Global and Body Warming – 2 stories

First, on Global warming, I have liked Mr. Al Gore from the beginning of his work on global warming.  Now, he has updated his works and has a very positive note to share:

Secondly,  Body warming…ME.

A few days ago, I went to the Anderson St. Vincent Hospital to see my Heart Dr.  This was a pre-surgery check and I passed it with flying colors.  He told me I was doing wonderfully in the heart department (always nice to hear).

I decided that, since I was already, at the hospital, I would go to the testing building (Erskine Center).  I drove the 2 blocks over and sat in my car for a time.  I know I napped a bit.  I heard a noise and woke up.  Looking around, I saw nothing; then I heard something louder.  I shut off the engine to the car and steam began pouring from a corner of the hood.  I got out and, when it had stopped steaming, I opened the hood.  I went to the reservoir tank and very slowly opened the cap.  Suddenly, the cap blew from my hand and I say greenish (water and anti-freeze) mixture spout up.  I threw my hand up in front of my face and felt a terrible pain on my hand.  I stepped away from the car and raised my hand to look at it.  This, I think, allowed the hot liquid to pour down my arm.  I knew I was burned, burning.  I put my hand on top of the car roof (It was cold out).  I decided this wasn’t enough and put my hand into the snow that was left on the trunk.  I used my right hand (I am a lefty) to scoop the snow on top of my hand and wrist.  Looking back, I should have ripped my coat off and put my entire left arm into the snow.  As it was, my arm from my wrist to about 1/2 way to my elbow took the worst of the burn.  I got my chair walker out of the back seat and began heading to the ER 2 blocks away.  Within seconds I knew I couldn’t make it there and headed into the Erskine Center.

The woman at the reception desk in the test area asked me if it was raining.  I said “no” and told her what happened.  She gasped and said she would call 911.  I told her that I did not want to pay $2000 for a 2-block trip.  She said she would call security.  He arrived a few minutes later and we got into the vehicle.

When we arrived at the ER, it took me, him, and the valet to get my walker back open so I could go in.  They got me straight in and I began the wait.  I finally saw an NP (Nurse Practitioner).  I did not like the way she came across nor the way she handled the situation.  I told this to a survey person that next day.  Regardless, the regular nurse (who was excellent), used water to clean the area and put on a silver solution (good stuff), then dressed the wound.  We made an appointment next day with my new primary physician.  I was told that a burn can take 24 hours to let you know how bad it is going to be.  I was told to change the dressing that evening.

Here is what I found when I took off the bandages:

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Yeah, bad…Today, 4 days later, I have changed the dressings almost 6 times.  The blisters have either ruptured or been absorbed, the burned area is larger, the color of the skin under the dead skin is very red.  I feel some pain and itching.  I am told that is good because no pain can mean nerve damage.  It is healing.  I am healing.  I go to the Wound Center in Anderson on Tuesday.  I will know more then, though I know they will “debris”(?) the wound – remove the skin and clean it thoroughly – that’s gonna hurt!

I am learning to use my right hand more and deal with pain even better.  I was already good at that, but this raised the bar.  I am still on schedule for my hip surgery soon.

Namaste,

Scott

Dis”Grace”ful Medicine Practices

Grace is one of those wonderful little girls I will, probably, never meet, but love with all my heart.  She has Rett Syndrome and multiple issues.  I want you to read this as it broke my heart and I have only a little to compare it with (I put that in the post’s comments).  We all need to be aware of this as our own children, grandchildren, ourselves, etc…are not immune and we may be faced with a similar incident for something else in the future…

Christmas for Grace

Namaste,

Scott

Where Am I? I wasn’t Here!

I know; I know.  It’s been about a week without really a word from me.  In that time, I managed to lose 3 games of “Trivia Crack” due to time elapsed, I waited over 3 days to do some of my “Words With Friends”, and I have been stressed out, tired, and so very frustrated.

No, silly, it wasn’t sex (though the symptoms certainly bring back memories – not really good ones, either).  It was nothing pleasant at all:  my Dad had a stroke.

Well, it turned out to be a TIA; it was downgraded.  It seems the difference is whether the damage remains permanent or not.  Apparently, his blood pressure may have dropped too low due to his medications combined with going back on dialysis.  What I do know is the night following the TIA, while I was lying in the couch/chair in Dad’s room, the nurse came in and gave him his blood pressure meds and, about 2-3 hours later, I was calling them to his side because his blood pressure, which had normally been around 150/70 or so, was now 77/41.  They began pumping fluids in him and I left when it was 84/50 and rising.

He is much better now, but in that time, we all took turns staying with him most of the day/night.  My general shift was 7:30pm-around 1:00am.  I would watch a baseball game with him (I am not a fan, but am learning the game well) and stay until he had been sound asleep for about 1/2 hour.

Anyway, that’s the reason for the long absence.  I have tried to read a few posts, but have had another problem.  I have borrowed my Dad’s IPAD.  He doesn’t really like it, so he told me to learn on it.  I have never used an IPAD before.  I can’t say I love how they run (man, I love my desktop with windows), however, once I FINALLY got it set up (That would be early this morning, by the way), it is pretty cool to have.  I can watch about 6-7 episodes of “Star Trek DS9” (am halfway through season 5) and do some online poker (free) and check out Facebook and “Words with Friends” without recharging.  It is nice and small (at least, compared to the full backpack my lap top requires) and it is not that difficult to use (Once it is SET UP.  Did I mention that?!).

Well, that’s the news for now.  Dad is much better – smiling, watching TV, and complaining about the hospital.  That makes us all happier.  It especially makes me happier because I found out that, during Dad’s ordeal, I stressed out and that shot my blood sugar up from about 110-almost 210 at times.  It wouldn’t go down.  It even went up after a self-imposed 17 hour fast!  When I finally saw on Google (Gotta love Google) that stress can do that, I went through my relaxation responses, said my prayers, and mentally chose to relax.  This morning was 124.  Still a bit high, but I could eat.  I will simply have to refocus my attention on being calm when things are bad around here.  Who woulda thunk it?

Namaste,

Scott

God and Manifestation are both Wonderful!!!

Of course, I know that God handles manifestation.  I simply believe He gives us rules to follow in order to take full advantage of our humanness.  Manifestation is a way in which God can bring into our lives those things we ask for and concentrate on.  That’s my story for tonight.

This is actually Friday early morning.  It’s about 1:45am.  I was heading to bed and decided to get the mail in case the library had put any books in my collection box and it decided to rain (as it has for weeks).  I pulled out the mail and was disappointed to find two extra doctor bills from my hip surgery in April.  The hospital has been going over my financial statements to see if I qualify for a reduction in the nearly $1200 bill.  I don’t mind paying it.  It has been a true Godsend to have the ability to walk and bend again.  My other hip will be scheduled for next April.

Anyway, the other two bills amounted to about $31.00.  I will pay them.  I just know those types of bills will continue coming for months…a bit here and there.  So, I decided to perk up and just be happy I could pay them…on time even!  Then, I got to the last bill – a letter, actually, from the hospital, St Vincent’s in Anderson.  The letter said (I tried not to read ahead and ruin anything) they were happy that because of my financial status and the generous donations from others and patients who could really afford to pay, they were able to FORGIVE MY ENTIRE BILL!  I almost cried.  I had hoped dearly for a 20% reduction.  This brought all my finances back into order.  I only had to pay the little bills and the surgeon who was 50% paid off now.

I just had to pass this on as I had manifested $100 dollars this month and already received that, so this was on top of it all.  I always leave myself open to more abundance.  Bless all the people who made it possible.

And, Mollie, here is another wonderful example of manifesting and letting it go to the universe.

Namaste,

Scott

Just a Spoonful of Sugar…(don’t look at me; I’m diabetic)

Yeah, funny…maybe not quite that funny!

I picked Mom up this morning and we both braved the bitter cold to head to the hospital and get Dad.  He was supposed to be discharged today (and was).  He has been told now that he has a bit of congestive heart failure and a bit of renal failure.  Armed with that information, new meds, and a good amount of faith, we all went home.  I took them to their home, helped Dad get his medicines squared away, made a couple of calls for him, and went home to relax.

After relaxing for a couple of hours my best friend and I went out to eat.  We had a good time and I unwound.  I came home and entered a Facebook Fantasy NCAA bracket contest.  I am utterly horrible at these, but it was free and easy to fill out.

Now, I sit here, filling out this post and realizing I am too flippin’ tired to do it.  I had good intentions several hours ago, but the steam has fizzled.  I will attempt to gain just a little of the zeal back by saying that today showed me a lot of what I have going for myself.

In the hospital, I notice how sad most people are.  It’s to be expected, of course, but still…

Now staff is all serious, but the nurses try to step out of that mold sometimes, and do manage it.  I, for one, am glad to see the giggles and the smiles from some of them.  If our attitude is supposed to be a big part of our health, I think it would be better for all concerned if doctors, surgeons, and such would develop a better sense of humor.  If I had to go to a hospital I would much rather it be one in which laughing could be heard at different times and places throughout.

Dad is home and resting.  He is very tired and has a lot to think about.  I would like to thank you all for your prayers and thoughts, and concerns throughout all this ordeal.  I know it is not over yet, probably only begun, but it is nice to know I have some supports to lean on.

Namaste,

Scott