Tuesday 21 May 2013
Sunday 19 May 2013
Top 10 Things NOT to Say to Someone with a Chronic Illness
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| Original Text: HopeKeepers Original Image Courtesy of: Stewart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net |
Why I've Removed a (Seemingly) Popular Post
I've removed the post about The Top 10 Things NOT to Say to Someone with a Chronic Illness. The reason is that somehow I'm getting page views from sex sites and other dubious sites. I'll be reposting it with my own images and with the original wording (and credits). I apologize if your comments got deleted but I don't want anything to do with these creepy sites.
About Blogging
I started blogging for a couple of reasons: 1) to share my experiences, research and knowledge to help other caregivers, 2) to show that alternative/complementary therapies are useful adjuncts to treatments for various diseases and that they improve the quality of life for both the caregiver and the one receiving care and 3) as a journal for myself because journaling in itself is therapeutic for any caregiver (scientifically proven).
I am by no means a blogging expert, I'm still doing this by-guess-and-by-golly. I did research, by reading reviews, viewing different platforms, different blogs and website builders, and chose those that were free, easiest to use (WYSIWYG), had the nicest templates and were compatible for mobile users. I also chose my blogging platform because it was compatible with my website (http://starfireholisticheal.wix.com/html_home) and word processor (OpenOffice).
I have no clue on how to program and any programming that I remember is stuff I learned in grade 10 (a million years ago) and that was BASIC (LOL). I will admit that I have been thinking of learning HTML or JAVA but that is only so I can customize my blog and website the way I want on my own but it's not that important to me - that's what designers are for and when I can afford it or trade for their services I will. The only time I use the HTML editor is when I want to embed something in my blog and then it's just cut-and-paste. The only other reason I want to learn programming is to figure out how to block redirects from other websites that I have no affiliation or interest in because they are just plain annoying (and possibly carry viruses) and I believe that they skew the results of the true interest in my blog.
Blogging in itself has been a learning experience for me as I learn how to use Blogger more efficiently, trying to figure out what to write about (there's just soooo much!), and in trying to get my thoughts, research, blog and self organized. I should probably sit down and write a business plan for my blog so that I have a clear idea on what the bloody-hell I'm doing and where I want my blog to go.
As a journal, I will admit that my blog is a little lacking. Mind you, I've never been much of a journaler either, not since my journal was stolen from me by bullies in the schoolyard as a kid and I also tend to forget to keep it up. I'm also trying to balance what I want to say with some privacy - I don't want to embarrass anyone and I don't believe anyone would care to see lists of what I didn't manage to get done today. I'm also avoiding writing about some personally painful subjects at the moment, they are still a little raw and I'm not wanting to cry into my keyboard when I write about them. However, some more personal stories will be forthcoming as soon as I get my thoughts and words into some sense of order. (My thought processes are a little odd, I tend to jump from one idea to another and not in a nice, neat, linear way.) Writing tends to be linear and this can be tricky for me.
Some last thoughts about blogging. Apparently you can keep your blog private so that only you can read it. I chose to share mine with the hopes that it would help other caregivers, especially those of us in Canada, particularly Ontario, as there doesn't seem to be much like what I'm doing here. Keeping your blog private or sharing it is up to you but writing one can be therapeutic - journaling can help clarify your thoughts and feelings, reduce stress, help with communication with others, aid in problem solving, help you know yourself better, and improve immune function. (I'll be writing more about the benefits of journaling at another time). Apparently, you get the benefits of journaling if you do it daily, which is why I try to post everyday but how often you write will be up to you and how much time you have.
How you arrange your blog is, again, up to you. You can have different pages for various subjects or just keep it simple. I tend to be a tweaker, so my blog is evolving over time and, right now, I have no idea where it's going but I know I'll be changing it soon so that it's easier to navigate and have important resources and articles easier to find.
And finally, try not to run afoul of copyright infringements, plagiarism, and other bad manners - it's a sure way to get to get in trouble with the law and no one wants that. If you are going to use something from elsewhere on the internet, make sure that you give credit where credit is due. Keeping your blog original is the easiest and safest way to keep everyone happy and edit, edit, edit.
I am by no means a blogging expert, I'm still doing this by-guess-and-by-golly. I did research, by reading reviews, viewing different platforms, different blogs and website builders, and chose those that were free, easiest to use (WYSIWYG), had the nicest templates and were compatible for mobile users. I also chose my blogging platform because it was compatible with my website (http://starfireholisticheal.wix.com/html_home) and word processor (OpenOffice).
I have no clue on how to program and any programming that I remember is stuff I learned in grade 10 (a million years ago) and that was BASIC (LOL). I will admit that I have been thinking of learning HTML or JAVA but that is only so I can customize my blog and website the way I want on my own but it's not that important to me - that's what designers are for and when I can afford it or trade for their services I will. The only time I use the HTML editor is when I want to embed something in my blog and then it's just cut-and-paste. The only other reason I want to learn programming is to figure out how to block redirects from other websites that I have no affiliation or interest in because they are just plain annoying (and possibly carry viruses) and I believe that they skew the results of the true interest in my blog.
Blogging in itself has been a learning experience for me as I learn how to use Blogger more efficiently, trying to figure out what to write about (there's just soooo much!), and in trying to get my thoughts, research, blog and self organized. I should probably sit down and write a business plan for my blog so that I have a clear idea on what the bloody-hell I'm doing and where I want my blog to go.
As a journal, I will admit that my blog is a little lacking. Mind you, I've never been much of a journaler either, not since my journal was stolen from me by bullies in the schoolyard as a kid and I also tend to forget to keep it up. I'm also trying to balance what I want to say with some privacy - I don't want to embarrass anyone and I don't believe anyone would care to see lists of what I didn't manage to get done today. I'm also avoiding writing about some personally painful subjects at the moment, they are still a little raw and I'm not wanting to cry into my keyboard when I write about them. However, some more personal stories will be forthcoming as soon as I get my thoughts and words into some sense of order. (My thought processes are a little odd, I tend to jump from one idea to another and not in a nice, neat, linear way.) Writing tends to be linear and this can be tricky for me.
Some last thoughts about blogging. Apparently you can keep your blog private so that only you can read it. I chose to share mine with the hopes that it would help other caregivers, especially those of us in Canada, particularly Ontario, as there doesn't seem to be much like what I'm doing here. Keeping your blog private or sharing it is up to you but writing one can be therapeutic - journaling can help clarify your thoughts and feelings, reduce stress, help with communication with others, aid in problem solving, help you know yourself better, and improve immune function. (I'll be writing more about the benefits of journaling at another time). Apparently, you get the benefits of journaling if you do it daily, which is why I try to post everyday but how often you write will be up to you and how much time you have.
How you arrange your blog is, again, up to you. You can have different pages for various subjects or just keep it simple. I tend to be a tweaker, so my blog is evolving over time and, right now, I have no idea where it's going but I know I'll be changing it soon so that it's easier to navigate and have important resources and articles easier to find.
And finally, try not to run afoul of copyright infringements, plagiarism, and other bad manners - it's a sure way to get to get in trouble with the law and no one wants that. If you are going to use something from elsewhere on the internet, make sure that you give credit where credit is due. Keeping your blog original is the easiest and safest way to keep everyone happy and edit, edit, edit.
Saturday 18 May 2013
Friday 17 May 2013
Medify: A Cool Website for Research
As caregivers, researching about our loved ones conditions can be time consuming and confusing and I'm all for trying to make life simpler.
I was thinking about writing about the benefits of aromatherapy and dementia when I discovered the website Medify. Medify basically looks at millions of research articles and arranges them in an easy to understand overview that can help you to put it to work. As they say:
The site is in Beta so some diseases are harder to find and there are some errors in their terms (I looked at a study for spina bifida on speech training with computers and the acronym in the study was LSD (letter-sound) but Medify had it under LSD as in the drug) but there is still information there on related conditions that can be a good starting place for further research.
All in all this is a good site and I'd recommend it for those who are new to research as a starting point.
I was thinking about writing about the benefits of aromatherapy and dementia when I discovered the website Medify. Medify basically looks at millions of research articles and arranges them in an easy to understand overview that can help you to put it to work. As they say:
"Our goal is simple: to help you and your family more easily navigate, stay current, and manage the often complex process of finding answers, while empowering you to get help from those you trust most."As I just discovered the website, I'm still learning about it but so far it's easy to use and you don't have to join to do the research. Joining the site ( for free) will allow you to save your research and create a private online support community that you can invite friends to, share your links, updates and other info and request help from others in your community. I also like the fact that that the information is "100% vetted by medical researchers" and that they comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
The site is in Beta so some diseases are harder to find and there are some errors in their terms (I looked at a study for spina bifida on speech training with computers and the acronym in the study was LSD (letter-sound) but Medify had it under LSD as in the drug) but there is still information there on related conditions that can be a good starting place for further research.
All in all this is a good site and I'd recommend it for those who are new to research as a starting point.
Thursday 16 May 2013
Wednesday 15 May 2013
An Unusual Salad Recipe
This is a quick and easy salad that I created with stuff I had on hand. I was wanting to make a pear and blue cheese salad but didn't have all of the ingredients. I've made it for my mom and husband who don't like pears and they liked it (although it wouldn't be their first choice.) This is a good side salad with chicken or pork and is good for picnics and potlucks.
I will let you know that all amounts are approximate as I usually eyeball and taste to get it right.
1-2 Anjou or other firm pears (You can use Asian pears but not Bartlett's)
2-3 Tomatoes
1 Small Red Onion
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) or other mild tasting vinegar such as rice vinegar
1-2 Cloves finely chopped garlic
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon ground Black Pepper
1/4 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix olive oil, ACV, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper to make a simple vinaigrette dressing. Let sit to allow flavours to develop.
Chop pears, onions and tomatoes into a rough dice and place into a bowl. The proportions of the onions, tomatoes and pears should be roughly equal but I usually use a little less pear because of the hubby.
Crumble feta and vinaigrette over top and mix gently.
Serve chilled.
Options: Replace pear with watermelon. Can be garnished with walnuts for crunch.
I will let you know that all amounts are approximate as I usually eyeball and taste to get it right.
Pear and Tomato Salad
1-2 Anjou or other firm pears (You can use Asian pears but not Bartlett's)
2-3 Tomatoes
1 Small Red Onion
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) or other mild tasting vinegar such as rice vinegar
1-2 Cloves finely chopped garlic
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon ground Black Pepper
1/4 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix olive oil, ACV, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper to make a simple vinaigrette dressing. Let sit to allow flavours to develop.
Chop pears, onions and tomatoes into a rough dice and place into a bowl. The proportions of the onions, tomatoes and pears should be roughly equal but I usually use a little less pear because of the hubby.
Crumble feta and vinaigrette over top and mix gently.
Serve chilled.
Options: Replace pear with watermelon. Can be garnished with walnuts for crunch.
Tuesday 14 May 2013
Sunday 12 May 2013
10 Things I Hate to Hear as a Caregiver
I know I've done it, I've said these things to other caregivers. I even say these things to myself sometimes. These are 10 things I hate to hear as a caregiver:
10. "I don't know how you do it." (Neither do I)
9. "Why don't you get out more?" (Because I can't)
8. "Take care of yourself." (Duh)
7. "I know how you feel." (Realy? You must be that empath from Star Trek)
6. "You have nothing to feel guilty about." ( I have my own reasons)
5. "Why aren't you working?" (See number 4)
4. "Why are you so tired?" (Because I'm chief cook and bottle washer as well as nurse and doctor and....)
3. "There's nothing that wrong with them." (Just because they look well doesn't mean they don't need care)
2. "I know someone with.....and they died." (Ugh.)
1. "You're an angel to care for them." (No I'm not. I'm doing it because I love them.)
What's the thing you most hate to hear as a caregiver?
10. "I don't know how you do it." (Neither do I)
9. "Why don't you get out more?" (Because I can't)
8. "Take care of yourself." (Duh)
7. "I know how you feel." (Realy? You must be that empath from Star Trek)
6. "You have nothing to feel guilty about." ( I have my own reasons)
5. "Why aren't you working?" (See number 4)
4. "Why are you so tired?" (Because I'm chief cook and bottle washer as well as nurse and doctor and....)
3. "There's nothing that wrong with them." (Just because they look well doesn't mean they don't need care)
2. "I know someone with.....and they died." (Ugh.)
1. "You're an angel to care for them." (No I'm not. I'm doing it because I love them.)
What's the thing you most hate to hear as a caregiver?
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's and those caring for Mom! Have a wonderful and amazing day!
Saturday 11 May 2013
In the Bedroom (Not What You Think)
I was looking around on Pinterest today when I came upon this blog on Basic Bedside Care. It's a great starting point for anyone who is caring for someone who is bedridden - I just want to add a few more pointers.1) Most medical devices can be rented. This includes things like adjustable beds, commodes, walkers, hoyer lifts, lifting recliners and air mattresses to prevent pressure sores. Renting is a great alternative if you are only going to be needing the device for a short period such as just getting out of hospital after a brief stay from a fall.
2) Have a comfortable chair in the room with arms and a good backrest. This is for guests, you and your loved one for when they feel able to sit up.
3) Find that old TV dinner table. They are useful for keeping supplies handy, for eating meals at that chair you have, playing games, and as a place for those get well cards and flowers. 4) Some supplies you might not think of to have in the bedroom: baby wipes- great for quick washes of face and hands as well as bottoms, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes for commode seats, paper towel for spills, box of tissue, examination gloves, disposable masks for those guests who insist on coming over with a cold, a couple of bath towels for moving your loved one, under knees, backs and positioning to prevent pressure sores, and a plastic mug with a handle for water- it's lighter and won't break if it drops.
5) Keep the bedroom beautiful. This keeps it feeling like a home and more comfortable.
6) Talk to your health care workers about the positioning of medical devices such as commodes - where you'd like it and where it needs to be can be two different things.
7) A night light- This makes it easier to check on your loved one without having to turn on a light and disturbing their sleep also they can see where they are and where things are, like the commode or their water, thereby reducing the chance of falls and spills.
Quick Tip
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| Image from: apartmenttherapy.com |
Wednesday 8 May 2013
Tuesday 7 May 2013
Monday 6 May 2013
Humor
You just have to read the reviews for the recipe on how to make ice cubes- they are just hysterical ! http://www.food.com/recipe/ice-cubes-420398
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| Courtesy of: twobee/freedigitalphotos.net |
Sunday 5 May 2013
Saturday 4 May 2013
Some of My Story
"Me Selfum Soflig Reckin" (Old English) Which means " I am going to tell the story of myself"....
Once Upon a Time...
I grew up with a mom with Crohn's Disease and a father with Bipolar Disorder, and I learned that I had a learning disability. This did not make life easy but I KNEW that we loved each other.
At the time, the psychologists thought my mom was nuts and probably me. They didn't believe that this highly intelligent man, that could work for a major electronic company could be different in two places. One was at work, where he was head of a department, and another at home where he hid in his electronics.
My father also had a wonderful bass-baritone voice that I'll remember singing to me since I was a baby. Mom couldn't carry a tune. But for whatever reason I could sing.
One day, when I was a youngling, I challenged my father to sing in the Kiwanis Festival. I placed third in my category and my father placed first... both with a score of 75%. Problem was, I had more people in my category, he only had two. Dad still thought that he was better than me. But this is not all of the problem....
Mom, bless her soul, underwent many a surgery for her guts. She had actually lost about 3 feet of her intestine because of the Crohn's and her uterus because of ....I have no idea....I just remember her being unable to make the bed because of blood loss when I was about 14. But anyway, we survived these things and then dad decided he'd not listen to the doctor.
One day I talked to mom around father's day., and she tells me that dad had to go to hospital because he had a heart attack and needed quintuple bypass surgery. I chose not to go because I have a superstition that if I visit anyone in hospital they would die. I did talk to dad while he was there after his surgery but I was afraid so never visited. At this time my grandmother was also ill in hospital with colon cancer. No need for me to freak out.
Everything worked out OK and no one dies (this time)
Not much later my father meets the hubby but he doesn't know it yet.
One thing you have to know about the hubby is that he has Spina Bifida and could walk at the time.
Dad had joined a community theatre and the hubby was a member.
Hubby and I met in an amature production of The Sound of Music. Dad played a nazi colonel (ugg) . I was a nun. The hubby played Max Detweiler. What had happened was that dad thought that the hubby would fit into my grandfather's tux as a costume. It didn't happen at the time but the hubby noticed ME. Grandpa's tux didn't fit.
Ever since, we've been together. There's more to this story, but I'll tell it next time.
Once Upon a Time...
I grew up with a mom with Crohn's Disease and a father with Bipolar Disorder, and I learned that I had a learning disability. This did not make life easy but I KNEW that we loved each other.
At the time, the psychologists thought my mom was nuts and probably me. They didn't believe that this highly intelligent man, that could work for a major electronic company could be different in two places. One was at work, where he was head of a department, and another at home where he hid in his electronics.
My father also had a wonderful bass-baritone voice that I'll remember singing to me since I was a baby. Mom couldn't carry a tune. But for whatever reason I could sing.
One day, when I was a youngling, I challenged my father to sing in the Kiwanis Festival. I placed third in my category and my father placed first... both with a score of 75%. Problem was, I had more people in my category, he only had two. Dad still thought that he was better than me. But this is not all of the problem....
Mom, bless her soul, underwent many a surgery for her guts. She had actually lost about 3 feet of her intestine because of the Crohn's and her uterus because of ....I have no idea....I just remember her being unable to make the bed because of blood loss when I was about 14. But anyway, we survived these things and then dad decided he'd not listen to the doctor.
One day I talked to mom around father's day., and she tells me that dad had to go to hospital because he had a heart attack and needed quintuple bypass surgery. I chose not to go because I have a superstition that if I visit anyone in hospital they would die. I did talk to dad while he was there after his surgery but I was afraid so never visited. At this time my grandmother was also ill in hospital with colon cancer. No need for me to freak out.
Everything worked out OK and no one dies (this time)
Not much later my father meets the hubby but he doesn't know it yet.
One thing you have to know about the hubby is that he has Spina Bifida and could walk at the time.
Dad had joined a community theatre and the hubby was a member.
Hubby and I met in an amature production of The Sound of Music. Dad played a nazi colonel (ugg) . I was a nun. The hubby played Max Detweiler. What had happened was that dad thought that the hubby would fit into my grandfather's tux as a costume. It didn't happen at the time but the hubby noticed ME. Grandpa's tux didn't fit.
Ever since, we've been together. There's more to this story, but I'll tell it next time.
Friday 3 May 2013
Thursday 2 May 2013
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