First off, I've had this nasty virus for the past few days. I woke up with a sore throat on Wednesday and it has progressed from there. Not fun! All I've wanted to do is sleep all day - so I have.
The other kind of virus I had a visit from was of the computer sort. If you were on my contact list in my yahoo e-mail account, then I'm sure that you received a lovely "Dear Friend" e-mail from someone posing as me. The people who send out these nasty Malware viruses should be shot on site. It is such a violation of our lives. The sender of the e-mail not only sent out e-mails to everyone on my contact list, but also deleted all of my contacts. So, if you'd like to hear from me, please e-mail me again so I can have your e-mail address back into my contact list. I have also changed my password to help protect it from further invasions and have added further securities to my account.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
L'Shana Tova
To those celebrating Rosh Hashana - Happy New Year! May you all have a very sweet New Year!
October Matches are In
We don't know the exact cut-off yet, but our agency has referrals thru February 15, 2006. The exact cut-off could either be the 15th or the 16th, but more likely the 15th. Again, as usual, this is a 6-day referral month. I think that means only 149 more referral days to go... so short, but yet so long to go...
Friday, September 26, 2008
China's Latest Disaster: Tainted Infant Formula
The problem first showed up in China in infant formula made with contaminated milk.
Nearly 53,000 children in China have been sickened by it or other products contaminated with the chemical melamine. Four babies have died. More than a dozen countries, from Asia to Africa to Europe, have banned or recalled Chinese milk products. The United States, meanwhile, said inspectors would expand testing for Chinese products that may contain high levels of milk or milk proteins.
Authorities in China have arrested 18 people in a nationwide investigation. They include two brothers who face charges of selling contaminated milk; the brothers could face death if convicted, according to China Daily, a state-run newspaper.
The raw milk used to produce powdered baby formula had been watered down, and the chemical melamine was added to fool quality checks, the newspaper said.
In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration said its investigators had not found the Chinese infant formula in question during visits to more than 1,000 stores. They were mainly in cities with large Chinese communities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and New York.
The FDA plans to continue such checks, it said, and "has broadened its domestic and import sampling and testing of milk-derived ingredients and finished food products containing milk, such as candies, desserts, and beverages that could contain these ingredients from Chinese sources."
Melamine is commonly used in coatings and laminates, wood adhesives, fabric coatings, ceiling tiles and flame retardants. Some Chinese dairy plants have added it to milk products to make it seem to have a higher protein level.
Melamine is the same industrial contaminant from China that poisoned and killed thousands of U.S. dogs and cats last year.
Health experts say that ingesting melamine can lead to kidney stones, urinary tract ulcers, and eye and skin irritation. It also robs infants of much-needed nutrition.
Regarding the children in orphanages, this is what I've heard:
A letter was sent out to all the orphanages as soon as the crisis was recognized. Orders were to have all children examined at local hospitals and that the government will cover all costs, including any necessary treatment. All orphanages using identified tainted brands have changed to either fresh milk or to a brand that has been identified as safe. There have been reports of children with kidney stones and have or are in the process of being treated.
I just can't wait for the day when China does something right for once! Like maybe a speed-up in the referral process!!
Nearly 53,000 children in China have been sickened by it or other products contaminated with the chemical melamine. Four babies have died. More than a dozen countries, from Asia to Africa to Europe, have banned or recalled Chinese milk products. The United States, meanwhile, said inspectors would expand testing for Chinese products that may contain high levels of milk or milk proteins.
Authorities in China have arrested 18 people in a nationwide investigation. They include two brothers who face charges of selling contaminated milk; the brothers could face death if convicted, according to China Daily, a state-run newspaper.
The raw milk used to produce powdered baby formula had been watered down, and the chemical melamine was added to fool quality checks, the newspaper said.
In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration said its investigators had not found the Chinese infant formula in question during visits to more than 1,000 stores. They were mainly in cities with large Chinese communities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and New York.
The FDA plans to continue such checks, it said, and "has broadened its domestic and import sampling and testing of milk-derived ingredients and finished food products containing milk, such as candies, desserts, and beverages that could contain these ingredients from Chinese sources."
Melamine is commonly used in coatings and laminates, wood adhesives, fabric coatings, ceiling tiles and flame retardants. Some Chinese dairy plants have added it to milk products to make it seem to have a higher protein level.
Melamine is the same industrial contaminant from China that poisoned and killed thousands of U.S. dogs and cats last year.
Health experts say that ingesting melamine can lead to kidney stones, urinary tract ulcers, and eye and skin irritation. It also robs infants of much-needed nutrition.
Regarding the children in orphanages, this is what I've heard:
A letter was sent out to all the orphanages as soon as the crisis was recognized. Orders were to have all children examined at local hospitals and that the government will cover all costs, including any necessary treatment. All orphanages using identified tainted brands have changed to either fresh milk or to a brand that has been identified as safe. There have been reports of children with kidney stones and have or are in the process of being treated.
I just can't wait for the day when China does something right for once! Like maybe a speed-up in the referral process!!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
My Stitches are Out!
Well, on Tuesday I got my stitches removed along with the steri-strips that were covering my stitches. I was so happy to have those removed. Now I don't have anything on me causing me allergic reactions on my neck. Yeah!!
Being allergic to all adhesives (like band-aids) really bites! This is a newer allergy for me - I only found out about it maybe a few months ago when I was giving blood at the Red Cross and they put a latex-free band-aid on me. When I removed it - voila! A rash just where the adhesive was.
The scar on my neck is pretty small and I think he placed it in one of my creases on my neck, so I think the scar is going to meld in there nicely. I'll have Robert take a picture of my "new and improved" self at some point soon and post it.
Being allergic to all adhesives (like band-aids) really bites! This is a newer allergy for me - I only found out about it maybe a few months ago when I was giving blood at the Red Cross and they put a latex-free band-aid on me. When I removed it - voila! A rash just where the adhesive was.
The scar on my neck is pretty small and I think he placed it in one of my creases on my neck, so I think the scar is going to meld in there nicely. I'll have Robert take a picture of my "new and improved" self at some point soon and post it.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Things are Normalizing
Well, today, I'm feeling a bit better than yesterday (as I'm sure I will be feeling a bit better daily now). My fingers and toes aren't as tingly (a sign of low calcium) as they were and my leg cramp, while still here, is a bit better. My magnesium levels that they took yesterday were all normal, so they're not sure why my body was reacting as it was, they think that probably my body just needs to get used to this new lower calcium level and all will be well. Time will tell.
Hope this doesn't gross you out too much, but here is what my "Frankenstein" neck looks like now. The stitches come out on Tuesday afternoon. I am allergic to all adhesives, so that is why my neck is a bit rashy - I have to keep the stitches area dry for the next 2 weeks and when I cover the area up with this special tape, I break out. NOT FUN!!
Hope this doesn't gross you out too much, but here is what my "Frankenstein" neck looks like now. The stitches come out on Tuesday afternoon. I am allergic to all adhesives, so that is why my neck is a bit rashy - I have to keep the stitches area dry for the next 2 weeks and when I cover the area up with this special tape, I break out. NOT FUN!!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I'm Back!
Well, the surgery is over and done with! I have a one-inch scar on my neck. My neck is swollen and it feels like I have a huge lump in it. My actual pain is pretty minimal, but I feel lots of stretching and pulling in my neck muscles. You also don't realize how much you use your neck muscles until something is actually done to them. I can't drive right now, since I am unable to turn my neck enough for me to drive safely. Right now I'm having some residual side effects from the surgery - my fingers and toes are all "tingly" and I woke up this morning with a serious muscle cramp in my left leg. They are still working on why that's happening. They are going to do another blood test to see if maybe it's my magnesium level?? I'll find that out this afternoon. My calcium and parathyroid hormones are all back to normal, though. So, that at least, is good. I should be fully recovered in a few weeks. Yeah!!
I will be home now just hanging out the next few days, since I can't do anything - no driving, no lifting, no nothing... Can we say "BORED!!"
Also, a big "Thank You" to my mom for taking care of me the past few days. It was such a huge help to have you around - especially for that last-minute run to the hospital last night. I love you!
I will be home now just hanging out the next few days, since I can't do anything - no driving, no lifting, no nothing... Can we say "BORED!!"
Also, a big "Thank You" to my mom for taking care of me the past few days. It was such a huge help to have you around - especially for that last-minute run to the hospital last night. I love you!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Parathyroid Surgery is tomorrow
Well, tomorrow I go under the knife to have my parathyroid gland removed. I'm a bit nervous - just not knowing how I'm going to feel afterwards. During my pre-op appointment, the nurse went over the procedure and told me all the possible things that can go wrong. It's a bit scary.
I will have about a 1 inch scar on my neck. My voice to begin with is going to be very hoarse. I may feel like I have a huge lump in my throat - kind of like having strep throat. I won't be able to turn my neck - so I can't see to drive. They don't want me lifting more than 10 pounds - I probably won't have the strength anyways. My calcium level may drop causing me to get a tingling sensation in my lips, toes, fingers where I will need to take a Tums to bring my level up again.
I have to be at the hospital at 10:45 am. At 11:45 am, I go in for nuclear medicine where they inject me with a radioactive dye. Then, at 1:30 pm, I go in for surgery. The surgery is about 1.5 hours and I'll be in recovery about 1.5 hours. Then, when I'm strong enough to walk again, I can finally go home!
Robert and I went grocery shopping so we at least have food for tonight and tomorrow. My mom is coming in on Tuesday morning to take over for Robert in taking care of me. It's going to be great to have her here helping out.
I will have about a 1 inch scar on my neck. My voice to begin with is going to be very hoarse. I may feel like I have a huge lump in my throat - kind of like having strep throat. I won't be able to turn my neck - so I can't see to drive. They don't want me lifting more than 10 pounds - I probably won't have the strength anyways. My calcium level may drop causing me to get a tingling sensation in my lips, toes, fingers where I will need to take a Tums to bring my level up again.
I have to be at the hospital at 10:45 am. At 11:45 am, I go in for nuclear medicine where they inject me with a radioactive dye. Then, at 1:30 pm, I go in for surgery. The surgery is about 1.5 hours and I'll be in recovery about 1.5 hours. Then, when I'm strong enough to walk again, I can finally go home!
Robert and I went grocery shopping so we at least have food for tonight and tomorrow. My mom is coming in on Tuesday morning to take over for Robert in taking care of me. It's going to be great to have her here helping out.
Happy Moon Festival!
Today marks the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in China. The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the two most important holidays in the Chinese calendar (the other being the Chinese Lunar New Year). Farmers celebrate the end of the summer harvesting season on this date. Traditionally, on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes and pomeloes together. Accompanying the celebration, there are additional cultural or regional customs, such as:
* Eating moon cakes outside under the moon
* Putting pomelo rinds on one's head
* Carrying brightly lit lanterns, lighting lanterns on towers, floating sky lanterns
* Burning incense in reverence to deities including Chang'e
* Planting Mid-Autumn trees
* Collecting dandelion leaves and distributing them evenly among family members
* Fire Dragon Dances
* Eating moon cakes outside under the moon
* Putting pomelo rinds on one's head
* Carrying brightly lit lanterns, lighting lanterns on towers, floating sky lanterns
* Burning incense in reverence to deities including Chang'e
* Planting Mid-Autumn trees
* Collecting dandelion leaves and distributing them evenly among family members
* Fire Dragon Dances
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Referrals Came Out While We Were Away...
Here's the latest happenings while we were away enjoying ourselves in Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park. I'll post about our trip later after we've settled in, done laundry, gone grocery shopping and uploaded photos.
Looks like the CCAA placed children from February 1 - 9, 2006. Getting ever closer, but not quite close enough... Only 155 days worth of LIDs to go...
Looks like the CCAA placed children from February 1 - 9, 2006. Getting ever closer, but not quite close enough... Only 155 days worth of LIDs to go...
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