Friday, October 30, 2009

The Flu Vaccine Debate….

I’m asserting my opinion on this debate, this is NOT a medical opinion, I am not a professional. Please do your own research, weigh the pros and cons for you and your family and talk to your physician. Also, if you have a different opinion, good for you, I will never push my beliefs on another. I merely share what I feel is best for my family. Do what is best for YOUR family! ps. this is long, have a cup of coffee near by if you dare to read LOL.

Regarding both the seasonal influenza vaccine and H1N1 influenza (swine flu) vaccine and based on my own research, myself and my younger children will NOT be getting either vaccine.

I have been favouring the “do NOT” side for some time but still teetered on the edge of the fence. The media hype regarding the spread of this flu and the government insistence that this is necessary was at war within me against all I believed in about the danger of ALL vaccines. Hearing the reports of reactions (from mild to severe and even death) related to the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine, had me concerned and weighing the risks of vaccine over contracting either virus. In fact, fear mongering has the exact opposite reaction for me, I distrust those that would use fear to push their agendas and that in and of itself was pushing me on the no vaccine side of the fence. Based on experience and research this is how I came about my final decision. Although my decision is for both vaccines, I am focusing on H1N1 here as that is the hot topic right now and the vaccine they are pushing.

First of all, as I said, using fear tactics caused me to DISTRUST those pushing the vaccine, the opposite effect they intended obviously. This pushed me to do research on my own (a good thing) and look closer at the assertions, but not pushiness, of those against the vaccine.

Secondly, lack of sufficient testing of the swine flu vaccine. This vaccine was proven to cause a myriad of severe reactions in the past and yet is once again being pushed, with the “new & improved” brand. But they have no proof of the improvements and the adjuvants are just as dangerous as always. I already know I react to thimeresol, would you believe they used to put it in contact solution… c’mon everybody, let’s pour mercury in our eyes WTH??

Nearly there on my decision, I then discussed the H1N1 vaccine with my bff. Her husband is a doctor of chiropractic medicine, I trust chiropractors before MD’s. They are not getting the vaccine, reason: too little testing, too risky, too many adverse reactions. That solidified how I feel. However with the virus spreading quickly through our small school concerns continued to nag at me, hummmm what’s a mom to do?

I am a single mom with several medical issues, the worst of which is fibromyalgia & CFS, I have no one to back me up if I’m sick, no matter what the cause. So now you may be thinking, well don’t you want the vaccine then??? No thanks, I had the seasonal flu vaccine a few years ago, I didn’t know why at the time, but I was sick, weak, fatigued and in pain for weeks after, most of the winter in fact, but oh goody, I didn’t get the flu! Two weeks ago I caught what I assume was the seasonal flu virus (not sure, but I don’t think it was swine flu). On the first day I was headachey, body aches, high fever, nauseated (without vomiting), muscle weakness and couldn’t walk to the bathroom without holding onto walls & counters. I was FULLY recovered in four days! No residual effects, no sudden return after getting better. My 8 yo also had seasonal flu (again not positive) about four weeks ago, same thing, FULLY recovered in less than four days. I think we’re doing pretty darn good at building up our immune system.

Today I learned that both vaccines can cause severe and lasting debilitating reactions to those with fibromyalgia, CFS or any of the chronic pain syndromes. Well, that explains my previous winter, apres vaccination. I’ll be darned if I can afford to be nearly bed ridden again for an entire winter. I have attached a video from youtube.com, a physician specialising in infectious disease AND an endocrinologist, Dr. Kent Holtorf is NOT getting his children immunized with H1N1 and indicates that it has been shown to be “devastating” to those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. So based on my research, we’ll take our chances with no vaccinations and continue to keep our immune system fortified with healthy eating and daily vitamins.

Best of luck to everyone in making your decision and prayers for staying healthy. God bless!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Life on the farm…. (cont’d)

Yesterday we woke to our world softened by a rather dense fog. Before daylight I couldn’t see past the edge of my deck. As I listened to the morning news the school board was even cancelling some school bus routes it was that thick. By 8 AM I could still could not see the road at the end of our driveway. The first photo is from my front door. I am including a shot of my view from this exact same location on a clear day so you can understand the extreme contrast. (And yes, I know I used a zoom lense in the 2nd picture lol).

After that I decided to venture out to our yard with my camera to see what I could come up with. These are my favourites. Comments, commendations and recommendations are welcome and encouraged on my photography always! I am no professional by any stretch of the definition but I really love playing with my camera.

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Sunday, October 4, 2009

Blessing of the Fishing Fleet: October 4th Holidays & Observances

I am going to attempt to make Sundays the day that I search the world wide web to find holidays & observance for the coming week and share them with my readers. I will list a few that sound interesting, give some links for more and then focus on one that catches my eye. I hope to learn more about the world cultures and to remind us all how each and everyday is special.

For the 4th of October 2009 I am picking “Blessing of the Fishing Fleet.”

East Coast 032The Blessing of the Fleet is held at coastal fishing communities throughout much of the world. I have only found two sites that label October 4th specifically as Blessing of the Fishing Fleet, but I feel it is important to remember these hard working people. Each day, thousands of fishermen, worldwide, get in their fishing vessels and head out to help feed the many. Risking life and limb, they do what they love to provide us with the seafood so many of us enjoy. Each year, many fishermen, end up severely injured or losing their lives. So today, and everyday, I send my prayers out to each and every vessel, for a bountiful catch and to bring them all home safely to their families.

Psalm 104:25-27

Psalm 107:23-32

“Most gracious Lord, who numbered among your apostles the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James and John, we pray you to consecrate this boat to righteous work in your name. Guide the captain at her helm. So prosper her voyages that an honest living may be made. Watch over her passengers and crew and bring them to a safe return. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon this vessel and all who come aboard, this day and forever. Amen”

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

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Links for October 4th:


Friday, October 2, 2009

Count Your Blessings…..

Yesterday, as I was heading out for an afternoon & evening of errands I was whining complaining commenting about how much I dislike shopping. The rude people, the lack of stock, how I can never quite find what I’m looking for, and the shock of how much it all costs when you hit the register. But I stopped and a picture similar to these came into my head.

And I thought to myself, who am I to complain? I live in one of the greatest countries in the world. I know we have poor and homeless, I know there are issues, I know it’s not perfect here. We do not however, have widespread famine, we do not have political unrest to the degree they do in third world countries, we do not have war literally at our doorstep. Most people in Canada have a decent roof over their head, a vehicle of some sort (not all, but most), and we have medical care for everyone, we complain about that care, but we have it. To my knowledge, no one is denied, at the very least, emergency care. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.

My personal blessings:

I have my family well protected in a nice home, one that I own, no mortgage. We have comfortable, warm beds to sleep in at night. I have a motor vehicle to get myself and my family around. Not just any vehicle, I have my dream truck that is in great shape. I don’t have much money, but I have enough to feed my family, rent space for our home in the country, go to school, pay the bills, & have nearly all the modern conveniences we could wish for. I have a mother that, when money is tight for me, is able to help me out, and I will forever be in her debt AND eternally grateful. Even my church and friends have been there to help us out in a pinch. Life is good… no, life is great.

So, while I still really dislike shopping, it’s just not fun for me. I will do my best to remember, do not complain about it. Because it is a privilege to have the freedom and a blessing to have the means.

I may live in a bubble, rarely watching, reading, or listening to the news. But I know how blessed we truly are.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious onto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace. ~Numbers 6: 24 - 26