Preparing for Winter Storms

The weather folks are calling for the first snow fall for this winter this weekend. It usually doesn't happen until January! But it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Down in our little hollow we'll see some but not near as much as some parts of the country.

As homesteaders, we are pretty well prepared for as eventuality, but other folks are not so lucky. I also know that many of y'all live north of the Mason-Dixon line too so winter storms are nothing to y'all. Just as hurricane preparedness is to us on the east and west coasts. Or, tornadoes in the Plains. Still bad weather puts a crimp in anybody's style.

As a stroke survivor, or any impaired person, preparedness is doubly important.We have speech, medical needs, and mobility issues that can't be ignored. I know with all the snow and more importantly the ice will cause me additional problems. Most of this blog is common sense for all storm preparedness.

My van cannot make it up the 1/4 mile, 100' rise. It will slide all the way down. But we've got Mel's 4-wheel drive, 8-cylinder truck to get out if necessary. It's a monster, but it runs. Being short, 5' squat, it's difficult to get into, but it just takes more effort to get in and out of. Worse comes to worst I can drive it to Atlanta on Tuesday. The interstates should be pretty cleared by then.

As with any bad weather, being prepared ahead of time is crucial. We are luckier than most because we live and work on our small homestead. We have everything we need within easy reach. The rabbits and chickens are within easy reach, maybe a total of 20' from the back door to tend to the animals, gather eggs, etc. No trudging 1/2 an acre in snow and ice to get to them. The food storage building is bulging within 5' of the back door. I planned it all this way on purpose given my disabilities. I learned from my first winter here.I work hard all summer and fall to make sure my pantry is full by November.

As far as electrical needs go, we have a Harbor Freight solar panel kit. It's attached to two deep cell batteries. With the inverter, we can pull power off of that in a pinch. It's enough to recharge batteries of computers and cell phones. In winter there is an advantage over summer storms, you can take your frozen or refrigerator food stuff and put it in the snow to keep it that way. We'll bury the big ice chests in the snow for use as a refrigerator.

But heat is another story. You gotta stay warm. Extra blankets are put on the beds. Which causes me the problem of getting out of bed in the morning even with a ball under the covers just from sheer weight. But I'll do it to stay warm.

We heat with wood, so a full cord of wood is placed on the front porch and a another cord is within 20' of the front porch. As a back up we have electric heaters, but that will do us no good without power. My black trashcans filled with kindling are moved to the front and back porches for easier access. Yeah, it looks like a flat mess, but inside we're cozy by the heat of the fire.

It's also time to break out the heavy coats, sweaters, and other such cold weather wear. Dressing in layers is the key I learned from living up north. You can always shed layers if you get too hot, but it sure feels good for the warmth.

With the days getting shorter, light becomes an issue. Various tasks need light to be accomplished. You can't read, you can't cook, or do anything after sunset without a source of light. For this we have several options candles, oil lamps, battery operated flashlight and lamps, and even shake lights. Remember the solar panel kit and the batteries? In a pinch we can recharge batteries off of them. We can go weeks without ever leaving our homestead and be perfectly fine. A month would be stretching it, but we could if we had to.

Cooking food, could be a problem for you. Cans of Sterno come to mind if you're are not like us with a wood stove with a cook top. Or, "Are You s Survivalist or a Prepper?" you can use old cans to build a rocket stove like I talk about in my book. There are quite a few helpful tidbits in there. (shameless self promotion plug).  But think about how you are going to heat your food or prepare your meals. I've got a propane stove, the wood stove, a rocket stove, and a charcoal grill with about 50 lbs of briquettes. Not to mention the gas cooktops out in the summer kitchen. I think I'm set if the power goes out it this respect, how about you?  I guess you could always just open up the can or jar and eat it just like it is. Speaking of which, can you use, or do you own a non electric can opener? I can my own jars so all it takes is a church key or bottle opener to open my jars. It makes my life simpler. You will burn more calories trying to stay warm.

Water is the most overlooked item you have to have. The average person needs at least one gallon of fluids per person a day to maintain their bodies. Just for general purposes we keep 5-5 gallon bottles of water in our storage building. This is set aside for drinking water. You can add at least another gallon of water per person each day for hygiene needs.Sure you can melt snow for this purpose providing you have access to fairly clean snow. We did this every winter at my grandmother's house. There were no de-icing products, animals, cars, factories or the like where we gathered this snow from. It was clean snow.

Now that food, warmth, water, and lighting are taken care of, what about activities? Do you have activities that you can do without electricity? I mean, sure you can go outside to make snow angels and toboggan down the closest hills for a while, but eventually you'll have to come indoors. Now what? Nothing makes time sluggishly tick away on a clock than doing nothing. Ask me how I know this? Go ahead and ask me. You can't hop on the internet, lighting is limited, even your  smart phone and computer batteries will run low and have to be recharged. For us, a pile of books, spinning, crocheting and knitting eats away at boredom. We'll often loose track of time and hours while go by. What will you do?

Just some thoughts on being the prepared for this first winter storm of 2018. Many more will come before it's spring again and then we prepare for hurricane season. Yes, even in the north GA foothills. Hurricane Irma taught us that lesson.

Nothing is impossible.

Sunday Stroke Survival: Coping with Emergencies and Hindsight

In the aftermath of the medical emergency at the Big Red Apple Festival a couple of weeks ago, I've been evaluating and searching for alternatives. Hindsight is always 20/20, but by looking back and looking at alternatives to any situation makes you better prepared for the next time it happens or something similar happens.

With the hindsight bias, you can look at the situation clearly in calmer times.  You can play devil's advocate and what if games til the cows come home. What could I have done differently in this particular situation? Absolutely nothing. I did the right thing.

Yes, I could have jump in when I realized the woman was seizing. We would have both ended up on
the ground. I could have been injured too making two patients rather than one. I could have jumped in, both fallen, but it could have saved the woman from the gashing head wound...possibly. I chose the best choice in milliseconds. I'm kind of proud of myself that I still have this ability. I chose to get the attention of someone who could act and help. Pat yourself on the back, Jo. Ya done good. You deserve it.

What could I have done differently to circumvent my aphasia. In reality...nothing. My adrenaline was already coursing through my veins when I realized this woman was seizing. I knew she would fall and my body would not/could not respond, thereby causing added stress. Anyone with aphasia will tell you that stress is the enemy in outward communication. The stress could be simply tired from too much input into the brain, or in this case, an emergency situation. I still tried to make sure everything was done right, even though my words (and body) failed me. I knew what was the best way even though I couldn't express it.

My choice left me with feelings of helplessness, frustration, and anger because of my stroke. This was to be expected. The reality of what I really can't do anymore struck me in the face like a physical blow.  Not too many situations do that to me after living six years post first stroke. I live a very controlled life. I may run across a few things I can't do yet, but with time, I figure out a way around my inadequacies or impairments. In an emergency situation, time is a luxury you don't have.

So the luxury of  hindsight bias becomes a learning tool. To prepare me for the next time it happens. Honestly, there may never be a next time, but I always remember my mamma's sage advice, "There will always be an again." It may not be exactly like the last time, but there always is an again. So being prepared, I may not be so overwhelmed by these feelings so harshly the next time. I have the luxury of time to analyze the situation from afar. I can look at all the pieces of the puzzle and put them together properly and prepare. This cannot be stressed enough. It's also comforting. I can give myself a pat on the back. This too is important aspect of self esteem. It's too easy to hammer your self worth into the ground after surviving a stroke. Been there. Done that. Still doing that.

I realized in hindsight of the given event, I did exactly the right thing. Have I said it too often? I'm hammering in the self worth.  It conquers my feelings of frustration, helplessness, and anger I was feeling. See how it works? I'm no longer kicking myself for doing nothing. I was mentally supervising the woman's care even though I wasn't physically in action doing it. It was all I was capable of doing. It could have just making lemonade out of the lemons the stroke took from me, but I'm also coping. Sure, I'd have rather be doing it, wouldn't everyone? This was an emergency and I would be in the way hampering rescue efforts.

So now, I'm mentally playing the what if game. What if something like this happened to Mel on our homestead and it was just me there. Days can go by before we see another soul. Cats, dogs, rabbits, and chickens can do nothing to help. What would/could I do? How can I be prepared?

Well for starters, I will do whatever is necessary. That goes without saying. But, there are other things I can resolve to do. I'll begin to carry my cell phone in my pocket all the time. That way I can reach out and call for help. Sounds simply, right? When working in the garden or orchard, it's not always convenient to have that bulky thing in the pocket, but I'll make the sacrifice. I'll just have to make it a habit. Hopefully, we won't be in a "no service" part of the property.

I'll stick a bandana or handkerchief in my back pocket. It may not be large enough, as in the case of the woman, but it's better than nothing. I usually carry a hand towel in my basket or cinch it to my gardening belt. It's sweaty work in the Georgia sun too.

Two little things to make a habit of to prepare for medical emergencies here. Yes there are probably more things I can add, but I'm trying to address the ABCs of first aid (airway, breathing, circulation). For me, It's airway, bleeding, and calling for help. While I can perform CPR one handed, I'd rather not or as little as necessary, so calling for help is essential. And, depending on where I'm at, I may not be able to get myself up.

It's the little things like these two changes can mean the most in an emergency situation.  Hindsight is a very useful tool used this way.  By taking the time to figure out what to do in a given situation gives me an action plan. That is power and control.

Nothing is impossible.

Sunday Stroke Surivival ~Is Everybody on the Same Page?

Happy Easter, y'all! It's a beautiful Resurrection day full of hope and promise.

I got to thinking about while hopping from doctors and therapy...is everybody on the same page in your care plan? What happens in an emergency? Are they really prepared? Are they armed with the proper information?

For instance, I know mine are because I carry a printed sheet with me at all times for me and my husband. What's on this sheet, you may ask and I'll tell.

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• List of medications
• List of allergies- drugs and others
• List of doctors, their specialty, with phone #s and addresses
• Current medical conditions
• Past medical conditions and surgeries
• Locations where copies of Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, living wills, DNR are on file, and emergency contacts.If not carried. I had my husband sign two copies while being notarized.
• Shrink it down and laminate it if possible.

 I take these sheets with me to all my doctors and update as necessary. In  case of an emergency, the emergency team has access to information they might need to save your life. I wear an Medic-Alert necklace and had engraved on it, "check pocket for list."

I never keep it in a purse. It's always in my pocket and I'll tell you why. Think about a bad car accident scene. Everything is thrown all over the place. I want whoever needs this information to find it and save my life not search for my purse. If I end up in the water, it's laminated. No ink running everywhere making it unreadable.

When time is of the essence and minutes count in whether you live or die, this is very important. Even if it isn't a case of an emergency, everyone is on the same page including me. I even gave a copy of my info packet to my Podiatrist! He might never use it or need it, but if he does he'll have it.

A case in point. My mother had a routine visit to her family practice doctor. She went into respiratory arrest. Granted, he knew she had a DNR (do not resuscitate) order, but if he didn't have a copy or my father didn't, by law, he'd have to try and bring her back. No matter that she was eaten up with cancer. It covers his butt until the paperwork presented itself.

Another case in point. My husband cannot be injected with adrenaline without a heart team standing by. His cancer forms tumors throughout his body comprised of adrenal tissue. You give him adrenaline and it's like stomping your foot on the gas pedal of your car during rush hour. A very bad idea. His whole endocrine system goes into warp drive. Think of it as twenty-six adrenal glands instead of just one. Fun, huh? But this is important information the treating team needs to know.

Having worked as an RN/Paramedic in both ambulances and life flight helicopters, I can't tell you how many times I wished I had this information available. I still realize the importance after almost thirty years of not being in the field.

Another thing to think about and do. Arrange for copies of the above paperwork are kept on file in your charts or in the database at all your doctors' offices, EMS, and hospitals. Most will give you a card on where to locate the file with that information. You won't always be where you can get to these items in an emergency. Otherwise it wouldn't be an emergency, would it? Think about it as your emergency kit and don't leave home without it.

Remember, in an emergency or other times...

• You may not always be able to speak for yourself or your spouse.
• You may not remember and forget something vital
• If someone questioned your authority to speak on behalf of the patient.

A word or two about the last one. Since HIPAA came into effect, everyone questions everything. I ran into an issue with this while I was hospitalize after my stroke. I am my husband's DPOAHC (durable power of attorney for health care) and his general power of attorney.

There I was stuck seventy plus miles from home, and my husband needed a prescription for morphine. It does no good for my husband to call the doctor, he can't hear to answer questions by telephone. Our daughter tried talking to the nurse as me. I know illegal as all get out, but this was a desperation move. The nurse caught her and even though she understood the situation they had to hear the request from my husband or myself. She ended up putting him in the car, driving to the doctor's office with him, and getting the prescription. She then ran into the same situation at the pharmacy. Morphine is a controlled substance.

I just never thought about this situation before. I've since remedied this by placing all four of my daughters on a separate DPOAHC for both of us. Not to supersede mine but in case of emergency when I'm not available. Have you thought about if anything happened to you who would take over in your absence?

My #2 daughter held up her power of attorney and laughed a maniacal chuckle, "I can pull the plug now. You're in my hands!"

She's always the comedian and not that we would have expected anything less from her after such a serious conversation. She sent me this card afterwards to carry on the laughter. It's so true.

 But we do know she'll abide by our wishes also. All of them will. Your choice of whom you choose is important and not to be bestowed lightly. This is a decision of total trust. 

This blog has very little to do with stroke recovery, but is important. If you haven't thought about it, do. The clock is ticking. If you're all set, then hunky-dorry it's time for some fun! Party time. Let's do the Hockey Pokey. You put your right foot in...