July 31 PM

Since Yahoo email was giving me guff for sending out so many email updates on Denise, I just started up a blog for her instead. Computer geek that I am, I can't believe I didn't think of this first. Make use of the comment feature to contribute your knowledge and encouragement.She's still in critical condition, but steps in the right direction came later in the afternoon.Denise's blood pressure was high enough that they stopped the blood pressure medication. They have to watch her, but we hope that she can maintain adequate blood pressure. They turned her oxygen concentration from 80% this morning down to 65% by the time I left. Hopefully, her body will tolerate that. My understanding is that too rich an oxygen mixture can be bad. On the down side, her platelet count was 18 so they couldn't...

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Denise Update July 31 AM

Greetings!We're sort of in a holding pattern, and they had mesign a consent for a lumbar puncture (spinal tap, asfar as I'm concerned). Denise is still in criticalcondition and most things are stable. We're a littlediscouraged that her blood pressure dropped slightlyand they had to bring her oxygen concentration up from60% to 80% (still better than the 100% she needed).And we're still in the waiting game to find out forsure what the cause of all this is.However, several nurses and friends that have been inmy position encouraged me by stating that sometimesDenise will make 2 or 3 steps ahead (and she DID withthose lungs the other day!) and then she'll pause orgo 1 or 2 steps backward. Looks like that's happeningnow.Since they've allowed people other than family tovisit, she's been flooded with...

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Denise may have turned the corner :O)

Great news! Be edified that all the prayers, support,and well-wishing IS WORKING.Last night (Friday) the doctor told me that "I think wemay have turned the corner." He was encouraged byDenise's progress. This was a glorious contrast to thedoctor telling us Thursday that we would lose Deniseif her lungs didn't start to improve within a day ortwo. The lungs improved overnight! Let me tell you howwell it worked since you've all been pulling for us inthat specific area...Yesterday afternoon, the doctor showed me Denise'schest x-rays. He showed the inflammation/fluid gettingworse (appears cloudy) and worse through the x-rays.Then the image taken Friday morning showed about 2days worth of improvement! Denise used to need a 100%oxygen concentration from the ventilator when on herback, and 80% when...

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Women Health - Control Your Acne With Effective Acne Treatments

Acne is not a problem confined to adolescence; in fact, more than sixty percent of the population is troubled with blackheads and pimples well beyond the teen years. If acne is your problem, cheer up. While there are no acne cures, with reliable acne treatments, including internal and external therapies, you can keep outbreaks controlled, reduce the possibility of scarring, and lessen that greasy, shiny look. It’s time to feel good about yourself again.Causes of AcneAcne has never been completely understood, but hormonal imbalances and heredity are certainly major factors, and breakouts can be aggravated by stress and lifestyle choices. The chief catalyst seems to be overactive sebaceous glands which secrete too much sebum, the lubricant the helps retain moisture and then becomes too much...

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Woman Health - Acne, What Causes It?

Many individuals suffer from acne, not just adolescents. Acne is caused by normally occurring bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. This bacterium gets trapped in plugged skin pores or follicles, especially in the face. In an attempt to escape, the bacterium produce enzymes used to break down the sebum (the excretion produced by sebaceous glands) blocking the escape routes. When the enzymes go to work one of the side effects is inflammation in the area.Light to moderate cases of inflammation show up as pimples and bumps. This type of acne is known as superficial acne. If the inflammation is deeper within the skin and pores, resulting in cysts and nodules, it is called cystic acne.The excess sebum is actually a byproduct of testosterone production in the body. This is why young adolescent boys...

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Women Health - Smoking, Can it Harm My Skin?

Yes it can harm it in several ways. Here are more reasons to quit smoking now.Skin is fed from within. The foods we eat are broken down into nutrients and waste. The nutrients are absorbed by the bloodstream which transports them around the body to the various organs, the largest of which is the skin. Oxygen is also transported and delivered in the same way. The cells absorb the oxygen and this is vital for the health of the organs and the life process itself. This whole process takes place automatically when we breathe........Except when we are breathing in smoke!When we inhale the smoke from a cigarette the carbon monoxide from the smoke is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the blood. Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless highly toxic gas also found in the smoke from car exhausts. The blood...

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Denise NEEDS Oxygenation within 24-48 Hours URGENT

Denise NEEDS for her lungs to improve (lessinflamation & fluid). This MUST happen soon, withinthe next 24-48 hours, or the unthinkable will happen.She's requiring a huge amount of oxygen and can't keepon it because too much oxygen can be toxic. Everythingelse hinges on this. They're doing everything theycan, and Denise is still having trouble breathing onher own efficiently.The doctor stated that if Denise passes away, shewon't feel any pain or know anything. That he saidthis is scary.Be encouraged that your prayers HAVE worked, and weneed more prayer NOW! Today, Denise definitelysqueezed my hand 2 times (weak, but they weresqueezes). Since my last email, I heard that herkidneys were working well. Acidosis is getting better.Urine flow is going well. Her hemodynamics did better(she's more...

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Denise Update Thursday July 28

Sadly, we lost the baby yesterday. When a nurse askedmy dad & I to leave so she could clean Denise, shefound the baby was crowning. The baby was born quicklybut the little guy was only about 6 months along andthey couldn't get his heart & breathing going. TheObGyn said nobody suffered; Denise didn't feel a thingand the baby passed away peacefully. He's in a betterplace than we are now, and quite well taken care of.As bad as this is, I still saw God working in thesituation. My dad & I were going to leave thehospital, and a neighbor happened to be in the lobbyvisiting her husband. The few minutes that we wereunexpectly detained talking allowed us to hear the"code blue to CCU" over the hospital-wide intercom andallowed us to get back up there. Otherwise I would'vebeen most of the...

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Acne Skin Care Tips That Work

How should people go about acne skin care? This article enumerates some basic guidelines to go by. For example, you should clean your skin gently, avoid frequent handling of the skin, avoid sun tanning, and lastly, women should choose their cosmetics carefully and men must shave carefully for good acne skin care. People with acne may try to stop outbreaks and oil production by scrubbing their skin and using strong detergent soaps. However, scrubbing will not help acne skin care; in fact, it can make the problem worse. Most doctors recommend that people with acne gently wash their skin with a mild cleanser for acne skin care, once in the morning and once in the evening. Patients should ask their doctor or another health professional for advice on the best type of cleanser to use for acne...

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Denise in Very Bad Condition

Here's what's changed since Denise went into ICUyesterday. Things are getting worse, and she's in verybad condition.She's been sedated, breathing tube inserted, feedingtube inserted, catheters for measuring blood pressureinserted, lung cam inserted to look around.Lower white cell count and more lung fluid thanyesterday.They're administering Xigris, a new drug that's notbeen tested on pregnant women yet. The focus has gonefrom doing what's best for Denise and the baby tosimply doing what's best for Denise.As more procedures & drugs are administered, thechances of damage to the baby have increased. TheObGyn said we might need to prepare ourselves to havethe baby delivered early, and there would be poorchance of survival for the baby.In the latest phone call, the doctor stated thatthere's...

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Breast Cancer for Beginners

IntroductionBecause of the social changes, which has brought increased number of workingwoman and hence delayed childbearing, there has been a steep rise in the number of breast cancer patients in the last few decades. But as the incidence of the patients has risen so has raised the modality of treatments and the success rates. Also scientists have devised methods by which the cancer can be detected in an early stage and it has been convincingly proved that early detection and treatment bears a better prognosis than the later stage.MythsThere are many myths attached to breast cancer. Some think that any lump in breast is a breast cancer but to the contrary most of them are benign. Similarly it was a popular belief earlier that breast-feeding decreases one’s risk of the cancer but that has...

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Woman Health - Lance Armstrong and Exercise - From Denial to Desire!

Press Conference 1996 – Lance ArmstrongOn Wednesday October 2, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I have been made aware that it has spread to other parts of my body……….I ….. I am…. here is say, I will work with the doctors to overcome……..and I will work hard to race once again. Just DO -- Nike AdSunday July 24, 2005 Lance Armstrong not only beat cancer, but also went out on top after winning seven consecutive Tour De France bicycle races. If you don’t know, the Tour De France bike race is with out a doubt the most grueling endurance race ever. For the most conditioned athletes it is the hardest optical they will ever face. However, for Lance after cancer, the race seems as if it were just a formality of a race already won. No one will ever know what truly drives a human being to overcome...

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Your Risk of Cancer Can Increase With Weight Gain!

We hear it all the time…lose weight for your health. Few people however, realize the extent to which this is critical to their physical well-being and ultimately their life expectancy.In January 2003, the Journal of the American Medical Association featured a study finding that obesity appears to lessen life expectancy, especially among young adults. The researchers compared Body-Mass Index (BMI) to longevity and found a correlation between premature death and higher BMIs. For example, a 20-year-old white male, 5’10” weighing 288 pounds with a BMI of greater than 40 was estimated to lose 13 years of his life as a result of obesity.Jamie McManus, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. and author of “Your Personal Guide to Wellness” notes that while this study referenced extreme levels of obesity, there are still...

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Denise Moved to ICU

Just a fast update (and some of you are newly added tothe list and may not have known what was going on).Denise was moved to ICU at noon today.Her breathing is becoming very inefficient (they areconsidering putting in a breathing tube, which wouldmean sedation and lack of ability to speak).The meds for the Rocky Mountain spotted fever don'tseem to be working well. So a new antibiotic will bestarted that is risky during pregnancy. Doxycyclinecan cause bone problems. However, the doctor said thatDenise is far enough along (over 25 weeks) that thismay not be much of an issue. This is the firstantibiotic that would be used for this disease, butthey were holding off because of the pregnancy.Her fevers are still a concern.And they found an oddball fungal presence in one ofthe blood cultures. Since...

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Woman Health - Exercise, Good Food and the Defeat of Cancer

POWER, STRENGTH AND WILL – How one women over came cancer with exercise and good eating habits!To this day she is the strongest and most optimistic women I have ever known. However ten years ago, colon cancer ripped through my mother like a hurricane, only to leave behind stretched emotions and torn up internal parts. It was the first time I had ever seen her in with such uncertainty in her eyes. Ten years later in what seemed as some weird dejavu moment, I revisited my mother in the same hospital, only this time cancer had entered her body by ways of her thyroid. As I sat there by her bed said, Mother could only try her best in explaining to me her version of why cancer? Why her? Why now? In both cases almost two years to the month, after two of the most stressful times in her life she...

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Woman Health - Weight Loss: “It’s not about the NUMBERS, it’s your APPOACH!”

NEWS FLASH – USA TODAY June 27, 2005Obesity up 23% since 1989Healthcare cost for diabetes – DOUBLEDProjected numbers over next five years up to 60 % Today obesity, diabetes and heart disease runs through us at epidemic levels, Why? The answer lies not in thethousands of different kinds of diet, weight loss and workout programs offered, the answer lies in the approach. But, no one wants to talk about that. Do you ever wonder whythat is? Do we not want to know, or could it have something to do with the doctor’s and those in the fitness industry not wanting to explain the best approachto us? Maybe they don’t even know the right way themselves? Deep down we want and needtoo know. Why do I say this? Twenty years of managinghealth clubs and dealing with doctor’s tells me, that if they told you this,...

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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is the problem

Here's some information that we just learned tonight.The good news: They figured out that Denise has RockyMountain spotted fever, not contagious, and no spinaltap will be necessary. Most likely from a trip we tookto Big Bear or Tennessee (less likely due to the timeframe). Antibiotics should take care of the problem.AND Denise is one of only about 800 Americans per yearthat get this... they could set up a pretty exclusiveclub at that rate.The bad news: She will need to stay in the hospitalfor a while because the fever can persist. And thefever is what they are concerned about with the baby.Of course, we're hoping for a short stay with minimaldiscomfort from fever & chills. She feels rotton mostof the time & is having trouble getting quality sleep.Thanks for all the well-wishing and...

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Denise In Hospital

Hello!We'd appreciate your prayers. Denise has been sicksince July 13. On Monday July 18, her ObGyn admittedher to the Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. Denise hashad high fever, chills, weird rash, cough, all on topof being gestationally diabetic. Our baby boy is dueNovember 4th. Fortunately, the baby (a boy, they say)is doing great. But thus far, the doctors haven't beenable to figure out what's wrong with Denise. They'vealready tested all the usual fluids, and all bacterial& viral cultures have come back negative. They'reassigning an infectious disease specialist to her andthere's talk of a spinal tap being the next step. Sowhat we thought would probably clear up with a day ortwo in the hospital is starting to get scary.Thanks to those of you that got early word of this foryour offers...

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Antiperspirants And Breast Cancer

Most underarm antiperspirants contain as the active ingredient, Aluminium Chlorohydrate, as you will probably remember there has been controversy about Aluminium, since the 1950's when it was a popular metal used for making cooking pots, Saucepans and Fry Pans and that it could be one of the contributing factors to Alzheimer's, now we have another problem that could also be related to Aluminium, Breast Cancer.Research shows that one of the leading causes of Breast Cancer could be the use of antiperspirants. The human body has a number of areas, that it uses to purge Toxins from the body, these are, behind the knees, behind the ears, the groin area, and the armpits. The toxins are purged from the body in the form of perspiration and antiperspirant as the name clearly suggests prevents you from...

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Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer women face second only to lung cancer, however it is the most feared cancer or disease for most women. It occurs in about 12% of women who will live to the age of 90. Several well established factors increase the risk of breast cancer and they include family history, nulliparity (not having had children), early menarche (starting menstrual cycles early), advanced age and a personal history of breast cancer. Other risks include exposure to environmental toxins such as tobacco smoke that increase the chance for cancer growth. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society has many activities this month to bring this to the public attention.Early education on self-breast exam and early screening is extremely important in achieving...

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Cancer in Women

Before I get too deep into this subject, let me first identify myself. I was a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in Minnesota ever since the licensing came out, and before that a Certified Counselor in over 40-states and 13-countries). I worked in the field for twenty years, in group counseling, individual counseling; with women at the prisons, in clinics for dual disorders, having a degree in psychology as well, and in child development it helped me as I worked on the children’s ward. I’ve written three books on the subject of alcohol and its effects; on the prevention of it; one on the aftercare of it, and on its origin. I do realize we all have our own beliefs where this disease comes from, and just how it relates to women’s cancer; which might even be a secret from the public, but...

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Categories

1. Pregnancy- Breast Cancer and Pregnancy- Women Health - Pregnant Women Don't Just Stay At Home; Go Shopping !- Exercise for Women Pregnant- Women's Health - 7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy2. Cancer- Breast Cancer and Pregnancy- Breast Cancer is Cureable!- HPV - A Virus That Puts Women At Increased Risk For Cervical Cancer- Cancer - Cervical Smears - Women's Health- Cancer in Women- Breast Cancer Screening- Antiperspirants And Breast Cancer- Woman Health - Exercise, Good Food and the Defeat of Cancer- Your Risk of Cancer Can Increase With Weight Gain!- Breast Cancer for Beginners- Women Health - Smoking, Can it Harm My Skin?- Woman Health - Cancer and Your Pet- Passive Smokers Can Get Breast Cancer- Myths About Skin Cancer - Are You Really Safe?- How One Woman Beat Cancer With Food- Skin...

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5 Myths About Protecting Yourself from Skin Cancer

Sara spends much of her summer near the beach. She lives in a mild climate and is very athletic. She loves to swim, bike and play games outdoors. Sara knows the dangers of the sun and so she opts for tanning salons to get her 'golden glow' while being sure to apply sunscreen every day before heading out.Joseph lives in a cooler, northern climate. The summers can be very humid, but most of the year is mild or even below freezing during the harshest winter months. The beach has never been much of a draw for him and he spends most of his time doing indoor activities or at his job. Joseph doesn't worry about sunscreen and only had one sunburn that he can remember and that was when he was a child.--------------------Which of these examples do you most associate yourself with? Did you know that...

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Skin Cancer - A Reminder

We need to get alerted: skin cancer is the most popular cancer. Every year, more than 1,000,000 skin cancer cases are diagnosed and tens of thousands of skin cancer patients die in the U.S. alone. The number of skin cancer exceeds that of all other cancers combined. Among more than 1 million of skin cancer cases, 100,000 are melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer and there is no cure for it.The skin cancer risk is more serious to the children because they are young and more susceptible, and they expose to more sunlight than adults due to their extensive outdoor activities. Half of the total life time exposure for an individual is received during his childhood. So special care is needed for the children.Usually, skin cancers come years later after the subjects get exposed to too much sunlight....

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How One Woman Beat Cancer With Food

More than 20 years ago, when I was 47-year-old doctoral student in psychology, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Of course, I was devastated. At the time, I had been running for 15 years, and I was the most physically fit person I knew. It was incomprehensible to me that I had cancer.After surgery, further testing determined that the cancer had already spread. Nevertheless, instead of the recommended radiation and chemotherapy, I put my faith in Dr. John McDougall, a physician who was then researching the relationship between a vegan diet (no animal products) and breast cancer. Though I had previously stopped eating red meat, when diagnosed, I was still eating other animal products and my blood tests showed elevated cholesterol levels. So, with the assistance of Dr. McDougall, I eliminated...

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