A POEM BY VIRGINIA ELLIS

I have a new delightful friend,
I'm almost in awe of her.
When we first met I was impressed,
By her bizarre behavior.

That day I had a date with friends,
We met to have some lunch.
Mae had come along with them,
All in all - a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented,
We ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups.
Except for Mae who circumvented,
And said, "Ice cream, please. Two scoops."

I was not sure my ears heard right,
And the others were aghast.
"Along with heated apple pie,"
Mae smiled, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant,
As if people did this all the time.
But when our orders were brought out,
I did not enjoy mine.

I could not take my eyes off Mae,
As her pie ala-mode went down.
The other ladies showed dismay,
They ate their lunches, and they frowned.

Well, the next time I went out to eat,
I called and invited Mae.
My lunch contained white tuna meat,
She ordered a parfait.

I smiled when her dish I viewed,
She asked if she amused me.
I answered, "Yes, you do,
And you also do confuse me."

"How come you order rich desserts
When I feel I must be sensible?"
She laughed and said, with wanton mirth,
"I am tasting all that's possible."

"I try to eat the food I need,
And do the things I should.
But life's so short, my friend, indeed,
I hate missing out on something good."

"This year I realized I was old,"
She grinned, "I've not been this old before.
So, before I die, I've got to try,
Those things for years I have ignored.

"I've not smelled all the flowers yet,
And too many books I have not read.
There're more fudge sundaes to woof down,
And kites to be flown overhead."

"There're many malls I have not shopped,
I've not laughed at all the jokes.
I've missed a lot of Broadway Hits,
And potato chips and cokes."

"I want to wade again in water,
And feel ocean spray upon my face.
Sit in a country church once more,
And thank God for His grace."

"I want peanut butter every day,
Spread on my morning toast,
I want un-timed long distance calls,
To the folks I love the most."

"I've not cried at all the movies yet,
Nor walked in the morning rain.
I need to feel wind in my hair,
I want to fall in love again."

"So, if I choose to have dessert,
Instead of having dinner,
If I should die before nightfall,
You'd have to say I died a winner."

"That I missed out on nothing,
That I had my heart's desire.
That I had that final chocolate mousse,
Before my life expired."

With that, I called the waitress over,
"I've changed my mind, it seems."
I said, "I want what she is having,
Only add some more whipped cream."


Virginia (Ginny) Ellis
Copyright, 2000
http://poetrybyginny.com/MOREWHIPPEDCREAM.htm

Do visit Ginny's lovely Website; you'll be awed by her inspirational poems! I'm sure you'll love her like I do!
http://poetrybyginny.com/index.htm

ANAESTHESIA OPTIONS USED IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

Orthopedic surgery can be done using a number of different anaesthetic options. However, not all options are available in all patients for all procedures. This is a very general overview of the common types of anaesthesia used for orthopedic surgery. Both your surgeon and your anaesthesiologist may have a specific preference for your procedure, so discuss your options with your doctors.

General Anesthesia is the most commonly used anaesthesia for most major orthopedic procedures. Prior to undergoing your procedure, the anaesthesiologist will give you medication that has you drift off to sleep. While sleeping, the anaesthesiologist will protect your breathing by using either a breathing tube in your trachea (windpipe) or a specialized oral airway in your mouth called a LMA.

General anaesthesia is preferred by many people who prefer to be completely unaware of their surroundings. There has been concern in the media about a phenomenon called 'awake anaesthesia,' where the patient can feel and hear, but is unable to respond under the anaesthesia. This complication is exceedingly rare, and can be prevented by special monitoring that has become routine for anaesthesiologists.

Epidural or Spinal Anaesthesia

Most people are familiar with epidural anaesthesia in the setting of childbirth. This type of anaesthesia is a good option for many lower extremity procedures, such as knee replacements. In the case of epidural anaesthesia, a small catheter can remain in the back to provide pain relief both during the surgery and post-operatively.
Patients who undergo epidural or spinal anaesthesia may also be sedated during the procedure, but it is usually not necessary to place a breathing tube as is done during general anaesthesia.

Regional Nerve Block

Regional nerve blocks are becoming more an more popular in orthopedic surgery. These are done by placing numbing medication directly around the nerves that are affected by the surgery. Again, a small catheter can remain in place to provide post-operative pain control. In some cases, more than one nerve may need to be treated in order to achieve adequate pain relief during the procedure.

Local Anaesthesia might be used for a few types of orthopedic surgery. Generally, local anaesthesia is only used for some types of hand and foot surgery, and some superficial procedures on the extremities. Using local anaesthesia is very safe, but it may not provide adequate pain relief in more invasive procedures.

Sedation, or MAC, Anesthesia

Sedation is medication given through an IV to calm and relax the patients. Pain relieving medication can also be given this way. The patient must be monitored, as this is the same type of medication used in general anaesthesia, just in lighter doses. However, if a patient becomes too anaesthetized, the physician must be prepared to convert to general anaesthesia. Often IV sedation is used in combination with local or regional anaesthesia. The local/regional anaesthesia is used for pain relief, and the sedation is simply to calm the patient and make them less aware of their surroundings.

Further readings:

Anesthesia: A look at local, regional and general anesthesia

Mayo Clinic Foundation, Last Updated: June 16, 2006.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/paintreatment/a/anesthesia.htm

O.R.I.F. : OPEN REDUCTION INTERNAL FIXATION

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF A GALEAZZI FRACTURE?

A Galeazzi fracture is a variant of a radius fracture of the forearm. In addition to the fracture of the radius, these patients also have an injury of the distal radio-ulnar joint of the wrist.

Treatment of a Galeazzi fracture is with surgery to repair the radius fracture. Treatment of this injury in a cast, even if the bones are brought back into position, will usually result in redisplacement of the fracture. Therefore, this is a so-called 'fracture of necessity,' meaning it is necessary to surgically repair the radius.

Once the radius is surgically repaired and held in the proper position, distal radio-ulnar joint will be inspected to determine if it also needs surgical attention.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/brokenbones/g/galeazzi.htm

Open Reduction Internal Fixation is a method of surgically repairing a fractured bone. Generally, this involves either the use of plates and screws or an intramedullary (IM) rod to stabilize the bone. If you are having a broken bone treated by ORIF, you will be taken to the operating room, given anesthesia so that you will not feel the surgery, and have your bones repaired by an orthopedic surgeon.

Also Known As: Open Reduction Internal Fixation, Operative Treatment, Open Treatment

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/brokenbones/g/orif.htm

GALEAZZI FRACTURE

INFORMATION ABOUT FRACTURES OF THE FOREARM BONES

A forearm fracture occurs when there is a fracture of one or both of the bones of the forearm. The two bones of the forearm are the radius and the ulna. Both bones are important for proper motion of the elbow and wrist joints, and both bones serve as important attachments to muscles of the upper extremity.

HOW DO FOREARM FRACTURES OCCUR?

The most common types of fractures occur due to a fall onto the hand, or a direct blow to the forearm (commonly seen in altercations, sports injuries, and car accidents). Symptoms of a forearm fracture include pain, swelling, and deformity of the forearm. Diagnosis of a forearm fracture can be made with a proper physical examination and x-ray studies.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF FOREARM FRACTURES?

Fractures of the forearm bones that occur around the elbow (radial head fractures and olecranon fractures) and those that occur around the wrist (wrist fractures), are considered elsewhere.

RADIAL SHAFT FRACTURES

An isolated fracture of the radial shaft is an unusual injury. More commonly, fractures of the radial shaft are associated with injury to the ulna (see 'both bones forearm fracture' below) or injury to one of the joints around the wrist (Galeazzi fracture). When an isolated radial shaft fracture occurs, it commonly requires surgery.

When an isolated radial shaft fracture occurs, it commonly requires surgery unless the fracture is non-displaced. If the fracture is out of position, then forearm rotation could be limited unless the fracture is realigned. For this reason, most radial shaft fractures are treated with surgery to realign and hold the bones in proper position.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/brokenbones/a/forearm.htm

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

I received this hilarious yet important message some time ago from Betty and later, Katherine, and I'd like to have it published for the benefit of all you ladies:-

For years and years they told me,
Be careful of your breasts.
Don't ever squeeze or bruise them,
And give them monthly tests.
So I heeded all their warnings,
And protected them by law.
Guarded them very carefully,
And I always wore my bra.
After 30 years of astute care,
My gyno, Dr Pruitt, said,
"You should get a Mammogram".
"OK," I said, "let's do it".
"Stand up here real close" she said,
(She got my boob in line),
"And tell me when it hurts,"
"Ah yes! Right there, that's fine", she said.
She stepped upon a pedal,
I could not believe my eyes!
A plastic plate came slamming down,
My hooters in a vise!
My skin was stretched and mangled,
From underneath my chin.
My poor boob was being squashed,
To Swedish Pancake thin.
Excruciating pain I felt,
Within it's viselike n grip.
A prisoner in this vicious thing,
My poor defenseless tit!
"Take a deep breath," she said to me,
Who does she think she's kidding?!?
My chest is mashed in her machine,
And woozy I am getting.
"There, that's good," I heard her say,
(The room was slowly swaying.)
"Now, let's have a go at the other one.
"Have mercy, I was praying.
It squeezed me from both up and down,
It squeezed me from both sides.
I'll bet SHE'S never had this done,
To HER tender little hide.
Next time that they make me do this,
I will request a blindfold
I have no wish to see again,
My knockers getting steam rolled.
If I had no problem when I came in,
I surely have one now.
If there had been a cyst in there,
It would have gone "ker-pow!"
This machine was created by a man,
Of this, I have no doubt.
I'd like to stick his balls in there,
And see how THEY come out!