I Hope You Dance

        The results of the Dances with the Stars competition last night will be revealed this evening.  While in my mind, there are two probable competitors most likely to leave…past seasons have shown that it isn’t just talent that determines who leaves and who stays in the mix from week to week.  It is all about audience support.

        It has been fun already and this is the first week of eliminations.  Kristi the ice skater was astounding in the performance that she gave.  Marlee the actress (who is deaf by the way) was equally amazing considering her special challenge.  Mario was pretty good as well as Jason the football player was smooth.  I love the energy of Marissa(cancer survivor) the broadway star. 

         Truly each of the competitors who are very accomplished in their own areas of expertise are putting on a show.  It will be fun to see them grow as performers in the dance contest.

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Kissing is Dangerous

         You really might want to think twice about kissing that guy or gal on the first date.  You may even want to think twice about kissing someone you’ve know for a long time after you read this.  Get real ya say?  

           Well, are you aware that about 95 % of the adult population (over the age of 20) has been exposed to the Epstein Barr Virus?  Never heard of it…..join the club…lots of people haven’t. 

        It is an infectious disease…it is transmitted through the saliva of an infected person.  Even someone who is healthy and doesn’t exhibit symptoms of the disease can pass it on.  Once a person is infected with EBV, they carry it for life…it may be dormant, but they still have it.  It can flare up at any time, stress and other illnesses can trigger an outbreak.

        My sister has just been diagnosed with it.  This is after a couple of weeks of extreme illness,tiredness, and weakness.  The doctors that she saw in her family practice as well as in the emergency room did not know what was wrong with her.  It took my sister being proactive to get results…she went to a specialist who did some major tests and procedures before she got the results.

        The epstein barr virus is an illness that attacks the immune system.  It can cause many problems such as fevers,sore throat, headaches, weakness, diarreaha, pain, swelling of the spleen, liver and other organs.  It can even get more complicated than that; as in some rare cases, it can evolve into some cancers and it can also affect the central nervous system or the heart. 

           Doctors are the only ones who can diagnose this or any serious illness.  It is important to seek medical care whenever an illness attacks because you just can’t know for sure if it is something simple or a very serious illness.

          There really is no cure for EBV.  There are a couple of medications that may help …but, they also can attack healthy dna in a person, as well as the virus.  The best thing a person can do is to rest, drink lots of fluids and build up the immune system with a healthy diet. 

         Any information we have been able to find on the subject of EBV is somewhat vague and discouraging.  Even after recovery, you need to  remember that this is a virus that stays with you and can reappear in your future.  You must follow up with your doctor anytime that you think the virus is active again.

          It is important to find a doctor who will listen to you, and who will do the appropriate testing.  You must listen to your own body(follow your instincts) and not let anyone tell you that it is all in your head or that you “probably” just have the flu.  

           No one knows your body as well as you do!   Push, push, push for the doctor to follow up with the blood work…and the ultra- sounds and whatever else it takes to get the care that you need. 

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