loveliness

The other day I had some very good news. You see, I have been ill for some time, but after the last trip to the doctor's I got the all clear. Good news indeed.

I celebrated by treating myself to sushi after the dr's apt. And whilst eating my sushi I sent a text message home to share my good news. I recieved a message saying "Damn good news. we should celebrate tonight!". I thought nothing more of it, finished off my sushi and did some errands around town before heading home.

But as soon as I came home I found the mr. by the cooker - making the most amazing dinner. There were beers in the fridge. A bunch of flowers on the dinner table. Chocolates for afters... So thoughtful! Such a wonderful treat!



We had a lovely evening. Like most evenings really, but in a different kinda way. And posh dinner and beer on a worknight doesn't happen every day for sure. I'm not used to being pampered like that. I think it almost topped our roadtrip last weekend, where we went to see the eminent Ed Harcourt. That says alot.

Good news, yummy food and lovely, wonderful thoughtfulness all in the same day. Who could ask for anything more?

The AIDS Infection Rate In Africa Declines Sharply

Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are leading a global decline in new HIV infections, the UN has said.

UNAids said 22 countries in the world's worst affected region had seen a drop in new cases of more than 25%.

The fall was because of greater awareness and better use of preventative measures, it said.

But UNAids also noted that cases of HIV were increasing in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and among gay men in developed countries.

Michel Sidibe, UNAids executive director, said the world was making "real progress" towards achieving the sixth Millennium Development Goal (MDG6) of halting and reversing the spread of HIV/Aids by 2015.

"For the first time change is happening at the heart of the epidemic. In places where HIV was stealing away dreams, we now have hope," he said.

UNAids says there are now 5.2 million people worldwide receiving treatment for HIV/Aids, which has helped to ensure that 200,000 fewer people died from the virus in 2008 than in 2004.

The agency said young people "are leading the prevention revolution by choosing to have sex later, having fewer multiple partners and using condoms, resulting in significantly fewer new HIV infections in many countries highly affected by Aids".

The use of male condoms has also doubled in the past five years, while the report notes that "tradition is giving space to pragmatism" in many communities as they embrace male circumcision, which research shows has the potential to reduce HIV infections among men by nearly 60%.

'Challenges remain'

China, where cases are largely concentrated within high-risk groups, was praised for its efforts to increase preventative measures for drug users.

UNAids said South Africa had also rapidly increased "efforts to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support".

But there was a warning that "challenges remain" in the global fight against HIV/Aids, including expanding epidemics in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and resurgence in new infections in wealthier nations among men who have sex with men.

The UN also called for greater investment in HIV/Aids prevention, warning that there was a $10bn (£6.4bn) shortfall in 2009.

It said those countries most severely affected by HIV/Aids could not handle the crisis with their own resources alone.

"At this turning point flat-lining or reductions in investments will set-back the Aids response and threaten the world's ability to reach MDG 6," said Mr Sidibe.

"Investing for Aids is a shared responsibility - between development partners and national governments."

India To Be Made The Global HealtCare Destination

Leading Indian Hospitals, Healthcare providers (both Modern Medicine as good as Traditional Indian Medicine), Travel as good as Medical Tourism Industry providers have come together to form an attention organisation – Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA) that aims to work together to have India a heading tellurian healthcare destination.

The materialisation right away popularly good known as Medical Tourism is mostly cited as a subsequent vast event for India after a IT outsourcing to consequence billions of dollars in forex gain as good as emanate jobs in a healthcare sector. So distant usually a name organisation of Indian hospitals have been creation intrepid attempts to marketplace their services in general arena. More than a million abroad patients already treated with colour during tip Indian corporate hospitals similar to Apollo, Fortis, Wockhardt, Max, Manipal as good as most others have already valid to a universe that a clinical quality, record as good as price tender offering by India is unmatched. The genius in super featured item shred Indian hospitals is expanding quick as good as there is no watchful duration for internal or abroad patients.

CII Mc’Kinsey investigate initial reported upon recovering tourism as a billion dollar event for India approach behind in 2002 as good as a solid expansion in abroad studious arrivals has certified a potential. With a vast series of brand new in isolation super featured item hospitals as good as even integrated illness cities entrance up in India’s tip 10 cities, India has a intensity to turn a tellurian personality in a Medical Travel/ Outsourcing industry. Indian doctors as good as professionals have been universe eminent for their skills as good as a nation has contentment of all a inputs similar to gifted immature manpower, internal tall peculiarity production bottom for pharmaceuticals, record hardware as good as program that creates a Indian costs for tall finish surgical procedures so attractive. The plea unequivocally is upon a non recovering side, essentially upon a selling front as good as additionally to emanate infrastructure as good as services to await a expansion of recovering tourism.

Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA) - a non distinction physique as good as a one voice of a Indian healthcare (modern disinfectant as good as normal Indian medicine) as good as transport attention is directed during scheming India for confronting a hurdles of tellurian foe as good as actualize a extensive event for India to turn a heading tellurian healthcare destination. Modern disinfectant as good as India’s 5000 year aged normal therapies similar to Ayurveda, Siddha as good as Yoga can suggest to a universe an unbeatable recovering package.

“IMTA would essay to assistance a members strech out in a price in effect demeanour to millions of a intensity tellurian consumers who reside upon a alternative side of a creation in a opposite time as good as informative section as good as have them wakeful of a extensive worth that Indian healthcare offers. The actuality is that before to selecting a hospital, a general patients initial confirm upon a nation or a destination. Therefore you all contingency stick on hands to aggressively foster INDIA as a elite tellurian healthcare destination,” Says Pradeep Thukral, Executive Director, Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA)

The Government of India as good as a assorted arms have been actively ancillary a expansion of recovering tourism to India. In a summary to IMTA, a Union Tourism Minister, Kumar Shailaja conveyed “This is in truth a worthy beginning as good as you all know a extensive opportunity that Medical Tourism presents for India. On interest of a Ministry of Tourism, we would similar to to yield all probable await this attention initiative as good as would similar to to instruct IMTA as good as a members good success in their efforts.

Two years ago a Government of India introduced a special difficulty of Visa called M Visa for foreigners fervent of entrance to India for recovering treatment. India’s Ministry of Tourism has completed unusual success in final 5 years with a most acclaimed “Incredible India “campaign that has double a attainment of unfamiliar tourists to India. The stream year 2009 is being promoted by Indian Ministry of Tourism as “Visit India’” year as good as a method is penetrating to foster Medical Tourism. It has not long ago told a Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme to authorised Medical Tourism players that enables them to get monetary await for appearance in abroad promotional events.

oh, the irony of it all

I didn't have any lunch today. This resulted in being starving by the time I finished work today... And we all know what happens when you're starving and stop by the shop to pick up some groceries, don't we?

... Yes, I ended up buying a huge bag of crisps, a bar of chocolate and a bag of sweets on top of the milk and bread that I originally went in to buy.

On my way home I remembered I should really join that gym I've been thinking about for a couple of months now. I popped in and signed the form. My shopping bag full of sweets stood out like a sore thum, and I was quite embarrassed about it as the receptionist took a glance at it.

Then it came to paying the membership. I gave her my credit card. She apologized and said they didn't take cards, but that there was a hole-in-the-wall two blocks away. I sighed and said "oh, I can't be bothered to walk that far!" The receptionist gave me a little smile, looked at my grocery bag yet again and said "let's start the exercise regime with that little walk shall we?"

And I did. Embarressed and realizing it is time to start living a bit healthier for sure.

the cure for everything

When it's dark and cold outside...

... When you have a deadline you won't make...

... When life gives you lemons:

don't make lemonade - cuddle a cat instead!

advise

Here's my tip of the day:

DO NOT SCRATCH YOUR EYES WHILST EATING CHILI & GARLIC SALAMI.

It hurts. A lot.

confession

Oooouuuuch....

Despite the purring Kif inside my jumper and pain killers inside my intestines I feel a bit sick.

Why? Because I've just over-indulged!

For those of you who knows me well/seen my bathroom it won't come as a surprise that I am a toiletrieholic. I loooove toiletries!

Bathfoams. Deodorants. Showergels and face masks. Even pretty razors and tweezers gets my attention. I'm such a sucker for anything that smells nice or is wrapped up in pretty packaging.

I usually order my stuff from a British website named http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk since I don't think Swedish shops have much to offer. And after being sick, bored and stuck in bed for a few days I thought I deserved to pamper myself.

And so I put in an order just now. For more money than I dare to write down. Let's just say that it's more than my electricity bill, phone bills and internet bill put together on an average month.

update (and a cat story in disguise)

Still in bed. To cut a long story short I spent Wednesday in A&E where they did all possible tests and found out what's wrong with my stomach.

I was given a presciption on morphine tablets and the pain is now bearable. Also I've been given tablets to cure the thingiemagig in my belly. Yesterday and today were spent in bed as I still feel quite weak.

And the cats... Well, these cats:

Yesterday they were overwhelmed with the fact that I was in bed all day. They snuggled up to me and reeeeaaaaaally made the most of the opportunity of cuddling the whole day.

Today it's a different story:

Tylor is still being faithful, even though not as impressed as yesterday. But he is obedient and lies next to me purring soothingly. He's making very clear he does this for me and is not at all interested in a cuddle himself really. I mustn't stroke him or his tail starts whipping.

Kif is booooored. He jumps up and down on my stomach (because he's noticed he gets a very quick response by doing so!), screams as he runs up and down the bed in something I interpret as "well come on now you lazy bugger! Chase me!". He takes great joy in chasing my toes or fingers as soon as I move them. Licking my eyelids as soon as I close them is another safe bet of getting my attention, he's figured out.

Tylor is defending me and telling his brother to piss off. Kif is enjoying this tremendously.

Needless to say I have live entertainment in bed. They are wonderful, make me laugh and I love them dearly. I just wish I could be slightly more bright and alert to enjoy it all.

the manager meeting

Yesterday I had a friend around for a late lunch. When she left my stomach started to hurt more than usual. By 8 pm I was in agony.

This morning it was even worse. I couldn't stand up straight. I went to the doctor, and sent a text message to my colleagues saying I wouldn't make it to the manager meeting we had planned this morning.

When I left the doctor's (with pain killers and stomach pills of some sort) I checked my mobile phone. There was a reply from one of my colleagues saying another manager was on her way to pick me up.

And as I looked up, there she was. She gave me a big hug and said "right, we're taking you to the Emergency unit. This has been going on for too long and we're all worried about you."

I burst into tears. How wonderful they all are!!! I explained I'd been given medicine and that I would give it a try before rushing off to the A&E. My colleague said OK and drove us off to our conference room.

There they had made warm, lovely soup for me.

I am truely blessed with being surrounded by wonderful, caring people.

poo and pooped

Saturday I got back my dodgy tummy, which has been going on since before my trip to China. I will spare you the details, but the title says it all. And the colour of this text.

By yesterday it had gotten so severe, plus I was exhausted after not eating anything, I decided to visit the doctor.

.

the dr: have you been abroad?

me: yes, but my problems started before my trip!

the dr: but the symtoms got worse abroad, yes?

me: no, it got better in China and worse once back home.

I tried to explain my symtoms are exactly like they were the time I had salmonella in Bolivia.

.

the dr: have you been eating chicken?

me: well... Yes? I eat chicken about 3 times a week?

the dr: oh. Had you been eating chicken just before your symtoms started?

me: probably. I eat chicken 3 times a week and this was about 4 weeks ago...

Then she told me to wash my hands after going to the toilet ("oh really??"). To avoid milk products (I avoid all foods at the moment).

She asked me to lie down so she could feel my stomach. The pain was unbelievable.

the dr: Oh is that sore? That's your large intestine. If it's that sore it's inflamed.

Finally she took some blood samples and checked my fluid levels, established the fact that I indeed was quite poorly and sent me on for further tests. "To check what I'd picked up in China".

Jeez.

Health: Tree found inside the man's lungs by Doctor

A small part of a tree is found by a doctor inside the lungs of a Russian man.It is surely confirmed that he did not eat that then where did it come from?What ya all think?

the fear is near

Yesterday I went into work at noon. One member of staff had gone home during her shift as she felt sick, I was told. Another member of staff had done the same the previous day.

I went through mail and paperwork that had gathered on my desk (as it does after a couple of days off), when yet another member of staff turned up in the doorway to my office:

I feel a little strange, she said and looked... Well, she looked a little strange. I don't know if it's because one of our patients threw up right in front of me just now, but I feel like I'm going to be sick, she continued.

Go home, I told her, and as I did so she puked.

I can not explain the fear. I sent her home, cleaned up and used disinfectant everywhere. And as there were no staff left for the patients I had to work in the facility. With patients who also had the stomach bug that seemed to take over completely.

I was nearly in tears. I'm off to China on Friday morning. I cannot afford to get sick in a vomit frenzy! I refuse to get ill!!!

Today I have also worked all day and I have to say I feel queezy, but I keep telling myself it's all in my head due to paranoia.

I guess time will tell. Fingers crossed that I won't be spending the entire flight with my head down that paper bag!

Health:Video Games aren't bad for children

A new report by the European Parliament Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection says that video games may be good for children, promoting cooperation and creativity.

The report, which found a number of benefits and no definitive link to aggressive behavior, counters the violent reputation of some titles, and may help reassure nervous parents of game addicts.

"Video games are in most cases not dangerous and can even contribute to the development of important skills," Toine Manders, the Dutch liberal lawmaker who authored the report, told Reuters.

"(They stimulate) learning of facts and skills such as strategic reflection, creativity, cooperation and a sense of innovation," said a news release about the findings.Rather than issuing a call for new legislation banning certain games, the report instead urged EU states to collaborate in strengthening the current voluntary code known as "PEGI", which rates games according to their content.

Last year, total revenues from the video gaming industry were more than seven billion euros ($9 billion), the report said. In Britain, video games outsold music and other video products for the first time last year, according to a separate study.

However, the EU report said that not all games are appropriate for children, and noted that some books and movies are targeted solely to an older audience. It also conceded that some games that contain violent content could "stimulate" aggressive behavior in certain situations.

The report emphasized parental involvement, and proposed the development of a "red button" to allow parental control of game content and the duration of play. However, the report did not provide specific details about what form such a button might take.

The report questioned prevailing wisdom that games were targeted mainly towards children, citing data that showed the European video game player is 33 years of age.

Source:Redorbit

Health:Control Your Cholesterol In Natural Ways

High cholesterol levels can greatly increase the risk of heart disease including potentially fatal heart attacks. Heart disease can be caused by a number of factors but lowering cholesterol can have many positive effects and reduce risk. High cholesterol causes hardening of the arteries. Blood flow is then reduced to the heart which may result in chest pains or a heart attack. Lowering the possible causes of hardening or blocking the arteries will help maintain a healthy heart.

For severely high cholesterol it is recommended to seek consultation with a physician for the best course of treatment. Traditionally, this is treated with prescription medication. However, the majority of people can lower cholesterol naturally without the use of prescription drugs. Natural remedies are abundantly available. With a few changes in eating habits and lifestyle, one can easily lower cholesterol.

Eating foods that are low in fat will help as well as avoiding those with high fat content, especially foods containing trans-fat. Spreads such as butter and margarine have high levels of trans-fat. Packaged foods and frozen foods generally contain high levels also. Potato chips, crackers, baked goods and fast foods are all types to avoid. Instead concentrate on foods that are low in fat and high in fiber. Foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and garlic are great to use in your daily diet.

Lifestyle changes are important if you are not leading a fairly healthy life. Smoking can increase the chances of having high cholesterol. Quitting not only will help this but will also reduce several other medical risks. Regular exercise will help promote a healthy heart. Partake in some form of aerobic exercise several times each week.

Vitamin E may help reduce fatty formations on arteries. Artichoke leaf extract helps produce bile while assisting in eliminating cholesterol from the body. Chromium is a proven method of maintaining correct blood sugar levels, which will help control cholesterol. Niacin in high doses has shown benefits for reducing cholesterol. However, if taking other medications, consult a physician as niacin can react adversely to other medications.

High cholesterol is a condition that affects many people throughout the world. It can increase chances of heart disease and potentially shorten life. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating healthy and exercising can reduce these risks significantly. Adding supplements can also help reduce cholesterol levels. Although the risks of high cholesterol are serious, it is easily controlled.

tossers at the doctors!

I went to have some blood tests done today. Sat in the waiting area for over an hour whilst one poor nurse was running back and forwards with tests, paper work and god knows.

When it was finally my turn to meet the stressed out nurse it turned out my doctor hadn't emailed her the details she needed. She was searching the files on her computer frantically when I offered to go and find my doctor and get him to sort it out. Meanwhile, I suggested to the poor woman, she could take the next patient waiting. She said thank you and off I went.

After finding my doctor I returned and knocked on the nurse's room. Asked if she had time to see me straight away as I was running really really late for work. She said yes and soon thereafter I had a needle in my arm.

She put the needle in perfectly. Never seen anyone do it so good before, and therefor told her so.

Her eyes filled up. Said she'd never met anyone so kind and positive like me. She said most people had been coming in shouting at her for having to wait so long in the waiting area. It turned out her colleague was off sick and she was working for two. She hadn't had time for a toilet break let alone grabbing something to eat. She told me about how she wanted to the day to finish and go home and have a cry of exhaustion cuddled up next to her dog.

And then she thanked me again, all sincere and weepy eyed. I was horrified. Poor poor woman! I said I was really late for work, but could come back in an hour or two with a sandwich for her if she wanted. Then she gave me a hug and said her friend was on her way already.

But surely to god everyone in that waiting area could see how stressed out she was, running back and forwards? Surely they could all figure out it wasn't HER fault they had to wait for their turn? How DARED they have a go at the one person who were helping us out and putting our needs before her own?

This place is full of wankers. And it makes me really really angry.

the heart attack

On the way to work today I noticed a shopping trolley on the pavement. Soon thereafter I noticed a pair of feet sticking out under the trolley!

Once up cloce I saw that it was a very pale looking man lying on the ground. For a split second I thought he was dead, but as I approached him he moved ever so slightly.

"Hello, are you awake? Can you hear me?" I leaned over and asked the man.

He stirred and looked at me, and told me he had a pain in his heart.

" I will get you an ambulance" I said, and as I got my phone out the nurse in me took over: "Is it a sharp, stabbing pain in your chest or is it more of a dull kind of pain?" I asked to see what sort of heart/chest problems we might be dealing with here.

"No ambulance" he said, sounding a lot better all of a sudden. "Don't worry, I will go home".

"So where do you live?" I continued, thinking I couldn't just leave the poor man there but walk him home.

He stood up. Looking pale as before but apart from that perfectly fine. I was confused. He put his arm around me and said " we're from channel 3, doing a documentary. I've been lying here for over an hour. Lots of people have passed me here, but you are the first person to stop and ask me how I'm doing. Thank you."

I couldn't really take it in. Felt a bit foolish to be honest. "Are you SURE you're OK?" I asked. He said he was and so I walked off. Never asked what documentary they were doing. Never asked where the cameras were. Just walked off.

Now, when I've digested the episode, I'm a bit surprised over what he told me. What kind of society do I live in where people don't stop to help someone in need? Scary. It could've been my father lying there. Or yours.

cross eyed? Me?

A couple of weeks back my glasses broke, and during a visit to the optician they noticed a "hidden squint" in my left eye. So I got sent to an eye specialist.

The eye specialist did lots of strange tests on my eyes, told me off for not wearing glasses ("but they are broken!"), put some horrible eye drops in my eyes to make my muscles/pupils relax and then gave me his verdict:

I have no hidden squint. I suffer from a conditition quite common for women my age. He called it "working yourself to death". Ha ha, my eyes are simply strained.

I am so relieved. Now I've tried out some frames with the help of my brother (who has impeccable taste in matters like this) and will hopefully get my new glasses before Christmas. The frames are pretty funky and out there, so I expect some horrified comments from my Jersey friends just like the last time I bought new specs... :-)

Watch this space!

Health: The facts behind Ginger

Life is not guaranteed because we have to face many difficulties relating to our health as we come across it. After an operation we are provided with pathedin in order to stop the feeling of pain. But sometimes patients vomit owing to the side-effect of pathedin.The paralyzing drugs may also be the cause of feeling nausea. At that time anti-nausea drugs are given.

Recently in a research it is found that 1gram ginger is much more effective on preventing the feeling of nausea & the feeling of dizziness. Ginger is being used from long period in Chinese & Indian herbal medicines. It can be found anywhere and comparably it is also cheaper. Journal of abstratrics & gini of America has considered ginger as an alternative medicine especially for poor countries. It is also found that ginger is very useful for our digestive tract. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory. So arthritic pain can be cured by eating ginger.

According to the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN COMOREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER, in research it is seen that ginger has momentous medicinal properties. It can also help cholesterol in our body & can also prevent clotting of blood. Other researches indicate that the components present in ginger might have anti-cancer activity and not only that ginger also a potential blood thinning agent. According to the doctors, ginger should not be eaten in pregnancy. So if you are under other medications, then ask your doctor before taking ginger.

Health: Exercise regularly and say GoodBye to your Cancer

The new research reveals the fact that regular exercise can aid the sufferers fight against the cancer. A 30 minutes walk everyday, 5 times a week can stop cancer, lessen the process of the disease, boost recovery and stop its return.

The level of Insulin is cut through exercise, a hormone that causes most of the body's cells to take up glucose from the blood and generates faster cell growth, enhancing women’s risk of breast cancer and recurrence of the disease.This new research says that women who do not have any records of a breast cancer can really reduce their risk of having it by doing exercise, said Dr. Susan K. Boolbol, a breast surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center.

Besides, exercise also burns fat and also cuts blood levels of estrogen and testosterone, two sex hormones produced in both men and women that have been associated with uterine lining, prostate and breast cancers. The burning of fats saves additional amounts of estrogen and thus by decreasing fatness, it reduces the risk of a series of cancers. Many doctors now are recommending most of their patients to do regular exercise in order to keep their health better or as part of a therapy to reduce cancer or risks involving it.

Success: 14 year old girl "D’Zhana Simmons" lived 4 months without a Heart

An emotional D'Zhana Simmons cries after thanking her doctors at a press conferrence in Miami.

What would someone call it?--a miracle or a gift from "The Almighty"? Well whatever you say, it's true that D’Zhana Simmons, a 14 year old teenager from South Carolina have successfully survived for 118 days with no heart beating after having had two transplants and stayed alive with man-made heart pumps, but no heart, for four months between the transplants.

This is the first time ever someone at so young age has been kept alive without a heart for this length of time. When she was questioned about how she felt living without a heart, the girl's answer was like this, "It was like I was a fake person, like I didn't really exist. I was just here.But I knew that I really was here, and I did live without a heart".The girl was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged and does not pump blood efficiently.

She had her first heart transplant on July 2 at Miami's Holtz Children's Hospital but the new organ failed to work accurately and was promptly removed and from there her race against the time started.In place of a real heart, substitute heart chambers were implanted and connected to two pumps tailor made by a Californian company which kept her blood flowing as she fought a host of serious complications including kidney and liver failure, gastrointestinal bleeding and breathing problems. Finally she built up enough strength to enable doctors to implant another heart on October 29.

Although this sort of treatments are mostly given to adults to keep them alive but D'Zhana is the first child to receive it as it was a life-threatening situation for her."I truly believe it's a miracle," said D'Zhana's mother, Twolla Anderson. The doctors said things are getting better after the second transplant, as she will be able to do most thing teenagers do, like going to school or going out.Her prognosis is good, although there is a 50 per cent chance she will need another transplant before she turns 30. She was released from hospital on Wednesday.

We all wish this child the very best of luck and hope she lives long and fine and overcomes every obstacles on her way of life.It's once again proved that everything is in the hands of the Supreme Almighty.May the Almighty Bless everybody.