debutaunt.com

Be Strange But Don't Be a Stranger

Yesterday. I slept. all. day.

"Zoe, what do you want from New Orleans?"
"I don't know. Something nice."

I bought her a t-shirt and a bracelet.
"Mommy, did you have fun in New Zorleans?"

NOLa haiku style

very excited
no drama at the airport
checked in all our bags

I wore my mask there
no TB jerk on my plane
easy flight for me

ativan for deb
a little wine for Diane
trash mags for Sis1

cab to the hotel
room not ready so we ate
weather was gorgeous

ate some italian
walked around and shopped a bit
chilled out in the room

then ate at NOLA
Emeril's food is the bomb
a tasting menu

I drank some wine too
that was some amazing stuff
I met the wine guy

[aside] There was this dude at a table wearing what appeared to be jammie pants. He had on this wild shirt to go with them. We could not stop staring as we were trying to figure out just what in the hell he was thinking. When I was in the can, before we were going to leave, Sis #1 and Diane talked to someone at his table. I came out and he came over. Turns out they were chef pants and his shirt had wine bottles all over them. He was part of this foodie convention and actually does a wine show on the radio in NO. He was cool and funny and I wish we could have dined with HIM!

I would have married
the person that made my cake
it was just that good

too pooped to party
we saved that for Sunday
shopped in the market

ate those good beignets
me sans the powdered sugar
roll me in the dough

looked at market stuff
bought a bracelet for Zoe
I was missing her

we chilled in the room
dressed up to go to Emerils
watched a fun movie

Emerils, so fab
had some great fish and more wine
dessert with coffee

it was food heaven
then it was time for some fun
shakin' our asses

watching:

my fav - Kabrina
jumped off stage in stripper heels
"I want some muscles"

that queen rocked her ass
naked dancing on the bar
not us but cute boys

weren't there very long
but long enough to feel free
free for just one night

I had a great time. I want to go again. Sis #1 and Diane were awesome. Thanks also to debu_Dad for the extra cashamatoma and to the Momo G for watching the chirrins.

Zoe goes to NY on June 12th. I think I'm just going to travel a bit this summer and not really do too much of anything except maybe correspond and workout and eat healthy. I went to the docs yesterday and I have gained six pounds since the last visit. They told me they are sure it's the meds I'm on as three of them cause weight gain. I'm pretty sure it's lack of movement. I miss the gym. But I'll get there. I feel it.

So so news as the docs. I have to spend all day there tomorrow getting the dreaded immunoglobulin (IVIG). My levels are around 270 and they infuse you if they are below 400. Normal people have around 700 or so. So my nurse said that it is pretty important that I go. For more info on IVIg, see extended entry.

I hate IVIg. 1st hatred - horking; 2nd hatred - bone marrow biopsies; 3rd hatred - IVig. It gives me the shakes and I feel terrible. They drug me up to the max to give it to me. And it can potentially have some awful side effects. I hate the stuff, but they say that it is "liquid gold." (at 10k a pop, it should be). But they say that I need it because my immune system is so puny, I can catch damn near anything at any time. And since I want to be roadtripping a little, I guess I better take it. *sigh* It is what it is.

I can do this. I had fun in New Zorleans.

Your assignment today is to give blood. Find out when you last gave blood and do it again if you are eligible. And some people don't think they are eligible, but they are. Double check. Don't go on rumors or myths. And if you aren't able, find a few people who are. See if the church has a youth group that gets service awards. Volunteer at a blood drive. Blog about the need for blood. Donate to your local blood bank. It never seems important until it hits you where you live. And it's hit our family just a little too often.

I miss you internets. Life is good, but has been a little rough lately.

Yay! Not

Immunoglobulin
IVIg (Intravenous Infusion of Immunoglobulins)

IVIG is a solution of globulins containing antibodies normally present in adult human blood. Globulins are simple proteins that provide immunity against disease. A protein is made up of several amino acids, which are the microscopic building blocks that make up all cells. IVIG is used as a temporary treatment to elevate platelet counts. Administration every 10 to 21 days is usually required to maintain adequate platelet counts. Response to treatment is usually seen in 8 days.

Each batch of IVIg is made of human plasma derived from pools of 3,000 to 10,000 donors. Because this product is developed from pooled blood samples of many different donors, it is theoretically possible that viruses or bacteria could be transmitted in the product. Since 1985, however, all products are tested for HIV and hepatitis. Immune Globulin comes in sterile solution and is administered intravenously. It is made in different strengths and sizes.

Side Effects

In general, adverse reactions to IVIg therapy are usually minor and occur in no more than 10% of patients. Mild-to-moderate headache, which responds to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is common. Chills, chest discomfort may develop in the first hour of the infusion and usually respond to cessation of the infusion for 30 minutes and resumption of it at a slower rate. Fatigue, fever, or nausea may occur after infusion and may last as long as 24 hours.

Other side effects include, dizziness, leg cramps, muscle aches and pains and pain and tenderness at the injection site. Side effects that should be reported to a health care provider includes, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain or tightness, seizures or convulsions. A severe anaphylactic reaction may occur in patients who have a serious deficiency of IgA associated with anti-IgE or anti-IgG antibodies against IgA, which react with the IgA in the IGG preparation. The reaction is rare occurring in about 1 out of 1000 people.

Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) products have been reported to be associated with renal dysfunction, acute renal failure, osmotic nephrosis and death. Patients should be instructed to immediately report symptoms of decreased urine output, sudden weight gain, fluid retention/edema, and/or shortness of breath (which may suggest kidney damage) to their physicians.

While these reports of renal dysfunction and acute renal failure have been associated with the use of many of the licensed IGIV products, those containing sucrose as a stabilizer accounted for a disproportionate share of the total number. Gamunex does not contain sucrose. Glycine, a natural amino acid, is used as a stablizer.

There have been reports of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, rare reports of hemolytic anemia, and very rare reports of aseptic meningitis in patients administered with IGIV. Thrombotic events have been reported in association with IGIV. Patients at risk may include those with a history of atherosclerosis, multiple cardiovascular risk factors, advanced age, impaired cardiac output, and/or known or suspected hyperviscosity. As with all plasma-derived therapeutics, the potential to transmit infectious agents cannot be totally eliminated.

Gamunex is made from human plasma. Products made from human plasma may contain infectious agents, such as viruses, that can cause disease. The risk that such products will transmit an infectious agent has been reduced by screening plasma donors for prior exposure to certain viruses, by testing for the presence of certain current virus infections, and by inactivating and/or removing certain viruses. Despite these measures, such products can still potentially transmit disease. There is also the possibility that unknown infectious agents may be present in such products. Individuals who receive infusions of blood or plasma products may develop signs and/or symptoms of some viral infections, particularly hepatitis C.

Posted by debutaunt at May 31, 2007 04:45 PM