My week and what you doing this weekend
 

Just to update all on where and what I've been doing.

Derrick and I went to the Governor's Conference for Disabilities Monday through Wednesday it was really a great time. I had some help this time, along with Derrick I had two of my PSV's down there. One was helping me
a lot with my booth. It was so nice. I had seen, after talking to her a
women who is blind with a dog. Trying to walk along and at booth's that
were unattended because the people were in the Keynote area. Which
is allowed, I don't do that because I know people come through the booths
because its quiet and slower, just like she was doing. She was having so
much trouble I decided to help her.
With no one at booths, I hated to leave her and go back to mine. So I decided to just stay with her and guide her through. Well about half way through the booths the regular time for the booths to start there time came.
So my booth had people, I was pulled both ways, but chose to stay were I was. But my Volunteer came just then saw my booth unattended and took over. So it was so neat.
Anyway, we had a great time, I made some great contacts thanks to my volunteer. And saw some old friends.

I have been on the phone the last two days returning phone calls, and taking them. And relaxing, I am technically off.

So my weekend, is taking Derrick to work tomorrow, and then relaxing at home.
And taking and picking Derrick up on Sunday, if he is going. He has a cold that is strong right now. So we will see.

I have mine still but its not as bad.

Also on top of all else on Monday right as I was going to pick Derrick up. I figured out one of the dogs had to glue mouse traps stuck to her paws. So off to the vet we went. She got them off, and it wasn't to bad a price.

Thankfully I think all three dogs now know not to go near those.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

So what are you doing this weekend.

I am probably doing somemore shopping.

My husband works tomorrow. And is probably going to sleep on Sunday.

Its 10 hour days for him 6 days a week.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

My weekend is off to a good start.
I'm going to my elder couple friends' home this morning to help her make "Cowboy Candy", i.e. candied jalapeno peppers, in pretty half-pint jars, for holiday gifts baskets giving ... and preparing dinner for them for this evening. ;)

Wishing you each and all here a fine weekend and enjoyable well-being.

Sixty hours a week is a long daily grind. I'd sleep on my day off too. Does he work that long all year around?

I hope that you have a nice weekend. BF:hug::hug::hug:

No he is not sure how long more he will be up there. And this is only
the second week he has gotten a Saturday. So he is just this week
working the second one.

He is hoping for at least one more, if they should lay off before xmas.

We will see. I'm not sure they are laying off so soon. Just a feeling.

He is also driving at least 1 1/2 hours one way, I can't talk him into staying
more than one, sometimes two nights a week. I am hoping next week
to talk at least two. This week he needed to come home for our dogs.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

Well just learned my husband is going to the area he works in early tomorrow.
He is taking our daughter-in-law up to get her car. She loaned it to her father, this week on Wednesday so he could get back to the Chicago area.

Now I have a nice husband because originally thinking the father was in the hospital up there. He was going to help get him home on Wednesday, but it
had turned out he was at our area instead.

So they will leave real early to get the car. She just has to get up.
And be ready.

I'm pretty sure she will be.

Derrick sounds much better tonight. And was told at work yesterday if
he doesn't feel lots better, not to worry about Sunday.

I think he wont be working on Sunday. His and my choice both.
The lady that used to be his boss.:grouphug::hug: How I love that woman.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

sad times
 

there has been a very sad event in my life. i first got the news when i was profoundly depressed and felt devastated. i quit topamax and my mood seems improved but it does not take the grief away and other feelings... i don't want to be more precise. nutshell: loss and grief.

today, i was also very hard hit by news of the tragic fate of the poor nurse who answered the prank call regarding Princess Kate's wellbeing. my guess is she was already suffering, and that was the last straw for her.

plan for weekend:
try to enjoy whatever moments of laugher with my parents that i can. as tomorrow is a public holiday it's like two sundays and we will all be staying in... and

watching the snow, if it keeps snowing. (today we had the first snow.)

say some prayers for those who have moved on.

that is all.

waves

Waves

Sending you some thoughts and hugs this weekend.

You are loved.

donna:grouphug::hug:

Dear Waves,
I am sorry for you.
Thank you for posting to us.
I had not heard of the nurses suicide...terrible.

It is my hope that you enjoy your family on your holiday, snow and all.
love you
bizi

What a horrible prank that those two DJ's pulled. I didn't know anything about it because I was busy on Thursday,and I missed Fridays news.

I can't put into words my grief about the loss of the nurse,and how sad this is. BF:(:(:(

Dear Donna,
You had a productive three day conference. I hope that you and Derrick to get over your colds. Dogs get into all kinds of strange things. Weird.

Dear Theta,
Your post was the first time I heard of cowboy candy. Your gift making is lovely. and your friends were probably delighted with your dinner.

Dear Steve,
Take care of yourself. :)

Dear Waves,
I am deeply sorry about your sad news. I hope the snow brings some peace to you.

Dear Bizi,
Enjoy your weekend.

M

My wonderful husband was listening this year for my xmas I have gotten a tablet. Its the polaroid one. I am trying to learn how to use it.

But I'm really having a rough time so far.

Its kind of frustrating, but I'm sure once I figure it out it will be easier.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

Polaroid Tablet
 

Dear Donna,

Here are two videos of your new tablet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4HwfyJHQpg
Polaroid 7 inch android 4.0 OS tablet 3.12 minutes


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs6_zfTagvU
2012 Polaroid 7" Android 4.0 Tablet Review + Hands On

Have fun :D

Mari

Thanks I should have said, mine is the 10 inch.

But I forgot. I am starting to learn.

But its taking time.

Donna

We went to a christmas play last night. I have a sinus infection and now a fever has started. So far I'm the only one who has it and I'm hoping the children don't pass it around. When I'm done catching up on here I'm off to take some Nyquil.

I am very disturbed by the DJ prank as well. That poor nurse. People must have been bullying her or laughing at her for being stupid. Another disturbing aspect is that the DJ's and the station don't seem remorseful. :Heart:

oh rats butterfly...sorry about your sinuses. I am hoping that you get on antibiotics so you can be better soon.
I don't think you can spread a sinus infection....but am not sure about that.
are you coughing?
bizi

It definately is so sad about the nurse.

Donna

I didn't phrase my above post quite right. I don't think she is stupid, just that that was the accusation for her putting the call through. It could have happened to anyone. We have all made mistakes at work and how would we feel if it made the 5:00 news? and international news for that matter? I can't imagine it. Poor thing, may God bless her soul and those she left behind. :Heart:

Yeah bizi I've been coughing but it's been a dry cough. I had already lost my voice 2 nights ago b/c I remember not being able to talk at the Christmas play. Yesterday I was telling my husband how it hurts in my chest to breathe in. He went to the store for me and bought me some mucinex. I just took my 3rd dose and wow, now I am able to cough some of this junk up (sorry I know this is gross). I am also taking Sudafed for my nasal congestion and tylenol for the body aches. And I'm drinking some hot lemon honey tea for my throat. I was only worried it was contagious b/c I was running fever and having chills and I remember hearing somewhere that if you're running fever then you're contagious but I don't know if that's true. I'm giving myself till Thursday. If my chest is this tight still I'll go to Urgent Care. I never did look around for a GP, because in my mind I'm never going to get sick. If you know a good one can you PM me? I hate going to the mdoc for colds. They always want to give me a z-pack, which makes my stomach cramp like crazy, all I can do is lay there with a heating pad, and give me oral steroids, which pdoc has told me never to take again unless I was in a life-threatening situation. (Last time I went to the ER, found out I had bronchitis, they gave me a medrol dose pack, and a steroid shot, and an inhaler and I ended up manic. I sure don't want to do that again). So that's why I'm putting off going to a mdoc. :Heart:

Dear Butterfly,

Mucinex is ok, but some of us with bipolar cannot take Sudafed because of the Pseudoephedrine. Be careful with it.

Go ahead and go now. It is good to be seen by a doctor.

A few years ago when I went to urgent care I got a dx of Bronchitis and prescriptions for
Tessalon Perles
Augmentin
Tylenol 3
You might need an antibiotic.

People are contagious until the fever has been gone for 24 hours.

This is all the more reason to consider going to Urgent care. It is good to take care of something now while it is still manageable.

M

I sure have enjoyed being able to just sit on my couch and relax. But I'd much rather be feeling like going to town or playing with Will or my granddaughters. I'm tired of being sick or with this cold.

And this weekend Derrick has had a cold or something. So he didn't go to work yesterday. And hasn't felt like doing anything this weekend either.

He is the main reason I've been home all weekend. But that is okay.
Things should look up at some point right.

Oh well, I will get back on my feet at some point.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

being sick sucks
 

Dear Donna

I hope you and Derrick both feel better real soon. :o :hug::hug::hug:

~ waves ~

Mari I take Sudafed for my allergies,and another allergy medicine. What is the danger of it? Thanks.

When ever I buy it,they stop everything at the counter to get my drivers license information.:Noooo: Makes me a little paranoid. I know that a illegal drug is made out of it. I don't have anything to do with that.

My pharmacist recommended it,and Mucus Relief,because the drug manufacturers stopped making a allergy medication that I use to take.

I live in a small town,far away from other pharmacies that have a medication that is similar to what I use to take. The pharmacist out of town said I should not have to drive out of town to get the medication. He said talk to your local pharmacist,and use what he recommends. So I did that.

I'm allergic to the planet Earth.:thud::hug::hug::hug:

Steve,

As long as Sudafed works for you that is all right. (Some people become manic)
The pharmacies in my town hassle people about Sudafed. It is the law.

I hope that you are o.k. tonight.

M

Hi Mari I'm OK. My computer is giving me a hard time. I have rebooted my computer. I'm back. My computer froze up.

The Sudafed may have thrown my sleeping off in the last three months off,and on. I'm not sure.:confused: BF:hug::hug::hug:

to BUTTERFLY
 

So embarrassed, i missed a bunch of posts...

Dear Butterfly,

I sure hope you are feeling better too by now! :hug::hug::hug::hug:

I also hope you have seen a doctor by now. When running fever it is always best to see a doctor. Some bacterial infections (eg. Strep) which cause fever are dangerous if left untreated. A doc can check sx, and may choose to do a culture and treat with an antibiotic when appropriate.

While the upper respiratory infection from Strep may clear completely, an untreated infection can, through the blood, cause permanent damage to the heart. It can also cause another condtion - I can't remember if it is rheumatoid arthritis or what, but it is a painful and chronic one.

SO please do get checked asap if you have not.

~ waves ~

To EVERYONE ... on cold meds
 

Everyone

There are many OTC drugs which may cause problems for bipolars and non-bipolars. A bipolar clearly must be particularly vigilant when they find that a drug causes them agitation or insomnia, as well as being aware of more drug interactions.

Here are some drugs which can cause problems... I include Sudafed, which i can take without incident:

• Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) - can cause agitation even in non-bipolars. if you feel agitated when taking it either stop, or try taking less of it, or spacing the doses further apart. (i can take it and go to sleep, lol.)
  
• Older antihistamines - these typically make one drowsy. Eg: Benadryl, which is even given as a sleep aid. However, some people (eg: MYSELF) get paradoxical agitation at certain doses. (I personally don't know if this is related to my being bipolar, I just know that it can make me really hyper so steer clear!)
  
• Dextromethorphan - a cough suppressant, this ingredient is common to many OTC cough syrups. It can on its own cause agitation, so beware and reduce or suspend use, if you start feeling hyped.
  An even more important caution, not just for bipolars: this drug is serotonergic (increases serotonin activity in the brain). It MUST NOT BE TAKEN IF one is in treatment with any other serotonergic agent, eg: an SSRI type antidepressant, St. John's Wort (an herb), triptans, etc. Combining such agents increases risk of Serotonin Syndrome, which can be fatal.

Remember to check the ingredients when you take OTC meds. many have multiple drugs in them. For instance, pseudoephedrine could be present in combination with antihistamines under a different name than Sudafed. Same with dextromethorphan.

Any doubts when you try something unfamiliar, please talk to your pharmacist. Also, when taking several OTC drugs, it is a good idea to remind your pharmacist of prescription drugs you use or may use. The pharmacist will know or check if there are potential problems.

A final note. For some reason, I get racing thoughts when i am ill. I don't have to take anything to get them, nor be on Zoloft or anything. It just happens when i get sick. I don't even have to have a fever. So i tend to be extra careful about taking things that I know cause (me) agitation.

Thought I'd mention it in case anyone else gets this and perhaps hasn't noticed ... it took me a while to connect being ill with these bouts of racing thoughts.

~ waves ~

Thank you for this dear waves, you are such an important member. I appreciate you.
love bizi

Thanks Waves

I have always had to watch what Derrick takes when he has a cold or anything else. Because of his medications.

I just realized he is on a different medication since the last time he got
a really bad one. And needed treatment. I sure hope its not a lot different.

But I have had the help of his pediatric doctor before. And now he takes
to drugs for allergies all the time. So I have to make sure anything otc
that is taken goes along with that.

So right now all he is taking is
Robitussin cough drops that are to last 6 to 8 hours for the cough.
We only give at night. Unless he needs them at school.

So I am thinking this is okay.

The other thing is one day I gave him a daytime non-drowsy cold tablet.
It seemed to be okay. But because it didn't do anything. I didn't
give anymore.

Sleep and rest over the weekend did him the most good.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

sick
 

I hope that you both get to feeling better soon:hug::hug:

Oh I'm so irritated right now.

I can't believe that Derrick has been so excited about doing the power lifting
program this summer at special olympics. Just to be shut down by the teacher and coach now. I'm really getting mad.

Just because my son has a job and is not in school two days a week.
this teacher has known all semester the two days he would be missing.

So he sets him up to not succeed.

Ugh. I'm not happy. He better figure out how to fix this, with out me
having to say something. Derrick doesn't want me too.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

I am sorry, hope they figure something out.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Sorry it's been so long, I've been in bed most of the last few days. I ended up going into Urgent Care. I only got really concerned b/c some of the mucous I was spitting up I could see little blood streaks in it. I am on Amoxil now, an antibiotic. I can't say I feel all that great but I know it will take a few days. My husband has been very understanding, ordering he & the children pizzas, etc while I suck cough drops in my cave (bedroom). Did you know Burt's Bees makes a cough drop that s 35% honey? They are SOOOO soothing. They also have eucalyptus and menthol to help you breathe. So much better than Halls brand in the taste department if you ask me.

Thank you to Mari, waves, and everyone who shared info about cold medicines. I take the Sudafed PE that is over the counter. The active ingredient is Phenylephrine HCl. It works for me. I've tried behind the counter Sudafed and it made my heart race, similar to how Wellbutrin feels.

I pray we and our families all make it through this cold season as unscathed as possible. :Heart:

I am glad that you went to urgent care and was put on antibiotics.
I so hope that you are feeling better soon.
bizi

Butterfly,

Thanks for the update.
I hope that you feel better soon.
Be gentle with yourself.


M

olympics
 

I do not know how these thing work but it dose not sound like they are being vary fair to him,I hope you all can get this straighted out and he will get to compeat:grouphug::hug:

So this is the time of year, for cold s, yuck. Feel better soon.
I have very little done so far. Nothing on the line of a tree up or cleaning. Work has been busy with so many claims. Tractor trailer incidents, backing into parked cars, one a girl cut off a big rig he hit her bumper.....there is a reason the side mirror says " objects are closer then they appear". I did 1 claim in the Poconos Monday all day, then had 4 to do yesterday almost 300 miles.

This weekend we hav a family Santa dinner out of town for the kids. Looks like weather will be 40's.

My son has a medical issue, we are waiting for results. He wants to put off going for them until Friday...I am worried. He has a lump, weight loss 38 lbs, the blood work is back, but he wants to get the MRI, ultra sound, and blood work at one time. Just hoping it is something they can take care of.
Di

DiMarie

Sending some thoughts and hugs to you and the family.

Hope its not something serious.


Wow, I just returned from a meeting, and it went fantastic for
my family and student.

They are getting something that I didn't think they would.
Wow, when both sides work together its fantastic.

This family needed good news. I'm so pleased right now.

Donna:hug::grouphug:

Hi Di. I hope that the lump in his body is noncancerous,and benign.:smileypray:I hope that this will not be a problem. I can't fathom the deepness of grief that you have already been through. Maybe it's a minor problem,or a non dangerous cyst of some kind. BF:hug::hug::hug:

Dear Di,

I too hope that the drs can take care of him.

Keep taking care of yourself. You are working hard.

Hugs and good thoughts.

M