In addition to uncontacted tribes, here’s another thing I haven’t spent much time thinking about – life in an iron lung. I know what an iron lung is for, but I had no idea that some people still live out their entire lives inside of one. I was shocked when I saw an article about Dianne Odell, a woman who had lived in an iron lung for 58 years, who died during a power failure when her family’s generator wouldn’t start (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,359304,00.html).

In a nutshell, an iron lung (aka negative pressure ventilator) mimics the physiologic action of breathing, causing air to flow into and out of the lungs. The first iron lung was used at Children’s Hospital in Boston on October 12, 1928, when a child unconscious from respiratory failure recovered immediately upon being placed in the chamber. It was originally invented for treatment of coal gas poisoning, but was most widely used during the polio outbreaks in the 1940’s and 50’s to allow people with paralysis of the diaphragm to breathe. In the 1930’s, the cost of an iron lung was $1,500, about the same as the average house. Although use of the iron lung has declined due to the eradication of polio and the advent of other respiratory devices, there are approximately 30-40 people still using an iron lung in the USA.

Imagine that. Being confined to a mechanical chamber for most or all of your life. Unable to walk, drive, dance, hug, or run down to Dairy Queen on a whim. You could argue that these people couldn’t do those things anyway due to paralysis, but the idea of being completely confined and dependent on others for everything is a sobering thought. Sometimes I feel like I can’t overcome the obstacles that threaten to prevent me from getting out the door each morning with 3 fully-dressed children. The next time I feel myself sinking into that pit of despair, I’m going to think of the people still living in an iron lung. I feel better already.

Here’s another article about Dianne Odell: http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/022002/hea_0220020028.shtml

And an interesting website about John Prestwich, who was dependent 24 hours per day on artificial respiration from the age of 17 until he passed away at the age of 68:
http://www.johnprestwich.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm

And finally an article with links about Mark O’Brien, who didn’t allow the fact that he had the use of only 3 muscles (in his foot, neck, and jaw) to slow him down: http://www.salon.com/people/obit/1999/07/12/obrien/

Amazing.
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I took the kids to the Natick Collection tonight and we found a beautiful chocolate shop and cafe called Moonstruck Fine Chocolate. They have chocolate ladybugs, puppies, mice, kitties, and all sorts of gorgeous truffles and extremely dangerous chocolates. I let each of the kids pick one chocolate for after dinner. Norah wore most of hers, as usual.

A few weeks ago, Ben put Norah in her car seat with a neon sherbet push-pop from the ice cream man. When I came back to the car she had her whole hand inside the tube scooping out sherbet, and she was absolutely covered. I recently started using OxiClean Stain Remover. I thought the sherbet shirt was probably destined for the trash, but I decided to experiment with the OxiClean. It took 3 washes to get the stain completely out but it actually worked!
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In the last week two people have asked if I knew where to donate stuffed animals, so I was thinking there may be more of you out there wondering what to do with the mountain of gently-loved teddy bears and Easter bunnies that the kids just had to have but no longer look at. I sent 2 huge boxes to Project Smile. They give stuffed animals to police officers, firefighters, and paramedics to give to children involved in traumatic situations. They also give stuffed animals to elderly people transitioning to nursing homes.

Here are the guidelines:

• Size: Due to the size limitations in the police cruisers please no stuffed animals over 21 inches.
• Condition: Absolutely no stains or smells from pets, smoke, dust, etc. Please check the stuffed animals for tears, discoloration and worn, pilled or damaged clothing. Please do not wash the stuffed animals or attempt to repair them.
• Battery compartments: We can not accept stuffed animals that have battery compartments.
• No stuffed animals that make noises- such as singing, reciting prayers, etc.
• No commemorative stuffed animals that have years sewn on them.
• Please do not remove the tags.

http://www.projectsmile.org/default.htm
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I mentioned in an earlier post that we found carpenter ants at our camp last weekend. I took the day off from work on Friday and went out to meet the exterminator and get started on the new ceiling. This was the welcoming committee that greeted me at the door. Luckily they all fell victim to the ant bombs Ben and Bernie set off. While I waited for the exterminator I checked out our own gigantic ant farm on the underside of the insulation. It was actually pretty cool if you’re into that kind of thing. You could see the pathways and chambers of the colony, with the stacked up empty cocoons, eggs being carried by adult ants, and larva – all frozen in place. $350 later, we’re guaranteed ant-free for 2008.
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Bernie and I worked for two days until our entire bodies ached, but we finally got the new ceiling up and it looks really nice. It looks so nice that now we need to do something with the walls, floors, and furniture. Not to mention those hideous “hand-hewn” beams. Oh well…maybe next year.
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