Colds Suck

I haven't had one in such a long time. Not sure where I picked it up, but timing of it suggests my Thanksgiving family gathering (And no, don't ANYONE in my family be upset that I got sick. We had the times of our lives out there!).

Yet, there I was yesterday, starting to sneeze, getting more and more congested during the day at work, feeling cold when I wasn't, and achy. By the time I got home, it was clear I wasn't going to do much last night. I had the foresight to cancel my Girl Scout meeting, so I wouldn't "spread the wealth" to my girls. Oh, did I mention my nose is still healing, so every time I sneeze, it is a new adventure in pain? Yeah. Fun.

I guess it was good that I planned to work at home today. It has let me get work done without getting out of bed.

Anyhow, Nyquil is my friend. Whoever created that vile concoction is my friend. I can't take it during the day. But you can bet I do at night right now. With an Amaretto chaser, the stuff is actually tolerable. Illness also gives me a good excuse to enjoy a particular Tomato Bisque I love. It has enough spice to get through my nose. Only problem: It is $5.00 per quart. But soooooo yummy.

Thanksgiving

Diana, Jonny, and I all went to Tehachapi for Thanksgiving at my cousin's farm. It has been fun, albeit short. Getting to see my cousin, her family, my aunt and uncle, and my grandmother was really fantastic!

Unfortunately, we need to leave in a little while to go back home (Both Diana and I have work tomorrow). Here are some pics!

Diana and Jonny on one of their horses.








Turkey... yum!!!












L. and I share almost the same birthday! So we celebrated together!














Jonny in a playhouse.














Most of us in the pic!

Away for Thanksgiving

I have decided to travel for Thanksgiving and go down to my cousin's house in Tehachapi. It is soooo nice to see my family! Diana and Jonny also came with me. We tried to bring our roommate, but she has negative feelings about Thanksgiving (her family always fights... I tried to explain to her that most families really don't fight like that). Maybe next time!

Anyhow, I will be on the road for a day or two. Enjoy the Black Friday sales!

Rollover 2

Seat Belts and Air Bags DO SAVE LIVES!

This morning, on my way to work, I saw two vehicles in the intersection by my house. A smaller sedan, and a larger SUV were involved in a wreck. The sedan was crunched on the front, but the SUV was on its side. When I got over to the accident, both drivers were out of the vehicles, and stated they were ok. No injuries that I could note at all, not even scrapes. Airbags in both vehicles had deployed, and the side airbags deployed on the SUV.

Fire showed up on scene a minute later, they started to work on the accident, and I continued on to work.

Here is the CHP record:

Incident:

0190

Type:

Collision - Non Injury

Location:

ELVERTA RD AT WALERGA RD

Zoom Map:

238 6H

info as of:

11/15/2007 7:37:59 AM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
7:17AM	1039 WAP TO 1022
6:30AM	1039 WAP WITH WRECKER
6:30AM	1039 ALL VALLEY W/FB
6:25AM	ADV TWO TOWS, 1 CONVENTIONAL, 1 FB
6:17AM	1039 FIRE LOG 216

BTW, in case you are curious, the CHP record is public record. I got this off the live feed.

It is still surprising to see how many people drive without their seatbelts. I honestly don't know if either of the men were wearing their seatbelts, but I'd be willing to bet they did. I can tell you, I am 100% on wearing mine, especially since I have been involved in a collision, and I was wearing my seatbelt.

Saving Back

Years ago, one of my EMS partners saved my life. Literally. I had a severe allergic reaction, and I was treated by my own partner (and a newbie EMT that was with us on a ride-along).

Last night, I had a chance to repay that debt. Not to the same person, but to my current friend and EMS partner/boss. He told me over the weekend his pressure was high, and that he knew he had High Blood Pressure (HBP). How high? 170/120. Thats up there. Especially the diastolic (the lower number). I had sent him a text message yesterday, trying to get my gear back that I loaned him recently. It took a while, but I got a response, including that he had a nasty headache. My first thought was to ask him what his BP was. He hadn't taken it (His wife is an EMT also, but he apparently refused to let her take it), but he was bringing my gear over, and asked me to check it.

When he arrived, it was clear he wasn't doing well. I checked his BP. It was 190/122. Eek. That is getting atmospheric, folks. And at that pressure, a stroke is a good possibility. He was a bit altered, also. Not a lot, but clearly not himself. Had periods of blurring vision, and that headache.

I advised him to get to the ER NOW. He was dealing with uncontrolled hypertension, and after pleading with him for a few minutes, reminding him that he tell his patients the same thing (He agreed), and mentioning some other things, including the fact that he would more than likely have a stroke, he finally said he would go to the ER. He left for home, a few minutes from my house. In hindsight, I should not have let him drive home.

In the meantime, I finked on him to his wife. I sent her a text message with the BP's from both arms. She met him at the door with her cell phone in hand, "188/122??? You need to see your doctor TOMORROW!", is what she told him. His reply was, "Actually, I'd like you to take me to the ER". So, off they went. It took 3 different BP meds to get him out of the stratosphere, and some narcotics for the headache. They also did a head CT, to rule out a stroke, since he was symptomatic.

UPDATE (8:45PM) - I just heard that the meds seem to be working, and his BP was now 155/94. His wife said he is acting more like himself again also. MUCH BETTER!

Honoring Our Veterans

Please take time today to honor those who serve, and who have served, to defend our country. Regardless of your political beliefs, they deserve our respect for their willingness to lay down their lives defending us.

I thought I would share a picture of my grandfather, Willard Dorsett, taken during World War II, that I found. I wish I had a picture of my other grandfather, Alfred Meyers, that I could show you. Both served in World War II with distinction. I am so proud of their service.













I have also added a picture of myself with two of my brothers, Josh and Daniel. They are both serving currently. Josh is in the Army reserves, and Daniel is active in the Air Force. Daniel is on the left, Josh on the right. Why am I in uniform? I am in a DMAT, part of the National Disaster Medical System. But I am not the focus of today, they are. This is just the only picture I have of them in uniform.

Family Updates

David and Candace have been in Denver almost a month now. They are doing well, and getting used to the difference in lifestyle from California living. They are living with my brother Steve and his girlfriend/fiance' Debra, her daughter Crystal, and Crystal's boyfriend. Tight quarters!

No pics from them yet.

Diana is enjoying her new job, working in a call center for AT&T. Jonny is doing well, growing like a weed! I attached a pic I took tonight of him. In the pic, you can see that cute nose and chin of his! He's a delight to have around (even though he broke my nose - I know it was not intentional).

My dad and my stepmom are doing well, as is my family in Las Vegas. I miss them all so much! Might get to Tehachapi for Thanksgiving this year. It will be nice to see everyone!

17 Mo old Breaks Grandmother's Nose

Yeah. Either that, or the worst bruise in the world.

Jonny and I were cuddling Friday evening, and he suddenly turned over and whacked me with the back of his head. HARD. I felt and heard the crack of the cartilage breaking away from the bone right where the two meet. Weirdest sound from the inside. Thankfully, our roommate was here and grabbed one of my instant ice packs (once I told her where it was) and brought it to me. She took Jonny and I sat there icing my nose for the next half hour, dealing with my eyes tearing, even though I wasn't crying.

I let Diana know by text message (she was at work at the time) once I was able to, and she asked if I was going to the E.R. I told her no, since the fracture wasn't displaced (my nose still looks like its usual self), they wouldn't be able to do anything except refresh my ice pack. And take $50 from me.

I have some bruising, although it is hard to spot. Thankfully.