Swine Flu

Here is some information I stole from Love to Breathe blog. (I hope you don't mind) I thought it was a very informative article. Many CFers and transplant recipients need to be cautious of the swine flu because it can effect them differently than the normally population. So please cover you mouth when you cough and wash your hands.

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer

Since it first emerged in April, the global swine flu epidemic has sickened more than 1 million Americans and killed about 500. It's also spread around the world, infecting tens of thousands and killing nearly 2,000.


This summer, the virus has been surprisingly tenacious in the U.S., refusing to fade away as flu viruses usually do. And health officials predict a surge of cases this fall, perhaps very soon as schools reopen.


A White House report from an expert panel suggests that from 30 percent to half the population could catch swine flu during the course of this pandemic and that from 30,000 to 90,000 could die.


So how worried should you be and how do you prepare? The Associated Press has tried to boil down the mass of information into 10 things you should know to be flu-savvy.

1. No cause for panic.
   So far, swine flu isn't much more threatening than regular seasonal flu.
   During the few months of this new flu's existence, hospitalizations and deaths from it seem to be lower than the average seen for seasonal flu, and the virus hasn't dramatically mutated. That's what health officials have observed in the Southern Hemisphere where flu season is now winding down.
   Still, more people are susceptible to swine flu and U.S. health officials are worried because it hung in so firmly here during the summer — a time of year the flu usually goes away.
   
2. Virus tougher on some.
   Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups — children under 2, pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Teens and young adults are also more vulnerable to swine flu.
   Ordinary, seasonal flu hits older people the hardest, but not swine flu. Scientists think older people may have some immunity from exposure years earlier to viruses similar to swine flu.
   
3. Wash your hands often and long.
   Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick. Emphasize to children that they should wash with soap and water long enough to finish singing the alphabet song, "Now I know my ABC's..." Also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
   
4. Get the kids vaccinated.
   These groups should be first in line for swine flu shots, especially if vaccine supplies are limited — people 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women, health care workers.
   Also a priority: Parents and caregivers of infants, people with those high-risk medical conditions previously noted.
5. Get your shots early.
   Millions of swine flu shots should be available by October. If you are in one of the priority groups, try to get your shot as early as possible.
   Check with your doctor or local or state health department about where to do this. Many children should be able to get vaccinated at school. Permission forms will be sent home in advance.
   
6. Immunity takes awhile.
   Even those first in line for shots won't have immunity until around Thanksgiving.
   That's because it's likely to take two shots, given three weeks apart, to provide protection. And it takes a week or two after the last shot for the vaccine to take full effect.
   The regular seasonal flu shot should be widely available in September. People over 50 are urged to be among the first to get that shot.
   
7. Vaccines are being tested.
   Health officials presume the swine flu vaccine is safe and effective, but they're testing it to make sure.
   The federal government has begun studies in eight cities across the country to assess its effectiveness and figure out the best dose. Vaccine makers are doing their own tests as well.
   
8. Help! Surrounded by swine flu.
   If an outbreak of swine flu hits your area before you're vaccinated, be extra cautious.
   Stay away from public gathering places like malls, sports events and churches. Try to keep your distance from people in general. Keep washing those hands and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
   
9. What if you get sick?
   If you have other health problems or are pregnant and develop flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away. You may be prescribed Tamiflu or Relenza. These drugs can reduce the severity of swine flu if taken right after symptoms start.
   If you develop breathing problems (rapid breathing for kids), pain in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising, go to an emergency room.
   Most people, though, should just stay home and rest. Cough into your elbow or shoulder. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks. Fluids and pain relievers like Tylenol can help with achenes and fever. Always check with a doctor before giving children any medicines. Adult cold and flu remedies are not for them.
   
10. No swine flu from barbecue.
    You can't catch swine flu from pork — or poultry either (even though it recently turned up in turkeys in Chile). Swine flu is not spread by handling meat, whether it's raw or cooked.
    Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
    ___
    On the Net:
    CDC swine flu basics: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm

Bactrim

All I can say is I hate bactrim. It makes me feel like crap the entire time I am on it. First it starts with the itching. That last like 2-3 days. Then I get very fatigued. Next hot flashes and headaches. I am blessed with 2 weeks of this. One week down, one to go. It is going to get the best of me. I am very irritable right now so don't mess with me.

I have been watching my nieces this week and they probably think I am such a bitch. I have not let them get away with anything. On top of all the side effects from the Bactrim, I am also not sleeping well. I need 8-10 hours of sleep or I am a bear.

This weekend will be a weekend of rest. Brian is going to camp to do some cement work. Hopefully, it won't pour like they are saying it is going to.

Not too much going on here. I am still waiting for new lungs and trying to stay healthy. The air is much better then it has been. I can actually breathe and not need to run my A/C. I love fall weather in Maine.

What the???

Well, I went to my CF appointment. Shouldn't I be getting sicker if I need a transplant? My lung functions were good for me. Normally as I do PFTs they get worse. Not today. The more I did the better they got. My FVC =62% and FEV1=42%. I continue to boggle my CF docs mind.

So of course I asked, "Should I still be active on the transplant list." His reply "Yes." So then I asked "What if i got my FEV1s into the high 40s?" He said "At that point I might be comfortable letting you go inactive."

Dr. Z made a good comment to me. He said that he has a lot of patients that have worse lung functions then me (that he hasn't even considered for a transplant) but I have scarring in a unique area which worries him. He does not want me to get pneumonia in my lower left lobe because it could be very bad. Plus, I need oxygen with exertion which plays a role of keeping me active on the transplant list.

So where do I go from here? I guess I can work my butt of trying to raise my numbers more or I can do what I have been doing and just wait around for a call for lungs. Oh yeah, he also made another interesting comment. He said "I doubt the call will come anytime soon." I am so confused.

Anyone that knows me knows that I am not a quitter and will work my butt off to see if I can put off the transplant. I also have to put a lot of faith in God that the call for lungs will come when it is meant to be.

I better get back to work.

Weekly update

Not much to update on. I had a great weekend with my family. Friday, I went to Funtown/Splashtown with my mom, my sister and her 2 girls. We had a blast. I went on all the rides. I didn't even need my oxygen until we were walking back to the car. It was 9pm and the humidity was increasing. All the walking and rides, really shook crap up in my lungs. I have been coughing so much I have laryngitis.

Saturday was the perfect beach day so I went to Old Orchard Beach with the same crew. I wish I could spend every day at the beach. It was another awesome day. In the afternoon, we took the girls school shopping. The stores all had A/C and there were no crowds.

Sunday another great day. Everyone but Brian went to my other sister's house. Tonya has a beautiful pool. So we all hung out by the poolside for the day. Brian was up at camp doing some more renovations. I think he plans on going up this weekend as well.

I spent most of this week resting and working. I started my 2 week course of Bactrum. I am on it for 2 weeks and then off it for 2 weeks. I hate it. It makes me itch for the first few days and I can't go in the sun. I don't get a rash or hives but some places itch so bad it burns.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. I know I am at my baseline. I don't expect to learn anything I don't already know. I am going to see if Dr Z can think of anything new we can try to mix up my treatments. I need change. He might say what we are doing is working so let's keep it that way. I still think we are missing something big.

Well, that is it for now. I'll let you know if anything exciting happens at my doctor's appointment.

That time again

It is time to blog again. I am inspired by Ronnie at http://runsickboyrun.blogspot.com/. He does such a great job blogging everyday. My life just is not that exciting to blog every day.

I had a great day on Saturday. I went to a family reunion and saw a lot of family I haven't seen in a while. After that I went to my niece's, Kassie's, softball family get together. She tried to kill me. She asked me ever so nicely to play in the softball game. At first, I said no way but they needed another player so I went for it. Keep in mind I have never played softball in my life and I can run without my oxygen. First time up, I hit the ball and ran to 1st base. Next batter hit the ball, I ran to 2nd. Next batter hit the ball, I ran to 3rd. Next batter hit, I ran home. Huffing and puffing, I has my sister go get my oxygen. Where have my lungs gone?

I had a long post and it got deleted before I could post it. Thing like that really tick me off.

The week I am watching my nieces and working. Last night my niece, Rheana spent the night. We had a her favorite pasta salad for dinner. Then I let her have an ice cream sundae and a s'more. I love spoiling my nieces and nephews. We also had a fire in the chimenea. It was a nice evening.

Tomorrow, I am hoping to see my oldest friend, Andrea. We have been friends since we were 3 1/2. I haven't seen her in a while and miss her.

Friday it is Funtown with my nieces. Funtown is an amusement park that I try to bring my nieces to every year. Soon I'll be able to bring my nephews. Does any one have any experience with amusement parks and riding on the rides with oxygen? I need the oxygen to keep up with the kiddos but I still want to go on he rides. Advice please!!!!

Health wise, I am feeling pretty good. One week off IVs and no major fevers. Fingers crossed I can last the summer without needing IVs again.

Gotta go!

My Evil Head

Here is a picture of my port not accessed. It is still bruised from being placed. You can also see the 2 incisions that were made when they put it in place. You can also see where the needle was inserted. And stop laughing at my tan line!





I promise that will be the last picture of my bare chest that I will post. The good news is you cannot see the port when I wearing clothing and some of my bathing suites even cover it.

Oh and one correction, the evil head is for Mike's Hard Ice Tea not Lemon Aid.

I hope you all had a good laugh today. Keep smiling.

Puppy Pictures

I was just looking at some old pictures and found these of Tucker when he was just a puppy. I think he was the cutest puppy ever. Of course, I am a little bias.

Now don't you think he was adorable?

I had planned on posting some pictures of my port when it is not accessed but my the memory on my camera phone is full and I can't find my digital camera any where. Once I find it then i will post some. Brian and I call it my "Mike's Hard Lemon aid evil second head". Does anyone remember that commercial? Here is the link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWdQnp56cK4. Hey if you can't laugh at yourself...who can you laugh at. I'll post some pictures later.