Food for Thought

1. I used to eat a lot of natural foods; until I learned most people die from natural causes.
2. There are two kinds of pedestrians; the quick and the dead.
3. Life is sexually transmitted.
4. Healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
5. The only difference between a rut and a groove is the depth.
6. Health nuts are going to feel stupid one day laying in the hospital dying of nothing.
7. Have you noticed since every one has a digital camera these days no one talks about seeing UFO’s like they used to.
8. When ever I feel blue I start breathing again.
9. All of us could take a lesson from the weather; it pays no attention to criticism.
10. In the 60’s people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
11. How is it one match can start a forest fire and it takes a whole box to light a camp fire?
12. Who was the first person to look at a cow and say “I think I will squeeze these dangly things and drink whatever comes out?”
13. If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares why is there a song about him?
14. Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get undressed if they are going to look up there anyway?
15. If quizzes are quizzical what are tests?
16. If corn oil is make from corn and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
17. Do Illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?
18. Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?
19. Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

(From an email)

Flat wore out

Yesterday I was so tired, I didn't think I would make it through the day. In fact I was in bed early last night and went fast asleep and slept all night. I feel better today, but makes me wonder if it is old age that is creeping up with me and I cant keep up the pace I used to or if there is something wrong with me. I would think that if you never slow down your body would never know anything different. I hate feeling tired all the time. You sure don't get much done when you feel that way.
It has been a long time since I have gotten up in the morning, and felt like I had the world by the tail and I was going to take it on and win. Most mornings lately, I get out of bed and manage to get done just what I have to do. I hate hate hate feeling like that. I really think this feeling has been exaggerated by my breathing problems and lack of oxygen. I don't know, maybe I am just imagining things. I basically feel good, just tired, so I seldom think about it much anymore, I just do what I can. I am hoping that as autumn arrives, some of my P&V will return.

Good morning

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought... UGH.... "I don't like myself today." Well, when you have COPD that may happen quite often to you.
I woke up this morning, looked in the mirror and decided... "I don't like myself today." You may ask "WHY", what does COPD have to do with "not liking yourself?"
Before I was diagnosed with COPD, I weighed in at a comfortable 135 lbs., my height 5'8" (not too bad), now I have gone way beyond that. The worst part is the barrel effect it has on our bodies and the steroids that we have to take.
My clothes do not fit the same way anymore. So you see... some days... "I just don't like myself" hopefully... "tomorrow I will like me again."
I have included an excerpt from an interesting article about COPD explaining about the barrel chest effect for those of you who do not know about it. After the underlined article are some of my restrictions. I have no idea why this is so heavy on my mind lately. Soon I will be back to a my cheerful self.

Typically patients with emphysema will have a very distinct "barrel chest." This is due to the problem with the lungs being in constant state of hyper expansion. The normal negative pressure required for inspiration and the positive pressure required for expiration is lost as the lungs are in a constant state of inflation. Therefore, expiration becomes an active task, increasing the work of breathing. The "barrel chest" is directly related to the ribs as they become fixed in the inspiratory position combined with the loss of elastic recoil of the lungs. Dorsal kyphosis, prominent anterior chest and elevated ribs will contribute to this appearance.

LIVING WITH COPD IS VERY RESTRICTIVE
It means I have to avoid strong odors, smoke, flowers, perfumes, cleaning agents, paints, solvents, vehicle exhaust, shaving lotion, bath powders, incense.
I also have to avoid temperature extremes or wind, crowds, molds, and dusty places because they make me short of breath.
PHYSICALLY:
Living with COPD can mean having difficulty walking up stairs or inclines, not walking very far, being unable to rush or "being rushed", tiring easily--especially if things last too long, being unable to tolerate tight clothing and inability to talk for any length of time.
SOCIALLY:
Living with COPD can mean coughing in public which attracts attention and embarrasses me, having to use or wear devices or equipment, or take medication which invites public comment (oxygen, cold weather masks, inhalers), being concerned (often excessively) about contact with cold or flu germs, having my friends make short, pleasant, smoke-less visits.
EMOTIONALLY:
Living with COPD can mean crying easily, angering easily, becoming frustrated and impatient because I can't do the things I used to do. Feeling resentful when others tell me, "You don't look sick." It can cause me to be panicky and tense, and becoming dependent and demanding because it's frightening when I can't breathe.
COPD AFFECTS MY FAMILY....
By having to adapt to my physical, emotional, social and environmental needs and limitations, often having to leave social functions earlier than they wish because of me or sometimes never getting there and by having to check out all of the details in advance, getting places early and all the while having to remain calm and reassuring at all times on my account.

I don't know .....

if it's in the stars or what.....but this picture describes pretty much how I feel about now. It seems like every time I turn around I'm spending money for necessary things that have to be done.
Last week I had a couple boys here to clear off my river bank. They did a fantastic job. It is so nice to look out and see the river instead of weeds and river birches. Next I had my house cleaned, it is my one luxury I treat myself too, but it costs money. On Sunday my friend mentioned to me that one of my old maple trees has a pretty big limb just hanging about 40 feet from the ground. I had my boys take a look at it to see if I will need to get a tree trimmer in here to cut it out. Now since we had that wonderful rain soon my grass will need cut. The electronic ignitor in my oven quit working and I had to get it repaired. My little fan that I keep in the kitchen went out and I had to replace it during the hottest days of summer.....you know I paid an inflated price for the replacement, but I needed it. It just seems like a bunch of little things....a ripped screen, a broken downspout, a back door that will no longer close properly and lock.....just a bunch of "irritants" and all of them mean money flying out the window.
I hope the fates start feeling sorry for me and gave me a small something to keep my spirits up. Sigh.....win some, lose some.
And how is YOUR summer going? Just remember to keep smilin'.....it keeps people confused and off-guard, if nothing else. LOL

Tuesday with Morgan

A Glass of Water

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience with a raised glass of water. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?'...
She fooled them all ... "How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile.
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. To 20 oz.
She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long I hold it.
If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.
In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."
She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Pick them up tomorrow."

(from an email)