Do You Know Where You Live?

The title of this blog may sound humorous, but many don't know how to direct someone to their home. You may say that's not important in the era of E-911 and GPS systems, but such systems aren't perfect.

I had to direct a police officer to my home a few months ago when my car was stolen. I was just glad it wasn't a medical emergency since the officer didn't seem to know east from west. In case you have doubts, it's also helpful to know north from south.

Take the time to write directions from a major landmark to your home. Do it in numbered steps and reference as many landmarks as possible. If it's some distance, mileage is also helpful. Avoid using colors to describe a landmark or your home since males don't always see colors the same way. If it's dark, remember to turn on porch or other lights. Be sure your home's address is posted and can be seen from either direction.

It just might save your life.

Nurse Nan

West Nile Virus

The West Nile Virus was introduced in the U.S. approximately 13 years ago. It’s now in all 50 states, and a confirmed case was reported in Madison County on September 12th. How can you protect yourself? What can you expect if you should contract the disease?

Looking at the latter question first, remember this is not like the flu which can infect a large number of people. It can be transmitted in other ways than mosquito bites, but this is much more rare. The disease, as its name implies, is a virus over which antibiotics have no impact. There are no current anti-virals which may dramatically help in combating the course of West Nile.

While you don’t want to be infected, it’s good to remember that eight out of ten who are infected never experience any symptoms. In other words, you don’t know you have it. Of those who do become ill, physicians say only one in 150 (some use the figure 180) will experience anything but mild flu-like symptoms.

This means your chances of never being affected by West Nile are extremely good. Yet you don’t want to take that chance, do you? The disease can’t be spread from human to human, so eliminating mosquitoes and their bites are your first line of defense.

By avoiding mosquitoes, you can reduce your chances of contracting West Nile Virus to almost nil. How do you do that?

1. Avoid areas where you know mosquitoes may be present. Okay, you say that sounds easy, but you don’t want to miss any family fun. Encourage those who give get-togethers to select a new venue. If that isn’t an option…

2. Use insect repellent. Make sure it contains DEET. Spray on after you dress. Don’t cover sprayed areas of skin with clothing. Be sure to spray on thin material. Mosquitoes can bite through thinner fabrics.

3. Don’t leave any open containers in your yard. Remember to invert empty flower pots, etc. Don’t hang old tires to use for a children’s swing. Even a small container of water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

4. Call your city to determine how often they spray for mosquitoes. In this area, TVA sprays some rural areas that are known breeding grounds. If you feel your city or county isn’t doing its part, contact your representatives and encourage them to allocate funds for spraying.

5. Mosquitoes seem to prefer females to males. They also prefer brunettes and anyone using hairspray. if you fall into those categories, take extra precautions.

6. If you’re entering a work area where aerosols aren’t allowed, you can purchase anti-insect wipes to keep your protection active.

If you should become ill within a few days of mosquito bite, be sure to visit your physician promptly. As stated earlier, there is no one current antidote for West Nile Virus, but medical care can lessen the symptoms.


Originally posted in Pen N Sword.

Caffeine Wise & Liquor Foolish

We've all heard the old expression "Penny wise and pound foolish." If any don't know what this axiom means, it roughly translates into U.S. English as being smart enough to watch every one cent coin, but not caring where our dollar bills go.

We can adapt this adage to our health. How many have been told to avoid caffeine? I and many, many more were born with a heart condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse. It's hardly life threatening, but medical experts do advise those who have any heart condition to avoid caffeine. That would mean drinking caffeine free colas and coffee as well as avoiding chocolate. Do I do this? With the exception of coffee which I can't stand, no. And you can't make me...

In the medical world, it's called non-compliance and physicians and nurses are some of the worst patients. Go figure.

Why am I writing about this today? Earlier I was at a local mini-mart behind a relatively young couple, say 30ish. Both the man and woman had their arms loaded down with six packs of vodka laced drinks, which is certainly legal in Florence and their constitutional right to do. The unusual aspect of the scene was that the woman was purchasing a two liter bottle of Pepsi...Diet Pepsi...but not the kind of Diet Pepsi I had in my hand. No, she was purchasing the caffeine free product. I don't know what the woman's medical condition was. She could have been purchasing it for a relative or even a child at home, but the odds are that she was buying it for herself.

Yes, a small amount of alcohol can be beneficial to the human body, but most pluses have even stronger minuses. Is this going to discourage anyone from consuming alcoholic potables? Probably not, but you've got to admit seeing anyone with such large quantities of alcohol and then making an attempt to control their caffeine intake is humorous to say the least.

 If you don't drink or smoke, don't start. It doesn't make you look cool, and even if your friends call you a dork, you can laugh at them at their funeral.

Nurse Nancy wishing you a long life...

How's the New Year's Diet Coming?

Given up on that diet already? If you're not a fast food junky, this simple tip might help. Studies show we eat the least when dining with blue china.

That's right, just invest in a set of new dinnerware (and we know you've been wanting an excuse anyway), and you'll cut down on approximately 100 calories a day. That might not seem like much, but in a month's time, you'll notice a difference.

Happy dieting!

Can't Wear Your Pants After Surgery?

Recently I've heard several comments from patients who've had surgery. They find they can wear only sweatpants, or worse, have to stay home until their incisions heal completely.

Simplicity makes a great product, pictured above. There are four expanders in each box. I purchased a box for a patient this morning at Jo-Ann's. They're having a coupon sale until Sunday, and I paid $1.61 including tax for the box.

Oh, for you guys who've gained a little weight, they double as collar expanders!



Nurse Nan

Wieners & Starlight Mints

First, sorry for the long delay between blogs. As many of you know, Trader and I have started our own Internet magazine The Connection, and it has taken up a great deal of time. So, what brings me back to "Nurse Nan?"

I had to re-certify in Basic Life Support this week, and had a fantastic instructor--Jesse Testerman from MedCall Ambulance Service. Mr. Testerman asked if we could name the most dangerous food for small children. Many quickly replied "hot dogs" or "wieners." This was certainly the right answer, but wieners account for only 70% or so of this kind of choking hazard.

Parents need also to be aware of mints--the Starlight kind that are roughly the same circumference of a wiener. Both wieners and mints can easily become lodged in the throat of a young child. If you don't know the Heimlich maneuver, please go online and take any of the many courses available to you. You don't even need to leave your own home to become a lifesaver...and the life you save may be your child's.


Kudos to all you parents out there,

Nurse Nan

The Connection/What Kind of Children Are We Raising?

The Connection is now up and running. By next week, we hope to have most of our departments in service and to begin offering you a unique local Internet experience. This blog will now be available through the magazine, as will several others.

Thanks to all have encouraged us and helped make it possible. Here's a link to our temporary URL:

The Connection

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I was once 16--in the last millennium. I'm sure I said, "Oh, Mother!" and "Oh, Daddy!" so often my parents couldn't wait for that magical age when I would turn 25, the age psychologists predicted children would finally become adults and develop a modicum of common sense.

If you read any forums or blogs, you know for the past year there's been much controversy about Sweetwater Mansion, aka the Weeden Home. It seems there's not much middle ground--you either think the restoration efforts justify the means, or you think the owner is a crook and you wouldn't give her the time of day. Surely, there could be some compromise...at least I have felt that way until recently, until I've seen the remarks made by both adults and children concerning this project.

In the past few days I posted some questions on Facebook. These questions didn't denigrate the work the volunteers were doing, but asked if they realized it could be all in vain. I've been quite surprised by one 16 year old, by her language and her attitude.

What do they teach in schools? Do students learn grammar and syntax? Do they learn debating techniques? Do they even learn good manners?

I'm attaching a message I received from the sister of one of the volunteers. At first I debated if I should black out her name in some way, but it's still there on Facebook for the world to see. This young girl insults "Bible Thumpers" and praises Neo-Nazis. What kind of children have we raised? What kind of students have we produced? Perhaps most importantly, are we aware of how many are utterly lost?