A recommitment

Sometimes it takes a recommitment to return successfully. You must tell yourself you will do a better job, not just try to do a better job, but commit to it. A second or third time, if necessary.

That's where I'm at with this blog.

It takes time. I don't always have it. But I want to share my message. The class I'm teaching reminds me that one person really can make a difference. I can make a difference. So I'm recommiting a promise I made to myself that I would build this blog. Of course, building takes time. Of course, building requires planning. And of course, it must be scheduled into my weekly habits.

Have you been putting something off in your own life? Is so, or if you've neglected to create change where you know you're capable of creating change, or perhaps you've been procrastinating on doing something you know deep down you really do want to do, it's time to recommit. Let go of the fear. Drop the excuses.

This isn't a New Year's resolution. But it is a promise. Make it to yourself, and to those who may be counting on you.

Let's not let anyone down.

Oh, and by the way, I've gone back and posted labels on all the previous blog entries. I actually needed to revisit the pages to see how far I've progressed. I think the labels will make it easier for readers to find me. Refer others when you can.

Ride safely and with a renewed spirit.


Jackie

Early Detection of Tuberculosis

Yes, it is a hidden disease. The patient remains asymptomatic for long periods, and the disease is often diagnosed during routine tests, when a chest X-ray reveals the 'hidden' disease, i.e. tuberculosis. It has thus an occult/hidden character.

In places where the incidence of tuberculosis is not marked, 'tuberculin test surveys' be carried out among the general population, which gives an idea of the number of cases who are tuberculin positive, i.e. infected with tubercle bacilli (although the disease may be inactive in the majority of them). Those who have shown positive in the tuberculin test should be subjected to an X-ray examination of the chest, so as to find out hidden/ symptomless, especially active cases of the disease - in other words those who are suffering from active tuberculosis, but still showing no symptoms of the disease, can be detected.

For an epidemiological survey, small X-rays may be taken through a special X-;ray plant fitted in a van, which moves from place to place or village to village, or visits poor communities/slums. X-rays are taken in quick succession, one by one, of the various persons, who 'are made to stand in a queue before entering the van. They come out of the van after the exposure for the chest X-ray. This is called miniature mass radiography (MMR). These surveys were most common in the past when the disease was at its peak.

However, in places where the incidence of tuberculosis is high, all persons in such areas are expected to be infected with tubercle bacilli, i.e. they will be found as tuberculin positive. Hence the tuberculin test is of little value at such places, for epidemiological survey, and therefore, one can directly switch on to MMR study, for the detection of both hidden and active cases of tuberculosis.

It may, however, be noted that X-ray of the chest alone may not be always confirmatory of the diagnosis/activity of tuberculosis, either in a mass surveyor in an individual. Hence, when the disease is suspected, other tests, must be carried out, including a detailed clinical examination,'keeping the symptomatology of the patient in view.

Also, in the MMR study, small X-ray films taken may not give the true picture of the disease. And, there even may be variations in reading these X-ray films. Even if a tubercular lesion appears to be positive, it must be confirmed by a large chest X-ray, as well as by other tests. It is never wise to administer treatment of tuberculosis to a patient only on the basis of miniature radiographs.

The MMR study is now no longer widely carried out in places/ countries where the incidence of tuberculosis is low, because too few cases may be found positive, involving the expense of a lot of time, money, and above all, at the risk of exposure to X-ray radiation for a large population.

Also, in all those groups of persons who daily come in contact with a large number of people, such as the bus-drivers, conductors, teachers, and the entire medical staff, like doctors, nurses, attendants, technicians, radiographers etc., chest X-rays should be carried out because they comprise the high-risk groups. Spread of the disease has also been noticed in creches, schools, school-buses, hostels, and even in nursing homes, etc.

Similarly, the disease must be detected in servants, waiters in restaurants, salesmen, postmen, washermen, sweepers, barbers, cobblers, etc. People living in slums and shanty towns, chawls, etc. should also be checked for the detection of tuberculosis.

All efforts must be made to unearth 'hidden' cases of tuberculosis, as they are most dangerous to society. They go on spreading the disease for a pretty long time, till it is diagnosed and treated.

The disappearing act -- it could be a good thing

Well, I did it again. I got busy with life and work and endless other things and disappeared on you.

If you've never felt the need to escape from an obligation, or from anything that's going on in your life--good or bad--I'd be surprised. That's what happened to me. I needed to eliminate one thing off my list of things to do. The blog just happened to be that one thing I knew I could let go for a while. I've always known I'd come back here, but I needed to take a break so I could take care of business.

That means I've been doing other BIKE-related work, instead. I've been working on my BIKE Lessons class, for one thing. I began teaching the BIKE philosophy to women at a homeless shelter this week. I'm excited to report that they really get it, and they'll be coming back next week to learn more. They don't have to; it's their choice, and I'm happy to accommodate them. I'll be working with them for four weeks, offering them an opportunity to choose to learn about a new tool they can use in their recovery. What they learn in my class will help make their life transition less stressful and hopefully more productive. As always, the BIKE is about forward movement.

When you feel the need to escape or to set something aside for awhile, it's important to listen to that feeling or that need. It may come from fear. It may come from doubt. It may come from stress. Wherever it originates, I've learned that it's okay to "disappear" for a while. I'm not talking about abandoning responsibilities or family or anything drastic like that. I'm referring to the recognition that you may not be able to do all things all at once, or all the time. Perhaps your work has been derailed by something you have no control over, and because of that, you may not have it in you this week or this month--or this year--to be all things to all people.

There are times when you simply don't have it in you to cope. When you feel that kind of pressure, it is time to step back and reconsider where your attention needs to be. My guess is that it probably needs to be on you.

You probably need down time.

You can choose to take a break, go on a vacation, find a quiet place to reflect or feel what you're feeling, or even change jobs if that's what it takes to feel balanced and whole again.

I encourage you to listen to what your body, your reactions, or your feelings are trying to tell you. Don't ignore your gut instinct. Your needs will make themselves known somehow. Just listen for them. Then, take a step forward and do one thing that turns your attention back towards you.

When you pay attention soon enough, you'll see your disappearing act from others unfold in a gentle manner. And then, when it's time, you'll find yourself easing back into your regularly scheduled program.

That's what happened to me. And it may happen again, because in the coming weeks, I begin work on my very first book. It's a travel guide called Backroads & Byways of Arizona. Countryman Press will publish it in the spring of 2009. I'm very excited about the project. I'm thrilled I have the opportunity to work on it. But it will be getting in the way of my work here. The BIKE may again slow down. I urge you to be gentle with me, be gentle with yourself, and keep riding anyway.

I know I will be.

All my best,
Jackie

MAKE IT SO!

This day is yours - CREATE a beautiful one for yourself and those around you.
THINK before you speak. Take a breath and it will spark your intellect.
Remember words are sharper than any knife and they pierce the heart.
Take THIS opportunity to tell someone you love or appreciate them.
Make these moments of value and the worth of your actions will ultimately
come back to benefit you! It always works.....

A disgusting health tip

Here’s a fairly disgusting health practice - but it works for me, so I thought I would share it with you! I call it the “Chew and Spew” method of eating beef or pork and saving your colon a lot of work digesting the stuff.

I love a good steak, but many women suffer from irregular bowels (often times due to childbirth. ) We have a tendency not to have the blessing of being regular every day.

Meat takes a bit for our bodies to digest, and so here is a way to enjoy the meat you eat, save calories, AND not tax your digestive tract or plug up your colon.

Are you getting an inkling of the “Chew and Spew” method? I’d been having very sharp pains in my abdomen and was very constipated (a crappy thing to talk about, eh:) -hee hee. Anyway, I found myself chewing the heck out of each bite, but if it had fat or was tough, I would graciously put my napkin to my mouth and try to put the remainder of the bite in it without too much fuss.

Well, my honey and I have been married a long time and so before long he asked what I was doing. He had been my champion and rubbed my “congested” tummy MANY times to help the “process” of digestion along. I told him. He said, “Cool-whatever works!”

That was it. Now (when it is US and ONLY US), I regularly use the “Chew and Spew”
method. To make it easier I simply put my hand to my mouth and take the remaining bite and set it aside on my plate.

Now, like a bird feeding her baby, I take the remains and mix it with my dog’s food. He
loves it! “Waste not-want not” mama always said.

There it is. Practical advice. Not pretty, but if you are with someone you love, or by yourself - they will want the best for you, and you can be discreet about it all.

If you don’t care for your company or want to gross somebody out - do it in public! Then simply declare “Obviously you aren’t familiar with the chew and spew method, are you?”