Open Question: maltese heart murmur?
I bought a maltese and she has a heart murmur the vet said that she can have surgery and die during surgery or i can just leave it and probably she will have a 12 yr old heart by the time she turns 1. she is 6 months now. what should i do? has anyone been in this situation b4 i love her but i don’t know what to do. i don’t want her to die.
thanks

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:35:59 GMT
Open Question: If instead of butter, I simply eat smart balance light, will my heart be healthier over the years?
I’ve heard good things about Smart Balance spread. I use the light version. My question is this: Will it help to prevent heart disease if, over the years, I don’t eat any butter - and just use smart balance instead?
Would that produce any effect at all ?
I’m curious because I have a history of heart disease in my family and high cholesterol - even when I was 17-years-old and 130 pounds.

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:09:41 GMT

Open Question: Where can I find a good workout program for a woman over 50?
I’m looking around the internet for a workout program for my mom. She’s 55 and had a heart attack (history of heart disease in her family) about four years ago, but has been exercising daily since (mostly treadmill). She’s never been overweight, but just wants some type of daily workout with weights that she can do after walking on the treadmill. We have a home gym (all in one type machine) and she has some small free weights. Ideally, the exercises would switch up a bit throughout the week to keep it interesting, but would be enough each day for about 20-30 mins of exercise. Anyone have any suggestions of where to find a routine? I’ve been into weight training for a while, but the type I do is VERY different than from what a 55 year old woman should be doing.

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:19:53 GMT

Open Question: Whats the emotion of this poem!?
I marvel how Nature could ever find space
For so many strange contrasts in one human face:
There’s thought and no thought, and there’s paleness and bloom
And bustle and sluggishness, pleasure and gloom.
There’s weakness, and strength both redundant and vain;
Such strength as, if ever affliction and pain
Could pierce through a temper that’s soft to disease,
Would be rational peace?a philosopher’s ease.
There’s indifference, alike when he fails or succeeds,
And attention full ten times as much as there needs;
Pride where there’s no envy, there’s so much of joy;
And mildness, and spirit both forward and coy.
There’s freedom, and sometimes a diffident stare
Of shame scarcely seeming to know that she’s there,
There’s virtue, he title it surely may claim,
Yet wants heaven knows what to be worthy the name.
This picture from nature may seem to depart,
Yet the Man would at once run away with your heart;
And I for five centuries right gladly would be
Such an odd such a kind happy creature as he.
whats your emotion that you get from it and what do you think the message is?

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:35:08 GMT
Open Question: Is this story any good?
Prologue
The shadows always held a ghost for me. Something I would never see again, but in a way, I also believed that they would always cause my nightmares. Sometimes it?s the best to be a human, but the worst when your hopes and dreams are shattered into a million pieces you can?t pick up and glue back together. That?s when you know you?ve lost a point in your life that you will never be able to relive. For one second you live the most beautiful existence, and suddenly it?s yanked out from under your feet. Regardless of the pain living causes, we as humans always have the notions of going back to what we started to finish it, no matter the consequences. You can?t forget for one second, that yes, your life can get worse. Then even when you accept this, you don?t find yourself living out a fairytale ending. I never for one second would have ever let anyone go, not with knowing the magnitude at which it hurt those around you, I never forgot this. Because the one thing I know is that love gives someone the power to break you. People do so much for love, and sometimes the chaos that ensues is too much to handle. I?ve broken hearts, but life took its course, faster in me of course, though I still feel somewhat bad for leaving people behind. I never chose to hate, hate is too controlling and harsh, and I?ve felt indifference, though indifference is sometimes worse. But I?ve never felt hatred for anyone. And now I?m rambling, going on, when no one understands this.
What would you do if forever existed? There?s a point you hit when you can?t go on, you lack the will to live. Then the one thing that can destroy you steps in and tries to work with you. When they come and get you, you have to take action. You can?t just sit there and let something destroy you, especially not if you have something to live for and to fight for. Passiveness never wins the battle, fighting does.
Chapter One: Fallen Dreams and Normal Nightmares
Dominae looked around the clearing wildly, the trees that surrounded her were bare, dark, and skeletal. A strong wind blew, sending her shoulder-length layered mahogany hair whipping across her pale face. Her pale green eyes, which were close to that of a peridot stone, were frightened, lacking her usual confidence. Her arms were crossed over her chest, warming her slim body, and her shoulders were hunched, shrinking her 6? frame. She turned her face towards the stormy grey clouds as thunder ripped across the sky, the ear-splitting sound shaking the earth beneath her feet. A bolt of lightning lit up the stormy sky, and the surrounding forest. The cloudy grey burst open with the first drops of rain. The rain fell fast, each drop pelting her face like a needle. The raindrops mixed with a light sheen of angry tears streaking down her face.
?Why am I here?? she murmured to herself as she wrapped her black windbreaker closer to her body. The rain poured down even harder, soaking her jeans within seconds, her windbreaker becoming soggy, useless. Her teeth chattered. Emotions flickered across her face, before she stood eerily calm and collected. Suddenly her head whipped around; scanning the dark shadows to make sure she was truly alone. Dominae didn?t even care where she was going as she began to run. She sprinted wildly, slapping branches away from her face and leaping over fallen logs. Her foot caught the edge of a tree stump that was protruding from the ground and she fell forward into the autumn leaves on the ground, unable to stop her descent. She let out a yelp as a nearly blinding pain shot up her leg. She glanced at her knees briefly. The right knee of her pant leg was shredded open, another pair of jeans gone to waste. Warm scarlet blood was dripping down her leg from a ragged gash. She tried to stand up, but fell down again, the pain made her bite her lip to keep her from yelling out a second time. Though her sight was blurred from tears of pain and the hard rain, but she was almost positive that she had seen something run across her line of sight. The crack of the twig was barely audible with the loud bursts of thunder, but she had definatly heard it. She looked around her, panicking. The shadows leered, and the grey skies suddenly seemed ominous. Her breath caught in her throat as she caught a glimpse of glittering amber eyes examining her through the deep shadows in bushes. She looked deeper into the woods, trying to discover the shapes inside the shadows, rather unsuccessfully. She glanced upwards for a second, but that second was enough to chill her blood. A tall, lithe, muscular male was perched on an outstretched tree branch. His crimson eyes were fixed hungrily on her, and large leathery black wings protruded from his back. He was beautiful, but with the wings he looked almost like a demonic angel. He smiled dazzlingly.
?I?ve been looking for you, princess,? He hissed in a smooth, husky voice. Dominae scrambled back on her hands; she couldn?t find the drive within
The switch from point of veiws was supposed to happen, because the first bit was a dream.
sorry, the prolouge is what most of the story is written in. The section thats not I, me, my, is her dreams

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:50:54 GMT

Open Question: I was watching Mythbusters….?
And they were trying to see if a stun gun could be combined with a water pistol to produce the same effect, at a longer distance. Turns out the idea might work, albeit impractical.
At any rate, my REAL question is–If a person with a heart condition (heart murmur, etc) got hit with a stun gun, would it cause cardiac arrest?

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 06:47:05 GMT
Open Question: uncomfortable chest/heart?
I dont know if my chest is uncomfortable or my heart. Im 25 years olf. female and somewhat healthy. No illness or disease.
For the passed week or so, I’ve been feeling an uncomfortable discomfort feeling on my left breast or heart. I cannot tell the difference. I went to the doctor and they didnt give me a EKG because I had 2 normal ones within the passed year. The doctor said it can be stress or muscle related.
It comes and goes and last for 5 seconds each time. I can still run and play but I’m a little concerned about it.
I’m freaked out about it.. what can it be? COuld it be a heart attack?
The doctor said everything is fine and did a physical exam . WHat could it be? Has anyone had this problem before?

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:17:18 GMT

Open Question: What could this be? lately i’ve had a weird tingly feeling from my stomach to my throat…?
i feel more conscious of my heart beat inside now. what could it be? i don’t have any symptoms of heart arythmia so i don’t know. it’s just happened fr like the last 2 days.
i’m 38
female
healthy pulse, blood pressure, and healthy weight
thanks for your input

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:29:55 GMT

Open Question: Well I need to lose 40-50 pounds in two-three months……?
it’s not very healthy but it was approved by my doctor……my health is at risk being 60 pounds overweight he said…….
Basically I’m getting terrible skin, stretch marks….because of it and I have some high risk of heart disease because I have the genes
SO any exercise?

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 05:15:43 GMT

Open Question: How is the beginning of my story?
I heard Tia?s shaky breaths come in and out through her nose. Her lips were pursed, so tightly that the skin around the visible line of pink was pure white. So were her knuckles, except for the marks where her nails had cut into them.
Tia has ear length blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes. She?s generally a buoyant, hilarious, and determined girl. She does care what others think of her, I can tell. But tonight it seemed like an opposite day for her. It made me nervous to see her pained.
?You look like you?re about to break.? I said, raising one eyebrow. She vacuumed her lips in further, and blinked. A tear overflowed and streaked down her now blushing cheek. She shook her head, sending two more tears tipping out of her eyes.
I wondered if this had to do with the tae kwon do class we were in at the moment. She was still in bending ready stance A, stiff as a board.
I stepped toward her, she kept her eyes aimed at the floor. As my hands rested on her shoulders, she glanced up, and promptly turned to stare at my right hand as another tear dripped onto her uniform.
?You alright?? I whispered. Again she raised her eyes to me. I tsked at myself. ?Course you?re not.?
Sniffle. ?Yes I am.? She mumbled, reaching up through my arms to brush away another drop from the bridge of her nose.
I lowered my arms, refusing to take her bull-shit. I was genuinely concerned, and wanted to make her better. Tia like this was an oxy-moron, it didn?t match; and was just plain wrong.
?No, you aren?t ok, Tia.? She didn?t try to lie to me this time. Her controlling breaths paused for a second as she swallowed. ?Now,? I grabbed the tails of her green belt, tugged on them playfully, and asked, ?what?s got you all worked up??
She swallowed again, and a few more tears escaped. She let them be, and I stared at them making a trail down her face as she stuttered, ?I-I?m not exactly sure. It?s just ev-everything has to g-go wrong at once. I-? she voice broke and she looked away from me.
She took a deep breath and tried again. ?I-I know it?s no ex-excuse. I shouldn?t-t let it get to me, this-s is reall-ly bad.? She was determined to hold back as much as possible, I could practically feel the burn in her throat.
She was still beating herself up, her word?s slurring. ?Whoa, hold up.? I interrupted. Tia flinched as though I had wound up for the punch. ?I see you always striving for perfection. You?re so tense! It?s painful to watch. You just gotta let loose.? I mimed letting go of something and blowing it away.
She rocked back and forth of the balls of her feet like a kid getting scolded. I tried to steer the conversation in a different direction for her sake.
?Smile!? I demanded in fake bossiness. She quarter smiled, if that, and let loose a new stream- no, river of tears out of both eyes.
?I-I?ll just to m-my pattern.? Squeaked. She coughed into her arms a few time, then returned to her tense stance and showed me her pattern.
Despite the episode before, her hands were steady and her tempo was perfect. Her uniform snapped just as mine did, and I?m a fourth dan black belt compared to her green belt. She amazed me each time I got to watch her; grace as she set up and flexed, then a furious power at the point of impact.
She finished her last move, and froze perfectly like a statue. ?Allright, come back.? She returned to her ready stance; I waved my hands, telling her to relax. She did to some extent.
?Tia,? I murmured gently, ?You are a head and shoulders above where you need to be.? She needed to understand this. I swear, it?s the people who could should be a bit cocky and proud. Are the most humble. Normally people like that piss me off, but this one was a different story.
?Just don?t think so much.? I touched her chin as it started to sag back toward the floor. ?You know the moves by heart. We both know this, just let yourself perform them.?
She started her pattern again, and four moves in I felt a familiar warm hand on my shoulder. I twisted around and saw Master Yordan watching Tia?s pattern from behind me. He nodded in approval and purred ?Tell her nice work.?
Master Leonard, or Lenny, Yordan is a black man, with thinning black hair. He has tan eyes, and they are massive, always wide. He has noticeable dimples and a round face, but not even close to being like a child?s. He?s stock full of charisma, and is never caught without a smile except for dramatic effect. But he could get intense, it was scary to see him that way. Yet absolutely breath taking, like being in the redwood forest, or the grand canyon. It make?s you feel incredibly small.
Master Yordan changed his mind for his moment about leaving, and watched Tia?s pattern intently. She turned toward us, and Master Yordan faltered for a second as he saw her blood shot eyes, Tia?s face turned crimson. He understood; Master Yordan seemed to have an exceptional talent for that. I saw him nod at Tia, size her up as she turned away embarrasse

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:50:24 GMT
Open Question: Does my mom sound like a hypochondriac to you?
Or could it be that she is in a very stressful relationship? Since I was born my mother has always been sick. She started out with Graves disease (thyroid disease) which then she had radioactive iodine and it basically cured it. Then it turned into hyperthyroid and then down to hypothyroid. After the Dr’s put her on medicine that she takes now for the rest of her life, she had to have a hysterectomy. Finally we thought she would be okay and have no more health problems. Well she did: Had her appendix out, back surgery, and then gallbladder surgery as well as her ulcer fixed!
But she STILL says she does not feel well. She is only 51 and to me, that’s not old. Yes, she has been through a lot with her health but she still claims there is “something wrong with her.” If it is a certain mole or something on her body, she IMMEDIATELY thinks it is skin cancer. If her chest hurts, it is something to do with her heart. If her throat hurts or something else on her body, she probably has “cancer.” I just get SO frustrated with her because it seems like she is ALWAYS like this. For example, this morning I overheard her say “Well you mark my words [to my stepdad] when I go for my appointment next week they are going to find something.”
I just gritted my teeth and bit my tongue from saying enough is enough! Not to make matters worse (bless my grandparents) but my grandmother (as well as her mother) died from leukemia and my grandfather died from lung cancer.
I was thinking she probably thinks she has the same “fate”, as she used to smoke but has quit for almost 4 years now.
How do I handle this? My mom is just SO negative about everything!
Does this sound like she is a hypochondriac to you? I’m worried it is either THAT or that her relationship [whole other story, ugh] is making her feel stressed and THAT is why she feels something is wrong with her all the time!
If u read all this, thank you!

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:54:47 GMT

Open Question: Do you think you can help?
Can you help, not just me but many out there that die from muscular dystrphy? For those who don’t know what this disease is, it is when the muscles in your body slowly weaken until your most important muscle, the heart, dies out and so do you. People who have this disease can barely move on their own and may need a wheelchair to move. This disease can affect anyone and people who have it sadly die in their late teens and early twentys. Now if you could, please go to dariusgoeswest.org and donate to find a cure for this horrid disease and learn more about it and the story of a boy, now 19, who lives with muscular dystrophy.

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:15:07 GMT
Open Question: I’m in a running rut?
So I did XC season, and I was awesome (my first season of xc) and I loved it…my p.r was 22:19..
and then we started indoor track, when we only had 2 meets so i really didn’t have time to pr.
now it’s outdoor and i’m awful…I ran in between seasons but for some reason I’m out of breath earlier and my mile time hasn’t changed at all (my pr is 6:21..yeah, i know..and today i did 6:36, but i know i can do better) and it’s been 3 weeks so i should be back in shape by now seeing as i only took 2 weeks off and ran about 5 times during that. maybe i’m wrong? idk…i guess i’ll just have to keep going, but it is very frustrating when all your teammates are PRing and you are doing just the same as you were last year.
i’ve been doing interval workouts..we did 12 400s on monday, and then wednesday 6 400s and 6 200s, and i hit the intervals every time. it’s just SO much harder for me.
my doctor told me i have a slight heart murmur, but i doubt that has anything to do with it. it may have gotten worse but i really have no medical trouble for the most part.

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:33:39 GMT