SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY 4...

Thank you to everyone who stops by to read my SIX!  I'm having a ball with this.  Your comments are encouraging!  This set of Six is from my current wip, Dating Impossible...Meet Dr. Cruz Avery, delectable twin brother of firefighter, Jett Avery....

“God damn it!” A female voice exclaimed, stopping Dr. Cruz Avery mid-step. He stood by the partially open door in the back hall of Our Lady Of Sorrow Catholic Church.

Intrigued by a woman who would use the Lord’s name in vain, given her current surroundings, he leaned closer to the crack in the door. And here, Cruz thought, his brother’s wedding would be an occasion he’d have to suffer through. By all indications, things might be on this side of interesting.



There's the tease...we will be seeing more from this hunky ER doctor later... We will get back to Cruz and JJ in upcoming SSS posts... By the time this posts, I will be in bed, sleeping because I work night shifts at the hospital.  Can't wait to check out these other Six Sentence Authors for more fun snippets later tonight when I get up!  For those of you up, don't wait!  Here is the link:  www.sixsentence.blogspot.com/

Enjoy your Sunday!
Kathleen




YUMMY FRIDAY POST~YOWZA~

This week's post is Maroon 5's frontman, Adam Levine, bared all...well almost all in the UK's Cosmo.  His near full monty is in support to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer!   Apprarently, the female hands in the photo belong to his girlfriend,  Anne Vyalitsyna.

TGIF, everyone!
Kathleen

YES! MORE EYEBALL TESTING TODAY...

Morning! Kind of a cool picture, huh?  Since I'm doing these last couple of posts on eyeball stuff you might've guessed that I'm up for eye surgery.  Yes, I decided the ICL surgery would be best for me.  I have a spot on my left eye either from a past infection or some injury (bad patient that I am, couldn't tell the doctor what happened--that goes under the label of "poor historian" LOL) where scar tissue has formed.  It has been there for about 6 years now.  Never changes, but there is some vascularization there. 

Why is this significant?  Because the cornea doesn't have any blood/nerve vessels.  My doctor says that is why Lasik surgery works so well--no bleeding or pain involved.  However, if I had chosen to do lasik (where a laser re-shapes the cornea to correct my vision),  I would be at a higher risk for bleeding and possible postop complications. 

That is one reason why I have chosen to have the ICL surgery that I posted about yesterday.  This morning completes the rest of my preop testing and they are going to concentrate on the retina.  I recently read somewhere--so much literature to review, I have no idea where I saw this, but without a healthy retina, the eye is like a camera without film.  A very cool analogy!

The retina is an important structure because it receives the light rays from the front of the eye and sends them through the optic nerve, where in turn, everything gets sent to the brain and processed into images.  Sounds simple enough. 

In order to see the retina, my eyes will need to be dialated--again.  Not fun. At least when I'm done there this morning, I get to go to bed, since I'm working the night before the appointment.  What they are looking for are any holes or tears in my retina.  So, if all is well, my surgery will proceed on February 7th.

Looks like I will have a new set of peepers, soon! 

Have a great Wednesday! 
Kathleen

REFRACTIVE EYE SURGERY~ SHOULD YOU?

Here is a cool bit of new technology...ICL or Implantable Contact Lens.  This is wonderful, because unlike lasik surgery, there is no reshaping of the cornea with lasers.  Therefore, if you have vision changes or cataracts later, all they have to do is remove the lens. 

I will let you watch the video below as it will show the actual procedure.




So?  What do you think?  Would you do it?  I have several colleagues both nurses and doctors alike who have had the surgery and absolutely love it!  If you live in the Phoenix, AZ area, I recommend,

DIABETES MONDAY~FACT #23~GEARING UP FOR BRENDA NOVAK'S AUCTION 2011

Today, I'm going to highlight Brenda Novak's online auction for diabetes research.  I recently received an email asking me to donate something for the May, 2011 auction.

This auction runs from May first to May 31st, midnight to midnight.  Some of the rock stars of the publishing world have donated in the past some awesome stuff for very lucky winners!  Back in 2008, I donated a weekend tea at the Phoenician Hotel and Resort for four guests.

So, I'm wracking my brain to try and figure out what to donate this year.  Since electronic devices are so popular....I'm leaning toward something like that along with a critique of a proposal--query, synopsis, and first three chapters of a manuscript.

I recently did a post on "paying it forward..."  So, here is your chance to do so!  Here are some ideas of what peeps can donate taken directly from the email I received:

An author critique (the details are completely up to you)



A gift basket themed around your book/s


A collection of autographed books


Coffee, Lunch or Drinks with you at RWA National (if attending)






Or perhaps you'd like to join forces with other authors and donate:


A group gift basket


Electronic items (iPads, iPods, Kindles, are always extremely popular)


Group critiques...

Whatever you'd be interested in donating, we'd be thrilled to have.

As always, we're happy to provide more details or answer any questions you might have. Please contact Anna Stewart at Tinkabela776@gmail.com and she'll get back to you ASAP.


For more information about Brenda's auction, here is the direct link from her website:

http://www.brendanovak.com/auction_abouttheauction.shtml 

So...get involved!  It's a simple, fast easy way to "pay it forward..."

Have a great Monday!
Kathleen

SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY POST...

Morning!!  Let's see what Roxanne and Jett are doing in my wip, Dating 911...

“I’ve been thinking,” Jett said close to her ear, interrupting her thoughts.



She glanced into the mirror behind the bar, and met his gaze. Amusement danced within, taunting her. She ground her teeth together. His dark head was next to hers as he leaned in close. Heat radiated off his body in waves. Despite the discord that held every muscle taut, tiny flames of desire licked along her skin.


She forced her jaw to relax, trying to squash the sensations rippling up and down her spine. “Well, don’t strain too hard. You’re libel to burst an artery and herniate your brain.”




That's it for now!  See you next Sunday!  Check out the other Six Sentence authors at http://sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Kathleen

YUMMY FRIDAY POST~MICHAEL BIEHN

Who doesn't remember this?  If you don't, well, I guess I'm a bigger dork than you thought! LOL.  Classic black & white photo from the very first Terminator movie.  Michael Biehn plays Kyle Reese the soldier sent back through time to save Sara Connor...  And when he says, "I came back in time for you, Sara..."  who's heart doesn't melt?

Enjoy your weekend!  Don't forget to stop by Sunday for another Six Sentence post!
Kathleen

LET'S LIGHTEN THINGS UP A BIT....THURSDAY FUNNY!

Found this on YouTube and thought it was hilarious! May you find it educational!

Happy Thursday!
Kathleen 

WRITING UPDATE~

So...how's everyone's writing coming along?  Have the goals you've set for yourself for 2011 coming to fruition?  I'm definitely tackling my "to do" list one item at  a time, but find I'm getting distracted by my next novel.  Most frustrating when I want to work on one wip, and the characters from the next one keep interrupting...

I've never been one of those writers that can split personalities and work on several projects at once.  I'm an A to Z OCD kind of gal...  I admire those that can. 

~I've pushed off the characters for the third book in my Dating series until I get a little further along in Impossible.

~I've been doing well with the Six Sentence Sunday posts...and even have several scheduled ahead.  That has been an extremely fun project to tackle.  I'm so glad I'm participating.  The feedback has been tremendous, so far.

~I've been blogging regularly, and getting hits to my blog.

~My website is under new development by my brilliant sister!

~I'm steadily working through my assigned contest entries...

~And last but not least, I am starting out with a new online critique group.  This last is something I'm very excited about.  Now, I don't have an excuse not to have pages to post...

So!  What about you?  Getting those goals checked off?  If not...you may need to re-evaluate them.  Were they just unrealistic to begin with?  Small goals need to be attainable so that you can achieve them one at a time...

Good Luck and have a great Wednesday!

SMOKING~TIPS FOR GETTING OVER IT ALREADY....

When I was in college, I took a class on substance abuse.  I remember when my instructor told the class that nicotine was more addictive than cocaine!  Interesting little fact.  Don't ya think?  As promised, I am going to list a few things that hopefully will help you kick the habit, because nothing is more important than your health.  And you certainly don't want to end up like my friend above, who appears to be ventilator dependent from smoking one too many cigarettes.

In the hospital setting, anyone who is admitted gets a booklet and instruction on smoking cessation if the patient is a smoker.  It lists different resources for smokers to help them quit.  Whether they decide to take the offered help, or not, is completely up to the patient, but we want them to know the effects upon his overall health and that help is available to him.

These tips are taken directly from the American Heart Association's website:

Step One



• List your reasons to quit and read them several

times a day.  These help reaffirm the why of what you are doing.  Frequent reminders are always a good thing.


• Wrap your cigarette pack with paper and

rubber bands. Each time you smoke, write

down the time of day, how you feel, and how

important that cigarette is to you on a scale of

1 to 5.


• Rewrap the pack.


Step Two


• Keep reading your list of reasons and add to it

if you can.


• Don’t carry matches, and keep your cigarettes

out of easy reach.


• Each day, try to smoke fewer cigarettes,

and try not to smoke the ones that aren’t

most important.


Step Three


• Continue with Step Two. Set a target date

to quit.


• Don’t buy a new pack until you finish the one

you’re smoking.


• Try to stop for 48 hours at one time.


Step Four


• Quit smoking completely. Throw out all

cigarettes and matches. Hide lighters

and ashtrays.


• Stay busy! Go to the movies, exercise, take

long walks, go bike riding.


• Avoid situations and “triggers” you relate

with smoking.


• Find healthy substitutes for smoking.


How do I quit?


What if I go back to old habits?


Take a few minutes to write your questions for the next time you see your healthcare provider. For example:


When will the urges stop?


How can I keep from gaining weight?


Do you have questions or comments for the doctor or nurse?


It’s hard to stay a nonsmoker once you’ve had a

cigarette, so do everything you can to avoid that

“one.” The urge to smoke will pass. The first 2 to

5 minutes will be the toughest. If you do smoke

after quitting:


• This doesn’t mean you’re a smoker again — do

something now to get back on track.


• Do deep breathing exercises when you get the urge to smoke.


Now, there are drugs that your medical provider can prescribe to help curve your craving for nicotine.  There are prescriptions out there that can help you.

Chantix is fairly new, but I know some peeps who have taken it and have had no craving to smoke.

Ah, yes.  Nicotine patches/gum/inhalers...these are great because they can wean you from the amount of nicotine you are consuming.  But be careful not to replace one for the other...

Wellbutrin is also another drug you can take in pill form that is supposed to help curb your appetite for smoking.

I know there are tons of others out there, but for the life of me, as I'm trying to get my tired brain to work, I can't think of anything else.  If you are a former smoker and have had success quitting, please share how you did it for those out there still struggling.   When in doubt, ask your medical provider for help.  That's why we are here.  There are counselor's out there that are certified to help you save your life!

Have a great day!
Kathleen

SORRY...

Hope the angels will forgive me...Life seems to have gotten in the way.  Have an eye doctor appt this morning with two hours worth of testing to be done and eye dialation, which means I won't get the Diabetic Monday post completed for posting today.  Stay tuned next week...

Have a great day!
Kathleen

SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY...

Here's a little taste from my wip, Dating 911...  Meet ER nurse, Roxanne Carter and Fire Fighter, Jett Avery.  Enjoy!

“What are you afraid of?” He wrapped a loose chestnut curl around his finger. “That if you let your hair down, you might enjoy being naughty for once? Don’t you want to loosen up and feel alive? Sounds like you could use a little distraction in your life right now.”



He heard her sharp intake of breath. She tilted her head, swallowing visibly. The heat burning in her deep blue eyes singed him, his gut twisted and his cock hardened.



We will see more from this hot couple in the Sundays to come... but for now, check out my fellow Six Sentence Sunday authors for some great excerpts!  http://sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Have a great Sunday!
Kathleen

YUMMY FRIDAY POST!

I've been on a health and fitness kick since December.  Guess these boys have been drinking their protein shakes!  Tee hee...


Now, if you love breakup songs, here's one for you.  It's called "The Shape I'm In" by Joe Nichols.  The lyrics tell a tale of woe.  I especially like the visual picture I get when he sings, "...freedom caught me on the chin..."

Check it out!

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to stop by on Sunday for the Six Sentence Sunday Post!!

Kathleen

SMOKING~WHY YOU SHOULDN'T!!!

A little drastic...don't ya think?  But this is reality for some people who just can't give up their cancer sticks.  I can't tell you how many times when I receive report on a patient I hear that he/she has a history of smoking.  Then, when I get my patient off the breathing machine, they have trouble oxygenating because they smoke.  When I ask that patient how much he smokes, the answer is always the same, "Not that much.  Only..."

What people fail to realize that when they smoke, the smoking doesn't just affect their lungs. 

Warning!!!  Some of the following pictures are graphic in nature and are not for the weak of stomach.  I wanted to show you stuff that we see in hospitals all the time.  Obviously, I'm anti-smoking.  Have been all of my life, and therefore, have some very strong opinions regarding smoking!   

~Smoking  causes a number of different cancers out there. 

~The combination of nicotine and carbon monoxide in each cigarette you smoke temporarily increases your heart rate and blood pressure, which strains your heart and blood vessels, leading to heart disease and strokes.

~The slowing of your blood flow cuts off oxygen to feet and hands, causing narrowing of the arteries which can lead to amputation of your extremities related to peripheral vascular disease.  See below...

~Here's an interesting fact that I learned:  A 20 cigarette a day smoker breathes in up to a cup full of tar in a year!  EWWWW!  How can you oxygenate your body when your lungs look like this:

~Some smokers say, "I smoke low tar cigarettes".  Like that is supposed to make it ok?  Well, guess what? Low tar cigarettes don't help.  Here's why: smokers usually take deeper puffs and hold the smoke in for longer, dragging the tar deeper into their lung tissue.

~Carbon monoxide robs your muscles, brain and body tissue of oxygen, making your whole body and especially your heart work harder. Over time, your airways swell up and let less air into your lungs.



~Smoking causes disease and is a slow way to die. The strain of smoking effects on the body often causes years of suffering. Emphysema is an illness that slowly rots your lungs. People with emphysema often get bronchitis again and again, and suffer lung and heart failure.  Most people become oxygen dependent.




~Another interesting fact for all you men out there...Lung cancer from smoking is caused by the tar in tobacco smoke. Men who smoke are ten times more likely to die from lung cancer than non-smokers.

~Heart disease and strokes are also more common among smokers than non-smokers.

~Smoking causes fat deposits to narrow and block blood vessels which leads to heart attack.

~Smoking causes around one in five deaths from heart disease.

~In younger people, three out of four deaths from heart disease are due to smoking.

And this is a real shame...you have a choice as to what you do to your own body.  The baby can't make that choice until older.
~Cigarette smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight, prematurity, spontaneous abortion, and perinatal mortality in humans, which has been referred to as the fetal tobacco syndrome.

So, please!  Think twice before you put that next cigarette into your mouth.

Hope I gave you pause...It's one thing to say I'm FOS, but you seriously don't want to end up in an ICU somewhere clinging to life on a ventilator when all you had to do was throw that pack of cigarettes away once and for all.  There are so many ways out there to help you quit, you really don't have any excuse.  Below is a patient who appears to have had a radical neck dissection for oral/neck cancer.  He doesn't happen to be trached, and is currently off a ventilator.  But these are not fun surgeries to have to go through.  Painful to say the least.  You can't talk. And you can't eat.  He is being fed through a small feeding tube placed into his nose that is threaded into his stomach.

You can't say I didn't tell you so! 

Have a great Thursday!
Kathleen

PAYING IT FORWARD ALL YEAR LONG...

Hello all! How's the new year treating everyone so far? The end of one year with all of the holiday fan fair has winded down. This includes all of the food drives. The bell ringers for the Salvation Army are no longer hanging outside of grocery stores. The local radio station's Christmas Wish is dormant until next year...

But I'd like to remind everyone, that people still need help out there. If you'd like to, and have the means during these tight economic times, you can still continue to help others who have fallen on hard times. Here's how....

The Biggest Loser created this challenge to help local food banks all across America.  It is simple.  For every pound of weight that you pledge to lose, they will donate 11 cents to Feeding America.  Kind of cool, huh?  You get to get healthy, and while you do it, you get the good feeling of knowing you're doing something wonderful for the community!  To learn more, go to http://www.pfpchallenge.com/

Now, if you're not into health and fitness, you can always show support for our troops by wearing a red shirt every Friday.  This was started by Country Singer, George Strait.  To find out more details, you can go to this website: http://www.redshirtfridays.org/    It's  a nice way to let others know that you care and are thinking about them.

Donate your time.  Area hospitals, food banks, homeless shelters... all could use your help! If you live in the Phoenix area, here is a list of places to volunteer:

Association of Arizona Food Banks~ their website has all the info you need: http://www.azfoodbanks.org/

Here's a list of homeless shelters in the Phoenix area:

~The Respite Shelter for Homeless Men 602-870-4353
7000 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Recommended Shelter


~Watkins overflow
1120 w watkins
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Recommended Shelter

~Homeward Bound (602) 263-7654
2.13 miles from city center Phoenix
2302 W. Colter
Pheonix, AZ 85015

Homebase Youth Services 602-263-7773
931 East Devonshire Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85014


~Homebase Youth Svc 602-263-7773
931 E Devonshire Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85014

~Greater Phoenix Interfaith Hospitality Network (602) 294-0222
546 E. Osborn Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85012

~Family Promise of Grtr Phoenix 602-294-0222
546 E Osborn Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85012

~House Of Refuge Sunnyslope 602-678-0223
9835 N. 7th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85020


~Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development - Young Adult Program (602) 468-2417
2344 E. Earl Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85016


~YWCA of Maricopa County 602-258-0990
755 East Willetta Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006


~Haven House (602) 258-0990
755 E. Willetta St.
Phoenix, AZ 85006

The above pic is a little bit outdated, but I think you get the idea...local area hospitals are always looking for volunteers, as well.  Back in the day, they were called candy stripers...now we just call them volunteers.  Irregardless of the name, they are invaluable in saving staff time by doing designated tasks.  This frees up the time of the nurses and nursing assistants involved in direct patient care. 

If you don't have any time to volunteer, just give someone out there a helping hand now and again.  Your efforts will not go unnoticed and definitely will be appreciated by all.

Have a GREAT Wednesday!
Kathleen

DIABETES MONDAY~FACT #22~WHERE DO DOCTORS GET THEIR INFORMATION FOR YOU??

Good Morning!  The other day, while in the middle of one of my bedside teaching spiels, my patient asked, "Well, how does the doctor know how to treat my diabetes?  Where does he get his information from?"

I was a little taken aback at first, because doctors spend years in medical school for one, but after I gave the matter some deep thought, the patient was right to ask.  You shouldn't automatically think that every doctor out there knows everything there is to know on any subject.  I mean, diabetes management and research changes all the time.  There are always new medications and gadgets out there to help monitor and control blood sugars. 

So, how do doctors and nurses know what to do?  Well, here is something that you probably don't know.  Your medical team is constantly bombarded with continuing education all the time.  We have certifications and licenses that must be maintained.  If you work in an acute care setting (ie, a hospital), then the hospital has standards of care based on the latest and greatest evidenced based practice that are followed.

There are medical journals such as JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) that showcase research articles on all kinds of practices, medications, technological tools that are available to medical practitioners.

There are organizations for just about every part of the health care team where you can attend meetings, conferences, workshops...gather the CEU's (continuing education credits) needed to maintain and update certifications and licenses. 

Drug companies send drug reps out to hospitals and doctor's offices with first hand information on the products they have to control blood sugars.  Often, inservices are performed for the medical team members so we can learn and ask questions about how stuff works.  We love when they come because they usually bring food--or CHOCOLATE!!  Okay, okay...SSssshhhhh....I know they are supposed to be in the business of controlling blood sugars--not raising them--but we do love it when the drug reps come to spoil us.  Especially if we are in the middle of a stressful shift!

So, all in all, I'd say with all the information out there available for professionals and laymen, I think it is pretty safe to say that you and your diabetes are in great hands!  But always, ask questions!  There is no such thing as a dumb one, and if we don't know the answer, we will definitely find it for you!

Enjoy your Monday!
Kathleen



SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY POST...

 Morning!  Here's a new thing I'm starting in 2011~ I'm participating in the Six Sentence Sunday Blog.  I will have lots of snippets from current wips, but thought I would start with my published novel, The Doctor's Deception available in print and ebook format from Amazon at this link:  http://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Deception-Kathleen-Grieve/dp/1601542879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294560443&sr=1-1  .



Trying to find just six sentences to share was a challenge.  Here's a little background:  Faith Daniels, a Surgical Intensive Care Nurse and heart surgeon Dr. Stone Lassiter have made a deal she makes him look good so he can get his funding for his heart transplant center, and he helps her overcome her test anxiety to pass the MCAT so she can get into med school.  Their relationship has been rocky at best, but it seems they have come to an understanding... What's better than waking up to a hot doctor with a fondu pot of warm, melted chocolate?

She licked her dry lips, his eyes tracked the motion. Leaning in, he let his own tongue trace the path hers had just taken. Warmth spread from deep within her and pooled in her center.

“I think we’re missing a little something,” he said, moving back.

She wanted to protest. To grab him by his shoulders and drag him on top of her. Instead, she watched him pick up a pastry brush that lay next to the warm chocolate. He dipped it in the wonderful confection and poised it over her body.

“Ready for me, Faith?” he asked.




That's all for now...Hope you enjoyed the tease.  Follow the link to check out other Six Sentence Sunday authors...


www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/




Have a great Sunday!


Kathleen

HUMOR ME....

Morning!  While at work last night, something struck my funny bone and I laughed so hard I had tears coming from my eyes.  Laughing in this fashion is always a good thing, except when you've begun a new workout regimen and your abdominal muscles are sore!  But even with the pain, I couldn't stop laughing.  

As I sat down this morning and stared at the blank screen wondering what to blog about,  Chuck Norris popped into my head.  I know~random, huh?  No.  Not really.  Not if you know me and how my brain does random leaps into space from time to time.  

But I digress.... I remember growing up, Chuck Norris was very popular.  My Mom used to watch that show, "Walker, Texas Ranger" every week. 

So, I wondered...when did Chuck become the object of so many jokes and silliness?  If you google Chuck Norris' name, the stuff that comes up is quite entertaining.  He's even mentioned in a respiratory vignette titled "Albuteral vs. The Can of Hairspray"--one of my favorite youtube videos...




Here are a couple of Chuck Norris jokes:
 
1) There used to be a street named after Chuck Norris, but it was changed because nobody crosses Chuck Norris and lives.


2)Chuck Norris doesn't flush the toilet, he scares the sh*t out of it.


3)Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.


4)Chuck Norris made a Happy Meal cry.


5)Chuck Norris doesn't have Twitter, because he's already following you.


It seems...Chuck Norris can do anything....
 

That he has hit hard times...

He has inspired religion....
 

And manufacturers are inspired by Chuck Norris...

My hat goes off to ya, Chuck!  For your longevity and for continuing to entertain us all!

Happy Friday everyone!  Gonna leave you with my sexy pic of the week...

Kathleen    

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON??

It's a busy start for the new year!  I'm currently working on editing one manuscript, writing its sequel, and working on story ideas for the third book in the series.  All of this while working my regular job and sticking to my health and fitness routine which I purposely started before the new year began so it wouldn't be a "New Year's Resolution".

In addition, starting this Sunday, I will be participating (religiously, I hope) in the Six Sentence Sunday blog.  Yeah!  I'm really excited about that one.  It was a challenge for me to come up with the first post because just choosing six sentences that grab a reader's attention without adding all the other filler stuff in was difficult.  Hopefully, it will become easier in time.

My brilliant sister, Rebecca, is currently re-designing my website.  It will be loaded somehow (I'm not really techy, so the rest escapes me) and I should be able to load content onto it without difficulty.  I have my doubts about this...but it will definitely be a work in progress...

I'm judging a writing contest, so those entries should be arriving via email soon. 

As a registered nurse, it is time to get my license and recertifications renewed this year.  ACLS~ my advanced cardiac life support and BLS~ basic life support certs expire this year.  I also am required to add a new one, too.  PALS~ pediatric advanced life support (a two day class) is required now because I help out in the pediatric recovery room.

All, in all...it is going to be a very productive month!  What are you doing this year?  Are you starting off on the right track? Is your "to do" list crammed, like mine?  

My list may be tight, but I find I do much better under pressure.  If deadlines are too far off, I tend to procrastinate, thinking I have all this "time" to get the job done.  

I'm all signed up for my classes, my writing is on schedule, and I'm pleased to be productive!

Happy Thursday!
Kathleen

 

LOTTERY FEVER!!

What would you do with a cash payout of over $224 million dollars?  That is the estimated winnings for the Mega Millions Lottery drawing for tonight.  The total jackpot is up to $330 million dollars--an all time high.  A lot of people are out there buying those lottery tickets right now! 

I admit to buying lottery tickets.  It is something my Mom always did, and my Dad still continues to play.  He has played the same set of numbers for over 30 years!  I think that has a little dedication, to say the least. 

But the big question is:  What would you do if you won?

I guess it would depend on the size of the jackpot, wouldn't it?  I mean, the more cash you win, the more you have to play with, right?  So, here is my fantasy list:

1) Definitely cut back my hours of working! If the jackpot is sizeable to an amount to where I would be able to quit work indefinitely, then sure, I would quit all together.  But that is a huge decision that would have to be made at the time of actually winning.

2) I'd share with my family and I have a few close friends who have gone through difficult times lately who could use just a little help financially.  Again, the amount distributed would depend on the size of my winnings.

3) Since I'd be spending my time writing., I'd hire a professional web designer to create and update my website for me!

4) I need a new car

5) A new house would be nice...

But after that...my list is up in the air.  I have absolutely no idea how I'd spend $224 million dollars.  I'm sure there are ways I'd find to spend the money on, but when I sit down and try and put pen to paper on this, I can't come with anything that I'd really want to need to spend it on.  I don't need an expensive car, or extravagant house, so there would be plenty of money left to do whatever.  I will have to think on it more.  Since I have the luck of Satan...I doubt I will be winning any money--EVER!  Guess that leaves me plenty of time to dream....

Have a GREAT Tuesday, everyone!  And good luck to all those out there chasing that elusive jackpot dream...

Kathleen

DIABETES MONDAY~FACT 21~ THE 411 ON INSULIN PUMPS~

  Seriously?  We have to thank the gods for advanced technology! LOL.  Welcome to the first Diabetes Monday blog of 2011!  Thought I'd talk a little about insulin pumps today since it is a subject that I haven't touched on previously.  The above picture I found on the Internet.  I guess the contraption was one of the first insulin pumps developed in the early 1970's.  Talk about inconvenient!

Now, this is a little more like it!  Wouldn't you agree?  Just hooked to her jeans, it could be an ipod or a cell phone which offers anonymity to those not wishing to advertise to the world they have diabetes. 

Okay, so lets get down to the facts.  Remember that the body requires insulin to carry over sugar into the cell to be used for energy.  Insulin is given by subcutaneous injections as shown below:

There are different types of insulin.  Some are fast acting and others take longer to work.  Those on a regimented program of insulin need to check their blood sugars then give themselves their insulin a couple of times a day depending on what their doctor has prescribed. 

Insulin for normal functions of the body without food and a burst of insulin "on demand" when food is eaten is required for everyone--diabetics and non-diabetics alike. People without diabetes can trust that their pancreas will produce this insulin for them.  If possible, diabetics need to take their prescribed insulin similar to the way their pancreas would make it.  This is where the problem lies.  Insulin administration and blood sugar control is not an easy task.  The roller coaster of up and down blood sugars occurs when people have trouble trying to figure out just how much to eat...how much to exercise...how much insulin do they really need?  Often, insulin reactions will occur resulting in either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.  And if you're on that roller coaster ride, the damage done to your body's cells can be devastating!

With multiple daily injection therapy, it is not always clear how much insulin is being used for when your body is not digesting food,  and how much is being used during food digestion.  With insulin pump therapy, the two are clearly separate.


An insulin pump allows you to set a basal rate, or "background" insulin, to be delivered continuously throughout the day and night for normal body functions. When you eat you then push a button to give an extra dose of insulin, "on demand".   Which I think is pretty cool, especially since it is already connected and no shot of any kind is involved.  I'm such a baby when needles are pointed in my direction...So, any time I hear of a way of saving people an injection, I'm all for it!


When you exercise, you push another button to reduce the basal rate so that your blood sugar does not drop too low.


 Remember, when you are sick or have an infection, you require more sugar in those cells as fuel to fight off the illness.  Your body will increase your blood sugar levels during this time.  The pump can easily adjust for this by allowing you to increase the basal rate so that your blood sugar does not go up too high. You can also increase or decrease your meal bolus based on the foods you choose to eat.


If you take an NPH or Lantus Insulin which are long acting insulins, you should be stuck in a rigid insulin therapy schedule. Long-acting insulin use tells you when you should eat or when you will need more insulin.




An insulin pump uses only short acting insulin, thus loosing up your strict regimen.  Imagine, at the touch of a button, it seems that you can control your blood sugars easier, resulting in the least amount of lifestyle interruptions.  Gotta love that technology!!  There are pros and cons to everything.  As always, check with your doctor to see if an insulin pump might work for you. 

Every once in a while, I like to search around and see who of note has diabetes.  I listed some actors/athletes last time.  This time, my search found Anne Rice, one of my favorite authors. 


Happy Monday to all!
Kathleen