Thoughts of the day

Recently I told you that my grandmother passed away.  It’s only been one week and I’m still not entirely sure that I have a full grasp on the reality of it all.  Several family members have died throughout my adult life but none as close to me as MeMe.  Maybe that’s why I’m left a bit confused by it all.

My first feelings were that of sadness.  This was the first time I witnessed someone die right in front of my eyes.  It’s not something that I would like to see again but perhaps my perspective will change on that as years go on.  I can’t help but think that, by being there, I might be able to heal faster than if I wasn’t.  When I went to the ER that day I wasn’t sure what to expect, certainly MeMe couldn’t pass away at the young age of 95 …I thought for sure she would live to 100!  The Lord had different plans and as sad as it has left me I have to respect that.

Next up was anger (and oh by the way I’m still sad), pissed even!  Why did this have to happen?  My grandmother had just been moved to a nursing home in September and now, less than two months later, she’s gone.  Before she went to the nursing home she was at the hospital and they had taken her off her medications.  I don’t know the reason why (yet) but they took her off her heart medication and a blood thinner.  Here she was in the ER diagnosed with a heart attack and then they found large blood clots in her lungs.  Would she have passed away if she was still on her medication?  Or had her age finally caught up to her?  I may never know the true answer and honestly I’m not sure that I want to know.  It’s probably easier to say she was 95 and her body had enough (although she had a pretty sharp mind).

On a more bitter note …I have more anger that’s directed towards some people who, for the sake of rising above it all, shall remain nameless.  To forgive these people will be my biggest hurdle.  Honestly, I don’t know that I will ever have it in me to truly forgive and I will never forget their acts of cruelty.

Jaliek Rainwalker – Missing 2 Years Tomorrow

Music  &  Candlelight  Vigil

In honor of Missing

Jaliek   Rainwalker

Sunday, November 1, 2009   7 – 9 pm

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

145 Main Street ~ Greenwich

As we approach the two year mark

since Jaliek disappeared we invite

everyone to  come together for Jaliek.

Shirley A. Carney 1913 – 2009

Today my grandmother, MeMe, was laid to rest.  She was the strongest woman I know (next to my Mom).  I am thankful for the 38 years I had with her and all of the wisdom that she passed along.  I have cried many tears over the past few days but now I must carry on her memory for the rest of the days of my life.

I love you MeMe and one day we’ll be together again.

MeMe’s 95th Birthday

Could this be Jaliek?

GREENFIELD – What’s believed to be human bones have been found in a wooded area off of Lake Desolation Road in Greenfield.

State troopers and investigators were in the area in the northwest corner of Greenfield, near the Edinburg and Providence town lines, searching all day after the bones were discovered Monday.

http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S1215377.shtml?cat=0

Jaliek will be missing two years this Sunday, November 1st.

 

Sick and tired …

of being sick and tired!

This morning I felt pretty good, then as the day dragged on I started to feel more like crap again.  Seriously, this has to stop.  It’s too cold to open the windows and air the place out.  I’m stuck here in a germ infested house with no ambition.  UGH!!!

Tomorrow I WILL disinfect!

Flu round two

This time it’s the real deal.  My son came home from school on Monday with a cough.  In the middle of the night he woke up with a fever.  I called the doctor yesterday and asked if I should bring him in.  I mentioned that my daughter went to the flu infested high school and I was concerned, plus he has asthma to boot.  They scheduled him for today.  After giving him the once over and a strep test the doctor determined a.) he didn’t have strep and b.) he had the flu and referred to it as swine. 

Here was my opportunity to ask the burning question …”is there a test you can run for that?” I asked.  The doctor replied that there was one but it’s very uncomfortable as they have to go up your nose to get a specimen and then most of the quick tests have returned negative only to later be found positive.  I was satisfied with that answer, I wouldn’t want anything being stuck up my nose.  Then I asked what could be prescribed, knowing he would say Tamiflu.  Tamiflu it is and it seems as if they are running low on it in these parts.  The doctor then told me that they are getting the H1N1 vaccine in next week and that I should make an appointment to have my son get the vaccination even though he’s already had it. 

This all makes me wonder what the rest of the fall and winter will be like.

Unidentified Remains to get DNA Testing

“Human remains found at the Allegheny Reservoir in September will now undergo DNA tests as investigators search for an identity.

This week, police will pick up the human remains from Mercyhurst College, where forensic anthropologists had been conducting examinations during the past few weeks. The Erie County (N.Y.) Medical Examiner’s Office in Buffalo will then submit the bones to a lab for testing.”

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009310209943#

UPDATE – Winter boots found with remains

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=71217&catid=37

Most likely H1N1

Dear Parents and Guardians:
 
This letter is to inform you that we are beginning to see an increase in flu-like illnesses within our schools.  The New York State Department of Health has stated that the majority of influenza viruses recently sub-typed at the NYSDOH Wadsworth Center have been novel influenza A (H1N1) viruses.  So therefore, the flu virus that is currently circulating in our communities is most likely the H1N1 flu virus, as per The Rensselaer County Department of Health.  Most people infected with the novel H1N1 flu virus have experienced mild to moderate illness, similar to seasonal flu.  Treatment for the novel H1N1 flu is the same as for the seasonal flu.  Please be assured that a healthy environment in our schools is a top priority.   Since the start of school, we have increased our cleaning and sanitizing efforts of all commonly touched surfaces and recently have brought in additional staff to intensify this effort.
Our school health staff is monitoring your child’s health in school and will notify parents if there are any concerns. The flu can easily spread from person to person, but there are preventive measures you can take to help us significantly reduce the incidence of the flu in our school community.

Read the entire letter here.

Flu Outbreak at Columbia High School?

“EAST GREENBUSH – The East Greenbush school district sent out a letter to parents warning them about an increase in their students coming down with flu-like illnesses.

The letter assures parents that it is only seasonal flu cases and not H1N1; however, a local health expert says that can be tough to tell.”

http://www.cbs6albany.com/news/flu-1267432-parents-letter.html

VIDEO

Just the flu?

I told you all yesterday that I was taking my daughter to the doctor because she had flu like symptoms.  The doctor did a once over and decided that she just had something viral, a cold if you will.  Take some Tylenol and you should be feeling better. 

That was good news I suppose but I’m a skeptic.  I kept her home today so she could get some more rest and stay away from the germs that were now infiltrating her school.  The text rumor mill was stating that 20+ kids were sent home yesterday so I felt justified.  She wasn’t pleased and wanted to go to school, not for the education mind you …it’s purely social.  So the text rumor mill began again, around 170 kids called in sick and over 100 were sent home.  I can’t back these figures up but the school district is sending a letter home today and it’s also posted on their website. 

Take it for what it’s worth but I’m going back to yesterdays question …how do they (doctors) know if it’s seasonal flu or swine flu if they aren’t testing?

*Edit to say that I called the school to ask if there was a communication being sent out about all the illness and they stated yes and directed me to their website since my daughter was home.  They also said this applied to the whole school district, not just the high school.  I wasn’t sure if I should post the school district but I might as well since it’s in the link, East Greenbush, NY.