NYC POSTAL WORKER'S DEATH OCT 10 MAY BE DUE TO ANTHRAX

CNN ^ | 10/27/01 | CNN

[StarFan]

When I saw your screen name I thought you meant the liberal hell you were trapped in was NYC. I then peeked at your profile (which lead me to your vanity post). In the event you missed this on newsmax These are the same peace activist who upset you to no end. Glad to see that see justice prevailed!

Getting back to Dad -- is he undergoing rehabilitation therapy with the hope of leaving someday soon? I am concerned that depression will set in BIG TIME considering his young age.

Race -- here is someone in your neck of the woods who is sharing a similar experience with his dad in a nursing home.

[StarFan]

Darn it -- the Yankees lost!

[FITZ]

Other comorbid conditions were high blood pressure and rapid pulse.

Is your father on high blood pressure medicine? If the dosages are too high, it can have some pretty bad effects. We thought a lady at work got sudden alzheimers because she got very confused and they'd find her wandering around lost, she was checked out and it was just from the medications she was on for her blood pressure and they changed the drug and she got better. I'd make sure to get a second opinion.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Thanks for the link. I am indeed gratified that at least some of these people were arrested. I fear, however, that they were hoping for this, to confer some sort of legitimacy on their protest. But when they got violent, they muddled their message, to put it mildly. Dumb college twits. They think that having a degree gives them moral superiority. I am filled with admiration at our men in blue who could have, but didn't, broken a few noses or bones. They would have had every moral right (but no legal right). I couldn't do the job that they do.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

If there is a larger, teaching-type hospital in the vacinity I would strongly suggest getting a second, third or fourth opinion there. The ministrokes suggest that he should be closely examined/tested by a nuerologist. Good luck.

It sounds as though you are being challenged on all fronts...take care, and I hope your plans for your hike work out. You need a break.

PaMom

[cynicom]

pops ....

Their best agents are, Stumble, Fumble and Fall..

[IVote2]

"I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed by everything. That's why I'm trying to simplify -- divest myself of the house, much of my stuff, the daily grind of my job -- and just live simply. On the trail I'll only have to focus on the basics -- food and shelter.

Do not beat yourself up over this. Do what you can for your father, but most of all do what is necessary to rehabilitate your own life. Perhaps it is meant for you to take some time for yourself so that you become strong again. If I read it correctly your sister is nearby for your dad.

Do ask for a specialist to see your father so that a diagnosis can be made so that everyone can have the facts.

My own mother has had a series of illnesses and I know how hard it is to deal with becoming the parent of a parent.

Take care and accept that at this moment you are doing what you can in your own way. God will help you through this. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Jen

[IVote2]

"• The New York Medical Examiner's office decided to re-evaluate the death of a postal worker earlier this month as a "precautionary measure," looking to see if it was anthrax-related. "

Good find. I believe in the end we will find that many more letters than we know about now will be found.

It's truly hard to believe that someone could be so evil, but believe it we must.

Jen

[LUVYA DUBYA 2000]

Hang in there! Been there, done that, and both in-laws are done now. One with Alzheimer's the other with cancer. The good news is all the great support you get here on FR! Freepers are the best and it WARMS THE HEART TO KNOW OTHERS ARE SHARING YOUR VIEWS AND FRUSTRATIONS.

[LUVYA DUBYA 2000]

oopps! DONE=down! GEEEESH TIME FOR SOME SLEEP.

[revivel]

My husband got a sore throat on Friday, 10.05. His epiglotis swelled, impairing his oxygen intake. The doctor admitted him on Sat. morning and they started a steroid drip, along with antibiotics. He was doing great. Swelling reduced, pain better, actually eating some soup. Tuesday he had terrible pain in his rib area. They took an x ray but no pneumonia. His white cell count was much better and they planned to move him out of CCU on Weds morning and into a regular room, then home in a day. But early Weds. morning his pulse went to 240 and BP dropped. They did everything they could, including flying in some experimental medicine from Vanderbilt, but he died Weds. night. They don't know what killed him. He was septic, but they have not been able to identify the bacteria. He is now a coroners case. We are in So. Calif. They did test for anthrax, but since those results are getting back quickly, I tend to think that's not what it was. This has been an incredible tragedy losing my beloved to a sore throat.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

My deepest sympathies go out to you, believe me. My father, I think, never got over my mother's death in 1993. In my estimation, he has slowly given up on life since then, having only me and my sister to live for. I do so hope you have people with you to give you comfort in what must be a nightmare time for you. If you need to talk, just send me a private message. I wish you well.

[pops88]

How shocking! My prayers are with you. As a nurse, it's seems pretty bizare for your husband to succumb to a sore throat! I hope the coroner can give you some answers.

[joyce11111]

I heard on Fox News today that the FBI is testing a car Atta sold in Florida, for anthrax.

[joyce11111]

So sorry about your Father, you must be devastated.

My Father-inLaw has lost weight, can't eat, and, now is incapable of even moving in the hospital bed that Marion got for him.

The funny thing is, that there has been nothing found wrong. He is barely understanable at this time. And, nothing the Drs can find to label his illness.

[Arabesque]

Just want to give you a word of support...you and Revivel have been through so much. We are going through the same thing with my in-laws and I know how hard it is. As an athlete I work out a lot of problems running and dancing and hiking. I recommend you carry Spenco Second SKin bandages with you on your hikes. Always hike with a buddy--we had some problems here in Virginia along the Appalachian Trail a while back.

When my father was dying 12 years ago he constantly reminded me not to feel guilty...you do your best but he wanted me to have a life.

Keep in touch about the hike...sounds interesting.

Dancer

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

we had some problems here in Virginia along the Appalachian Trail a while back.

Are you referring to the murder of a couple of girls some time back? I don't recall how long ago it was, but I believe it was near Harper's Ferry.

I had once thought to hike the Appalachian Trail, but decided the PCT was more to my liking. Fewer 'party animal' types, and further from civilization. I'm not a drinker, or a drug user, and perhaps I'm being unfair, but I've read stories of some of the shelters, and the questionable types that can frequent them. Maybe one day I'll try a section of it, to give it a fair shake.

[Arabesque]

Exactly -- the tragedy of the murder of two women but also there have been other incidents. It is a heavily traveled trail and that is probably part of the problem. It seems as though now that people are aware that there is an element of care that needs to be taken, incidents like this have decreased. But with a friend and awareness I just wouldn't worry. Today we went out 12 miles past Leesburg, Virginia and it was so beautiful and cold and reminded me of what life is about! We bought apple pies for our friends and ourselves....we will have to go for a run tomorrow :)

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Part of doing a 'thru-hike' is adopting a trail name. Some choose their own, others allow fellow hikers to choose for them. About a month ago I chose the name Phoenix, to symbolize my starting over in life. If there are any attacks carried out in Phoenix, AZ, as has been feared, that name will carry extra meaning.

It's scary when I find myself wondering if it will be safe, or even possible, for me to hike six months from now. Irrational thoughts, perhaps, but if a smallpox attack is launched, who knows who will survive and who won't? I'm not a religious man, as some of you know, but I keep telling myself to have faith that this country will win. I believe we will win. Every day we continue to fight evil that attacks us, we win. Once we turn our backs on that fight, we will have lost.

[womanvet]

I was thinking about what happened to Nana W (not a "real" relative, but no one knew that -- she would call me her daughter and Charles her son) two years ago. Nana was a nurse a long time ago, and would never question anything the medical establishment told her. She was on meds for high BP and diabetic "tendencies" among other things.

The NP never monitored her blood levels, and the MD never monitored the NP. She was hospitalised after falling and extreme confusion. They suspected stroke, but could find no indications. She began to spiral into a deep depression, and was put on more meds, then transferred to a LTC facility where they warehouse old women like her.

Luckily, my dh was still alive and had worked at that nursing home, so he walked to the nursing station and pulled her chart. No one had ever tested her potassium levels, and she was still on diuretics. He wrote down her meds, and talked one of the nurses he knew into noting a nursing dx that some symptoms might be caused by imbalanced electrolytes.

Then he went home and called the administrator to warn her that he heard someone was planning on reporting them for improper care of the elderly, specifically on the floor Nana was on. Suddenly all the patients on that section started receiving tests and care. Nana's electrolytes were way off -- that was what originally caused her problems.

We were already visiting each day to make sure she was fed, washed, and dressed. I told her that some of her confusion was casued by the antidepressants she was on, and reminded her that she had the right to refuse medication. We went through the list, and marked the ones she needed to stay on, the ones she should taper off, and the ones she could stop.

The first time she refused meds, the nurse tried to bully her, but I was there and reminded her that not only did she have the right to refuse, but that she was a nurse and knew just what she was doing. The shift supervisor came in, and I told her that we had already engaged an attorney (untrue), so they had best behave.

Within 3 days she was improving, after 2 weeks, she was able to go home, as well as she had been before it all started. I am not suggesting that this is your Dad's problem, but the first thing that needs to be checked should be his electrolytes, and meds for side effects. Remember that meds affect the elderly differently than the younger populations they are usually tested on. They also interact.

LTC docs will prescribe psychotropics to "calm the patient" when the real purpose is to keep them from bothering the staff with demands to be cared for. I am unfamiliar with the facility in which you Dad is, so I do not mean that is the case. But check on it, by all means. Since you cannot be there, and they know it, you should be extra careful.

Charles (my dh) was one fine nurse. He was heartbroken by the poor attitudes of some medical staff who felt that the patients got in the way of their paperwork. I cherish the letters from families who wrote how he had save their loved ones' lives. I only wish he could have done the same for himself.

I will be praying for your father, and kinda envying your hiking trip.