When we have health concerns and we are overwhelmed, we may need to do something drastic to get ourselves back on track, to de-stress. If we’ve tried all of our normal stress relief measures (listening to music, spending a weekend in a hotel in Vegas, or doing yoga) and have even tried some new ones, we may need to seek the assistance of our regular doctor, or a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or therapist. (For those of us that have a background based on faith we can speak to our clergy person first. Many do have training in counseling.)
Some of us may require medications for anxiety or depression or both. There’s nothing wrong with that. Don’t look at it as a stigma. Look at it as a necessary medical intervention. Sometimes anxiety or depression is reactive. For example we feel nervous or sad because our health has taken a turn for the worse, a loved one has died or we’re dealing with moving to a new place, etc. The medication may be needed just until we get over this area of stress. Sometimes we have a chemical imbalance in our brains that causes anxiety or depression. For this we may need to be on medication for long periods of time or for the rest of our lives.
We have so many health issues to deal with. Don’t leave out your mental health too!
As someone with multiple chronic illnesses I’ve prepared my Living Will, Health Care Surrogate and my Will. I’ve spoken to the people who I would like to help my husband raise our youngest daughter if something happens to me physically or if I die. I have some of my funeral arrangements made. Is this morbid? Not at all. The reality is that I’m sick with many health conditions. They are under control, thank God but something minor can happen and it can cause me great physical harm.
My husband doesn’t like to think about these types of things. When I got us an appointment for an attorney to write up our will, he was angry. I needed to have this done before I had major surgery almost five years ago. I wouldn’t feel comfortable unless I did this.
I don’t have life insurance any longer now that I don’t work a regular job. I know that we need this as our income will drop when I die plus we’ll need childcare. I’m trying to talk my husband into looking into life insurance rates for me. This is another way to feel prepared.
I am always happy to help promote businesses that are run by people who have any type of chronic illness or disABILITY. If you would like your business promoted on my blog please contact me.
Today’s business promotion and review is File-House. This hosting site for images, sound files, websites and blogs is run by a gentleman who know how to do business the old fashioned way. He’ll take your emails and IM messages himself if you have questions or you need help with something. He offers limited domain names as well. His prices are very competitive especially since you’re working with a small company that can give you the assistance and guidance you need.
There’s a lot of free help on File-House too. You can check out the Meta Tag Generator, the Code Viewer, FTP instructions as well as other freebies.
If you are an eBay seller this is the perfect site for you. You can save on eBay fees by hosting your images here so you don’t need to use eBay’s image fees in your listings (except for gallery of course). Plus File-House provides free templates with different options. You must be signed up as a member to make use of these templates but membership is free.
Take a look at File-House for your blog or website hosting needs. You’ll be happy that you did.
I posted a video but little else this morning about Brian Sterner, the man who is a quadripalegic and was abused in a Tampa Prison. Now that I’m feeling a little better I wanted to take the time to write about this utterly disgusting act committed by a Sheriff’s Deputy.
Just to review, Brian Sterner was arrested on January 29th for a traffic violation. He is paralyzed from the waist down and has limited mobility of his arms and hands also. He is able to drive. After being brought into the Orient Jail in Tampa, Florida he was asked to stand up while being booked. When he said that he couldn’t he was dumped out of his wheelchair onto the floor. This was caught on surveillence video and has been seen around the world on TV and on the internet.
Just today Hillsborough County deputy Charlette Marshall-Jones, 44 was charged with abusing a disabled person. Sheriff David Gee apologized to Mr. Sterner personally and has placed Sgt. Gary Hinson, 51, Cpl. Steven Dickey, 45 and Cpl. Decondra Williams, 36 on administrative leave pending an investigation.
I hope that any of the deputies involved will be charged and/or terminated from their positions. I did see a video on one of the local news stations that showed a deputy who saw the incident walk away with a smile on his face. He was not seen in the beginning of the video where this tragedy takes place. He walks very close to the camera and his face is visible.
I’ve read that all bookings of persons with disabilities are going to be viewed to determine if other acts of abuse or neglect have taken place. I’m grateful for Hillsborough Sherrif Gee has acted swiftly in this case. His apology to Mr. Sterner and his speaking out to the media has made somewhat of a dent in the public disgrace that now hangs over the department.
Please let’s make some headway for Mr. Sterner who has suffered from this incident. Post about this on your blog. Share the video. We can make a difference by stating that we will not allow people with disabilities to be treated with such cruelty.
Still not feeling well. I thought it was a migraine but I’m in a flare of probably a little of everything. Hope to post tomorrow. Just gotta keep these posts going for Blog 365.
Migraine so bad that I spent the day in bed. Had to get a post in because I’m part of Blog 365 where I will blog every day for this year. Here is it. I’m going back to bed now.
Since I’ve been sick I’ve always tried to eat a healthy diet. But when you’re fatigued easily it’s difficult to make meals that are nutritious. It’s easier to grab something quick and eat it. Often that means processed foods and foods filled with saturated fat and calories.
What I’ve been trying to do is to make meals earlier in the day when I’m not so tired. I can cook a meal and reheat it for dinner. I also take the time to sit down and cut up all the vegetables I bought for my salads during the week. I wash, peel if necessary, dry them and put them into containers. Then it’s like a mini salad bar. That saves time.
Another time saver is when you are feeling well to make large meals that can be frozen for future ones. This way you’re cooking only one time. Having some fresh fruit on hand is good for snacks. Nuts either without salt or lightly salted and low fat cheese and yogurt can also keep the hungries at bay.
Don’t ever think that a food is totally off limits for a healthy diet. If you’re craving something it’s OK to give in, but only in very small portions. If you feel that you won’t be able to control yourself then it’s a good idea to find a healthier substitute.
When you are chronically ill, not able to do things you did before you were sick, visiting doctors’ offices often and on a lot of medications, then pamper yourself a little if food is what you want. You’re worth it.
Does your health issues get in the way of your love life? Is your chronic pain not allowing you to enjoy a loving relationship with your spouse? Are there concerns about how your body may have changed in appearance due surgery, scars, or other health related reasons?
Being able to talk about your concerns with your spouse is vital to getting back on track. Find a time when you’ll have quiet, no interruptions and privacy. Also make you and your spouse as comfortable as possible. Then talk as openly as you can about what’s bothering you. Communication is the key to a good relationship. So getting past this can help both of you grow together as a couple.
If you’re not sure why your love life is not the same or lacking then it may be time to speak to a therapist. If you do know why and can’t communicate to your spouse it’s time too. There’s nothing wrong in seeking the advice of a professional. You may even want to start with your doctor. I know that often we see many doctors or specialists and it may be difficult to pinpoint which doctor to begin with. I’d suggest your Family Doctor or GP. If that doesn’t go well, a woman can make visit her Gynecologist.
There can be drug interactions that can cause a low libido. You can speak to your pharmacist or read about your medications yourself. But if this problem is more deep seated, meaning that it is more of a personal problem not a health one, a counselor, therapist, psychiatrist or psychologist may the route to take.
There are many reasons for a lack of sex drive but having a chronic illness or multiple conditions can interfere in a couple’s relationship in many different ways. There is always hope though when there is a relationship built on love, trust and commitment. Sometimes taking things slowly like holding each other, kissing, cuddling, etc. for a few days of weeks can help you feel more intimate again.
Botox which has been used for cosmetic reasons to reduce facial wrinkles and injected into underarms to reduce perspiration is now under review by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration).
It has been found to have caused complications and at least one death in children. No, children are not being injected with Botox to look better or younger. Children are being treated for an off label use - spasticity of muscles in children with cerebral palsy. Even if the injection site was the leg muscles the Botox has caused breathing problems. The ingredient Botulinum toxin Type A or Botulinum toxin Type A (found in Myobloc) may somehow travel to the lungs or the muscles of the lungs.
Allergen, the maker of Botox has agreed to this safety precaution by the FDA. Although not approved in the US to treat muscle spasms in cerebral palsy, it is being used a great deal. Allergen spokesperson, Caroline Van Hove stated that the dosage of Botox may be at fault in the treatment of children and that it does not endorse the treatment of Cerebral Palsy in children.
People with Myasthenia Gravis are not able to use this drug due to the side effects stated above. The FDA will be looking into the link of Botox and the complications stated above. Please click on this link to read the FDA’s warning.
