The heartwarming story of Laurel Ferretti is from The Lyme Letter written by Doctor Jemsek.
Battling the Ravages of Lyme Disease, How Faith Carried Me Through: By http://eepurl.com/cdzloL
The newsletter also has great information on Supplements, questions and answer section, and list of books and videos.
Xx M
Melinda :)
My heart bleeds for a friend suffering from a dark depression. Have you struggled this week? Feeling pain, fear, lonely, unloved? Tomorrow the sun rises, I pray the clouds lift bringing peace to our lives. Xx M
The leaders of the future, our children must have an education to build on. Chime in and please pass around. Let’s help find and fix problem, not set back and see. :) M
“Connecticut State Superior Court Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher threw out the state’s school financing system as unconstitutional, his unsparing 90-page ruling read and resonated like a cry from the heart on the failings of American public education.”
Some excerpts from NYTimes: An F-Minus for America’s Schools From a Fed-Up Judge:
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What is a Caregiver? A person who gives every ounce of themselves to comfort the dying.
PUBLISHED ON February 6, 2006
The caregiver posts were my first attempt at blogging. I needed an outlet to avoid dumping all in husbands lap.
My grandmother passed away in 2005 from Dementia related to Strokes. I’m reposting for caregivers who give freely every ounce to keep loved one comfortable in their last hours. Just one piece of advice if I may, Take time to clear your head, 10 or 30 minutes whatever you can do for yourself each week. I had brain drain after both of their deaths, my body was physically broken down. Due to the nature of the illness, it’s hard to take an eye off 24/7. I was fortunate we had hospice care for Granny. My grandfather was healthy enough to help, crushing to see the emotions as his wife for over 50 years slipped away.
I’m Morning and She’s Still Alive
As the main caregiver for my grandparents my hands are overflowing lately, my mind allows me to run at that level by switching to what I call “caregiver mode”. I can manage information about the drugs they take, schedule appointments, discuss test results, anything needed for the two people I love the most, who are dying and “switch back” when at home.
Before breaking her hip my grandmother knew me, though our conversations were limited I enjoyed sharing memories with her. She really enjoyed a photo book I made with many photos of her beloved dog, Blackie. Thinking about Blackie always made her smile, even though he died twenty years ago, she remembered him like it was yesterday. On the way to their house last week tears were rolling down my face, I could not stop crying. It took a few minutes to figure out what was causing so much pain. My mind had switched from caregiver to granddaughter, realizing my grandmother no longer knew me. The realization was much harder to accept as her granddaughter.We would not share our memories again. I knew the day would come and said prayers often for the memories we shared. I’m in mourning and miss my grandmother so much.
Xx M aka Warrior
Gwen Stefani has my full attention with her latest release, “This is what the truth feels like”. At 48 , after an eight year hiatus, Gwen releases new music, took her three children on tour, wrote/produced show for Nickelodeon, released a line of new fragrances and a voice over in the Trolls movie.
She appeared on The Voice last season as a mentor to help Blake Shelton’s team. During the season they wrote “Go ahead and break my heart” and fell ln love with Blake. Gwen has surprised fans by showing up to sing the song during his concerts. His fans have embraced her and she is now performing one of her songs before singing their duet. I love the cross genre or no genre. Enjoy Xx M
Please give a shout out to Gavin/sedge808, the newest member of Survivors Blog Here. Tunes dedicated to you! Welcome, let’s have some fun!
I was born with music in my ears, dancing to a beat. My baby book says I walked/danced for joy at ten months old. I don’t know if it’s true, it’s who I was. Chronic Lyme drives today, in the future the keys are mine. LET’S DANCE Xx M
For years patients have said the generic Wellbutrin doesn’t work as well as brand name. The FDA finally took action against manufactures of the generics, admitting Clinical Trials were not performed on 300 mg Extended Release tablets. Follow up test found discrepancies in Bioeqivalence. The FDA holds responsibility as well, they are accountable to the public. The FDA requires all companies who manufacture medication to prove medication is safe, effective…equivalent or not for generics. This process can take years. The over looked, the lack of testing on higher mg caused many patients to take ineffective medicine suffering higher levels of depression.
I subscribe to FDA Updates which provide valuable information.There is a section on each update showing who needs the information. When patients are on the list I ask who is contacting the patients? No-one. It’s a reminder you have to participate in your mental health care which includes staying informed. The daily updates can clog the email, I find most weekly updates valuable.
Xx M
I’m a fairly calm :) person when not hypo/hyper or in withdraw. Last night while burning the midnight oil, I tried to refresh page…Message: could not pull anything up try again. That was the start, I’m no longer calm.
I used Reader for reading a few post…..the people I follow are unchecked like I’m not following them. I followed everyone. I head to Survivors Blog Here to find the same has happened.
Today you will receive a notice the contributors of Survivors Blog Here or Looking For The Light Blog are following you,please know we were already.
Did you have WP challenges last night?
Xx M
How about a funny story to start: my oldest dog had problems waking up this morning, I thought he was dead, ok that’s not funny, I was screaming his name….nothing. Finally he wakes, I see his front leg doesn’t work. Thinking about how hard the stairs would be…..I made a potty spot in spare room. This is funny or maybe just laughing at self, I put these huge kotex on the carpet, the sticky really helped. Then I stacked sheets then his vomit towel. Lovely thought, at least he knows it’s his…..I have been trying all morning and he would rather slide down stairs than go on kotex. Isn’t that a man/dog for you. HAHA!
It’s also funny to me that kotex are in the house, Lyme created the need. I had a total hysterectomy at 28 years old. Very glad to say at 53, they got all the cancer. To top it off, since I have trouble remembering due to Lyme, I thought next year I turned 53, not a couple of months ago. Not sure how 53 feels yet.
Let’s celebrate Monday with an old Rolling Stones concert clip when they came thru my town. I can’t decide if Mick sounds worse then or now, or always. I do like many of their tunes. Hug somebody you love today. M
The FDA announced a Black Box Warnings for Opiates and Benzodiazepines medications taken together. BLACK BOX WARNINGS are the highest warning the FDA issues on medication.
I was surprised by the number of each I take daily. Call your doctor for updated prescribing information. Subscribe to the Weekly Digest for up to the minute information.
Please welcome Guest Photographer Gavin Kerslake. I met Gavin several years ago, probably thru a comment on a photo. He is a natural with the camera, his work can memorize or shine light on something missed. I would categorize his work as Industrial Realism, his eye captures the story in what others walk by without a thought.
I’m thrilled Gavin allowed me to share his work with you. I’ve asked Gavin to join us again, eveyone please go to his blog so he will say yes. Here are links where you can find Gavin’s work. I encourage you to look at his expansive collection. The first link is his blog, you will want follow for sure.
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/sedge808/interesting/
http://www.redbubble.com/people/sedge808/
There are special moments in music history, these are in the jukebox in my head. Thank you for following me and stopping by every Thursday for entertainment. Thanks for the great suggestions coming in. Have a great weekend. Xx M
For example, in New York City, where there had been a backlog of 17,000 untested rape kits before eliminated in 2003, city and law enforcement officials enacted a policy and developed a system to test every rape kit. The city’s arrest rate for rape has since jumped from 40% to 70%.”Joyful Heart now provides us with expertise, guidance and a national perspective.
They are helping to find ways to secure the funds needed to test the remaining kits and ensuring that all efforts to end this atrocity, is an important project under the direction of Joyful Heart foundation.
The federal government estimates that hundreds of thousands of rape kits sit untested in police and crime lab storage facilities across the country in what is known as the rape kit backlog.
Discuss with the men in your life. Men have wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and co-workers. Check out the interactive map on endthebacklog.org, you can see the progress for your state and city, look at how many rape kits are left untested.
One out of six men are sexually assaulted, often living traumatized without support, few crimes are reported. The information may surprise you, unfortunately it’s reality. The 1 in 6 organization provides support. I’m currently researching the organization a look forward to sharing how support is provided.
I glanced at an article today which stressed the first year in college is when a crime is likely to happen. Men also have sons, brothers, cousins, neighbors and fathers. Young adults are not aware of the dangers of college life. You can help by finding out what is important to share with your college students, it may not have crossed their mind.
Xx M
Today would be your 76 birthday, there are a few things to say. I don’t know if you were with God in your final hours. I can’t assume you asked for forgiveness, I can’t assume you’re in Heaven.
Granny and Gramps went to their graves not knowing the pain you inflicted on me. Granny would breakdown, I would not cause her such pain.
You told me several times you were going to kill yourself, I didn’t doubt. I chose to keep the information to myself.
Granny was never the same after taking your life.
You called delusional, hallucinationing your phone was tapped. I found the cassettes, listened to every one, it’s sad where the mind can take us.
I have an idea how difficult it must have been living with a delusional mind.
Years soften the memories and pain, time doesn’t mean forgiveness. I choose to move forward building a healthy life. I’ve forgotten those times, their packed away, never to share.
Your son doesn’t have recollections of the worst times, he hardly knew you, you two didn’t spend much time. He knows nothing of my pain, like granny, he will go to his grave knowing none.
I talked with your half-brother Michael last year, he had photos and fond memories of you, the times you shared. Thru him I learned your side of the family suffered from depression for generations back.
Until next year
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 