Denise waking up

I got a smile today!
Things are really flying right now. They reduced and then stopped the sedative yesterday (Avastin). Early this morning, Denise's dad called to say she was opening her eyes. I rushed over to the hospital, and she is slowly coming out of the mother of all hangovers. When I went in the room, she gave a small smile (and then promptly passed out). She's struggling to keep eyes open, trying to speak (impossible with the tracheostomy), move limbs, etc. She's able to follow simple command (stick out your tongue, open your mouth, move your foot, etc.). At one point, a nurse was looking at a wedding picture that's stuck to the wall and asked how old Denise was when she was married. Her mom said "23 or 24," and Denise weakly mouthed "twenty-four" immediately (ding-ding, correct answer!). Overall, she's in a haze, having hard time getting used to all the new tubes & needles. She must feel kind of clueless, like Keanu Reeves was in the Matrix, when he woke up with all those weird hoses (you're probably reading this and saying, "Uh, Phil, when ISN'T Keanu Reeves clueless in a movie?").

They started her on a new antibiotic yesterday called Tygracil. Really new. So new, the pharmacist hadn't heard of it. So new, a Google search only brought up one result just now. There was a blood thinner (Heparin?) started yesterday, then discontinued in prep for removing some fluid from Denise's pelvic region today. It was similar to an amniocentesis, but with a different target (I can't remember the name of the procedure... post a comment if you can think of it, please). They used ultrasound to guide the needle and avoid damaging anything. I don't know if they've started the blood thinner again or not at this time. The hematologist said that the blood is stable. So it ain't great, but at least it hasn't gotten worse. Her protein requirements are through the roof (200 compared to the normal 70). Hopefully, today's fluid draw will shed some light on the fevers, the blood use (her spleen's enlarged due to busting down so much blood), and give the team of doctors a good idea of what to do next. Denise also developed another pneumothorax today (we knew this was a risk as long as she was hooked up to the vent). Doesn't seem to be nearly as big as the first one. The doctor decided to leave the lung tube in from the previous one, so it's coming in pretty handy right now.

Denise's fever has been in the 101 range all day. We were happy to see that, since it had been in the 104 range for a few days. I got some encouraging insight from the neurologist yesterday. I was worried about the high temp causing brain damage. He said that it shouldn't be much of a concern. Apparently, the high temp is one part of the trouble, the other part is dehydration. No problem there. Denise is plenty filled up with fluid. Even at that, the heart is what to be worried about before any neurological problems. He said that when there are heat waves, the biggest risks are the elderly (I already knew that) and alcoholics. The elderly tend to have less of a perceived thirst, so they tend to get very dehydrated. Alcoholics drink plenty and get filled with fluid, but it's not the same as being hydrated with water.

Overall, it's been nice to see Denise waking up. Please bear in mind, though, that she's still sick enough to stay in the critical care section. She's still got quite an infection, blood concerns, and something else going on that they hope to figure out from today's fluid draw.

I'm still obsessing about what to say to Denise about losing the baby. Nobody's going to need to tell her it's happened. I just don't know what to do next. It's very frustrating to not quite be able to read her lips yet (movements are very weak). Her mom was pretty sure that Denise was mouthing the word "baby" shortly before the nurse asked us to leave so they could clean up Denise.

Today's episode of Purpose Driven Life said that "God doesn't waste a pain." Painful experiences are used to enable you to have the compassion & empathy to most effectively minister to others somewhere down the line. I've been aware of this concept for years. It was just kind of comforting in a way to be reminded of this, in the midst of all the pain we're going through now.

On a side note, Denise's skin looks really good. Her face looks like a porcelaine doll's (but more tan... her color's actually pretty good considering what she's been through). It was brought to my attention that the fever was pretty dry for a long time... sort of had the same effect as going to a spa in Palm Springs. And with all the antibiotics, fungicides, and other drugs she's been on, any organisms that even *thought* of turning into pimples ran away, wetting their pants in fear.

Thanks again for all the cards & emails to Denise's room. I've got every single one posted, and we've just got one more wall to cover. Thanks especially for the prayers. I think we're *completely* covered in that respect.

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Women Health - Laser Hair Removal

There are many different techniques to remove unwanted hair. Some of these include waxing, shaving, coils, electrolysis and laser. Although each has its advantages and disadvantages, they all perform the same function. That is removing unwanted hair.

One such technique that has become quite popular these days is laser hair removal. This technique works by using a laser on the hair at a specified wavelength that emits a specialized light. The light from the laser is passed through the skin and is absorbed by the hair follicle. This light actually targets the melanin (colour) in the hair follicle and damages it, thereby causing the hair to fall out. Interestingly, the use of certain laser for removing hair has been approved by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although the technique is popular, there are advantages and disadvantages of using this method.

Advantages of Laser Hair Removal

The laser hair removal process has advantages in that larger areas can be treated. In addition it is also safe enough to be used on all parts of the body such as the face, back, underarm, bikini line, legs and arms. Compared to electrolysis, it is less painful as the laser only causes a slight burning sensation compared to the needle prick feeling of electrolysis. Unlike shaving or waxing, laser hair removal is usually long lasting.

Disadvantages of Laser Hair Removal

One disadvantage for laser hair removal is that not everyone is the perfect candidate for this type of treatment. Those with lighter skin and dark hair have a much higher chance of permanent hair removal than grey, red or blonde hair. In addition, those with dark skin or who are tanned are also not good candidates as the laser may cause damage to their skin due to high pigment levels. The reason being is that dark hair contains a pigment called eumelanin which effectively absorbs more laser energy and therefore results in more effective destruction of the hair follicle. Due to the higher effectiveness of the treatment towards dark haired fair skin patients, it leads to fewer treatment and is therefore less costly. Other the other hand, grey, red and blonde hair contain a pigment called pheomelanin that absorbs less laser energy reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore extra treatment is required for the same effect. So before you sign up for this treatment, make sure you know the principal of this treatment. If you are not an ideal candidate, be prepared for extra treatment charges.

Laser hair removal is expensive due to the multiple treatments required. The reasons is that hair grows in a cycle that ranges from approximately 6 to 12 weeks and this is the amount of time that it takes hair to grow from the base of the follicle to the surface of the skin. As hair grows during these cycles, only a portion of the hair is being treated during this growth period with each laser treatment. Therefore multiple treatments (approximately four to eight depending upon your colour of your hair and skin) are required during this growth period. This is so that each treatment allows total coverage on all hairs during the various growth cycle. This can range from approximately a four to eight week interval. As discussed above, darked hair patients with fair skin require less treatment.

The average cost per treatment ranges from $500 and about four sessions are required. Again, this number will differ depending upon the size of the area treated and the colour of your skin and hair. To get an exact cost, a consultation on pricing is an individual process and it is best to discuss this with the laser center.

Once you have decided to undertake this treatment, make sure it is performed by an experienced laser treatment centre. Due to different state regulations, there has been varying level of compliance with laser hair removal centres and this has resulted in improper treatment by unskilled clinics. Some states require a doctor to perform the treatment, whilst for others; anyone including “unskilled” personnel can perform the treatment. Read the latest news on laser hair removal for more information. These improper unskilled clinic may result in burns (similar to sunburn), lesions, skin discolouration that can last several months, or patchy/patterned regrowth. One rule to remember is that cheaper is not always the best, so find the best laser hair removal centre around.

For more information on laser hair removal please visit Laser Hair News

This article is free to use, distribute and copy as long as the link remains in place.

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Woman Health - A Better Understanding Of Laser Hair Removal In 5 Minutes

Men and women from all walks of life are turning in increasing numbers to laser to remove unwanted hair from their bodies. The most popular areas are faces, backs, legs, armpits and bikini lines. The latest machines allow specialists to remove hair from virtually any part of our bodies, as long as it is fully grown hair and not just peach fuzz. After six months of treatment, we can expect that somewhere between 60 and 95 percent of the treated hair will be gone.

Does laser hair removal work for everybody?

Laser hair removal works best with people who have light-colored skin and dark hair. The latest lasers work with almost all skin types, but generally speaking, people with darker skin and light-colored hair (white, grey or red) are not good candidates for laser.

If laser does not work for you, there are many other techniques you can explore, such as waxing, sugaring or electrolysis.

How does it work?

Hair grows from follicles, which are located underneath the skin. Follicles are dark in color because they contain melanin—the protein that gives color to our hair. Laser generates heat as it goes through the skin and it is attracted by the darker color of melanin. The laser rays generate enough heat to kill the follicles and prevent new hair from growing while not damaging the surrounding skin.

Our hair grows in cycles, which means that only some hairs are growing at any given time while others are dormant. Laser techniques can only target active hair so you usually need several sessions a few months apart to target all the hair in a particular area.

What about laser hair removal costs?

The American Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimates that the average session costs $388. Laser hair removal prices vary according to the area that you want treated. For example, the price of treating your upper lip is significantly lower than treating your legs or your back. Generally speaking, you can expect laser hair removal costs to range somewhere between $200 and $600, depending on the area you are treating and your clinic.

Even though laser hair removal prices can be steep, you should keep in mind that laser techniques are much more comfortable than the alternatives of electrolysis or waxing and that the results will last for years.

What should you look for in a doctor?

There are literally thousands of places offering laser hair removal, but not all of them employ certified technicians. To be on the safe side, it is best to consult with a dermatologist trained in laser hair removal. During your initial consultation, your doctor will first decide whether you are a good candidate for laser hair removal. After that, he or she will explain the procedure, ask for your medical history and give you a number of instructions to prepare for the session.

How can I prepare for my session?

Avoid tanning. Tanned skin increases the chances of skin discoloration. Also avoid waxing or plucking the area to be treated. Instead, shave the area two to three days before your appointment and allow some stubble to grow back. Some doctors might recommend that you apply a cream with lidocaine—a mild anesthetic—an hour before the session begins.

Is it safe?

Laser hair removal is a safe technique. After each session you might experience some redness and mild swelling, but this should quickly go away. It is recommended that you avoid the sun and strenuous exercise for a few days after the treatment. In some rare cases, patients might experience pain and blisters. In extreme cases, permanent scarring or skin discoloration can occur.

Jim Stacey is an editor at the Laser Hair Removal Directory where you can find more information and listings of laser hair removal providers across the United States.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Woman Health - Everything You Wanted To Know About Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is the best available method for hair removal because of the several advantages offered by this method. Laser hair removal method scores over other methods of hair removal for its ease of use, less time-consuming, little or no side effects and a long lasting treatment for removing unwanted hair from the face and the rest of the body.

A scientist who accidentally exposed his arm to 692 diode pumped YAG for a few seconds discovered laser hair removal treatment in late 1970's. The exposure burned off the hair but did not damage the skin. After few weeks, the scientist noticed a bald patch on his arm. Further research and development resulted in the birth of a revolutionary new method to get rid off unwanted hair. Since then, Laser Hair removal has become popular with both men and women of all age.

Advantages of Laser Hair Removal

The relief from the age-old hair removal methods like plucking, waxing, shaving is temporary. In the new hair removal method of electrolysis, each hair is treated separately. This makes the process time consuming and restricted to small areas. The inconvenience faced in the old methods has made the Laser Hair Removal the most popular hair removal technique. Most of the cosmetologists prefer laser hair removal to other methods of hair removal. Here are some advantages of Laser Hair Removal:

1. Ease of Use - Laser treatment uses the principle of light energy absorbed by dark matter such as hair. An experienced laser technician directs and fires a laser beam at the area of hair growth thereby burning off the unwanted hair. Laser hair removal method is not painful like waxing. Users have compared it to a tingling sensation like a small pinch.

2. Less time - Unlike electrolysis that is painful and takes a lot of time, laser hair removal is faster. With laser hair removal process, facial hair can be removed in about 45 minutes. Larger body parts take a longer time.

3. Few side effects - Unlike waxing or hair removing creams, laser hair removal treatment does not cause skin irritation or any other side effects.

4. Long Lasting - Laser hair removal treatment is long lasting than waxing, shaving or hair removal creams which have to be repeated every few weeks.

The wavelength required by laser to achieve efficient treatment is in the range of 670 to 890 nanometers. The treatment includes wearing protective eyewear. Usually, more than a single treatment is required since hair is best removed when it is in the active growth phase.

Find out all you need to know about permanent laser hair removal. Discover latest techniques and ideas for effective hair removal. Subscribe to daily updated blog of news items and articles. Click http://www.laser-hair-removal-permanent.com/

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Mostly Good News, Increasing Blood Concerns

The doctor just said that overall, today is a positive one. The vent mode Denise is on continues to serve her well. She's increasing the number of breaths that she's attempting on top of what the vent is giving her. They're going to wake her to the point of trying to get her to respond to simple physical commands. She won't be coherent enough to understand Einstein's Theory of Relativity or anything like that. Then again, neither she nor I were ever coherent enough for that. The chest x-ray shows mild lung improvement from yesterday to today. She's better able to get rid of the carbon dioxide buildup, as well. Doctor says that since oxygenation is going well, they'll be able to put the breathing issues on the back burner (but continue to watch it).
The gastrostomy tube is being tolerated well. They'll keep adjusting the nutrition they give her.
Uterine exam shows good contraction after birth, and bleeding is about right.
One of the nurses that was gone for a few days came back & noticed that Denise isn't as swollen.
Ultrasound of legs showed no clots. I didn't think to ask about results from abdominal & female organs ultrasounds. I believe that these will point the direction to take (or not) in treating the possibility of SPT (previous post).
The most recent cultures don't show any growth of viruses, bacteria, or fungus that we're not already dealing with. That's good to hear.

So all in all, it was nice to again hear so many things going well (when in critical condition, I think that "going well" means "stable" or "not getting worse").

With all those things being stable, the doctor is focusing more attention on some blood concerns. Denise's hemoglobin count has been drifting lower. It's at 7.5. Doctor said that they usually try to keep it up to at least 10. But since Denise seems to be doing well with the oxygenation, current thinking suggests that hemo can go down to 7 and still be adequate to keep her oxygenated. So the doctors have a puzzle of figuring out what's going on with the blood. I was told that she may be developing antibodies to the blood from other people (so they don't want to give too many transfusions if they can help it). Or there may be bleeding in the gastro-intestional tract (they'll be checking... I think I remember hearing that the steroid could be causing some bleeding here). Could be a bone marrow problem. Could be due to the infection destroying a lot of blood. could be that Denise has developed antibodies against her own blood. I don't like the thought of her having developed an auto-immune problem. But we'll have to wait & see what the hemotologist & other specialists have to say. When you're on this many drips, and when there have been so many procedures done, the side effects can come from just about anywhere and very hard to pinpoint.

About Denise missing mommy, lots of you were reading my mind when emailing the suggestion of having the kids tape record themselves for Denise. I've got the recorder ready to go! Now that I've got my work schedule pretty much nailed down, I'm going to start contacting those of you that have offered to help with the kids, as well as looking around for child care. Since the kids don't have mommy, I'd like them to stay together so they at least have each other. I'm aiming to keep care fairly consistent, and close as possible to home for the coming months. Thanks for the heap of emails! Not only is it nice to post them on the walls for when Denise wakes up, it's been super-edifying to read all the well-wishing & prayers, offers of support, short notes of encouragement, long essays on how Denise has touched your lives... all of it! Keep it up, and keep up those posts to the blog (both encouraging and medically technical). Someone brought up that this will be a great thing for Denise to read some day. Darn tootin'!

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New Vent, High Fever, SPT?

The new ventilator seems to be helping Denise! It has a special mode on it that is enabling Denise to use a 50% oxygen concentration and get 95-97% saturation. For those that would ask, it's a Maquet Servo-i and the respiratory specialists hang around it and admire it like it's a nice new car. They've lowered the Atavan drip so that Denise will be less sedated (still snockered, though) and try something called bilevel ventilation. The machine will give her some air at a normal 10-12 breaths per minute. On top of that, she'll be able add her own breathing (hence the need to lessen the sedation). At least that's the limited understanding I have. If you want to learn more, my aunt found a link for you to look up. Knock yourself out: Bilevel explanation

Fevers have still been brutally high (above 104). Could be due to infection-fighting, could be due to meds... whatever it is, it's scary-high. Though my old Boy Scout manual said that above 103.5 runs the risk of brain damage, current thinking seems to be 105-106. Obviously, we'd like to see the fevers come down and stay down.

There's a puzzle about why the white count is about normal, but the fevers are so high. One of the stones that the doctors have turned over is the possibility of Septic Pelvic Thrombophlebitis (SPT). For our education, here is a bit that I copied from the femalepatient.com about SPT:
Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis (SPT) is a rare condition associated with the postpartum period. Postpartum endometritis may spread throughout the pelvic venous system, including the inferior vena cava. The embolic disease process is more common in the right ovarian vein, whereas left ovarian vein disease with renal vein involvement is less common. Patients often present with pain and fever in the postpartum period. There may be initial clinical improvement with antibiotic therapy, but patients with SPT will continue to "spike" fevers daily, usually in the evening, despite the resolution of pain. Computed tomographic (CT) scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies are best for diagnosis. Care must be taken to rule out ureteral obstruction or urinoma. Patients respond quickly to heparin anticoagulant therapy, and long-term anticoagulation is seldom needed. Most clinicians continue antibiotic therapy along with anticoagulation, although research has failed to show a quicker resolution of the febrile course.
There. Now you know as much or more about it as I do.

Since hearing that Denise will be in the hospital for months, I've been worried about what to do with the kids once school starts. Today I started the ball rolling in figuring out what to do. I'm starting my 12th year at Pasadena Christian School in a few weeks. The school is bending over backward to accommodate my situation, and for that I'm very grateful. We came up with some very workable solutions for the next few months. Not only is PCS a great place to send your kids (shameless plug), but it's also been a great place to work (sucking up). Really, though, I'm blessed to be there. The amount of support I'm receiving from everyone- administration, co-workers, families- is comforting, humbling, and incredible.

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Women Health - Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is an integral part of women’s life; no women can avoid the ultimate consequences. It is one step in a long reproductive degenerative, aging process, which almost begins silently at the age of 40 or so. Declining levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone cause various changes, which eventually lead to menopause.

Menopause symptoms can vary from woman to woman; changing hormone levels can cause a variety of symptoms which may last from a few months to a few years or longer. Some women may feel the worse of it, yet some other may feel very less of it. One of the most noticeable changes that occur during the onset of menopause is visible changes in occurrence of periods. Many women experience less regular periods; some have a lighter menstrual flow than normal; others face a heavier flow and may bleed a lot for many days. Periods may occur less than 3 weeks apart or last more than a week. There may be slight spotting between periods. Women, who have had previous problems with heavy menstrual periods and cramps, will usually find marked relief from these symptoms, when menopause starts.

One more noticeable symptom is the repeated occurrences of “hot flashes”, which is sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of woman’s body. Face and neck become extremely flushed. Flashes can be as mild as a light instant blush or just very severe enough to wake her from a sound sleep (also called night sweats). Most flashes usually last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. The most common visible effects are the occurrences of red blotches all over the body.

Menopause symptoms also include remarkable changes in the genital and bladder behavior. As the estrogen levels change, the genital area can get drier and thinner. The resultant dryness makes sexual intercourse more painful. Vaginal and urinary tract infections are also very common during this time. Other problems can make it hard enough to hold urine long enough to get even to the bathroom. Urine leaks also occur during exercise, sneezing, coughing, laughing, or running. Sexual behavior also undergoes tremendous changes during menopause. Some women find that their feelings about sex change drastically with menopause. Some have marked changes to the vagina, such as dryness, that makes sexual intercourse very painful. Others feel freer and sexier after menopause — relieved that pregnancy is no longer a real worry. Sleep problems are more common during menopause. Some women may find it very hard to sleep at night- they may not fall asleep easily or may wake too early. Once woken from sleep, they may find it very to go to sleep again. Hot flashes may also wake them up very easily.

One of the most common menopause changes is the change in mood. This may cause a marked shift in moods, caused by stress, family changes such as children leaving home, or feeling tired. Depression is how ever not a cause of menopause.

Drastic changes in body characteristics are another symptom of menopause. Some women find that their bodies change around the time of menopause. Women tend to get fattier and skin tends to get thinner too. Memory lapses do occur very frequently. Some women feel acute joint and muscle stiffness during menopause. Regular exercises will help them to over come many of these problems. Menopause is irreversible and is the gift of nature; it needs to be accepted whole heartedly and life style adjusted accordingly to the situation.

Menopause Symptoms

Stein Ove Stien is the author of Natural Health with Natural Health Guides, Articles and Recources.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/


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