The Alberta Health Services Crisis (caution may be gross for squeamish stomaches)

I thought I should speak on this as it has been in the news a lot this last week...even calling in to question of an MLA's sanity by his own party! Dr. Raj Sherman is an ER doctor who is also an MLA for the ruling Conservative party. Dr. Sherman finally decided to take the government to task over the long emergency room wait times and believe me he is not exaggerating on this. I have numerous examples in my own life on er wait times.

Example 1:
It was June 2008, in fact we missed our 1st year anniversary, I developed what I thought was the stomach flu. I couldn't keep anything down, water, ginger ale, you name it, nothing would stay down. I have 3 days were I really don't remember anything because I was delusional. I finally requested to got to the ER. Not sure why we went to the U of A when we live closer to the Royal Alexandria, however we went. We got through triage at 8:00 pm. I still vomiting, bile mainly. We finally got into the er at 4:00 am.

We still had no idea what was causing the vomiting. Dr. Caldwell was called down, he finally showed at 8:00 am. They did some blood work and urine samples and finally came up with a urinary tract infection which required IV drugs, it was that bad. I stayed in the ER for 3 days as there were no beds available on the wards.

Example 2:
Fast forward to September 2009. I had been on antibiotics for various UTIs 10 times over a 9 month period. I was getting my 11th dosage when it was ordered that it had to be given by IV, oral meds weren't killing the bug. So off to the Royal Alex to start this. We arrived at 8:00 am like I had been told to except they had no idea why I was there (my GP at the time didn't have hospital privileges), so I had to see one of their drs. this was finally completed at 12:00 noon. I got my first dosage and was sent home. Next thing I know I am having diarrhea so bad I couldn't get off the toilet. We ended up calling an ambulance because I couldn't even walk to the car I was in so much pain.

So back to the Alex...we arrived at about 1:00 pm, I wasn't seen until almost 8:00 pm. I had not meds to stop the cramps, nothing. At 9:00 I was in the er and seen. The nurse administered Buscapan which was to help with the cramping, when all of a sudden I could feel my heart racing. I could see my husband just panicking when he saw numbers, etc before I passed out. The gave me something and I woke up to being moved closer to the nursers station, then I was moved to isolation when I was stabilized.

The next morning I was moved to a ward. By the way the ward is only supposed to have 4 people to the ward, there were 5. One was a patient that should have been on the psychiatric floor but there were no beds available. She had been in this room for a month...yes a month! I stayed there for 5 days. There were 2 people that should have been in a long term care facility but were in acute care because there were no beds for them. I was finally able to go home after 6 days in the hospital. I missed my husband and my cats. I just wanted to go home.

So the long and the short of it is that I now have IBS-D (Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea dominance. It took 6 months to get it under control it is quite embarrassing if I have flare up away from home as i have no control at all with a flare up.

Example 3:
I am allergic to bees, wasps and hornets. I don't usually carry and epipen because when I have them I usually end up throwing them out because they haven't been used and they cost $100.00 to get just one. So I have gotten stung twice since moving back to AB from BC. Both times I ended up in the ER. Thank fully the first time the ambulance gave me meds right away and all was good. I waited 4 hrs in the ER, not bad I am figuring.

Fast forward to this last summer, I got stung on the Yellowhead Hwy while in our truck. Hubby takes me to the Alex (it was the closest to get to) to be only told that we had a 6 hr wait. We ended up leaving and I took Benadryl to deal with the swelling and we watched my breathing.  It just seems to get worse everytime.

This is what Dr. Sherman was complaining about. I am sure there are countless other horror stories out there as well.

There is the young woman who has breast cancer. The life saving drugs cost $4000.00/month and she has to make a choice to by the drugs which will bankrupt her family or to die?!?! Not a great choice there.

http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/video/index.html?releasePID=dvFjxK7rQAKTaWj7eCfPzKnhW9K16H

There was the woman who lost her battle to colon cancer because she was unable to get into the Cross Institute.

I am thankful for politicians who step up like Dr. Sherman who is now facing his own complications. I am hoping that people with be supportive of Dr. Sherman and speak out about their own concerns about Alberta Health Services. Ours need an overhaul to better serve the people who use it.

(I will be cross posted this to my other blog as well)

Cora

EPBOT: Geek Girls, ACTIVATE!!

I had to share this story about a young 1st grader who got teased for carrying a Star Wars Water bottle to school. Please read more here. EPBOT: Geek Girls, ACTIVATE!! you leave a comment that will get passed onto Katie (the young girl in the story.

I love this quote from Yoda...

Yoda said "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate and hate leads to suffering"
(This is the original post: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/portrait_of_an_adoption/2010/11/katie-the-star-wars-girl-part-2.html#ixzz15lUOtElD)

Truer words have never been spoke.

Not sure which water bottle is in question as there are so many out there.  These are just some of the ones I found:

 Not sure why there would such an issue over a water bottle. We need to encourage our children to be the people they were meant to be. Bullying doesn't help that it makes it worse.  This is the second story I have seen in less than a month on this. It needs to stop!

It can be found here: http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2010/11/02/my-son-is-gay/ wow some of the comments were way off base here from the other mothers. So here is a 5 yr old boy who loves Scooby Doo.  I personally think he ROCKED the costume and so what if he chose to dress up as Daphne?  It is a crazy world that we live in right now and our children are the ones who have to deal with it.

So whether it is a young girl who loves Star Wars or a young man who decides to dress up as Daphne...GET OVER IT, people! They are kids who should be able to be themselves.

Cora

Planet June is having another CAL-This time it is a Christmsa CAL!

So Planet June (June Gilbank) is having a Christmas CAL, yes! I love her ingenious designs.  Here is the link to all the information just click on her CAL button.

Here are some of her projects...

The PlanetJune Christmas CAL & Contest

Top row: Christmas Trees, Christmas Baubles
Middle row: Poinsettia, PocketAmi Christmas
Bottom row: Christmas Pudding, Candy Cane

Please check it out at there are great prizes.

The prizes:

• First prize: a $10 gift certificate to spend on anything in the PlanetJune store
• Second prize: a free pattern of your choice from the PlanetJune store
• Runner-up prizes: I’ll send a discount code to all participants, to use against their next order from the PlanetJune store.

I know what I am planning on crocheting, do you?

Cora

2010 Knitting Contest from @Mochimochiland.

I am a huge fan of Mochimochi Land aka Anna Hrachove (Twitter, Facebook and Flickr)

These are my submissions:

1) Leo's New Best friends-Hugs and Squoze

2) My New Best Friend

3) Hangin' with the Gang

I had fun knitting both Hugs and Squoze as well as Cuter Polluter. The others are amigurumi from Crochet Today! So I hope you enter the contest as well.

Cora

Caron Connections-8th Day of Christmas

Let Caron help you get ready for the holidays with beautiful gifts, holiday accessories and wonderful festive wear.
(Vickie Howell is working on an exciting new project...and will return to Caron Connections soon!)

Day One: Poinsettia Scarf (crochet) / Day Two: Tirana Wristlets (knit)
Day Three: Mitered Stripes Baby Cardigan (crochet) / Day Four: Openwork Shawl (crochet)
Day Five: Crochet Gift Bags & Knit Gift Bags / Day Six: Ruffled Neckwrap (crochet)
Day Seven: Cabled Christmas Stocking | Day Eight: Europa Scarf

Cora

Procol Harum-November 9, 2010

So Da Camara Singers performed with Procol Harum (http://www.procolharum.com/) and the ESO (Edmonton Symphony Orchestra) November 9 and 10, 2010.  It was sold out both night. My husband is a member of Da Camara Singers.  This is the information from the program and yes, hubby got autographs.


This is the song set:


Homburg
Shine on Brightly
Grand Hotel
Simple Sister
Mr Blue Day (Gary at microphone, Josh at piano)
Whaling Stores
Something Magic
A Salty Dog (in honour of Remembrance Day and others that look down from above)

Intermission

A Whiter Shade of Pale (the two recorded verses)
Toujours l'Amour
Fires (Which Burnt Brightly)
Butterfly Boys
In Held 'Twas in I (Matt Pegg narrating the second spoken part: standing ovation)

Encore

Conquistador

 

So anyways I end up backstage to meet with hubby and we get invited to an exclusive party for those that have been invited. So here I am backstage and I get to meet the member of Procol Harum and then I see Gord Steinke from Global Edmonton News. I also got to me his wife who is just the sweetest lady.

We spent about an hour with Josh just talking keyboards, Macs and iPhones. He is such a personable character. It was an amazing and surreal time...wow! Josh is one of hubbies keyboardist heroes.  The band was also teasing DH for have a 3 GS iPhone instead of a 4 GS one...too funny :-)

Josh Philips and DH

We also got to spend some time with Gary Brooker and the rest of the band as well.

DH and Cary Brooker

DH, Gary Brooker and Bill Evans (ESO Conductor)

DH got some time to talk with the drummer, Geoff Dunn about issues helping his son with his drumming as he is ambidextrous and has had issues with crossing his arms to play. So they are talking technique in these photos.

DH and Geoff Dunn

DH and Geoff Dunn with Josh Philips looking on.

 We did gat a chance ot speak with Matt Pegg and his father who was in the original Procol Harem, Dave Pegg.

Left to Right: Gary Brooker, Dave Pegg, Gord Steinke, Geoffrey Charles Whitehorn

 All in all a great night! I do have other pictures however I decided not to post them.

Cora

Caron Connections-7th Day of Christmas

Let Caron help you get ready for the holidays with beautiful gifts, holiday accessories and wonderful festivewear.

(Vickie Howell is working on an exciting new project...and will return to Caron Connections soon!)

 

Day One: Poinsettia Scarf (crochet) 

Day Two: Tirana Wristlets (knit)

Day Three: Mitered Stripes Baby Cardigan (crochet) 

Day Four: Openwork Shawl (crochet)  

Day Five: Crochet Gift Bags & Knit Gift Bags 

Day Six: Ruffled Neckwrap (crochet)

Day Seven: Cabled Christmas Stocking

From Favecrafts....

Good Morning Crafters,
Attention crocheters: it's time to start preparing for the holidays. 

In this stunning collection you'll find the best crochet ornament and garland patterns that we have to offer.  You'll find everything you need to prepare your home, and tree, for the holidays.
Angels and Wreaths

1. Little Angel (shown)
2. Angel Ornament
3. Crochet Angel Tree Topper
4. Accent Angel
5. Crochet Christmas Wreath

Classic Ornaments

1. Crochet Heart Ornament (shown)
2. Festive Bird Ornament
   
3. Crochet Snowflakes
4. Crochet Christmas Ornaments
5. Crochet Ornaments

Festive Ornaments and Garland

1. Pinwheel Garland (shown)
2. Santa Ornament
3. Crochet Star Ornament
   
4. Fun Garland
   
5. Snowy Garland
   

Other Favorites

1. Mr. and Mrs. Snowman (shown)
2. Crochet Stocking Ornament
3. Little Stocking Ornaments
4. Snowflake Mitten Ornaments
5. Twinkle Star Ornaments

*In case you missed last Friday's newsletter: Here are some favorites from that issue: Cupcakes Quilt and Autumn Colors Quilt.

Cora
 

AllFreeKnitting.com is have a cool contest. Check it out.

Vogue Knitting Mittens and Gloves Giveaway

Vogue Knitting Mittens and Gloves

By the Editors of Vogue Knitting

Publisher: sixth&spring books

http://www.sixthandspringbooks.com/

ISBN: 1936096056

Who doesn't love knitting mittens and gloves? With Vogue Knitting Mittens & Gloves from Vogue Knitting magazine, you'll receive a collection of more than 40 innovative designs, from convertible mittens to patterns for coordinating hats and scarves. Create trendy wristlets, funky fingerless mitts or classic lace panel gloves - the choice is up to you.

See the full book review here.

Win this Vogue Knitting Mittens and Gloves book!

We are giving one Vogue Knitting Mittens and Gloves book to one lucky winner. Enter with the form BELOW. In addition:

1. If you blog about this giveaway at your blog, we’ll give you an extra entry. Contact us and include a link to the blog post.

2. If you tweet about this giveaway, you’ll get an extra entry. Again, contact us and include a link to the tweet.

3. If you add a link to us on your blogroll or website, we’ll give you an extra entry. Again, contact us!

Contest ends ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 18, 2010. You can enter once daily, so return often to improve your chances of winning!

To my American friends who are voting for a new Congress, Senator and other politicl changes.

Change isn't EASY (from the Change.org site)

Today is Election Day, and it's difficult to escape the media narrative that the hope for progressive change that so many Americans felt in 2008 has been replaced by fear and anger.

It's true that many who once supported the president are disappointed by his performance and have lost faith in the agenda for change they voted for just two years ago.

But this is in part due to how the economic crisis that started well before Obama's inauguration has overshadowed the accomplishments his administration and Congress have had despite long odds: historic health care reform, a stimulus that prevented a second great depression while making long-term investments in clean energy and public transportation, and an overhaul of our financial regulations system to prevent future economic crises.

Each of these battles has involved painful compromises, and together they are only steps toward the broad vision for change that swept Obama into office. But nobody ever said that change was going to be easy.

Whatever you think about President Obama's performance, he's understood this challenge from the beginning. On the night he was elected President, Obama said:

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there."

The road over the past two years has indeed been long and steep, in large part due to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Yet our country isn't defined by what we do in good times, but how we respond in times of hardship.

In these difficult times, the true test of our resolve is whether we continue fighting for a better America - for better jobs with fair pay, a clean environment for our children, quality education for all, and a politics uncorrupted by special interests - even in the face of long odds.

However disappointed we might be with the petty state of our politics, we have a gift that many around the globe still envy: the ability to vote for the world we want to live in, and the freedom to fight for what we feel is right. The only thing that can take that away is our own passivity.

So please, join us today in exercising your right to vote. And after all the votes are counted tonight, whatever happens, let's put the results in context. Our future is not determined by a single election; it's determined by how we respond, and how dedicated we are to the long fight for the change we seek. It won't be easy, but nothing worth fighting for ever is.

I thought this was very applicable as I saw how disillusioned and troubled the US was. It takes a while for change to occur. As the old saying says "Rome wasn't build in a day" and neither was all the issues that America now faces. i see a president who really cares deep down for the people that he leads. President Obama is a true and gifted leader.who has had many, many issues to tackle...such as:

• unemployment
• the Wall St fiasco
• the recession which could've been a depression
• and Health Care (a big issue)

I am watching with interest as whatever happens south of us affects us. My biggest concern is that there would be a knee jerk reaction to the slow turn around of all the issues. I have watched the attack ads, actually there were none that focused on the what the candidate would do if elected.

Please go out and vote today and be clear as how and why your voting the way you are.

take care.....