[Pendergast]

Are you dead from it yet?

And how many from the Nile virus?

[Chuckit]

I thought Iran was going to kill us all today.

[ghporter]

Missed both. Was I in the bathroom when they happened? I miss everything...

[mojo2]

I wonder how many good and responsible posters will fall victim to the faulty premise of this thread?

[Cody Dawg]

I just got over the flu. It really was horrible. I didn't even expect it...who gets the flu in August?



My head felt like it was exploding, my throat was sore, I had a banging headache 24/7, I had a fever of 102f for three days straight, I couldn't stop coughing and sneezing, and I couldn't breathe at night.

Yeah, it was a LOT of fun for about a week...

I had a friend die from the flu at the age of 30. She was young and beautiful, a model and actress, and she died from it.

If you think it can't happen to the everyday average person, think again. It can. 36,000 of us are going to die of the flu in the United States this year alone.

[demograph68]

News at 11. People get sick. Some die. IT COULD EVEN HAPPEN TO YOU!!!!!!

[mojo2]

Dear Readers,

It is my opinion that the O.P. was trying to needle another thread starter who ASKED a question which was supported by facts from reliable sources.

However, in THIS thread there are no reliable sources and no facts from him.

[Cody Dawg]

In other words, someone is being an @ss?



Funny thing joking about people dying of the flu.

BEING MOM

Laura Hampson

Some might think this is too sad a story to read on Mother's Day, a day that's supposed to be for breakfast in bed, handpicked dandelions and homemade cards.
But it's not an entirely sad story.

True it's the story of a mom who buried her 14-year-old daughter 11 days ago after a short and sudden illness.

But it's also the story of so much more -- perhaps even what it means to be a mom.

I'm the mom and my daughter's name is Leiah. She spent the last six weeks of her life, March 12 to April 24, 1998, in the Hospital for Sick Children, where she and our family were cared for by a group of compassionate, knowledgeable and dedicated doctors, nurses, aides, technologists, clerks, cleaners, a social worker and an especially gifted chaplain, all part of the critical care unit team.

While at my daughter's bedside, a good friend looked at me, smiled gently and said, "This is one of those prove-you're-a-great-mother times." Indeed it was, and still is.

To hope and encourage my child while she was fighting the fight of her life, while at the same time fearing it might be for nought was a great challenge. But she was my daughter and as long as she wanted to fight, I was going to stand by an encourage her. And that I did.

Some might think those six weeks much have been torture. They weren't. They were painful and exhausting but they were also a joy -- a mother's joy. I cherish those six weeks I spent at her bedside, away from the distractions of life that too often keep one away from what's really important.

I talked about her room that would be freshly painted upon her return; the trip to Disney World that we would finally take; the shopping expeditions we would embark on to buy whatever fashionable items her heart fancied -- anything and everything to give her the will to live.

And fight she did. Despite the contortions her face and hands would make from the seizures, everyone agreed she was a fighter.

I let her know what a special, strong girl she was, how proud I was that she was fighting so hard. And although she was in a coma and couldn't respond, in my heart, a mother's heart, I knew she heard.

During our time together all that mattered was being there to touch her, comfort and support her. She was my baby again. Gently wiping her eyes and helping the nurses bathe her harkened me back to 14 years ago and the first tentative baths I gave my 8 lb. 5 oz. newborn. Again I could tell her how much I loved her, but now I told her how sorry I was for all those missed opportunities.

The times when I was too wrapped up in frivolous things, like rushing here and there to do-do-do, or staying at work to finish up some "important" task, when I should have been at home to read my daughter a bedtime story, listen to her talk about her day and tell her how special she was as I kissed and hugged her good night.

For many years I was a worksholic and that messed up my priorities. I'm being painfully honest to give those of you who might see a bit of yourself in me a chance to break the cycle.

To you I say: put down that file and telephone your child to say you're on your way home; stop reading that magazine or watching that TV show and take your son or daughter out for a walk. And while you're with them, listen to what they say and try to see the world through their eyes. The world they see is a lot prettier. I wish I had taken the time to admire the view.

Up until her illness, Leiah had been a healthy, normal 14-year-old girl. She played soccer, skied, took piano lessons, helped in Sunday School, talked on the phone non-stop and shopped til she dropped. Titanic was her top movie pick and Party of Five her favourite TV show.

She was seldom sick. As a toddler she had the usual ear infections, and later the chicken pox. She had the flu a few times but within days always bounced back.

Yet here we were at Sick Kids' Hospital, listening to the doctors, and each new week brought lower chances of a successful recovery from a mysterious illness that induced massive, relentless seizures.

Seizures that started that fateful March 12 morning, and changed life forever.

For six days prior, Leiah battled the "flu." On Friday, March 6, she came home from school feeling a bit off. The next day she turned down a fifth trip to see Titanic with her friends and on Sunday she wasn't feeling well enough to help out in Sunday school.

On Monday March 9 she appeared to have a full blown case of the flu and stayed home from school. She complained of a headache and fever (39.5 degrees Celsius). I poured her a bubble bath complete with fragrant bath balm. While in the bathtub she appeared disoriented. I attributed it to the fever.

Later that afternoon, she stood in the family room while I puttered in the kitchen and out of the blue asked, "Mom, am I doing to die?" I thought the headache and dizziness must be getting to her and reassured her it was just a bad case of the flu -- that a lot of kids were off school that week and to try and get some rest.

Her throat hurt on Tuesday so we went to the doctor, who took a throat swab and examined Leiah for swollen glands in case she had mononucleosis. The test was negative and the doctor diagnosed the week long flu and prescribed fluids and Tylenol.

On Wednesday, March 11, Leiah ate lunch -- a poached egg on toast and fruit salad. I made her french toast for dinner but she was disinterested and appeared to simply want to sleep. I went to bed, believing she was sleeping soundly. The next morning I awoke to find my daughter's legs twisted inside the legs of the end table beside our pullout couch. A glass of water which had been on the table had broken and a shard had cut her leg. Dried blood coated her lips. Her eyes were vacant.

Before I could tend to her leg, she started to have a seizure. It was frightening to watch my daughter's unresponsive eyes and jerking limbs. I called 911 and we were whisked to Credit Valley Hospital.

Unsure of a diagnosis, Leiah was transferred to the Hospital for Sick Children that afternoon.

The first few days were intense and exhausting, as doctors grew more concerned about her condition. No bacteria or virus could be identified, which meant the cause of her illness was undetermined. We still live with that mystery.

Her seizures started rolling into one another, a condition called "status epileptica". In the past eight years, the doctor in charge had seen this in only eight other children, most were adolescent girls.

Leiah was put into a drug-induced coma, in hopes that her brain seizure activitity would cease. She required a respirator to assist her breathing.

The weeks passed in a blur of seizures, doctor's talks, organ and blood pressure complications, all mixed with doubts, hopes, tears, fears and prayers.

I lived at Sick Kids' in a parent room. What got me through that time was support in the form of visitors, telephone calls and prayers or so many people. In quieter times I sought and received comfort reading the Bible and spiritual books about sorrow and grief.

My daily mantra was , "God's ways are not ours and God's timing is not our timing." That gave me the patience and quiet strength to go one day at a time. Right up to Leiah's last breath, I hoped for a miracle, that she would open her eyes, demand a brush to fluff her bangs, a telephone to call her friends and a Caesar salad to quell her hunger.

But that didn't happen. As one of the doctors, who tried valiantly to save Leiah said, "For every miracle you read about in the newspaper, there are so many that just don't happen."

M daughter suffered irreversible brain damage. Her respirator was unhooked on Friday April 24 at 1:45 p.m. She passed away peacefully 45 minutes later.

But that does not mean there were no miracles. The biggest miracle is that Leiah was part of my life for 14 years, six months and 24 days.

Some might say those last 24 days weren't a miracle -- that they were only a source of extra pain -- sort of like pulling off a bandage ever so slowly. I don't know about you but I've always taken my bandages off that way. I guess Leiah knew that and allowed me to feel her passing at my pace.

Another miracle: during her illness and in her death, my daughter brought together people who might never have met or spoken otherwise. Some old wounds resurfaced but the miracle is that many more were salved.

I miss my daughter -- oh how I miss her. Despite her stubborn streak ( inherited from me) she was a true "Friday's child" -- perhaps you've heard that rhyme about Friday's child being "loving and giving." Indeed she was.

She was born on a Friday and she died on a Friday, at 2:30 p.m., which, coincidentally, is when my watch stopped.

Today will be tinged with sadness but the memories will give me smiles. I am blessed to have two other daughters, Leiah's younger sisters, 8-year-old Torey and 5-year-old Evann, who will have cards and kisses to bestow on me.

Leiah's gift is the meaning I now take from a story she wrote at Christmastime. She gave it to me to use for a story idea. At the time I thought it was a story about a young girl's greatest fear, losing her mother. Now I believe it was about a mother's greatest fear, losing her child.

I think it was a premonition that she would be alone in a hospital bed, scared that her mother wasn't there with her. However, a guardian angel in her story was at the food of her bed, telling her not to worry, that everything would be all right -- that her father would take care of her.

I believe that her guardian angel led her to the arms of her father, her Heavenly Father, where she is safe. That gives me great comfort and enables me to get up each morning and get through the day.

That is my daughter's Mother's Day gift to me.

Yours truly,

[demograph68]

Can I take off the hat now?

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I just got over the flu. It really was horrible. I didn't even expect it...who gets the flu in August?



My head felt like it was exploding, my throat was sore, I had a banging headache 24/7, I had a fever of 102f for three days straight, I couldn't stop coughing and sneezing, and I couldn't breathe at night.

Yeah, it was a LOT of fun for about a week...

I had a friend die from the flu at the age of 30. She was young and beautiful, a model and actress, and she died from it.

If you think it can't happen to the everyday average person, think again. It can. 36,000 of us are going to die of the flu in the United States this year alone.

Glad you are ok. Hopefully the "bun in the oven" is ok, too!

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

In other words, someone is being an @ss?



Funny thing joking about people dying of the flu.

I didn't notice anyone joking about people dying of anything…

[Cody Dawg]

Well, that's what was implied, I think? That the thread was started disingenuously?

mojo2, yes, the bun is fine as far as I know!

Anyone who wants to recount their flu experiences will point out that the flu is horrible whether it's mild or severe.

And there really isn't anything to do for it.

Here it is, two weeks later since I started getting sick and I'm still blowing my nose and stuffy.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by smacintush

I didn't notice anyone joking about people dying of anything…

Originally Posted by Pendergast

Are you dead from it yet?

And how many from the Nile virus?

And look at the end. A BIG JOKEY SMILEY.

[Cody Dawg]

Thanks for pointing that out, Kevin.

As usual you are right on target.

(Hope you're well!)

For what it's worth, Pendergast isn't a bad guy. I think he's okay despite our chasm of different perspectives.

[Kevin]

I am well. Just being doing lots of stuff I've been wanting to. Writing some music, recording spending time with the GF and such.

I am now actually learning to paint a bit better than I used to as well.

[Cody Dawg]

That's cool!

How's the new gee-tar?

[Monique]

Since the AIDS time, doctors overblow every situation. I do not believe for one second that this is going to be like that. It is totally ridiculous. How many people died from the Avian flu, not that many. Now it is oh my God some people are dying somewhere so that means an epidemic.

[Zeeb]

The federal, state and local governmental failed to respond adequately to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. I have a feeling part of the reason they are hyping up the whole avian flu idea(and all the preparations for it) to try and convince people that the government indeed won't fall apart in the wake of a disaster like it did then.

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by Kevin

And look at the end. A BIG JOKEY SMILEY.

Hmmm…still don't see it.

All I see is someone making fun of the over reactions of others.

Must be me. I am a little bit slow.

[Cody Dawg]

demograph68

News at 11. People get sick. Some die. IT COULD EVEN HAPPEN TO YOU!!!!!!

Correction: IT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU!!!!!!

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Correction: IT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU!!!!!!

OMG NO!

[NYCFarmboy]

Originally Posted by Pendergast

Are you dead from it yet?

And how many from the Nile virus?

GW is on top of things.

[Cody Dawg]

GW is on top of things.

He has to be. He's short.

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by mojo2

I wonder how many good and responsible posters will fall victim to the faulty premise of this thread?

So how many died from the flu(s) this year so far?

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I just got over the flu. It really was horrible. I didn't even expect it...who gets the flu in August?



My head felt like it was exploding, my throat was sore, I had a banging headache 24/7, I had a fever of 102f for three days straight, I couldn't stop coughing and sneezing, and I couldn't breathe at night.

Yeah, it was a LOT of fun for about a week...

I had a friend die from the flu at the age of 30. She was young and beautiful, a model and actress, and she died from it.

If you think it can't happen to the everyday average person, think again. It can. 36,000 of us are going to die of the flu in the United States this year alone.

Cody,

I am sorry you had to suffer from the flu.

The joke is not so much about the dying and suffering, but rather about the extremely large number of people who were predicted to die from the flu.

I certainly did not want to make fun of real situations, but really about the expected catastrophes that.. did not happen, specifically on a large scale.

My apologies if this offended you.

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by mojo2

Dear Readers,

It is my opinion that the O.P. was trying to needle another thread starter who ASKED a question which was supported by facts from reliable sources.

However, in THIS thread there are no reliable sources and no facts from him.

I think you take life on the Internet too seriously.

Fact is, there is not 100 000 000 people who died from the flu in 2006.

I wonder if those guys who bought bonds fro tamiflu are OK today...



Oh! I forgot!

No apologies to you mojo2.

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by smacintush

Hmmm…still don't see it.

All I see is someone making fun of the over reactions of others.

Must be me. I am a little bit slow.

You got it smack on.

Others are stuck. That must be that flu stuff from runny snotty noses.

[Cody Dawg]

Pendergast:

No worries and thank you for your kind words.

I'm feeling better...I think. Between morning (and afternoon, late afternoon, early evening, late evening, and midnight) sickness and the flu I was feeling very rough.



But, now I'm better.

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by NYCFarmboy

GW is on top of things.

In what way is GW on top of that situation?

[demograph68]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Correction: IT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU!!!!!!

AHHHHHHH!

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I just got over the flu. It really was horrible. I didn't even expect it...who gets the flu in August?

Er... everybody? August is, like, the temporal capital of all things flu—or is that just here? Woke up with a touch of it myself, this morning, though in my case a couple of paracetamol combined with plenty of hot tea and honey has made it lots better already.

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

He has to be. He's short.

5' 11" is short?

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by smacintush

5' 11" is short?

It is if you're the 'leader' of the 'free world'.

[Cody Dawg]

Actually, the fact that he's 5'11" yet perceived as shorter than that is even worse.

[Orion27]

My wife is an educator and Director of Health Services. On a recent visit to her physician who is colleague of sorts ( both on the same ethics commitee ), he wrote out an unsolicited precription for Tamiflu for my wife and the family saying he expected an epidemic, there would be shortages of the anti viral, and generally laid out a scenario of mass panic, armed guards at pharmacies, ect. He was told the area in which we live would be on our own in such a situation and urban and suburban areas had higher priority for antviral distribution. Now we were both taken aback by his approach but just maybe he is aware of something we are not. He is associated with a task force commissioned to prepare for such an event. How should the general public be prepared for such a possibility? I think this sounds like a lot more than our run of the mill flu epidemic. I generally fall into the category of the most cavalier in this thread. I have heard stories of the epidemic of 1918 but thought modern medicine would mitigate any such likely recurrence. I have a prescription but have not filled it yet. How about a poll? How long should I wait?
1. Fill it immediately
2. Wait a week
3. Wait a month
4. Upon learning of the first flu victim
5. First sign of a sniffle
6. Fill it and sell it for cash ( I'm insured )

[Cody Dawg]

You know what? I'm getting a prescription for Tamiflu when I go to the doctor in a week or so. I'm not going through this crap with the flu again.

FILL THE SCRIPT IMMEDIATELY.

Of course, you might want to ask the pharmacist how long the drug will stay viable for. Some drugs need to be thrown away before others...supposedly.

Do NOT do fill it and sell it for cash...are you that broke that you need to do that? Thought not.

[Orion27]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

You know what? I'm getting a prescription for Tamiflu when I go to the doctor in a week or so. I'm not going through this crap with the flu again.

FILL THE SCRIPT IMMEDIATELY.

Of course, you might want to ask the pharmacist how long the drug will stay viable for. Some drugs need to be thrown away before others...supposedly.

Do NOT do fill it and sell it for cash...are you that broke that you need to do that? Thought not.

Tamiflu shelf life --- three to five years

[Cody Dawg]

Yeah, that's a good amount of time, right?

I'm in there!

[olePigeon]

I died from the flu. This is an automated message.

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by Orion27

My wife is an educator and Director of Health Services. On a recent visit to her physician who is colleague of sorts ( both on the same ethics commitee ), he wrote out an unsolicited precription for Tamiflu for my wife and the family saying he expected an epidemic, there would be shortages of the anti viral, and generally laid out a scenario of mass panic, armed guards at pharmacies, ect. He was told the area in which we live would be on our own in such a situation and urban and suburban areas had higher priority for antviral distribution. Now we were both taken aback by his approach but just maybe he is aware of something we are not. He is associated with a task force commissioned to prepare for such an event. How should the general public be prepared for such a possibility? I think this sounds like a lot more than our run of the mill flu epidemic. I generally fall into the category of the most cavalier in this thread. I have heard stories of the epidemic of 1918 but thought modern medicine would mitigate any such likely recurrence. I have a prescription but have not filled it yet. How about a poll? How long should I wait?
1. Fill it immediately
2. Wait a week
3. Wait a month
4. Upon learning of the first flu victim
5. First sign of a sniffle
6. Fill it and sell it for cash ( I'm insured )

Tamiflu may never work though.

[Orion27]

Originally Posted by Pendergast

Tamiflu may never work though.

The point is moot for those who take it and a certainty for those who don't

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Actually, the fact that he's 5'11" yet perceived as shorter than that is even worse.

5'11 would be average. Napoleon was short. Prince is short.

[demograph68]

Originally Posted by olePigeon

I died from the flu. This is an automated message.

I thought you'd have pulled through it.

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Actually, the fact that he's 5'11" yet perceived as shorter than that is even worse.

That is odd, I always think of him as a little short too.

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by Kevin

5'11 would be average. Napoleon was short. Prince is short.

Napoleon was short, Prince is petite.

[Cody Dawg]

smacintush

That is odd, I always think if [George W. Bush] as a little short too.

Yes, maybe it's his Wizard of Oz munchkin voice.

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by Orion27

The point is moot for those who take it and a certainty for those who don't

Bless you.

[ink]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

I thought Iran was going to kill us all today.

Apparently, WW3 has already started and someone forgot to tell everybody.

[Cadaver]

Current US population: 299,576,030

So, about 1 in 3 people in the US were expected to die from the flu. Wow. That's a nasty bug.

[Monique]

But, there is only 4 months left in the year, that flu thing should get busy real soon. No, I get it doctors lie and exaggerate all the time now.