Two scary things happened lately. One was that I fainted for the first time in my life. I had been sick with what I imagine was a 48 hour bug that included fever for a day and chills, and not a lot of eating or drinking, despite the warnings to drink fluids.
When I finally felt human enough to get up from bed, I promptly dropped to the floor. When I awakened, I looked up at the mountain that my bed had become, struggled to my knees, and climbed Everest to my pillows.
It was so disconcerting to my family that I was rushed to emergency care. The young doctor (She looked 12--although these days, everyone looks 12--policemen, firemen, nurses--they all look like my students) said that it could be any number of things. Her exact words were... "well, you know at your age....". Good heavens...I was already sick. Did she really have to add insult to injury? It was annoying enough to cause a rise in my blood pressure.
After some probbing and blood work, it was determined that I was probably (the reason they call medicine a practice) dehydrated. I was admonished to go home and drink (wine sounded like a good idea, though it was not what the doctor had in mind.)
The second incident was when the blood work came back; it indicated that my kidneys were not functioning as well as they should have been. Well, it turns out that some medication that another doctor had put me on was the culprit. That determination came after many expensive tests and numerous appointments with a kidney specialist.
The medicine was causing chronic dehydration, and it was impacting my kidney function. Needless to say, I stopped the medication and became a camel. My water bottle became another appendage.
Until I began to research what kidney disease was all about, I hadn't worried too much about dehydration, but now I know just how dangerous it can be, especially for people "our age", even dangerous enough to cause hospitalization.
Water, though not exactly the fountain of youth, is at least the “fount of life” and the most critical substance in the human body. Every organ, tissue and cell needs water to function. It transports nutrients, promotes digestion, and carries away waste. Controlling body temperature and ensuring proper blood volume, water keeps skin, mouth, nose and eyes moist.
Preventing thirst is crucial, particularly for those over 60, as it suggests that the optimum level of water in our bodies (50-75% of weight) is already compromised. Seniors are at particular risk because as aging occurs, the amount of water in the body is reduced and the ability to recognize thirst signals greatly diminished.
If enough water isn’t ingested, the body will drain the body’s organs and tissues. Symptoms are: headache, fatigue, poor circulation, muscle spasms, kidney failure, and increased body temperature and pulse rate. Weakness will escalate, and labored breathing, dizziness, and even delirium can result.
A minimum of 64 ounces per day of water, the no-calorie beverage absorbed faster than any other, is the remedy. Milk, juices, soup, and at least five servings of fruits and vegetables (high water content) are good sources for additional fluid intake.
So drink up! Especially water...just in case you missed all those bolded words.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Help!
I fell down a stair well last week and injured my shoulder, hand and both knees to the extent that I must have surgery. It is a scary proposition--no driving for a month afterwards and as much as five months of difficult physical therapy and recovery.
Family and friends have offered their prayers and their help. It is gratifying and allieviates the fear of handling this alone, but it makes me think of those in life who must handle struggles like this without support and without resources to hire help.
Pride is also an issue. I am very independent and enjoy handling challenges myself, but this one has taught me that sometimes we are at the mercy of our situation, and the kindness of others is truly a gift that we should be gracious to accept with great gratitude.
Sometimes people don't know where to go for help especially for the aged who may have dropped out of activites, stopped going to church and are confined to their homes.
"The National Volunteer Caregiving Network (NVCN) is a membership network of local community volunteer caregiving programs, regional and state collaboratives, and individuals who support the work of volunteer caregiving. Membership is open to any organization or individual who believes they can benefit from the National Volunteer Caregiving Network.
The purpose of the National Network is to promote the sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas that can help to strengthen and support the hundreds of local volunteer caregiving programs that are currently active throughout the United States, and to foster and support the establishment of new interfaith volunteer caregiving programs in all communities that want and need the services that volunteer caregivers can provide. Local volunteer caregiving programs bring volunteers of different faiths together to care for their homebound neighbors who may be isolated and living with chronic health conditions or disabilities.
These volunteers come from churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship, as well as from the community at large, and provide many forms of non-medical assistance, such as:
•Transportation to medical and other appointments
•Help with shopping, reading or bill-paying
•Minor home repairs
•Light housekeeping or meal preparation
•Friendly visiting and telephone support
•Respite care for family caregivers
Such simple services can provide the safety net that makes it possible for those with disabling health conditions or other limitations to enjoy a better quality of life and to maintain their independence. The Faith in Action program initiative began in 1983 with support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and today there are more than 600 local programs operating in communities across the nation. You may search by state to find a program in your area. If there is not a volunteer caregiving program in your area and you are interested in starting one, please contact the National Volunteer Caregiving Network by calling the toll-free number at 304-907-0428 or by email at info@nvcnetwork.org.
General Inquiries: Kelly, Administrative Assistant E-mail: kelly@nvcnetwork.
Executive Director, Rhonda Anderson E-mail: randerson@nvcnetwork.org
Mail: National Volunteer Caregiving Network, 1359 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003
“When family members and health care providers cannot fill the daily needs of a member of the community, the Faith in Action volunteer fills the gaps. Most belief systems include a mandate to help others. Faith in Action connects neighbors in need with those who want to make a difference.”
Family and friends have offered their prayers and their help. It is gratifying and allieviates the fear of handling this alone, but it makes me think of those in life who must handle struggles like this without support and without resources to hire help.
Pride is also an issue. I am very independent and enjoy handling challenges myself, but this one has taught me that sometimes we are at the mercy of our situation, and the kindness of others is truly a gift that we should be gracious to accept with great gratitude.
Sometimes people don't know where to go for help especially for the aged who may have dropped out of activites, stopped going to church and are confined to their homes.
"The National Volunteer Caregiving Network (NVCN) is a membership network of local community volunteer caregiving programs, regional and state collaboratives, and individuals who support the work of volunteer caregiving. Membership is open to any organization or individual who believes they can benefit from the National Volunteer Caregiving Network.
The purpose of the National Network is to promote the sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas that can help to strengthen and support the hundreds of local volunteer caregiving programs that are currently active throughout the United States, and to foster and support the establishment of new interfaith volunteer caregiving programs in all communities that want and need the services that volunteer caregivers can provide. Local volunteer caregiving programs bring volunteers of different faiths together to care for their homebound neighbors who may be isolated and living with chronic health conditions or disabilities.
These volunteers come from churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship, as well as from the community at large, and provide many forms of non-medical assistance, such as:
•Transportation to medical and other appointments
•Help with shopping, reading or bill-paying
•Minor home repairs
•Light housekeeping or meal preparation
•Friendly visiting and telephone support
•Respite care for family caregivers
Such simple services can provide the safety net that makes it possible for those with disabling health conditions or other limitations to enjoy a better quality of life and to maintain their independence. The Faith in Action program initiative began in 1983 with support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and today there are more than 600 local programs operating in communities across the nation. You may search by state to find a program in your area. If there is not a volunteer caregiving program in your area and you are interested in starting one, please contact the National Volunteer Caregiving Network by calling the toll-free number at 304-907-0428 or by email at info@nvcnetwork.org.
General Inquiries: Kelly, Administrative Assistant E-mail: kelly@nvcnetwork.
Executive Director, Rhonda Anderson E-mail: randerson@nvcnetwork.org
Mail: National Volunteer Caregiving Network, 1359 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003
“When family members and health care providers cannot fill the daily needs of a member of the community, the Faith in Action volunteer fills the gaps. Most belief systems include a mandate to help others. Faith in Action connects neighbors in need with those who want to make a difference.”
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Mother's Day is coming
Dear Linda:
My mother raised two children without a husband or family support. She decided not to remarry so we wouldn't have to deal with a stepfather. When we were young, she worked from home so she wouldn't miss any of our activities, and when we went to college, she worked two jobs to pay bills. I didn't understand the extent of her selflessness until I had my own child, and now I know I can never repay her generosity, but I wanted to wish her, and every other single mother who gives so completely, a blessed Mother's Day.
Julia's Grateful Daughter
Dear Julia's Grateful Daughter:
Mothers are extraordinary creatures. They cherish their children and think of little besides their security, contentment and success, put their own desires on hold, and give all that is humanly possible. They sacrifice the bodies of their youth and a simple life of self-centered pursuits.
Regardless of the constant work, exhaustion and worry, mothers still invest every ounce of their energy and emotion into the job of raising their children. The rewards for their self-sacrifice are gray hair, guilt about not doing the job perfectly, being taken for granted, and, ultimately, an empty nest.
Ironically, if asked to do it again, most would do so in a heartbeat-their baby's goodnight kisses, toddler's small hand in theirs, and teenager's laughter and excitement at life's unfolding, all sweet compensation.
Single mothers are particularly amazing-true unsung heroes. Without showing the fear that often darkens their world, they must find the strength, endurance and courage to carry out their awesome responsibility alone and in an environment that is complicated, costly, unsupportive and even hostile.
There is help, however. Read The Single Mother's Book: A Practical Guide to Managing Your Children, Career, Home, Finances and Everything Else by Joan Anderson (Peachtree Publishers) and Going It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom by Michele Howe (Hendrickson Publishers).
Visit www.singlemothers.org, www.parenting.ivillage.com, and www.singleparents.about.com for excellent resources, information and support while accomplishing nobly the most important job of all.
My mother raised two children without a husband or family support. She decided not to remarry so we wouldn't have to deal with a stepfather. When we were young, she worked from home so she wouldn't miss any of our activities, and when we went to college, she worked two jobs to pay bills. I didn't understand the extent of her selflessness until I had my own child, and now I know I can never repay her generosity, but I wanted to wish her, and every other single mother who gives so completely, a blessed Mother's Day.
Julia's Grateful Daughter
Dear Julia's Grateful Daughter:
Mothers are extraordinary creatures. They cherish their children and think of little besides their security, contentment and success, put their own desires on hold, and give all that is humanly possible. They sacrifice the bodies of their youth and a simple life of self-centered pursuits.
Regardless of the constant work, exhaustion and worry, mothers still invest every ounce of their energy and emotion into the job of raising their children. The rewards for their self-sacrifice are gray hair, guilt about not doing the job perfectly, being taken for granted, and, ultimately, an empty nest.
Ironically, if asked to do it again, most would do so in a heartbeat-their baby's goodnight kisses, toddler's small hand in theirs, and teenager's laughter and excitement at life's unfolding, all sweet compensation.
Single mothers are particularly amazing-true unsung heroes. Without showing the fear that often darkens their world, they must find the strength, endurance and courage to carry out their awesome responsibility alone and in an environment that is complicated, costly, unsupportive and even hostile.
There is help, however. Read The Single Mother's Book: A Practical Guide to Managing Your Children, Career, Home, Finances and Everything Else by Joan Anderson (Peachtree Publishers) and Going It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom by Michele Howe (Hendrickson Publishers).
Visit www.singlemothers.org, www.parenting.ivillage.com, and www.singleparents.about.com for excellent resources, information and support while accomplishing nobly the most important job of all.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thank the Lord
It is Easter weekend, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the occasion to be thankful that Christ took on the sins of the world so that we might have a place in heaven in the presence of God.
So what's the problem? Unfortunately, it's how we've distorted the honoring of this incomparable gift. Now, I don't have a problem with also celebrating spring with bunnies and baskets and egg hunts. I loved filling my children's baskets with treats and treasures, and some of my fondest memories were my children chasing around the house searching for plastic eggs filled with chocolates, popcorn and quarters, a tradition, by the way, that they didn't want stopped well into their late teens.
But did you read the coverage of parents gone wild at several egg hunts thoughout the country? It's unbelievable---parents who encouraged their tiny children to kick, push and fight other children to grab as many eggs as possible, and if their kids weren't performing well enough, they jumped into the action themselves to grab all they could. Can you imagine adults battling children over colored eggs?
What is wrong with this generation of parents? Do they not know that their behavior says more to their children than any of their words. And what about their values--take, take, take at any cost and at anybody's expense, or their communication to their children that their security and care are really secondary to the needs and desires of their parents.
Perhaps I made a mistake in putting my children first before everything else, but I thought that was my obligation when I brought them into this difficult world. I modeled the behavior I wanted them to emulate. I instilled the values that I hoped they would act out, and I actively encouraged hard work, perseverance and responsible behavior. Then I prayed that they too would adopt those values and choose rightly when they were on their own.
Young parents must recognize that their every choice is a forever imprint on their children and the legacy they hand down from one generation to another. Jesus loved all the little children. He gathered and cherished them. Let's do the same.
So what's the problem? Unfortunately, it's how we've distorted the honoring of this incomparable gift. Now, I don't have a problem with also celebrating spring with bunnies and baskets and egg hunts. I loved filling my children's baskets with treats and treasures, and some of my fondest memories were my children chasing around the house searching for plastic eggs filled with chocolates, popcorn and quarters, a tradition, by the way, that they didn't want stopped well into their late teens.
But did you read the coverage of parents gone wild at several egg hunts thoughout the country? It's unbelievable---parents who encouraged their tiny children to kick, push and fight other children to grab as many eggs as possible, and if their kids weren't performing well enough, they jumped into the action themselves to grab all they could. Can you imagine adults battling children over colored eggs?
What is wrong with this generation of parents? Do they not know that their behavior says more to their children than any of their words. And what about their values--take, take, take at any cost and at anybody's expense, or their communication to their children that their security and care are really secondary to the needs and desires of their parents.
Perhaps I made a mistake in putting my children first before everything else, but I thought that was my obligation when I brought them into this difficult world. I modeled the behavior I wanted them to emulate. I instilled the values that I hoped they would act out, and I actively encouraged hard work, perseverance and responsible behavior. Then I prayed that they too would adopt those values and choose rightly when they were on their own.
Young parents must recognize that their every choice is a forever imprint on their children and the legacy they hand down from one generation to another. Jesus loved all the little children. He gathered and cherished them. Let's do the same.
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