Tea With Twilight

Michael Jackson, the Man the Boy

2009-10-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

Since Michael Jackson's passing, there have been so many interviews done with him broadcasted on TV. I have watched them over and over to sort my thoughts. My conclusion is I see two distinct people in MJ. Now let me explain. When I watch him performing I see one person and when I watch him off stage in an interview, I see another person.

Let's begin with the performer. Michael Jackson is the ultimate performer on stage. His every move is perfect. His music and body are in sync. He controls the stage, the crowd. He is in command. Watching his videos I see such a sexy man. Take for instance tne video, You Rock My World, how he carries himself as the macho man. HIs moves are so enticing making you wish you were the woman in front of him. He portrays himself as the bad boy women want. Does anyone else leave that video feeling kind of heated? My opinion is MJ lived out many fantasies in his videos. He could be whomever he wanted, portray himself in any persona he wished.

In contrast, when I watch him in interviews he appears completely opposite. He is soft spoken, shy, scared even. He seems to be trapped as a boy of probably 10. I could not even imagine him in a relatonship. He seems so innocent and nieve in the affairs of the heart. I am more aware of how his face has changed during these interviews as opposed to the videos where he is such a turn on, it really doesn't matter. His responses to questions seem really child like. This makes me wonder about those child molestation allegations. I can't even begin to believe them. I listen to Michael and I watch him as he speak and I can see that to him it was nothing more than a sleep over with his friends. He emotionally was probably no older than the children at the sleep over. I always wondered why he never married someone who was his soul mate or someone he loved and connected with. I never even heard of a tabloid talk about some sordid affair between him and a woman while he was alive. I think it is because he was stuck at age 10.

So sad that even as the most desired man he was so lonely. He had it all, fame, fortune,influential friends and lots of family. Have you noticed in multiple songs he references his loneliness? Not only did he live in loneliness, he seems to have died alone also.

I appreciate his artistry so much more now. I know I have to cherish it because he will not be giving us any more than what he left behind. I never imagined a world without MJ. He was always there like a distant family member you waited to hear from. I miss him so much.

The Day of Surgery

2009-10-17T13:13:00.001-07:00

The day of surgery usually begins at 12 midnight. You will be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight. Your stomach will need to be empty for at least eight hours prior to surgery. This means nothing should pass your lips. No gum, hard candies or smoking. You may brush your teeth but don't swallow the water. This is to avoid your stomach from producing increasesd gastric juice for the digestion of food that is not coming. It is also an attempt to ward off postop nausea and aspiration (ingestion of emesis into the lungs). You should take certain medications with as little water as possible to get the pills down. Especially of note are blood pressure medications as long as it does not induce diuresis (an increase of urine production)and seizure control medications. You will need to find out from your doctor how to manage your Insulin. If your surgery will be late in the day you may be told to have a light breakfast eight hours before your procrdure. Again this is a point you will need to discuss with your doctor.

Many people are now marking their own surgical sites prior to arrival to the surgical area to prevent surgery on the wrong limb, eye or site. To prevent wrong surgery site medical facilities have instituted controls against this, namely the time out. Prior to making any incisions the surgical team will stop everything and verify identity of the patient, surgery to be done and surgiacal site as well as surgical side, right or left. Prior to surgery the doctor may have verified site with the patient and placed a mark on it.

Once you arrive at the surgery center you will be registered and asked to fill out a medication reconciliation form. This will ask for the names, form and doses of all medications as well as any allergies. You will have a band placed on your arm with your identifying information on it. Anytime an employee approaches you to perform any produres, give any medications, etc. he or she should verify your identity to be sure you are the correct person to receive the procedure, medication, etc. You may also be given an additional armband if you have allergies.

Once you enter the preop area you will be asked to remove your clothing and don a hospital gown. You will be asked to remove any removable false teeth, jewelry, and hairpins. You should keep glasses, contact and hearing aids in place until you have signed all consents. These things should then be removed and will be give back promptly after surgery as soon as appropriate.

Now you will be asked many questions in usually mutiple interviews to be sure it is safe to proceed. You will speak to the preop nurse who will be interested in how you prepared for surgery, last time you ate or drank, medications taken and allergies. Be prepared. You will be asked these questions many times over. Everyone wants to know, the preop nurse, the operating rooom nurse, the anestesiologist and the surgeon. This is for the safety of the patient. After the preop nurse interviews you she will insert an IV catheter if indicated for administration of fluids and medications.

You will speak with the Surgeon who will verify the procedure with you, give information about the procedure-benefits and risks as well as answer all questions you may have. The surgeon will then have you sign a consent for the procedure with the presense of a witness. The surgeon will also mark the surgical site.

You will speak with the Anesthesiologist. This will be a doctor or a nurse. You will be asked a lot of the same questions. A mini physical will be done to evaluate your airway, lungs, heart, blood pressure and diabetic issues to name a few. You will be given information about what type of anesthesia is planned, benits and risks. All your questions will be answered. You will be asked to sign a consent for administration of the anesthesia.

The operating room nurse will also come out and make an introduction. You will be again asked about allergies and to verify your identity and surgical procedure and site.

It's almost time to enter the operating suite so you will now need to remove your glasses or contacts. Your doctor may want you to keep the hearing aid a while longer if you have a tremendous hearing deficit without it.

The anesthesia person and nurse will now escort you to the operating suite either by stretcher or walking. See you after your surgery.

Preparing for Surgery

2009-10-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

Your doctor has determined you need surgery. Wondering what to expect? You have come to the correct place. Once you have selected a surgeon there are processes done to be sure you are safe to proceed with your surgery.

First you will have to have a physical done by your medical doctor. This is to assess your physical health. Your doctor will be assessing for risk factors such as heart, endocrine and lung disorders including asthma, emphysema, high blood pressure, heart attack, thyroid problems or diabetes to name a few. You will also be asked about any bleeding tendacies. Your doctor will get baseline vital signs, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and oxygen level.

Your doctor will ask about your medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, supplements and herbs. It is important to know about herbal preparations you are using because there are some that may interact with anesthetics causing undesired effects. As a rule of thumb, herbal products should be stopped one to two weeks prior to surgery. Here is a list of commonly used herbs that should be mentioned to your doctor :

chamomile
achinacea
feverfew
flax
garlic
ginger
ginko biloba
ginseng
goldenseal
kava
St. John's wort
valerian

Your doctor will inquire about allergies to foods, medications and latex. Many don't know that certain foods may cause a cross sensitivity to latex. Remember these- avacado, banana, chestnut, apples, carrots, celery, kiwi, melon, papaya, potatoes, tomatoes.

Next you will move on to having bloodwork drawn to obtain the status of your electrolytes such as potassium level and blood counts to assess for anemia. Depending on age you may be required to have an EKG done to assess your heart.

If all is well or at least controllable you will be scheduled for your procedure.

Cat Talk

2009-10-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

I had the opportnity to cat sit for my mom's cat for five days. So, in addition to kitty supplies, what do you think she left me. That's right, a list called Cat Talk.
Here it is:
1.If she follows you around she is lonely.
2.If she touches or licks you she loves you.
3.She also loves you when she follows you.
4.If she itches a lot she has dry skin or allergies.
5.If she jumps nervously when she tries to eat, she needs quietness.
6.She wants quiet and private when she uses her litter box.
7.If she leans down and acts like she is ready to jump she wants to play. She might hit your ankle playing.
8.If she stretch out in front of you she wants to play.
9.If she paces the floor at night she is hunting like a tiger.

Is It Love or Is It Lust

2009-10-06T20:13:00.001-07:00

So, have you been evaluating the relationship between you and your significant other? What makes you want to evaluate it? Is something about the relationship just not feeling right with you? Have you been thinking about ending it? Many relationships enter this phase. After the honeymoon phase is over, then what? Let's try to separate these relationships into two categories, lust and love. See where your's fit in. In the beginning of the relationship you were instant lovers. Not a lot of conversation. Maybe not even a lot of outings. But, you felt so attracted to the other person. You just could not wait to get together. The company was great. But what were you doing during your time together? Was most of it spent in the bedroom? Once you left there did you have anything in common other than the bedroom. Some couples think since we get along so well in the bedroom it has to be love. I'm here to tell you it is lust. If you can't wait to see your significant other just to head for the bedroom, it is lust. Once the relationship begins to age, you find yourself feeling unfulfilled, checking out other fish in the sea. Love is much more, starting out as friends, getting to know each other. Know likes, dislikes, what makes the other happy or sad, or sharing secrets, ups and downs. You need to spend time together, getting to know each other. That's right, the old fashioned courting. You need to see if the two of you are compatible in life and not just the bedroom. If you are truly in love, when you reach the point of heading for the bedroom, it will be an experience topped by no other. It will be genuine love making and not just lustful sex. When the relationship ages the love will still there. The partners take the time to keep their moments together interesting. A relationship based on love is hard work and time consuming. A relationship based on lust takes no time, no work, and is short lived. So where does your relationship fall in this scheme, lust or love?