Watcha Doin' - 2017.1 edition Showing 2,851-2,900 of 5,020

[Anne (Booklady)]

Wonderful news, Margo :)

[Tejas Janet]

I agree with you, Travis. Good to make a point of appreciating what time we have with family and friends while we're here.

Which reminds me, I appreciate you guys. Hope you know that.

[Peggy]

Let's see if GR works again. I feel weird when I can't use it!

edit: seems to be working, except the unread posts are still weird.

[Lisa]

Peggy wrote: "Let's see if GR works again. I feel weird when I can't use it!

edit: seems to be working, except the unread posts are still weird."

I was just about to ask whether anyone else has been having trouble getting onto GR today. This is the first time in about 10 attempts that I have been able to get past the login page.

[Anne (Booklady)]

@Peggy and Lisa,

I have had problems too. I rebooted my laptop and so far, so good. I had had problems with some pages loading and some did not - very strange! I was panicking - not being able to get onto Goodreads freaks me out.

[Peggy]

I couldn't post any messages and some threads said I have a few to thousands of unread messages (which is not the case). Then I couldn't get into GR at all ('an unexpected error occurred, please try again later') which I assumed meant they were trying to fix it. I can post again, but the (un)read messages are still off.

[Sarah]

Ugh. Nightmare. At least I can post now even if the new post notification is playing up.

[Margo]

Travis sivarT wrote: "That is terrific Margo. I don't think we'll get that lucky over here. My uncle has some rare blood and bone marrow cancer and currently trying to overcome kidney failure. But. For there to be 2 unc..."

Thanks for all the good wishes folks.

Travis my heart goes out to you and your family. We were told that my uncle has a massive tumour and the chances of him pulling through were 20:80. Not the odds you want. But it seems that he has beaten those odds, this time. That is proof that it can be done - think positive.

[Margo]

Peggy wrote: "I couldn't post any messages and some threads said I have a few to thousands of unread messages (which is not the case). Then I couldn't get into GR at all ('an unexpected error occurred, please tr..."

Same here. My first coffee just wasn't the same with out you all!

[Kristie, Moderator]

Interesting. I had a problem with GR a day or two ago, but no issues today. Maybe I slept through it this time.

[Lisa]

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "@Peggy and Lisa,

I have had problems too. I rebooted my laptop and so far, so good. I had had problems with some pages loading and some did not - very strange! I was panicking - not being able to..."

I hate not being able to get onto Goodreads too, Anne. I feel like something is missing when I am unable to check in with you all.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I am not having problems with GR in my computer, but I notices the last days the app in my phones crashes without reason, and my kindle started asked for an update of the GR app, but GR won't let me update it. I ended up uninstalling it, and will install it again in a few days. I can't be "out" GR!!

Travis, I hope things get better. I am with Margo. Think positive.

[Travis]

Like Tupac says we must remember that tomorrow comes after the dark.

I love that quote.

It's not about being not positive it's that they flat out said it's uncurable cancer and treatment can extend your life but your not going to be cancer free basically ever. But can't start battling cancer until they jump start the kidneys.

I just hope extending the life means extending a quality life not just keeping you alive in pain and misery. But you're all right stay positive. Miracles happen all the time.

[Peggy]

They said the same to my aunt (no cure, not much longer to live) but she has been cancer free for 12 years or so now.

[Travis]

Nice Peggy. Well maybe our cancer patient needs to get a better attitude. It's his I give up attitude that's gonna doom him. In my opinion. Maybe he needs to join Goodreads and take a lesson from Debra

[Peggy]

I hope your uncle overcomes it travis, and that he can change his attitude. I think there's also scientific evidence that people with a positive attitude heal better/faster from all kinds of illnesses. Not sure if cancer is also included though. And of course it's not the deciding factor, but I guess it won't hurt.

[KimeyDiann]

That is all just further proof that doctors never really know when they are giving a prognosis of this sort. A coworker had liver cancer and was told by one doctor that he wouldn't live through the year, another said he easily had another 20 years at least, and another said maybe 5. He lived for about 3 years after diagnosis, but the cancer in his liver was gone. He also had lung cancer that wasn't found until it had progressed too far. By the time it was discovered it was too late to do anything other than keep him comfortable. He didn't last very much longer.

[KimeyDiann]

The company that provides my health insurance sends a newsletter every month with some interesting facts about health and wellness. This month's included this article which I thought some of you that suffer from asthma might find interesting.

Spoiler tags are just because it's kind of long.
(view spoiler)[
THUNDERSTORMS CAN TRIGGER ASTHMA ATTACKS
Eight people in greater Melbourne, Australia, died as a result of a freak thunderstorm last November, and thousands more were hospitalized. The victims were not struck by lightning—they suffered asthma attacks. The Melbourne incident, which occurred when pollen and humidity were high, was not an isolated event. There is strong evidence that thunderstorms can increase the risk for asthma attacks. One study published in Thorax found that asthma-related visits to emergency rooms in the Atlanta, Georgia, area increased following thunderstorms.

The most likely explanation for “thunderstorm asthma” is that these storms can cause pollen already in the air to burst into tiny particles that are very easy to inhale deeply into the lungs. These tiny particles can be especially dangerous for people prone to allergy-induced asthma. When you have allergy-induced asthma, the pollen that can trigger hay fever also can trigger an asthma attack.

An alternate theory proposes that downdrafts of cold air associated with thunderstorms might increase pollen concentrations low in the atmosphere, where the pollen is then more likely to be inhaled. It also is worth noting that lightning can generate ozone gas, and ozone is known to trigger asthma attacks.

What to do: if you have allergy-induced asthma, ask your doctor whether you should take special precautions when thunderstorms begin. For example, he/she might recommend taking an extra dose of an asthma-control medicine such as an inhaled corticosteroid and/or remaining indoors as much as possible during the day following a thunderstorm.

(from American Lung Association)
(hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Travis sivarT wrote: "Like Tupac says we must remember that tomorrow comes after the dark.

I love that quote.

It's not about being not positive it's that they flat out said it's uncurable cancer and treatment can exte..."

You are right Travis - It's all about quality of life. If you don't have that there's not much point to living. Pain control is also key :(

[KimeyDiann]

Ugh, now my GR is acting weird. It says I have over 2800 unread messages on this thread alone.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Me too, Kimey. Lots of comments I have already read appear as "new" in the different threads. This is no the first time it happens, though.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Yup. GR is having an issue with posts being marked new when they aren't today.

[Cherie]

The whole thread with over 2k posts shows as new for me.

[Sarah]

Thanks for that information Kimey. I read something similar recently on the Asthma UK website. Makes total sense to me. I have allergy-induced asthma and pollen is a big problem for me. This last month has been a nightmare for me and we've had quite a few storms. I got a bit annoyed with it being so out of control that I went to the doctors at the end of last week. They said I had decreased air intake on my right side and prescribed me antibiotics. I've nearly finished them now and already I feel so much better. But we're just coming in to harvest season now. In fact there has already been a few combine harvesters out this last week so now I have dust to add to the mix too. I also vaguely remember reading something about a super pollen which forms when pollen and pollution molecules combine or something like that. I can't remember all the details. That can be problematic too.

[Travis]

So I'm in the bathroom with the door open . No one's home. I hear rustling and I'm trying to figure what the dog is getting in to. I keep listening it's really puzzling me . Finally I'm like ok I better just yell at the dog so I turn to yell and he'd been laying in the doorway of the bathroom the whole time. Lol. Some detective I am. Was just the wind rustling a bag.

[KimeyDiann]

@Sarah, I don't have asthma, but I have terrible allergies. My nose is perpetually stopped up and/or running. I get a little relief in mid winter, but I have problems pretty much year round because of where I live. Spring when the pine trees and flowers all start blooming is the worst though.

@Travis, that is too funny. I just hope it was the wind and not a ghost. LOL. ;)

[Travis]

For all the episodes of Scooby Doo I've watched how did I forget to check for ghosts

[Sandra, Moderator]

Hahaha, so funny, Travis.

[Sarah]

Excellent Travis! I occasionally hear dripping and start worrying we have a leak. Then I realise I filled up the water filter earlier and it's just dripping through. Never got panicked like that when the water filter did it in our flat. Lol.

[Margo]

Our patient came home 24 hours ahead of schedule as his bed was needed for another patient! My cousin got an urgent call to collect him yesterday. Nothing like a last minute 120 mile each way trip lol

He so much happier to be "home". We brought lots of his own stuff up for his room in our house so he's surrounded by his own things. He is traumatised by the disfigurement. He is affraid to go out in case people take snaps of him to put up on social media. He has to sit in front of a mirror to eat blended food from a baby spoon as his mouth is less than half the size it was. So sad.

At least he is still with us.

[Peggy]

Your hospital doesn't sound very organized Margo.

That is sad :( Will the doctors be able to give him surgery to improve his appearance?

[Sandra, Moderator]

I guess that it also takes some time to process and "digest" such a change in your appearance. Maybe as time passes he will be able to make peace with all of this, and just be happy he is lucky to be still around. It has to be hard.

[Travis]

Nah the guy I knew was left with like a huge lump of extra flesh along his lip cheek area. Idk why they don't tidy it up with a plastic surgeon. Probably figure patient glad to be alive and that's good enough

[Travis]

I can say from experience the first time I ran into him I probably stared a bit as it was a shock. After that I knew about it so I just made eye contact. I'm sure it's hard going for a while because it does get people attention.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

thunderstorm asthma attacks are pretty horrible and affect people who don't have asthma normally. we have such a horrible pollen count, and the thunderstorms make the plants release so much more pollen, it's a huge problem in Aus. I have a puffer again from last year's hay fever season but particularly the thunderstorm activity.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

p.s. hi all. not dead. in Kilkenny, ireland.

been through the UK which involved London with friend catch ups, boat riding on a certain narrow boat we know in Wiltshire, wedding in Yorkshire, and more.family time in Manchester.

got to Ireland yesterday. been through County Wicklow through woods and ruins, and spent an afternoon in the National Bird of Prey Centre, where we took a Harris Hawk for an hour for a walk through the grounds and learnt how to handle it. it's been crazy but lovely to be away. sorry for my absence but thinking about you all lots and I am reading grs, just lot responding much.

[KimeyDiann]

Is reconstructive surgery planned in the future, Margo? I would probably not want to leave the house either.

@Rus, your trip sounds wonderful. Glad you're having a good time and not dead! LOL :) I'm so jealous that your in Ireland.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Enjoy, Rus!

[Lisa]

Rusalka wrote: "p.s. hi all. not dead. in Kilkenny, ireland.

been through the UK which involved London with friend catch ups, boat riding on a certain narrow boat we know in Wiltshire, wedding in Yorkshire, and m..."

Sounds great, Rusalka! Have a lovely time!

[Cherie]

Soooo glad you are having a wonderful time on your trip, Rusalka!

[Janice, Moderator]

Travis sivarT wrote: "For all the episodes of Scooby Doo I've watched how did I forget to check for ghosts"

LOL! You'll lose your Scooby Doo membership.

[Janice, Moderator]

Rusalka wrote: "p.s. hi all. not dead. in Kilkenny, ireland.

been through the UK which involved London with friend catch ups, boat riding on a certain narrow boat we know in Wiltshire, wedding in Yorkshire, and m..."

Sounds like you're having a great time, Rusalka.

[Sarah]

I hope with time and potentially further surgery that your uncle will feel ok with what's happened to his face Margo. I can't imagine what it must feel like but I think we'd all be devasted in such a massive change in appearance.

Glad to hear you made it to Ireland Rusalka. Those hawks are amazing. To he honest, I love all birds of prey. Being up close to them like that though made me realise how magnificent they really are. Sounds like you're having fun. Good to see you and Lexx the other day IRL. I reckon more YLTO meet ups are called for.

[Peggy]

Sounds like you're having a great time Rusalka. Enjoy!

[Sarah]

I heard the funniest conversation this morning whilst walking through the train station in Bristol on my way to work. Two guys behind me walking up the stairs. One says that NASA has advertised a job post for someone to act as "planetary protection officer" against alien invasion. He said the pay was in the region of $187 000. The other guy said that was a good wage. The other guy asked his mate if he would do it and his mate replied "How do you know I'm not already doing that job?" It made me smile and laugh out loud when I heard the conversation. Then I logged in to facebook to see that NASA has indeed advertised for this post. I thought they were joking.

[Travis]

I knew Men in Black was true!

[Sarah]

Travis sivarT wrote: "I knew Men in Black was true!"

Men in Black was the first thing that came to my mind. I imagined the two guys behind me dress in head to tow black suits with shades on. lol.

[Kristie, Moderator]

That's too funny, Sarah!

[Margo]

Peggy wrote: "Your hospital doesn't sound very organized Margo.

That is sad :( Will the doctors be able to give him surgery to improve his appearance?"

Not at all organised Peggy! I think ireland and the UK compete to have the worst healthcare system in europe =O

It was originally planned that he would have plastic surgery but now I'm not sure what's happening. There would need to a he be a healing period first.

[Margo]

Travis sivarT wrote: "I can say from experience the first time I ran into him I probably stared a bit as it was a shock. After that I knew about it so I just made eye contact. I'm sure it's hard going for a while becaus..."

It's so difficult not to stare at at a persons disability. Even I , who am disabled, do it!!