Flu Masks in Fashion as Virus Nears Pandemic Stage

If you don't want it, flaunt it.

As swine flu approaches the pandemic stage, a new fad is going viral: the swine flu fashion mask.

Graphic designers and online retailers are offering swinophobes everywhere the chance to make a fashion statement - even as they ward off the deadly bug.

I would pick the skeleton. What would you want?

Labels: medical, newsworthy

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  While there were plenty of drugs, they weren't the "good kind" and this wasn't quite the party mayhem you'd expect of a lost weekend. I had a frakking migraine that just wouldn't die, all weekend long!

It started last Friday, and I didn't feel somewhat human again until this morning.

When this happens, I get very afraid. A few years ago, I ended up in a situation where I living a pretty non-stop migraine. It ended up being partially due to the medications my neuro at the time was throwing at me to treat them, which resulted in a pretty ugly 6 week cold turkey period that I'd really rather never do again. >shudder< Sending a special thanks out to everyone who put up with me during that period, because I was not a happy camper...

Today, I started searching for reasons why I'd had such a long, horrible attack this time. I started to wonder if I had a sinus infection. About this time two years ago, I had a sinus infection that I was completely unaware of. My neuro told me that could have been causing some migraine issues at the time, so I thought it could well be happening again.

So today, even though it's hard to describe head pain to a doc when your head hurts all the time, the appointment went well. The doc was pretty patient, and a peek into all the orifices in my head told him I was indeed suffering from a sinus infection.

Yay me! I know it sounds silly to cheer, but I'm so glad it's something that isn't chronic and can be fixed pretty readily. I got 'scrips for 2 meds and an OTC nose spray, and I'm feeling pretty glad about the whole thing.

I wish I had more to report from this amazing lost weekend, but I'm sure you can fill it all in for yourself. Imagine me, the tragic heroine, in my beautiful housecoat and perfect hair and makeup, lying stoically in the semi-darkness while my friends and family speak in hushed tones about how brave I was being, and what an inspiration I am to everyone who meets me, and you'll be just about right. Well, maybe 50% right. Or less. OK, add in some whining and curse words...oh and don't forget the lank, smelly hair (no way I'm scrubbing my head when it already hurts!) and you're probably much closer to what really happened.

When they make the movie of my life, I'd like it be more like the first description, OK? Jennifer Connelly could play me, and in between takes she could tell me all about how cool it was to work with David Bowie in Labyrinth, that might make this whole ordeal worthwhile. Well, not really, but it wouldn't hurt!

Happy Monday.

Labels: david bowie, medical, migraine

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  Sorry, I've been here but not really HERE. I know. I've missed you, too.

My computer died, and that took a lot of my computer time away, because I needed to share the rickety old last-millennium desktop with the kids. That just about sucks all the joy out of surfing. My lovely laptop is back now, and my online life is getting back to normal.

This last week, I've watched a close friend hit some problems. Many people are trying to help her, but I'm coming to terms with the idea that she doesn't necessarily want to get better, and any effort we put in is essentially wasted at this point. How do you know when to stop trying to take care of someone who's unwilling to take care of herself?

Labels: computer, friends, medical

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  It's been 2 weeks since her surgery, and today the stitches came out.

Because they had to go so deep to remove all of the affected tissue, she's got about a zillion stitches inside, but those will dissolve and we don't need to worry about them. Today they just took out the ones on the surface.

They said she's looking good, and that she'll still probably be worn out sometimes because of how the procedure went, but that just having the stitches out should make her feel better. Whew!

Yesterday, I took her and some other tweens out to see Twilight. Yeah, again. Actually, I saw it once in the interim without telling you guys, so this was the 7th time. Yes, I understand that I have a problem... What of it?

Anyway, yesterday was the first time she was able to get a shower and go out and do stuff for any length of time. Yay for Sage! So, I think she's starting to really recover, either that or the Twilight movie has some magical healing powers. Given the migraine I ended up with yesterday, I'm pretty sure it's the former, or maybe it just doesn't work for old people?

Either way, I'm glad to see her up and about more!

Labels: kids, medical, Twilight

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  During a conversation I had with my Dad the other day, he expressed his disappointment that I haven't been blogging much. There was nothing I could do but hang my head in shame and promise to do better.

Part of the problem is that I have been goofing off way too much on Facebook (I'm Jen Lindner-Green if you want to "friend" me.) It's very different from blogging, but I get more feedback there and I keep hooking up with old friends so I just sort of gravitated off in that direction. I am ever so sorry. You guys deserve better. Do you still love me?

Another part of the problem is that Sage finally had that precancerous birthmark removed in a surgery that turned into a big gory mess (but I got to watch the procedure, which was most excellent!) The recovery has been a lot more stressful than it would normally be. The bad news: They expect a great deal of bleeding during scalp surgery, and while we like to see Sage exceed all expectations, we don't mean stuff like this. It really was pretty awful. The good news: She is 100% cancer free, and this surgery shouldn't need to be repeated. So, as soon as we get her healed up, she's done, duh duh done (think "Dragnet" for the tune to that) with this whole experience.

Other than that, all is good! Homeschooling is ripping right along, and we get to go to the County Coroner's Office in March. We were supposed to go last year, but we were still suffering from the Iowa Death Flu. So, YAY, we're taking the kids to the morgue (temporarily)!

Oh, yeah, and Twilight has taken over our lives. We loves us some Twilight. We are planning to move to Forks and buy a house next door to the Cullens. So, the stalking has taken up a bit of time, not to mention trying to hide from the Volturri and the werewolves...

Seriously, between taking different groups of kids, etc, I've seen the movie 5 times in the theater. Me, the grownup! I was thinking hard the other day, trying to remember the last time I'd seen a movie more than once or twice in the actual theater... Not counting movies I've watched while only wearing a bra and slip, can you guess what the last movie was that I saw 5 times in the theater? Click here for the answer! Were you right? Let me know in the comments.

Anyhoo, I'm here. I will be here more often, because it breaks my heart to disappoint my Dad. I love you, Dad!

Labels: facebook, homeschooling, kids, medical, Twilight

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  I'm back home now! I rolled in on the train Monday morning, and pretty much slept through yesterday.

The train between here and Iowa runs overnight, so I didn't really get to see any scenery. But, I did see one notable thing while I was riding. There was an older guy in my car, who was on oxygen. He was wearing high-waisted pants with rainbow suspenders. And, here's the good part, a T-shirt that said, "Drink Til You Want Me." Love it! I wish I could have taken a photo!

My sister's surgery went well, and she's starting to feel better. She's still got a hard row to hoe, so if you could keep her in your prayers that would be great!

I still need to schedule Sage's surgery. She's stressed out about it, so I think it would be best to just get it over with.

Kaywinnet, the dog, is doing pretty well after her major abdominal surgery. She's still in a cone, and on 4 different medications, but she should be OK.

I'm having a really crummy fibro flare. It feels like there is gravel in my shoulders and hips. But, I'm not gonna complain because it will go away and life is good :-)

Are you all ready for Thanksgiving?

Labels: holiday, kids, medical, pets, travel

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  Sorry I haven't blogged in a little bit, I ran out of town last week on the train (awesome way to travel!) and I've been in Iowa helping my sister through some bad stuff. Not the least of which was a surgery to remove her gall bladder yesterday.

The surgery went well, but they were having a hard time getting her pain under control afterward. She's on some pretty serious painkillers every day after a series of botched surgeries in the military, so the stuff they were giving her just wasn't helping. And they were insisting that nothing else could be done, and that Julie just needed to relax. I'm a big believer in relaxing and breathing and all that, but there's a point where that's just not going to help, and Julie was long past it.

I turned into the Nurse's Nightmare, and pretty soon they had a cocktail that knocked the pain down a little, and allowed her to sleep. Then I just needed to make sure they were getting them on board on time all day, but they were really good about that. I wasn't quite as bad as this scene, but I was ready to go here if needed. (That part of the movie always makes me cry.)

Then, in the midst of dealing with all this, we got word back from Sage's biopsy. Her growth was the kind of birthmark I'd suspected, and he recommends surgery. The good thing is that there's no cancer in it right now, thank God! So, I'm at the hospital dealing with two sets of surgeons all day...

To add to all that, Davin called to tell me that the reason the dog keeps throwing up is that there's something metal obstructing her intestines and she needs immediate...wait for it... yep, surgery! It turns out she'd eaten a jingle bell AND a magnet and not only was her intestine obstructed, it was perforated. They expect her to be OK, it looks like we caught it right in time.

So, I need to set a surgery on the calendar today for Sage, and go get Julie from the hospital. And, Davin's picking up Kaywinnet from the vet.

So, it's all good, but it's all overwhelming, too. I need a minute to have a nervous breakdown, then I'll get back on track!

Labels: family, medical, pets, travel

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  First of all, today is the Marine Corps Birthday. Happy Birthday!

Sage's head seems OK today, there was no bleeding or weird stuff over the weekend. Now we just settle in and wait for the results.

The kids and I watched Squirm, a 1976 horror film about man-eating earthworms. I'm trying to figure out how I can count that for school.

We went for a drive up in the mountains yesterday. It's dingdang cold up there! We were up over 10,000 ft for a while, and it might as well be January when you're that far up. I'll stick with town and wait a little longer for winter.

Don't forget to come find me on Facebook if you do that sort of thing: Jen Lindner-Green :-)

Look who I ran into this weekend!


It's not really Johnny Depp, but MAN he was good! He even had the swishy walk and the accent. I wanted to snatch him up and bring him home, you know, to play Monopoly with or something. I'm a good girl! And, more importantly, I'm an oooooold girl...

Happy Monday!

Labels: facebook, homeschooling, horror, medical, military

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  Not something you normally expect for your 10 year old, but we're rolling with it.

When Maya and Sage were born, we were able to tell them apart because of a birthmark Sage has on her scalp. It was flat, and a little bumpy, and no hair grew in that area. So, even in the dark, we'd know which baby we had.

Once her hair covered it, we never thought about it again. Until last month when it changed. It stayed the same size around, but started bulging out all over the place. Plus, it became crusty and oozy.

We took her to the pediatrician, who immediately announced that he had no idea what it was, and sent us to a dermatologist. But, even though he didn't know, he gave me some good medical search terms, and I was able to find out what it likely was.

This was confirmed by the dermatologist today. It's most likely a nevus sebaceous. This birthmark can change during adolescence (ta da!) and can sometimes become malignant (boo!), but that having it go bad is rare.

So, the dermatologist took a biopsy today. If it is a nevus sebaceous, we will likely have surgery to remove it because there's a risk that basal cell carcinomas can form within it. Even if that's the case, there's no concern on the dermatologist's part that the growth is cancerous now, and it doesn't usually become that way before the patient's 20s.

So, really, even though it sounds kind of creepy, it's all good. We'll know well ahead of time if anything's going to be a problem, and if she does need to have it removed it will be an hour or so under local anesthetic, then straight home. No biggie.

We should know in 2 weeks what's going to happen next.

Labels: kids, medical

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  This weekend, I was trying to whisper something into Maya's ear (she's one of the 10 year olds) and she whipped her head around to give me her other ear. I asked if there was something wrong with the first one and she said, "Oh yeah, that one doesn't work any more..."

What? When did this happen? She said she thinks it happened when she she was 4 or so, and watching Teletubbies on the couch. That's SIX YEARS ago!

I took this opportunity to remind all of the kids that if a body part of theirs quits working, they should tell one of us about it right away. (Sometimes I can not believe the stuff I have to tell my children.)

The pediatrician said that it isn't earwax or a fluid buildup, and recommended that we see an audiologist. He refused to speculate about what might be going wrong...so like any good mom I looked it up on the internet.

It's unlikely it's in infection, because the tympanogram was fine, and everything looked good (that's still what I'm hoping for, though.)

This is one of the times where having identical twins is cool! There are a host of genetic abnormalities that could cause long term hearing loss, but we have a perfect control subject who doesn't have any of those issues. Also, they've pretty much had the same courses of meds (no ototoxic ones) and have been exposed the same environment. I can't think of an accident or injury that Maya's had that would affect her hearing, but it's possible.

So, I'm back to hoping it's an infection, although that's already pretty much been ruled out...

Any ideas? We should be setting up the appointment with the audiologist tomorrow.

Labels: kids, medical

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  Guess what I saw in the road while I was out walking the other night?

A nasal cannula. How do you lose one of those on the side of the road? I hope they have a back up. I just have a horrible picture of someone's Grandpa whizzing around in a convertable and getting the cannula ripped clean off his face...although if he was driving fast enough, that might keep the oxygen rushing right up his nose until he could get home and hook back up, I suppose.

As a side note, Anya needed oxygen until she was 7 months old, most of that time by cannula. (Before that she had a CPAP, and before that she was on a ventilator with an ET tube.) So I'm pretty familiar with all this breathing apparatus stuff, and it was just extra weird to see one just laying there in the road.

Labels: medical, walking

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  Donor kidneys removed with single bellybutton cut

Brad Kaster donated a kidney to his father this week, and he barely has a scar to show for it.

The kidney was removed through a single incision in his bellybutton, a surgical procedure Cleveland Clinic doctors say will reduce recovery time and leave almost no scarring.

I don't know about this. I mean, I'm pretty sure a kidney could totally fit through my big nasty bellybutton, so that part's OK I guess.

But, I gotta be honest. If I am giving someone a kidney, the least I would want in return is a big gnarly scar.

I'd be showing that off to everyone at the drop of a hat. Sitting next to a stranger on the bus? I'd hike up my shirt and tell the whole gory story! Christmas morning with my great grandchildren? Heck yeah, I'll say, "Did I tell you the story about giving up my kidney back in Ought Eight?" and then I'll ignore them when they try to tell me I've told them a million times and show them my crepe-y grandma flesh. And heaven forbid I ever end up on a game show or something, although I'm sure Alex Trebek would be really polite about it.

Anyway, that's just me, I'm sure this would be great news for most folks...

Labels: medical, newsworthy

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  I spent yesterday washing sheets and towels, and throwing away make up. Oh, and putting in eye drops. 4 times a day you have to do that! I don't get to do anything 4 times a day.

But, the good news is that I think we're all back to normal. Or, normal for us.

Oh, I spent a lot of time surfing around youtube. This isn't the world's most appropriate video, but it cracked me up and that says a lot considering the day I had yesterday. I'm just trying to imagine the world where this guy is a rock star.


Renee, this is different than the one I put on the board.

A good thing that happened yesterday was that my favorite guilty pleasure TV show started it's 4th season last night. I love that show!

Better run, we're off to a field trip! Catch you up later...

Labels: medical, sick, video

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  Oh yay, I've got it, too!

And the doc says it's likely viral, which means we're contagious even though we are on the drops.

Editing to add: I don't think they should call it pink eye, that sounds tame and kind of cute. I think they should call it something along the lines of "gritty ball of fire eye."

Labels: medical, sick

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  You probably wonder what I'm doing up at 3:30 in the morning. Actually, if you've been reading here long, you probably don't.

But, today is different. I was well on my way to a full night's sleep not long ago. I'd even taken one of my Rozerems, an awesome sleeping pill that I'd misplaced until recently (Only Users Lose Drugs). I was tucked in good and proper and nearly comatose when I was scared more than half to death. Probably closer to three-quarters or seven-eighths to death.

Why?

Because, quietly at first, then growing louder, our piano started to play itself. Up and down the scale, over and over.

My reaction will show how truly unliberated I am, and that I'm a coward to boot. I whacked Davin and demanded that he get up and investigate.

Davin found his glasses, and bravely ran off to confront the burglar or ghost or whatever it was. I mostly laid in bed hyperventilating, trying hard not to pee while listening for him to be killed.

He sorted out the problem right away. It was Maya's cat Tigger, walking up and down the keys. He has no doubt been saving up this bit of revenge ever since the hat incident. Serves me right.

Long story short (too late) I'm up now, fully awake and ready for the day. Nothing gets the blood pumping like an early morning freak out, good grief!

Labels: medical, pets

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  You may remember from way back in June that we've had a long-term houseguest. She's been staying with us while going through a nasty divorce (ooh, it's been hard to watch!) Anyway, the divorce isn't finalized yet, but she's able to get on her feet and she moved out Friday afternoon.

She wasn't a problem while she was here, and I miss her already, but I think her moving kicked me into gear to clean up my house a bit. And, when that happens, I can't let anything stop me, because that's awfully rare! So, over the weekend I've deep cleaned a lot of the kitchen, and the knick knack hutch. I cleaned the glass globes for the chandelier (man, between the dust on the globes, and on the bulbs themselves, it was DARK in here! Yikes!)

Also, I'm trying to sort my brain out. I was on a great medication a while back, but I stopped taking it because my insurance didn't cover it and it was kind of pricey. It wasn't anything I needed for any of my medical issues, but it did help me sleep well and wake up ready to have a day. When I quit taking it, I didn't notice any problems right away. But, one day I woke up and I just couldn't find my "give a damn." I just didn't care about anything! It took me a week or so to figure out what the problem was, and a little while longer to go pick up the prescription and let it work. But now I feel EVER SO MUCH better! Yay Rozerem!

Labels: house, life, medical

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  I'm surprised, that illness was really nasty. I guess it was just a stomach bug, but it included some HORRIBLE stabbing pains, I couldn't even stand up straight for a few days. It's still a little twitchy.

Since I'm such a drama queen, I decided pretty early on that the stabbing pains were probably a sign of organ failure, or possibly perforated intestines. I had our huge anatomy poster book out and I was trying to determine what was going on, and I had it narrowed down to a ruptured spleen. I figured I was probably already going into septic shock, and would soon be dead, so there was no use calling the doctor or anything.

Of course, I'm completely fine, which I pretty much understood the whole time. But, there always is that nagging fear that something big is going down. Does that ever happen to you?

While I was researching all of the things that could possibly be wrong with me, before I rejected appendicitis because the pains were on the wrong side, I discovered a new word. This word is so amazingly cool that I'm trying to find a way to work it into conversation regularly. I think you should learn it, too, there'll be a quiz.

fecalith

Hope your weekend is going well!

Labels: life, medical

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  Yesterday, when we were dealing with the Dragon Foot Incident, Sage and I had a little time to ourselves when they took Maya for an X-ray.

We were sitting quietly, when Sage looked around and said, "Do you suppose anyone's died in this room?"

I told her that I doubted it, because it's a pretty new hospital and besides it looked like it was the room where they put folks who just need a cast or splint. But, it made me wonder if that's a normal thought process for a 9 year old girl, or have we ruined her somehow?

Labels: kids, medical

.*.*.

 

Thirteen Things about The Dragon in Maya's Foot 1. Well, I was getting all ready to post my first T-13 in a long time, when I was interrupted by some loud screaming and shrieking. 2. Apparently, Maya had stepped on a toy on the floor, and it went about an inch into the arch of her foot. 3. The toy was the head part of a dragon, and it was pretty fierce looking. 4. We called the pediatrician, who told us to take her to the ER. 5. You know the injury is weird when the ER personnel keep showing up with friends from other departments to see it! They all agreed it was the first dragon they'd ever seen stuck in someone's foot. 6. One of the doctors actually asked if he could take a picture of it. Maya said yes, so now her injury is on film (more likely a memory card) somewhere... There were tons of people gathered around to see her foot, so Maya was wavering between being freaked out and thinking it was sort of cool. 7. Then, the doctor was able to pull it out. 8. I had attempted to pull it out at home, but the part of the toy that went it was pointy, then got larger, then skinnier, so it was stuck in there pretty well. :-P 9. There wasn't a whole lot of blood, and Maya was very brave. 10. It was still gross, though. I've never been so close to throwing up because of an injury to one of my kids. 11. And, if you've been reading here a while, you know we've seen a lot. 12. I don't have a picture of the dragon actually IN her foot (my camera's broken) but I was able to scan the dragon now that it's out. The line indicates how far it went in, and the arrow points to the part that was actually in the arch of her foot. 13. Do you want to see it? Ok, here it is:

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Labels: hurl, medical, Thursday Thirteen

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  Did you know this? I didn't know this....

Stamp prices to go up Monday

It will cost a bit more to mail letters and parcels starting Monday. A first-class letter will go up 2 cents to 41 cents.

Maybe I'm just dense, but I stopped paying attention to stamps a while back. It seems like they're changing all the time any more. (Maybe they always have and I never noticed, like I said, I'm dense.)

I wish they would just raise it to a dollar per stamp, and then leave it at that rate for a really long time until the cost catches up again. In the meantime, it would create a bit of a surplus, but it seems certain they could put it to use.

Maybe they could spend some to buy new facilities to replace the ones that got anthraxed. I know they say they cleaned it, but do you suppose that's ever far from the minds of the people who work there every day? I'd be completely freaked out every time I got sick, chugging Cipro and saying goodbye to my family. No wonder these folks sometimes lose it and shoot the place up, can you blame them?

Labels: medical, newsworthy

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