Tylenol Recall & Year End 2009

Hello to everyone here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"

Here we are another year has just about ended and hopefully 2010 will be a healthy and happy new year for us all.

I know this time of the year can cause depression and sadness for some of us who have no family near by but we cope we have to especially with our lung disease we really can not afford to get down cause it will bring us down.As I have said before others out there are worse of than I am I keep that thought and it does help.

Because of the cold and flu and germs all around I changed my plans to visit family up North till the spring. Now here's an interesting tid bit...do you realize that Airplanes do NOT clean the cabins between flights ! All they do is empty the trash, now think about this...the germs all over the tray tables, the seat handles even the a/c and light fixture above you is not ever sanitized nor are the bathroom stall door handles...what I will do on my flight north is bring a box of hand wipes and wipe everything down. Now I received the following Health Alert from the FDA.
Until we meet again my friends remember,
Inhale ~123
Exhale ~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Happy New Year to everyone !

NewsEmergency.com FDA Posts Expanded Tylenol Recall - All
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McNeil Consumer Healthcare and FDA notified consumers that it is expanding a voluntary recall to include all available product lots of TYLENOL Arthritis Pain Caplet 100 count bottles, with the distinctive red EZ-OPEN CAP.
Consumers who purchased TYLENOL Arthritis Pain Caplet 100 count bottles with the distinctive red EZ-OPEN CAP from the lots (all) included in this recall should stop using the product and contact McNeil for instructions on a refund or replacement.
In November 2009, 5 lots of this product were recalled due to consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that was associated with nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The odor is caused by the presence of a chemical 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, believed to be the breakdown of a chemical used to treat wooden pallets that transport and store packaging materials. The health effects of this compound have not been well studied, and to date all of the observed events reported to McNeil were temporary and non-serious.

Lung Disorders/Using Inhalers properly

Good Afternoon to everyone here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"



Hopefully everyone had a wonderful "Thanksgiving" I sure did ! Saturday Dec.12th. some of us will be celebrating "Hanukkah", and on Dec.25th some of us will be celebrating "Christmas" ! and then we have "Kwanzaa on Dec. 26th. "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone !



See below for great information I received today from "John Hopkins University" regards to using Inhalers properly.




(800) 829-0422http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/?ET=johnshopkins_blog:e34617:437099a:&st=email Johns Hopkins Health Bookstore Email this to a friend
COPD Patients: Take a Deep Breath
Proper technique is the key to benefiting from dry powder inhalers (DPIs) that treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. But data presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians suggest that many patients with COPD can't or don't know how to use their inhalers properly.
Compared with aerosol metered dose inhalers, DPIs are considered "user-friendly." They don't require coordination between breathing in and squeezing the inhaler to release medication, and DPIs rely on your breath rather than chemical propellants to get the COPD medicine into your lungs.
But using DPIs requires a measured, forceful inhalation to ensure that the powdered COPD medication gets from the inhaler to deep in your lungs. If you inhale too quickly, the powder ends up at the back of your throat; if you breathe too slowly or too gently, it doesn't go anywhere; and if you accidentally exhale, the powder might get blown away.
Aerosol metered dose inhalers, such as albuterol and ipratropium, give fast relief during acute respiratory attacks, but most DPIs are prescribed to control COPD symptoms. If you are not using your DPI properly, your COPD can progress, or you may frequently experience acute COPD episodes that require hospitalization.
Researchers from Offenburg Hospital in Germany reported that 32% of 224 patients made mistakes using their DPIs that prevented them from getting the right dose of medication. Errors were most common in patients who were over 60 and in people with severe lung obstruction.
Each of the various DPIs works differently. Diskus models contain several weeks' worth of individual doses. Other DPIs look more like traditional tube inhalers and might contain individual doses or need to be loaded with a medication capsule before each use.
If you're prescribed a DPI for your COPD, ask your doctor both to show you how to use it and then to watch as you use the DPI yourself. Bring your inhaler to each doctor's visit to double-check your technique. If you are having trouble, your doctor can prescribe a traditional metered dose inhaler. Combining this type of pressurized inhaler with a spacer -- a device that attaches to the inhaler and holds the medication for a few seconds before releasing it into your airways -- can reduce problems with hand-breath coordination.

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HINI Great Info

Good Afternoon to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner of The World"

I apologize for the delay in keeping you all in touch on what's been going on with me, especially since we moved from the "Smokey Apartment" we are now settled in with a lovely fresh apartment what a delight! Altho it was stressful we got thru it with determination and lots of friends to help move.

Because of the news about the H1N1 and Flu going on this time of year I have included the following article which is of great interest which was sent to me from a dear friend, Thanks Pat

Difference between Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms
Symptom
Cold
Swine Flu
Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

Until we meet again my friends
Remember,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,

Sandy

Stale Cigarette Smoke !

Good day to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner of The World".
I have had quite a busy month since my last blog. I used to live in Lehigh Acres and now currently live again in Fort Myers, Fl. the reason I moved from Leghigh is the drive to work was 45 minutes with the construction starting on the roads I was traveling it would have taken me much longer to commute. I now live 10 min. from my job. Now let me share this with all of you.

When we first interviewed for this apt. the agent showed us a model and then we took a "virtual tour" via the internet, based on what we saw we signed the lease and of course the necessary credit cks were done without a problem. A week later we moved in, I noticed some kind of "smell" I was assured it was the new carpet, padding and painting they had done. A week goes by the same stronger "smell" is still lingering, but now I know it is "Stale Cigarette Smoke" !

It was that from the start only masked by the new carpet and paint job!
Management had called a contracter in to treat the walls and ceilings with a chemical to eliminate the odor, that worked for about a week. I called the office again they had someone else come out with an "Ionizer Machine" which was left on for 6 hours, we had to leave here with our cats and returned 7 hours later. This machine was guaranteed to eliminate the smoke odor , guess what it did for another week and yes the odor is back ! not as bad though. Apparantly the person who lived here before us was a heavy smoker, there's a surprise !

Well now we will have to move again!!!!! Come Nov. 1st. another apt in another building will be available, we will do a walk thru before the folks move out, we are guaranteed that these folks are non smokers !

The agent that leased this apt to us never told us there were smokers on the side of us, upstairs and across the hall ! I had told her in front of her Manager had we known this we Never would have rented here.

Yes, she knew I have a lung disease and am on oxygen I think she was just intent on renting this place and didn't even think about anything else. From what I have learned she is knew to this property I am sure she has learned her lesson, as it is costing the company big bucks to treat this place.

The moral of this story is be realy sure if you are going to rent an apt, house, office that it is or has been smoke free !

Until we meet again my friends remember,

Inhale~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Coumadin Do's & Dont's

Hello again it's me !...I thought of something very important with regards to "Coumadin" it is Very, Very Important to be careful of the foods you consume. Vitamin K absorbs a lot of the properties of Coumadin. therefore that would change the amount the Dr. will recommend you to take......sooooo be real careful of what you consume.

You may want to check out Google and search for Vitamin K and Coumadin I am sure you will find a wealth of information. Some examples I have are Margarine is M, Mayonnaise is on the H side. etc....Collard Greens in on teh high side for Vit. K. Any greens are challenging.

Hope this helps!

Remember, until we meet again my friends,
Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Medications/ Hospitalizations

Greetings to All here at Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World " It's been a long haul but I got thru it...Positive Mental Attitude and Fortitude.

It started on June 8th. when I saw my Lung Dr. for a check up and she put me in the hospital due to Atrial Fibulations, swollen legs and severe congestion well I was admitted to the hosp. put on an IV drip/Antibiotics, also was getting shots of Lovenox in my stomach to lower my Coumadin level which was at 7 ! pretty dang high that was scary cause the concern was blood clots...always something OK another hurdle we climbed and got to the top once again !

I was discharged on June 12th with instructions to see my Pulmo. Dr. on the 17th. of June and of course I kept that appt. she started me on 15mg of prednisone for a week. ( I don't like that drug does strange things to my thought process).

I got a call from the Pulmo. Dr. to hold off on Coumadin levels toooo high again!
I saw my Primary Dr. on the 25th. she told me to taper off the prednisone do 10mg for one wk, then 5 mg for the next wk. then stop !...ok no problems there...lol

So now the Cardiologist has to be notified of the Atrial Fibulations cause they are pretty severe and he will also monitor the Coumadin levels once I start it again...geez...are ya following me so far ? So here I go another hospitalization this time to the Heart Hospital admitted on July 10th for three days so Dr. can monitor a new drug called "Tikosyn" making sure of no complications in hopes that this drug will slow and or completely stop the A/Fibs..so far so good.

I was going to the Coumadin clinic twice a wk. for levels...now my levels are at 2.1 which is very good I do not have to go back till next Thurs. and if the levels are down my next appt will be in a month !...

Now to keep things interesting I see the primary care Dr. cause I have some sort of eye infection...which is what she called "Cellulitis" and gave me a rx for an antibiotic and advised me to see my eye dr. and of course I did, he assured me that the infection will not interfere with my eyesight...good news !

August 12th. I have an appt with the Pulmo. Dr. then Cardiologist on the 13 th. and the coumadin levels done at the same time, then I am done with Drs. and hospitals for a while.

I know I mentioned in a prev. post about medications and you have to be your own advocate well let me tell you I had to battle with the nurses each day to get the correct meds, I even brought in my list of meds to give them when i was admitted and I was smart enough to keep a copy at the bedside to show the nurse what I should have then she called the Dr. and he agreed I know what I am talking about !

Don't give in folks speak up..I figure because I will be 63 next month they treated my like an elderly person.. barking up the wrong tree!

Hope I didn't rattle on to much also hope this helped.

Until we meet again my friends,
Remember,
Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Good Day to all my friends here at Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World !

I was recently contacted by Kat Sanders who is working on her Pharmacist Technitian Certification she asked if I could help her out by posting the following. As you all know I usually post from my personal experiences in this case I made an exception. Another p0st will follow from me with regards to my recent hospitalization. Until we meet again my friends, remember
Inhale ~~~123

Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

5 Ways to Improve Your Lung Health

If you’re a sportsperson, athlete, singer, swimmer or in any other field where you are mostly likely to run out of breath, you definitely need to work on improving your lung capacity. In short, you need to exercise and train your lungs just as you would any other part of your body that you want to improve. The best part of training your lungs is that it brings you a host of other benefits and improves other skills as well. So here goes, if you’re looking to improve the health of your lungs, here’s what you need to do:
· Practice underwater breathing: Even if you’re not a swimmer, you can improve the capacity of your lungs by testing your limits under the water. Increase your timings by a few seconds each day and see how your lungs progress. Make sure that you do have someone with you though to prevent anything untoward from happening.
· Get involved in intense cardio workouts: Cardio workouts like jogging, running, cycling, swimming, dancing, aerobics and others are bound to get your heart racing and have you panting for breath. Start out slowly and increase your pace and time as the days go by. The key to improving lung health and capacity is to train every day and increase your intensity every week. If you stick to the same routine day after day, your body becomes used to it and you are stuck on a plateau instead of climbing higher.
· Regulate your breathing: Take some time every day to meditate and regulate your breathing – taking long; deep breaths of clean, fresh air can be invigorating and refreshing to your lungs.
· Say no to tobacco and alcohol: If you want your lungs to be healthy and strong, you must definitely say no to cigarettes, alcohol and other illegal drugs. Smoking is hazardous to health and puts you at a high risk of cancer and other respiratory diseases. Even if you do not smoke, you need to ensure that you don’t hang around or live with people who do, because second-hand smoke can be just as dangerous as inhaling it yourself.
· Maintain an optimal weight and eat the right foods: You need to get your body fit and healthy if you want your lungs to function well. If you’re obese or overweight, you need to first work on bringing down your weight. Besides this, you need to eat foods that are rich in Vitamins C and E and in beta carotene, like fruits and vegetables.
By-line:
This article is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of pharmacist technician certification at her blog The Pharm Tech Blog. She welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: katsanders25@gmail.com.

Vitamin D and Asthma

Issue Date: May 31, 2009

Good Day to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" I found this article today in USA Weekend and thought it was interesting.
Enjoy the day ~~~~

Until we meet again my friends...Remember,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Also: More HealthSmart
Asthma's possible link to vitamin D
Low levels of this nutrient may worsen asthma.
Every day, 40,000 Americans miss work or school and nearly 5,000 visit the ER because of asthma. About 20 million suffer from the disease, and its impact is huge, personally and economically. That's why researchers study asthma's various links, looking for any modifiable associations.
Researchers from Harvard, the Medical University of South Carolina and the Hospital Nacional de Ni–os in San José, Costa Rica, recently studied a link between asthma and vitamin D levels. They studied 616 asthmatic kids, ages 6 to 14, and found that low levels of vitamin D were associated with higher levels of IgE and eosinophils (both are markers of immune activity). Also, the children with higher vitamin D levels were less likely to have required treatment in the year before the evaluation. The data suggest a link between low levels of the vitamin and asthma, adding to the growing body of science showing that vitamin D may be important for more than just bone health.
Further research is needed, but in the meantime, you can increase your intake of vitamin D by getting exposure to sunlight, consuming fortified foods such as milk, and eating fatty fish and fish oils.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and CEO of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.

Another mile stone for us !

I just had to share this will everyone !...Until we meet again my friends remember,
Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234
Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Dear Sandra
On May 27, 2009, Florida's Governor signed into law the bill to increases the cigarette tax with a $1 per pack surcharge! Congratulations to all the tobacco control advocates who have work tirelessly over years to reduce tobacco use by our youth and adults!

American Lung Association in Florida
Final Legislative Report
May 28, 2009

The 2009 Session of the Florida Legislature concluded on Friday, May 7th, one week late. The Legislature adopted a $66.5 billion dollar budget and passed just 238 of the 2369 pieces of legislation filed. The Governor signed the budget on May 27th.

The 2009 Session was dominated by a leadership crisis and extreme fiscal stress. In late January Speaker of the House Ray Sansom resigned his post as Speaker amidst allegations that he illegally obtained state funding for a local college in his district and then benefited from that action by accepting a full-time job at the college. Sansom was indicted in April. Sansom was replaced as Speaker by Rep. Larry Cretul. Cretul was thrust into the job and had to lead a legislature that was delayed and distracted by the ethics scandal.

The nation’s fiscal meltdown was another dominant element of the Session. Conservative Republican legislative leaders confronted the largest revenue decrease since the early 1970s and are constitutionally mandated to pass a balanced state budget. In the last two years the legislature already trimmed more than $6 billion from Florida’s budget. Pledges of “no new taxes” and “living within our means” became harder and harder to maintain. State revenues are shrinking as the need for government services to the economically distressed, and newly-distressed, citizens increases. Even the infusion of Federal Economic Stimulus dollars totaling more than $4 billion to state government still left a projected shortfall of $3.5 billion. Moreover, the timing of the Federal Stimulus dollars flowing to Florida did not neatly coincide with the timing of the state’s appropriations process. Corporate taxes, elimination of business-friendly sales tax exemptions and increased “user” fees were all suggested as means to close Florida’s revenue front. Inserting these factors into the normal challenges facing a state of 18 million citizens and one of the largest economies in the world means that there was no “politics as usual” in the 2009 Session.

Tobacco Surcharge
Against all odds and powerful lobbying efforts by the tobacco industry, retailers and wholesalers, the Legislature increased the current cigarette excise tax with a $1.00 per pack surcharge and imposed a surcharge of 60% of the wholesale price on other tobacco products. The bill also provides regulations for internet and mail order sales that require a two carton minimum purchase and valid proof of age at the time of delivery. It also requires Indian reservations to collect the surcharge on sales to nontribal members. The surcharge is expected to generate close to $1 billion in revenue for the state, and will help fund Medicaid as well as other health care programs and services. The revenues from this surcharge proved to be the linchpin in budget negotiations. The Governor signed the bill into law on May 27th.

Biomedical Research Funding
Initial House and Senate health and human services proposed budgets included reductions in biomedical research funding from general revenue. However, revenues from the tobacco surcharge include a major policy shift in this area.

House and Senate budget negotiators agreed to increases in the biomedical research program. Five percent of the tobacco surcharge revenue, up to $50 million will be dedicated to the Jim and Esther King and Bankhead-Coley Biomedical Research Programs will each receiving approximately $25 million this year.

Comprehensive Tobacco Control Education and Use Prevention Program
The budget includes $63,841,232 for the tobacco control program and is allocated as follows:
Four Staff positions $ 300,583
State & Community Interventions 10,927,545
State & Community Interventions (AHEC) 6,000,000
Health Communications Interventions 20,613,744
Cessation Interventions 11,831,565
Cessation Interventions (AHEC) 4,000,000
Surveillance & Evaluation 5,376,317
Administration & Management 2,791,478

Also, the Legislature allowed $2,000,000 from unexpended funds for last year’s Fixed Capitol Outlay to be used to provide nicotine replacement therapy.



###

Germs, Germs, Germs ~~~

Good Afternoon to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"

Here we are again "Flu Season" is here, yes I know I posted about this before but, think about this, how many times have we been to the grocery store and made sure we used those little sanitary wipes most stores supply by the carriages and wiped down the handle before we touch it I know I have. I open doors with a wipe unless of course if it is automated.

Well how about pumping gas hmmmmm....same rule applies Please use those sanitized Wipes & wipe off that gas pump~~~~how many people before you have touched it..

We all have to be so very careful, some one once said to me, Sandy aren't over doing it..I replied it's like this I have a disease which will not go away and I do not want to aggravate it by being careless their reply..oh I never thought about that...now it makes sense...As I have said before my friends..".Sick Lungs Don't Show" The more we spread the word more folks will understand how we feel.

So until we meet again my friends remember,

Inhale~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy
t

Helpful Hints/Living with COPD

Good Morning to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" In a previous post I mentioned a few helpful hints to make our daily tasks easier well a friend of mine
forwarded the following information to me and I wanted to share it with everyone.

Until we meet again my friends remember,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts: Lung Disorders Conserving Energy When You Have COPD If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know that going about your daily routine can be exhausting. Even though activities such as bathing, grooming, and dressing require a great deal of energy,careful planning can help you get through these tasks more quickly and with less effort. Here's some straight-talking advice from Johns Hopkins. ________________________________If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know that going about your daily routine can be exhausting. Even though activities such as bathing, grooming, and dressing require a great deal of energy, careful planning can help you get through these tasks more quickly and with less effort. Here's some straight-talking advice from Johns Hopkins.First, plan to bathe, groom, and dress at times when you're feeling most energetic. Second, gather all the supplies you will need before you start. Bathing with COPD* Instead of standing in the shower, use a bath stool or take baths. * Because excess humidity can make it tougher to breathe with COPD, use warm water rather than hot, leave the bathroom door open,turn on exhaust fans, and open a window whenever possible. * If washing your hair in the shower, tub, or sink is difficult, ask someone else to do it for you. * Using a long-handled brush or sponge can eliminate reaching to wash your back and feet.* If you rely on oxygen for your COPD, you can still use it while in the tub or shower -- just drape the tube over the shower rod or side of the tub. * Dry off by wearing a long terry cloth robe and blotting rather than using a towel to rub yourself dry -- it takes less effort. Grooming with COPD * Choose a simple hairstyle that doesn't require extensive blow drying or styling.* Conserve energy by sitting in front of a low mirror when shaving or applying makeup, rather than standing bent over the bathroom sink. * Avoid products that are aerosol's or heavily scented,which will irritate the lungs. * Perfumes and colognes may also make it more difficult for you to breathe with COPD, so avoid using these products. Dressing with COPD * Keep your clothes in places that don't require you to bend or reach.* If you're most energetic in the evenings, plan ahead and lay out tomorrow's clothes the night before. * Avoid tight-fitting clothing that can make breathing difficult. For example, men can wear suspenders instead of belts, and women can wear camisoles or sports bras instead of regular bras. * Don't wear socks or stockings with elastic bands, since they can restrict circulation. (Support hosiery recommended by your doctor is the exception.) * Slip-on shoes mean you don't have to bend over to tie shoelaces. A long shoehorn can also make it easier to put shoes on. * To conserve energy with COPD, stay seated as long as possible while dressing, and dress your lower half first, as it is usually more difficult. Putting your underwear inside your pants and pulling both on together may be helpful as well. Johns Hopkins White Papers Logo<http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/images/spacer.gif>

Smoking is a DRAG !

Hello to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"...in fact I just may rename it to "Our Little Corner Of The World"...let me know what you think ok...

Now for this post I mentioned in an earlier post about the "Relay For Life" that I could not attend well a co-worker sent me these pictures which show a mutual friend dressed as a "Drag Queen"...now think of this.. like I used to.....drag on a cigarette and you will get the picture...see above: OK now you get the picture ! "Smoking Is A Drag!" This gal was awesome in her presentation of the "Drag Queen" I just wish more folks would follow her lead !

It is thru folks like Linda and her advocasy against cigarette smoking makes our lives much better and our air easier to breathe...Thank You Linda !

Now remember my friends until we meet again...

Inhale ~~~123

Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,

Sandy

PFT Results

Welcome to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" In case you did not know we have 3 cases of Swine Flu here in Fl0rida and I have been assured by my Pulmonologist today that I should continue doing what I have been doing...stay away from crowds, avoid sick people and wash, wash, your hands. Also when you sneeze, sneeze into your arm and if you use a tissue throw it away right away ! Then wash your hands to the tune of "Happy Birthday To Me," repeat 4 times. I also use disposable gloves going anywhere, opening doors pressing buttons on an elevator etc...sure does make a difference. Then I toss them out.

Now for the update on my PFT today the Dr. showed me the results and the chart showed what I thought was an increase in my lung capacity..wrong ! it showed how much "Stale Air" i have in my lungs...sooooo PLB is a must to help get that stale (trapped air) out! Continue the O2 24/7
As long as I can get up and breathe it is going to be a great day !


I have been referred to a program to start Pulmonary Rehab. I am looking forward to that When I was first diagnosed with COPD while living in New Hampshire I went thru that program and let me tell you it is the best program ever to help those of us with this Lung Disease I thoroughly applaud it.

One more thing while I was having the PFT it came time for me to have the 2nd part which included a "Breathing Treatment" to include Albuterol to open my airways now, the Therapist opened the bag which held the tube and mouth piece and removed it and handed it to me with the med. in it...I said why aren't you wearing gloves he replied my hands are clean I replied I dont know that..you should be wearing gloves he did not reply.

I brought this to the attention to the nurse she said she would look into it...

So...until we meet again my friends,
Remember,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Third swine flu case confirmed in Florida (see VIDEOS, INTER ACTIVES, PHOTO GALLERY, TRAVEL WARNING, SPECIAL SECTION)Comments 3 Recommend 0
May 03, 2009 11:24:00 AM
The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE — A 14-year-old Mexican girl visiting central Florida is the state's third confirmed case of swine flu, health officials said Sunday.
The girl has returned to Mexico, according to Florida's Department of Health.
She has fully recovered and did not spread the swine flu to her family, Orange County Health Director Kevin Sher in told WFTV-TV in Orlando.
"She stayed in her room, wore a mask and took the Tami flu," an anti-flu drug, Sher in said.
A message left Sunday by The Associated Press for an Orange County spokeswoman was not immediately returned.
Florida's first two cases of swine flu were confirmed on Friday: an 11-year-old in Lee County and a high school student in Broward County.
In addition to the three confirmed cases, state health officials said Sunday there were 15 probable cases of swine flu across the state: one each in Alachua, Pinellas, Indian River, Okeechobee, Lee and Clay counties, two each in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties and five in Hillsborough County.
Two charter schools in Miami-Dade County will be closed Monday because a student was found to have a probable case of swine flu.
School district spokesman John Schuster says Doral Academy Charter Middle School and Doral Academy Charter High School were ordered closed after it was found that a middle school student possibly had the disease.
Schuster says the high school was order closed as well because the student may have had access to the high school.
Schuster says that when the schools will reopen will depend on test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 1,800 students attend the two schools.

At a glance: The latest on swine flu
Click here for newly released raw video of pig farmers clashing with police in the Middle East
Click here for a video update of the U.S. tally
Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials:
— Deaths: 19 confirmed in Mexico and one confirmed in U.S., a 21-month-old boy from Mexico who died in Texas.
— Confirmed sickened worldwide, 872: 506 in Mexico; 197 in U.S.; 85 in Canada; 40 in Spain; 16 in Britain; eight in Germany; four in New Zealand; two in Italy, France, Israel, and South Korea; one each in Colombia; Costa Rica, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Hong Kong, Denmark and the Netherlands.
— Colombia reports South America's first confirmed case of swine flu on Sunday — a day after Costa Rica reports the first case in Central America.
— Countries reporting new cases Sunday — Spain, Germany, Britain, Italy and Columbia.
— Spain becomes hardest-hit nation in Europe with 40 cases, mostly patients in the southern region of Andalusia and five in northeastern Catalan region.
— New case in Britain is Scottish man who recently traveled to Texas but not Mexico, health chief says.
— Two new cases in Germany involve a married couple on same flight as a woman who got swine flu after visiting Mexico.
— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about a third of confirmed U.S. cases are people who had been to Mexico and likely picked up the infection there.
— Hong Kong orders the week-long quarantine of downtown hotel where a Mexican tourist had swine flu, trapping 350 guests and employees inside. The tourist was in stable condition Sunday.
— Mexico orders all nonessential government and private businesses to shut down for five days. All 176 weekend soccer games in Mexico are closed to fans.
— China quarantines over 70 Mexican travelers in hospitals and hotels even though they have no symptoms, sparking outrage from Mexico, which calls the move discriminatory and urges Mexicans not to travel to China.
— U.S. confirmed cases: New York 50; Texas 28; California 24; Arizona 17; South Carolina 13; Delaware 10; Massachusetts eight; New Jersey seven; Maine six; three in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois; two in Kansas, Colorado, Virginia, Michigan, Missouri, Connecticut and Florida. One each in New Hampshire, Utah, Rhode Island, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska and Nevada.
— More than 430 U.S. schools have closed, affecting about 245,000 children in 18 states.
— World Health Organization says slaughtering pigs unnecessary because virus is being spread through humans, and it says a swine herd in Alberta likely was infected by a farm worker who returned from Mexico.
— Three wild boars at Baghdad's zoo are killed because of swine flu fears even though Iraq has no documented cases of swine flu. Egypt earlier ordered the slaughter of all the country's 300,000 pigs.
— U.S. Meat Export Federation says U.S. pork exports have dropped about 10 percent since the swine flu scare started.
FYI...... I called the hot line tonite and they told me to do whatever we do for the "regular Flu" wash your hands using the "Birthday Song" stay away from crowds and be extra careful of people sneezing.

Hope this info. is helpful...

Until we meet again my friends remember,
Inhale~~~ 123
Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy



Last updated 5/3/09 7:41 p.m. CDT
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Using Oxygen Safely

Good day to everyone here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" Hope everyone is having a good day. I was surfing the internet looking for information of the usage of Oxygen therapy and found some interesting facts of which I have pasted below for your information. Trust this will enlighten you as well as it did me.

Oxygen is safe to use, in the right conditions. If you follow these guidelines, you will have a safe environment in which to use your oxygen.
Oxygen will not explode or burn, but it will cause things that are burning, to burn hotter and faster. Because of this, when storing or using your oxygen, you should keep it at least 10 feet from open flames, space heaters, large windows or any other source of heat.
If you are cooking while wearing oxygen, you can:
Secure the cannula over the ears and behind the head, instead of under the chin.
Secure the tubing to the side of your clothing with a large safety pin (making sure not to puncture the tubing). This will keep the tubing away from the heat source.
Never grease or oil oxygen equipment. Grease and oil are flammable materials, and are contained in hand lotions, hair lubricants and Vaseline. Aerosol sprays, such as hairspray are also flammable, and should not be used near oxygen equipment.
Do not permit smoking in the same room as your oxygen equipment. You can place a "No Smoking" sign on the door of your residence. You may be in a large room (such as a restaurant) where smoking is permitted, without being at risk.
Do not place your concentrator in a small area. The extra heat generated by your concentrator could damage the unit and/or other materials if placed in a small area. Be sure that the unit is well ventilated and protected from being knocked over.
Never use oil-based face creams, a hair dryer or an electric razor while using your oxygen. It is possible for the appliance to spark, causing the oxygen and face cream to ignite, resulting in burns on your face. Always use water-based cosmetics or creams.

Until we meet again my friends Remember,

Inhale~~~123

Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

"Relay For Life"

Good Afternoon to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"

This weekend sets of the annual "Relay For Life " events everywhere for those you who are not aware of the meaning I have copy/pasted the meaning for your reading pleasure and when I say pleasure it is because of efforts of so many people who participated and brought a smile to someone else. Last year I did the walk and it gave me a very gratifiying feeling that I helped someone. For obvious reasons this year I am not able to participate but, in my heart I will be there.

History of Relay - Celebrating Hope
One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons.
In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event, known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In 1986, with the help of Pat Flynn – now known as the “Mother of Relay” – 19 teams took part in the first team Relay event on the track at the historic Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.

Until we meet again my friends remember,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Stephacoculous (sp)Pneumonia

A heartfelt Hello to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World"
So much has happened since my last post that you would not believe !!

Apparently I picked up a cold from someone and for a few days I was ok being on antbiotics and taking it easy then bang ! and I mean BANG ! Sat. April 21st I was on my way to the emergency room..my o2 saturation levels were at 42 % no KIDDING ! my blood gas levels were at 85% Yupper I was a sick lady for an entire week in the hospital and lost about 10 pounds! that's a good thing but not to loose it that way lol ! My biggest gripe as I had said before be PRO ACTIVE in your care and your meds I went head to head with the nurses at the hospital cause they said the Pharmacist said I did not need certain meds ! Now you know I sure did not let that one rest and neither should anyone...speak your mind ! Do Not Let anyone tell you what your meds are and how you should take them.

The Strep Pneumonia has subsided right now and hopefully will stay that way as I always say it could be worse !
We have just celebrated Easter Sunday and remember that our Good Lord gave up his life for us and had risen and we celebrate in unison!


Until my next post my friends,

remember until we meet again,
Breathe Easy,

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Sandy

O2 24/7 Wow !

Hello to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner of The World" well it's been a while since my last post and let me tell you what ride I have been on ! March 17th. Tues. my favorite Holiday, St. Patrick's Day I went to see my primary care Dr. cause I got a cold , well darn the DR. put me on antibiotics and also nebulizer every 4 hours ! Well each days seemed to get a little worse, well come Saturday the 21st. I was at the ER cause I could not breathe my chest felt like I was under water...dang what an awful feeling that was !
Well the ER person put me right on oxygen it seems my 02 levels dropped to about 88percent !

Then the Dr. and the nurses came in and started IV drips with an antibiotic and some sort of a steroid medication and of course i was admitted !

Now while I was in this "hospital" I had several issues with the nursing staff and dietary....
Seems that the "Pharmacist" at the hospital can tell you what melds you need to have and not need to have...soooooooo I questioned the nurse and asked to speak with the pharmacist in person, needless to say that never happened....my advice...as I have said before do not let anyone dictate what your meds are Speak Up some one will listen ! I know I did and someone did listen!

Now dietary...geez I was on a low salt, diabetic diet...why ? well due to the meds I was on "Salmedrol" (sp) it caused my blood sugar to elevate so therefore i had to receive "Insulin" to offset the sugar level...darn ! as far as the low salt well that's another story, seems the Pharmacist thought due to my meds I should be on a Heart healthy diet what was he thinking !?

Anyway I am home now with Oxygen 24/7 it will take some getting used to but, as I always say it could be worse ! My life has changed and I will need to adjust to such and take one day at a time.

So, until we meet again my friends,
Inhale~~~123
Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

St. Patrick's Day

Hello to all my COPD friends sorry for taking so long in writing but so many things have been going on with me so let me share a few things with everyone. I have written about some helpful hints on living with COPD/Emphysema and hope that they have been helpful to all. My latest diagnosis is Scleroderma/Raynauds/ and Sjorugens (sp) well I have learned to accept my latest diagnosis as I said before I can overcome this or at least accept it and learn as much as I can and pass on this information to everyone.
Right now the COPD/Emphysema has become almost passive thanks to the steroids which by the way I am weening off them...and once that happens the swelling in my hands will increase as the "Scleroderma" will take over hopefully this tooo shall pass. !

I do not know what the link is to COPD/Scleroderma I just know that Scleroderma is an Auto Immune Disease as is COPD so until I continue to do more research we are in Limbo.

Scleroderma is the hardining of the skin due to too much Collegan (sp) and can affect some major organs which can include the lungs....NOW let me make this clear, not all of us will have this problem, it is up to our Drs./Specialists to run the necessary test to make the proper diagnosis.

As of today my lungs are happy due to the steroids as I mentioned earlier in this post however, once I come off of the steroids I can only hope for the best, a positive mental attitude will carry us a long way !

Until we meet again my friends remember:

Inhale ~~~123
Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Good News

Hello to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World".



Hope everyone is doing well ! A very good friend of mine sent on some great information that I would like to share with everyone. After many years of struggling to get restaurants and airports smoke free at last it has happened no kidding read below to this news ! Click on the link below and you can choose what ever state you are looking for.





Shortcut to: http://www.smoke-freerestaurants.com/



Until we meet again my friends remember,



Inhale ~~~123

Exhale ~~~~1234



Breathe Easy,

Sandy

Happy Valentines Day !

Well, here we are almost St. Patricks Day!...Whoooo Hoooo my favorite Holiday! Altho I can not celebrate like I used to..lol I am still happy to get up each and every day and I Thank God for that !
Each day brings a new beginning and with a positive attitude which is what keeps me going as my Dad would say, it could be worse! When I reflect back on my life and look around I realize how fortunate I am to get up each and every day and face a new challenge !

St Valentines Day is approaching and we all need to stop and smell the roses and realize how lucky we are no matter what the circumstances are someone else is out there who is worse off that we are.

I don't mean to complain about my problems but, this latest "Scleroderma" is all connected with an "Auto immune Disease" it does make a difference with my breathing, but.....as long as I do the PLB...Pursed Lip Breathing it sure does make a difference !...keep that in mind it is so IMPORTANT !... So until we meet again my friends,

Remember,
Inhale~~~123
Exhale ~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL ! LOVE AND LIVE !

The Results Are In !

Good Morning to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner of The World".
I finally got the results of the last "culture" good news...Negative for anything to be concerned about., altho I have to use my nebulizer twice a day with a medicine called "Acetylcysteiine" which is supposed to help loosen up the thick junk in my lungs and ease my breathing...time will tell, hopefully it will work.
I have recently been diagnosed with "Schogrens Disease" (sp) What a surprise that was ! from what I have researched and absorbed as much information as possible regarding this disease
It is over growth of collagen and causes your skin to thicken and get hard it can affect your lungs and other major parts of your body as far as I know my lungs are not involved, I thank God for that.

Recently I had a bunch of blood work done I will get the results when I see the RA Dr. this Monday coming, I will post more then. For now all we can do is make the best of what we have to work with and most definitely Keep a POSITIVE attitude that sure has helped me.

So, until we meet again my friends, remember

Inhale~~~123

Exhale~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,
Sandy

Getting There !

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy to Year to all my friends here at "Welcome To My Little Corner Of The World" I have not posted for a while as ou internet provider was down since before Christmas, but once again here we are. ! I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays, hopefully 2009 will bring us all good luck and good health ! My New Year's resolution is to do more exercising.. for some it comes easy and others not so easy so slow and easy wins the race every time and remember most importantly...(PLB) "Pursed Lip Breathing" get all that stale air out. Ok..here is the latest on what is going on with me,remember I had the Bronchoscopy done in early Dec. and the Pulmo. told me he took some cultures, well we got one back and it showed some kind of a fungus was growing in my lungs and he assured me it wasn't cancer we will have to wait till the last culture comes back sometime in January in order to treat it ! I have been so miserable with breathing problems (SOB) I decided to contact my Primary Care Dr.to get some answers sure enough she researched the results of the culture and called in a prescription for me !

I dont understand the terminology for the name of this fungus I am just happy my Primary is going to treat it..it just amazes my that a "PULMONOLOGIST" couldn't start treating this before now !

My advice my friends..DO NOT take anyting sitting down..ask, ask, and ask more questions get more answers I wish I had I could have had some relief by now. I see the Infectious Disease Dr. on the 16th. to get the results of the final culture and of course I will share that information with everyone.

To be continued tune in next week for the update !

Until we meet again my friends,

Remember,

Inhale~~~123

Exhale ~~~~1234

Breathe Easy,

Sandy