Thursday, 29 June 2006
My dad and I got this on a recent email and he joked that I should put this as my outgoing message on my voicemail...
"I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes."
Funny.
Here are some recent changes I read about in the news today:
* The Sleater-Kinney band is going on an indefinite hiatus, finishing up their summer concerts and then, that's it. That's too bad. The last time I saw them in concert was at the Showbox in Seattle a couple of years ago.
* As mentioned in this month's issue of Time as well, we are becoming more isolated individuals in society with the increased usage of emails and text messaging. People have less close knit friendships, so it is becoming more important for individuals to make the effort to reach out to family and friends.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
How Yoga Changes Your Body
Thursday, 29 June 2006
Yesterday when I weighed myself after yoga, on an empty stomach, I was a particular weight. Then, after my gallavanting during the day, and a few drinks later, when I weighed myself in the evening, I noticed I had gained 5 pounds! Can that actually be true?!
Well, this week, two of my yoga teachers and fellow yoginis have commented that I have lost weight. I don't routinely weigh myself, but I have noticed my body changing. After practice this morning, someone asked me, "How much weight have you lost? You look really toned." Apparently, I've lost about five pounds around my waistline and am becoming more toned in my abs. I am proud of that, and know that it's probably because I always push myself in each class. Perhaps it is because I've bumped my practices up to 5 or 6 days a week. My goal is to go everyday, but I'm not quite there yet.
It is interesting too because my eating habits have changed. The more I do yoga, the more my body rejects "bad" processed, oily, and heavy food. Hence, I have been drinking a lot of fresh squeezed carrot and apple juice, salads, and yogurt for dessert. Anyone who knows me knows that I eat like a pig, but graze like a cow. I still do indulge in snacks every once in awhile, knowing that it'll make me feel sick later.
Again, I become a spokesperson and advocate for how great Bikram yoga is, no matter how torturous and insane the 90 minute practice may sound. Funny thing is, it was a little overcast outside this morning, and I was actually cold when I walked out of the 100 degree class! But, now I've worked up an appetite and am ready to eat!
Yesterday when I weighed myself after yoga, on an empty stomach, I was a particular weight. Then, after my gallavanting during the day, and a few drinks later, when I weighed myself in the evening, I noticed I had gained 5 pounds! Can that actually be true?!
Well, this week, two of my yoga teachers and fellow yoginis have commented that I have lost weight. I don't routinely weigh myself, but I have noticed my body changing. After practice this morning, someone asked me, "How much weight have you lost? You look really toned." Apparently, I've lost about five pounds around my waistline and am becoming more toned in my abs. I am proud of that, and know that it's probably because I always push myself in each class. Perhaps it is because I've bumped my practices up to 5 or 6 days a week. My goal is to go everyday, but I'm not quite there yet.
It is interesting too because my eating habits have changed. The more I do yoga, the more my body rejects "bad" processed, oily, and heavy food. Hence, I have been drinking a lot of fresh squeezed carrot and apple juice, salads, and yogurt for dessert. Anyone who knows me knows that I eat like a pig, but graze like a cow. I still do indulge in snacks every once in awhile, knowing that it'll make me feel sick later.
Again, I become a spokesperson and advocate for how great Bikram yoga is, no matter how torturous and insane the 90 minute practice may sound. Funny thing is, it was a little overcast outside this morning, and I was actually cold when I walked out of the 100 degree class! But, now I've worked up an appetite and am ready to eat!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
A Well Spent Day Off
Wednesday, 28 June 2006
Today I had a day off since Dad had a doctor's appointment. So, after my brother got my dad out of bed and watched him in the morning, my stepmom took the afternoon off from work. I spent the day having a great workout at yoga in the morning (this time I took two advil just in case, as I worked through pain yesterday). I met Miya and baby Taiga for lunch at Jimbo's for tempura udon. We went to her chiropracter's appointment and doctor's to get xrays for her tweaked back. She threw out her back the other day and lifting the baby in and out of the car has strained her back, so I helped her today by doing all the lifting and transferring and watching the baby while she was being examined by the doctor.
Joel picked me up at 5 pm, and although I felt underdressed in my tank top and shorts and slippers, we headed to a fundraiser at Rumours Nightclub. The attire ended up being fine as he remarked that the crowd was the epitomy of "Hawai'is blue collar class", supporting a softball team fundraising event. We munched on pupus, listened to people get door prizes, talked about dating stories, and drank strawberry margaritas. We then headed off to Nashville, a country bar (probably the only one here) in Waikiki, to pick up Joel's mom who teaches line dancing there on Wednesday nights. We saw his brother Adam there too who dj's there, and other friends, who hooked us up with drinks. We had fun doing a few line dances to Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road" and another slower one to "Black Velvet". It was so much fun. I told Joel we have to come back every Wednesday. His mom's a good teacher, and she's been teaching there for over 5 years. She has quite a following.
They dropped me off at Miya's to pick up my truck, and I visited with them while I sobered up from my evening out before heading home. It was a fun day!
Today I had a day off since Dad had a doctor's appointment. So, after my brother got my dad out of bed and watched him in the morning, my stepmom took the afternoon off from work. I spent the day having a great workout at yoga in the morning (this time I took two advil just in case, as I worked through pain yesterday). I met Miya and baby Taiga for lunch at Jimbo's for tempura udon. We went to her chiropracter's appointment and doctor's to get xrays for her tweaked back. She threw out her back the other day and lifting the baby in and out of the car has strained her back, so I helped her today by doing all the lifting and transferring and watching the baby while she was being examined by the doctor.
Joel picked me up at 5 pm, and although I felt underdressed in my tank top and shorts and slippers, we headed to a fundraiser at Rumours Nightclub. The attire ended up being fine as he remarked that the crowd was the epitomy of "Hawai'is blue collar class", supporting a softball team fundraising event. We munched on pupus, listened to people get door prizes, talked about dating stories, and drank strawberry margaritas. We then headed off to Nashville, a country bar (probably the only one here) in Waikiki, to pick up Joel's mom who teaches line dancing there on Wednesday nights. We saw his brother Adam there too who dj's there, and other friends, who hooked us up with drinks. We had fun doing a few line dances to Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road" and another slower one to "Black Velvet". It was so much fun. I told Joel we have to come back every Wednesday. His mom's a good teacher, and she's been teaching there for over 5 years. She has quite a following.
They dropped me off at Miya's to pick up my truck, and I visited with them while I sobered up from my evening out before heading home. It was a fun day!
Expensive Housing in Hawai'i
Cynthia Oi wrote a great column in the Honolulu Star Bulletin. Read below...
With isle housing, maybe money talks too much
AT both sites, breezes fetch salt spray from the sea. At dawn and evening, the sun casts equally enchanting light across the sky over them and waves soothe in identical rushes of the ocean's constancy.
Both depict a thin illusion of Hawaii, but are separated by more than the 20-odd miles between them.
"Got $40 million?" chirped a news broadcaster in a stale lead-in to a story about one of the locations, a near-three acres of land up for sale in the wealthy enclave of Kahala.
For that astounding price, you get a vacant lot. There's no pseudo-Mediterranean, blue-tile-roofed mansion, no tiger-lily, bougainvillea, areca palm landscaped gardens, no moss-rock koi ponds or marble "infiniti" swimming pools.
As a matter of fact, the expensive parcel's weedy brown grass looks just about the same as the grounds of Keaau Beach Park, but there on the far reaches of the Leeward Coast are homes. Not anything a "got $40 million" type would want, though.
Assembled from tarps stretched open for daytime living and cheap tents for sleeping or protection from the occasional shower, scores of people have converted Keaau and other public parks into their own private quarters. The seasoned ones pass on advice to new arrivals, telling them to "stay out of sight, out of mind" even as their increasing number makes that impossible.
Hawaii, like almost everywhere in America, has always accommodated rich and poor. Only it seems that the breach has gotten wider as the affluent are indulgently welcomed to the point of embarrassment.
The Donalds and Hiltons win almost drooling cheers for just showing off blueprints of the extravagant, luxury, five-star, top-of-the-line, opulent, plush, lush vacation apartments they will build for those who can say yes to the "got millions" question.
Having the rich come to the islands to buy and sell is viewed as validation, "as testament," said one politician, that Hawaii is "one of the world's most celebrated destinations."
But we already know that, don't we? Why else would thousands pull up roots in Beverly Hills to sink them here or send out tendrils from Dallas and Houston to embed them in local soil?
Yet, this apparently escapes the movers and shakers in Hawaii. Or maybe it doesn't. It may be that the movers and shakers want to jostle more cash into their own pockets so they, too, can say yes. And in making their pitch to gratify the Donalds, they tell the rest of us that we'll share in the abundance, that tax revenue and spending by the rich eventually will trickle down.
OK, some of it will, but the lion's share won't. Not really. The big money goes mostly to those who have big money to invest in the first place. That's fair, but what's grating are the claims that they are doing good for Hawaii.
If that were true, the Donalds also would be investing in housing for the people who take care of "yes" people's dwellings, who fix the sewers into which "yes" people's wastes flow and who clean the sidewalks and patch the holes they stroll and drive on.
Developers of housing projects sing a similar tune. After all, they say, they are putting in needed infrastructure, but forget that the infrastructure is necessary due to their building. They say that 20 percent of the housing they build will be "affordable," but what they obscure is that the sale of the non-affordable houses will be priced to make up the difference and that law requires the 20 percent anyway.
So don't give me generosity. Don't give me doing good. It's money that's talking here and is it ever loud. Maybe it's time to say no to the ones who can say yes.
Cynthia Oi has been on the staff of the Star-Bulletin since 1976. She can be reached at coi@starbulletin.com.
With isle housing, maybe money talks too much
AT both sites, breezes fetch salt spray from the sea. At dawn and evening, the sun casts equally enchanting light across the sky over them and waves soothe in identical rushes of the ocean's constancy.
Both depict a thin illusion of Hawaii, but are separated by more than the 20-odd miles between them.
"Got $40 million?" chirped a news broadcaster in a stale lead-in to a story about one of the locations, a near-three acres of land up for sale in the wealthy enclave of Kahala.
For that astounding price, you get a vacant lot. There's no pseudo-Mediterranean, blue-tile-roofed mansion, no tiger-lily, bougainvillea, areca palm landscaped gardens, no moss-rock koi ponds or marble "infiniti" swimming pools.
As a matter of fact, the expensive parcel's weedy brown grass looks just about the same as the grounds of Keaau Beach Park, but there on the far reaches of the Leeward Coast are homes. Not anything a "got $40 million" type would want, though.
Assembled from tarps stretched open for daytime living and cheap tents for sleeping or protection from the occasional shower, scores of people have converted Keaau and other public parks into their own private quarters. The seasoned ones pass on advice to new arrivals, telling them to "stay out of sight, out of mind" even as their increasing number makes that impossible.
Hawaii, like almost everywhere in America, has always accommodated rich and poor. Only it seems that the breach has gotten wider as the affluent are indulgently welcomed to the point of embarrassment.
The Donalds and Hiltons win almost drooling cheers for just showing off blueprints of the extravagant, luxury, five-star, top-of-the-line, opulent, plush, lush vacation apartments they will build for those who can say yes to the "got millions" question.
Having the rich come to the islands to buy and sell is viewed as validation, "as testament," said one politician, that Hawaii is "one of the world's most celebrated destinations."
But we already know that, don't we? Why else would thousands pull up roots in Beverly Hills to sink them here or send out tendrils from Dallas and Houston to embed them in local soil?
Yet, this apparently escapes the movers and shakers in Hawaii. Or maybe it doesn't. It may be that the movers and shakers want to jostle more cash into their own pockets so they, too, can say yes. And in making their pitch to gratify the Donalds, they tell the rest of us that we'll share in the abundance, that tax revenue and spending by the rich eventually will trickle down.
OK, some of it will, but the lion's share won't. Not really. The big money goes mostly to those who have big money to invest in the first place. That's fair, but what's grating are the claims that they are doing good for Hawaii.
If that were true, the Donalds also would be investing in housing for the people who take care of "yes" people's dwellings, who fix the sewers into which "yes" people's wastes flow and who clean the sidewalks and patch the holes they stroll and drive on.
Developers of housing projects sing a similar tune. After all, they say, they are putting in needed infrastructure, but forget that the infrastructure is necessary due to their building. They say that 20 percent of the housing they build will be "affordable," but what they obscure is that the sale of the non-affordable houses will be priced to make up the difference and that law requires the 20 percent anyway.
So don't give me generosity. Don't give me doing good. It's money that's talking here and is it ever loud. Maybe it's time to say no to the ones who can say yes.
Cynthia Oi has been on the staff of the Star-Bulletin since 1976. She can be reached at coi@starbulletin.com.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
A Yakudoshi, A Movie in Tokyo, A Scottish Festival, and Hooters...Now THAT'S A Way To Spend a Sunday!
Sunday, 25 June 2006
No yoga this morning as Joel was going to pick me up early. Joel picked me up at 9 am to head to Hale Koa hotel for his brother-in-law's Yakudoshi, a Japanese tradition of celebrating the 41st birthday. It was also a celebration of life with good friends and family (about 400 guests), as Keali'i has been fighting colon and testicular cancer ever since he overcame his battle with leukemia. His wife, Noe (Joel's younger sister), is younger than me, and has already had to deal with so much in their few years of marriage. Since he was a firefighter for a few years, he knows my brother too, and we just made the connection that my brother attended one of his fundraiser's a few months ago. My heart goes out to Keali'i (aka Isaac) and Noe.
Had a lovely buffet of food, visited with old classmates and family friends, had fun listening to stories of debauchery, hilarious emcees telling embarrasing stories of Keali'i, the YMCA choir (that he used to belong to) sing songs, seeing his kenpo teacher promote him to a new level, as well as Keali'i thanking Noe for her support and love through such a difficult time.
After picture taking and stuffing ourselves with an eclectic brunch buffet spread, Joel and I went to go see "Fast and Furious" to get out of the heat of the day, of course stopping at Dave & Buster's first to play some shooting and racing video games. Then, we went to check out the Scottish Festival at Kapi'olani Park with his mom and Rick. Took pictures of the medieval dressed characters sparring, and then took off again to meet Joel's girlfriend Ei and drive around Waikiki a bit. We stopped near the boat harbor and watched the fisherman fishing, drank Jamba Juice, then dropped her off at work. Joel and I headed out once more to meet his mom and friends at Hooter's. We ate hot wings, laughed at baby Connor's love of cleaning the table, and after drooling over Connor's grilled cheese sandwich, (remember I had already eaten nearly a dozen hot wings already at this point) Rick and I had to split one ourselves.
With all the wine, rich fancy foods, cheesecake on a stick, lunch buffet, buttery movie popcorn, hot wings, and grilled cheese I had this weekend, my body will be ready for detox in yoga tomorrow!
No yoga this morning as Joel was going to pick me up early. Joel picked me up at 9 am to head to Hale Koa hotel for his brother-in-law's Yakudoshi, a Japanese tradition of celebrating the 41st birthday. It was also a celebration of life with good friends and family (about 400 guests), as Keali'i has been fighting colon and testicular cancer ever since he overcame his battle with leukemia. His wife, Noe (Joel's younger sister), is younger than me, and has already had to deal with so much in their few years of marriage. Since he was a firefighter for a few years, he knows my brother too, and we just made the connection that my brother attended one of his fundraiser's a few months ago. My heart goes out to Keali'i (aka Isaac) and Noe.
Had a lovely buffet of food, visited with old classmates and family friends, had fun listening to stories of debauchery, hilarious emcees telling embarrasing stories of Keali'i, the YMCA choir (that he used to belong to) sing songs, seeing his kenpo teacher promote him to a new level, as well as Keali'i thanking Noe for her support and love through such a difficult time.
After picture taking and stuffing ourselves with an eclectic brunch buffet spread, Joel and I went to go see "Fast and Furious" to get out of the heat of the day, of course stopping at Dave & Buster's first to play some shooting and racing video games. Then, we went to check out the Scottish Festival at Kapi'olani Park with his mom and Rick. Took pictures of the medieval dressed characters sparring, and then took off again to meet Joel's girlfriend Ei and drive around Waikiki a bit. We stopped near the boat harbor and watched the fisherman fishing, drank Jamba Juice, then dropped her off at work. Joel and I headed out once more to meet his mom and friends at Hooter's. We ate hot wings, laughed at baby Connor's love of cleaning the table, and after drooling over Connor's grilled cheese sandwich, (remember I had already eaten nearly a dozen hot wings already at this point) Rick and I had to split one ourselves.
With all the wine, rich fancy foods, cheesecake on a stick, lunch buffet, buttery movie popcorn, hot wings, and grilled cheese I had this weekend, my body will be ready for detox in yoga tomorrow!
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Motorcyle Diaries
Saturday, 24 June 2006
7 am yoga and then cleaned the house and cooked lunch for Chris and Jay who worked on cutting trees in the yard. Ian picked me up at 4 pm on his new motorcycle and we rode down to the Honolulu Hale, City Hall, downtown, where the Taste of Honolulu was taking place. We did a wine tour sampling of ten different wines, ate lots of good samples from various restauarants (mainly located in hotels in Waikiki). My favorites: sliced beef (it had a fancier name than that), kiawe smoked ribs, and the oreo cheesecake on a stick. The wine wasn't bad either!
We rode to Ian's house in Mililani, and as I held my empty wine glass souvenir, my water bottle, and a Hawaiian Sun juice, I noticed we were going as fast as 100 mph on his bike. With a cd player and radio volume that goes up as the RPMs increase, we had a comfy ride, even though I didn't have a helmet (no helmet law here in Hawai'i.) on. He apologized later for going so fast, but I had a blast!
Ian wanted to watch the Ultimate Fight Championship at home, and although I probably had more fun playing with his dog (a cute 4 year old Sharpei) rather than watching men beat each other up, it was kind of neat seeing the local Hawai'i guy win his title and a six figure contract. Other than that, it was just a bunch of boys fighting. So, then I asked him to drive me back into town. (My windblown hair and cheeks had enough motorcycle riding for the day.)
I changed and headed out on my own to meet Erica and friends at Kincaid's to listen to her friend's band. They played really good music and I had fun chatting up with her friends about the Pacific Northwest, teaching, and living in Hawai'i. As Kamehameha alums who have recently moved back to Hawai'i, we all had something in common to talk about. Plus, I haven't seen Erica in awhile, so it was fun to catch up.
7 am yoga and then cleaned the house and cooked lunch for Chris and Jay who worked on cutting trees in the yard. Ian picked me up at 4 pm on his new motorcycle and we rode down to the Honolulu Hale, City Hall, downtown, where the Taste of Honolulu was taking place. We did a wine tour sampling of ten different wines, ate lots of good samples from various restauarants (mainly located in hotels in Waikiki). My favorites: sliced beef (it had a fancier name than that), kiawe smoked ribs, and the oreo cheesecake on a stick. The wine wasn't bad either!
We rode to Ian's house in Mililani, and as I held my empty wine glass souvenir, my water bottle, and a Hawaiian Sun juice, I noticed we were going as fast as 100 mph on his bike. With a cd player and radio volume that goes up as the RPMs increase, we had a comfy ride, even though I didn't have a helmet (no helmet law here in Hawai'i.) on. He apologized later for going so fast, but I had a blast!
Ian wanted to watch the Ultimate Fight Championship at home, and although I probably had more fun playing with his dog (a cute 4 year old Sharpei) rather than watching men beat each other up, it was kind of neat seeing the local Hawai'i guy win his title and a six figure contract. Other than that, it was just a bunch of boys fighting. So, then I asked him to drive me back into town. (My windblown hair and cheeks had enough motorcycle riding for the day.)
I changed and headed out on my own to meet Erica and friends at Kincaid's to listen to her friend's band. They played really good music and I had fun chatting up with her friends about the Pacific Northwest, teaching, and living in Hawai'i. As Kamehameha alums who have recently moved back to Hawai'i, we all had something in common to talk about. Plus, I haven't seen Erica in awhile, so it was fun to catch up.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Dating Adventures
Friday, 23 June 2006
What is it with these guys and their need to talk so much about themselves, name drop, talk about how much money they make, when I didn't even ask? The second date this week wasn't so bad, still not my type, but at least we had diving stories and photography to talk about. Last week and tonight's dates however were, well, interesting. I suppose he thought that it might impress me if he told me how many properties he owns and how much money he makes and how many degrees he has. And, I suppose the other guy thought it might impress me to know that he is getting his Master's degree and going to Law school next and has a fellowship and once worked for the mayor. He liked to name the prominent people he knew, and although he was surprised we both graduated the same year from high school and lived in Seattle, he had to name drop that he once met Paul Allen and once visited Bill Gates' home before moving to Hawai'i. When I mentioned Charlie Wedemeyer, he was more engaged in the fact that I could name drop too, without regards for the fact that it was because my dad has ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease) just like Charlie does. He talked about himself so much that I had already started eating, and he didn't realize that the plate of food was in front of him until about five minutes later (when he commented "Oh, I guess I should start eating." And, I said "Yeah, it's because you're so busy talking.") I know you're trying to put your best foot forward on the first date, but when you don't even ask about the other person (and he even answered a cell phone call while we were eating), and I can't even get a word in edgewise, that's pretty rude for anyone, but especially on a first date.
Tomorrow, I am going out with a guy I went out on a couple dates with last summer. Although I don't have high hopes for this one (I thought he was a "meathead" the last time I went out with him.), we reconnected recently and I figure, as long as he doesn't name drop or brag about how much money he makes (although he did just tell me that he bought a BMW motorcycle), at least we can have a fun time.
The most common realization these recent datees made is that I am not your typical "local Hawai'i girl", and it actually suprises them to find out that I am well-traveled and have lived life outside of Hawai'i. So my mission is to find someone out there that might have similar worldly experiences and stories to share. Otherwise, it makes for good blogworthy entries to entertain you readers out there.
What is it with these guys and their need to talk so much about themselves, name drop, talk about how much money they make, when I didn't even ask? The second date this week wasn't so bad, still not my type, but at least we had diving stories and photography to talk about. Last week and tonight's dates however were, well, interesting. I suppose he thought that it might impress me if he told me how many properties he owns and how much money he makes and how many degrees he has. And, I suppose the other guy thought it might impress me to know that he is getting his Master's degree and going to Law school next and has a fellowship and once worked for the mayor. He liked to name the prominent people he knew, and although he was surprised we both graduated the same year from high school and lived in Seattle, he had to name drop that he once met Paul Allen and once visited Bill Gates' home before moving to Hawai'i. When I mentioned Charlie Wedemeyer, he was more engaged in the fact that I could name drop too, without regards for the fact that it was because my dad has ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease) just like Charlie does. He talked about himself so much that I had already started eating, and he didn't realize that the plate of food was in front of him until about five minutes later (when he commented "Oh, I guess I should start eating." And, I said "Yeah, it's because you're so busy talking.") I know you're trying to put your best foot forward on the first date, but when you don't even ask about the other person (and he even answered a cell phone call while we were eating), and I can't even get a word in edgewise, that's pretty rude for anyone, but especially on a first date.
Tomorrow, I am going out with a guy I went out on a couple dates with last summer. Although I don't have high hopes for this one (I thought he was a "meathead" the last time I went out with him.), we reconnected recently and I figure, as long as he doesn't name drop or brag about how much money he makes (although he did just tell me that he bought a BMW motorcycle), at least we can have a fun time.
The most common realization these recent datees made is that I am not your typical "local Hawai'i girl", and it actually suprises them to find out that I am well-traveled and have lived life outside of Hawai'i. So my mission is to find someone out there that might have similar worldly experiences and stories to share. Otherwise, it makes for good blogworthy entries to entertain you readers out there.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Eating While Learning
Tuesday, 20 June 2006
I love it that local people love to eat. We had a smorgasbord of food today that people brought for our second day of 7 hours worth of learning about Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol...just another long education word for teaching strategies for English language learners.
It's been a great course, lots of good stuff to learn and practice, and did I mention the food?
At least I was on time today. I actually got there early and had to waste time at Long's shopping (You can always find something at Long's to buy!).
I love it that local people love to eat. We had a smorgasbord of food today that people brought for our second day of 7 hours worth of learning about Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol...just another long education word for teaching strategies for English language learners.
It's been a great course, lots of good stuff to learn and practice, and did I mention the food?
At least I was on time today. I actually got there early and had to waste time at Long's shopping (You can always find something at Long's to buy!).
Monday, June 19, 2006
Am I Lost Or What?!
Monday, 19 June 2006
"Happy Birthday, Mom!"...I managed to leave a message on her cell phone to wish her a great day as I drove aimlessly in the wrong direction, after drove through commute traffic, got off the wrong freeway exit, and then had to head back in traffic going the other direction, just to turn around again and get to where I needed to be. A phone call to my brother and dad later, several wrong turns, waiting for construction workers to get out of my way, with the A/C blasting out my frustration, I arrived at my teacher workshop at 9:35 am. The workshop started at 8:30 am. I apologized to the teacher and had a great day of learning anyway. You would think that I know my way around Hawai'i, but yes, I am a true "townie" and having lived most of my driving days in Seattle, I know Seattle roads better than roads on O'ahu. And, with a five minute commute to my school, and to my dad's house, I really don't go very far, never have to get on a freeway, and never deal with commute traffic on a daily basis. Now I know..allow at least an hour to get anywhere in the morning!
I met some nice teachers and recognized some faces, but this workshop is mostly for teachers in another region, but I always enjoy meeting new people anyway. One gal teased me about my unappetizing-looking snacks, my plain yogurt and my carrot/apple juice. Told her I'm on a health kick right now. So I just grossed her out with my snacking.
Went to Savers afterwards to drop off some boxes of donated goods from my successful day of cleaning (Actually the boxes have been ready to go for months, but neither my brother or I have made the time or effort to carry them up the stairs.), then headed to my dad's to relieve Jay.
We all went out for Japanese food for dinner at Gyutaku. Stuffed ourselves, then had TCBY yogurt for dessert. A perfect way to celebrate our belated Father's Day!
"Happy Birthday, Mom!"...I managed to leave a message on her cell phone to wish her a great day as I drove aimlessly in the wrong direction, after drove through commute traffic, got off the wrong freeway exit, and then had to head back in traffic going the other direction, just to turn around again and get to where I needed to be. A phone call to my brother and dad later, several wrong turns, waiting for construction workers to get out of my way, with the A/C blasting out my frustration, I arrived at my teacher workshop at 9:35 am. The workshop started at 8:30 am. I apologized to the teacher and had a great day of learning anyway. You would think that I know my way around Hawai'i, but yes, I am a true "townie" and having lived most of my driving days in Seattle, I know Seattle roads better than roads on O'ahu. And, with a five minute commute to my school, and to my dad's house, I really don't go very far, never have to get on a freeway, and never deal with commute traffic on a daily basis. Now I know..allow at least an hour to get anywhere in the morning!
I met some nice teachers and recognized some faces, but this workshop is mostly for teachers in another region, but I always enjoy meeting new people anyway. One gal teased me about my unappetizing-looking snacks, my plain yogurt and my carrot/apple juice. Told her I'm on a health kick right now. So I just grossed her out with my snacking.
Went to Savers afterwards to drop off some boxes of donated goods from my successful day of cleaning (Actually the boxes have been ready to go for months, but neither my brother or I have made the time or effort to carry them up the stairs.), then headed to my dad's to relieve Jay.
We all went out for Japanese food for dinner at Gyutaku. Stuffed ourselves, then had TCBY yogurt for dessert. A perfect way to celebrate our belated Father's Day!
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Happy Father's Day!
Sunday, 18 June 2006
After yoga this morning, went to Dad's to drop off his card and gift, a gag gift really. I found a t-shirt that said "Armchair Triathlete": Sit, Sleep, and Eat
How perfect is that...
Spent the rest of the day cleaning the house, years of dust and grime behind shelves and in the cracks of the legs of the rattan furniture. Walked boxes of stuff up to the driveway to donate. Got into a zone, but didn't forget that the hike that was supposed to happen this morning, and then the lunch, and then dinner, didn't go as planned. Played phone tag instead.
Went to dad's for take-out Chinese for dinner. The real Father's Day dinner will be tomorrow when Jay can join us.
Among the other weekend events, went out to lunch and then an evening movie with Jon on Friday. We saw "Nacho Libre", which was stupid, but Jack Black made it funny. We had late night Zippy's and continued to get to know each other. Two dates in one day, not bad.
There was a yoga seminar on Saturday, taught by Bikram's wife Rajashree, but I couldn't afford $125 for the session, so just took a yoga class instead. There was a teacher from his studio in LA who was super bendy and flexible. She could do all the advanced poses with ease and put everyone to shame. Crazy to see someone's body do that! That afternoon, went with Linh to the Hale Koa Hotel pool to swim in the saltwater pool and hang out with the military tourists and Linh's boyfriend K who is a lifeguard there. Mike, who I met at the poker party last week, called me up just in time for dinner. We were both famished after he played beach volleyball and I barely ate lunch today. We got ramen in Kaimuki and chatted about volleyball, teaching, and living in Hawai'i. We still planned to go hiking and have lunch on Sunday (which, in the end, didn't pan out), so he said he'll make it up to me this week.
To all of those fathers out there, hope you had a Happy Father's Day. And to my friend Andrew Olson who lost his father (aka "Coach") a few days ago, my heart goes out to you, and may you always remember the fond memories you had with him and your baby Max forever.
After yoga this morning, went to Dad's to drop off his card and gift, a gag gift really. I found a t-shirt that said "Armchair Triathlete": Sit, Sleep, and Eat
How perfect is that...
Spent the rest of the day cleaning the house, years of dust and grime behind shelves and in the cracks of the legs of the rattan furniture. Walked boxes of stuff up to the driveway to donate. Got into a zone, but didn't forget that the hike that was supposed to happen this morning, and then the lunch, and then dinner, didn't go as planned. Played phone tag instead.
Went to dad's for take-out Chinese for dinner. The real Father's Day dinner will be tomorrow when Jay can join us.
Among the other weekend events, went out to lunch and then an evening movie with Jon on Friday. We saw "Nacho Libre", which was stupid, but Jack Black made it funny. We had late night Zippy's and continued to get to know each other. Two dates in one day, not bad.
There was a yoga seminar on Saturday, taught by Bikram's wife Rajashree, but I couldn't afford $125 for the session, so just took a yoga class instead. There was a teacher from his studio in LA who was super bendy and flexible. She could do all the advanced poses with ease and put everyone to shame. Crazy to see someone's body do that! That afternoon, went with Linh to the Hale Koa Hotel pool to swim in the saltwater pool and hang out with the military tourists and Linh's boyfriend K who is a lifeguard there. Mike, who I met at the poker party last week, called me up just in time for dinner. We were both famished after he played beach volleyball and I barely ate lunch today. We got ramen in Kaimuki and chatted about volleyball, teaching, and living in Hawai'i. We still planned to go hiking and have lunch on Sunday (which, in the end, didn't pan out), so he said he'll make it up to me this week.
To all of those fathers out there, hope you had a Happy Father's Day. And to my friend Andrew Olson who lost his father (aka "Coach") a few days ago, my heart goes out to you, and may you always remember the fond memories you had with him and your baby Max forever.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Finicky Eating Habits
Wednesday, 14 June 2006
Over the course of the past year, I've become accustomed to "the routine" with my dad, that which includes how to properly transfer him from his bed to the wheelchair, the wheelchair to the recliner chair, the wheelchair to the car, how he likes his face scrubbed in the shower, how he likes to save water and you have to turn off he water when scrubbing his body, how you need to make sure his left elbow isn't squashed between his leg and the chair, how he likes one pillow under each leg and a pillow under his neck when reclined in the chair. All of these things have become new habits for him since having this illness. Although sometimes his habits change, I adjust as he adjusts, for it is important to me that he is comfortable. You take for granted what it might be like in your own life to be fully mentally capable, but to be fully physically incapable, to have no control over your own muscles or limbs, to fully rely on another person 24/7 for any sort of movement. Imagine holding yourself still, like a ragdoll, without even the ability to curl your toes or stretch your back, and that's what my dad feels like all the time. Even a mosquito flying in front of your nose or on your hand can be the most irritating thing, when you know you have no ability to hit it or swat it away. When a stray hair falls on your face and tickles your nose, you can't move it until someone else moves it for you.
For several months now, we've been spoon feeding my dad, as his fingers can no longer grip utensils and he has lost his torso equilibrium to bring his body to the fork ,or vice versa. He loves eating won tun min, Chinese soup with noodles, which is one of the more difficult things to feed him. You become accustomed to how the person likes to eat. If I were feeding myself, I would like the "perfect bite", a little bit of noodles, veggies, and soup in one scoopful into my mouth. My dad, however, likes everythiing separate. Put the noodles into his mouth using the fork, not the spoon. Then, put in some veggies. Then, not one, not two, but three separate spoonfuls of soup, one right after the other. And, finally, don't blow on his food if you think it's hot, because he doesn't want your germs.
Today, he suddenly changed his habits and in turn, told me I need to change mine. In the past, when I've scooped noodles into his mouth, I 've held the fork under his mouth, in the event that if noodles inadvertantly break or fall, they will land back on the fork rather than on his legs. But, today, the dangling fork seemed to bother him, and he would shake his head from side to side, noodles dangling from his mouth, splashing soup all around, as he didn't want that extra fork support. "Why? I questioned. I've always done that before. I just don't want the noodles to fall." He argued that the noodles will fall right back into the bowl themselves. So, let them be. Well, his stubbornness won, and I let him be.
From then on, I scooped a forkful of noodles into his mouth and let them dangle all the way to his chin, as he slurped them up. As the excess soup splashed around and noodles fell into the bowl below, i just rolled my eyes, but accepted that sometimes you need to ignore what YOU think is the right way to do things, and allow the patient to be comfortable and happy.....even if it means it's more a mess for me to clean up because now there is soup all over his face and legs.
Over the course of the past year, I've become accustomed to "the routine" with my dad, that which includes how to properly transfer him from his bed to the wheelchair, the wheelchair to the recliner chair, the wheelchair to the car, how he likes his face scrubbed in the shower, how he likes to save water and you have to turn off he water when scrubbing his body, how you need to make sure his left elbow isn't squashed between his leg and the chair, how he likes one pillow under each leg and a pillow under his neck when reclined in the chair. All of these things have become new habits for him since having this illness. Although sometimes his habits change, I adjust as he adjusts, for it is important to me that he is comfortable. You take for granted what it might be like in your own life to be fully mentally capable, but to be fully physically incapable, to have no control over your own muscles or limbs, to fully rely on another person 24/7 for any sort of movement. Imagine holding yourself still, like a ragdoll, without even the ability to curl your toes or stretch your back, and that's what my dad feels like all the time. Even a mosquito flying in front of your nose or on your hand can be the most irritating thing, when you know you have no ability to hit it or swat it away. When a stray hair falls on your face and tickles your nose, you can't move it until someone else moves it for you.
For several months now, we've been spoon feeding my dad, as his fingers can no longer grip utensils and he has lost his torso equilibrium to bring his body to the fork ,or vice versa. He loves eating won tun min, Chinese soup with noodles, which is one of the more difficult things to feed him. You become accustomed to how the person likes to eat. If I were feeding myself, I would like the "perfect bite", a little bit of noodles, veggies, and soup in one scoopful into my mouth. My dad, however, likes everythiing separate. Put the noodles into his mouth using the fork, not the spoon. Then, put in some veggies. Then, not one, not two, but three separate spoonfuls of soup, one right after the other. And, finally, don't blow on his food if you think it's hot, because he doesn't want your germs.
Today, he suddenly changed his habits and in turn, told me I need to change mine. In the past, when I've scooped noodles into his mouth, I 've held the fork under his mouth, in the event that if noodles inadvertantly break or fall, they will land back on the fork rather than on his legs. But, today, the dangling fork seemed to bother him, and he would shake his head from side to side, noodles dangling from his mouth, splashing soup all around, as he didn't want that extra fork support. "Why? I questioned. I've always done that before. I just don't want the noodles to fall." He argued that the noodles will fall right back into the bowl themselves. So, let them be. Well, his stubbornness won, and I let him be.
From then on, I scooped a forkful of noodles into his mouth and let them dangle all the way to his chin, as he slurped them up. As the excess soup splashed around and noodles fell into the bowl below, i just rolled my eyes, but accepted that sometimes you need to ignore what YOU think is the right way to do things, and allow the patient to be comfortable and happy.....even if it means it's more a mess for me to clean up because now there is soup all over his face and legs.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Hot Weekends Are Meant to Be Spent in A/C
Sunday, 11 June 2006
Went to 9 am yoga, but it's always harder when you skip a day, and especially harder when you have a sunburned back. Went to buy more organizing containers for my house, cooked, and then went to spend time with Miya as they suddenly found out that her husband's friend died suddenly at their friend's house. Craziness, especially with someone so young. We watched "Old School" and ate leftovers. It was a bizarre afternoon....and, then I noticed, there was a full moon outside tonight.
Monday, 12 June 2006
Kamehameha Day...Today is a state and city holiday, but my stepsister still had her first day of summer school at Kamehameha. How weird is that? After yoga, I went to Dad's so we could learn how to use the new Bi-Pap machine. It is primarily used for sleep apnea patients, as it forces room air into the airway. We learned how to operate the machine and make sure the mask fits on Dad's face. He'll have to practice with it today to get comfortable with it until they go to take the sleep test in a few weeks and can calibrate the machine's level of output. The contraption looks like a muzzle you put on a dog, and my dad was worried that because he is a mouth breather, it might not work right. He'll have to get used to it, or perhaps consider the full mask which covers the nose and mouth simulataneously.
Went to eat lunch with Emily at CPK. She is officially coming back to teach at our school next year, but the other two New Jersey girls, Amanda and Kelly, won't be able to. We chatted about her summer plans back home in Jersey. Unfortunately, the other gals have to play the waiting game during the summer to see where they get placed. Went to visit Nina at McCully Bike afterwards, talk wedding stuff, then did a little shopping and bought a pair of sandals on sale. The goal today: To stay in as many air-conditioned places as possible. Goal achieved!
Went to 9 am yoga, but it's always harder when you skip a day, and especially harder when you have a sunburned back. Went to buy more organizing containers for my house, cooked, and then went to spend time with Miya as they suddenly found out that her husband's friend died suddenly at their friend's house. Craziness, especially with someone so young. We watched "Old School" and ate leftovers. It was a bizarre afternoon....and, then I noticed, there was a full moon outside tonight.
Monday, 12 June 2006
Kamehameha Day...Today is a state and city holiday, but my stepsister still had her first day of summer school at Kamehameha. How weird is that? After yoga, I went to Dad's so we could learn how to use the new Bi-Pap machine. It is primarily used for sleep apnea patients, as it forces room air into the airway. We learned how to operate the machine and make sure the mask fits on Dad's face. He'll have to practice with it today to get comfortable with it until they go to take the sleep test in a few weeks and can calibrate the machine's level of output. The contraption looks like a muzzle you put on a dog, and my dad was worried that because he is a mouth breather, it might not work right. He'll have to get used to it, or perhaps consider the full mask which covers the nose and mouth simulataneously.
Went to eat lunch with Emily at CPK. She is officially coming back to teach at our school next year, but the other two New Jersey girls, Amanda and Kelly, won't be able to. We chatted about her summer plans back home in Jersey. Unfortunately, the other gals have to play the waiting game during the summer to see where they get placed. Went to visit Nina at McCully Bike afterwards, talk wedding stuff, then did a little shopping and bought a pair of sandals on sale. The goal today: To stay in as many air-conditioned places as possible. Goal achieved!
Like a Red Lobster
Saturday, 10 June 2006
Missed 7 am yoga due to car troubles, but finally was able to get the car going and headed down to Magic Island at Ala Moana to watch the MDA Bananaman Chase (a 5K fun run for charity, sponsored by Jamba Juice). I visited friends that I've made from the Muscular Dystrophy Association support groups and watched as runners came in. After the awards ceremony, I sat in the hot sun on Ala Moana Boulevard with the rest of the families, children, and tourists. We waited for the annual King Kamehameha Day Parade to begin. Although it was blazing hot, I was ready with my snacks in my backpack and two cameras. But, then I realized that none of the dozen batteries I had were charged up. I quickly walked across the street to Long's at the Ala Moana Shopping Center to pick up batteries, only to get back to my chosen spot on the sidewalk and find out that the batteries were not charged. Alas, I was without batteries, and didn't feel like walking back in the heat again. I watched the decorated floats, high school marching bands, and pa'u riders (people on horseback representing each Hawaiian island with its corresponding color), while admiring all the photo snapping people around me. Although I was complaining that I was burning in the sun, those poor military men and mainland marching band members were soaked through their uniforms!
I decided to lay out at the beach. But, it was way too hot! Took my first dip in the ocean since the heavy rain pollution in the spring and the beginning of summer. But, I had to cool off in the showers a couple times too. Only to find out that after an hour or so, my entire body was sunburned, with the exception of my splotchy areas where I tried unsuccessfully to lather myself in sunscreen. Have I not already learned that I cannot put on sunscreen by myself? Went home to cool off, but then headed right back to the same place for a friend's barbeque. Christina, who taught ESL with me this year, is dating a family friend's son, whom I haven't seen since I was a little kid. What a small world. After feasting on food, I went to pick up Linh for a poker game at a friend's house. Had fun meeting new friends, joking around, and watching Linh's beginner's luck. If only I weren't as red as a lobster...I'm going to hurt tomorrow!
Missed 7 am yoga due to car troubles, but finally was able to get the car going and headed down to Magic Island at Ala Moana to watch the MDA Bananaman Chase (a 5K fun run for charity, sponsored by Jamba Juice). I visited friends that I've made from the Muscular Dystrophy Association support groups and watched as runners came in. After the awards ceremony, I sat in the hot sun on Ala Moana Boulevard with the rest of the families, children, and tourists. We waited for the annual King Kamehameha Day Parade to begin. Although it was blazing hot, I was ready with my snacks in my backpack and two cameras. But, then I realized that none of the dozen batteries I had were charged up. I quickly walked across the street to Long's at the Ala Moana Shopping Center to pick up batteries, only to get back to my chosen spot on the sidewalk and find out that the batteries were not charged. Alas, I was without batteries, and didn't feel like walking back in the heat again. I watched the decorated floats, high school marching bands, and pa'u riders (people on horseback representing each Hawaiian island with its corresponding color), while admiring all the photo snapping people around me. Although I was complaining that I was burning in the sun, those poor military men and mainland marching band members were soaked through their uniforms!
I decided to lay out at the beach. But, it was way too hot! Took my first dip in the ocean since the heavy rain pollution in the spring and the beginning of summer. But, I had to cool off in the showers a couple times too. Only to find out that after an hour or so, my entire body was sunburned, with the exception of my splotchy areas where I tried unsuccessfully to lather myself in sunscreen. Have I not already learned that I cannot put on sunscreen by myself? Went home to cool off, but then headed right back to the same place for a friend's barbeque. Christina, who taught ESL with me this year, is dating a family friend's son, whom I haven't seen since I was a little kid. What a small world. After feasting on food, I went to pick up Linh for a poker game at a friend's house. Had fun meeting new friends, joking around, and watching Linh's beginner's luck. If only I weren't as red as a lobster...I'm going to hurt tomorrow!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Last Day of School
Thursday, 8 June 2006
I slept well last night, after a late yoga class, knowing that today was the last day of school. We (my two teaching assistants and I) worked on packing things up, tearing the posters and paper off the walls, and wrapping up the open shelves, while visiting students, taking pictures, and watching the kids receive awards at an assembly. It was a quick morning, done by 11:30 am, and a few parents stopped by to give us gifts. I ran around campus trying to take pictures with students who are moving this summer. Then, the staff had a celebration lunch at Willows, where we ate a buffet of Hawaiian food, prime rib, and many desserts. I left stuffed, with more gift cards (We each got Starbucks/Jamba juice gift cards to start off our summer, and I won a gift certificate back to the restaurant...Woo hoo!) and headed back to Dad's for the rest of the afternoon. We've all been complaining about the heat these days, as it heads into the high 80's/low 90's. When I bathe Dad, we've been leaving the curtain open or the door cracked just to let some air in because I'm sweating from perspiration by the time I'm finished showering him.
Since I overindulged today at lunch, I decided that my stomach was too full to eat anything before my 8:15 pm yoga class tonight (This is the preferred class now because the sun has gone down already.) Bad move...Anyone who knows us Mau girls knows that we get grouchy without food, which during a silent class of yoga means that I'm swearing in my head and cursing the fact that Anthony won't open any doors or windows between poses, or is talking so much during the pose that I swear he is making us hold each pose longer than 30 seconds or 1 minute. And, when you're lightheaded, trying to focus in a 100 degree room on breathing, trying to prevent your legs from shaking while keeping a straight, strong posture, it makes 30 seconds seem like forever! Plus, it makes the 90 minute class dreadful. It really wasn't horribly bad, but I know my body well enough to know that I need to eat every few hours or else my body and mind cannot handle doing a hot Bikram yoga class as strong as I'm capable of doing.
I slept well last night, after a late yoga class, knowing that today was the last day of school. We (my two teaching assistants and I) worked on packing things up, tearing the posters and paper off the walls, and wrapping up the open shelves, while visiting students, taking pictures, and watching the kids receive awards at an assembly. It was a quick morning, done by 11:30 am, and a few parents stopped by to give us gifts. I ran around campus trying to take pictures with students who are moving this summer. Then, the staff had a celebration lunch at Willows, where we ate a buffet of Hawaiian food, prime rib, and many desserts. I left stuffed, with more gift cards (We each got Starbucks/Jamba juice gift cards to start off our summer, and I won a gift certificate back to the restaurant...Woo hoo!) and headed back to Dad's for the rest of the afternoon. We've all been complaining about the heat these days, as it heads into the high 80's/low 90's. When I bathe Dad, we've been leaving the curtain open or the door cracked just to let some air in because I'm sweating from perspiration by the time I'm finished showering him.
Since I overindulged today at lunch, I decided that my stomach was too full to eat anything before my 8:15 pm yoga class tonight (This is the preferred class now because the sun has gone down already.) Bad move...Anyone who knows us Mau girls knows that we get grouchy without food, which during a silent class of yoga means that I'm swearing in my head and cursing the fact that Anthony won't open any doors or windows between poses, or is talking so much during the pose that I swear he is making us hold each pose longer than 30 seconds or 1 minute. And, when you're lightheaded, trying to focus in a 100 degree room on breathing, trying to prevent your legs from shaking while keeping a straight, strong posture, it makes 30 seconds seem like forever! Plus, it makes the 90 minute class dreadful. It really wasn't horribly bad, but I know my body well enough to know that I need to eat every few hours or else my body and mind cannot handle doing a hot Bikram yoga class as strong as I'm capable of doing.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Patrick's Story
Wednesday, 7 June 2006
There has been a lot of publicity lately in local news on ALS, or Lou Gherig's Disease. From Peggy Chun's art classes in her home to the Bangkok International Hospital's seminar on stem cell treatment, the public is becoming more aware of the debilitating disease. In today's Honolulu Star Bulletin, there is an article on Patrick Valenti, a 50 year old local man who uses a computerized speech machine to talk for him. Read more at the following site: http://starbulletin.com/2006/06/07/news/story04.html
There has been a lot of publicity lately in local news on ALS, or Lou Gherig's Disease. From Peggy Chun's art classes in her home to the Bangkok International Hospital's seminar on stem cell treatment, the public is becoming more aware of the debilitating disease. In today's Honolulu Star Bulletin, there is an article on Patrick Valenti, a 50 year old local man who uses a computerized speech machine to talk for him. Read more at the following site: http://starbulletin.com/2006/06/07/news/story04.html
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Precious Time
Tuesday, 6 June 2006
Today, my dad had a physical check up with the doctor and the results show that ALS is declining his body further onto the next stage. The doctors have been having difficulty drawing blood from him as they can't find his veins or his arteries due to his muscles atrophying. His circulation has been poor for over a year now. He had little fainting spells at the doctor's this past week and today from the needle adventures (a sign of the "poor Mau constitutions" as well, a family thing I'm afraid.) But, they needed the blood sample from his arteries to measure the amount of oxygen going to his heart. So, the doctor was persistent, trying to find his artery and eventually was successful.
Due to his respiratory ailments, it is now time to get additional devices. The speech therapist is ordering a computer/speech device using a head and eye piece so that he can operate a computer and surf the internet. She will also order a telephone that is voice operated since he has not been able to answer the phone or depress buttons on his own for quite some time now.
In January 2005, his oxygen level was 85%. As of today, his oxygen level has declined to 35%, which accounts for his more winded breathing, taking deeper breaths, and his softer voice. The pulmonologist has been alerted, and now, they will order a Bi-Pap machine to assist him with oxygen intake during sleep, and do a sleep test at the hospital to further measure his oxygen levels when he sleeps. He will also be able to use the Bi-Pap machine during the day if he needs help with oxygen intake. But, if he uses the machine for 18 hours or more daily, he will need to consider whether or not he wants to take it to the next stage and go on a ventilator.
The doctors cannot predict how long the next step will take, as each ALS patient's body takes on the symptoms at different rates. All they have ever been able to tell us is that he is going at an average rate.
As of now, my dad's request is to not have any assistive devices, so only time will tell. And, time is of the essence.
Today, my dad had a physical check up with the doctor and the results show that ALS is declining his body further onto the next stage. The doctors have been having difficulty drawing blood from him as they can't find his veins or his arteries due to his muscles atrophying. His circulation has been poor for over a year now. He had little fainting spells at the doctor's this past week and today from the needle adventures (a sign of the "poor Mau constitutions" as well, a family thing I'm afraid.) But, they needed the blood sample from his arteries to measure the amount of oxygen going to his heart. So, the doctor was persistent, trying to find his artery and eventually was successful.
Due to his respiratory ailments, it is now time to get additional devices. The speech therapist is ordering a computer/speech device using a head and eye piece so that he can operate a computer and surf the internet. She will also order a telephone that is voice operated since he has not been able to answer the phone or depress buttons on his own for quite some time now.
In January 2005, his oxygen level was 85%. As of today, his oxygen level has declined to 35%, which accounts for his more winded breathing, taking deeper breaths, and his softer voice. The pulmonologist has been alerted, and now, they will order a Bi-Pap machine to assist him with oxygen intake during sleep, and do a sleep test at the hospital to further measure his oxygen levels when he sleeps. He will also be able to use the Bi-Pap machine during the day if he needs help with oxygen intake. But, if he uses the machine for 18 hours or more daily, he will need to consider whether or not he wants to take it to the next stage and go on a ventilator.
The doctors cannot predict how long the next step will take, as each ALS patient's body takes on the symptoms at different rates. All they have ever been able to tell us is that he is going at an average rate.
As of now, my dad's request is to not have any assistive devices, so only time will tell. And, time is of the essence.
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