I check my allergy band to see what is actually printed on there.

I am hoping they don't think I am disoriented as well.

It's been 3/4 hr since I walked through the door. The ER doc comes in and I recognize him as the doc that misdiagnosed me with pancreatitis on my last visit a couple years ago. He auscultates my chest and heart. Asks a few questions. Asks about my chest pain.... orders blood work.   I suggest that if he wanted to order cholesterol and lipids that I haven't eaten or drank anything in more than 10 hours.

The RN comes back in and decides she should probably put on a little oxygen.

In all my years of nursing, I have never had a nasal cannula sticking in my nostrils and decide that plastic prongs in the nose really aren't very comfortable. Small thing though, in the big picture.

My RN pulls a roll of tape out of the drawer.... "You can't use this, right?" she comments - and walks away - I guess not really caring whether I answered her or not.

Bringing back a roll of paper tape, and without explanation or comment - not that I need one - she places a saline lock with a #20 cathlon in my hand.

No gloves.

Blood leaks all over. She asks another passing nurse to help her pull the cap off the line...ignoring my offer to help.   With the lock in place, she secures it in situ with an opsite square and applies a couple strips of tape.  She doesn't seem too upset that she has my blood all over her hands as well.

Before I realize what I am saying, I am apologizing for the blood.....

The lab comes in and draws a few tubes. I make a comment that it probably would have been easier to pull them with the IV insert, as I have always been used to doing.   Smiling, the lab gal agrees. In most hospitals in this province, it's the lab only that does the draws.

I spot the nitrospray in the RN's hand and I know what's coming. She doesn't ask me to open my mouth, but I know what to do automatically. Without explanation, she sprays a shot under my tongue.

Ten minutes later, another shot of nitrospray - only she misses and hits my cheek. Next shot hits my chin. Third time hits my upper lip and the top of my mouth. Fourth shot misfires. Fifth time lucky. At this point, I am not sure how much of the nitrospray I actually got.   She walks away unapologetic.

Ten minutes later a young man - whom I will assume is the porter - comes in and wheels me out to the xray department for a couple of chest photos - standing - despite my light-headedness from the nitrospray. It's a quick trip and I am returned to my cubicle.

The internist arrives. She checks me out and asks more questions.   Tells me all the blood tests are normal and I should see my MD and states that they aren't sure what's going on, and that perhaps - she guesses - my cardiac "arteries are spasming" and I might benefit from adalat to stop it.

She suggests that I make an appointment with my own MD and that I get him to give me an RX. She asks if I would want to do a stress test before I leave. I say sure, why not. She disappears to make arrangements.

The RN comes back and while she is adjusting the BP cuff, I ask her name, trying to work the social etiquette.   "Oh...it's a difficult one" she replies and mumbles it incoherently. "Pardon?" I ask and she repeats it - the same mumbling.   "It's a name you people have difficulty with" she says, shrugging.

I am thinking that if it was said a little slower and clearer that I could possibly try....but at this point I don't bother.

She hasn't smiled at me once, and up until now has said little and avoids eye contact. I am thinking how difficult it would be when a language you have to use entirely isn't your 1st language - and then try to work in an environment in which you have to not only speak only in English, but also think and then quickly communicate. I think one might try to avoid all unnecessary contact in that case.... I suppose it might be less intimidating to sit at the desk, back to patient with the eyes glued on the computer screen.

She offers me a Tylenol.   I asked "what for?"   She says "for your headache".   I tell her I don't have a headache.....she tells me I told her I did. I tell her no, she had asked how my pain was and I told her I still had a little chest pain still......but thanks anyway.   Maybe she didn't comprehend the entire conversation?

At this point, I have told no one (save the Lab Tech) that I am an RN.   From my past experience in this place, I could see that it would put me at a disadvantage.

It's a fine line for an RN to walk - you want to get the best care that you know you should get, yet you don't want to step on toes or appear to be "demanding"..... besides, this couldn't be cardiac anyway, right?

I have to say now, that I have worked (and been in Emerg) in three smaller community/rural hospitals in this province, and 3 of the largest hospitals in this province, and know that this whole scenario is not typical for most hospital EDs.

I am just glad I am going to get to do the stress test - and then go home. The RN wheels me over to the ECG lab. I offered to walk over but that didn't go over too well. I did get a laugh out of her though.

The ECG tech welcomes me to her area - after her initial surprise at my unannounced arrival.   I guess I made it there before notification did.   I heard that my space was made available due to two cancellations. I am just thankful I can get it done.

Curtains are pulled and the Tech plasters on more electrode patches and attaches the parts to my waist. My gown is open and in wanders a little old lady from the next booth over. She has lost her way. The Tech redirects her and pulls the curtains shut.

Turns back to me. "Sorry about that" she apologizes. " I really like a little more privacy than this...."   I reassure her that I am grateful it was only a little old lady. We laugh about it.

The Internist is present for most of the test and she gives the OK at the end. The Tech hands me my results, signed by the internist.

All goes well and I pass with flying colors. Once again I offer to walk back to Emergency.

Instead, I am wheeled back to my Cubicle number 9.

My RN is nowhere to be seen. Must be break time. I am thinking at this point that color coded scrubs might be the way to go, because honestly, I'm and RN and I can't tell the difference between the MDs and the nurses and the techs. They are all dressed the same - in street type clothes.

I can eliminate the ones with the mops and the garbage cans.... but all the rest? It's confusing.   I don't know who I am supposed to ask to help free me from my IV.

A happy looking gal walks by and I ask if she knows if there is anything else that needs doing - besides IV removal - before I go?

The RN says that she will be with me in a minute to help me - and I start taking the IV apart myself....and have all the tape and opsite loose, ready for a square of gauze and tape when she comes over to help. She looks at me quizzically.   "Are you a nurse, by any chance?"

I laughed. "Ya - who else would be taking out her own IV neatly - without ripping it out and blood all over?" She joins in with the laughter. "Ya, really" she replies.

I change out of my gown and gather up the sheets and dirty laundry in a neat pile in the middle of the stretcher.   Old habits die hard.

I spot my paperwork feathered out across the counter.   The RN looks through it and I ask if I can take a peek at the blood work.   "Sure" she says and takes the lab results printout and hands them to me.   "Here you go - you might want these - it's a good idea to keep your records...".....I smile and thank her.

I only get lost once trying to find my way out. In and out in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Not bad.

It's been 48 hours since my Emergency visit.....still having slight chest pain - not as bad as before.   Good news is - I have been slotted in to see my MD (Dr. Johnny Depp) today and will see what transpires.

I hate being a patient.

I also discovered I have developed another allergy.

Adhesive.   I can tell by the 10 round red itchy circles all over my chest.....

************

Just got back from Dr. Johnny Depp's office.

He just laughed at me and told me I didn't "fit the profile" of a cardiac patient and told me it was probably "anxiety".   Hmm. Which I would believe if I were actually anxious about something. And if the pain didn't wake me up out of a dead sleep at 2 am....

Who knows.

He gave me an Rx for adalat anyway, and I suppose I will try it out......

What's the worst that could happen?

I'll do anything to stay out of Emergency.

I would probably even prefer to die first - before I go back there.

courtesy of jimbenton.com

McGill University: Dances for Cancer

2011-09-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

(taken directly from the info on their YouTube channel)

To highlight some of the critical work being done at the Goodman Cancer Research Centre, we gathered some of our top scientists, students, lab techs and dedicated volunteers, who turned on the music - and danced!

Thanks to our proud sponsor, Medicom, a donation will be made for each hit to support advances in cancer research at the Goodman Cancer Research Centre.

So go to the link and click on it....and view! Make Medicom pay up!

*******
Earlier today the number of views was 50K

Views presently sit at 58,948!!

Another Incredible Birth Story:

2011-09-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

I have told a few birth stories in my blog about my Grandmother and her Midwifery experiences in rural Alberta..... and they are incredible enough.

Here is an interesting story of a young woman who was pregnant and didn't know it, so embarked on a rigorous hike up the 75 kilometer West Coast Trail with her father and subsequently went into labor 2 days into the trip.

She had to be evacuated out - taken to the hospital for her delivery. Here is her story:

If you want to read up on the story in greater detail, here is the newspaper article.

Interestingly enough, a nurse from the Northwest Territories happened to be on the trail at the same time. They borrowed her cell to make the Emergency Call.

Responding paramedics arrived by inflatable motor-powered boat which they anchored off shore - and inflated a secondary boat which they rowed through 1 1/2 meter swells to shore, and after examinations done... put her in a "floater suit" and rowed her back to the larger zodiac and delivered her to a dock in Port Renfrew where an ambulance awaited.

Transported to Victoria General Hospital, her acute abdomen was finally diagnosed as labor. According to the paramedic attending at the scene - "there wasn't an obvious belly".

She delivered by cesarean section, a baby girl weighing in at 7lbs 4 ounces.

Quite the surprise.

********
In my late 20's, I hiked that West Coast Trail on a Biology field trip to Bamfield when I was in my RN training. Believe me, it's not a trail you would want to traverse when you are not pregnant.....never mind when you are in labor!

To appreciate the incredulousness of the above story, here are some facts about the West Coast Trail:

-Some hikers have died on the trail.

-Some cell phone connections *might* be available on some beaches - sometimes. VHF radio connection is more reliable.

-You cannot use 911 for emergencies.

-Rogue waves and surge channels make hiking a dangerous risk.

-This is not a good hike to choose if you are not used to multi-day hikes in rigorous conditions

-Slippery footing causes multiple falls en route. Guaranteed.

-Few finish this adventure pain-free.

-You have to carry your own backpack, which is usually very heavy, whilst on this strenuous hike.

-You will have to climb 50 huge ladders

-Rain and wind are the norm. You will need a good tent.

-6 inches of rain in 12 hours is a real possibility. Don't try to attempt this in sneakers. The mud can be as deep as mid-calf.

-In the summer it gets nice and warm at 57F. Hypothermia is a risk.

-There is food available at the 44 km mark. Otherwise, bring your own.

-You will also need to bring rope to hang your food in trees to keep away from bears.

- Rescue services may only be available "in season". Outside of season, especially in bad weather, be prepared to be on your own.

-It is one of the top 10 hikes in the world.

So - now you have to appreciate the story above.....

West Coast Trail Map

This puts it into Perspective!

2011-09-23T00:18:00.000-07:00

I guess I shouldn't complain so much about Facebook.

I got sent this E-card:

So true, so true!

Facebook. Again. A Color Coded Guide

2011-09-22T03:05:00.000-07:00

Mark Meyer Photo from Twitter

More than One Giant Leap....

2011-09-22T02:12:00.000-07:00

Not so long ago (well, to me, anyways!) the world was holding it's collective breath as the first space capsule landed on the moon. It is thought that 500 million persons around the world watched as Apollo 11 landed and the first step was taken on the moon that July 21 in 1969.

Neil Armstrong's first step: NASA/Science photo Library

Our parents had a resort in the Okanagan and I spent every summer cleaning motel units.

This day was no exception.

I was 14 years old and as everyone else, I was swept up in the excitement of the moment. My mom and dad set up a black and white television on the lawn so that the customers could all watch the televised coverage of the moon event.

I was supposed to be working - changing towels - but it was important to me not to miss this historic event so I sneaked into the storage room where a tiny 13 inch black and white TV was sitting abandoned on the shelf.

In the blackness of the small windowless room - save the dim flickering of the screen, light bouncing off shelves of clean towels and sheets, me standing amongst assorted buckets and used lumps of laundry on the floor with the pungent smell of Pinesol and dust burning in my nostrils - I watched Neil Armstrong step off the ladder and onto the moon.

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" was heard around the world.

A faint cheer welled up from beyond the closed door of the storage room - from the lawn where, by this time, a small crowd of seventy or so people had gathered in front of the TV.

I was so excited by this unbelievable accomplishment, but because I was supposed to be working, I wasn't able to share it with anyone.

I will never forget that day.

So, it amazes me when something like this video below comes out and is posted on Youtube where only some people will watch it and then they will then yawn and say..."oh yeah" and go onto the next big thing, only somewhat impressed....maybe.

It's a time lapse movie of a flyover by the International Space Station - starting in the Pacific over North America and travelling down the coast of South America to the Antarctic.

The first cities you can see are Vancouver and Victoria....then Seattle and on down to Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Pretty cool.

*******

The Bluenose!

2011-09-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

I wish I would have posted the website sooner. I find it so fascinating.

I suppose the interest stems from all the times I skippered for my father on his clipper years ago.

My dad on his boat

Just to get you up to speed, here is the time lapse of the rebuilding of the most recent Bluenose II:

The website can be found here. Check it out! There are 3 different cams that show the progress of the build in real time. You can actually watch the men as they work on the ship.

Here is the condensed version of the story of this Canadian icon:

THE BLUENOSE

Designed by William Roue, the original fishing/racing schooner was built in 1921 - 90 years ago - in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, one of the Maritime Provinces.

She was made entirely of Nova Scotian wood. The only exception were the masts, which required the tall Oregon pine.

Christened the "Bluenose" - the ship's name came from an 18th century nickname for Nova Scotians. Whether the the nickname was due to the color of their noses from the cold weather or simply due to their political bent.... no one is really sure.

The Bluenose was a working fishing vessel, one of the requirements to enter the Fisherman's race. She also beat out 7 other Nova Scotian sailboats to qualify in the competition for the International Fisherman's Trophy.

Not without controversy and competitive bickering back and forth between captains, the Bluenose won each competition.

Her record was undefeated for 18 years.

As the age of sails came to a close with the introduction of alternate means of power, the grand schooners with their sheets and sails were no longer needed.

Unfortunately, due to lack of funds, the Bluenose was sold to a company for use in the West Indies where she hauled bananas until she was wrecked off the coast of Haiti.

The inspiration and memory of such a magnificent ship captured the imagination of the whole country.

Canadian dime: wiki

A symbol of Atlantic Canada and a Legend in her time and today, there is, and has never been another sailing ship that could equal the Bluenose.

my dad in his glory....even a small
sailboat can dream it is a Bluenose!

Kids Can't Fly

2011-09-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

The house that my brother fell out of

When my younger brother was not quite 2 years old, he fell from a window of our house to the gravel below. He landed on his face - blood all over.

My mom called a taxi - leaving us three older children in the care of our aunt - and rushed him to Emergency.

The only visible evidence of the fall today is a small scar on his forehead hairline and an absent frenulum.

My mom with my brother

But, to this day, I wonder if there was some sort of residual brain injury, because - he just isn't right.

********

It's an accident that is easily preventable.

Yet every year there are more than 5,000 children that fall out of windows in the USA.

I find it surprising with all the publicity and preventative measures available, that there has been quite a rash of children falling out of windows lately in the Metro Vancouver area in the last 4 months:

September 18, 2011: A boy, 13 months old - out of a second story window - possible fractured leg, in Surrey.

August 10, 2011: A 2 year old boy out of a 3rd floor window in Surrey, injuring his face.

August 11, 2011: A 3 year old boy fell out of a second storey townhouse window - condition unknown, in Maple Ridge.

July 14, 2011: A 2 year old fell 2 storeys in Surrey.

June 3rd, 2011: A 2 year old fell to her death from an 8th storey window in New Westminster.

June 17, 2011: A 5 year old fell 3 storeys in Burnaby.

May 14, 2011: An 8 year old fell from a 4th storey window in Abbotsford.

May 19, 2011: A 4 year old fell 2 storeys in West Vancouver.

The statistics haven't changed much in the last 20 years..... since Eric Clapton's 4 year old son fell out of a 54th storey window in New York.

Overcome by grief, he wrote this song:

You would think we would learn and at least install guards on the window.

In NYC - it's the law.

Come and get in my Boat.....and look at the view!

2011-09-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

I had a good laugh yesterday.

After I posted this video yesterday on my Facebook, my mother commented beneath, " That lady looks like my MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!"

To which I replied, "Mom: You are in denial. SHE looks like YOU!"

Which - she does.

It's funny that I had posted the same thing on my own blogpost....that the little old lady looked like MY mother - not my grandmother!

I guess in a few years, I might be looking like my mom. Or my grandmother.

Memories of a discussion with my mother approximately 20 years ago popped into my head.

While discussing years gone by, I had asked what age she felt in her head....and she replied that she felt the same as when she was 18, which was difficult for me to equate at the time.

my mother a million years ago

Through the years we gather knowledge and experience and our mind grows and our ideas expand. We mature (hopefully) and grow spiritually and socially.   Eventually it gets to the point where we may still feel young - but our body shows otherwise.

When I was younger, the idea that someday I would get old just didn't gel. (Lo, you hit the nail on the head!)   I was in denial.

Getting old? Not me! I would be the exception.

I had decided that I was not going to fall apart and have body functions doing things that I don't want them to.   I wasn't going to be that old person who would fart at inappropriate times and, somehow, my age lines wouldn't resemble my mother's. My joints were going to move without creaks and cracks, thank-you-very-much.

I wasn't an exceptional beauty growing up, but I must admit - I always had the attention of the opposite sex, even though I didn't really pay much attention to them.

Now, as an older person (ouch!) one notices the absence of male attention and one has no choice but to accept the fact that age is a very real thing that actually does creep up on one!   All those old people I looked after for the last 35 years are suddenly - me!

*There. I said it.*

Not that I really care now about less male attention any more than I did when I was younger. It's just that when something you took for granted that was an everyday thing is now absent.....well.....you notice. It hits you smack in the face.

Men aren't hit so hard with the facts, interestingly enough. Take my cousin's husband for example:

It struck me rather funny the last time I was visiting them - the story he excitedly and incredulously told the group about how some young chick was "coming onto him" at the golf course.   I laughed at him (yes I did!) and with an attempt at a reality check - corrected him...." For gosh sakes, Tom - she was only trying to wheedle a good tip out of you...she probably thought she was being nice to some old grandpa ....not flirting!!!! "

what men see

My cousin's husband is in denial, or blind, but maybe that's because he's a guy. And no, my comment that I countered with didn't crush his ego.

Typical.

I think women are more realistic about things like that.

So, for you young persons out there.....just sayin'. It will happen to you someday, and unless you are incredibly wealthy and can afford the "fixes" ( come on, do you really want to look like a plastic corpse?)......you will be in my boat someday.

But - don't let it stop you from enjoying yourself:

Pay attention to what is now - and savor every bit of life.   Don't ever let depression get in your way.

Do things you want to do now.   Laugh often. Smile at strangers. Do things that make you feel good, and doing good things for others will do that for you.

Don't wait for others to catch up to you.  Charge on ahead - and let others follow.

Take advantage of every opportunity and don't let life "just happen" to you.

Learn from your mistakes and see them as opportunity for growth rather than a negative thing. Move on and don't waste what time is left. Throwing good after bad doesn't fix things!

I wish I had learned a lot earlier what I know now, but that's what happens. Even if someone had told me these things....   would I have listened?

Probably not.

It's the curse of being young.

So, back to my mom.

She thinks the lady in the video looks old - like her mom.   I think the lady looks old - like my mom.
I am sure if I had kids....they would say she looks old....like me.

Lucky for me, or maybe not so lucky for me- depending on your situation.....I have no one that can say that to me.

At least I am not in denial. I have no illusions whatsoever about what I look like now as an older person.

But - It's all good.

...........Really!

Greenpeace Day - 40 years later

2011-09-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

Today is the 40th anniversary of the Creation of Greenpeace*.

You might not realize this, but the movement gave birth in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

A motley crew of 17 activists, hippies and lawyers...got together and decided that they had to do something for the environment.

On September 15th 1971, they got together a crew and set sail on a "rickety 20 foot boat" and headed to Amchitka Island to somehow try and stop the nuclear testing by the US military. The vessel was mainly funded by a concert put on by Joni Mitchell and James Taylor at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver - attended by 10 thousand people.

In the wake of the Cold War, a powerful 5.1 megaton hydrogen bomb, 250 times more powerful than the one used on Hiroshima, was set to go off in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska.

Photo of our protest from my 1971-1972 High school Yearbook
And yes, I am in that crowd somewhere...

The feeble but brave protest stirred up support from our then Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, the rest of Canada - and the New York Times.

There was a protest march in many places across the country.

I know in our high school, we were let out early from classes to march in the streets and to the US/Canadian border to protest Amchitka.

To us, it was more than just a day off. We really believed in what the newly formed Greenpeace was doing. We were concerned about our environment and our future in this world. We believed that we could move together to make a difference.

We wanted change for our future.

An article in our newspaper states:

The resultant continent-wide kerfuffle brought on by Greenpeace forced U.S. authorities in 1972 to cancel further tests.

It was a proud moment for Greenpeace.

It was a proud moment for us, as students, even though we probably actually made very little difference - we were still a small whisper among many that - collectively - was heard all the way to the White House.

It stirred up something in our generation that has carried on to present day.

Hopefully each subsequent generation will realize that what we have now took work and attention and they must also carry on and fight for what is right.

The Greenpeace blog says: "Let Greenpeace Day act as a reminder that as the anthropologist Margaret Mead once put it: ‘Never doubt that a … group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has’

***********

*The name came to being when one of the "hippy" members said "Peace".....and someone else replied ... "Well, then let it be a Green Peace". More or less, that's the story.

Greenpeace is the most visible and widely known environmental organization in the world with a $320 million budget and 3 million dues-paying members.

Computers plus Grandparents = Hilarity

2011-09-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

I swear, this little lady looks like my mother - even acts like her. Even has the same computer problems.

The gentleman....not so much. My dad can be this cheerful but he is not so appreciative of my mother's attributes, at least - not that I have observed....

I love it!

Apparently the grandchildren found this video saved on their grandparent's computer and decided it would be a great post for Youtube.

The delightful couple lives in Oregon.

After Yesterday...

2011-09-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

I needed something uplifting.

I have posted this song in a previous post by the original artists...but this version is so much sweeter.....

I always wanted a little girl....and this tugs at my heart.

"One day I'm gonna whistle"....how cute!!

After working in L&D and seeing the births of so many little ones...I wish for such a beautiful family connection for all of them....

Remembering One Nurse 9/11

2011-09-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

As a young nurse, Christine Egan immigrated to Canada from Hull, England in 1969 as an experienced RN with two years under her belt. She was very close to her brother Michael, and he also made the move to their new country - to Montreal.

Courtesy of Ellen Judd, Christine's
partner

Instead of working in the more convenient and populated areas of Canada, Christine decided to work in Northern Canada - one of the most desperately needy areas in the field of medicine ...now known as Nunavut. She also worked in First Nations communities in Northern Manitoba.

The needs were great, the challenges many.

She was very popular, not only with her co-workers but also her patients and within the communities she served.

Beloved by everyone, she was passionate about providing health care to those in the northern regions where it is so desperately lacking*.

She also set her own standards high.

Her constantly inquiring mind drove her to obtain her nurse practitioner's license and then on to pursue studies in anthropology and health sciences.

In 1999 she achieved a PhD in Community Health Service.

She was committed to health and education in Nunavut.

Christine was working with Health Canada as an epidemiologist when the call came from her brother in New Jersey.

It was her love for family and caring as an R.N. that took her to New Jersey in September of 2001.

Her brother Michael, now living and working in the USA, was planning a trip with his wife to Bermuda to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Christine offered to care for their son - her 16 year old nephew with Down's Syndrome, while they vacationed.

She arrived a couple days early, and on September 11th, she accompanied her brother into New York City.

Christine was supposed to meet an old college friend there, but because her friend couldn't make it, she instead went with her brother up to his office on the 104th floor of the WTC south tower for a morning coffee and a peek at the magnificent view of the city from such a great height.

September 11, 2001 is forever etched in everyone's heart and mind, but never so much as those who received those last phone calls from their family and friends.

The last word from the pair was a phone call from Michael to his wife:

Michael's wife said he always called her no matter where he was and without fail he called her on the morning of September 11, too. His wife had been watching the horrible breaking news on the television and was relieved to get that call from her husband.

"You made it!" she gasped with relief as she picked up the phone.

"No, we're stuck," replied Michael.

And while still on the phone with her husband and watching television as she spoke, she watched his building suddenly collapse.

She doesn't know if he got to hear her last words to him. "I love you, darling."

Since Christine's death on 9/11, a scholarship fund has been set up in her name, to be awarded to nurses who are also committed to working in Canada's north - in Nunavut.

Twenty-one awards have been made to 17 people - those with deep roots in the north, mainly Inuit - who would stay in the north and be committed to continuing with the work so dear to Christine's heart.

"Chris' scholarship is a comfort to all of us involved in it because it is so close to what she cared about and the way she lived," Judd [her partner] said.

*******
*Read here at Asystole's blog and also Dr. Ottematic for first hand accounts of nursing/doctoring in Nunavut and Northern Manitoba.

You know you are a Nurse when....

2011-09-06T17:21:00.000-07:00

There have been a few of these out there, so I thought I would add my two cents worth.

You know you are a Nurse when: upon discovering someone used up all your cream you left in the fridge - you use baby formula in your coffee instead.....

Yup. Done that.

Many times.

At least there is some use for formula!

And no, it doesn't taste that bad.

And....according to my mother, it is probably the *first* time I had tasted the stuff......

I'm all for Breastfeeding, but not so much in this case.....

2011-09-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

Now that they have "electronic distractions" banned from the roadway in our province, I don't think they will have to worry about adding breastfeeding while driving on the growing list of Road Sense laws.

Stanley takes a tumble...

2011-08-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

You may ask how Canadians reacted to Lord Stanley's Cup hitting the ground and getting a huge dent in it's cup.....

"Oh well...."

A lot worse has happened to it, that is certain.

Victoria's Secret Revealed

2011-08-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

And while we are on the topic of "what friends post on Facebook" and also "lady bits"....here is a photo from another friend (thank you SL!):

Just south of the border, due to the downturn in the economy, there have been stores closing in the local mall.

As you can see from the photo above, Victoria's Secrets have now all been revealed.

If it weren't so tragic, it would be funny.

A Nurse's Perspective can be an odd one

2011-08-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

One of my Facebook friends uploaded one of her friend's photo - taken of a local waterfall.

The picture is amazing and my friend decided to share it with all, not only by posting it on her facebook, but also making it her profile picture.

It's a photo of a child walking out of the cave behind the falls - and the photo was taken just as he was emerging from the water spillage.

I don't know, call me an old Labor Delivery RN who has spent waaaay too much time looking at you-know-what......but at first glance (and second and third for that matter!) it looked like something quite familiar.

If you don't see what I mean - stand back a couple feet from your computer and squint at the photo...it'll come to you eventually.

Ya. I thought so.

Margaret Falls in it's entirety.

you can wander around and experience the waterfall
You can see where the cave is that the kid walked out of
in the very top photo.....

You don't know Jack

2011-08-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

...so I will try to tell you who he was.

An amazing man who believed in Canada, he fought for the greater good and a better society.

I respected him as a politician and a decent human being.

Leader of the Opposition in our Federal Government, our social conscience, he was always an optimist. Watch the first 2 minutes of this video - his life in a nutshell:

Just a couple months ago, he took a leave from politics for cancer treatment:

Jack Layton passed away this morning at age 61 from this new cancer.

Two days before he passed away he wrote a letter to all Canadians and ended it with this:

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world."

He had a great sense of humor:

He was voted the politician that Canadians would most want to sit down and have a beer with.

His life truly was a life well lived.

Sad news:

2011-08-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

Everyone has seen this video of the otters floating while holding hands at the Vancouver aquarium:

Nyac was rescued from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

That's the year I moved to California.

She was rescued, one of the very few who survived and managed to live out her life at the Vancouver Aquarium. She was the only one to have a live pup. In 2008 she was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia - a known cancer in other animals, related to petroleum exposure - and died.

Sad news is, the second of the pair - Milo - has also now been found to have cancer and is losing weight. Apparently, news reports say he is undergoing "chemotherapy".

As much as I loved my cat who had cancer and died almost one year ago, I don't think I would have the heart to give her chemotherapy. Prognosis isn't good, and in her case, would have been inhumane treatment.

Of course, unless the definition of "chemotherapy" in this case is pain medication or antibiotics.....

Advice from Grandma: Saturday early am music.

2011-08-20T08:23:00.001-07:00

Love this song

That's all.

Lucky to be Alive...

2011-08-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

Boys just love to play with fire!
once again, the kids at the next campsite

Yes we are.

Now that we have been home for a few days......here's a Camping Story for you:

It was a chilly Saturday late afternoon just this past weekend, and my husband wanted to warm "us" up by lighting the mini portable BBQ - under the table....

What's with boys and fire??

Although he claimed it was "us" he was doing it for, there was no convincing him that in actual fact - I wasn't cold, due to My Own Personal Summer that I was experiencing. I was quite comfortable, thank you - but he just couldn't be dissuaded.

He lights up the Barbie under the table, and after approximately 15 minutes or so, the BBQ starts to spew out clouds of smoke.

"Don't worry" he tells me, "It's just burning off the old food residue."

My cousin and her husband and kids had stayed in the trailer just the week before and we knew they had used it.

Fair enough, I thought. The smoke was heading in another direction, after all.

my husband ignoring the smoke

After some time, I started to think it funny how the "old food residue" was taking it's own sweet time to "burn off".

Half an hour later, I started choking on the now billowing smoke....I asked him what the heck was he trying to do...smoke us out of there?

I jumped up and out of the way and meanwhile the trailer's smoke alarm starts ringing.

At this point he finally concedes, and is finally convinced that it might be a good idea to at least shut off the BBQ.
I take a peek under the tablecloth a few minutes later and there are FLAMES shooting up from the BBQ.

"Uh, honey, did you turn that BBQ off?" I enquire.

"Yes - five minutes ago" he replies. "Why?"

"Because there is a bonfire going on under the table....and any minute the whole table and quite possibly the canopy will be engulfed..."

scrambling to get the BBQ out from under the table

The next few sequences took all of a couple seconds.

He reaches under the table and pulls the BBQ across to the far side of the camp spot.

The BBQ flips over. He kicks it with his foot to upright it. The BBQ flips over again.

The flames were actually larger, this is after the
kicking of the BBQ fiasco

Flames are shooting higher.

By the time it burns itself out, in oh, say, 20 minutes.....I am wondering what the heck was in that BBQ.

On further inspection with the tongs ......I find this:

what's left of the barbecue scrubber - a bunch of these little things!

What the heck????.

It took us a while to realize that the toasted liquefied messy object in the foil was once a BBQ scrubber.

Conclusion:

Wine for dinner is not always a responsible idea, especially when combined with fire.

Incubators and Preemies: How it all Began

2011-08-15T13:38:00.000-07:00

It's an interesting and curious story: the Birth of the Incubator.

I was watching the History channel on my break on nightshift last week and a woman asked one of the researchers on the show the origins of a silver cup with her name on it.

It had an extraordinary history behind it. Some would even hazard to say bizarre.

Wiki photo: 1909, Seattle WA
Baby Incubator

***

Back in 1904, if a baby was born prematurely, more than likely it would die an early death - either from cold, disease or inability to feed.   (You remember my story of a baby my Grandmother delivered in the prairies that she set on the door of a woodstove to warm!) Death rates in the first two weeks of life ranged between 30-40%!

The move towards trying to save these babies started in the 1870's when France's population was ravaged by famine and post-war casualties.

In an attempt to boost the French population, Dr. Tarnier, an esteemed obstetrician and a pioneer neonatologist, decided that steps should be taken to improve the survival rate of prematurely born infants.

His attendance at a poultry farm where chicks were raised in a warming chamber sparked an idea.  Why not develop a similar setup for human babies?

The Zookeeper of the Paris Zoo was commissioned to build the first baby incubator for a local Paris hospital in 1880 - the first in the world.

Under Dr. Tarnier's tutelage was a Dr. Budin, who further championed the advancement of the use of incubators for neonates.    Specializing in the study of neonatology,   he wrote papers and published books on the subject.

He introduced "nasal feedings" (oh my!-take a look!) and intermittent gavage.

He worked on the problems of infection as well, and developed strict hand washing and the isolation of sick babies and separating the infants into well baby/sick baby groupings. He addressed the problem of proper storage of milk to prevent spoilage.

He advocated using "wet nurses" to procure human milk as this was found to produce better results.

He came up with an unusual and bizarre method to publicize his theories on Neonatology and spread the word about baby incubator use: Baby Exhibits.

A young associate of Dr Budin was assigned to accompany an Exhibit of "a child hatchery" to Berlin. The display was so successful, it was extended not only to England, but also into the United States.

This young associate was Dr. Martin Couney.

He immigrated to America in 1903 and for 40 years plus, presided over the Coney Island exhibit.

In this unlikely environment, circus "barkers" would shout out to the crowd to encourage them to go through the exhibit. (Interestingly enough, one of these was Cary Grant - at that time, a young actor waiting for a part on Broadway)   The incubators were lined up like little wood stoves in a row.

In the early days, to view the preemies - adults would pay 10 cents, children - 5 cents.  Lines - mostly women - would line up in droves to view the nurses at work with the babies, some of which were only one and a half pounds.

Although based in Coney Island, occasionally Dr Couney would go out to other cities - Chicago, Portland OR, San Francisco - to oversee displays there.   The one in San Francisco alone took in over $72,000 in the 10 months it was open.

MDs from all over the country would send Dr Couney little preemies for his exhibit. He was awarded a platinum watch in recognition of his efforts.

However, not everyone was happy with the "showmanship" of the preemies. One nurse recalled feeling disdain, but she did concede that the infants did get very good care.

Dr. Couney himself was disheartened to see the disconnect between the infant and the parents who, after so many months separated from their baby, would hardly come and visit and were actually reluctant to take them home when they "graduated". He consoled himself with the fact that not one parent had to pay a penny for the care of these babies - the exhibit itself was self-supporting.

In a Canadian twist: Dr. Couney was invited to be the MD in charge of the famous Dionne Quintuplets born in Ontario, but declined because he stated that they were going to die and he didn't want to have the bad publicity that would be a fallout of a probable highly publicized failure.

As it was, these were one year's results, near the end of the era of the exhibit:

Mortality Experienced at Exhibit during New York World's Fair 1939-1940 (Medical News: New York City. JAMA 115:1648, 1940.)

Gestational Age (mo.) Admitted Died

6 9 0

6 1/2 18 4

7 37 6

7 1/2 9 0

8 20 0

8 1/2 1 0

Unknown 2 0

Total 96 10

By 1940 the depression had eaten away at the profits and the now 25 cents admission charge did not cover the costs. The Health Department stepped in and continually criticized the setup. The public were bored with the exhibit in an ever increasingly modernized world.

The first premature infant ward opened up in Cornell's New York Hospital and the Preemie Exhibit folded.

He (Couney) told his nephew, "I made propaganda for the preemie. My work is done." Twenty years after his death a bronze tablet was placed on the wall next to the entrance of the Holiday Inn on the boardwalk in Atlantic City to mark the site of his old shows. It noted that "Dr. Couney was the first person in the United States to offer specialized care for premature infants."

A final commentary at the end of this story makes an interesting comparison to today's medicine:

"But I find it hard to ignore the resemblance between the theatrics of the side-show exhibits and the dramatic actions in present-day neonatal intensive care units. In both cases, I find a disturbing detachment from reality"
"The feeble infant is plucked up and deposited in a theatre-like setting in which superb technical experts make all-out efforts to support life. And when this has been accomplished successfully, the infant graduates. But no comparable effort is mounted to deal with the enormous problems which face the graduate at home and in the community. Future historians may look back with some fascination at the tunnel vision in the incubator-show era and in the present day. I can almost hear the comment (in French, of course, since the movement did begin in France): Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."

One thing the exhibition did - it promoted the need for earlier and improved prenatal care.

Oh - and that silver baby cup with the woman's name engraved on it mentioned at the beginning of this blogpost? It was part of a gift given to a group of "1933-34 preemie graduates" and their parents at a 1940 reunion of the Exhibition Babies from Coney Island's "Century of Progress" World's Fair.

********************

Here is a March of Dimes video showing preemies birth and the work they do. It's an ongoing fight:

Camping again

2011-08-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

So here we are camping again.

the neighboring kids in their inflatable raft.....an accident waiting to happen
hopefully they don't fall in because I am not jumping in to get them!

The man does the "manly" stuff while I relax and drink my wine.

That's what I like about camping in the USA. The wine is super cheap compared to Canada where they tax the heck out of it.

my husband chopping some kindling so we can have a fire tonite.
thankfully, he didn't chop a finger off

You can see that I have made dinner:

you have to try the NutCrisp crackers....Toasted Pecan...can't get them in Canada
so I am bringing a few boxes home with me. Note the GIANT bottle of wine.

The wines here crack me up. I am drinking "Rex-Goliath free range wine", as it says on the label.....pinot grigio - my fav.

Apparently, His Royal Majesty Rex-Goliath was a turn of the century treasured circus attraction. He weighed 47 lbs and was billed as the "World's Largest Rooster".

Which leads me to the next post.

Something else put on display in America that attracted many crowds......

this is where we are camping. They fly an American and Canadian flag there are equal numbers here.

Holy Sh*t!

2011-08-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

You may have seen my blog post on "Holy Crap!" - the Breakfast Cereal recently popularized by a Canadian TV show: the Dragon's Den (Shark's Tank is the offshoot).

Here is the company's website for "Holy Crap" in case you can't be bothered to make it yourself. You can order 3 packages of 225gms each for $39.95

My cousin came up with a similar recipe which she calls "Holy Shit!"

You can create variances that appeal to your own taste.

This is how I make it:

1/2 cup chia
1/2 cup hulled hemp hearts
1/4 cup toasted buckwheat
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup sesame seeds*
1/2 cup dried apple (crumbled)
1/2 cup dried Thompson seedless raisins**
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves*

Mix all together in a seal-tight container
Store in cool dry place - or refrigerator

I use all organic ingredients found at local natural food stores.
For a lower calorie version you can leave out the raisins, apples, cranberries and sesame seeds.

*are my own additions
**raisins are in original Holy Crap but I don't bother with them

I mix 2 heaping tablespoons with low fat natural yogurt for a great morning breakfast. You can also use milk. I put it in the fridge overnight, which softens the dried hemp/chia/buckwheat.

It's great for the bowels.
Safe for pregnant and breast feeding moms.

Another Yum!

The "Anderson Cooper" of YVR

2011-08-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

It's bad enough getting stuck at an airport inbetween flights - but what if you choose to stay at an airport?

For 80 days?

And happy about it???

No, this isn't a Tom Hanks movie.

This guy was the winner - out of 90 entries - in a contest to celebrate YVR's 80th birthday*.

He will live at the Fairmont Hotel right on the grounds, and will receive $50 per day in vouchers to eat at the airport and has a pass to get in anywhere in YVR.

He will be reporting each day of what goes on in the daily life at YVR.

This was his entry:

What goes on at an airport?

16.8 million passengers in 2010

293K takeoffs and landings

400 plus businesses.

23,600 employees.

1.9 billion contributing to the economy.

You can make suggestions as to what stories you want to hear on the Live@YVR Facebook page. Or you can follow him on Twitter.

He will be living at the airport between August 17 and November 4th.

The prize is said to be worth $15K.

I am not sure I would want it.

If you see him, stop and talk to him. You just might be featured in one of his short films.

****************************

* Development of YVR came about when, in 1927 Charles Lindbergh refused to land in Vancouver on his North American tour - because of a lack of a proper airport.

Since then YVR has won numerous awards including Skytrax Best Airport in North America (voted by passengers worldwide) in 2007 and 2010, and regionally voted Best Canadian Airport.

You now can take the Skytrain (rapid transit) to downtown Vancouver from the airport.

Cilantro Soup. You LOVE it.

2011-08-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Nothing better than soup on a cold day in the North.

It can also taste good in hot weather - when it's cold!

When I lived in California, one of my nurse buddies brought in a soup for us to taste.

It's the perfect hot-weather soup - refreshing! - and for those who like Cilantro...it's the perfect thing to make.....AND it doesn't require turning on a stove!

I haven't been able to find this recipe online - tell me if you have.

To accomplish: just put each soup in a pouring container and pour each on opposite sides at the same time - very carefully!

Emerald Soup

1 cup tightly packed cilantro leaves (2 1/2 oz)
Hold back a couple sprigs of cilantro for garnish
3/4 cup scallions, coarsely chopped
29 oz chicken broth (or if you are a vegetarian: vegetable broth)
2 cups plain low fat yogurt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

Place cilantro, scallions, parsley and 1/2 the broth in a blender.
Process for 30 seconds.
Add yogurt and blend additional 15 seconds.
Pour into 6 cup container and whisk in remaining broth.
Chill overnight.
Garnish with cilantro leaves and freshly ground pepper.

This cold soup is easy to make, is delicious and gets rave reviews whenever I serve it!

Believe me when I say - Yum!

************************

I did find an alternative - made with avocado that sounds just as delicious!

I have also made a cold squash soup and poured 1/2 cilantro/ 1/2 squash soup into the bowl for a very pretty combo!

random internet photo, but very similar to what it would look like

Why are People such Freaking Pigs?

2011-08-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

I will NEVER understand it.

It happens at work.

It happens in the community.

photo: CTV news

Signs ignored - a simple "Don't leave your dishes in the sink" or, on the beach "Please use garbage containers provided"....yet people will ignore Rules of Cleanup and leave their dirty messes behind for others to clean up.

The last night of the Vancouver fireworks is over, and the cleanup downtown is not only going to be immense - but expensive.

How difficult is it to bring along a bag and carry your trash home with you? Or put it in the cans provided?

How difficult is it to wash your one dish when you are done?

When you add ONE person not cleaning up after themselves with several more or thousands more....the results are the same:

Others are left to clean up after you.

People are such freaking pigs.

*sigh*

All right. I think I am ok now.
(and my apologies to pigs - the animals. )

When Babies Cry: think PURPLE

2011-08-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

In 2009, Children's Hospital here in British Columbia, initiated a province-wide project called "The Period of PURPLE Crying Prevention Program ".

Research suggests that "colic" is a normal developmental stage rather than a medical condition. The booklet and DVD distributed explains babies crying in a simple and easy way - and suggests practical ways to control parental frustration and anger- that is helpful for parents.

Nurses played an integral role in the distribution process.

Process & Stats:

First "dose"- Over 90% of new parents in all the hospitals across B.C. are receiving the program materials on each maternity unit.

Second "dose"- Over 93% of Public Health nurses discuss the five talking points with the parents.

- Approximately 80% of the time nurses encourage parents to share PURPLE crying materials with the baby's temporary caretakers.

-80% of fathers are present when PURPLE materials are presented on the maternity unit.
-In addition to listening to presentation by nurses, 75% of parents watch/read the materials given to them.

The results have been astounding.

Outcome measures:
-Statistics show that Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) usually happens in the first 6 months of a baby's life, therefore it is expected that the program will have an effect on those babies 6 months and younger.

-In 2010 there were no definite cases of SBS in infants under 6 months of age. This was down from 6 cases in the previous year.

- In 2010 there were 3 cases of possible to definite cases of physical abuse in infants under 6 months of age. This is down from 18 in the previous year.

- For infants age 0-6 months of age there was a 31% reduction of hospital visits at Children's Hospital's Emergency Department for colic and crying unrelated to disease or injury.

In 3 studies to date in the USA - cases of SBS have doubled during the recession. Here is a map of those provinces or states that have implemented the program. The US Military has partnered with NSBS (National SBS) to develop materials specifically for their troops.

Take a look at the map. If your state/province isn't one of them, the best thing you can do for babies is lobby to implement it. It's a great tool for parents.

Children's Hospital sent out a thank-you letter to all those Nurses involved, which included us:

"These are preliminary outcomes. More years of evaluation are necessary. However, these outcomes are a tremendous credit to the nurses of British Columbia. We all have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us to make these initial encouraging results permanent. Thank you NURSES of B.C. We so appreciate your excellent work and commitment. Please keep up the great work." signed by Marilyn Barr (director of the SBS BC program) and Dr Ronald G.Barr (head of Developmental Neurosciences & Child Health)

Wow. The letter almost made me cry. Amazing what health education can do and how we as nurses can make a huge difference in the community.

Course Information/Course info

Photo : 2,564 frames per second...

2011-08-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

I love taking my camera places and taking photos.

This I found amazing:

Locked in a Vegas Hotel Room with a Phantom Flex from Tom Guilmette on Vimeo.

I wish my camera was this cool

Welcome to Canada!

2011-08-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to "An American Yankee in Canada"....who was *just* granted her permanent resident card. I know how difficult and tedious the process is, since my husband and I went through the same thing approximately 3 years ago!

In honor of the occasion - here is our National Animal to welcome you:

First Responder /Firefighter

2011-08-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Danny Watkins needed a credit for his schoolwork and as a result - discovered a vocation he grew to love: Firefighting.

Heaven knows, Kelowna B.C. has had it's share of fires.

As a 16-year-old boy he joined - in a junior member capacity - the West Kelowna Fire and Rescue Team for high school credits.

In his spare time, like most Canadian boys, he played Hockey and Rugby.

visiting the Philadelphia Fire Hall

Associating with the squad at the West Kelowna station, he matured and was deeply influenced by the men he worked with. The guys he worked with were his heroes.

It wasn't a surprise then, when Danny decided he would like to go to a Junior College in Northern California to further his career in firefighting - taking a Fire Science course - stumbling into football in the process.

Someone told him he could have his college fees paid for if he went on a football scholarship.

His first year in football was a steep, painful learning curve because of his ignorance of Football. Due to his overwhelming love for all things hockey, and his thinking that football just got in the way of hockey, he didn't even know the bare rudiments of Football.

However, his attitude, determination and focus which he learned as a Firefighter - and the mean streak as a Hockey player - transferred well onto the Football field.

It wasn't that he hated football, he just didn't care for it all that much. Football in general, isn't taken as seriously as Hockey in Canada.

It's not that the Canadian Football enthusiasts in his home town didn't try.

He was recruited for the Okanagan Sun (Kelowna) junior football team, but came down with appendicitis prior to football training and ended up in the hospital - recovery nixed any further thought of playing football.

He didn't play one game until he stumbled into it at College - which he only went for the schooling.

With only two years junior college and then on to Baylor on another scholarship in Dallas, he has managed to become one of the first Canadians to be picked in the first rounds of both CFL and NFL drafts since 1986.

Funny thing - he wouldn't have even attended the draft pick except that he was wanting to make a pilgrimage to Ground Zero and visit the guys at the Firestation in NYC - out of respect for their 9/11 losses.

It was the first thing he thought of when he woke up that morning of the draft - and definitely his priority.

Danny and his Five Firefighter friends from Kelowna were welcomed like long-lost brothers.

To say "thanks"....Danny had to get his new friends tickets for the draft pick. They were thrilled to go.

Apparently, during the lengthy process of draft choices, he was more nervous about keeping his friends waiting than about whether he was actually going to be picked or not.

His firefighter buddies from Ktown and NYC - cheered him on as his name was called.

Six foot three inches and 310lbs - he is now a Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Guard - on a 4 year contract worth $7.9Million.

But this isn't where the story ends.

Wouldn't you know it - first day of practice - a medical emergency occurred.

A team mate - defensive tackle, Mike Patterson - had a seizure on the practice field this am.

Danny's Emergency Response training kicked in as he attended to the player.

The day before he managed to free himself and another player out of a stuck elevator.

I guess you just can't take the Firefighter out of the Football player.

Or the Hockey out of the football player.

He admits to missing the Firehall "a lot" and still prefers to watch the NHL over any NFL game.

Good on ya, Home town boy!

This makes me cry.

2011-07-31T11:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, humans are suffering.

But animals don't have a voice or a choice.

SPCA of BC is one of the charities I support.

So does our local gal, Sarah.

Nursing: Performance Evaluation / Peer Review

2011-07-31T08:18:00.000-07:00

Had a performance evaluation last week.

It was all positive.

The week before that, I had a peer review of my work where myself and another nurse sits down and discuss several cases that I have handled. It took about an hour and a half out of my working day, which in of itself is an amazing thing.

Can you believe that management even provided staffing to cover this time?

It was with trepidation I anticipated the evaluation because the person assigned to do it was not someone with a normally positive outlook. It was my experience - in the past - that she was quite judgmental of other nurses' performances.

I was expecting, as is usually the case in nursing, that all the bad points would be found - with glaring examples of everything I had done wrong. Not that I could really think of anything critically wrong....but you know how these evaluations go......

Pleasant surprise.

I was told at the interview start that there was enough negativity in nursing - that we didn't need more of the same.

The management wanted the positives highlighted....that each nurse does a good enough job of self-flagellation when reviewing her own work....and that encouragement and praise goes further to improve morale and thus perhaps improve nursing care.

The questions at the review end were:

1. What did you feel you did well in this instance?

2. What was your "takeaway" from this patient interaction?

It was a refreshing and positive experience and so unlike other performance reviews in the past whilst working in hospitals.

Apparently they are arranging monthly reviews.

I am actually looking forward to the next one - and at that time, I won't have so much of a knot in the pit of my stomach.

An "Awww Cute!" Saturday AM

2011-07-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

(not that I like the idea of animals confined in zoos too much... )

Meanwhile, bear with me as I tweak colors and design with my blog!

Blankety-blank-blank

2011-07-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

Now, if you are like me, you might have some difficulty in picking out the correct invitations, or finding the right words for an apology or airing of grievance ....or just give feedback on a situation at work.

Well, ok. Strike that.

I usually am quite capable of putting my point across.

But - here's the thing.

Sometimes you just can't be bothered to go to all that trouble and you just want a quick and easy fill-in-the-blanks type form.

Well - here's the site for you.

Check it out.

Fill out a form or two.

If nothing else, it will make you feel good to get what you want to really say off your chest.

Go on.

You want to.

It's good for your blood pressure!

The form I should have sent to that Facebook ex-friend that I
deleted yesterday.

The Insidious Tylenol

2011-07-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, so now the USA is on board with reducing the recommended daily dosing of Tylenol.....
why isn't Canada following suit?

thank you once again, wikipedia

It should have been done long ago.

It certainly isn't because Canadians are smarter about their use of Tylenol!

Believe me. They aren't.

I can't tell you the number of patients of mine that tell me they have just exceeded the recommended dosage by the handfuls because the normal dosage " didn't work".

Not that I have mentioned a caution about Tylenol in a blogpost previously - and the damage it can cause!

If the normal dose didn't work to reduce your extremely high fever: get checked out by your MD (preferably before the office closes to avoid an ED visit!) - the danger is with what's behind the fever - not the fever itself!

If the normal dose didn't work to make tolerable your extreme pain: get checked out by your MD (ditto the above in parenthesis!) - pain is there for a reason. ( please note that I didn't say TAKE AWAY YOUR PAIN ENTIRELY)

And please, when you are dosing your children - read the labels. There are so many products with multiple medications in them. Try to use only those products that have single medications in them - and only if you have to.

Take the time to read the fine print.

It may save your - or your child's - liver.

56,000+ dying livers countrywide due to Tylenol use must mean something, after all.

So......tell me again...

2011-07-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

.....why we have iphones???

Hammacher Schlemmer

You, too, once again may be tied down to your desk and home with this handy-dandy gadget.

Those of you who remember these days will not wish to revisit it.

And even though, to some, it may be "nostalgic".......it's not my cup of tea!

Gestational Age (mo.)	Admitted	Died
6	9	0
6 1/2	18	4
7	37	6
7 1/2	9	0
8	20	0
8 1/2	1	0
Unknown	2	0
Total	96	10