New Idea for Providing Emergency Contact Info

I found this article and thought it would be very helpful to so many of us with cell phones. I hope everyone will put it to good use.

There is a new movement out there to save lives. They call it ICE.
ICE is an acronym for In Case of Emergency and is a new wave geared to encouraging people to provide easily accessible contact information when they are in trouble. As most people in the world now carry a cell phone, it is a wonderfully easy way to access emergency contact information for almost anyone with a cell phone.

ICE is the brainchild of Bob Brotchie, a paramedic in Cambridge, England, who struggled to get contact information from his patients in times of crisis. Brotchie recounts having access to the cell phone of his patients, but still not knowing who to call. As he says, "just because someone has mom or dad in the cell phone log doesn't mean they would actually want you to call them."

The patient's first choice might be a friend, other family member or contact. Brotchie suggests that people add a listing in their cell phone, ICE, which stand for In Case of Emergency. Under this heading a person could list the names and phone numbers of people they want contacted in any emergency. They can list multiple contacts and designate them as ICE-1, ICE-2, etc. They could include numbers for their spouse or significant other as well as their health care provider for notification in a medical emergency, and their employer.

Source: http://respiratory-care.advanceweb.com/

Breathe Easy My Friends

1 2 3... Inhale ... 1 2 3 4 Exhale,
Sandy

Germs, Germs, Germs!!

I know that I have spoke about this topic in another post, but I just have to remind everyone that when you are sick, please be so careful when you are out in public. It is very easy to spread these GERMS...... and it is so easy for us with Lung Disease to catch a cold, the flu, bronchitis or even worse pneumonia. Here are a few of the situations I have experienced in the past week.

I was in the cell phone store the other day and while waiting in line for my turn, the fellow in front of me... coughed, wiped his mouth with his hand and then leaned on the counter!! Can you imagine that?? I immediately took out my hanky and covered my mouth and nose, I got scared... I can't imagine anyone doing that. I did go to another line and waited my turn. The fear of catching a cold or whatever was floating in the air totally overwhelmed me...

I went to our local Walgreens drug store to pick up a few things. I got to the register and the gal waiting on the person in front of me let go of a big sneeze... and of course I jumped back, I could see it coming. I asked her if she had any sanitizer to use on her hands, get this, she said "don't worry, I'm not contagious". I replied..."I do have to worry, I have a lung disease and you just spread all kinds of germs around!" She just glared at me and slammed the change into my hands. YEPPER, I was pi..ed! I found the manager and told him what happened. I told him how frightened I get as I take a chance each and every day going out and dealing with the public and I don't have to be subjected to this kind of treatment. He said he would take care of the situation. I also asked him to have a sanitizer by the register. When I got home I wiped everything down. I always carry my own pen, in case I need to sign anything... at least I know it is germ free. And I always carry wipes with me.

Then yesterday, I was walking into the deli where I work and a customer walking in front of me "coughed" and never covered his mouth I was ready to whack him!

Now as I am posting, I have laryngitis and a sore throat. I have already called my Pulmonologist and will be on an antibiotic. A big concern... Pneumonia, hopefully I caught this in time and if not... then I take it one day at a time.
This is how vulnerable our bodies are in picking up infections, we are going out in public, and again the panic, fear and anxiety... I could tell I was getting sick and then... overnite.... WHAM!

While at work, a co-worker asked me if I have ever had bronchitis, I replied "YES I have and I don't ever want to have it again!" It scares me, the fear sets in...especially this time of year.

I hope you will share your experiences, helpful hints or comments here on "My Little Corner of the World". I would love to hear from you, and just think you may beable to help someone else breathe easier...

1 2 3 Inhale ... 1 2 3 4 Exhale,
Sandy

Air Fresheners

We use air fresheners every day, in every shape and form.
We use them in our cars, our kitchens and bathrooms... most likely in almost every room to help eliminate odors and keep our homes smelling fresh and clean. When you look in the supermarket, you'll find a combination of many scents available to purchase.
Personally I do not use them. The chemicals in them are quite harmful to those of us who's lungs are compromised.
Aerosol sprays are also entirely out of the picture for me. That would be like smoking a cigarette. Some candles are ok, but the flowery kind are not good. I usually burn relaxing scented candles. I also use a candle snuffer so it doesn't smoke once the flame has been extinguished and I use a candle topper. This fits on the round type jars and has holes in the top to eliminate the smoke. They can be found in most candle shops and they really work!!

I found an article in our town newspaper about "Air Fresheners" that I would like to share with you:

Q: Some lamps on the market use fragrance oil. Apparently they use a catalytic burner. Do these create an air pollution health hazard in the home?

A: Yes. Air fresheners release volatile organic compounds into the air. These chemicals may cause health problems in some people, according to Dan Tranter with the Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit.
A U.S. Institute of Medicine report found limited or suggestive evidence that fragrances exacerbate asthma.
Another study found that a chemical (L4 dichlorobenzene, or "L4 DCB") in many air fresheners may reduce lung function. Even a small reduction in lung function may indicate some harm to the lungs. According to the study, the best way to protect yourself, and especially children who may have asthma or other respiratory illnesses, is to reduce the use of products and materials that contain these compounds.
If you are using the fragrance lamps to mask an odor, it's far better to find and eliminate the cause of the odor. Increasing ventilation by using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans also can help.
Information about household products, including air fresheners, can be found at http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov.
Tranter recommends comparing air fresheners and choosing the one with the fewest and least severe warning statements as well as the lowest ratings for health concerns, flammability and reactivity, preferably a "0" for all three.

So my friends, when trying to freshen up your home, please think about this article and your health... take care of your lungs, they are your life... Breathe Easy.

1 2 3 Inhale... 1 2 3 4 Exhale,
Sandy