Questions, Questions Living with COVID 19

I ran into a line of argument concerning hype and loss of freedom is part of this outbreak? The impact of being confined for part of March and April some states like Illinois possibly going on into May will have many unintended negative consequences of loss of work, school, suicide, abuse. A strong argument for our mitigation actions is the millions of lives saved. The president and team projected 2,200,000 which I believe is a conservative estimate. My estimate was 1% of 350,000,000 or 3.5 million. The actual numbers so far are lower, thank God.
Decisions to save lives will be noble but as we move forward may not be appreciated as we recover to normal. Doctors will soon find lawyers pushing back in the weeks and months ahead. Hype and loss of freedom is part of this discussion. We rarely call the media into account as they move for ratings.  The media will sway with no moral base to wherever the wind may blow.
I want to see ballparks filled again and freedom restored. I am concerned we will lose freedom.
Will steps taken this time to restrict public gatherings be used next time to restrict gatherings those in power oppose? I believe the government acted in goodwill this time but we have to raise 1st amendment rights each time this takes place.  Martial law sometimes comes into place. Here we see it because of medical concerns. Will actions from this point further move in the direction COVID 19 reveals with solid data and knowledge or will it be used to broaden elitist control left or right? Hold to your political beliefs but I encourage thought concerning our basic rights. Mitigation seems most reasonable in regard to lives lost to fight this unseen enemy. It can not sustain us but it seemed wise to apply it. It is my hope we ask a lot of questions and maybe next time we can target our mitigation better.
Was this a created virus by humans? Will terrorists change weapons to bio-weapons after seeing how we reacted and worldwide? I ran into a line of argument concerning hype and loss of freedom is part of this outbreak? The impact of being confined for part of March and April some states like Illinois possibly going on into May will have many unintended negative consequences of loss of work, school, suicide, abuse. A strong argument for our mitigation actions is the millions of lives saved. The president and team projected 2,200,000 which I believe is a conservative estimate. My estimate was 1% of 350,000,000 or 3.5 million. The actual numbers so far are lower, thank God. Decisions to save lives will be noble but as we move forward may not be appreciated as we recover to normal. Doctors will soon find lawyers pushing back in the weeks and months ahead. Hype and loss of freedom is part of this discussion. We rarely call the media into account as they move for ratings.  The media will sway with no moral base to wherever the wind may blow.
I want to see ballparks filled again and freedom restored. I am concerned we will lose freedom. Will steps taken this time to restrict public gatherings be used next time to restrict gatherings those in power oppose? I believe the government acted in goodwill this time but we have to raise 1st amendment rights each time this takes place.  Martial law sometimes comes into place. Here we see it because of medical concerns. Will actions from this point further move in the direction COVID 19 reveals with solid data and knowledge or will it be used to broaden elitist control left or right? Hold to your political beliefs but I encourage thought concerning our basic rights. Mitigation seems most reasonable in regard to lives lost to fight this unseen enemy. It can not sustain us but it seemed wise to apply it. It is my hope we ask a lot of questions and maybe next time we can target our mitigation better.
Was this a created virus by humans? Will terrorists change weapons to bio-weapons after seeing how we reacted worldwide response? If we have the ability to create viruses what will be done in the name of science or defense in the future? Science can be used for good or bad. We have learned that right?
Did we do well regarding the most vulnerable, the aged and those whose health has been compromised?  Did we improve therapy for the people in the nursing home that could help some of these people survive? Were they so weak and aged that this fast-spreading and powerful virus overcome them? Are there times when we are helpless against death? This taps into our greatest fear. We may be so afraid we attack each other and follow unreasonable behavior.
My wife and I have been living with COVID 19. She contacted it helping disabled adults as an RN. After she came down with the virus she was tested with drive-in testing that wasn't even in our county. She tested positive. I came down with flu-like symptoms several days later. When her health improved, I called my doctor had a virtual check-up with him and he agreed I needed to be tested. Because I am not in health-care I was tested at a local hospital drive-in which sends a test to the lab. I am still waiting for the results. As soon as I hear, I will share the results. Questions. The delay in this disease is not good. That is a good question, Can we create lab connections that are faster?
In my next blog, I would like to explore improving elderly care? What are our limits? In a local nursing home, there have been 24 deaths out of 120 people in the home. That is 17% of those in the home. Scary, keep walking

Covid-19 Preparing for what if and reducing stress

Time to reduce stress

It is hard not to think about coronavirus. News about it is everywhere. I am just like many of you trying to get practical information to decrease the chances of getting sick and if I or a loved one get sick with the virus how can I care for myself or someone else to survive. Being a senior citizen this is critical to know what are the challenges.
Below I share links to Mayo, CDC, Harvard Medical and My local state. These sites have good information we need to fight this virus.







According to the CDC, the symptoms are in serious cases:

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning

Harvard lists:

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Some people infected with the virus have no symptoms. When the virus does cause symptoms, common ones include low-grade fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. However, COVID-19 can occasionally cause more severe symptoms like high fever, severe cough, and shortness of breath, which often indicates pneumonia.

Right now any symptoms you experience contact your health care provider. Whether at home or treated in a hospital that will be between you and your healthcare provider. Keep in mind I am just like you. I am not a doctor and I don't plan to diagnose or treat my self. If I get symptoms I am going to call my doctor. 

According to Mayo clinic care at home will be managing the symptoms like we do with the flu. 

Currently, no antiviral medication is recommended to treat COVID-19. Treatment is directed at relieving symptoms and may include:

• Pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
• Cough syrup or medication
• Rest
• Fluid intake

Learning how to treat the virus may help in preventing it from getting serious. But if we get more serious symptoms then again call your healthcare provider.
Mayo had very good information to lower your stress over the coverage of the virus which in turn helps you better fight the virus. Since the media lives off this crisis like a shark in the water, limit yourself from their hyping things up.  Reducing time spent helping their ratings to activities you enjoy will reduce news stress.
Covid-19 is more serious than the flu, but we can fight it and give ourselves the best chance to get through this. Keep walking
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20479976
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html
coronavirus-resource-center
http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

Investment in health research will pay off

Steve Farrell PHD writing a post for Cooper Aerobic Institute informs us, “It’s no secret that cancer is the second leading cause of death for women in the U.S., accounting for approximately 275,000 deaths per year. This causes not only a tremendous physical and emotional toll, but also places a significant economic burden on society. Approximately $90 billion is spent each year on the direct costs of cancer such as medication, hospital, physician, and nursing services.”

Cancer no matter the gender is a big deal and the numbers tell us the impact cancer has on our lives. Without a doubt the impact is even greater when cancer hits us personally. 

Since the Fall, Genesis 3, sin and death has ruled over our lives. Work which became harder holds back some of the impact of the fall. For example, you build a home and you are sheltered from the storm. We have learned how to better insulate our homes and in turn that help us endure Extreme cold and heat. 

The investment in discovery of the things it kills us has more than doubled our lifespan. It wasn't easy, it was hard work, it was costly and here we are. There are many things unexplored regarding our health. We have a long way to go unraveling how to repair the brain. We have a long way to go in regard to cancer. Repairing and regenerating our bodies are in the infancy of development. Most things that kill us we have no cures. Our bodies are capable of overcoming things, but most things we put into remission rather than a cure. 

What do we gain when we help those who cannot help themselves? Whether we are looking at the elderly fighting dementia, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, or diabetes it is good to remember that every one of us if we live long enough will be in the same fight. What we learn today will help us tomorrow. We have to be big minded in this way.

Pictured here is an older gentleman suffering from
loneliness. Is he forgotten? It takes work to care.

What did we learn about people with multiple disabilities that cannot earn a living themselves? These things are very costly but there is an amazing benefit that comes from caring for people who cannot care for themselves. 

We learn things and treating extreme conditions bring us unexpected consequences that just may help you in a bad time in your life. What is learned in the costly care of the disabled will lead to discoveries that will help us dealing with the disabilities of aging and disease?

There is a principle found in Matthew 26 that has guided me when I helped people who are either hard to help (an idiot) or have difficult disabilities that take a lot of work. Many of these people are sweethearts, but not all of them. I always kept in mind someone was watching and it did matter. It is easy to help beautiful healthy people. But it is quite another matter when you're helping someone who for whatever reason have no way to pay you back or even to say thanks. 

Was it worth it to help them? I will be honest with you I have debated this. The principle that Jesus gave has often turn the scales for me to help. I doubt many people knew my struggle or why I went ahead and helped. But here was one of the game changers for me: 

Jesus said, ’Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

It takes hard work to defeat cancer. It is very costly, but what was the alternative. Progress is being made, there is hope. Keep walking

Exercise and Diet Weigh in on Alzheimer's

I think it's important at this time for the fat man stay on task. One of the things that is always interested me are the big battles that we face with our common enemies that take our life. With today's topic I do like learning new things. Sometimes our hopes can be dashed. It is good to see what we have learned even in failure to move ahead. 

I have often reported that our biggest enemies are Cardiovascular diseases that include both a heart and the brain, cancer, and diabetes. At number six affecting more than five and a half million Americans is Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. There was an article in the Chicago Tribune today, Alzheimer's Cure Elusive by Melissa Bailey.

Setbacks in clinical trials of medicines developed have producing 99% failure rate. This hasn't been because of lack of money or energy to who try to find treatments for those who are suffering. It is believed that will take many different angles to treat the disease, At least that is the hope moving forward. 

From what I've been able to read there is no cure for any of these diseases. There is hope to slow down or put into a state of remission our problems with the heart, arteries, cancer and diabetes. 

With dementia, lifestyle changes have helped to slow down the disease with some people, but finding drugs to help has proven to be a little more difficult. Since Alzheimer's was identified at the turn of the 20th Century we have been able to discover some of the physical changes that occur in the brain with that disease. 

In an interview with Rudolph Tanzi he states, “In Alzheimer’s disease, there are three pillars of pathology. There’s the plaque, the tangles, and inflammation.” 

Under the microscope

ExperienceLife.com / EXPERIENCE LIFE 

His explanation talks of inflammation being the fuel that increases the genetic possibilities for plaque and tangles which destroys cells in the brain. We have not been able to find medicines to help with these conditions, so for now making good lifestyle changes give us our best hope of dealing with this. 

• Eliminating junk food and processed food will help with inflammation and whenever we are genetically with dementia, This will give us our best outcome. 
• Exercise he says, “You induce the production of enzymes in the brain that clear is the amyloid, that eat it up - enzymes and actually attacked and chew up the amyloid…
• Also during exercise you make new nerve cells - a process called neurogenesis - in the hippocampus, the area affected by the Alzheimer’s.” Exercise is in and of itself anti-inflammatory. 

Tanzi also recommends a diet rich in fruits and vegetables which is anti-inflammatory. 

My take on all this is that in my lifetime we will have to go through 50% of us been affected by dementia by the time we're our 80s. We are unraveling ways too cope a little better but I think we need to spend some time learning what to expect and how to care for those that go through this. Lifestyle right now gives us our best numbers. Choosing to get active and eat well can make a big difference in all these aging diseases. Family caregivers have a need to get inform and support. 

Despite our investment, medical science has its limits. That's sort of sucks but combating disease has never been easy. Keep up the fight, and walk.

Stand up to cancer, amen.

Stand up to cancer, amen. If you have read my blog for any time you know we fight three diseases that can take our life: heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. I believe if we adapt life style changes that help our heart we also are on the right track to fight cancer and diabetes. We are like a baseball team going with the percentages. If you win 6 out of 10 games this year you are on top. Most league leaders are 500+ When it comes to health we want better numbers than that. I am a Cub fan and this year we improved to 457%. 

I know this that if we walk, strength train and stretch our immune system and health improves. If we eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and veggies it improves our ability to be healthy. If we get to a healthy weight again our chances improve. Moderation is vital for a big guy like me. When it comes to cancer I believe these things can help

There are problems. Getting healthy or staying healthy always is like a pitcher who pitched a good pitch and the batter hits it out of the park anyway. Yogi Berra made a career of hitting pitches you shouldn’t hit. Loosing weight ain’t easy, we get injured, there are thousands of bad habits we could have. We get sick despite our good efforts. Well, that is what walking with the fat man is all about. Health doesn’t always go the way we planned. Amen to medical and spiritual help.

When I was 20 I never thought I would be fat like my older relatives. I had really no idea what it would be like at 60+. I was watching The Knick and they had a surgery to remove a part of a bowel like I had. In 1900 I don’t know how they survived but they had to start somewhere. There are cancers people survive today that 100 years ago or even 50 years ago they didn’t. If you start soon enough you may prevent a sudden death of heart disease. When I was in the hospital I saw courage in a different way as people battled for their lives. The fear in the eyes, and the encouragement given that helps pull them through. It was hard but I also knew people who fought for life and didn’t make it. It is a real as we get. I still remember a friend who came to visit me and was shocked at all the tubes coming and going in my body. At that time I had gone through the worse of it and knew I was getting better despite how I looked. 

I day or so earlier I knew I had to change the way I ate, I knew I had to get walking again. What  I didn’t know at that time was the insomnia that would follow. I didn’t know about the anxiety attacks that would become a daily problem at night. I certainly did not foresee the depression that would color my life. The walking and diet changes would help me face these other problems. 

One thing I think I have done is not hide any of the stuff. But I have been blessed with recovery and care. These battles become self absorbing. After a while our support people want to move on. As a blogger I too have to move on. I only write this to remind myself our health battles often can have a good outcome, but it is far from easy. 

Each day, every person in my family, and friends (so many I worked with) become more precious too me. I was looking at the love of my life tonight and thinking how did I deserve her love. My church family who for me always the souls at Fellowship who have all the quirks of Mayberry. These things give me a love for life. God for me is right in the middle of it. So come walk with the fat man. Keep walking