I always hate researching STIs because it seems like half the information is rather slanted toward “if you ever have sex, you are going to get HIV and die!” Yes, STIs are a risk, but how much of one is really hard to pin down.
So I turned to the Internet and went research-crazy.
One thing I learned is that serial monogamy can be riskier than casual sex.
Now, this sounds a little off — fewer partners seems much safer. The risk of serial monogamy is that the feelings of safety and comfort can settle over the relationship, leading to not using condoms.
I can hear the collected masses mentally screaming “But we got tested first!” Always a good idea, but just because you got a negative test, it doesn’t mean you don’t have an STI. It means that you didn’t have an STI as of one to three months ago.
It takes a while after exposure before an STI shows up on a test. The two most common STIs show up in the shortest amount of time. Gonorrhea takes two to seven days; chlamydia takes two to six weeks.
Less common STIs take even longer to show up. Syphilis takes up to three months, HIV and Hepatitis C up to six. They don’t even test for herpes unless you have symptoms.
Which means if you have a habit of monthlong “true love” relationships, you can be at a pretty high risk of infection without even knowing it.
I still don’t agree with the articles that say all couples ever everywhere should use condoms always, but it makes sense to have a deeper conversation than “you’re clean, right?” before going at it bareback.
Oral sex is another risk factor that is a little ambiguous.
Every single sex book and sex article says that best practice is to use condoms and dental dams during oral sex — I have yet to find a single person who has ever used a dental dam.
I wanted to know just how terribly irresponsible I, and everyone else, was being, so I started tracking down papers.
Gonorrhea, that nasty bacteria, poses the greatest risk during oral sex. Both men and women can pass it on during oral. Luckily, gonorrhea is still curable, until the super bug from Japan makes its way across the ocean.
For other STIs, the risk is most often to the partner giving oral. Honestly, it isn’t well known how high the risk is, but transmission is possible.
With all the wishy-washy data, I doubt that there is going to be a sudden spike of flavored condom and dental dam sales. But there are other less effective yet still important things to do in order to protect yourself.
Don’t brush your teeth or floss within a couple hours of giving oral. It opens up small cuts in your mouth, which means there are more routes to infection. Use mouthwash if you want that minty-fresh taste.
Speaking of taste, if something tastes off, stop. Maybe it’s just that “time for a shower” funk, but it’s not really worth risking.
If going down on a guy, taste isn’t going to be as much of an indication until it’s too late to do anything about it. Not having the guy ejaculate in your mouth lessens the risk.
Similarly, if anything looks off, back off. Sores can be signs of herpes or syphilis. They can also be signs of ingrown hairs (which can get pretty gnarly-looking), but best not risk it.
If everything looks clean, that still doesn’t mean there isn’t an infection. People who have herpes shed the virus even when they don’t have sores.
Luckily, genital herpes prefers genital mucous membranes and isn’t likely to jump to the mouth. Likewise, oral herpes (aka cold sores) don’t commonly jump to the genitals. Oral-genital transmission of herpes isn’t the main risk.
What it does mean, though, is that grinding without a condom is a terrible idea because herpes and syphilis can be transmitted through unprotected contact. Moreover, if you shave or wax your sexy bits, you are opening up microscopic pathways for the virus to jump over.
Suit up before any genital contact — it’s safer.
Sometimes, though, all the best practices are followed and what you end up with is a broken condom and dialog with a lot of four-letter words.
If this happens, immediately get in the shower and wash with soap and water. Normally, soap should never be used on a female’s genitals. But in this case, get in there with soap.
Washing off immediately can kill both herpes and syphilis. If there is cum inside you, there is no research into whether or not douching helps.
There is always a risk when it comes to sex, but it still isn’t something to be terrified of. Arm yourself with knowledge, follow best practices, get tested regularly and know what exactly the tests indicate.
And once you’ve laid the groundwork of safety, let go and enjoy yourself.
2011年7月31日星期日
2011年7月27日星期三
Wall Street Journal says Valeant Pharma has made takeover approach to Meda AB
The Wall Street Journal reports that Valeant Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX:VRX) has made a takeover approach to Meda AB, a Swedish specialty drug maker.
The newspaper, which cited "people familiar with the matter" said Valeant declined to comment and Meda issued a statement saying it hadn't received an approach.
Earlier this year, Meda sold Valeant the rights in the U.S., Canada and Mexico for two dermatological creams, Elidel and Xerese. Under that agreement, Valeant will pay $76 million over 18 months, plus milestone and royalty payments.
Valeant, which has its headquarters near Toronto in Mississauga, Ont., was formed in September by the merger of Biovail Corp. (TSX:BVF) and California-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE:VRX).
Since then, Valeant has made a number of corporate and product acquisitions and was forced to back away from one hostile takeover attempt.
In mid-July, it announced separate agreements to buy the Ortho Dermatologics division of Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. for $345 million and skin care treatment company Dermik, a unit of Sanofi, for $425 million.
It also agreed in February to acquire U.S. and Canadian rights to anti-cold sore drug Zovirax from GlaxoSmithKline for $300 million.
In May, Valean bowed out of its attempt to buy U.S. drug developer Cephalon Inc. (Nasdaq:CEPH), after Valeant's hostile offer $5.7 billion was topped by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq:TEVA), which agreed to pay US$6.8 billion including Cephalon's assumed debt.
The newspaper, which cited "people familiar with the matter" said Valeant declined to comment and Meda issued a statement saying it hadn't received an approach.
Earlier this year, Meda sold Valeant the rights in the U.S., Canada and Mexico for two dermatological creams, Elidel and Xerese. Under that agreement, Valeant will pay $76 million over 18 months, plus milestone and royalty payments.
Valeant, which has its headquarters near Toronto in Mississauga, Ont., was formed in September by the merger of Biovail Corp. (TSX:BVF) and California-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE:VRX).
Since then, Valeant has made a number of corporate and product acquisitions and was forced to back away from one hostile takeover attempt.
In mid-July, it announced separate agreements to buy the Ortho Dermatologics division of Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. for $345 million and skin care treatment company Dermik, a unit of Sanofi, for $425 million.
It also agreed in February to acquire U.S. and Canadian rights to anti-cold sore drug Zovirax from GlaxoSmithKline for $300 million.
In May, Valean bowed out of its attempt to buy U.S. drug developer Cephalon Inc. (Nasdaq:CEPH), after Valeant's hostile offer $5.7 billion was topped by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq:TEVA), which agreed to pay US$6.8 billion including Cephalon's assumed debt.
2011年7月25日星期一
Are Dental Appliances a Source for Bad Breath?
According to Colgate, there are approximately 3 million Americans and Canadians who wear dental braces and twice as many who wear mouth guards and retainers.
Then, according to the Dental Economics approximately 37 million Americans wear dentures.
These data automatically reflect that orthodontics is a very important dental medical field, but it also means that there might be a few millions out there who struggle with the bad breath issue.
Halitosis or bad breath can definitely be caused by all these types of dental appliances. The bacteria in the human mouth find themselves more free surfaces where they can reside, if a patient wears any kind of dental appliance, be it a mouth guard or a denture. The food particles are being trapped by the devices, so the microbes can feed on these particles.
According to several recent researches in the field, the oral appliances that patients wear are in a direct connection with the bad breath formation. The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics has published a report according to which people who wear braces or other dental appliances develop halitosis just as people who do not wear braces develop the condition.
Throughout the study, the level of oral odor of the patients has been measured. Findings have shown that the level of the odor has been the strongest after 4 weeks from having these braces cemented to the teeth.
However, oral appliances are very important for the health, and people should not restrain from wearing them.
There are plenty of breath freshening products available on the market that will help neutralize these bacteria, and keep away the formation of halitosis. Patients with dental appliances who struggle with bad breath are encouraged to seek the perfect product for their individual case.
The products that do not contain lauryl sulfate are extremely efficient especially for people with braces, because this way they will avoid the formation of cold sores.
Then, according to the Dental Economics approximately 37 million Americans wear dentures.
These data automatically reflect that orthodontics is a very important dental medical field, but it also means that there might be a few millions out there who struggle with the bad breath issue.
Halitosis or bad breath can definitely be caused by all these types of dental appliances. The bacteria in the human mouth find themselves more free surfaces where they can reside, if a patient wears any kind of dental appliance, be it a mouth guard or a denture. The food particles are being trapped by the devices, so the microbes can feed on these particles.
According to several recent researches in the field, the oral appliances that patients wear are in a direct connection with the bad breath formation. The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics has published a report according to which people who wear braces or other dental appliances develop halitosis just as people who do not wear braces develop the condition.
Throughout the study, the level of oral odor of the patients has been measured. Findings have shown that the level of the odor has been the strongest after 4 weeks from having these braces cemented to the teeth.
However, oral appliances are very important for the health, and people should not restrain from wearing them.
There are plenty of breath freshening products available on the market that will help neutralize these bacteria, and keep away the formation of halitosis. Patients with dental appliances who struggle with bad breath are encouraged to seek the perfect product for their individual case.
The products that do not contain lauryl sulfate are extremely efficient especially for people with braces, because this way they will avoid the formation of cold sores.
2011年7月20日星期三
Consumer Health Sales Growth Expected To Remain Steady Over the Forecast Period
In 2010, post the swine flu period, consumers had a more normal approach towards skin care leading to lower growth in medicated skin care compared to 2009.
The Medicated Skin Care in Australia report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2006-2010, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. Forecasts to 2015 illustrate how the market is set to change.
Product coverage: Acne Treatments, Allergy Eye Care, Antihistamines/Allergy Remedies (Systemic), Antiparasitics/Lice (Head and Body) Treatments, Antipruritics, Child-Specific Cough, Cold and Allergy Remedies, Child-Specific Digestive Remedies, Child-Specific Medicated Skin Care, Cold Sore Treatments, Combination Products - Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies, Cough Remedies, Decongestants, Diarrhoeal Remedies, First Aid Kits, Gauze, Tape and Other Wound Care, Haemorrhoid Treatments, Hair Loss Treatments, IBS Treatments, Indigestion and Heartburn Remedies, Laxatives, Medicated Confectionery, Medicated Shampoos, Motion Sickness Remedies, Nappy (Diaper) Rash Treatments, NRT Gum, NRT Inhalators, NRT Lozenges, NRT Patches, Other NRT, Pharyngeal Preparations, Standard Eye Care, Sticking Plasters/Adhesive Bandages, Systemic Analgesics, Topical Allergy Remedies/Antihistamines, Topical Analgesics/Anaesthetic, Topical Antifungals, Topical Germicidals/Antiseptics, Vaginal Antifungals.
Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.
The Medicated Skin Care in Australia report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2006-2010, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. Forecasts to 2015 illustrate how the market is set to change.
Product coverage: Acne Treatments, Allergy Eye Care, Antihistamines/Allergy Remedies (Systemic), Antiparasitics/Lice (Head and Body) Treatments, Antipruritics, Child-Specific Cough, Cold and Allergy Remedies, Child-Specific Digestive Remedies, Child-Specific Medicated Skin Care, Cold Sore Treatments, Combination Products - Cough, Cold and Allergy (Hay Fever) Remedies, Cough Remedies, Decongestants, Diarrhoeal Remedies, First Aid Kits, Gauze, Tape and Other Wound Care, Haemorrhoid Treatments, Hair Loss Treatments, IBS Treatments, Indigestion and Heartburn Remedies, Laxatives, Medicated Confectionery, Medicated Shampoos, Motion Sickness Remedies, Nappy (Diaper) Rash Treatments, NRT Gum, NRT Inhalators, NRT Lozenges, NRT Patches, Other NRT, Pharyngeal Preparations, Standard Eye Care, Sticking Plasters/Adhesive Bandages, Systemic Analgesics, Topical Allergy Remedies/Antihistamines, Topical Analgesics/Anaesthetic, Topical Antifungals, Topical Germicidals/Antiseptics, Vaginal Antifungals.
Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.
2011年7月17日星期日
Adenovirus may be cause of summer illnesses
Summer vacation wasn’t starting out quite like the family intended. Four kids, no school, blue skies — but one by one the siblings were coming down with fevers, and soon the whole gang was homebound.
One of the children came into the office to be examined. He appeared to be fighting off a virus and steadily improved on his own. When his 7-year-old sister stopped in a few days later with runny eyes, cough, sore throat and fever, mom really wanted her checked for strep throat to see if the other three might have something “treatable.” It was a reasonable request, so the brave little girl took one for the team and had her throat swabbed. Mom was soon relieved to hear that her daughter did not have strep.
Good news, bad news. The kids didn’t have strep so they did not need to take antibiotics to treat their sore throats. However, the family most likely had been hit with adenovirus, a common and very contagious virus that generally can’t be “fixed” with medication. Adenoviral illnesses tend to run their course and fade away after up to one week of mild to moderate misery.
Adenovirus is usually a presumptive diagnosis since it’s not typically tested for unless a patient is sick enough to require hospitalization. As with many other viral illnesses, outpatient treatment of adenovirus involves supportive care, with plenty of fluids, and pain and fever management to keep the patient hydrated and comfortable. Medical evaluation is indicated if new symptoms such as severe cough, prolonged fever or dehydration develop.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that there are more than 50 strains of adenovirus, a hearty virus that can live up to two weeks outside of the body. Adenovirus is best known for causing a variety of respiratory illnesses ranging in severity from mild cold symptoms and croup to bronchitis and pneumonia. Infants and immunocompromised individuals are at particular risk of severe disease complications.
Depending on the particular strain of virus, adenoviral infection can also result in throat infections, conjunctivitis, stomach flu, bladder infections and skin rashes. Infection can occur year-round, but most adenoviral illness is recorded during the late winter, spring and early summer months. The incubation period varies, with adenoviral gastroenteritis occurring three to 10 days after exposure, and respiratory illnesses cropping up from as soon as two days to as long as two weeks after contact.
In an article in “Pediatrics in Review,” Canadian researcher Dr. Joanne Langley notes that adenovirus can cause respiratory illness in all age groups but is most often seen in younger and school-age children. Adenovirus is also commonly spread among groups who live in close quarters, such as those in day care centers, residential institutions and military settings.
Langley finds that for kids younger than 2 years of age, up to 8 percent of acute respiratory illnesses are caused by adenovirus. The virus is also responsible for about 25 percent of all pediatric cases of exudative pharyngitis (pus on the tonsils).
Adenovirus is shared through contact with an infected individual’s respiratory droplets, eye secretions or feces. Contact can occur person-to-person or by touching contaminated toys and household objects. Transmission of the virus has also been found to be waterborne, with the adenovirus targeting kids who swim in inadequately chlorinated pools or small contaminated lakes.
To reduce the spread of adenovirus, the CDC recommends contact and droplet precautions: Remember to disinfect toys and counters; sneeze into your elbow; wash hands frequently; and properly chlorinate your pool.
One of the children came into the office to be examined. He appeared to be fighting off a virus and steadily improved on his own. When his 7-year-old sister stopped in a few days later with runny eyes, cough, sore throat and fever, mom really wanted her checked for strep throat to see if the other three might have something “treatable.” It was a reasonable request, so the brave little girl took one for the team and had her throat swabbed. Mom was soon relieved to hear that her daughter did not have strep.
Good news, bad news. The kids didn’t have strep so they did not need to take antibiotics to treat their sore throats. However, the family most likely had been hit with adenovirus, a common and very contagious virus that generally can’t be “fixed” with medication. Adenoviral illnesses tend to run their course and fade away after up to one week of mild to moderate misery.
Adenovirus is usually a presumptive diagnosis since it’s not typically tested for unless a patient is sick enough to require hospitalization. As with many other viral illnesses, outpatient treatment of adenovirus involves supportive care, with plenty of fluids, and pain and fever management to keep the patient hydrated and comfortable. Medical evaluation is indicated if new symptoms such as severe cough, prolonged fever or dehydration develop.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that there are more than 50 strains of adenovirus, a hearty virus that can live up to two weeks outside of the body. Adenovirus is best known for causing a variety of respiratory illnesses ranging in severity from mild cold symptoms and croup to bronchitis and pneumonia. Infants and immunocompromised individuals are at particular risk of severe disease complications.
Depending on the particular strain of virus, adenoviral infection can also result in throat infections, conjunctivitis, stomach flu, bladder infections and skin rashes. Infection can occur year-round, but most adenoviral illness is recorded during the late winter, spring and early summer months. The incubation period varies, with adenoviral gastroenteritis occurring three to 10 days after exposure, and respiratory illnesses cropping up from as soon as two days to as long as two weeks after contact.
In an article in “Pediatrics in Review,” Canadian researcher Dr. Joanne Langley notes that adenovirus can cause respiratory illness in all age groups but is most often seen in younger and school-age children. Adenovirus is also commonly spread among groups who live in close quarters, such as those in day care centers, residential institutions and military settings.
Langley finds that for kids younger than 2 years of age, up to 8 percent of acute respiratory illnesses are caused by adenovirus. The virus is also responsible for about 25 percent of all pediatric cases of exudative pharyngitis (pus on the tonsils).
Adenovirus is shared through contact with an infected individual’s respiratory droplets, eye secretions or feces. Contact can occur person-to-person or by touching contaminated toys and household objects. Transmission of the virus has also been found to be waterborne, with the adenovirus targeting kids who swim in inadequately chlorinated pools or small contaminated lakes.
To reduce the spread of adenovirus, the CDC recommends contact and droplet precautions: Remember to disinfect toys and counters; sneeze into your elbow; wash hands frequently; and properly chlorinate your pool.
2011年7月13日星期三
The couples race to their canoes
Last Week on Love in the Wild: Bats, broken bridges and some real brats emerged. Ben and Brandee were mutually abusive, and liked it. Miles and Heather were cute to each other, and liked it. Peter (surfer) and Vanessa (soul-sucker) were eliminated.
Tonight on Love in the Wild: Only two words really matter: SNAKE. ISLAND. Other than that (like anything else could compare!): More stupidity. It's been three weeks, so hopefully some sex? Definitely laughs. Let's go!
Sexy Status Report: Kym is excited to be partners with Steele, and "desperately" wants it to work out. Ladies, always make sure to use THAT word as often as possible! Heather feels "ripped away" from Miles by Chinstrap, because that's exactly what happened, King Kong style. Erica is always annoying, but tonight she's annoying Miles, her new partner who wishes he was with Heather. Sam feels like her bond with Mike is solid like a rock, which means it will end up being the Bluth version of "solid as a rock." Skip and Theresa are hump-kissing in the bed, and we get to watch, because this is America and 2011 and this is what we do now. Pain-loving Brandee makes birthday boy Ben breakfast in bed, and he says, "This smells like sh*t!" Ben is the worst and I wish it was the OPPOSITE of his "birth"-day, if you get my drift.
group-snakeisland.JPGTHE CHALLENGE: The smaller guy from Flight of the Conchords explains that each team gets a map and a canoe, with which they must travel to "Snake Island," where they must retrieve a VIP crate from beneath a writhing orgy of evil snakes. What's in the crate? DON'T ASK QUESTIONS, SINGLETONS. JUST GO GET IT. (It's drugs.) Why is it called Snake Island? Because SNAKES, DUH! (It's snakes on drugs.)
The couples race to their canoes. Kym and Steele are "like a rowing team," according to Kym. Jason, once again, sucks at anything that requires physical exertion, and Baby Jessica is noticing. Heather secretly hopes Miles wins so he can have first pick this week, and they can get back together. Miles is doing his best, thanks to all the training he's had rowing those 10,000 lakes, but Erika's arms are like if you dipped baby arms in cupcake batter. Mike and Sam are feeling the sting of failure for the first time since they arrived in the wild, and it hurts Sam's big, sensitive eyebrows.
Tonight on Love in the Wild: Only two words really matter: SNAKE. ISLAND. Other than that (like anything else could compare!): More stupidity. It's been three weeks, so hopefully some sex? Definitely laughs. Let's go!
Sexy Status Report: Kym is excited to be partners with Steele, and "desperately" wants it to work out. Ladies, always make sure to use THAT word as often as possible! Heather feels "ripped away" from Miles by Chinstrap, because that's exactly what happened, King Kong style. Erica is always annoying, but tonight she's annoying Miles, her new partner who wishes he was with Heather. Sam feels like her bond with Mike is solid like a rock, which means it will end up being the Bluth version of "solid as a rock." Skip and Theresa are hump-kissing in the bed, and we get to watch, because this is America and 2011 and this is what we do now. Pain-loving Brandee makes birthday boy Ben breakfast in bed, and he says, "This smells like sh*t!" Ben is the worst and I wish it was the OPPOSITE of his "birth"-day, if you get my drift.
group-snakeisland.JPGTHE CHALLENGE: The smaller guy from Flight of the Conchords explains that each team gets a map and a canoe, with which they must travel to "Snake Island," where they must retrieve a VIP crate from beneath a writhing orgy of evil snakes. What's in the crate? DON'T ASK QUESTIONS, SINGLETONS. JUST GO GET IT. (It's drugs.) Why is it called Snake Island? Because SNAKES, DUH! (It's snakes on drugs.)
The couples race to their canoes. Kym and Steele are "like a rowing team," according to Kym. Jason, once again, sucks at anything that requires physical exertion, and Baby Jessica is noticing. Heather secretly hopes Miles wins so he can have first pick this week, and they can get back together. Miles is doing his best, thanks to all the training he's had rowing those 10,000 lakes, but Erika's arms are like if you dipped baby arms in cupcake batter. Mike and Sam are feeling the sting of failure for the first time since they arrived in the wild, and it hurts Sam's big, sensitive eyebrows.
2011年7月11日星期一
How-to: Sew a Rice Pillow to Use as a Heating Pad or Cold Pack
Even back before I was a crafty lady, I nevertheless was able to make myself a rice pillow. It consisted of…ahem…a tube sock filled with rice and tied off at the top, and bless its heart for being so ugly, but it worked great. I heated it up or chilled it down and used it for all kinds of aches and pains, including the birth of my older daughter, and I only got rid of it by passing it on to a dear cousin who was pregnant, so that she could make use of its good labor mojo.
And then I turned into a crafty lady, and I made our family a much larger set of much cuter rice pillows.
Rice pillows are a mainstay in our family’s natural first aid kit. Microwaved for a minute, they turn into a heating pad perfect for anything from menstrual cramps to chilly footsies on a cold winter night. Frozen for an hour, they’re cold packs, great for everything from sore muscles to feverish foreheads. They’re weightier than either store-bought heating pads or cold packs, which allows the temperature to penetrate, and they’re made of comfy, soft, snuggly flannel. Add in a cutesy print or two, and you have the perfect comfort tool for a myriad of remedies.
Read on for the step-by-step instructions for making your very own rice pillow in your own cutesy print:
cut the fabric for the rice pillowOne of the nice things about making your own rice pillow is that you can make it any size that you like. You want to make it larger than a bean bag, so that it has some heft to it, but otherwise it’s up to you.
I typically make my rice pillows about 4″ x 8″ to serve my own family of people both little and big. When I make these for my pregnant friends to use in their labors, I usually make them about twice as long in order to fit around a big ole’ pregnant belly.
After you’ve picked a good size, cut your fabric to that width plus 1/2″ (assuming 1/4″ inch seams), and that length plus 1″.
And then I turned into a crafty lady, and I made our family a much larger set of much cuter rice pillows.
Rice pillows are a mainstay in our family’s natural first aid kit. Microwaved for a minute, they turn into a heating pad perfect for anything from menstrual cramps to chilly footsies on a cold winter night. Frozen for an hour, they’re cold packs, great for everything from sore muscles to feverish foreheads. They’re weightier than either store-bought heating pads or cold packs, which allows the temperature to penetrate, and they’re made of comfy, soft, snuggly flannel. Add in a cutesy print or two, and you have the perfect comfort tool for a myriad of remedies.
Read on for the step-by-step instructions for making your very own rice pillow in your own cutesy print:
cut the fabric for the rice pillowOne of the nice things about making your own rice pillow is that you can make it any size that you like. You want to make it larger than a bean bag, so that it has some heft to it, but otherwise it’s up to you.
I typically make my rice pillows about 4″ x 8″ to serve my own family of people both little and big. When I make these for my pregnant friends to use in their labors, I usually make them about twice as long in order to fit around a big ole’ pregnant belly.
After you’ve picked a good size, cut your fabric to that width plus 1/2″ (assuming 1/4″ inch seams), and that length plus 1″.
2011年7月6日星期三
Healthy berry grown in Ava
Heading north on Route 26 at this time of summer, going up and down with the unique contours of the road, going past Lake Delta and West Branch, one can find a type of vegetation very distinct to the area. From the distance, one can see white dispersed throughout a sea of green grass. The white is the color of the blooming elderberry. The elderberry is said to possess a plethora of health benefits that makes it a very valuable berry, and there is only one person that sells the berry in Oneida County.
His name is Helmuth Schmeichel, an 86-year-old self-described “poet, vintner, travel companion, health advisor, prospector, time traveler, romantic and financial advisor.” While Schmeichel is a man of many talents, it is his elderberries that make him truly unique to this area.
Schmeichel has been growing elderberries and running the Valley View Elderberry Farm from his home in Ava since 2000. Originally from the Bronx, Schmeichel enjoys the serenity and tranquility of life at his home that sits upon several acres of land. It is on this land that gave Schmeichel the idea to begin growing elderberries.
“I remember buying the plants from a fellow who grew them wild near the Hudson River,” Schmeichel says when recalling the decision to buy his first several elderberry plants that cost nine dollars a plant. “It took three years for those first ones to begin cropping but eventually they came in.”
Elderberries thrive in moist areas and Schmeichel’s land provides plenty of moisture. Walking the grounds, it seems that the elderberry trees are wild. They spring up between more native plants such as the tall reeds that root themselves in the soft, wet earth. Schmeichel explains how he has groves that dot the landscape. Using a four-wheeled vehicle, Schmeichel has made trails weaving through the overgrowth, marking his routine around the grounds to check on his plants. Planting, pruning, picking, bottling, preserving, delivering, storing, Schmeichel does it all by himself.
“These berries are organic,” the farmer says. “I do not use any chemicals or fertilizers.”
While he only sells his berries in whole, dried-out fruit, Schmeichel can make elderberries into all sorts of other products. He creates elderberry wine, which has to be aged from five to six years. A sweet elderberry juice and vinegar have given Schmeichel a name in elderberries that stretches to the islands of Hawaii.
“Since they are relatively expensive [elderberries can sell for $25 per pound] I sell them in smaller bags that cost between $4 and $5,” says Brenda Henry, owner of Brenda’s Natural Foods located at 216 W. Dominick St. Henry gets her elderberries straight from Schmeichel.
“People use them in all sorts of ways. They typically put them in tea, yogurt, muffins and cookies in order to soften the fruit up. I know someone who makes medicinal syrup out of the elderberry.”
His name is Helmuth Schmeichel, an 86-year-old self-described “poet, vintner, travel companion, health advisor, prospector, time traveler, romantic and financial advisor.” While Schmeichel is a man of many talents, it is his elderberries that make him truly unique to this area.
Schmeichel has been growing elderberries and running the Valley View Elderberry Farm from his home in Ava since 2000. Originally from the Bronx, Schmeichel enjoys the serenity and tranquility of life at his home that sits upon several acres of land. It is on this land that gave Schmeichel the idea to begin growing elderberries.
“I remember buying the plants from a fellow who grew them wild near the Hudson River,” Schmeichel says when recalling the decision to buy his first several elderberry plants that cost nine dollars a plant. “It took three years for those first ones to begin cropping but eventually they came in.”
Elderberries thrive in moist areas and Schmeichel’s land provides plenty of moisture. Walking the grounds, it seems that the elderberry trees are wild. They spring up between more native plants such as the tall reeds that root themselves in the soft, wet earth. Schmeichel explains how he has groves that dot the landscape. Using a four-wheeled vehicle, Schmeichel has made trails weaving through the overgrowth, marking his routine around the grounds to check on his plants. Planting, pruning, picking, bottling, preserving, delivering, storing, Schmeichel does it all by himself.
“These berries are organic,” the farmer says. “I do not use any chemicals or fertilizers.”
While he only sells his berries in whole, dried-out fruit, Schmeichel can make elderberries into all sorts of other products. He creates elderberry wine, which has to be aged from five to six years. A sweet elderberry juice and vinegar have given Schmeichel a name in elderberries that stretches to the islands of Hawaii.
“Since they are relatively expensive [elderberries can sell for $25 per pound] I sell them in smaller bags that cost between $4 and $5,” says Brenda Henry, owner of Brenda’s Natural Foods located at 216 W. Dominick St. Henry gets her elderberries straight from Schmeichel.
“People use them in all sorts of ways. They typically put them in tea, yogurt, muffins and cookies in order to soften the fruit up. I know someone who makes medicinal syrup out of the elderberry.”
2011年7月4日星期一
Our little boy was killed by the cold sore virus herpes simplex
GRIEF-STRICKEN parents have spoken of their heartbreak after their nine-day-old son died from a common cold sore virus.
Louise Foster and Danny Harvey were over the moon when Riley was born.
But their joy turned to tragedy when he suddenly stopped breathing.
Louise, 20, said the baby was “perfectly fine” when he was born on May 8.
But, when he was three days old, she discovered small blisters on the back of his head.
She was told they could have been caused by suction equipment after she needed help during the birth.
She was also concerned that Riley seemed to be having trouble breathing, but was told not to worry.
Louise was feeding Riley, her first baby, when suddenly he went limp in her arms.
“She turned round and said he’d stopped breathing,” said delivery driver Danny, 21.
“I checked him and I couldn’t find a pulse.”
The frantic parents immediately dialled 999.
The emergency operator talked Danny through how to carry out CPR on Riley until the ambulance arrived at their home in Oxford Road, Clacton.
Distraught Louise followed the ambulance to Colchester General Hospital in a police car. However, doctors were unable to save the youngster.
“They were trying to breath for him, but there was no oxygen in his blood,” said Louise. “That’s when they stopped.
“It was devastating – just horrible.”
Tests last week revealed Riley had caught the herpes simplex 1 virus, a common cause of cold sores.
It is very rare in newborn babies, affecting just one in 10,000 in the UK.
But it can be a killer, attacking the heart, liver and lungs.
The virus can be caught from anyone who comes into contact with a baby.
Danny said: “I was so chuffed when Riley was born – he was brilliant.
“He looked like us and had thick black hair.
“The only thing we were concerned about was his breathing and the little blisters, but the midwife reassured us it was all fine so we stopped worrying."
Danny added: “Riley was only here for nine days, but we’ve got about 100 photos of him.
“It was the worst thing I’ve ever had to go through.”
The couple hope their tragedy will help others spot the infection before it is too late.
“Six babies a year die of the infection, but that’s six too many,” said Louise.
Louise Foster and Danny Harvey were over the moon when Riley was born.
But their joy turned to tragedy when he suddenly stopped breathing.
Louise, 20, said the baby was “perfectly fine” when he was born on May 8.
But, when he was three days old, she discovered small blisters on the back of his head.
She was told they could have been caused by suction equipment after she needed help during the birth.
She was also concerned that Riley seemed to be having trouble breathing, but was told not to worry.
Louise was feeding Riley, her first baby, when suddenly he went limp in her arms.
“She turned round and said he’d stopped breathing,” said delivery driver Danny, 21.
“I checked him and I couldn’t find a pulse.”
The frantic parents immediately dialled 999.
The emergency operator talked Danny through how to carry out CPR on Riley until the ambulance arrived at their home in Oxford Road, Clacton.
Distraught Louise followed the ambulance to Colchester General Hospital in a police car. However, doctors were unable to save the youngster.
“They were trying to breath for him, but there was no oxygen in his blood,” said Louise. “That’s when they stopped.
“It was devastating – just horrible.”
Tests last week revealed Riley had caught the herpes simplex 1 virus, a common cause of cold sores.
It is very rare in newborn babies, affecting just one in 10,000 in the UK.
But it can be a killer, attacking the heart, liver and lungs.
The virus can be caught from anyone who comes into contact with a baby.
Danny said: “I was so chuffed when Riley was born – he was brilliant.
“He looked like us and had thick black hair.
“The only thing we were concerned about was his breathing and the little blisters, but the midwife reassured us it was all fine so we stopped worrying."
Danny added: “Riley was only here for nine days, but we’ve got about 100 photos of him.
“It was the worst thing I’ve ever had to go through.”
The couple hope their tragedy will help others spot the infection before it is too late.
“Six babies a year die of the infection, but that’s six too many,” said Louise.
5-year-old among cancer survivors at this year's Relay For Life
Every child goes through sore throats and cold symptoms. It's not unusual to have a stuffy nose, a raspy voice or a swollen tonsil.
Paul Lyons, of Highland, had those symptoms when he and his brother, Jacob, went to their pediatrician for a routine flu mist spray vaccine in October.
But what doctors found three days later -- after his symptoms didn't respond to medicine -- was anything but routine.
The ear, nose and throat specialist "looked at Paul's throat, took a long pause and asked if Paul had been tired lately," said Paul's mother, Lynn. "I knew where he was going after going through my dad's cancer."
Within a half hour of seeing the specialist, Paul was scheduled for surgery that same day. A surgeon removed the cancer with the tonsil. A PET scan showed a small growth on the lymph node near his tonsil.
"I was numb," said Lynn, who with her husband, Tim, has lived in Highland for seven years. "I felt fear, disbelief. (But) I never doubted he would beat it."
Paul spent a week in St. Louis Children's Hospital. He had his first chemotherapy treatment the day he left the hospital.
Thus began the whirlwind of activity needed to treat Paul's stage 2 Burkitt's lymphoma. Paul was 4.
Paul will be one of the youngest cancer survivors celebrated Friday and Saturday at the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Highland. The community-wide Relay is an overnight event featuring a variety of activities, food booths and fun. This year's goal is to raise $100,000, and teams have been raising money for months.
This is the 27th year for Relay For Life and the seventh year for the overnight event in Highland. The event kicks off with a free dinner for survivors and guests; they should check in between 4:30 and 5 p.m. at the Korte Recreation Center. The opening ceremony and survivors lap begin at 7 p.m. Another highlight is the luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. Activities continue throughout the night until the closing ceremony at 6 a.m.
For the Lyons family, it is another way to show their support of the American Cancer Society, raise funds for the fight against cancer, support others who are battling cancer, remember people lost to cancer and raise awareness of cancer and ways to try to prevent the disease
"Paul's cancer is a rare type, and I believe it is functions like Relay For Life that have provided the research for doctors to treat it with such precision and has given us this blessing to watch Paul grow up," said Lynn, who as a caregiver will share her story at the Relay.
"We try to give back to those who helped us and pay it forward to those in need," Lynn said. "This has brought us closer and made us stronger."
Short but rocky road
It was a rough go for the Lyons family as Paul went through eight chemotherapy treatments during two months last fall. Some treatments required that he be sedated, and he disliked that. He struggled with the pain in his jaw, legs and stomach. He threw up. He couldn't eat much some days. He lost his hair. He was too exhausted to go to "school" at Wee Care Day Care.
It wasn't easy for Paul to understand what was going on with his cancer treatments and why it was necessary for him to feel so bad so he would get better.
"I don't like cancer because I was sick," Paul said. "I don't like chemo because I just don't like it."
Through it all, his family was at his side. Lynn took leave from her job as a caseworker at the federal prison in Greenville. Her co-workers donated their sick leave to her so she wouldn't run out. Tim, an officer at the prison, was there for every chemotherapy treatment. Eight-year-old Jacob and their friends, Vinny Curtois, Nathan Houk and Ethan Brown, shaved their heads to support Paul as he was losing his hair.
"We kept a positive attitude and took each treatment one at a time," Lynn said. "We had the incredible support of Children's Hospital, our church (Evangelical United Church of Christ), the day care, friends, family and the whole community. The children at Wee Care gave 'Pennies for Paul.'"
Cub Scout Pack 40 and Jacob's friends at school also provided support for the family.
Eventually, Paul's treatments became easier to bear.
"With medications, Paul tolerated the chemo treatments better," Lynn said. "He would be sore the first day after each treatment. He did not have much energy during the two months. He was also on steroids, so his appetite was good. He actually gained weight while on chemo."
Paul had his last chemo treatment on Dec. 18 and celebrated a special Christmas at home with his family.
A month later, his PET scan showed the cancer was gone. He proudly rang the "cancer-free" bell at Children's Hospital.
A second PET scan in April showed Paul remained free of cancer. He is due for another scan in July and every three months this year.
Paul and his family couldn't be happier with the results of his treatment.
"I feel good and I like feeling normal," said Paul, who will start kindergarten at Highland Primary School this fall.
Lynn said she is especially thankful for how quickly Paul was diagnosed and treated.
"God is the reason Paul is here today," Lynn said. "Paul is God's miracle. There is no other reason why I took them to get the flu mist on that day and look in his throat. It is (God's) doing that we found the cancer when we did. It is a very aggressive, fast-growing cancer and Paul was stage 2. It is uncommon to find this type of cancer this early."
The Lyons family was well aware of cancer because Lynn's father, Bruce Pease, died in 2008 from leukemia.
"It was devastating for all of us," she says. "We are a very close family. The boys adore their Papa and have struggled with his passing. When we had to tell Paul and Jacob about Paul's cancer, we had to assure them that is was not like Papa's."
However, the fact that treatment didn't go well with her father's cancer made it more difficult for Lynn and Tim to face Paul's cancer.
"It scared me because my dad responded very well to the chemo and went into remission," she said. "Less than two years later, it came back. He underwent chemo again but it was harder on him than before."
Last year, the Lyons family purchased a luminaria at the Relay For Life of Highland in memory of their Papa.
Little did they know they would be purchasing another luminaria this year to celebrate Paul's status as a cancer survivor.
For the Lyons family, it is a celebration of Paul's return to a typical 5-year-old boy, spending his days swimming, riding his bike, playing T-ball, camping, playing with Hot Wheels cars and being a Star Wars "Jedi."
"He's having a carefree summer," Lynn says. "He's just being a 5-year-old. He doesn't have to think about everything (cancer and the treatments)."
Paul Lyons, of Highland, had those symptoms when he and his brother, Jacob, went to their pediatrician for a routine flu mist spray vaccine in October.
But what doctors found three days later -- after his symptoms didn't respond to medicine -- was anything but routine.
The ear, nose and throat specialist "looked at Paul's throat, took a long pause and asked if Paul had been tired lately," said Paul's mother, Lynn. "I knew where he was going after going through my dad's cancer."
Within a half hour of seeing the specialist, Paul was scheduled for surgery that same day. A surgeon removed the cancer with the tonsil. A PET scan showed a small growth on the lymph node near his tonsil.
"I was numb," said Lynn, who with her husband, Tim, has lived in Highland for seven years. "I felt fear, disbelief. (But) I never doubted he would beat it."
Paul spent a week in St. Louis Children's Hospital. He had his first chemotherapy treatment the day he left the hospital.
Thus began the whirlwind of activity needed to treat Paul's stage 2 Burkitt's lymphoma. Paul was 4.
Paul will be one of the youngest cancer survivors celebrated Friday and Saturday at the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Highland. The community-wide Relay is an overnight event featuring a variety of activities, food booths and fun. This year's goal is to raise $100,000, and teams have been raising money for months.
This is the 27th year for Relay For Life and the seventh year for the overnight event in Highland. The event kicks off with a free dinner for survivors and guests; they should check in between 4:30 and 5 p.m. at the Korte Recreation Center. The opening ceremony and survivors lap begin at 7 p.m. Another highlight is the luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. Activities continue throughout the night until the closing ceremony at 6 a.m.
For the Lyons family, it is another way to show their support of the American Cancer Society, raise funds for the fight against cancer, support others who are battling cancer, remember people lost to cancer and raise awareness of cancer and ways to try to prevent the disease
"Paul's cancer is a rare type, and I believe it is functions like Relay For Life that have provided the research for doctors to treat it with such precision and has given us this blessing to watch Paul grow up," said Lynn, who as a caregiver will share her story at the Relay.
"We try to give back to those who helped us and pay it forward to those in need," Lynn said. "This has brought us closer and made us stronger."
Short but rocky road
It was a rough go for the Lyons family as Paul went through eight chemotherapy treatments during two months last fall. Some treatments required that he be sedated, and he disliked that. He struggled with the pain in his jaw, legs and stomach. He threw up. He couldn't eat much some days. He lost his hair. He was too exhausted to go to "school" at Wee Care Day Care.
It wasn't easy for Paul to understand what was going on with his cancer treatments and why it was necessary for him to feel so bad so he would get better.
"I don't like cancer because I was sick," Paul said. "I don't like chemo because I just don't like it."
Through it all, his family was at his side. Lynn took leave from her job as a caseworker at the federal prison in Greenville. Her co-workers donated their sick leave to her so she wouldn't run out. Tim, an officer at the prison, was there for every chemotherapy treatment. Eight-year-old Jacob and their friends, Vinny Curtois, Nathan Houk and Ethan Brown, shaved their heads to support Paul as he was losing his hair.
"We kept a positive attitude and took each treatment one at a time," Lynn said. "We had the incredible support of Children's Hospital, our church (Evangelical United Church of Christ), the day care, friends, family and the whole community. The children at Wee Care gave 'Pennies for Paul.'"
Cub Scout Pack 40 and Jacob's friends at school also provided support for the family.
Eventually, Paul's treatments became easier to bear.
"With medications, Paul tolerated the chemo treatments better," Lynn said. "He would be sore the first day after each treatment. He did not have much energy during the two months. He was also on steroids, so his appetite was good. He actually gained weight while on chemo."
Paul had his last chemo treatment on Dec. 18 and celebrated a special Christmas at home with his family.
A month later, his PET scan showed the cancer was gone. He proudly rang the "cancer-free" bell at Children's Hospital.
A second PET scan in April showed Paul remained free of cancer. He is due for another scan in July and every three months this year.
Paul and his family couldn't be happier with the results of his treatment.
"I feel good and I like feeling normal," said Paul, who will start kindergarten at Highland Primary School this fall.
Lynn said she is especially thankful for how quickly Paul was diagnosed and treated.
"God is the reason Paul is here today," Lynn said. "Paul is God's miracle. There is no other reason why I took them to get the flu mist on that day and look in his throat. It is (God's) doing that we found the cancer when we did. It is a very aggressive, fast-growing cancer and Paul was stage 2. It is uncommon to find this type of cancer this early."
The Lyons family was well aware of cancer because Lynn's father, Bruce Pease, died in 2008 from leukemia.
"It was devastating for all of us," she says. "We are a very close family. The boys adore their Papa and have struggled with his passing. When we had to tell Paul and Jacob about Paul's cancer, we had to assure them that is was not like Papa's."
However, the fact that treatment didn't go well with her father's cancer made it more difficult for Lynn and Tim to face Paul's cancer.
"It scared me because my dad responded very well to the chemo and went into remission," she said. "Less than two years later, it came back. He underwent chemo again but it was harder on him than before."
Last year, the Lyons family purchased a luminaria at the Relay For Life of Highland in memory of their Papa.
Little did they know they would be purchasing another luminaria this year to celebrate Paul's status as a cancer survivor.
For the Lyons family, it is a celebration of Paul's return to a typical 5-year-old boy, spending his days swimming, riding his bike, playing T-ball, camping, playing with Hot Wheels cars and being a Star Wars "Jedi."
"He's having a carefree summer," Lynn says. "He's just being a 5-year-old. He doesn't have to think about everything (cancer and the treatments)."
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