February 10, 2009

I’ve been listening to this popular radio station - 106.1 Kidd in the mornings for two decades now. I love listening to this station because they are so funny and they typically have some great views. Last week Kidd created this quest inspired by Obama’s volunteer work (painting someone’s house the night before the inauguration and continuing with his volunteer work even after becoming President). Kidd asked his listeners to dedicate February 10, 2009 as “My Turn Day” a day to commit to volunteer to do something for someone or an organization, something that isn’t just about you! No matter how much time, just volunteer to do something, post it on your blog and talk about what you’re endeavoring to do and have committed to.

I always thought volunteer work shouldn't be bragged about! Therefore, I typically keep quite about this type of thing. But I think, Kidd's right,  if other people realize others are giving back to society, it could help other people want to give back as well creating a worldwide unity in America.

While listening, I thought about Mike’s grandmother, aunts, his cousin Ricky and my mother-in-law. These guys deserve an award! They constantly do volunteer work. They devote their time, money and life to the Moose. Ricky volunteers for his church, every year he takes clothes and food to the homeless. They are definitely inspiring individuals and I’m sure they will be awarded for it! I just want to tell them thanks for setting an example!

Mike and I joined and we endeavor to commit to this organization as much as we can but we aren’t even close to the time and efforts Mike’s family contributes to this organization. We need more members to keep our section open and going as well (this is something the two of us are working on).  The donations from the Moose organization go to children and elders; Moose Heart and Moose Haven. It’s a fantastic organization to join. I had my fund raiser a couple of weeks ago and I made floral arrangements to donate and raise money for the Health Awareness Committee which is what I’m on and this money went towards the Moose Heart fund (I raised $230.00 dollars to donate…it felt really good to do that for someone!).

A couple of the members which attended my fundraiser really liked my floral arrangements, so they asked me how much I would charge them to make one for their church to put in front of the altar! This was my volunteer work. I made it for them to take to the church and  did not charge them. They were so happy with it! I gave it to them on Saturday.

What’s your contribution to society, what can you commit to? Once you have committed to something; Blog it, Facebook it, Myspace it...etc on February 10, 2009. If you have already committed to something go ahead and post early like I have so that more people will be prepared on February 10, 2009. Thanks for your help!

The 3 H’s of the 56th Change In History

History

This inauguration was definitely history in the making! I wouldn’t have missed the entertainment and this great time in history for nothing! Of course it would have been wonderful to be there in person, but I think the journalist did a great job of bringing the feel of the crowd and the feel of the monumental moment to our own living room. Here are my 3 H thoughts on the event:

From The Heads

Ms. Franklin sung her little head off to her “special version” of Let Freedom Ring! But the hat on her head was a definite conversation piece. No doubt this had to be planned and if it wasn’t it should have been for underlying meanings! My initial reaction was, “what a cute bow hat!” But then I thought the hat was just an improved version of a now iconic woman on a condiment bottle my daughter loves to poor over her pancakes for breakfast...improvement is grand!

To The Hands

I loved the new first lady’s dress but who in the heck picked-out those ugly green gloves she wore on her hands with that beautiful mustard color dress? It destroyed the whole look and credibility of her style.

Like the hands from most fidgety 10 year olds, Obama's daughter Malia’s hands stayed very, very busy.....videoing and taking pictures of her father the whole time. I was very impressed with her maturity and interest in capturing every moment of her father’s success. The next journalist in the making mark my words!

The cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, had hands that could master anything! In my opinion, this was the best entertainment aside from the heart felt speech and the look on Obama’s face as he walked down the hall to enter the National Mall.

For Our Hearts

Witnessing the large sea of people at the National Mall was defiantly monumental and heart stopping ...photography perfect!

Despite trying to keep a stoic look, while walking through the hall, to make his way out to the crowd at the National Mall, Obama exposed his emotions and how he felt on the inside. I could see the seriousness in his heart and it wasn’t hard to predict the outline and outcome of his heart felt speech to our battered but never broken Americans.

Go America!!

Hormones and the Cardiovascular System

Researching the affects of a hormone replacement on my cardiovascular system is a very complex research study. For me specifically, due to the various drugs I have to take and my illness itself, I’m definitely not the ideal candidate for this type of research study. They would throw me out the door on my ear, if I even tried to apply for this type of study at an actual study site.

I have used several different approaches while gathering the data to come to this conclusion, one of the most important is the Physician’s Package Insert for Activella estradiol. Some of the issues I’ve looked into that could possibly be a major factor in the lowering of my blood pressure and heart rate are as follows:


Metabolism

Estrogen Therapy Increases Thyroid-binding globulin

Blood Pressure

Thromboembolic Disorders

Adverse Reactions


Of course, all of these issues are faced issues with auto-immune diseases (Behcet’s patients) as well as people whom are on chemotherapy, steroids or biological therapy drugs. So you can see why, for me specifically, it’s near impossible to gather up accurate data. Even a seasoned research associate or doctor would struggle with the proof in data needed to determine if the estradiol was causing the lowered blood pressure and low heart beat readings.

In conclusion the best approach for proof would be – monitoring and recording my heart rate while exercising and at rest. I’m going to do this for several weeks and then I will start taking estradiol for a month and record the readings, to see, if in fact, there is any difference between the readings pre and post estradiol and endeavor to report back to you.

Make-up and Attitude Can Hide Anything!

Despite my bruising, sores and some headaches, I'm doing much, much better with this new treatment I'm taking! It is working to stop my flare-ups from lasting. I have noticed the duration of my flare-ups are shortening. However, I'm still having these horrific flare-ups which cause neurological, exhaustion, nausea and all sorts of symptoms.

Last week I was trying to vacum and I accidently hit the back of my shin (barely hit it) with the vacum cleaner...this is the damage I did...no wonder I can't get my legs massaged or can't stand someone to touch my shins or the bottom of my legs.

The bruise on the back of my leg, no wonder I hurt all over!

I was showering a couple of days ago and I had to stop showering because of the following sore that is on my back... it hurts bad! I'm taking baths now!

Sore on my back!

I'm having snap crackle and pop, numbing and a little bit of neurological issues on the left side of my head. I drop things because my hands or arms freeze and I must have changed three times on Sunday to go to a baby shower because I thought I looked fat!

My left temple!

You know, I never had lots of freakles on my face or anywhere, but now I'm covered..I guess the inflammation in my body is damaging my skin cells! I use to have a very clear complexion. When I put my make-up on and smile...nobody would ever notice these minor details! I just look like a normal person with nothing wrong!

Finding Your Perfect Exercise in 2009

The New Year always bring goals; some old and some new for self improvements. One of the most common goals everyone tends to make is getting into better shape which means exercising.

But when you suffer from an autoimmune disease it’s 10 times harder to meet and keep your goals. However, if you find what works for you, it makes meeting your objectives a little easier.

From my personal experience, over the past 3 years, I have tried several approaches with my exercise regimen. I have given up several times and quit because it was all too much on my body! I have finally found what works best for me!

Types of Exercises and the Affect It Has Had

Water Aerobics – The range of motion is way too diversified left me sore and unable to move for weeks.

Weight Training – Unable to do this because of the muscle spasms my body has while trying to lift something.

Pilates – Stretching causes muscles spasms.

Riding A Bike – Causes bad knee pains.

Walking or Jogging Outside – The pavement jars and hurts my body. I also, get off balanced sometimes which could cause a fall.

Walking on a Treadmill – This is the ultimate! You can hold onto the sides or the top of the treadmill. The pressure can be taken off your shins by increasing the incline which distributes the weight and pressure onto your upper body instead of the lower region. Your body stays in a “common range.” It’s the common range of motion your body’s been performing all of its life making it an easier exercise to do. The main thing is you’re working your heart and burning those extra calories, increasing the blood flow which prompts better health.

A Great Gym Partner

Finding a dedicated gym partner is an intricate component in a successful exercise regimen. Not just any old gym partner, I suggest you seek a good partner out that will keep it “Real!”


Getting the Look You Want

Most of us work-out because we are unhappy with the way our body’s look. We want to look like that model or actress on the cover of People Magazine. But when you have an autoimmune disease your objectives and perspectives should change.

Unless this disease goes into remission and all my symptoms subside, I will probably never have the ultimate dream body because my body is unable to keep up! We must realize and be happy with ourselves for even making the effort and exercising our heart…which is the most important thing we should be doing and focusing on. This perspective helps keep you focused in sticking to your exercise regimen. You should pay close attention to how you feel and not how you’re looking.

The Heart and Cardiovascular System

How you feel while you’re exercising is a subject I would like to discuss in another post:

Does inflammation and auto-immune diseases cause a lowered heart rate and blood pressure reading while exercising as well as at rest or could it possibly be a hormone replacement causing the lowered readings?

Prior to receiving my new Rituxan treatments, I was having problems with my heart rate being much, much lower than my girlfriend’s heart rate, while exercising and at rest. I have seen a cardiologist and of course had an abnormal EKG reading which prompted an investigation into my cardiovascular system. I believe I have posted other discussions about my low blood pressure readings and fainting episodes! I think it is all related to Behcets’.

The reason this has prompted an interest for me to do a research study is, for some apparent reason my heart rate is finally keeping up with my gym partner’s heart rate! It’s finally at a normal rate. I’m not sure how this has transpired. The two of us suspect it is the disease going into remission (the inflammation lifting-up and allowing the blood to flow quicker), which is fantastic news for me!

As some of you may know, I had a hysterectomy 3 years back and I’ve been on hormone replacement since. I have recently weaned myself off them and we are sort of wondering if the hormone replacement was lowering my heart rate and causing some ill affects. Therefore, it’s prompted an interest between Wendy (my gym partner) and me to do some digging and find out if the hormone replacement lowers the heart rate and blood pressure readings. Stay tuned next week for the results!

Annual Tea Time

Four years ago Brittnee and her friends made-up this tradition to have a tea party at Christmas time. Last year they missed their annual tea party, so I made sure they had one this year to continue with their tradition. Unlike previous years, I helped them out with the pre an post details. For my gratification I received the typical rolling of the eyes from Bree! I hope one day she will appreciate my knowledge to teach her how to be a lady! Taylor's cute reaction as she giggled..."We should have worn big puffy dresses!" Haha!! As I helped them, I explained the proper etiquette and the well known dispute between the Southerner’s and the Britt’s approach on pouring the milk first or tea first.

2.2.9.1. Should the milk go in the cups before or after the tea?
This question is a matter of great contention and bitter disagreement in Great Britain. Some people seem to approach it more fervently than they do matters of theology.
There is very little common ground in this debate. Perhaps the only thing both camps agree on is the historical fact that the earliest porcelain cups manufactured in England were likely to crack if very hot tea was poured directly into them. Placing the milk in the cup before adding the tea helped protect the cup. (Modern porcelain, however, does not need a milk buffer.) There is also some talk of "scalding" the milk, but some people say that milk-first scalds the milk; others, that tea-first scalds the milk. There is also disagreement about whether scalding the milk is good or bad; some say it improves the flavor, others that it ruins the milk.
Then there are those of us who consider the whole dispute somewhat akin to Scholastic debates about angels dancing on pinheads. One way to avoid the issue is to eschew milk completely. Still, I must admit that some tea (especially long-steeped English or Irish Breakfast) takes very well to a bit of milk.