Bordetella Pertussis

Here I am on my soap box again, but it's my blog, so I get to be. Yesterday in church, our Relief Society president announced that one of the primary teachers in our ward was diagnosed with Whooping Cough. I also heard from some of the patients work that go to Lehi High, that there's been someone at their school diagnosed with it too.

Ladies and Gentleman, this is whooping cough:



Let me point out a couple things to you.

First, (which should be quite obvious) this baby is MISERABLE! You can see it on his face. I can't imagine anything more terrifying as a mother. There literally is nothing you can do at that point but prop them up and watch them cough.

Second, HE'S NOT BREATHING!! Go back and look. He takes the characteristic "whoop" breath at 33 seconds and then doesn't breath in again until 55 seconds. An infant his age should be taking 30-40 breaths per minute. Average that baby's respirations out at two or maybe three... Yeah, you've got bigger problems than just the cough.

Whooping Cough is a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics, but it can be fatal and it is completely preventable. Babies can be vaccinated as young as six weeks. If you've already gotten on board and your kids are up to date, kudos. If you're one of those moms who don't for whatever reason, WISE UP!! I really am not saying that to be mean, but seriously, in this day and age, you can't assume that it's not going to happen. Whooping Cough is extremely contagious and chances are if someone close to you has been diagnosed, you and your children have already been exposed.

The other thing people are trying to raise awareness about is that kids and parents can bring home Whooping Cough to their newborns even if they don't have symptoms. The doctor will usually make sure a pregnant mom is up to date before she delivers, but they don't always check on the dad. One phone call to your pediatrician's office will ensure that your kids are up to date too. Get up to date on your vaccines!

Here's the link to the CDC information on Pertussis (Whooping Cough):
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/prevention.html

Read the info, and keep your family safe.

Dear Occupy Protesters...

...Ok. You've had your fun, but now it's time to go home. Your camps have turned in to a breeding ground for disease and a haven for drug users. You've seen that anyone with a job or any real influence in society couldn't care less about your cause. Your demands are outrageous, and I really don't think many of you know why you're out there freezing your butts off anyway. I'm as sick to death of you as I am of the Kardashians. The real 99% (those of us who work for a living instead of sitting around in a hippie drum circle demanding life-sustaining goods and services) would appreciate it if you would stop shooting each other and letting your neighbors and friends die alone in a tent, and GO AWAY. Let our law enforcement relinquish the task of babysitting you all day long, and allow them to get back to their real duty of protecting our neighborhoods against crime.

Thank You

Really?? You want to live here? I'd rather be a fry cook...

Gratitude

“We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude 

President Thomas S. Monson

We have been so blessed. Financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally. I truly can't help but be amazed at the blessings the Lord has chosen to send our way. We really have it pretty dang good. No complaints. Not even a little one.

I sometimes wonder if this means I'm supposed to be gearing up for something big. If all these blessings are going to somehow disappear one day. I don't know why I think that, but I constantly have the thought in the back of my mind, "Ok, where's the catch?" Not that I want that by any means, but it seems like everyone else around us is going through so much and we really have no complaints right now.

When I think further, though, I wonder if maybe the reason we have all that we do is that I have always made it a point to habitually say "Thank You." I say it to the waiter in a restaurant after he fills my drink. I mention it to the random stranger who pauses for a second to hold the door for me at school. And I especially thank my Heavenly Father for my blessings every day.

Do you think maybe Heavenly Father sometimes withholds blessings we've been asking for when we neglect to express gratitude for what we already have? I know that he loves us and watches over us, but is that like one of those Godly laws or something?  It says in D&C "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." We are commanded to be grateful... It's just something I've been thinking about.

I've commented a lot on this blog and in life in general about the "gimme generation". I feel like I'm surrounded by people who subconsciously (some not-so-subconsciously) believe, "I exist; therefore, you owe me something", and are never satisfied with what they have. Obviously we should always be striving for goals and trying to better ourselves, but there's a line, and it's crossed far too much. I don't believe I'm completely exempt from this mentality, but I'm constantly trying to appreciate the value of hard work, and I'm "learning the art of being content." It's easier said than done, and especially easy when you have a lot in your life to be content with, but examples of people all around me prove that it can be done in any walk of life.

I know in a few years I'll probably be wishing for my days on easy street. But for right now, I'm going to be grateful for what I have, and maybe when the storm clouds roll in it won't be as hard, because I'll have learned to be grateful in all things.

Refreshing...

I'm so glad there's people like him who exist in the world. I've loved The Killer's since their "Hot Fuss" album (I know... I'm a sheep...) and I have all their music on my iTunes. This just makes me wanna listen to them all day. Also props to Adam Abel, our family friend who helped produce this video. He has the coolest job ever!

Happy Birthday Ian!

Ok, so I'm a little late with this blog post as Ian's birthday was on Monday, but since it's still in the same week... It counts, right? I think so. What a lucky girl I am to have married this boy of mine! I can count on him for anything, whether it's a priesthood blessing the night before a test or a late night run to the store when I've run out of contact solution. Ian treats me like a queen in every aspect in my life and never passes up an opportunity to make me laugh. I never question his love for me. Ever, ever! He works so hard at his job and takes opportunities to learn new things every day. He takes pleasure in the simple things in life, even tater tot casserole.  He spends hours helping me with my Chemistry homework (*cough* or doing it for me *cough*) even though I get frustrated and usually swear at it. He's truly my best friend, greatest confidant, and biggest fan. I love you, babe! Happy Birthday!

Engagements that didn't quite make it to our announcements.

We were much skinnier here...

Do It Anyway

Anyone who knows me, knows that I've always struggled with school. I'm sure even if you've been following this blog you'll know that I've been in a constant battle with it, well, pretty much my whole life. I've also written on here before that I had no idea why at first, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I needed to get my RN. The reasons why are becoming a little more clear to me, but the thing I've taken away from this the very most is that doing hard things is important.

It's gonna suck... But just dig your heels in and do it anyway.

You can swear. You can cry. Those are both excusable offenses while you're in school.

You might have to retake a class, or you may not get into the program of your choice the first time around.

Just do it anyway.

I'll tell you why.

With every step you take in the right direction, it will be confirmed to you that you're on the right path.
You may start your journey like I did, feeling absolutely certain that the goal is impossible, but you're going to give it a shot, just in case you're wrong. You may have complete confidence. Do it either way. You'll have moments where the path will be unclear, and doubt will inevitably start to creep up on you. But, more importantly, doors will materialize out of nowhere, options you didn't even know existed will make themselves known, and people will be introduced who can help you reach your goal. You'll get there. But only if you want it really really bad.

You might not hate it as much as you think.
I walked in to my first Microbiology class this semester with nothing but sheer dread. I hated studying all the organelles and processes in the cell in my Intro to Biology class, and the thought of spending months learning about bacteria and mold made me physically ill. Wanna know something funny, though? Four weeks later, I love what I'm learning. It's so applicable and fun to study all these microbes and pathogens. I help treat patients every day with strep, UTIs, fevers, colds, etc. Now I actually know what causes them, and why it's so important to have the right treatment.

Truly, NOTHING is impossible.

“Things work out, it isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out, don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in him, if we will pray to him, if we will live worthy of his blessings, he will hear our prayers.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

I'm learning how to do this. I'm not perfect at it yet, but I really see the value in setting out on a path and sticking to it, even when I'm knee-deep in mud.

Ours is a generation of hand-outs and trudging the path of least resistance in every facet. WE'RE NOT DOING OURSELVES ANY FAVORS! If you choose to stand out as one who is willing to work hard for what you get, people will notice.

Eventually the end will come, and you'll realize that it was only the beginning.

10 years...

I know, it's been a long time since I've blogged, and I don't really want to right now. But in light of the events this weekend, I'll post this wonderful article by our beloved prophet. I love when members of our church get to write in public places and especially when our prophet takes the opportunity, it's a blessing I'm sure not many readers realize they are privileged to have. So enjoy this story and it's great message.

9/11 destruction allowed us to spiritually rebuild

The calamity of September 11th, 2001 has cast a long shadow. Ten years later, many of us are still haunted by its terrible tragedy of lost lives and broken hearts. It is an episode of anguish that has become a defining moment in the history of the American nation and the world. This week, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, along with Tom Brokaw, will pay its own homage to the unforgettable events of September 11, 2001.

By Thomas S. Monson

There was, as many have noted, a remarkable surge of faith following the tragedy. People across the United States rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered. We felt the great unsteadiness of life and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven. And, as ever, we found it. Americans of all faiths came together in a remarkable way.

Sadly, it seems that much of that renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed. Healing has come with time, but so has indifference. We forget how vulnerable and sorrowful we felt. Our sorrow moved us to remember the deep purposes of our lives. The darkness of our despair brought us a moment of enlightenment. But we are forgetful. When the depth of grief has passed, its lessons often pass from our minds and hearts as well.

Our Father’s commitment to us, His children, is unwavering. Indeed He softens the winters of our lives, but He also brightens our summers. Whether it is the best of times or the worst, He is with us. He has promised us that this will never change.

But we are less faithful than He is. By nature we are vain, frail, and foolish. We sometimes neglect God. Sometimes we fail to keep the commandments that He gives us to make us happy. Sometimes we fail to commune with Him in prayer. Sometimes we forget to succor the poor and the downtrodden who are also His children. And our forgetfulness is very much to our detriment.

If there is a spiritual lesson to be learned from our experience of that fateful day, it may be that we owe to God the same faithfulness that He gives to us. We should strive for steadiness, and for a commitment to God that does not ebb and flow with the years or the crises of our lives. It should not require tragedy for us to remember Him, and we should not be compelled to humility before giving Him our faith and trust. We too should be with Him in every season.

The way to be with God in every season is to strive to be near Him every week and each day. We truly “need Him every hour,” not just in hours of devastation. We must speak to Him, listen to Him, and serve Him. If we wish to serve Him, we should serve our fellow men. We will mourn the lives we lose, but we should also fix the lives that can be mended and heal the hearts that may yet be healed.

It is constancy that God would have from us. Tragedies are not merely opportunities to give Him a fleeting thought, or for momentary insight to His plan for our happiness. Destruction allows us to rebuild our lives in the way He teaches us, and to become something different than we were. We can make Him the center of our thoughts and His Son, Jesus Christ, the pattern for our behavior. We may not only find faith in God in our sorrow. We may also become faithful to Him in times of calm.