I found out today that a good friend lost a family member last week. That family member had a medical condition that required medication, but he didn't take it consistently. Folks, if you don't read anything else that I type this year, pay attention to this--We have to do better with our health.

And I'm one to talk. I've neglected my health for years, knowing that I needed to eat better and get my body parts checked regularly, but not doing it. I'm now making a deliberate effort to eat healthier and to exercise regularly, but suppose I had started this regiment years ago? How much better off would I be today? And by the way, I see my hematologist on Monday. I have no idea what my iron level is, but if my energy level is any indication, he may have harsh words.

My greatest fear is losing a parent or a child. But what about me? What if they lose me? Why am I not protecting my own children from living what I think is my greatest fear? It should be a no-brainer, right? What about you? Are you living healthy? Or are you like me--surrounding yourself with junk food and not exercising? Let's do better...

Your comments--priceless!!

Well, I'll spare you all of the details, but recently I had to take my 17 year old daughter into the emergency room. Imagine our faces when we arrived and they sent her to the Pediatric side. She will be 18 in 2 months. We got into the waiting room and it would have been pure heaven for a 2 year old. She looked around at the murals and the huge pirate ship taking up half the floor. She muttered, "Oh joy..What should I play with first?" She was not pleased.

When they got her into the room, there were more pirate ships on the walls. She still wasnt pleased. We spent all day looking at the decor. Well, all that pales in comparison to yesterday. We had to see a pediatric surgeon. Trust me, I TRIED to get an adult surgeon, but nobody would see her. They all said that they didn't do minors. So, we had to see the "baby doctor."

As we drove up, I hoped it would be plain decor. I was wrong. It was Winnie the Pooh! BOOOY was it Winnie the Pooh. And Tigger too! And kids running around. Oh joy! hehehe They showed us to Room 3 where there was more Winnie. She was silent. In fact, she sat there texting and tweeting on her phone. When I commented that I found it odd that a patient sitting on a Pooh bed would have a Blackberry, she lost it. I had gone too far.

I thought it was funny--was I wrong?



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Today is the big day. I see my hematologist. I've completed the regiment of 10 iv infusions of iron in 5 weeks. Now, we get to see if it has helped. If it hasn't, I have absolutely no idea what he will say.

Let's hope it has. I'm claiming it! I'll let you all know all about it tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers!



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So, I haven't written about the dreaded A word in a while. I guess it's time for an update. Iron deficiency ANEMIA is alive and well in my life. Hasn't gone away--in fact, it seems to be flexing it's muscles.

My wonderful hematologist, who I actually love and hate at the same time, has decided that my rigorous regiment of iron pills is not working. My hemoglobin is still extremely low. He put me on a new regiment. Twice weekly visits to his office to receive IV iron.

I started last week. It's really not that bad, just time consuming. And quite humbling as well. It's a bit hard to whine about going twice weekly for iron when everyone else there is coming for chemo. Yes, I'm truly blessed, as it could be a lot worse. And also, his staff is amazing. They are the most competent and loving group of medical professionals that I've ever encountered.

So anyhow, yesterday I arrived for my iron. I'd already had 2 bags last week, with no complications. I expected to continue the streak yesterday. NOT! Halfway through the bag, I suddenly became very lightheaded and my skin felt tingly all over. I called for the nurse, and discovered that the volume control on my voice had been lowered considerably. The nurses sprang into action. They immediately disconnected the IV and pushed my chair back so that I was reclining. They checked my vitals. The doctor came in and listened to my heart. They started a new IV with Benadryl and I fell off to sleep. I woke up an hour later and they were still monitoring my blood pressure. At this point is was 179/103. Good grief! Soon, though, it became normal and I hung around for yet another hour, just as a precaution. I drove home, ate a bit, and slept through until this morning.

It was quite scary, though I was very calm during the entire episode. They'll probably change me to another brand of IV iron for my next infusion. Aint life grand!

Your comments--priceless!!

Yesterday, I heard one of the saddest stories. One of my relatives was accompanying another relative to their local emergency room. While there, she happened upon one of her former coworkers who was laying on a stretcher. They hadn't seen each other in about 10 years or so.

The coworker explained that she had tried to kill herself that morning. She lost her job and is having trouble finding a new one. She fears that she will lose her home and end up on the street. She was very matter of fact about the whole thing. She has just painted herself into a corner and there's no way out. Suicide seems like a viable solution to her. How sad..

We have got to fix this economy! When normal, sane folks are plotting their own demise to get away from bill collectors and financial troubles, there is a problem. I pray for her and others like her. There, but for the grace of God, goes Jewel...

Your comments--priceless!!

So, I had to see a medical professional last week--one that I had never seen before. It was a bad experience. I saw it coming when we drove up. I didn't say a word to my husband, but I knew what was going to happen.

We walked in and I was immediately impressed with the office decor. It was very nice. There were 2 people behind the front desk. My husband went up and announced my arrival. Wait--let me also say that my husband is a first generation, American born Cuban. Though Spanish is his first language, he is truly bilingual. If you heard him speak Spanish, you wouldn't think he could speak English without an accent. If you heard him speak English, you would never think Spanish was his first language. He is absolutely fluent in both. But I digress...

The receptionist gave me the expected "first visit" forms to fill out. I did so and returned them to her. She checked and told me that I had missed a couple places where my signature was required. She told me all of this in English. Then she said that the doctor would see me. She said this in English, too.

We all went to the exam room. The doctor was a gorgeous Latina. The receptionist was there as well. The doctor asked if I spoke Spanish, I said no. She asked if I understood Spanish, I said no. She asked both questions in English. And that's where the story gets bizarre.

From that point, NOBODY in the room spoke English, including the husband. All communication was directed to him, in Spanish. After every volley of conversation, he would have to tell me what was going on. If I asked a question in English, they would turn to him and answer in Spanish. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. I looked at him and announced that I was ready to go.

How can you run a business and refuse to speak the language of your client/customer? Was I being unreasonable to expect to converse in English with folks that speak English and know that I don't speak Spanish? Was it cultural--did they only talk to my husband because he's the boss of me? And even if that is so, why did they not speak to him in English? Please help me with this one...

Your comments--priceless!!