Denise speaks, Kids visit

Starting 9 weeks in the hospital, and Denise spoke! I went by to visit Denise after school (it's murder sitting at work after being used to going to the hospital any time). The respiratory therapist (same one that painted Denise's nails) told me they had a surprise for me. So while I was copying numbers off of the machines, they deflated Denise's tracheostomy cuff and I heard Denise talk in a buzzy voice (one or two words at a time, like the kids in the wheelchair from Malcomb in the Middle). I was so shocked that I can't for the life of me remember what she said. But it sure was a welcome sound to hear her voice break into the the click, whir & hiss of the machinery.

I drove home to pick up the kids and drove back to the hospital, and got video of the kids hearing Denise talk for the first time in about 2 months. Gracie snuggled right up to Denise, hoses, wires, tubes and all. Jacob was once again very apprehensive, and at last kissed Denise on the forehead and gave her injections with a toy syringe. I was busy filming, but I think that every nurse, doctor, therapist, orderly, and all the other pajama-wearers that work in the CCU came in for a peek at what was going on. A few people had sweaty eyeballs. A while back, one of the nurses said that after so many weeks of taking care of Denise (and rooting for her), everyone there thinks of Denise as either their sister or their daughter. From what I've seen of the care, Denise is in a pretty good family. Good stuff! A great and welcome contrast to how scared I was last week at the thought of eventually losing Denise to a strain of bacteria for which there was no fix (it's turning out that it was margin of error from the lab & both infections are the same bug, and responding to antibiotic).

Earlier in the day I had gone to the hospital before work and Denise was asleep (not sedated, just "pooped-out-tired" asleep). Her numbers were very nice. Topping it all off, her color was pretty good. So I stayed out of the room so I wouldn't wake her (I have the squeekiest dress shoes in the world). While I was at work, Denise sat at the edge of the bed by herself (physical therapy crew on standby, waiting to dive into action if she fell) and sat in the cardiac chair for roughly two hours. She also had a luxurious shampoo and style (braided ponytail with Denise's super-curly, thick, boingy hair... a miracle!) from one of the nurses whose hobby is hair.

On the technical end, her hemo is at 9.1, they tried her in CPAP vent mode for a while (I believe that lasted about an hour), the infected lungs & blood seem to be responding to the antibiotic. Fever curve is lowering, two days in a row of lower heart & breathing rates with great oxygen saturation. They'll start feeding her a little bit through the gastro tube again. There are still moments that Denise is pale, clammy, and putting numbers on the displays that make me wonder how long this can go on. But that's because she's in critical condition. Some moments today didn't seem that bad for being critical.

Thanks for all the emails & posts offering to help out with Gracie's 4th birthday fiesta. Wow! There are so many emails... I'll start responding in the next day or two. I've got a crew taking photos and collecting party supply catalogs already!

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Still waiting, Good signs, Tears, Party planning

I haven't heard any definite word from the infectious disease doctor about our latest scary situation with the infection (remember a few days ago we were encouraged to hear that the two infections are probably the same organism, and if so, there is medicine available). But there are some things happening that might indicate that Denise is whipping the infection(s). Her ab swelling has gone down a bit and it's softer to the touch, her fevers topped in the 102 range & were frequently hovering around 100. Also, white count lowered to 13. I guess that if it gets TOO low, that means that she's incapable of making the white cells. But lowering to the current range might indicate that fewer white cells are needed to fight infections. The doctor said that they were going to look into the possibility that the PICC line might be problematic as far as infection

Overall, it was a fairly uneventful weekend for Denise; more fine-tuning of her treatments. Her hemoglobin count has been low, so she's been given a couple units of blood. They're going to check to see if she's destroying blood cells (hemolizing... the new word I learned today). Fluid in the lungs has increased, but this is due to the IV feeding & doesn't seem to be a big worry at this point. The lovenox blood thinner has been discontinued (hmm... so when they start it up again, does that mean it'll be dishalted or disstopped or disdesisted or disceased?). She's got cuffs on her lower legs that inflate & deflate to keep blood from pooling & clotting now, and she hates them. She was able to get into a cardiac chair for about 3 hours today (sleeping much of the time). At one point today she was sleeping (not sedated) and had some of the nicest stats I've seens in weeks... fever at 99.8, heart rate 112, respiration rate 23, oxygen saturation 100%, using 40% oxygen concentration. But when I when I had to leave her tonight, she was back to sweating, feeling anxious, and having numbers to prove it. In my visit just before the shift change, she had tears dripping from her eyes (haven't seen this much). She indicated that she was scared & frustrated. I couldn't do anything to cheer her up, and I had to leave. That was tough. Real tough.

Today was my first "full" day back at work with the computer classes (my hours have been greatly reduced so I can be available for Denise & the kids). I was very anxious the whole time... I'd gotten used to being able to be at the hospital any time I needed/wanted to be there. Somehow, the CCU crew managed to get Denise through the day without me. First day for the kids in day care, also. We decided to go with a licensed home day care that one of the neighbors on our block runs. Close to home, and Gracie & Jacob don't have to be split up. Plus they'll get home-cooked Filipino food for lunch sometimes (I'm jealous... her pan de sal is legendary).

I was reading a section in "Where Is God When It Hurts" that addresses the way we treat suffering people. One thing that really stuck out at me over the weekend was a statement made by someone that was terminally ill (I guess we all are... one death per person, no ups, no extras), wherein they said that they hated the feeling of not being needed. We all like to think that we matter somewhere along the line; that if we weren't around, something would go wrong, and we'd be missed. It hit me that I could do better than just telling Denise how much she's sorely missed & how things aren't the same with her away from home. Gracie's birthday is coming up in October, and I got the idea of having Denise plan the party, just like she always does... however this time, she'll plan it from the hospital bed. She decided on a fiesta theme. I'm going to visit some party supply stores and take digital pictures of all the appropriate invitations & decorations. Then I'll show the pics to Denise & have her decide what to get. Actually, I don't have time to do this... anyone want to borrow our camera & take the pictures for me? Any suggestions for good and reasonably priced catered Mexican food?

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Three minute beauty

Three minute beauty
By Kathy Miller-Kramer, from Lifetime magazine

You don't need to spend hours in front of the mirror to look great. Your free time is better spent doing things you love: hanging out with your honey, enjoying a day in the park or catching a great movie. After all, happiness is the most glamorous accessory a woman can have. But you don't want to feel completely exposed when you go out in the world. Here are four looks that can be achieved in three minutes or less, leaving you more time to go out and do your thing!

Look #1: In the pink
Nothing screams health like pink. Take a minute out of your morning rush to dab creamy blush on your cheeks and blend, then apply a pinkish hue on your lids. "A soft pink shadow works on all skin tones and brightens the eyes," says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Martin Pretorius. Finish with a glossy lipstick and people will be convinced you've been getting plenty of beauty sleep, whether or not that's true.

Our favorites for this look?
-Avon Ultra Color Rich Renewable Lipstick in Sheer Lily, $6.50
- M.A.C Cream Color Base in Fantastic Plastic, $14.50
- Cover Girl Triple Mascara in Black Brown, $5.40

Look #2: Drive and shine
It's a snap to look sun-kissed, even when you're on the run. Smooth on tinted moisturizer and apply bronzer where the sun hits you naturally: cheeks, the bridge of your nose, chin and hairline. To look legit, add a touch to your earlobes and collarbone. Swipe on tangerine shadow and lipstick or gloss and get glowing!

Our favorites for this look?
- Stila's Pivitol Sun, $25
- Shiseido Silky Eyeshadow Duo in Fire Sky, $25
- Laura Mercier Lipstick in Apricot Sorbet, $19
- Prestige Aromatherapy Lip Gloss in Skin, $3.25

Look #3: Working girl
To make the transition from work to play, give your daytime face some evening oomph to with a little desk-side tweaking. Emphasize your lips by applying long-lasting lipstick (we like a pearly red), then add just a bit of blush. Fill in brows with powder or pencil, dab on neutral-colored shadow and you're ready to have fun!

Our favorites for this look?
- Max Factor Lipfinity Lustre in Glistening, $12.75
- Prescriptives Mystick Swivel Cheek Color in Woman, $25
- Elizabeth Arden Dual Perfection Brow Shaper and Eyeliner in Sable, $16
- Clinique Quick Eyes in Blue-Grey, $15.50

Look #4: Party girl
Make him wait while you stew over shoes, not what to do about your makeup. Sweep blue shadow across the lower part of your lids, but keep your lips neutral. "You'll get a flash of color when you blink," says New York City-based makeup artist Mel Rau.

Our favorites for this look?
- Clinique Blush Wear in Rosy Blush, $14.50
- Calvin Klein Eyeshadow Duo in Mist Pacific Iridescent, $15
- Anna Sui Eye Color in No. 112, $17
- M.A.C Lipglass in Tittle Tassle, $13

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Laser Hair Removal New York

This information for laser hair removal new york. I hope this usefull for your information about laser hair removal washington dc, laser hair removal new virginia and other city.

We spend a lot of time waxing, cutting, shaving, plucking away hair from unwanted places like legs, upper lip, chin, arms, back, and other such areas, only to find it growing back a short time later.
In New York City, laser hair removal has become a very popular cosmetic procedure for getting rid of unwanted hair. Just try out the safe and economic process of new york city laser hair removal. In this method, a low-energy laser beam is used to remove unwanted hair. I can tell you for sure that unlike routine hair removal practices, this procedure offers long-lasting results. When the laser beam moves across the treatment area, the laser energy passes through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle.

You may have to pay multiple visits to the laser center to achieve that long term desired result. The cost of the treatment varies from person to person and is generally dependent on the size of the area treated as well as complexity of the case. The entire process is relatively pain free but improper treatment can cause lesions, burns and skin discoloration and irritation.

The result is the best if you are light skinned and have dark body hair. It must be kept in mind that lasers must be used very cautiously if you tan or have a darker skin tone. New York city is perhaps the laser hair removal capital of the world. There are a host of centers offering new york city laser hair removal. Not only do you have the best specialists here, but you can also choose what kind of center you want to go to. Taking the decision regarding which center to visit is indeed difficult. For this you should talk to those persons who have undergone new york city laser hair removal. They will be the best to guide you and answer your questions. The internet is also a great resource in helping you to find out as well as decide which laser center in New York city will be the best one for you.

Several places offer new york city laser hair removal. There are even some centers which offer written warranties. If by chance you experience any re-growth of hair in the treated area within the specified guarantee period, you can receive additional laser treatments to the treated area absolutely free of charge. So just walk in to any of these centers and get rid of all your hair from unwanted places.

Laser Hair Removal Discover laser hair removal information Articles and resources for prices, cost, and treatments of laser hair removal in cities like New York, Washington DC, Toronto, and Dallas. Visit this site for the best in laser hair removal! http://www.informationonlaserhairremoval.com/
Click Here To Download "Laser Hair Removal New York" E-Book

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Women's Health - 7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

This is a simple tips for you healthy pregnancy.
It is always important to take whatever steps you can to be healthy, but while you are pregnant it is even more important:
not only do you need to take good care of yourself, you are also profoundly affecting the life of another person - your baby. Here's 7 tips to help you along the way.

1.If you smoke, one of the most important things you can do isto stop smoking:
babies born to mothers who smoke have a lower average birth weight, are more likely to be born prematurely, and are at greater risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome than babies of non-smokers. Sometimes mothers feel having a low birth weight baby could be an advantage as it will make the baby easy to deliver. This is not necessarily the case, as it may lead to an emergency delivery, which can result in all sorts of complications. Even if you are already pregnant, stopping smoking will benefit the baby for the rest of your
pregnancy. It is not only the baby who benefits. You are likely to suffer from less morning sickness, experience fewer
complications and have a more contented baby after the birth.

2. It is also important to pay attention to your diet.
Many women feel they should 'eat for two', but research has shown that women only need an extra 200-300 calories a day while
pregnant, and you may be eating those extra calories anyway. What is important is to ensure that you get the protein,
vitamins and minerals necessary to build another human being. Those extra 200-300 calories should not be squandered on
chocolate or crisps, but should be eaten as fruit, vegetables, etc. It is also important to increase your water intake, which
will help avoid constipation.

3. It is generally a good idea to take a good qualitymultivitamin and mineral supplement too.
There are now ones specially formulated for pregnant women. Ideally these should be started before you become pregnant, so that you are in the best shape possible for the pregnancy, and then continued throughout your pregnancy. An adequate supply of vitamins and
minerals is important right from conception. For example, a deficiency of one of the B vitamins, folic acid, in the first month of pregnancy may lead to the baby being born with a cleft lip, congenital heart disease or spina bifida. Omega-3 fatty acids (obtained by eating oily fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts, spinach and spirulina, or taken as a supplement) are important for the development of the baby's eyes and brain. Omega-3 also reduces the risk of premature birth and post-natal depression.

4. Nobody knows how much alcohol it is safe to consume during pregnancy, so many health experts feel it is better to avoid alcohol entirely for the sake of the baby. This can seem hard on the pregnant woman when everyone else is drinking, but it is important to remember that alcohol is a poison for the growing baby, and no caring mother willingly gives her baby poison.

5. Pregnancy is not a time to sit still. Although adequate rest is vitally important, most experts believe that healthy pregnant
women should be taking 30 minutes of moderate exercise everyday.

6. It is also important to minimise exposure to toxic chemicals while pregnant, so spending a lot of time painting the house and
laying new carpets is not a good idea, especially in the early stages of pregnancy when the baby is particularly vulnerable.

7. Many women find pregnancy stressful, and this can be a particularly good time to turn to safe, non-invasive options
such as Bach flower remedies, homeopathy, kinesiology and other therapies.

Making a new life is something miraculous. Doing the best you can for that new life starts long before you have the baby in
your arms for the first time.


About The Author: Jane Thurnell-Read is an author and researcher on health, allergies and stress. She has written two books for the general public: "Allergy A to Z" and "Health Kinesiology". She also maintains a web site http://www.healthandgoodness.com with tips, inspiration and information for everyone who wants to live a happier, healthier
life.

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Just one strain?

The infectious disease doctor is pretty sure that both of Denise's infections will turn out to be the same organism, and that it will be responsive to the antibiotics (insert sigh of relief here). He showed me the lab results yesterday for the lung & blood infections, and explained (as best as he could to this numb-skull) the tube result ratios, sensitivity, resistance, intermediate responses, and other goodies (microbiologists out there, please forgive my lack of proper jargon). He feels that that the results are close enough for the supposed resistance of the lung infection culture to be within an acceptable margin of error for the lab.
Good: just one kind of organism to deal with, and there are antibiotics.
Bad: infections in the blood & lung are never good; Denise is very sick.

She's had a nasal gastro tube inserted 3 times over the past few days because of all the vomit. She pulled one out all by herself and the other was removed when she was doing better for a while (then they had to put one in again last night). Speaking of pulling things out, she's on her 3rd PICC line.

Denise reached her arms up to give a nurse a hug the other day, and she said that it made everything up to this point worth it. The other day a nurse told me that I could rub lotion on Denise's back & around her bed sore. I like being involved as much as possible, and it makes me feel like I'm doing something to help Denise out. Anyway, in addition to getting more circulation going to heal that bed sore, they also put on some fake skin stuff and put in a ConvaTec Flexi-Seal Fecal Management System (if only they had an online manual that I could link you to). Denise is the first person they're trying it with. Here's a snippet from the web site:
"Flexi-Seal diverts and contains fecal waste, protecting the patient's skin, to help prevent the risk of skin breakdown and infection from fecal matter. Flexi-Seal Fecal Management System contains a soft silicone catheter assembly. The soft catheter is inserted into the rectum and retained using a low pressure retention balloon."
Funny... they told me that balloons weren't allowed in the CCU.

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Blockage, 2 infections... 2/3 good news!

I have news that's not very detailed yet, but 2/3 of it is good. I couldn't wait to fully understand everything before posting. I wanted to let everyone know that some good things happened. Be encouraged, and keep pulling for us!

Good: The blockage seems to have resolved itself (Denise had a bowel movement). There was an ileus, nothing mechanical, perhaps pressure from the ab swelling, some twisting of the intestine... I'm not sure yet.

Good: There are two different types of pseudomonal infections. I'm not sure which specific ones they are, but I hope to find out when I go to the hospital in a few minutes. Anyway, the infection in the blood seems to be responsive to the antibiotics. (Let me hear an "Amen!")

Bad: Unfortunately, the infection in the lung is a resistant pseudomona, and this terrifies me. That said, one of the infectious disease doctors said two things that offered glimmers of hope. Sometimes an antibiotic won't work in the lab, but it will in a person (however it can go the other way, too). Also, there is a "last resort" antibiotic (Polymyxin) that in general is effective against pseudomonas infections. It's not used much because other antibiotics with milder side effects are available. But if they have to use this one, they will.

I should add that yesterday, Denise had a tube inserted down her nose to drain her stomach (parents, try explaining THAT one to your young children!). The nurse thought that Denise was much happier and restful than the previous night (when there was lots of vomiting). Denise's heart rate was much lower (98-117 range mostly), as was her fever (100.x) most of the day yesterday.

I'm off to the hospital now!

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