Ever once in awhile we get lucky and rent one of those surprisingly unforgettable movies, totally unexpected, yet so touching and so well done that you wonder how long before you can enjoy another movie that much. Tonight's movie was filmed in South Australia around Adelaide, and is also a true story, Rabbit-Proof Fence.
While we are on the subject of truly well-done and touching movies, another little-known gem is I Am David. And yes, I cried buckets at the end of both of these!
Today was a beautiful day, got up to 61 degrees!! It's nice to have a break after all the cold. Dinner was homemade pizza.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Stuff...
I had a follow-up appointment today, got a new asthma medicine prescribed. I'll let you know how it is after I pick it up. Next Wednesday I follow up with a cardiologist. I'm feeling fine now.
Dinner was leftover spaghetti and garlic toast made from homemade bread that dad made. For salad, since I didn't have a tomato, dad suggested cutting up some pickled beets and adding some green olives to the lettuce. I also had some feta cheese, which made it extra yummy.
Dinner was leftover spaghetti and garlic toast made from homemade bread that dad made. For salad, since I didn't have a tomato, dad suggested cutting up some pickled beets and adding some green olives to the lettuce. I also had some feta cheese, which made it extra yummy.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Complaint Department
Do you or someone you know have asthma? Was it under control in the past? Has the asthma gotten worse since switching to a new HFA inhaler? You might be interested to know that you are not alone. Please take some time to visit these links and read the stories. If you have asthma and experienced worsening symptoms with a new, CFC free inhaler, please take the time to fill out a petition. This is a matter of life and death for some. We need our "breath of life" back.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/hfa_inhalers.html
https://www.savecfcinhalers.org/
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveCFCinhalers/
ProAir contains Albuterol, just like the old CFC inhalers. So if it contains the same medicine, why are people getting sick? Why can't they breathe? Why can't I breathe when I use it??? One explaination is the propellent. Here's a statement from one of the above websites:
"IN OUR OPINION, patients should use either VENTOLIN HFA or XOPENEX HFA ONLY and AVOID PROAIR HFA and PROVENTIL HFA like the PLAGUE (although NONE of the HFA RESCUE MDIs are as good as the CFC RESCUE MDIs in our opinion).
ALSO, consider buying the hand-held portable 6 oz. (including batteries) top-of-the-line OMRON nebulizer (around $200) which is NOT NEARLY AS FAST-ACTING AS AN INHALER, but at least it eliminates ETHANOL, CORN RESIDUE, HFA-134a, and potentially dangerous HFA MDI IMPURITIES from the formulation- you only inhale albuterol or Xopenex (your choice) and air."
So....there you go. If that helps one person it is worth the effort writing it. My lungs are clear on the "old" CFC Albuterol the hospital gave me. Did ProAir land me in the hospital? I don't know for sure but I do know my asthma grew out of control while using it.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/hfa_inhalers.html
https://www.savecfcinhalers.org/
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveCFCinhalers/
ProAir contains Albuterol, just like the old CFC inhalers. So if it contains the same medicine, why are people getting sick? Why can't they breathe? Why can't I breathe when I use it??? One explaination is the propellent. Here's a statement from one of the above websites:
"IN OUR OPINION, patients should use either VENTOLIN HFA or XOPENEX HFA ONLY and AVOID PROAIR HFA and PROVENTIL HFA like the PLAGUE (although NONE of the HFA RESCUE MDIs are as good as the CFC RESCUE MDIs in our opinion).
ALSO, consider buying the hand-held portable 6 oz. (including batteries) top-of-the-line OMRON nebulizer (around $200) which is NOT NEARLY AS FAST-ACTING AS AN INHALER, but at least it eliminates ETHANOL, CORN RESIDUE, HFA-134a, and potentially dangerous HFA MDI IMPURITIES from the formulation- you only inhale albuterol or Xopenex (your choice) and air."
So....there you go. If that helps one person it is worth the effort writing it. My lungs are clear on the "old" CFC Albuterol the hospital gave me. Did ProAir land me in the hospital? I don't know for sure but I do know my asthma grew out of control while using it.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Long time without posting
I just haven't felt good this month. It seems like my asthma has been getting tighter and tighter ever since I was switched from the Armstrong brand of Albuterol to the ProAir brand of Albuterol. It just does not seem to be working.
The final straw was landing in the hospital for chest pains on the 22nd. I didn't get home until Tuesday the 27th. The hospital drew blood like a vampire. They stuck in an IV, did a chest x-ray and an EKG, put a nitro patch on my chest and admitted me. Then they plugged me into a heart monitor which I wore in a pocket. I was thinking they need to make them smaller and less heavy. Anyway, I did NOT have a heart attack, but they suspected angina. The doctor recommended a stress test, which I agreed to, since the problem seemed to show up with exertion.
The stress test was supposed to happen Friday, but a delay in a delivery of radioactive material for the imaging machines caused the test to be rescheduled for Saturday. The stress test takes quite some time to complete. First they check your legs for blockages or blood clots with ultrasound. Then you lie down in an imaging machine while it takes pictures of your heart at rest for 20 minutes. When that's done they hook you up to an EKG machine and put you on the treadmill. They got me to the "tromping up a steep incline as fast as I could walk" speed which translated into significant pain across my entire upper chest. It was a bit uncomfortable until my heart slowed down and I stopped feeling like I was going to pass out. Then you have to lie in the imaging machine for another 20 minutes while it takes pictures of your heart after the stress.
Because I "flunked" the stress test the doctor recommended an angiogram which showed 30% blockage in two arteries. That's not really enough blockage to cause angina, but that's what I'm getting if I over-exert myself (like shoveling all of that snow we have been getting). I really don't know what's up until I follow up with the doctors.
One thing of note is that respiratory brought the "old" Albuterol for my asthma therapy. One of the nurses asked what asthma spray I was using at home, so I took out my ProAir and showed it to her. I told her it didn't seem to be working. She said everyone has been saying the same thing. She said if it was just me she would question it. If you are wondering about the controversy between the old inhalers and the new, CFC free ones, just google "proair complaints". I filled out a couple petitions while I was there.
Anyway, I am feeling better. I am healing up just fine from the angiogram. I thought it is interesting that the hospital uses Dell OptiPlex computers to run their imaging equipment with APC battery backup. They also have free wireless Internet in all rooms and allow cell phones. I didn't know that so the first time I used my phone I hid under the covers. Ha ha! I learned that is pretty standard now. Dad brought the laptop so I was able to stay in touch and do a little work here and there. The food was decent but it's sure nice to be home!! The cats gave dad a hard time but they elected me "kitty queen" when I came home. I am very sure they will not let me out the door any time soon.
The final straw was landing in the hospital for chest pains on the 22nd. I didn't get home until Tuesday the 27th. The hospital drew blood like a vampire. They stuck in an IV, did a chest x-ray and an EKG, put a nitro patch on my chest and admitted me. Then they plugged me into a heart monitor which I wore in a pocket. I was thinking they need to make them smaller and less heavy. Anyway, I did NOT have a heart attack, but they suspected angina. The doctor recommended a stress test, which I agreed to, since the problem seemed to show up with exertion.
The stress test was supposed to happen Friday, but a delay in a delivery of radioactive material for the imaging machines caused the test to be rescheduled for Saturday. The stress test takes quite some time to complete. First they check your legs for blockages or blood clots with ultrasound. Then you lie down in an imaging machine while it takes pictures of your heart at rest for 20 minutes. When that's done they hook you up to an EKG machine and put you on the treadmill. They got me to the "tromping up a steep incline as fast as I could walk" speed which translated into significant pain across my entire upper chest. It was a bit uncomfortable until my heart slowed down and I stopped feeling like I was going to pass out. Then you have to lie in the imaging machine for another 20 minutes while it takes pictures of your heart after the stress.
Because I "flunked" the stress test the doctor recommended an angiogram which showed 30% blockage in two arteries. That's not really enough blockage to cause angina, but that's what I'm getting if I over-exert myself (like shoveling all of that snow we have been getting). I really don't know what's up until I follow up with the doctors.
One thing of note is that respiratory brought the "old" Albuterol for my asthma therapy. One of the nurses asked what asthma spray I was using at home, so I took out my ProAir and showed it to her. I told her it didn't seem to be working. She said everyone has been saying the same thing. She said if it was just me she would question it. If you are wondering about the controversy between the old inhalers and the new, CFC free ones, just google "proair complaints". I filled out a couple petitions while I was there.
Anyway, I am feeling better. I am healing up just fine from the angiogram. I thought it is interesting that the hospital uses Dell OptiPlex computers to run their imaging equipment with APC battery backup. They also have free wireless Internet in all rooms and allow cell phones. I didn't know that so the first time I used my phone I hid under the covers. Ha ha! I learned that is pretty standard now. Dad brought the laptop so I was able to stay in touch and do a little work here and there. The food was decent but it's sure nice to be home!! The cats gave dad a hard time but they elected me "kitty queen" when I came home. I am very sure they will not let me out the door any time soon.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A new President
Dad and I were moved by Obama's inauguration speech. Dad said, "That was the most powerful speech I can remember." I noticed the Tuskegee Airmen were there! Your Grandpa Balfour always spoke highly of them, and mentioned that they saved his butt more than once under enemy fire when flying in the European Theater during WWII. I think my mom and dad would have been proud today.
In other news it's snowing buckets. We have 10 inches now and more coming down.
In other news it's snowing buckets. We have 10 inches now and more coming down.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding
It's so cold I don't even want to talk about it, but at least it's zero and not 17 below like it was last night. Anyway, we should be able to put on our shorts tomorrow because it's supposed to get all the way up to 28. Dad is SO glad he no longer has to work in it.
Anyway, I wanted to share a recipe with you. Did you ever have milk start to turn but it still wasn't bad? Instead of dumping it down the drain, make pudding with it. Don't have a box of pudding? No problem. Here is my favorite childhood desert.
Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 and 3/4 cups milk
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix the dry ingredients together, sift to break up lumps if needed. Pour milk into a sauce pan. Gently add dry ingredients (they are powdery and have a tendency to go "poof"). Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Pudding will thicken suddenly after a few minutes of cooking. When it coats the back of a spoon it's done. Add the butter and vanilla, blending in well. Pour into single serve bowls, cups, ramekins, whatever. It also tastes good warm. Who needs expensive boxed pudding! It is lighter than boxed pudding, and you can pronounce all the ingredients, so I think it's better for you :-)
Well, now even the weather is looking up. It's now one above.
Anyway, I wanted to share a recipe with you. Did you ever have milk start to turn but it still wasn't bad? Instead of dumping it down the drain, make pudding with it. Don't have a box of pudding? No problem. Here is my favorite childhood desert.
Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 and 3/4 cups milk
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix the dry ingredients together, sift to break up lumps if needed. Pour milk into a sauce pan. Gently add dry ingredients (they are powdery and have a tendency to go "poof"). Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Pudding will thicken suddenly after a few minutes of cooking. When it coats the back of a spoon it's done. Add the butter and vanilla, blending in well. Pour into single serve bowls, cups, ramekins, whatever. It also tastes good warm. Who needs expensive boxed pudding! It is lighter than boxed pudding, and you can pronounce all the ingredients, so I think it's better for you :-)
Well, now even the weather is looking up. It's now one above.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Dad and I stayed home as usual, sipped some Asti.
This is the year we hope to move. A big project. Huge. So much to do and I like to plan everything out. I'm the "fail to plan and you plan to fail" type. Dad just says, "Don't worry about it." So I'm trying not to worry about it.
Now, here's a bit of Scottish heritage I wanted to share with you. "Auld Lang Syne" is an 18th century song written by Robert Burns of Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland in 1788. Your great-great-great grandfather Alexander Balfour was born in the same general area (near Glasgow) only 60 years after the song was written. I didn't know the song was Scottish, but every time I hear it I want to cry. Bagpipes make me cry, too. Here are the words, and below, a modern translation.
AULD LANG SYNE
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !
And surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
Sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gie's a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
For auld lang syne.
CHORUS
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And the translation:
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And days of long ago !
Chorus:
For old long ago, my dear
For old long ago,
We will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago.
We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the daisies fine,
But we have wandered many a weary foot
For old long ago.
We two have paddled (waded) in the stream
From noon until dinner time,
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long ago.
And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take a goodwill draught (of ale)
For old long ago!
And surely you will pay for your pint,
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This is the year we hope to move. A big project. Huge. So much to do and I like to plan everything out. I'm the "fail to plan and you plan to fail" type. Dad just says, "Don't worry about it." So I'm trying not to worry about it.
Now, here's a bit of Scottish heritage I wanted to share with you. "Auld Lang Syne" is an 18th century song written by Robert Burns of Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland in 1788. Your great-great-great grandfather Alexander Balfour was born in the same general area (near Glasgow) only 60 years after the song was written. I didn't know the song was Scottish, but every time I hear it I want to cry. Bagpipes make me cry, too. Here are the words, and below, a modern translation.
AULD LANG SYNE
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !
And surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
Sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gie's a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
For auld lang syne.
CHORUS
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And the translation:
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And days of long ago !
Chorus:
For old long ago, my dear
For old long ago,
We will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago.
We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the daisies fine,
But we have wandered many a weary foot
For old long ago.
We two have paddled (waded) in the stream
From noon until dinner time,
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long ago.
And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take a goodwill draught (of ale)
For old long ago!
And surely you will pay for your pint,
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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