Alone for Christmas... And it's okay.

[Dawggie]

I get to spend some extra time here at DU and scan the various news outlets for more in the never ending blemishes and illegalities that the Bush administration foments against what America once was.

Less than three miles away a gathering of my family is calibrating the holiday with food and exchanges of gifts. I'm out of the loop this year due to what I believe is pneumonia. I'd check it out for sure, but I can't even afford the frikking premiums on my policy. Makes me wonder why I even bother.

Anyway, aside from all that, it really brings home the fact that just about all our politicians seem to care more about the health of the insurance industry rather than the health of American citizens. After all, they can sure as shit put more cash into political coffers that the bled dry american consumer can.

Thanks for letting me bitch and induldge in a little self pity.

I send my best to you all and hope that this season endows you with at least a couple of really sweet blessings of sorts.

:toast:

[barbtries]

1. get well soon

chicken soup, and rest...

[floridablue]

2. Doing a solo act myself

But I always keep a can of chicken soup close by just in case.

[Dawggie]

6. I'll have feathers before this bout is over!

But I still have quite a bit of free range broth available!

[LeftCoast]

3. Be careful trying to ride out pneumonia

Have you been keeping an eye on your temp? You should. Also, how winded are you just sitting in a chair versus when you walk around? If you get short of breath at all it's not good, but if you feel you can't catch your breath sitting or lying down it's time to go to the hospital.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Dawggie]

5. Temp's good. Sitting or lying around the breath is good but had to go out

and do some shopping the other day and it really wore me out.

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts.

[kstewart33]

4. It's only one day.

And at least you can rest. I hope that your family is saving some tasty leftovers for you for when you get better and can eat.

Merry Christmas!

[shance]

7. Take care dawggie - you got yourself some chicken soup?

I couldn't agree more about the politicians love and devotion to the health care industry over the health of us!

Money really does seem to be the root of all evil does it not?

With that said, I hope you are taking care, keeping up with those fluids (one more time, chicken soup***) and lots and lots of good rest.

Hopefully you'll be up and running in no time.

All the best friend - glad you posted.

xoxo

[Warpy]

8. I'm Buddhist and my family is gone

and my neighbors are visiting family and most of my friends have moved away in the past few years. I find my roots here in NM getting shallower instead of deeper.

My antidote to the cloying forced cheer of the family Christmas this year is the Outlaugh Festival on Wisecrack, on the LOGO TV station. I've been giggling, chuckling, cackling, chortling, and howling all morning.

The amount of stuff I'm laughing at is just proof that we're not all that different, after all. Funny is funny, and nothing is funnier than sex.

[Dawggie]

9. I'm a Buddhist as well...

My machination against the tide has consisted of a rewatch of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and watching August Rush online. as well as perusing DU and the web.

I'll see if I can find the show you speak of!

[Aviation Pro]

10. Where do you think the cash comes from?

...to put into the political coffers. That's right, our premiums. Indirectly, we all support Republicans. What the new Congress should consider is funding all federal elections through tax payer dollars and capping individual donations so that insurance, oil, big pharma and big cancer executives can't pool their resources under the current $2000 limit. Ya wanna contribute? Fine, fifty bucks and that's it.

[hisownpetard]

11. My best friend is in the hospital today with pneumonia and possibly meningitis.

If you're not going to the hospital, then please make sure you stay hydrated.
It's very important! GatorAde, ginger ale, tea, anything.

I'm so sorry to hear that you're sick. Get lots of rest, and feel better!

[Dawggie]

13. Please, don't worry. Gallons of fluids, vitamin C and more chicken soup

than I would like to admit to.

I've had this for over a week and I'm thinking Emergencey room soon if it doesn't start relenquishing its hold.

Thanks for your kind thoughts.

[hisownpetard]

16. Over a week?? Do you still have a fever? Is your chest congested? Because

anti-inflammatories may not be enough; you may need an antibiotic.
What have you been taking for this?

[Jazzgirl]

12. Dawggie, I got out of the hospital last week with

pneumonia and COPD. I was lucky enough to go to work a couple of weeks ago and they took me to the hospital. I would've been dead if I hadn't gone to work. Now I'm home recuperating with oxygen and a machine for breathing treatments as well as a sh*tload of steroids that are causing temporary diabetes which cause me to have to occasionally shoot insulin!! <is that a run-on sentence or what!>

Take care of yourself and don't play with it. I am also alone. My family is in Missouri and Cali and I sit here in Texas. I can't do much since my poor legs are so swollen from the steroids....this Christmas really sucks but at least I'm alive. Stay warm and if you have trouble breathing get to the hospital emergency room asap!!!

[Dawggie]

15. Thank you so much and please do take care of yourself as well.

Hell, I'm thinking going to the ER tomorrow if this shit doesn't let go.

Stayin' warm!

[Jazzgirl]

23. Please do Dawggie!

I didn't know until later but they almost had to intebate me. They couldn't get me to wake up because I wasn't getting enough oxygen. I had no idea how bad I was but I do know for over a week I couldn't get out of bed. I had no energy and anything like my purse or anything felt like it weighed a ton. I am on the road to recover but it will take a month to get back to work. Take care and don't wait too long. :grouphug:

[xchrom]

14. me too -- but i'm always alone for the holidays.

i love it -- cheesy movies -- and i love my own company.

so -- Merry Christmas!

[EFerrari]

17. I'm on my own, too, if you don't count the hairy and the furry.

About to go out and find some dinner.

Merry Christmas, Dawggie. Thanks for being here in our great DU community!

:toast:

[NNN0LHI]

18. My wife had some kind of bug that came back three times over the past weeks

It really had her down for the count. She just about beat it twice but it came back on her both times the day after she took the last antibiotic. Her fever shot right back up and she started feeling sickly all over again. This time she is on a longer dose of Cipro and it seems to be doing the trick for over a week now. Fingers crossed.

Hope you get feeling better soon too.

Don

[scarletwoman]

19. You're not alone in being alone today.

But DO take care of your health! I'm glad to see in your other posts in this thread that you're willing to get seen by someone tomorrow!

I'm home alone with my two dogs today because my family is doing the big Christmas get-together this coming Saturday. It's a lovely extra day off from work for me, with no place I have to go, and nothing I have to do.

Sending healing thoughts your way...

sw

[tech3149]

20. You're not alone, we're here with you

I'm in a similar position, though not sick, and it's been a good day. I'm house/cat sitting while my parents are in Florida. I'm a solitary sort anyway so it isn't unusual.

My day started about 3:00 AM and I was greeted by the most beautiful night sky I've seen in a while, crystal clear with a moon so bright I thought I could reach out and grab it. In spite of all the ugliness we have to deal with, quiet moments like that remind me what a wonderful world we live in.

I spent most of the day doing spit and polish cleaning that I wouldn't do when they were here. My parents are well into their 80's and still pretty independent but the eyes and energy level aren't what they used to be. By the time they get back I should be done with every nook and cranny.

Then I started on my Dad's workshop organizing and cleaning up the tools. Since he doesn't breath so well, he spends more time in the easy chair than working on something.

A nice drive to the park and a bit of a walkabout finished off the afternoon. I suppose I'll finish off the day playing with the cats or my guitar or an old movie. For me it's all good.

Add my best wishes to all and hope you can find the beauty and joy that is there for us every day.

[madokie]

21. If its any consolation I admire you for not going and spreading anything around, just in case

if you haven't been to the doc then you made a wise choice in staying home with those of us who celebrated for the most part last night. the kids had the other side of their family to be with today so we expect them back here sometime shortly to help polish off our last nights feast.
Peace and a Happy New Year

[gatorboy]

22. Are you kidding? He could give us all a computer virus!!!

Cough away from the computer, man!

I keed! My wife is prone to pneumonia so I can attest to what a drag it can be. Get well and have a great New Year. :hi:

[Karenina]

24. Feel better, Dawggie!

And Welcome to DU! :hug:

[pitohui]

25. good lord be well soon, my friend, that brings back "memories!"

when i was uninsured and thought i had pneumonia (well, i was pretty sure, my friend's neighbor died of it, my friend was dx'd by a ER, and i got it like shortly thereafter) then all i could do was lay on the floor and eat a lot of garlic, at least it was a summer pneumonia so i didn't miss any partying or family time

get well soon and if you are sure no one is going to drop by, maybe eat a garlic clove, i know, you think i'm playing a practical joke, but even andrew weil says so, and for me it was a godsend in times when going to a doctor/ER just wasn't going to happen 00 may be superstition but i honestly believe garlic may be an antibiotic/antiviral, at least a mild one

[shanti]

26. hope you feel better soon

a lot of people around here are catching a very bad cold that often turns to pneumonia - not fun. take it easy...