Caseys 1st Appointment with Dr Sutherland

Start:

Nov 4, '08 10:00a

This is a consultation appointment.
I shall keep you all informed of his care, and his recommendations, (and of our little trip too)!

XOXO
Anne

Donate Life America

http://www.donatelife.net/UnderstandingDonation/LearnTheFacts.php
First of all, I am afraid I do not know how to "read" this chart.
Please click and let me know?
http://www.optn.org/latestData/rptStrat.asp

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Laws that oversee donation vary from state to state.
It is important for you to know how to ensure your decision to be a donor is carried out.

Find out how: CLICK BELOW
http://www.donatelife.net/CommitToDonation/states.php?state=state

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Learn the facts
Despite continuing efforts at public education, misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation persist. Learn these facts to help you better understand organ, eye and tissue donation:

Fact: Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

Fact: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.

Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.

Fact: When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information, not your financial status or celebrity status.

Fact: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation.

Fact: Signing a donor card and a driver's license with an "organ donor" designation may not satisfy your state's requirements to become a donor. Be certain to take the necessary steps to be a donor and ensure that your family understands your wishes.

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Statistics
Although there have been advances in medical technology and donation, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation still vastly exceeds the number of donors. For more information, read the summary below or create a detailed data report on the UNOS Web site.


Almost 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.

Every 12 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.

An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.

In 2005, there were 7,593 deceased organ donors and 6,895 living organ donors resulting in 28,108 organ transplants.

In 2005, 44,000 grafts were made available for transplant by eye banks within the United States.

Approximately 1,000,000 tissue transplants are performed annually.

According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.

90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

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GLOSSARY

Actionable Donor Designations
Taking the appropriate steps in one's home state to ensure that a personal decision to become a donor is recognized and honored.

Allocation
The process of determining how organs are distributed. Allocation includes the system of policies and guidelines, that ensure organs are distributed in an equitable, ethical and medically sound manner.

Allocation Policies
Rules established by the OPTN to guide and regulate organ allocation and distribution in the United States.

Best Practices
Processes and activities shown in practice to be the most effective.

Blood Type
One of four groups (A, B, AB or O) into which blood is classified. Blood types are based on differences in molecules (proteins and carbohydrates) on the surface of red blood cells.

Candidate
A person registered on the organ transplant waiting list. When an organ is offered on behalf of the candidate, he or she is then referred to as a Potential Transplant Recipient (PTR).

Collaborative
A time-limited effort (usually six to 12 months) of multiple organizations that come together with faculty to learn about and to create improved processes in a specific topic area. The expectation is that the teams share expertise and data with each other, thus "everyone learns, everyone teaches."

Conversion, conversion rate
The percentage of times a death meeting eligible criteria (eligible death) becomes an actual donor.

Criteria (Medical Criteria)
A set of clinical or biologic standards or conditions that must be met.

Crossmatch
A blood test to determine compatibility between donor and recipient. A positive crossmatch indicates incompatibility. If the crossmatch is "negative," then the transplant may proceed. Crossmatching is performed for many organ transplants.

Deceased Donor
An individual from whom at least one solid organ is recovered or the purpose of transplantation after suffering brain death or cardiac death

Deceased Donor Transplant
The transplant of an organ
from a deceased donor.

Diabetes
A disease in which the pancreas does not manufacture an adequate amount of insulin. As a result, the level of sugar in the blood is too high. A leading factor in heart and kidney disease.

Donate Life America
Formerly the Coalition on Donation, Donate Life America is a national not-for-profit alliance of local affiliates and corporate partners that joined forces to inspire all people to Donate Life� through organ, eye and tissue donation. At the core of the organization's education efforts are the ongoing qualitative and quantitative research of public attitudes about organ, eye and tissue donation and the development and dissemination of effective, motivating public service campaigns. Distributed at the national and community level, these multi-media campaigns effectively communicate two core messages: "Transplants give people their life back," and "Here is how you can help."

Founded by the transplant community in 1992, Donate Life America publishes brochures, program kits and other materials; provides technical assistance, training, information and referral services; and coordinates the National Campaign for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation. It is comprised of national organizational members and local coalitions across the U.S. that coordinate donation related activities at the local level. Volunteer advertising agencies work with the Coalition and its committees to develop targeted mass media campaigns.

Donate LifeSM, Done VidaSM
Since 2000, Donate Life and its Spanish-translation Done Vida have been the primary slogans and service mark logos of the Coalition on Donation, promoting donation as a forthright, life-affirming action. The Coalition encourages the widest possible use of its logos and materials in order to provide a sustained, unified national message about donation. Guidelines and policies are in place to ensure consistency, appropriate use, and the integrity of these national logos and materials.

Donor
Someone from whom at least one organ or tissue is recovered for the purpose of transplantation. A deceased donor is a patient who has been declared dead using either brain death or cardiac death criteria, from whom at least onevascularized solid organ is recovered for the purpose of organ transplantation. A living donor is one who donates an organ or segment of an organ for the intent of transplantation.

Donor Designation Collaborative
Donate Life America program launched in 2006 to increase Actionable Donor Designations in the United States by identifying and spreading best practices in the areas of measurement and analysis; effective partnerships and relationships; and registry development, management and promotion.

End-Stage Organ Disease
A disease that leads to the permanent failure of an organ.

First Person Consent Legislation
Legislation that allows donor designation to be indicated on a driver's license or an official signed donor document, which gives hospitals legal authority to proceed with organ procurement without consent from the family.

High Blood Pressure (hypertension) (HTN)
When the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels is higher than normal because the blood vessels have either become less elastic or have gotten smaller. High blood pressure causes the heart to pump harder to move blood through the body. High blood pressure can cause kidney failure and heart disease if not treated.

Hypertension
High blood pressure. Occurs when the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels is higher than normal because the blood vessels have either become less elastic or have gotten smaller. Hypertension causes the heart to pump harder to move blood through the body. It can cause kidney failure and heart disease if not treated.

Immunosuppressive
Relating to the weakening or reducing of your immune system's responses to foreign material; immunosuppressive drugs reduce your immune system's ability to reject a transplanted organ.

Kidneys
A pair of organs that remove wastes from the body through the production of urine. All of the blood in the body passes through the kidneys about 20 times every hour. Kidneys can be donated from living and deceased donors and transplanted into patients with kidney failure.

Liver
The largest organ in the body, made up of a spongy mass of wedge-shaped lobes. The liver secretes bile, which aids in digestion, helps process proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and stores substances like vitamins. It also removes wastes from the blood. A living donor can give part of their liver, after which the liver will regenerate itself in both the donor and recipient.

Living Donation
When a living person gives an organ or a portion of an organ for use in a transplant. A kidney, or portion of a liver, lung, pancreas or intestine may be donated. See also Living Donor, Organ Donation.

Living Donor
A living person who donates an organ for transplantation, such as a kidney or a segment of the lung, liver, pancreas, or intestine. Living donors may be blood relatives, emotionally related individuals, or altruistic strangers. These may also include domino heart or liver transplants. See Domino Transplant.

Lungs
The organs of respiration in which aeration of the blood takes place, consisting of a right and left lung divided into lobes. The right lung has three lobes and the left lung has two lobes.

Match
The compatibility between the donor and the recipient. The more appropriate the match, the greater the chance of a successful transplant.

Match Run
A computerized ranking of transplant candidates based upon donor and candidate medical compatibility and criteria defined in OPTN policies.

Medicare
The program of the Federal government that provides hospital and medical insurance, through social security taxes, to people age 65 and over, those who have permanent kidney failure and certain people with disabilities.

Model for Improvement
An approach to process improvement, developed by Associates in Process Improvement, which helps teams accelerate the adoption of proven and effective changes. See also Plan-Do-Study-Act.

Organ
A part of the body made up of tissues and cells that enable it to perform a particular function. Transplantable organs are the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and intestines.

Organ Donation
To give an organ or a part of an organ to be transplanted into another person. Organ donation can occur with a deceased donor, who can give kidneys, pancreas, liver, lungs, heart, intestinal organs, and with a live donor, who can give a kidney, or a portion of the liver, lung, or intestine.

Organ Placement Process
When organs are donated, the host OPO accesses the national transplant computer system through the Internet, or contacts the Organ Center at UNOS. Information about the donor is entered into the system and a donor/recipient match is run for each donated organ. The resulting match list of potential recipients is ranked according to criteria defined in that organ's allocation policy (i.e. blood type, tissue type, size of the organ, medical urgency of the patient as well as time already spent on the waiting list and distance between donor and recipient). Each organ has its own specific criteria.

Using the match list of potential recipients, the host OPO's organ procurement coordinator or the Organ Placement Specialist in the Organ Center contacts the transplant center of the highest ranked patient, based on policy criteria, to be offered the organ. If the organ is turned down, the next potential recipient's transplant center on the match list is contacted until the organ is placed. Once the organ is accepted for a patient, transportation arrangements are made and transplant surgery is scheduled. See also, Wait List, Wait List Registration, Waiting Time.

Organ Placement Specialist
Organ Center personnel responsible for coordinating the organ matching process among OPTN members.

Organ Preservation
Methods used to preserve organs while they are out of the body, between procurement from a donor and transplantation into a recipient.

Organ Procurement
The removal or retrieval of organs from a donor for transplantation.

Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)
In 1987, Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act that mandated the establishment of the OPTN and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. The purpose of the OPTN is to improve the effectiveness of the nation's organ procurement, donation and transplantation system by increasing the availability of and access to donor organs for patients with end-stage organ failure. The Act stipulated that the Network be a non-profit, private sector entity comprised of all U.S. transplant centers, organ procurement organizations and histocompatibility laboratories. These members along with professional and voluntary healthcare organizations and the representatives of the general public are governed by a Board of Directors which reports to the Division of Transplantation, HRSA and ultimately HHS. UNOS holds the OPTN contract.

Organ Procurement Organization (OPO)
An organization designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and responsible for the procurement of organs for transplantation and the promotion of organ donation. OPOs serve as the vital link between the donor and recipient and are responsible for the identification of donors, and the retrieval, preservation and transportation of organs for transplantation. They are also involved in data folow-up regarding deceased organ donors. As a resource to the community OPOs engage in public education on the critical need for organ donation. See also Donation Service Area (DSA).

Pancreas
Irregularly shaped gland that lies behind the stomach and secretes pancreatic enzymes into the small intestines to aid in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Islet cells within the pancreas secrete glucagon, which regulates blood sugar levels and insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels. If the pancreas fails, the individual becomes diabetic, and may need to take insulin. The pancreas can be donated and transplanted.

Patient Survival
The length of time a patient survives after receiving a transplant.

Placement
The process of alocating donated organs via the match system.

Potential Donor
A patient who meets the criteria for brain death with no absolute contraindications to organ donation as defined by a standardized list from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision.

Procurement
The surgical procedure of removing an organ from a donor. Also referred to as recovery.

Recipient
A person who receives a transplant.

Recovery (Organ)
The surgical procedure of removing an organ from a donor.

Rejection
A phenomenon that occurs when a recipient's immune system attacks a transplanted organ, tissue, or cell. Immunosuppressive drugs help prevent or treat rejection.

Renal
Having to do with, or referring to, the kidneys.

Retransplantation
Due to rejection or failure of a transplanted organ, some patients receive another transplant.

Retrieval
The surgical procedure of organ recovery. Also referred to as procurement.

Split liver
A split liver transplant occurs when the donor liver is divided into segments and then transplanted. These segments may be transplanted into more than one recipient, or a segment could be transplanted into a child for whom an entire adult liver would be too large.

Status
An indication of the degree of medical urgency for patients awaiting heart or liver transplants. Examples: status 1A, status 1B, or status 2.

Survival Rates
Survival rates indicate the percentage of patients that are alive and the grafts (organs) that are still functioning after a certain amount of time. Survival rates are used in developing OPTN policy.

Tissue
An organization of a great many similar cells that perform a special function. Examples of tissues that can be transplanted are blood, bones, bone marrow, corneas, heart valves, ligaments, saphenous veins, and tendons.

Tissue Typing
A blood test that helps evaluate how closely the tissues of the donor match those of the recipient.

Transplant Center
A hospital that performs transplants, including qualifying patients for transplant, registering patients on the national waiting list, performing transplant surgery and providing care before and after transplant.

Transplant Team
The diverse group of professionals at the transplant center who work to make a transplant successful. Each person on the "transplant team" is an expert in a different area of transplantation. The transplant team includes all or some of the following professionals:


Clinical transplant coordinators have responsibility for the patient's evaluation, treatment, and follow-up care.

Transplant physicians are doctors who manage the patient's medical care, tests, and medications. He or she does not perform surgery. The transplant physician works closely with the transplant coordinator to coordinate the patient's care until transplanted, and in some centers, provides follow-up care to the recipient.

Transplant surgeons perform the transplant surgery and may provide the follow-up care for the recipient. The transplant surgeon has special training to perform transplants.

Financial coordinators have detailed knowledge of financial matters and hospital billing. The financial coordinator works with other members of the transplant team, insurers, and administrative personnel to coordinate and clarify the financial aspects of the patient's care before, during, and after the transplant.

Social workers help patients and their families understand and cope with a variety of issues associated with a patient's illness and/or the various side-effects of the transplant itself. In some cases, the social worker may perform some of the financial coordinator duties as well.

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
The private, nonprofit membership organization that coordinates the nation's transplant system through HRSA's OPTN contract. As OPTN contractor, UNOS is responsible for meeting all contract requirements. As contractor since the first OPTN contract award in 1986, UNOS has established and continually strives to improve tools, systems and quality processes that support OPTN contract objectives and requirements. These include:

Managing the national organ transplant waiting list

Collecting, managing and reporting of sensitive clinical data in a secure, fail-safe environment

Facilitating an open, inclusive forum for development and continuous refinement of evidence-based policies and standards

Member and policy performance assessment to ensure equitable, safe treatment of candidates and recipients

Increasing donation and making the most of every organ that is donated through professional education, outcomes research, patient services and resources and public and professional education

Continuously improving the care, quality of life and outcomes of organ transplant candidates and recipients

Ventilator
A machine that "breathes" for a patient when the patient is not able to breathe properly.

Wait List
The list of candidates registered to receive organ transplants. When a donor organ becomes available, the matching system generates a new, more specific list of potential recipients based on the criteria defined in that organ's allocation policy (e.g., organ type, geographic local and regional area, genetic compatibility measures, details about the condition of the organ, the candidate's disease severity, time spent waiting, etc.).

Waiting Time
The amount of time a candidate is on the Wait List. Waiting times can be influenced by many factors, including:

blood type (some are rarer than others)

tissue type

height and weight of transplant candidate

size of donated organ

medical urgency

time on the waiting list

the distance between the donor's hospital and the potential donor organ

how many donors there are in the local area over a period of time and

the transplant center's criteria for accepting organ offers

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Eavesdropping in the Cemetery?

 

 

In keeping with the season...
"Creepy Sputnik"

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.
Good Morning All;
I have been so lax in writing, and in keeping up. But hey, you probably already know that.

There are times that I read your blogs on Multiply, and then have no comprehension of what I have read. Perhaps it's early "Old~Timers Disease" kicking in?

Of course, to my friends that haven't left Y! 360 yet, there are still too many times that I cannot even get to your blogs. (System seems to be stuck in late April; damn it, Yahoo). When I actually am lucky enough to get TO a new blog, to comment takes a miracle at best.

But we already know that too...

Charlotte Bronté said it best: "Better to be without logic than without feeling."

I believe I am stuck in 'feeling' right now.
hehehe ?

Hard to keep processing all the pancreatitis info that is coming my way. But am happy to be receiving it too.
And as far as your blogs go?
If you want a comment on your blog, please limit your thoughts to one, (and one only), and then explain it on an 8 year old level for me...

I think there should be a 'rule' on all blog sites too. (For those of us with bifocals anyway). And that 'rule' should be to always take into consideration your background (Multiply is just so "noisy"), and to increase your font to a more readable size.
That might just be 'me', but I have gotten my new glasses, and some of your sites are still hard to read.
Yes, I do highlight and read, but even with that, it seems hard.
Maybe it's just my head. I have had an ache in my left brain for a few days. Very little nausea, so it is more than livable.
Just a raunchy feeling. A "blah" if you will.

I did go to my little appointment on Monday to have my silly ear rechecked. He said it is healing nicely and to take my Sudafed for now.
I shall do what he says then.
(But he didn't say I couldn't whine about it either).

Casey has had any number of appointments this week too. Since her legs are so very weak, and do not work right, I have driven her to those appointments. I have also given her Mom's old walking cane.
.
.

Her apartment complex.
The view, as we drove out of her place.

.
.
Casey had a dentist appointment yesterday.
A filling (which she was very happy to have done).

On a related note, I received a note from Mr. Rick McCabe (Chronic Pancreatitis), part of which read, "The moral of the story for Casey is for her to see her dentist regularly and make him aware of the possibility of her teeth deteriorating because of her CP.
At her age there must be something that can stave off losing her teeth (keep in mind that I’ll be 48 on Sunday).
If you check the board archives you’ll see several other PAI members in the same boat."
Know that I shall keep checking those messages, Mr. Rick.
Odd how very many things are 'fitting in' and making sense for us both.

She also has another pain appointment today. (That sounds weird, no)?
She has finally had much relief with the fentanyl patches, a very good thing. (Again, we will deal with any withdrawals when it becomes necessary to do so). Her relief, and a bit of comfort, being much more important at this point in time.

We did get a bit of the "S" word on Tuesday-
Just enough to say, "Carp, it's "S"ing."
.
.

I must have had my camera setting wrong.
But yes, that IS "s" coming down...

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I bought a new couch. (New to me). And half price at that!
A La-Z-Boy, and reclines on both ends. I thought it was shorter than my old one. It is not.
But the deal at the store said that Casey gets my old one-
Casey and Greg do not have one, just my old love seat- (Which also reclines ~and rocks too).
My old couch is a pull out sleeper-
Queen size. This will help Casey and Greg in the event that people wish to stay at their place. The pads also become a twin bed when removed.
Casey has proclaimed this to be the most comfy couch ever; never mind that Sputty has scratched up one corner, and never mind that it needs a deep cleaning to shine once more.

.
.

While we waited for a truck to come and move my new couch,
we drove around for a little while,
stopping out front of this house.

If you haven't read Casey's blog yet, please know that this house had a zillion fat squirrels around it. Odd that there are none in this picture?
Guess the squirrels didn't want the camera stealing their souls. hehehe
Looking into the trees too, there was not a single squirrel nest! Maybe at this house they are living in the basement?
Yes, I believe I know the house, not the current owners though... And know that many strange things have happened in that basement too.
.
.
(Also in keeping with the season?), comes the fact that there must be a reason that Punk looks absolutely scared to death as she looks around the car. She suddenly has a HUGE problem being in the back seats.
This is new.
Also new is the fact that as I drive, she is seeing, watching, something back there.
Casey has opted to use the back seat so Punk can be up front.

Casey quickly learned, this is NOT a spoiled dog thing.

That said, when I got home yesterday afternoon, I literally spent 'til sunset cleaning every little thing in the car.
Just weird is all; ...is enough.
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.

Mr. Miller didn't seem to mind being in the back of my car.

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Of course that picture was taken before we had stopped at the cemetery too.

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.

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I had stopped, said a prayer for Casey. (I do not believe that my Mom and Dad need prayers anymore- only words).
And with my words I had asked them to keep Casey safe.
Not only now, but when we go to Minnesota too...

...I had further asked them to 'come along'.
Sheesh, maybe someone else was listening???

I shall close for today.
And leave you with a picture of the farm, at sunset...
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.

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.
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Oh, and here is the link to Caseys blog.
She has caught us all up on what is going on in her life.

CLICK HERE TO READ CASEY'S BLOG.

Love to all.

XOXO
Anne

Hit Counter

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Thursday October 30, 2008 - 08:42am (CDT)

Back Soon(ly). hehehe

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

Good Morning All;

I just thought I would let everyone know that I have an appointment this morning for the doctor (my own this time), to peek in my ear...

(Never mind that he will probably be able to read the eye chart on the far wall when he does this, simply by looking straight through and out the other side).

I shall return!

Have a 'wunnaful' Monday!

XOXO
Me

Enjoy Your Age!

Enjoy Your Age...

For Anyone With a Birthday, a Laugh Line or a Gray Hair.

Age, I have decided, is a gift...

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be.
Oh, not my body!
I sometime moan about my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that older person that lives in my mirror.
(But I don't agonize over those things for long).

I would never trade my amazing family, my wonderful friends, my great life for less gray hair, more hair, or a flatter belly.

As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend!

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly three story birdhouse that I didn't need, but looks so cool in my yard.
I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read, or play on the computer, until 4 AM, and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50's, the 60's, & the 70's!
And if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love I will.

I will walk the beach in a swimsuit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to; (despite the pitying glances from those younger, and prettier).
They too, will get old before they know it.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. Besides, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken.
How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when your beloved pet dies?

But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion.
A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray; and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed.
Too many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive.
You care a lot less about what other people think.
I don't question myself anymore.

I've even earned the right to be wrong on occasion.

So, I like being older. It has set me free.
I like the person I have become.
I am not going to live forever; but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.
And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it).

May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you,
a moonbeam to charm you.
A sheltering angel so nothing can harm you.
Laughter to cheer you.
Faithful friends near you.
And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you...

XOXO
Anne

Sunday October 26, 2008 - 01:26pm (CDT)

Not. Not. NOT!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2008/10/23/dlblog123.xml
Please say it isn't so! Blogging is NOT dead!

Pretty please?

XOXO
Me

10 Thoughts For Friday.

 

You ARE loved!


Good Afternoon!
I know it is Friday, but if I have 10 Thoughts today you will just have to put up with me.

1. I have a little running around to do today.
   A few groceries, but especially to get Miss Milly some extra red cedar chips for her doghouse.
   It is insulated and warm, and already has 1 full bag in it, along with a blanket. Just that I will feel better knowing she has an extra few inches of those.
   Not only do these chips add warmth, but they keep the bugs out.
   
   Besides, some @~hole meteorologist has predicted the “S” word for Sunday. That and some really high winds. I have enough on my mind that I don't care to be fighting with Milly to get her in the house.
   
   
   

2. Speaking of keeping things out...
   I still do not know where the danged mice are getting in my house! This is an ongoing battle as you well know.
   But we have a score too.
   

   • Sputnik = 3 (Great claws, good reaction time)!
   • Me = 3 (Good trap, lots of peanut butter)!

   
   A tie score, but it represents a few more croaks for the vermin.
   Credit where credit is due, Punk helps too- Sometimes growling. Sometimes barking.
   
   
   
   

3. Fred Bartz was here to pump out the septic tank last week; and I still have to cover it up. It is raining, so I will not be doing it today. But yes, it does need to be done before that ground freezes.
   
   
   

4. Some of you did not know that a 'grundy' is when your undies creep into the crack of your butt and annoy the heck out of you. (At least this is the definition that I have always known).
   hehehe
   
   
   

5. My back is killing me once again; and I am SO at a loss to know how to make it better. I have good and decent muscle tone in my back so it shouldn't keep doing this.
   It pains me to even walk, sit, or rest.
   (Feels like that damned jackass had a sledge hammer this time).
   
   Yes, (no nagging please), I do have to call in for my ear.
   It got better for a few days but the cotton batting feeling is back; and I don't like that it reminds me of having a bag over my head.
   
   
   

6. I don't know how many of you actually clicked on any of the links I posted the other day.
   Casey will quite possibly be having her pancreas removed.
   This procedure is called a TP/AIT.
   I have learned that this procedure differs from a TP/ICP, in that the one she will probably have will hopefully use her own islet cells for transplantation within her liver. The other procedure uses islet cells from a cadaver.
   
   This TP/AIT brings the hope that she might not have to become insulin dependent.
   But even if she needs insulin, it is better than living in pain like this.
   
   TP =  Total Pancreatectomy.
   ICT = Islet Cell Transplant,
   AIT = Autologous Islet Transplant (your own islet cells transplanted).
   
   As always, I have more questions than answers at this point. When we get to Minnesota I can only hope that many of our fears will be alleviated; and that our questions will be honestly assessed and answered.
   
   
   

7. As if this news isn't hard enough, our Baby Sam is now living with his brother Gabriel.
   Gabriel is still at foster care.
   I have not seen him for a week now. Too much other stuff going on.
   
   

   • If Miss Marie would like to blog about it she will.
   • If not, then please know she has done NOTHING wrong!

   
   Lawrence.
   Gabriel.
   Sam.
   Know that this all makes me ill to even think about.
   Mostly just Gabriel and Sam because these are the two that were in their mothers care.
   
   ~Lawrence is just so very far away; but he is well~loved, cared for, and he knows where his "home" is...
   ...And he knows that part of that 'home' is right here too.
   
   

   • Know that Jenné and Aaron, (and Isaiah),
     will be adopting Gabriel.

   This process takes time; especially with their family living in Texas.
   I do not think they are able to expand their children in triplicate at this point.
   ~That cited, Baby Sam's future remains uncertain.
   
   
   

I am a magician now, having turned ketchup to yarn!

I burnt the hell out of my meatloaves last night, napping through the phone ringing.
My house still smells like burnt meatloaf.
And my little ketchup streaks across the tops looked like shiny yarn.

If I was rich I would just chuck out those bread pans of mine.
Dammitallanyway, and I was SO hungry for meatloaf.

I haven't burnt anything in many, many years...

Punk did not much care for it either.
Miss Milly will be my last hope before it ends up in the dumpster.

What's up with the new Yahoo profile crap?
Here's MY link.
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/XCAXGW5T5O7KNYMUTB73UITNEQ

Hoping that y'all can forgive me if I am not here as much as I have been in the past.
As always, I will try to get around to your blogs.
I will be around, but can make no promises until this next chapter of Casey's life is completely fixed.
Times are many that I cannot even seem to concentrate on what I am reading.

So now you know what's up in my little corner of Flintville!

I hope all is well with everyone; and in advance I thank you for your thoughts and answers here.


Love to all.
Have a grand weekend!

XOXO
Anne

Counters

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Friday October 24, 2008 - 12:06pm (CDT)

The Poll of The Panty, (and The Pancreas News).

Where do "Grundies" and "Wedgies" REALLY come from?

Your undies are too small and your fat sneaks out of them with each step you take

 

 3

Your undies are too big, and they crawl all over your butt, getting stuck in the crack

 

 4

Wanna ride bikes?

 

 2

I like rocks!

 

 8

What are undies?

 

 1

Good Morning Everyone;

Once again I shall keep this shorter than normal...

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And my Off~The~Wall poll for you?
Because inquiring minds want to know!

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Having been led to the website for Pancreatitis by a new friend on my other blog; I spent almost all day reading yesterday.

CaseyAnne was to have an appointment down to UW-Madison with the GI Department on November 3rd.
Yesterday, she canceled that appointment in Madison.

She now has one with David E.R. Sutherland, M.D., Ph.D.
(Click his name for his site).

From that page; 

• Dr. Sutherland, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota. In addition, he is the Head of the Transplant Division and the Director of the Diabetes Institute for Immunology and Transplantation.
• Dr. Sutherland performed the world's first transplant of insulin-producing islet cells from a deceased human donor to a living person in 1974. He also has developed specialized surgeries to prevent the onset of diabetes upon the removal of a pancreas in the case of chronic pancreatitis.
• Dr. Sutherland performed the world's first living-donor (segmental) pancreas transplant in 1979. He and his team continue to perform more of these complex surgeries than any other program worldwide, offering the potential of a higher quality of life for patients facing severe health issues from diabetes and pancreatitis.
• Dr. Sutherland is a surgeon, researcher, pioneer, administrator, leader, mentor, professor, and respected colleague to thousands worldwide.

I am excited to hear what this doctor has to say about her pancreas. I believe we may have found a doctor that is not afraid of someone with pancreatitis.
(Wouldn't that be 'wunnaful')?!?

That is what I know for today.
hehehe

A bit chilly outside-
Knowing it is chilly like that outside, makes it hard to disrobe to get in the shower on the inside. (It does too make sense)!


Please take a moment to vote in my little poll...

Hope all is well with all of you!

XOXO
Anne

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Originally posted to my Y! 360, Thursday October 23, 2008 - 06:20am (CDT)

Pancreas links

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pancreatitis/
Not sure if anyone else can use this, but I need this link for me anyway.

1st posting:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pancreatitis/message/99737


XOXO
Me


Cross reference with this link.
http://flintville.multiply.com/links/item/12/

Short. Sweet. And To the Point

Short. Sweet. And To the Point

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Good Morning Everyone;

Sorry kids... I know I promised you a blog about sex.
Unlike myself to put it off, but 'sex' will just have to wait for a while.

Casey has not recovered; although she did try to go to work yesterday. (Due to the nature of her illness, she is to be employed only until a replacement can be found, and then she is to train that person).
Once there, she was told to go home because she was in so very much pain, and looked so badly.

On to the clinic then, where I'd told her that I would meet her.

In the meantime, she'd called again- To meet her at the hospital.

There, again, she was treated for her intense pain. (Dilaudid x 3, Zofran x 1). Yet not admitted.
Back to the clinic to sign some referral papers; I then brought her home with me.

She has a pain appointment at 3 today. I will be picking her up for that.

Her own doctor is thinking that a fentanyl (sp) patch might be the way to go; until we can get to her appointment in Madison.
Weeks away though and cannot get her there any earlier either.

Hopefully then she shall be properly treated and cured.

My love to all.
And I hope all is well in your own little corners of the world.

XOXO
Anne

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Originally posted to my Y! 360, Tuesday October 21, 2008 - 11:48am (CDT)

Powell endorses Obama for president. Be Careful.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27265369/
BREAKING NEWS
msnbc.com and NBC News
updated 9 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., for president on Sunday, criticizing his own Republican Party for what he called its narrow focus on irrelevant personal attacks over a serious approach to challenges he called unprecedented.
(CLICK LINK ABOVE FOR MORE).

Please take a moment to read it.
Very interesting...

I am wondering how long before Gen Powell will be branded a traitor? (Yes, even by those who have previously stated their respect and admiration for him)...
Or worse, people will be calling this a race card?

This man has EARNED way too much respect from us to be saying these very negative things.
Be careful America.


XOXO
Anne


~

Free At Last

Start:	Oct 17, '08 1:30p
End:	Oct 20, '08 08:00a

Casey has just called to say I can go collect her sweet little butt from St. Marys.
(Methinks the doctors finally took pity on her and set her free, because her counts have damn sure not changed).


They are releasing her with a mittful of new prescriptions, and we will get those filled.

Love to all.

XOXO
Me

OK. So I see I have to leave this posted over the weekend.
hehehe

Love you!

Looking Up?

 

Casey's window at St. Marys;
taken from the sidewalk below.

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Good Morning All;
What a nasty time for all with Casey still being in the hospital.
Her doctors visit yesterday brought up that although she feels better, her lipase count is still almost double from where it should be. It has been there for the past 4 or 5 days now.
Maybe today she can come home today?
This sure has been a long (and painful) haul for her.
.
.
Nothing new around here- Just lots of air traffic-
And all we have to do is look up!

I have already told you how Punk will "chase" the airplanes that fly over the house.

But she had a HUGE shock to see this overhead...

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The Met Life Blimp.
In town for the Packers Game on Sunday.

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I actually had to pull over ...
I swear she would have jumped through the windshield!
hehehe
.
.

She was SO very upset!
(And I was so very entertained)!
.

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I picked up Master Gabriel on my way to the hospital too.
He woke Casey with two kisses; one on the forehead and one on the cheek.
(Lucky, LUCKY, Casey)!

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.

He sat very patiently,
waiting for her to get up and around...
Watching her quite intently.

.
.

.
.

But once she had been up a while he stole her balloon,
and crawled right into bed with her!

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.

Beating her mercilessly with that same balloon.
She started it.

His giggling at his own mischief

brought in two nurses and the housekeeper!

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So wonderful to hear him laughing though!

 

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As we look out her window, to see the planes close by.

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.

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Gabriel also had to take his Auntie Casey for a walk...
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.

WITHOUT her wheelchair!

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As I said above, she is getting better-
But it was time for her to push that pain button too shortly after we returned to the room.

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.
We got home about 4- Seeing this about 1/2 mile from home.
.
.

(Just to upset Punk a bit more)!
hehehe

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.

.
I will go back up to the hospital later this morning.
For now though, (and since I have been up since about midnight), I am going to try to get a few extra winks. I am fine, but just haven't been sleeping too well, so am tired tired, tired... I do need to go back in for my ear. I will call when I wake.

I'd better close for now. Hoping you all have a wunnaful weekend!

Love to all,

XOXO
Anne

 

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Friday October 17, 2008 - 06:44am (CDT)

Independent- An Open Letter to Senator John McCain...

 

Borrowed From Becca

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Dear Senator McCain,.

.
I have always considered myself an American Independent; living my entire life in the State of Wisconsin.

I am not big on politics, but I have always voted.

Because of that, and before this evening, I hadn't made up my mind whom to vote for.

I am not "Joe the Plumber"-

But I have worn many hats in my lifetime, the most important one being the 'mom' that I am. I raised my four daughters almost entirely without my ex husbands help, save for some child support.

I have lived on both sides of my checkbook, many times having to make the choice between mortgage payments and dinner on the table.
(A no brainer there, my 4 daughters were always fed).

My employer did not offer insurance. My daughters were covered on their fathers policy. At one point I was paying over $430.00 a month for my own health insurance premiums.

I have watched all of the debates; vice presidential also.

I have seen your ads and Sen. Obama's ads on the TV and online.

I feel that most of the ads I saw on your behalf said nothing much about yourself, and I was left to find all of my own concrete information- To sort through the BS, to do the research, and to make my decision.

I know most people will be zeroing in on your economics.

I am not one of those people right now.

At approximately 9:03PM (CT) you said the following in defense of your own health program. I quote from the debate transcript at CNN:

 

"America will receive more money under my plan because they will receive not only their present benefits, which may be taxed, which will be taxed, but then you add $5,000 onto it, except for those people who have the gold-plated Cadillac insurance policies that have to do with cosmetic surgery and transplants and all of those kinds of things." end quote

 

Currently I have a child in the hospital.

She is my youngest daughter, who at 21 has been battling Chronic Pancreatitis for about 4 years now.

There is a possibility that at some point she will be needing a pancreas transplant.

I am wondering how you can possibly utter simple cosmetic surgery and a life sparing/saving transplant in the same sentence?

And I am also wondering how far you think $5000 will go to benefit one of those gold-plated transplants?

With your flippant words above, you have cemented my uncertainty.
...And to think I worried about a few faltering investments...

Yours Sincerely,
Anne (not a soccer mom)

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Originally posted at my Y! 360, Thursday October 16, 2008 - 12:19am (CDT)

Hospitals. Houdini. And Sewage.

 

Parked out in front of the hospital...
too funny
(Guess THAT didn't work for someone)...

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Good Morning All;
I was not supposed to wake up in my own home today.
But I did.
(No, I hadn't turned over an old leaf and suddenly become naughty or lucky again either).
Damn, hey?
hehehe

Casey was to be transported to either Milwaukee's Froedtert Hospital, or UW's Madison Medical Center.

She is still in Green Bay.

I am still home too;
hence waking up here.
(With a dog in my face no less)!!!
.
.

Yes. This is the dog.

(And no, it is not sunny right now)...

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Punk clearly had to go outside.
Apparently someone (who shall remain nameless) fell asleep and didn't let her out before bed last night.

Punk misses Mr. Miller.
(Mama Milly misses them both)...
.
.

Miss Milly.

.
.

Below are Miller and Punk, picking squash a few days ago.
Milly ("Houdini") was on a leash as I wasn't about to have her disappearing on me as she usually does.

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Punk and Miller-
...fighting over the best one!

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Miller won!

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I am sure you are wondering how Casey is...

She had to do a 24 hour urine collection (Not sure what they are looking for). It was done at 2 yesterday afternoon, and apparently the results will take some time.

Her counts were back to normal again yesterday morning.
But such pain!

The nice lady doctor (hospitalist) was off, and now Casey has Dr. Hujuet. (sp). He has assured me he will be there all week. (damn).
He is more than a bit (way too much for me) opinionated and smug. And I wish he wasn't as 2 faced as he is.
I would not make that statement if I hadn't seen that arrogance on more than one occasion either.

(CLICK HERE for what she'd experienced under his 'watch' in March).

And for what she went through the day after that-
The feelings and her own words then,
so accurately reflecting her diminished spirit now.
CLICK PLEASE.
This doctor had told her that she was to eat a full menu, and to force herself to eat.
So she ordered food.
We picked her off the bathroom floor.
Twice.
That bastard of a doctor to do this to her after she was on ICE CHIPS?

They took over 20 minutes to respond to her light being on, while she dry heaved on the floor of the bathroom, unable to walk, or even to move.

Yes, I marched right down to the nurses staition after she got a bolus of zofran for her nausea.
AND I FRICKIN DEMANDED THAT THEY CALL DR HUJUET AND GET HIM ON THE PHONE FOR ME.
I then demanded a new amylase and lipase count.
He thought meybe they should do that.
WHAT?
Of course they should.
(And wouldn't you know, her counts had more than doubled in those few minutes)?
I am very very very angry...
Why the hell put her through such pain???
.
.
.
Roberta came to visit Casey yesterday.
.
.

We walked outside with the Punkster for a bit.

.
.

And then back up to the room where Greg's best friend Buck was visiting Casey.

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.

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Sassy guy
He is most certainly making fun of that nurse...
(The one I'd thrown out 3 days ago)...

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.
.
And high time for me to get home too.

Freddie Bartz was here to pump out the septic tank.
.
.

Everybody knows Fred Bartz.
(Now you do too).


He is one of our local icons-
Always a smile too.
Loves his wife.
Loves his kids.
And works 2 fulltime jobs.

.
.

So now my septic is done for another year.
Thank you Fred.

I'd better close for today and get in the shower. Casey will be calling soon.

Love to all
Keep those thoughts and prayers coming!

XOXO
Anne
.

PS
 
Oh, and Fred told me such an awful story that happened to him last week.

His daughters car had broken down on HY 47-
(Near to Appleton, about 40 miles away).

She had called him and asked for his help.

So he took his wife and they went to pick her up; to get the car towed and repaired- and she was back on the road...

Coming through Appleton, Fred saw that the gas prices were a bit lower than they are in Green Bay.
(Not sure why this is, but it's always like that).

He didn't need much gas, but heck, a penny saved is still a penny. So he topped off his tank.

He and his wife go in to pay.
There is one man in line before them when a guy comes in behind them, literally pushing them out of the way.
?

WTH?

The guy also pushes the man in front of them.
He yanks both a bag and a gun out of his pockets and tells the cashier to put all of her money inn the bag.

She does as he asks.

The robber then turns to the first guy in line, points his gun and asks, "Did you see me rob this gas station?"
The man replies yes.

And the robber shoots him!

(OMG, and right in front of Fred and Marjorie)!
He then turns to Fred, and asks him "Did you see me rob this gas station?"
Fred was looking at the guy on the floor, then replied. "No, but my wife did."
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Yeah, well, ya gotta know Fred...

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Oroginally posted to my Y! 360, Tuesday October 14, 2008 - 08:05am (CDT)