Sharing the Health
A Poem
There was an old lady who lived in the woods.
I feel fine, she did say
as long as I have my baked goods.
Except for the fact that I’ve been sacked
with a hose up my nose, that’s just the way life goes.
Judith Stuart, Antrim, NH
I found this tip in my local FOCUS Community Newspaper: My husband and I were on vacation. Since most rental places do not rent smoke-free cars, we had to come up with something fast to get the cigarette smoke out of the car. We went to the grocery store and bought a potato, sliced it in half, and put one half in the front seat and one half in the back seat. The next day the smoke smell was virtually gone.
Lori Palermo, Gouldsboro, PA
If you are wondering what to get that special someone on your Christmas list, you might visit www.re- habilitystores.com on the internet. Unfortunately, they do not have a printed catalogue at this time. They stock unique items such as slippers with lights that sense dark- ness and automatically turn on and aqua belts to help you exercise in the water.
I have written to elected officials to ask for support of the Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act, HR 621 and S1484 which would repeal the Deficit Reduction Act calling for Medicare beneficiaries to take over owner- ship of their oxygen concentrators after 36 months of use. I believe it should also mandate that new equipment be provided if the new regulation does go into effect on January 1, 2009.
When I called to ask for new equipment before the concentrator ownership is transferred to me, I was told they would send newer equipment. When I asked again, they said Medicare does not require them to provide new equipment. When I asked again, they said they would try to place an order. I called back to tell them I had found another equipment supplier who would provide new equipment and service. I would like to advise your readers to work with their medical supply company to get new equipment before the new rules go into effect. Steve Ganshert, Sartell, MN
I recently saw a doctor on the news talking about the Neti Cleansing Pot by Ancient Secret. This is a nasal cleansing method which he said was the best thing to use if you have sinus/allergies problems. You can find the Neti Pot on the internet or at local health stores at a cost of approximately $15. GrayG114
I tried tubing from www.softhose.com (1-858-748- 5677) and cannot use any other cannulas or tubing anymore. They are the softest and lightest ones I have ever used. To help from getting tangled up, I just pick my tubing up and coil it around my wrist as I walk around the house. This prevents it from catching on the corners of coffee tables, doors and whatever tubing can find to get caught on. It is a pain but something we have to live with I guess. Best wishes to all.
Mary Ellen Oliver, Fontana, CA
I have been on oxygen for the last few years. Try getting colored tubing so that it stands out more than the clear tubing. You can even use RIT dye to pick your own tubing color! Rada Beth Maples
I was looking for help when I was trying to give up cigarettes for good. I found a web site called www.whyquit.com which was very helpful with personal stories. It has many tips for people who are trying to stop “cold turkey.” They also have a phone you may contact founder John Pilito of South Carolina at (843) 849-9721.
Marie Mynatt, Knoxville, TN
Mary Rhoades of Leesburg, FL has had this poem for a very long time. She would like to share it with you!
My Name Is I Am
I was regretting the past and fearing the future,
Suddenly my Lord was speaking;
“My name is I AM,” He paused, I waited, He continued,
“When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.”
“When you live in the future with its problems and fears, it is hard, I am not there,
My name is not I WILL BE.”
“When you live in the moment, it is not hard. I am here.
My name is I AM.”
That’s Ron Wilson from Tulsa, Okla- homa, on the dance floor dancing, like nobody’s watching! What aninspiration to watch Ron dancing for and in celebration of life. Ron became ill with emphysema five years before he began using oxygen. He was not eligible for a lung transplant until the 65-year-age limit was raised to 70 years. He was on the transplant list for 32 months before receiving a double lung transplant in St Louis. Fortunately, he was called within 31 days of his move, and received a double lung transplant. He now takes 17 different medications and will so for the remainder of his life. He’s now without his oxygen tank and appreciat- ing each precious breath of air. What a joy it is to see him on that dance floor with or without a partner, making up for all his lost time when he was limited in what he could do. Please pass the word about the importance of being an organ donor! Aline Wisher, Bixby, OK
I was wondering if others have a burning smell that sometimes comes from your oxygen concentrator. I have called my company and they have checked and said everything seems ok. One time the concentrator just quit, never to start again. After replacing it, the new one started to smell and they replaced it again. They suggested I keep a fan going on the concentrator itself.
Has anyone heard of this problem before? I would appreciate any suggestions or information our readers may have. I do check the filters and wash them weekly, change the cannula every couple weeks and the large hose once a month. Glenna Miller, Fayetteville, NC
I may have stumbled onto something that might be of interest to the readership. For several months now, I have been phasing in and out of a stubborn, and discomforting, urinary tract infection. My urologist identified it as a fungal (yeast) infection, and has treated it with an anti-fungal medication, which clears it up for a while, but after a few weeks it is back. I’ve now had three or four episodes.
About two weeks ago, I saw a television ad for Spiriva, and they mentioned that one of the possible side- effects of the drug was urinary difficulties. I contacted Boeringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer, and they confirmed that Spiriva might be the cause of my problem. I am hoping there is another pill I can take to counteract this as I don’t want to give up my Spiriva!
Ken Carter, San Antonio, TX
A Lithuanian Grandma’s Chicken Soup
- 5- to 6-pound stewing hen or baking chicken
- 1 package of chicken wings
- large onions
- large sweet potato 3 parsnips
- turnips
- 11 to 12 large carrots
- 5 to 6 celery stems 1 bunch of parsley
Place cleaned chicken in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to boil. Add the chicken wings, onions, sweet potato, parsnips, turnips and carrots. Boil about 1-1/2 hours. Remove fat from the surface as it accumulates. Add the parsley and celery. Cook the mix- ture about 45 minutes longer. Remove the chicken. The chicken is not used further for the soup. Put the vegeta- bles in a food processor until they are chopped fine or pass through a strainer. Seson with salt and pepper to taste.
We hope you have received your flu shot to protect you this winter season. Good old chicken soup may also help! A University of Nebraska Medical Center researcher used his Grandma’s recipe to test its medical value in a study published in CHEST seven years ago. Chicken soup may act as an anti-inflammatory that could help with respiratory infections.