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Many people deal with sickness, diseases, and pain everyday. We all have issues that affect our family and friends and some of us have a passion for those causes that directly affect those close to us. Here are some of those causes that are close to my heart either because they effect me specifically or my family and friends. Please take the time to visit the sites that are listed. There may be something helpful for you personally or for a loved one.
Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome Since I was diagnosed with FM/CFIDS in 2000, I read everything I can about it. Please click on my personal story to read more about this illness.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) My Mother died July 12, 2005 after battling COPD for years. COPD is a horrible way to die. A person with this disease literally suffocates. Mother's disease robbed her of growing old. Please read about my Mother and her illness and my journal of last days. If you have a loved one with COPD, never doubt that they cannot do things as they used too, that they are in pain, emotionally and physically, and that they need help even with the simplest tasks. And most of all, give them your love and support.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases, encompassing emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma. The common characteristics of COPD are progressive
limitations of the airflow into and out of the lungs and shortness of
breath.  World
COPD DAY
COPD International (has helpful info for caregivers also)
Mesothelioma (Asbestos Related Cancer)
My Dad died from Mesothelioma. He was hospitalized in September, 2004 from what they thought could be pneumonia. He had fluid in his lungs and was not able to breathe. After several tests they suspected Cancer, had to drain the lungs and run test on the fluid. The first test came back negative for Cancer, but soon afterwards he developed a blood clot while still in the hospital. He remained there for another week, then the tests revealed Cancer and he was sent to a cancer doctor where it was undetermined if he had lung cancer of Mesothelioma. That first visit at the doctor he was told his cancer (Mesothelioma) may or may not respong to chemotherapy. If it did, he could be in remission for 2 years but it would return and take his life. If it didn't respond to the treatment, he had less than 6 months. My Dad cried. It was very difficult to hear. He tried to be optimistic. He had 2 chemotreatments. He went on his last deer hunt ever, he lost alot of weight, his energy went downhill, and he tried to get his affairs in order. He filed a claim against the Asbestos Companies too. Then on Wednesday, December 8, 2004, just 2 months after being diagnosed, he awoke like any other morning and went down the hall toward the kitchen to get his morning cup of coffee and fell down in the hall just a few steps from the kitchen. My Mother and niece heard him fall and ran to him. They called 911, but Dad had apparently suffered a massive heart attack, or another blood clot from the lung, and he died almost instantly. That is how quick Mesothelioma can take lives, from what I have gathered from reading.
Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 24 months. It’s a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year; hard working people who have labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live. They worked in factories, at shipyards, in mines, for the US military, as engineers, as pipefitters, as steel workers, as auto mechanics, and in so many other professions. They came home to their loved ones exhausted and covered in dirt and dust; tired, but content that they had a job and were providing for their family. Content that they were putting food on the table and a house over their loved one’s heads. Content that they were working to make a better life for their families in this generation and the next... Mesothelioma is a disease that is almost 100% preventable; the only known cause is via exposure to the deadly mineral Asbestos. It comes from inhaling the particles of dust as the asbestos degrades; eating away at the lining of your lungs and developing into a deadly cancer. Dust that was inhaled in clouds of white powder, dust that was carried home on the clothes of the men who built this country, dust that was cleaned from the clothes by the wives and children who supported their sole provider at home, dust that was packed around the heating systems in houses and offices and schools, dust that carried a deadly price; and dust made a fortune in blood money for the companies that produced it. Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that is becoming more and more common. Affecting the mesothelial cells that make up the mesothelium – the outer lining that protects the body’s major organs such as the heart, stomach and lungs – this form of cancer is a direct result of regular and unprotected exposure to asbestos. The symptoms and the latency period of this disease mean that it is difficult to diagnose. Treatment for mesothelioma is still being investigated through clinical trials and research, but as a rule it responds poorly to the treatments that are currently used. Mesothelioma.com (provided by law firm my Father used)
In 1997 my husband began having some symptoms that 2 years later we finally learned were from being Bipolar, or a manic depressive. Those were a horrible 2 years for him, and for all of that love him. He went from being on top of the world, to being in the bottom of a well, so to speak. His depression and anxiety were probably more noticeable than the manic episodes. He had compulsive and impulsive behavior as well. His physical appearance began to change as the disease grew more intense. We have come to believe that that this ran in his family and that he actually suffered from it for years, but it was not until his late thirty's that being under stress, both mental and physical, that it fully shown it's ugly head. During that time, it also affected our children so severly that our middle son was soon diagnosed as being bipolar as well. I have some links with information on bipolar disorder, but I'm here to say that those that live with those suffering with this disorder, that there is help and support for you too out there. It is a difficult journey, but it can happen. Manic Depression can be controlled with medication and counseling, and support from loved ones. Loved ones can live happily with manic depressives with help and support from professionals and loved ones and lots of knowledge. Read all you can and talk with others who have loved ones with this disorder. DBSA Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives. About 5.7 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year,1 have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. It is often not recognized as an illness, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.
Asthma & Allergies
My youngest son and me both suffer from asthma and allergies. My asthma is mild and caused from allergies to mold and enviromental allegens. My allergies to mold are severe as well as grass, trees, dustmites and other things. My Mother had asthma most of her life and I believe me and my son both inherited this. Asthma can be scary, but can be controlled too. Allergies too can be controlled through various measures, whether it is allergy injections or avoiding allergens if you are able. I suffer from AFS as well, which is allergic fungal sinusitis. We all have fungus on and in our bodies, but my body reacts to all fungus as an allergan and I get the worse sinus infections that don't clear up with regular antibiotics. I usually wind up having surgery to rid my sinuses of the nasty mucuous that accumulates and won't come out. Here are some links that I have visited several times. AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American) Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. You must also remove the triggers in your environment that can make your asthma worse .
My husband was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2 in 2003. Actually he didn't even know he had it. He had a physical for a new job and it was then he was diagnosed. Diabetes runs in his family. I am by no mean a doctor and this whole disease is still not all clear to me and him, but I am still learning. There are tons of books and articles and information on the web too that can help you with knowledge. Doctors and clinics offer counseling with nutrition and checking blood glucose levels. Although he is still not maintaining control of his sugar, I still push for him too and pray he will not suffer later from the uncontrolled levels. Here are some of my favorite sites I have found on Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Having type 2 diabetes means that your body doesn't make enough insulin, or doesn't properly use the insulin your body makes. Insulin, which is made in your pancreas, helps your body's cells use sugar from your bloodstream, which comes from foods and drinks. Sugar is a source of energy for cells. With type 2 diabetes, high levels of sugar build up in your blood.
This can lead to serious health problems.
Many people with type 2 diabetes never show any signs. But some people do show symptoms. The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
My Diabetes Central (A great support group) The Diabetes Monitor (Meal Planning)
Caregiving/Hospices I never would have dreamed that I would have been faced with taking care of my parents someday, but I was. Caregiving for the elderly, let alone your parents is not an easy job. It is extremely stressful even though you love your dear one dearly. My Mother had been so independent all my life and giving that up to allow me to help bathe and dress her for difficult for her and for me. Our roles had reversed. I worked full time, plus had 3 children and a husband and had to help with my Dad's illness and Mother's as well. When my Dad passed away, I had to move in my Mother to help care for her and continue working. I separated myself from my own children to do this. Those were difficult months, and the hardest thing I had ever done, but sometimes we just have to do things that don't make sense. I have no regrets, but I will say I would not have gotten through that time unless I had the support of my husband, which I did, and my closet friends and Church family. I tell others now in the same situation that we may feel so burdened by caregiving, but it really is for a little while, then that loved one is gone. I found a great support site on the web during that time. It's important to make time for yourself, even though it may seem impossible, but you have to for sanity.
NAC (National Alliance for Caregiving) Has coping tips. Caregiver.com (An online Magazine for Caregivers) Also check with your community hospitals and clinics and home health for support groups locally.
Childhood (Sexual) Abuse
When I was 5 years old I was molested by a trusted neighbor over and over. When you are 5 years old, you do not fully understand what an adult is asking you to do or wanting to do to you. Deep down I was extremely uncomfortable, but did not realize it was wrong. There is a sense of fear and a need to keep that quite. I was told not to tell my Mother, that I would get in trouble and that is was a secret. We later moved and I kept those memories buried for 27 more years. Then one night in a cold sweat I felt the need to tell my husband and began dealing with the abuse that I believe affected me emotionally and physically for many years. I did tell my Mother when I began dealing with this. Looking back, she said there were no signs she picked up on or no disturbing behavior from me. We talked many times about how would she have known. It was a trusted neighbor who in fact we rode to Church with. He would have his grandson over too at times and ask his grandson to leave so he tell me secrets. I remember avoiding him as I played outside. He would try to beckon me to the window or to the front yard. I remember making excuses sometimes because I felt frightened. What can parents and caretakers do to help keep children safe?Talk to your children about the difference between good touch and bad touch. Tell the child that if someone tries to touch his or her body and do things that make the child feel uncomfortable, he or she should say NO to the person and tell you about it right away. Let children know that they have the right to forbid others to touch their bodies in a bad way. Let them know that respect does not always mean doing what those in authority tell them to do. Do not tell them to do EVERYTHING the babysitter or group leader tells them to do. Alert your children that perpetrators may use the Internet, and monitor your children's access to online websites. Most importantly, provide a safe, caring environment so children feel able to talk freely about sexual abuse.
Understanding Child Sexual Abuse
Drinking and Driving
Awareness Bunnies by Cottontail Graphics
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Bipolar
(Manic Depression)
Diabetes
