CA Dept. of Public Health Wants Michael to be Poster Boy for Vaccinations!!

Wow!!!! I'm Going to Be the New Poster Boy for Getting a Swine Flu Shot!!"
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This just in! Got an email from the Public Relations firm that represents the California Department of Public Health. It seems someone at the CDPH saw the newspaper article and suggested we be contacted to see if Michael would be interested in participating in some media interviews.

And, unlike the SLO Tribune, they like that we wrote a book about mind/body/spirit health!

As you can imagine, Michael was on board - and you know I was. (They're interested in my take as a caregiver who went through the experience with Michael - and as an inspirational speaker who addresses caregiver groups.) They promised not to schedule any phone or article interviews for early in the morning (which Michael would have requested even before the Swine Flu) and if there's TV, we can probably do it from the San Luis Obispo TV station.

We connected with a very pleasant young woman, Kierstan DeLong, who came to realize quickly that we already had some media experience from promoting The Book of Comforts.

"You're making my job so easy!" she said with appreciation. Our pleasure, Kierstan!

And it really is. Our hearts are to use our painful experiences to help others avoid repeating them. And if we happen to promote the book and speeches and workshops along the way, well, it's in alignment with our life's mission to encourage others to realize the healthy power of being Reasonable Hedonists.

NEW SWINE FLU OUTBREAK COMING
This is all happening because the CDPH is expecting a third outbreak since the public is suffering from the delusion that the Swine Flu has run its course (they can't give the vaccine away)...and with spring break coming.

What people don't know is that it takes two weeks for the vaccination to take effect - so when it comes to students - coming to your community soon - ideally, the Health Dept. wants them to get vaccinated before spring break. (People also don't know that if they do get a cold or flu that they should see their doctor early, not late, to get the Tamiflu, just in case, as it's the only thing that can knock the Swine Flu back to a less severe version.)

The PR firm is planning a wave of media featuring a doctor. But they know that the public also wants to hear from a non-doctor person, too - and that's Michael.

I KNOW I SHOULD GET A VACCINATION, BUT...
Many of you have written to us that our situation started a fire circle of your friends getting vaccinated. But I can also tell you that I have had people look me right in the eye, express sincere sympathy for what we've been through - and then admit they are NOT going to get vaccinated! (Hold me back! Hold me back!)

You know, I understand people waffling about getting a vaccination, since many of us are suspicious about them or have heard stories about bad side effects. However, after what Michael and I have been through, I couldn't be more clear about how much better it is to GET THE DAMN VACCINATION!!!

Triple that if you have a compromised immune system...
...or live with someone who does...
... or work in an environment where you come into constant contact with people.

And by the way, let me define "compromised" or "at risk" immune systems: that's when you have a health-affecting contributing factor, such as being a SENIOR, OBESITY, CANCER HISTORY, DIABETES, HEART ISSUES, LUPUS, ASTHMA, ANEMIA...you know - anything on that noxious list they have you check off when you see a new doctor. Sadly, it's rare to be able to leave all those boxes unchecked, isn't it?

FIND YOUR LOCAL SWINE FLU VACCINE HERE
Kierstan sent me this fabulous link to find where you can get your vaccination:
Check out the vaccine locator tool at www.cdph.ca.gov. You can simply type in your zip code for a comprehensive map and list of both free and paid vaccine clinics near you. You can also text 30644 and enter the words NO FLU and your zip code to receive a message back with the nearest vaccinator information.

Please write me at patricia@patriciaalexander.com or comment on this blog to say you've gotten your vaccination. It will encourage me not to throttle people when they don't.

P.S. - Special thanks and kudos to my Weight Watchers Territory Manager, Bobbie Surra, who was touched by our troubles enough to arrange to offer H1N1 vaccinations to people attending the recent Open House at various Weight Watcher locations. Bobbie, you rock!

(And I look forward to ending my Leave of Absence from leading WW meetings in about a month. Hugs to all my members and thanks to Terrie and Juana for taking over my meetings.)

Home Again, Home Again - Jiggity Jig!

Isn't Michael the Picture of Cozy?
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There's our kitty Valentine in her bed in front of the fireplace...there's fattening food on the table and - what do we see? - oh YES - a giNORmous bottle of CHERRY COKE! Oh, and a woman who is waiting on him hand and foot - AND LOVING IT! What more could a man want?
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There's only one word for the last three days, which was our first time home together after 55 days of medical hell: Dee-lish-ious, Dee-lerious and Dee-lightful.

I will say I worked really hard - to ignore all the chores that surrounded me, that is. And they are plentiful. Piles of mail, piles of clothes from our double unpacking, piles of unpacked office boxes deserted in mid-move. Oy!

But being the Reasonable Hedonist I am, I delicately shoved it all aside with a nudge of my toe and walked directly to the couch from the bed, and from the bed to the couch, with a few stops in the kitchen.

What a joy it was to cook my sweetie's favorite foods! He still doesn't eat large quantities - and never did before this happened - but he does eat often. A favorite nosh is a corn or flour tortilla with some shredded Mexican cheese melted on it, chunks of avocado, spread with salsa and sour cream. (And for this he thinks I'm a brilliant cook.) Oh, and mini-hot fudge Sundaes.

GRAB BARS IN THE SHOWER
We had Deric the always-good-smelling handyman install some grab bars in the shower and Mr. B. had the delirious pleasure of showering for as long as he liked and without a fully clothed nurse's aid instructing him to wash his private parts - while watching to see that he does.

(Although I do remember that when the nurse's aid was lovely Linda helping in the two-minute shower, she was constantly giggling at high volume - but what the heck - I can deny him nothing.)

Coming home, Michael had some anxiety about being able to climb our stairs. He thought he might have to sleep downstairs, in spite of dreaming wistfully of our king-sized bed. But since the stairs are not steep and have two landings, he did just fine with them - as, frankly, I knew he would.

I will say that our legs are sore from going up and down the stairs many times. Yes, mine too - as I'm out of shape after all that sitting. So - home IS rehab.

OUTPATIENT REHAB STARTED TODAY

But there is real Rehab and it started today in Paso Robles. Here is Maria, the Physical Therapist, assessing Michael's balance and strength. He did really well. She asked him to walk around the gym area for six minutes - and although he didn't know if he could do it, he did it.

I will say that Michael was fairly traumatized after two hours of Occupational and Physical Therapy, mainly because they had to assess him. While they look at it as "strengths and challenges," he mainly felt demoralized with how thin and weak he is in comparison to how he was just two months ago.

I tried to encourage him to put it into perspective while also trying to validate his feelings. Tricky stuff. Kind of like poking a bear while explaining that the poking is good for their hide.

Thank goodness I make a mean mini-hot fudge Sundae!

Here's the SLO Tribune Article About Us Today!

Well, the article finally hit today - and we made the FRONT PAGE!!
We thought it was cool to see our own mugs through the newspaper dispenser machine window. Check out the article below or at: http://tinyurl.com/tribunestory .

Let us know what you think. We think it's sweet, focusing on our love and a new understanding of the importance of vaccines when you're immune-system compromised. It's a little underdone, but with only two Glaring Errors:

1. Michael went down to 110 pounds and is now around 114-116, NOT 124 - and -

2. It was NOT a medically induced coma, which is different from the deep sedation Michael had.

... and three Major Omissions:

1. Hello! Most newspaper stories mention your occupation! Award-winning local authors here! (Get The Book of Comforts by order in any bookstore or at EarthTones in Paso Robles.)

2. It's a shame they wouldn't give the reporter the space to write about Chris Van Huff coming to inspire Michael.

3. A sidebar showing where to get your Swine Flu shot would have been beneficial to the community AND letting people know to see a doctor quickly to get Tamiflu meds to keep the flu from getting to hospitalization stage, Swine or not.

See my added comment to the article at the end that will at least show up online and clarify some of that!

Published: Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010

Paso Robles man fights for his life against swine flu

A Paso Robles cancer survivor who’s been through more than his share of medical ordeals is recovering from his toughest one yet: an intense battle with the H1N1 virus that brought him to the brink of death

By AnnMarie Cornejo | acornejo@thetribunenews.com

Michael Burgos’ last memory before spending 33 days in the intensive care unit at Twin Cities Community Hospital is of playing golf with friends.0

That was before he was infected with swine flu.

The ensuing battle to survive is something he bears physically. After losing 24 pounds in almost as many days, Burgos is now frail. He walks gingerly because his coordination is haphazard, the effect of complications brought on by the illness that almost killed him. Even his 124 pounds seems a lot to carry.

Click image to see caption

Swine flu patient Michael Burgos acknowledges his longtime companion, Patricia Alexander, from his bed at Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton in January.

By David Middlecamp | dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com

larger version purchase prints

A pair of shoes from well-wishers offers messages of encouragement to Michael Burgos.

By David Middlecamp | dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com

larger version purchase prints

• 
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“I keep thinking this is not real,” he said. “This can’t be happening to me — it must be just a dream because I woke up like this.”

Burgos, once an opponent of vaccines for the flu, now champions getting them.

The life-threatening experience Burgos has endured remains largely obscure to him. The 51-year-old Paso Robles man remembers little about the last few months. His longtime companion, Patricia Alexander, shares pieces of the ordeal with Burgos as he is ready, and has chronicled the experiences on her blog. Burgos plans to read it one day, but for now he remains focused on re-establishing his health.

Healing will take time. In addition to learning to walk again, he must also learn to read and write once more. A stroke caused by the flu affected the motor skills on the left side of his body and weakened his eyesight.

“It is really shocking not to be able to write your own name,” Burgos said. “I was a gym rat, and now I can barely walk. It is freaky.”

Childhood cancer

This isn’t the first time that Burgos had to fight serious illness to survive.

When he was only 2 years old, he lost a kidney to cancer and went through radiation treatments. The cancer came back in the form of lymphoma when he was 28, and he underwent seven months of chemotherapy.

Since then, Burgos has lived a regimented lifestyle: routinely going to the gym, eating well and sleeping often. He rarely got ill, and never contracted the flu or the common cold.

“I was in perfect health,” said Burgos. “I thought I wouldn’t get it. I learned a big lesson.”

Now he is drawing on inner strength to survive again.

“I have to bear down and focus inside,” Burgos said. “It takes a lot of energy on my part to stay optimistic and look beyond the stresses of right now.”

Numerous complications

Alexander spent countless nights sleeping on a cot next to Burgos in the intensive care unit. The story she tells differs vastly from what Burgos is able to share — it includes painstaking details of every medical procedure and scare along the way. And there were many.

Burgos suffered complications from the swine flu including pneumonia, kidney problems, a medically induced coma and a small stroke.

He was intubated twice to help him breathe and fed for nearly a month by a feeding tube in his stomach.

“I couldn’t help but feel that the lifesaving things were just becoming the next torture,” Alexander said. A happy ending didn’t seem feasible, she said. “At one point I was ready to let him go because he was suffering so much.”

Burgos, who spent several weeks rehabilitating at a hospital in Santa Barbara, was allowed to go home four days ago. There is still a long road to complete recovery with at least a year of additional therapy needed.

Now taking the vaccine

Burgos said he was reluctant to get the H1N1 vaccine because he was so healthy and couldn’t conceive of purposely putting a virus into his body.

“I read about the virus in the paper, but I really thought there was no way that I could be vulnerable to it,” Burgos said.

He now advocates for the inoculation and urges everyone he knows to get it. He’s even signed up for the flu vaccine — something he has avoided the majority of his adult life.

“The problem with illness is not the toll it takes on a sick person,” he said. “It was harder on Patricia than me, and it was difficult on my family, who had to all watch a loved one get so ill.”

The illness has brought him and Patricia closer, he said. The two plan to get married later this year.

“Patricia has been here every step of the way, even when I was not aware of it,” Burgos said. “Family members tell me how much she was there, and it makes me love her all the more.”

Reach AnnMarie Cornejo at 781-7939.

HERE IS THE COMMENT I ADDED TO FILL IN SOME OF WHAT GOT LEFT OUT:

patricia7771 wrote on 02/21/2010 03:42:54 AM:

Additions to the story on us: This medical nightmare has challenged us to walk our talk, since we are co-authors of an award-winning inspirational book, The Book of Comforts: Simple, Powerful Ways to Comfort Your Spirit, Body & Soul (at Earthtones in PR). Patricia is also a motivational speaker & local Weight Watchers Leader; Michael is a retired Marriage/Family Therapist.

Our work has given us a spiritual perspective on this strange twist of life, heightening our gratitude, bringing moments of humor, pathos & beauty. Read our blog at patriciawords.blogspot.com.

1 correction: Michael is down to 114 pounds, but eating heartily with a special joy from Cherry Coke, which he craved incessantly.

Also, our thanks to Chris Van Huff of Templeton who miraculously walked into Twin Cities as we were asking for him, & encouraged Michael, since Chris survived everything Michael was still fighting.

Kudos to the ICU staff for saving M's life & getting me an illicit cot, & to our fab friends & family.

Last Day Visit to the "Dizzy" Doctor & Top 10 Things We Won't Miss About Rehab

MICHAEL GOES "WHEE! HANDS UP FOR THE 'E' TICKET RIDE" ON THE CHAIR LIFT INTO THE TRANSPORT VAN FOR A TRIP TO THE "DIZZY" DOCTOR
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Our last day we got to take advantage of the opportunity for Michael to see a doctor who specializes in dizziness. She felt he had a form of vertigo that can be caused by a small stroke. It can usually be corrected with specific movements of the head to reposition crystals in your inner ears. Today, she did one side, and she'll do the other side in a couple of weeks.

No, I am NOT making this up. (Google "BPPV" if you don't believe me!)

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Top 10 Things Michael Won't Miss About Cottage Rehab (with Apologies to David Letterman)
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10. The guy sitting next to you at breakfast has his left hand resting in his scrambled eggs.

9. Getting stool softener, whether you need it or not.

8. The Nurse's Aid leaning over you to check your Blood Pressure just finished a plate of spicy enchiladas for lunch.

7. Tasteless mashed potatoes and gray gravy with every meal.

6. An alarm tab attached to your shirt at night that pulls out when you roll over and screams like a fire alarm, giving you a heart attack.

5. Having at least 3 people be alerted to your bodily functions, in detail, with viewing privileges, at all times.

4. The guy sitting next to you at lunch just hocked up a lung.

3. The 5 a.m. blood draw, whether you need it or not.

2. Sounds like the incessant dinging of a call light being ignored by the nurse's station; the clanging of metal trays being dropped; the midnight cocktail party at the nurse's station across the hallway; the banging of the waste baskets as they change them...at 1 a.m.

AND #1. The guy sitting next to you at dinner has his left hand resting in his mashed potatoes and gray gravy and his right hand resting in his applesauce.

AS WE LEAVE REHAB, WE MURMUR OUR FAVORITE FOND FAREWELL (coined on our first "Phase Two" trip outings to restaurants):

"See Ya, Suckers!"

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

WE'RE GOING HOME THURSDAY!!!!

(OOPS! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PATRICIA SENDS A PHOTO FROM THE BLACKBERRY - THIS ISN'T THE ONE I THOUGHT IT WAS!)

LET'S CALL IT "MICHAEL AND PATRICIA GRINNING DOWN AT THE WHEELCHAIR MICHAEL WON'T NEED VERY SOON."

We went to Solutions Rehab for a tour...we saw...we talked...we reconsidered...we decided: we're going home!

Sister Karen researched and discovered an out-patient physical therapy place in our own home town of Paso Robles (yay, Karen!) that does physical and occupational therapy - and there's a well-recommended speech therapist (for spatial and cognition work) in San Luis Obispo.

Although it was worth considering the value of 6-8 weeks of 8 hours a day at Solutions, Michael is so sensitive to smells, sounds and disturbances in his "Force" right now, that it is entirely disruptive to his system to extend our life elsewhere.

Out-patient may only be two hours 3x a week - but Michael will be there wholeheartedly and with more energy after being in our own comforting and controllable home.

Everyone together now: click your heels. "There's NO place like home! There's NO place like home!"

Yes, Dorothy - we're going back to Kansas (only with wineries everywhere).

Thank God!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Mr. B.'s Eating Out; Touring New Rehab

Above are real photos of Michael thoroughly enjoying food in places that are NOT Cottage Rehab!

One's my hotel room, with a hot fudge sundae (and 3 cherries) and the other is Stacky's in Summerland, with a real, NOT digitally inserted, French fry and our fav turkey Ortega sandwich. (Best Valentine's Day ever splitting that sandwich with him, like old times!) Mr. B. bragged he'd only eat ONE French fry; I bet he'd have to eat at least 4: I won the bet! Hey, we ordered a small fries to share and left 7/8 of it. Who DOES that? This is no time to limit oneself to one fry...

Transitions galore!

It's been difficult to post here because I'm with Michael in a whole new way now that he's in his right head and we've both been cleared for travel. Not complaining, mind you.

I'm just tired in a different way when I do get back to the room. I don't have much left and am desperate for sleep.

My sweetie, being the sweetheart he is, tried to impose an 8:30 curfew on me so I'd get back to the room earlier in the evening - but we both have trouble observing it. We start cuddling in his narrow Rehab bed and I get all peaceful and dozy. Before we know it, it's 9:30, then 10.

RESTRICTIONS REMOVED! No more shrieking "Tab" alarm clipped on him at night. No more being belted into the wheelchair. No more aspiration precautions. No more soft foods only. No more walking only with staff - Patricia qualified. No more stuck in Rehab!

Today we get a tour of Solutions (all Rehab/no hospital) in Goleta, where we'll be for 3-6 weeks. We transition Thursday morning. Everyone together now: YAHOO!

SWEET TIME OF US-NESS. Michael and I feel so much in love. We're keenly aware of the gift we have in each other. And Michael's being a sophisticated communicator about how we can get through this sometimes tricky part of healing and transition without our relationship taking a hit.

I respect him so much. I tell you there's nothing better than being with a trained Marriage and Family Therapist, with high communication skills, who's in touch with his "feminine" energy - but is 100% heterosexual!

Gotta jet. Promised my guy a bagel.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

PHOTO ADDED! Wed & Thurs: Walkin', Steppin' & Preppin' to Leave!

Michael With Physical Therapist Erin As We Practice Getting In and Out of the Highlander. It Was Easy-Peazy! Our Car's the Perfect Height - No Stepstool Needed. And Michael's Ready to Boogie!
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SHORT ENTRY DAY.

Cute Anecdote. When the time came for me to leave for my Oxnard/Ventura comfort mercies Wednesday, (chiropractor massage and dins with son & grandbaby), Michael cleverly expressed his conflicted feelings about it.

"I want you to go and have a good session with Dr. Knight -- don't leave -- and then have a wonderful, soothing massage with Cathy -- don't leave -- and then have a warm, loving dinner with Mike and Liam -- don't leave."

We laughed -- and I left.

While it was good to tend to myself this way, it made me realize just how numb I've made my body since mid-December when all this started. The body work just poked and prodded the nerves awake enough for me to go "OW!"

I was sore everywhere - and almost worse off for starting a process that couldn't be finished quickly. But it was time to start.

So I go back to the chiropractor and masseuse Friday and hope for more relief than pain.

WHY IT'S SHORT ENTRY DAY. The reason this is a short entry day covering three days is that last night Michael started asking questions about the time he doesn't remember. I began with good stories (the miracle of Chris Van Huff showing up the day we asked if the former Swine Flu/Pneumonia/Stroke ICU patient, fully recovered, could be called) - and it progressed to Michael hearing some of the bad moments.

He was in awe. And had even more increased empathy for my part of the experience, all a blank to him.

When I got back to the hotel room last night, I was emotionally drained. I hadn't relived those memories at all, especially since the present is still demanding, though a much happier kind of demanding.

Now it's morning and I've got to jet.

More next time!

P. S. We leave here Thursday of next week for Solutions Rehab (it's Rehab minus Hospital environment) and Michael practiced getting in our Highlander, which is the perfect height, no step stool needed. He also practiced stairs, which we have at home. His progress is AMAZING!!!! (And he knows it now on a deeper level after hearing how far he's come.)