One Mo' Blog. Thank you to my Friends.

This bear, received as a gift from a like~minded woman;
I believe that these were Brandy's exact words last Saturday!
-hehehe-

Good Afternoon!

So much going on at once-

Last weekend was a gift from Heaven, weather wise. It was in the 60's and even a low 70. Very welcomed weather for November. As I type though it is 48° and it isn't to get much warmer any more.  Yes, I will be mowing my lawns today with earmuffs on.
Sad/True.


Some of these pics were taken last week, some this week.

Casey has shortened class periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays- She generally drives out before or after those.
Of course Mr. Sputnik comes outside with us now... There are no two ways of getting around that unless I want to come back inside to a cat that actually "hollers" at me. (Too funny he is)! 
The weather matters not to him...

...As long as he is getting someones undivided attention!
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And what does Punk think of sharing her Casey's attention?
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HAHAHA!  
Maybe she ate a rotten crab~apple while she grazed?!? 
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She still loves the rubber Frisbee...
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Casey threw that one!  Way up high!
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Later that day to have Miss Kelli leave work early so there was still a bit of daylight left at the end of her day.
They chose to walk the dogs to the woods...
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Krazy Koko had run ahead and was nowhere to be seen anymore...
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Coco had gotten fixed 2 weeks earlier; and the vet had "grounded" her with her outings.
Having gotten her stitches out, that rule no longer applied!



Kelli had gone to a trade show and is showing off her new sweatshirt...


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I couldn't agree more!
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Kelli got to go to her trade show. I got to go to WalMart. (Such is life). hehehe

I bought 2 of these bird-feeders. I set one up out the south side of the kitchen; and the other to the west. I can see them both with just a few steps around the kitchen.
I love watching the birds in the middle of the winter. (Ok, anytime). & it never fails to amaze me that the birds can even live when the temps get so far below zero.
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Notice the squirrel shields up there. 
They work well, so far, too. I haven't had to refill the feeders for over a week!

Perhaps the pillaging varmints have died...

...Seeing as I had to "feed" them too...

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Mmmm!
It is out in the shed.
Punk and Sputnik are away from it.

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Last weekend I literally begged for help.  Yes, there ARE some things that my back is not capable of.
As you may know, the damned drains were not fixed yet. And while it bothers me none where the tub and the sink drain, it might bother a potential buyer. (I received a phone call out of the blue last week from a man whose son might be interested in my place. Nephew to Greg who already owns the 25 acres behind me).
So the silly stubborn drain had to be fixed.
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First to roll out the red carpet...  hehehe
.Then to free the stinkin' & stubborn "tee" that was plugged up.


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John Pryes rolled up his sleeves and dug in. (Thank God for friends)!


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While he was cussing up a storm in the crawlspace, Brandy, Casey, Sarah, and Ashley were busy elsewhere. My little dumpster was full to the brim yesterday!


John had to ask "The Boss" what to do next though...

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Fair is fair- As appointed Supervisor for the day, Sput had to get dirty too!
Notice this foreman is wearing a necklace made of cobwebs!  eeeeeekee!
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Finally getting the old pipe off, John, Casey, and Sarah, made a beeline for Pulaski to get a new one. (The old one being trash by the time it finally gave way).

So you ask, who ended up getting the dang thing off?
That would be Miss Brandy herself!
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You GO, Girl!
She might have been cussing my camera in this picture.
Of course she may have been explaining her work too.

Either way, the job was done!  The following day, Punk and I showered and it all went down to the septic, via the correct drain!
Say "YAY!"

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Yesterday Sue and Glenn came to get another truckload of apples!
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I swear there'll be more too
~because I don't know where the heck all these came from to begin with!

But it is done for another year. Thank you Sue and Glenn!
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While Punk did calisthenics with her Frisbee, Glenn fired apples into his box.
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     "The Suspended Apple!" hehehe
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Suzy Q brought my now empty dumpster back up the driveway!
Punk thought she was stealing it?!?  Goofy dog!   

Time for me to get outside shortly and do the final mowing. After all, I have to get that done before I have to beg John and Brandy to come over again and get the snowplow on the little tractor.


Hope all is well in your little corner of the world.  My love to all.

XOXO
Me

PS  Contrary to what some believe I do not sit around all day long. You should KNOW me better than that by now. As my back allows, I am sitting, standing, or laying down.  Does that afford me time to read? Yes, but only after my work is done thank you very much!
That one truly hurt...

Pre-Existing Conditions: Someone Who ‘Eats Like A Pig’ And Has Diabetes

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/09/armey-pig-eat/
My God, are there really people who believe God died and left him in charge?
What's YOUR pre-Existing Condition?
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Armey’s View Of Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions: Someone Who ‘Eats Like A Pig’ And Has Diabetes

Ensuring that insurers don’t reject any American for health coverage because of a pre-existing condition is a top priority of the public. Republicans have repeatedly said that they also want to make this change, but in the alternative legislation they released, Americans with pre-existing conditions would still be left out to dry.

Today on CNN, FreedomWorks head Dick Armey defended the industry’s discriminatory practices by saying that if you have diabetes because you “eat like a pig,” you don’t deserve coverage:

ARMEY: But now, they [government officials] come along and they say, irrespective of the fact they’ve gone 20, 30, 40 years of their adult life without ever having bought insurance prior to getting a liver inflammation due to their excessive drinking habits or diabetes because they eat like a pig, you must now insure them.

But at what point do we allow the government to order people that you must sell your product to this person or that person, irrespective of any good judgment? We saw what happened in housing when they ordered banks to make loans to people who weren’t qualified. Are we now going to have the same destructive influences in health care because we’re going to order doctors to provide services and so forth?

Watch it:



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In reality, these pre-existing conditions that can disqualify people from receiving health insurance often have nothing to do with unhealthy lifestyle choices — and they disproportionately target women. Some pre-existing conditions are having a Caesarean-section pregnancy, being a victim of domestic violence, or being a victim of rape. Most individual health insurance markets don’t even cover maternity care. Other pre-existing conditions that insurers have used to either deny people outright or charge exorbitant fees for coverage include being an expectant father, having acne, or being a police officer.

Many Republicans, like Armey, seem unable to grasp that denial based on pre-existing conditions is discriminatory. Last week, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) said that insurers are justified in charging women more than men because we’re “all different.” He then compared a woman to a “smoker” and a man to a “non-smoker” to argue that insurers should be allowed to discriminate.

Armey also recently told the New York Times that the “largest empirical problem we have in health care today is too many people are too overinsured.” (He’s wrong.)

Transcript:

ROBERTS: Back on this idea of mandates that you talk about. Those mandates really are to guarantee certain levels of coverage, are they not? Like, you can’t be denied if you’ve got a pre-existing condition or if you’re pregnant. It also requires minimum standards for such things as mental health care. And there are a lot of mandates across the government on many industries, but that’s never called socialism.

ARMEY: OK. Well, let me just say, if the government said to the insurance company, no matter how many accidents, wrecks, drunken driving convictions they’ve had in the past and whatever is the condition of their record of driving habits, you must insure them, you would say that’s unreasonable.

But now, they come along and they say, irrespective of the fact they’ve gone 20, 30, 40 years of their adult life without ever having bought insurance prior to getting a liver inflammation due to their excessive drinking habits or diabetes because they eat like a pig, you must now insure them.

But at what point do we allow the government to order people that you must sell your product to this person or that person, irrespective of any good judgment? We saw what happened in housing when they ordered banks to make loans to people who weren’t qualified. Are we now going to have the same destructive influences in health care because we’re going to order doctors to provide services and so forth?

And the fact of the matter is, the government running somebody else’s business can very quickly become the diminution of the whole industry. And I promise this, about what the House passed the other night goes through, you will destroy medical innovation in America, you’ll destroy the incentive for it.

We are the nation of discovery, creation, and innovation in health care. The rest of the world copies us. If we don’t do it, it won’t be done, and it won’t be done under this plan.

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Do the click. There are some really GREAT comments on this article.

XOXO
Me

PS
Now would be the time and the place for any negative or rambling commentaries.

Wrap This

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I don't eat much of the stuff as it sets off my head, but read on if you want a little info on chocolate.
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Not such a lucky rabbits foot...



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Good Morning All;
I have not been blogging for so long that I don't remember how.
Sometimes I don't even remember why.

We still need to learn more about what is ailing Casey and will return to Minnesota soon. 
While I am still wrapping my head around the fact that Casey will be having more surgery, I have learned that my friend Beth has breast cancer.

I shot darts for 15 years with Beth, Sue and Carol. We were unbeatable for 14 of those years; taking the top place in our league! I can't throw a good dart today to save my life.
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Beth learned of this after her last mammogram, (we were in Minnesota).
She will be having surgery early next week.

While she was in, her doctor ordered more tests.
Two days ago she learned even more about her health...
She has much wrong with her back, (sound familiar)?.
She also has a hernia, (which will be repaired during next weeks surgery).
In addition to all of that, she has learned that she has skin cancer.

Please keep her in your prayers. 

She is NOT sick! And while that 'sounds' wrong, I firmly believe that her state of mind is the ultimate barometer of being "ill" or being "well"
Her body has betrayed her like many others bodies have betrayed them. She has "Attitude~PLUS", and I have no doubt that she will come through this (all) with flying colors!
When I spoke to her I suggested that maybe she was still in shock, (sort of). She replied that she has no anger etc, and that is has been 2 weeks since she has known. So like I said above, she is not sick.

This, from my books of little quotes and such...

Did  is a word of achievement,
  Won't  is a word of retreat,
Might  is a word of bereavement,
  Can't  is a word of defeat,
Ought  is a word of duty,
  Try  is a word for each hour,
Will  is a word of beauty,
  Can  is a word of power.    Author unknown
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I have had two mammograms in my life.
The first was right after my sister Barbara was diagnosed with breast cancer, the 2nd when my sister Mary was diagnosed with hers. I believe I will schedule another soon. Have to wait til 8 to call.
Have you had yours?
Is it high time now to schedule your own appointment? Guys, remind your sweeties.

Love to all.

XOXO
Anne

PS
While researching more on cancer, I see where dark chocolate actually can ward off cancer cells within your body.
Cancer-fighter, the darker the better!
Antioxidants, found in everything from green tea to bread crust, are commonly believed to fight cancer.
Cocoa's antioxidant capacity tops that of long-trusted sources like strawberries and garlic.
Cocoa liquor, the derivative of the cocoa bean used in milk and dark chocolates that is absent from white chocolate, contains most of the antioxidants.
Rich, dark chocolate lovers should celebrate: the darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants. Not only does chocolate contain a large quantity of antioxidants, it has been discovered that chocolate contains high quality antioxidants. (One recent study showed that 6 grams of dark chocolate a day, about one square, lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 2 points each).
It can also lower your bad cholesterol.

From Reagan, age 10 ***When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath again, somewhere there's a tornado. (There now, the weather has been explained). - XOXO, Me

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep...

Hi everyone;
I am going to bed in a little while...
And just have a little favor to ask of you...
...Before you fall to sleep tonight would you please say a prayer to help our people in DC make the right decision tomorrow?
So  very many sick / uninsured people are counting on this bill for their very existence. 

If you read nothing else below, please read the Facts and Myths section

More info on HR 3962: (Click for the bill).

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on health care reform bill HR 3962 over the weekend.

CLICK HERE for author info. I totally agree with her statement at the end.

To refresh your memory, the bill being considered in the House:

•     * Creates an Exchange where individuals and small businesses can purchase health care
  
  
•     * Gives tax credits to those in the Exchange to help them afford coverage
  
  
•     * Includes a national public health insurance option in the Exchange to keep the insurance industry honest and lower prices
  
  
•     * Strengthens employer-based coverage and asks employers to provide good coverage for their employees
  
  
•     * Regulates all insurance plans to outlaw denials for pre-existing conditions, charging more if you're a woman, and a host of other bad practices
  
  
•     * Strengthens Medicare and fully closes the Medicare Part D donut hole over time
  
  
•     * Provides access to coverage for those uninsured in the interim before the entire program is up and running

"It may not be the bill some of us expected when we voted for real reform, but in my opinion it is a great start."

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WHY WE URGENTLY NEED REFORM

    * Every day up to 14,000 Americans lose their health coverage.

    * Over the past nine years insurance premiums have doubled, growing three times faster than wages.

    * Health care reform is deficit reduction. In 10 years, $1 out of $5 will be spent on health care.

    * An average family of four with health insurance paid an additional $1,100 towards their premiums in 2008 to cover the costs of the uninsured.

    * The $42.9 billion in unpaid health expenditures from 2007 to 2008 increased health care costs of covered families.

    * 47 million Americans lack insurance because they are not covered by their employer or cannot afford health coverage on their own.

    * Without health care reform, premiums for employer-sponsored health care plans are expected to more than double in the next few years, increasing from $11,381 in 2008 to $24,291 in 2016.


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Myths vs. Facts       

While some political and industry-led groups continue to spread myths about components of Affordable Health Care for America Act, independent analysis—and the facts—are knocking them down.



Myth: “Health Care isn’t broken now” – For the vast majority of Americans who have health care coverage, there’s no need for reform.

Fact: The average American family pays $1,100 extra each year now to cover costly care for 47 million uninsured Americans.  American businesses are struggling to cover their workers, and falling behind global competitors.  Health care costs are driving up the federal deficit and busting state budgets.  Right now, insurance companies can deny care or coverage for those who have insurance or take coverage away if you get “too sick.”  Millions of Americans are making job and life decisions based on the fear they will lose health care coverage.



Myth: “Forcing Americans into the Public Plan/Employers to Drop Coverage” – The House bill contains a government-run and –subsidized public option that would force employers to drop their more expensive coverage and force everyone onto a public plan.

Fact: Under the House bill, no one can ever be forced onto the public option.  The only way someone would be in the public plan is as a result of their own individual choice.  Approximately 1 in 10 Americans is expected to enter the Health Insurance Exchange to purchase their own insurance at competitive rates – and there they will have a range of options including various private plans, and the public plan.  If an employer is providing their employees health insurance through the Exchange, it is the employee – not the employer – choosing the plan.  Furthermore, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects that more employers are likely to provide coverage under the bill – and just over 3% of Americans will actually choose the Public Option.



Myth: “Government Takeover/Socialized Medicine” – The House bill will lead to a government takeover of your health care – and who can trust the government?

Fact: The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office predicts just over 3% of Americans will choose the public health insurance option the House bill would offer, providing competition to insurance companies, which in some areas have a virtual monopoly.  In the current health care system, insurance companies hold more power than doctors and patients.  They can decide whether or not to cover treatments, procedures and routine doctor visits, and price for profit, not patient care.  The House bill would empower physicians and patients, with better information on what treatments work and incentives to provide higher quality and more integrated and coordinated care.  The same “government takeover” argument was made against Medicare, and it has turned out to be a very popular government-run health system, just like health care for our veterans.



Myth: “Rationing Care” – The House bill will put government bureaucrats in charge of who gets care and what treatments are available to patients.

Fact: Our current system rations care – with no cost caps on costly treatments pricing patients out of the ability to choose them, with insurance company accountants deciding when they will refuse coverage, and with 47 million Americans lacking basic health care coverage at all.  There is no rationing of care under this bill.  How did this rumor get started?  Opponents of “comparative effectiveness research” are trying to claim government panels would decide what care you can get.  In reality, it would provide doctors with the best research and information on what treatments work – in effect, making them smarter and better able to treat you.  Additionally, a committee of doctors, patient advocates, and other experts who do not work for the government would help make recommendations about the minimum benefits insurance plans should provide, to protect patients.



Myth: “Hurts Small Businesses” – The House bill will harm small businesses – undermining their ability to create new jobs and imposing large tax hikes – taking a big chunk out of their hard-earned income.

Fact: Far from undermining small businesses, the bill would significantly cut the costs of health care coverage for small businesses – making insurance companies compete for customers, and allowing small business owners to enter into a large purchasing pool (the Exchange) to get the kind of low rates big businesses get.  As the New York Times has pointed out, “The small business community would be one of the biggest winners from health care reform.”

Small businesses are offered two kinds of tax credits to help pay for insurance: a permanent tax credit that phases out for bigger businesses and those with higher salaries; and small businesses with 25 or fewer employees and average wages of less than $40,000 get tax credits of up to 50% of their insurance costs.

The vast majority of small businesses – those with payrolls under $500,000 in the latest version of the House bill – would be completely exempt from the shared responsibility concept that would require them to purchase insurance for their workers.

Under the bill, 96% of small business owners would pay NO increased taxes – and half of the remaining 4% earn less than a third of their income from a small business – so are more likely wealthy investors with some small business income.



Myth: “Cutting Medicare” – The House bill would cut Medicare benefits, leaving seniors with fewer choices and lower quality care.

Fact: Nothing in this bill would reduce benefits to seniors. The cost savings measures in Medicare under America’s Affordable Health Choices Act are all targeted at protecting and improving services and ensuring choice, by achieving new efficiencies; expanding authority to fight waste, fraud and abuse; and eliminating the wasteful Medicare Advantage subsidies to private insurance companies that Republicans ignored for eight years.

In fact, the $563 billion in savings over 10 years is a gross number—with a net of $340 billion in new spending to IMPROVE Medicare benefits and health care for seniors, including the following:

    * Lowers drug costs by gradually closing the “donut hole” for prescription drug reimbursement;
    * Preserves choice of doctors by eliminating a 20% cut in doctor reimbursements;
    * Lowers costs by eliminating copayments for preventive services;
    * Improves low-income subsidy programs, including under the part D program, to help ensure Medicare is affordable for those with low and modest incomes;
    * Computerizes medical records so seniors won’t have to take the same test over and over or relay their entire medical history every time they see a new provider
    * Expands the medical workforce so seniors will have more doctors to choose from and an easier time getting an appointment;
    * Develops new practices to improve quality such as the new Center for Quality Improvement that will identify best practices are distributed widely; and
    * Lengthens the solvency of Medicare by five years.



Myth: “Undocumented Immigrants” – The House bill provides health benefits for undocumented workers and their families.

Fact: Taxpayers will not fund health care for undocumented workers.  America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, Section 246 states that “Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.”



Myth: “Exploding the Federal Deficit” – The House bill would increase the federal deficit – one more drag on future generations.

Fact:  Health reform will not increase the deficit.  On July 17, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirmed that the House bill will be fully paid for just three years after the bill takes effect.  CBO estimated that the cost of the bill’s reforms was $1.042 trillion over 10 years, while the bill’s cost savings and revenues totaled $1.048 trillion.   Since then, amendments to the bill have trimmed the cost even more.

The reforms will be fully paid for through a combination of almost $500 billion in net Medicare and Medicaid reforms, included in the bill, and over $500 billion in revenue raised through a tax surcharge on the wealthiest 1.2% of Americans.  These reforms will provide affordable coverage to 97% of Americans two years after the bill takes effect – and reform our private insurance system to lower costs for all Americans and improve their coverage. I believe the naysayers will find their remarks to already be rebutted above.

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TOP 10 CHANGES TO HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM BILL

 
1. REDUCES THE DEFICIT MORE
According to the CBO, the revised bill reduces the deficit by $30 billion over the first 10 years.  (The original bill reduced the deficit by $6 billion over the first 10 years).  The revised bill also continues to reduce
the deficit over the second 10 years.  
 
2. ENDS HEALTH INSURANCE COMPTION FROM ANTI-TRUST LAWS
In order to open up health insurance markets to real competition, the revised  blanket exemption from anti-trust laws, bringing anti-trust enforcement to the two most abusive practices of health insurers  price fixing and market allocation.
 
3. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 27  BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS INSURANCE
The revised bill requires health plans to allow young people through age 26 
 
4. CREATES A NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM
The revised bill creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled.  The measure provides a cash benefit to help individuals with community-based services. 
 
5. EXEMPTS SMALL BUSINESSES WITH PAYROLLS BELOW $500,000 FROM EMPLOYER MANDATE
The revised bill exempts a greater number of small businesses from the employer mandate  exempting 86% of all. Specifically, the bill exempts firms with payrolls up to $500,000 (instead of $250,000) from the mandate and provides only a graduated penalty for not offering coverage for firms with payrolls between $500,000 and $750,000 (instead of firms with payrolls between $250,000 and $400,000.) 
 
6. LIMITS THE HEALTH CARE SURCHARGE TO MILLIONAIRES
Under the revised bill, only the wealthiest 0.3% of Americans would pay a surcharge on the portion of their income above $500,000 (instead of $280,000) for individuals and $1 million (instead of $350,000) for couples, in order to help make health insurance affordable for middle class families.   
 
7. ADDRESSING GEOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS IN MEDICARE PAYMENTS/MOVING TO MEDICARE PAYMENTS REWARDING QUALITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS
The revised bill provides that the Institute of Medicine (IOM), through two studies, will make recommendations on how to fix the current Medicare reimbursement system, including addressing current geographic variations.  Under the bill, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement the IOM recommendations on changes to Medicare payment systems unless disapproved by Congress. 
 
8. BEGINS CLOSING THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE IMMEDIATELY
The revised bill moves forward the effective date of reducing the donut hole by $500 and instituting a 50% discount for brand-name drugs in the donut hole, from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2010.  It also completes elimination of the donut hole by 2019 (instead of 2024).      
 
9. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL)
To fill the gap before the Exchange is available, the revised bill immediately creates an insurance program with financial assistance for those who have been uninsured for several months or denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions. 
 
10. HHS NEGOTIATION OF DRUG PRICES
Under the revised bill, the Secretary of HHS is required to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.   
 
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TOP 14 PROVISIONS THAT TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY

1.  BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE  Reduces the donut hole by $500 and institutes a 50% discount on brand-name drugs, effective January 1, 2010.  
 
2.  IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED UNTIL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL) 
Creates a temporary insurance program until the Exchange is available for individuals who have been uninsured for several months or have been denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions.  
 
3.  BANS LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE
Prohibits health insurance companies from placing lifetime caps on coverage
 
4.  ENDS RESCISSIONS
when they file a claim for benefits, except in the case of fraud.  
 
5.  EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 27  BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS INSURANCE Requires health plans to allow young people through age 26 . 
 
6.  ELIMINATES COST-SHARING FOR PREVENTIVE SERVICES IN MEDICARE
Eliminates co-payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program.  
 
7.   IMPROVES HELP FOR LOW-INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES
Improves the low-income protection programs in Medicare to assure more individuals are able to access this vital help.       
 
8.  PROVIDES NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE Prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from charging enrollees higher cost-sharing for services in their private plan than what is charged in traditional Medicare.
 
9.  IMMEDIATE SUNSHINE ON PRICE GOUGING
Discourages excessive price increases by insurance companies through review and disclosure of insurance rate increases. 
 
10. CONTINUITY FOR DISPLACED WORKERS
Allows Americans to keep their COBRA coverage until the Exchange is in place and they can access affordable coverage.        
 
11. CREATES NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM
Creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled.  
   
12.  HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES
Creates a $10 billon fund to finance a temporary reinsurance program to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55-64.  
 
13.  COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
Increases funding for Community Health Centers to allow for a doubling of the number of patients seen by the centers over the next 5 years.         
 
14. INCREASING NUMBER OF PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS 
Provides new investment in training programs to increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals. 

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After reading all of the above, I honestly do not see how anyone could possibly object with a clear conscience.

Good Night Everyone!   

XOXO
Me

Life-Saving H1N1 Drug Unavailable to Most

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/19/eveningnews/main5398999.shtml
New doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine will arrive across the country this week. But what about those who are already infected?
NEW YORK (CBS News) ―

The H1N1 virus can make healthy people suddenly very ill, and once people are ill the vaccine for the virus won't help cure them. Some doctors say they'd use an experimental drug to help rescue patients on the brink - if only they were allowed, CBS News reports.

Last month, 51-year-old John Boudrot was so sick from the H1N1 virus he was in intensive care, on a ventilator and suffering organ failure. Not in 30 years of practice had his doctor seen a patient decline so quickly - from perfect health to the doorstep of death.
"He was going on a curve like this," said Dr. Robin Dretler, indicating a steep decline. "Life in immediate danger."
As a last resort, Dretler got the Food and Drug Administration's permission to try a promising, but still experimental, drug called Peramivir.

Peramivir is an antiviral drug like Tamiflu and Relenza. But unlike those drugs, it's being specifically studied as an intravenous treatment for critically ill patients. Human clinical trials in the U.S. and Japan have called Peramivir safe and effective.

Sure enough, four days after John Boudrot got Peramivir he began to improve. "I am a lucky son of gun to be here, no question about it," Boudrot said. [Dr.] Dretler said he strongly believes it was Peramivir that made the difference.

The FDA tells CBS News that it has approved 20 similar requests for experimental Peramivir nationwide under laws allowing the "compassionate use" of unapproved drugs. Patient records are not public, but an unofficial CBS News count found at least eight critically ill patients who recovered or are still recovering on Peramivir. We found two who died.

But among the survivors is 11-year-old year Dalila Gonzalez, who was deathly ill with H1N1. She's an important case because of the alarmingly high number of children, 86, killed so far by the flu. "She rapidly improved," said her doctor, Robert Armstrong. "The pneumonia got better every day."

But as more patients die in intensive care, doctors want the FDA to speed up the delivery of emergency anti viral drugs. The current process for "compassionate use" takes at least four hours of paperwork time from doctors trying to treat sick patients.

The FDA has said it will consider what's called an EUA, or Emergency Use Authorization, for Peramivir, allowing the government to stockpile the drug and reduce the most paperwork. The FDA says the changes are coming "fairly soon" - but doctors say they're needed now. Sometimes, Armstrong said, "it's only a matter of hours to keep them alive."

As John Boudrot left Dekalb Medical center near Atlanta, it was clear every nurse who cared for him had expected the worst. "This is the best part about getting better," he said, hugging the nurses.

Experts caution its too early to see Peramivir as a miracle drug, but there's no doubting the drugs connection to some miraculous results.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

See also: http://wcbstv.com/health/peramivir.H1N1.flu.2.1258293.html

Fun in the Nursing Home...

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Another funny for your morning!
(Thanks Kelli)!

XOXO
Me

********

Ethel was a bit of a demon in her wheelchair, and loved to charge around the nursing home, taking corners on one wheel and getting up to maximum speed on the long corridors..

Because the poor woman was one sandwich short of a picnic, the other residents tolerated her and some of them actually joined in.

One day Ethel was speeding up one corridor when a door opened and Kooky Clarence stepped out with his arm outstretched. "STOP!," he shouted in a firm voice. "Have you got a license for that thing?" Ethel fished around in her handbag and pulled out a Kit Kat wrapper and held it up to him. "OK" he said, and away Ethel sped down the hall.

As she took the corner near the TV lounge on one wheel, weird Harold popped out in front of her and shouted "STOP! Have you got proof of insurance?" Ethel dug into her handbag pulled out a drink coaster and held it up to him. Harold nodded and said "On your way, Ma'am."

As Ethel neared the final corridor, Crazy Craig stepped out in front of her, Butt- Naked, and holding his "You-Know- What" in his hand. "Oh, good grief," yelled Ethel, "Not that Damn Breathalyzer Test again.!!!"

Thursday Stuff... ;-)

We'll take that 60° mark with smiles on our faces!
hehehe

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Good Morning!

I have to get Punk out in the sunshine today! (Me too)! It is too nice out there to stay inside.  I had an appointment for my back early on Tuesday.
She wanted to "up" my meds for my back... But I will wait on that decision.
Kind of a "put~up and shut~up" move. (Not really, I plan on whining as loud as I can).

Casey called early yesterday morning- She had tried to go to her classes and had so much pain she had turned around.
She was here by 8AM.
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Casey. Sick.
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Even through her pain, she did her homework- Actually was studying for a test she has today or tomorrow.
Punk did not want her to write at all.
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Every time she would jot something down, Punk would just press harder.
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By noon she was raring to go once more. So back to classes for her.
She is my rock. My inspiration.

Not a lot going on- After we get our exercise today I have to run into town. If I have enough energy, and only a little pain, I will stop at the library. They are having their book sale today, tomorrow and Saturday.

Been reading everywhere on the internet lately.
And since Veterans Day is coming up on the 11th, I thought this was an appropriate "How~To" to include here...

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Please teach your children (and yourselves) how to properly fold the flag.
I do not remember when I learned to do this- Probably my parents taught me when I was real young... Might have been Girl Scouts too.

Those darn Girl Scouts, right???
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It's funny to me. I do not mean to offend anyone.
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Now, on to your health...
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I post lots of recalls, but for some reason the FDA isn't updating as frequently.
And I do not post those recalls that are for allergies.




FAAN works to build public awareness of food allergy through the media and through education, advocacy, and research efforts.
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network

• Education.
• Advocacy.
• Research.
• Awareness.

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) was established in 1991. FAAN’s membership now stands at close to 30,000 worldwide and includes families, dietitians, nurses, physicians, school staff, and representatives from government agencies and the food and pharmaceutical industries.
. .

• Allergies, A risk factor for Suicide? (Click).
  

Special Allergy Alerts- CLICK to receive alerts by e-mail:
http://www.foodallergy.org/mailinglist1.html

These are the most common allergens:

• Nuts
• Soy
• Wheat
• Milk
• Shrimp
• Fish
• Eggs
• Gluten

I don't have (m)any- allergies- Lucky that way. For those of you that do, the links above will give you lots of info, not only on recalls.


Another Thought at Random here
There is something really wrong with my Yahell mail today...

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In school, (ALL those many moons ago), I always had a problem converting to the Metric System.
Am posting this for my Canadian and UK friends.
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And for me too!
Fahrenheit to Celsius:
To convert temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 and multiply by .5556 (or 5/9).
    * Example: (50°F - 32) x .5556 = 10°C


Celsius to Fahrenheit:
To convert temperatures in degrees Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 (or 9/5) and add 32.
Maybe I will post this on my top page for Winter...


Casey's Greg uses a "Neti Pot" lots, and swears by it.
So I did some reading on Nasal Irrigation also...

From Wikipedia:
Nasal irrigation or nasal lavage is the personal hygiene practice in which the nasal cavity is washed to flush out excess mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses.
It has been practiced in India for centuries as one of the disciplines of yoga.

• Daily nasal irrigation with salt water is recommended as both an adjunctive and primary treatment in such cases and is preferable to the use of antibiotics or corticosteroids except in the most serious cases of acute bacterial sinusitis which should be immediately referred to an doctor.

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Very interesting, no?

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From PubMed, "CONCLUSION: Nasal irrigation is a simple, inexpensive treatment that relieves the symptoms of a variety of sinus and nasal conditions, reduces use of medical resources, and could help minimize antibiotic resistance."

More CONCLUSIONS: Daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation improves sinus-related quality of life, decreases symptoms, and decreases medication use in patients with frequent sinusitis.
Primary care physicians can feel comfortable recommending this therapy.


This, from UW Madison (Includes a link to "You Tube" demonstration).

Safe for kids too.  Do all the clicks when you can, you will be amazed!
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CHEWING GUM to ward off infection?
This, for ear and upper respiratory infections
Studies have shown that xylitol chewing gum can help prevent ear infections (acute otitis media).
The act of chewing and swallowing assists with the disposal of earwax and clearing the middle ear, whilst the presence of xylitol prevents the growth of bacteria in the eustachian tubes (auditory tubes or pharyngotympanic tubes) which connect the nose and ear.
When bacteria enter the body they hold on to the tissues by hanging on to a variety of sugar complexes. The open nature of xylitol and its ability to form many different sugar-like structures appears to interfere with the ability of many bacteria to adhere.
In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, saline solutions of xylitol significantly reduced the number of nasal coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteria.
The researchers attributed the benefits to the increased effectiveness of endogenous (naturally present in the body) antimicrobial factors



How the heck I went from sick kid to Chewing Gum and douching your nose is beyond me.  ...And Holy Crap!!! it's after noon- I have got to get outside!

Now go have a "wunnaful" day, and be uberhealthy!

Love to all

XOXO
Me

Oh and for the Ohioans among you; CLICK HERE for some Haunted Judicial stories.

Something Lost in Translation?!? hehehe

http://www.dcqna.com/diseases-conditions/52133-y51.html
"Sudden birth"???
Makes you "grain"???

image stolen from here:http://lostinagoodstory.blogspot.com


Question:
Is there any principal difference between the symptoms of mono and the flu?


Answer:
The main physical difference that doctors will look for, earlier doing lab work, is swollen lymph nodes in your collar. This is a good indication of mono if other symptoms mimic the flu (sudden birth, fever, chills, muscle ache, lethargy, etc.)
The listlessness with mono (both Epstein-Barr virus and non-Epstein type) is much worse near mono.
You can be absolutely exhausted for six weeks or more, beside the virus hanging around for almost eight weeks.
There is also the danger of tear your spleen with mono, so you own to limit your physical movement for six weeks.
Once you've contracted either form of mononucleosis, the virus never leaves your body.
You transport it. That's not to say you are contagious - it's resembling chicken pox. Most people one and only catch it once.
Personally, I'm lucky satisfactory to have have it twice. Not fun. Oh, and also, since it is a virus - there is no medication. You hold to stay in bed and hang around it out.
I was on sick take off from work for over two weeks.

The flu makes you vomit, own the chills, sweats, fever, ache, and sometimes the shits.
Mono makes you grain nauseated, and run down or tired and aches and pains. the are lots difference between the two. Mono tends to be more worse..individual because if you dont treat it the right way...you can shutting down up in the hospital.
i just this minute had mono a couple weeks ago. i go to the doctor and it was serious. you glands swell up, distress in the throat lead to pain down your ears. your throat closes up.

the flu is very different because unlike mono, the regualr prescription can usually treat it. and it lasts shorter.
mono can progress away and come back. or you might not grain it for a couple months and it can comes back.

so theres your answer Mono (infectious mononucleosis) is cause by a herpesvirus (a different one than the one that causes cold sores) whereas the flu is cause by influenza virus.
Although both can make you surface lethargic (sleepy), the flu unanimously makes you be aware of much worse, with achy joint and muscles and headaches.

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

Hope you enjoyed these Q & A words as much as I did...
OMG, I am still laughing- I have tears in my eyes!

XOXO
Me

I was going to blog, but now I gotta go check all of my collars!

Detour: a Muddy Road Ahead?

This chart so needs to be changed!
Not everyone who has pain shows it in their faces.
Perhaps this should only apply to children?

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Good Wednesday All;
Here I am! hehehe
Sorry that I haven't blogged one bit since we got back home. I meant to, but this back of mine is less than nice about that...

If I have missed anything in your blogs, please let me know. (I believe that I am almost caught up)?

Now where were we?
By now you have read Casey's entry of her experience in Minnesota, so I will try not to repeat.

But I do have a few pictures for you.
(I should probably warn you that below there is one picture of her innards).


While we were waiting for Dr. Sutherland, she had to try to be occupied...

So why not play with the expensive medical instruments?
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(Kids today). hehehe
"...and lead us not into temptation..." 
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  That prayer obviously came too late...
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She showed me her Popeye arm...
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HELP!  Please?
I have been unable to uncover anything about that radioactive contrast dye that was spilled into her arm.
Can anyone enlighten me why we should not be concerned about the long term side effects of her radiologists accident?!?
Knowledge is power, and I would feel better being "in the know".

Here is one of the pictures from that fateful EGD.
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Please do not ask me how to interpret it all. (Nor do I know what the white speckles are).

Casey will have to undergo more surgery.
This surgery, to be a 'detour' of sorts. Her bile is backing up from her small intestine into her stomach. This is what is causing her the pain that she has been having for at least the past month.  For now, she is on Carafate. It is an ulcer drug, but it coats the stomach and intestines, so her pain won't be so bad. 

Dr. Sutherland is trying to buy her a bit of time by putting her on this course of treatment. I have just read that you can take it up to 6 or 8 weeks, (depending on the site you read). 
I thought he had mentioned 6 months.

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Below is George. He is Swedish- and very talkative. He drives the little buggy for people that are unable, or unwilling, to walk miles underground every day. He is a joy to the ill, and a contagiously happy man for everyone!

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Casey and George.
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These are two of the doors we passed by on our way to one of Caseys tests.

They made me giggle!

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Very clever!

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After all was said and done, we were on our way home...

This truck passed us on I-94... 
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Lucky bow hunters.
(Seeing them also made me very hungry)!
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It rained almost every day of our week there. Happy I had my umbrella.
Yes, Punk hates it!

Lots of rain, and plenty of wind too.

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The grasses put down by the strong winds...
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Good to see a bit of color left over -in the trees and on the hills...
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As we neared home, it became apparent that we had also received a ton of rain while we were away.
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Just one of the ditches on our road...
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And then to see old John Ryan's hill- (The last hill before home).

There is a little road that goes off to the left. That is where the original Ryans home was.
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Down to a third of a mile now.  And always nice to see ALL of the pine trees there? Mom and Dad planted every single one that you can see in this picture!
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OK. So it isn't the most impressive photo of those trees,
But there are over 40 acres that they did plant.
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And then came...
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Only one more driveway, and we were home!!!!
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No one stole my weeping willow! hehehe
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And some things never change...
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   Yes, he was on the INside ! 
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At any rate, we are home- 
And when Casey's "detour" is done, then all will be well once again.

Hope all is well in your little corner of the world!

Love to all.

XOXO
Me