The Top10 Things You Should Do If You Test Positive For Alpha1

  • Have A List Of Questions When You See a Doctor About Your Alpha1(If you try to remember the questions you want to ask you may forget half of them)
  • Learn To Breathe Effectively
  • Limit Or Eliminate Your Alcohol Consumption
  • Don't Be Afraid To Be Proactive About Your Alpha1
  • Get Plenty Of Rest(You will likely have a higher oxygenation level)
  • Avoid Sick People(You have a lower immune system than most people)
  • Drink Plenty Of Water
  • Eat Healthy/Avoid Processed Food(Carbonated beverages)
  • Start A Careful Exercise Program/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program(Your muscles will become more efficient so they won't use as much oxygen and if you have surgery you will likely recover quicker as well)
  • Stop Smoking

Sunday, September 12, 2010

I Heart My Community!

I'm sorry I missed the Des Moines event. It was sweet corn season and I had to "make hay when the sun shined". I have donated a portion of corn to some organization almost every sale day! It's a nice feeling....knowing you're helping somebody eat a little better.I think if more people could get beyond theirselves a little more often they would be amazed how life changing it would be!

Now that part about I heart my community....
In the last month I've gotten on the local school systems long term planning board as a result I have found myself attending more meetings. So much so I woke up this morning convinced it was Monday morning and I had over slept!! I've started attending township meetings. Next will ne village and city hall meetings. Our local grocery store in our village announced it was closing and I woke up to the fact theirs lots of other Glen's out there! That's what contributed to the involvement. I had a choice I could be sad or belly ache OR I could get involved and tried to be a part of a solution. The later made more sense to me. To the extent I met with the county economic development director for about an hr this last Wednesday.

I also am finding myself getting involved in Special Olympics in a much bigger way than I ever imagined. I'd always wanted to volunteer to help Special Olympics since high school. I contacted them about volunteering. They mentioned something about starting an agency. I had intended to be just a coach. I told them I'd give starting an agency consideration. Well....I will be going through orientation either this Friday night or Saturday morning just before the fall S.O. regional meeting. What is truely special about this is...my county has not had a Special Olympics program for several years! In my local school system alone there is 6 - 8 candidates to participate in Special Olympics. There are two other school systems in the county. Just imagine what it will mean to these children!! So, now I will not only be a coach but, an agency director as well. I've agreed to a lot of work! I have to take care of paperwork and fundraising. I have to arrange transportation, lodging, finding volunteers and keeping the kids up to date on physicals so that they can remain elgible to participate. So, now you know why I've been such a slacker! Oh, and one more thing...I'm trying to get a job as a wreath maker for some seasonal extra money.