Christian Photographers Community

No news here today.  I got home from work a little while ago, now I need to go order some frames for some things I got ready to frame last night.  I had been letting the framing slide, gotta keep up!

The wind isn't as strong today, which makes me happy.

So sad for the people in Myanmar and China.  After having been to China twice, my heart really aches for them.  The people we met were all so friendly and welcoming.  I hate to see them hurting so.......

Did I hear that there's 15,000 dead now, Janet but probably thousands more?

Awful...

Your thoughts?





"Terminal sedation" is a process in which a person with a severe illness or injury who is terminal -- or perhaps in a supposed "vegetative state" -- is sedated until unconscious and then starved to death. Rita Marker of the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide believes the practice is fairly common.

"Those who favor assisted suicide, for example, have defined it as ... both sedating the person and removing food and fluids," says Marker. "And then they say, well, you see, they're going to die anyway within 5 to 21 days."

As Marker explains, the process is completely legal. "First of all, a person can be sedated if they are in a great deal of pain. Secondly, under all state laws, food and fluids provided by tube -- which they would have to be if the person is sedated -- would be considered medical treatment [that] can be removed from the person who is sedated. So legally speaking, it is something that can be done."

Should 'terminal sedation' be a legal alternative to assisted suicide?

Marker is especially concerned over a West Coast attempt to use terminal sedation to circumvent the ban on doctor assisted-suicide. "[T]here is a bill pending in California which actually would tell doctors that they're supposed to let patients know if they have been diagnosed with having a condition that will cause their death within a year," she says. "If the patient wants to know [their] options, [doctors] are supposed to inform them of all kinds of options, including ... terminal sedation."

The task force recommends individuals visit their website for free legal documents in which they can stipulate that terminal sedation be ruled out. An individual also needs to have a second party named to make decisions for them if they are unable, but it must be a person who fully agrees with their position.

Pat, thank you for posting the ongoing news about Myanmar.  I just can't imagine the heartbreak.  Mine does too, as I pray.  It's like a light in the dark to hear of Christian love already being there.  No, it's not LIKE a light, it IS a LIGHT.  I'm also praying for those who are there as the hands of Christ. 

...and the earthquake in China.  So much suffering.  I know we are to take it to  God, pray as the Holy Spirit leads, and then leave it with Him, but still....it is so heavy and it's almost like the pain of such magnitude can be felt by our hearts....as we share Christ's heart.  It's so important to keep casting this off onto His shoulders, even as we mourn with the survivors and pray for their salvation. 

Etta Sue...I've sent you an email about your vignette question.

It's a lovely day here....warm, but some wind.  I'm getting ready to start mowing in the back yard.  I can't believe how quickly it's grown.

I've voted about the changes in our albums.  I think if any of us want to keep anything, we can always copy before we delete.  I have everything on my computer, so am looking forward to the new look.

Blessings,  Nita

I hope feel better soon.

Thanks Nita...

I've looked into this new software and it's fantastic.  And we can have at the left hand side of our page here a little slide show that shows either Random photos or the Latest Uploads in the gallery.  Then if you see something you'd like to comment on and you missed, you can click on the thumbnail and voila! you're there.

Yes, Myanmar (Burma) is just awful. 

I have another update to post.

Myanmar cyclone death toll could climb to 127 thousand


YANGON, Myanmar - The Red Cross says the death toll in Myanmar's cyclone may be between 68,833 and 127,990.



The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says it arrived at the figure by pooling and extrapolating assessments by other aid groups and organizations.


It says in a situation report on Myanmar that the total affected population is between 1.64 million and 2.51 million.


The report issued today noted that "official government casualty figures remain significantly lower."


The government says 34,273 people were killed and 27,838 are missing.


The Red Cross figure is the highest reported so far. The U.N. has said the number of dead could be between 60,000 and 100,000.

Hi, friends,

Just trying to keep my head above water this afternoon. My son feels better today, so we're heading out to look for a storage building to put in our back yard. I think that may be a really good way of spending that government rebate check and $ome more, of cour$e!!

Marilyn, it may be good that you've waited to have the x-rays. My best friend was involved in a horrible accident recently where a speeding car hit her in her driver's side without braking at all. They had to use the jaws of life to free her from the wreckage. At any rate, when they got her to the hospital, they x-rayed her all over and couldn't find any broken bones. Several days later, she was still in so much pain that she phoned her regular doctor, who ordered x-rays of her ribs again, and that time they discovered 4 broken ribs. Yikes! These injuries can certainly be painful. Yet, aren't we ALL thankful you may have held your damage to a minimum and that my friend Mary's life was spared and that she's beginning to recover, too.

Y'all have a good evening.

Pat, to answer "YOUR THOUGHTS" post.

When my father had his heart attack, the swelling in his brain caused him to go into a "semi-comatose/chronic vegetative" state.  The doctors guessed, by all outward indications, that my father would only live a few weeks. 

My mother insisted they insert a feeding tube.  He came home with hospice after a few weeks in the hospital (indicating that his condition was imminently terminal).  When he started developing pressure sores, hospice would not treat them, or assist my mother in preventing more of them.  They eventually "dropped her" because she was too aggressive in how she wanted to care for him.

My point?  My father lived 2 1/2 years after his heart attack, and had a feeding tube the whole time.  His brothers and sister all felt that the feeding tube was "life support" and needed to be removed because we were keeping him alive artificially.  (Note -- he died despite having the feeding tube, so if it was life support, it didn't completely work ). 

Yes, of course people will die within 5 to 21 days without food -- there's a good chance you might as well.  If not die, get very sick.  :/

So, I think it is just another step of legalizing the murder of those around us that inconvenience us in any form.

Off my soapbox as I could go on and on and on and on and on and on.

Thanks Karma... 

My thoughts exactly and my thoughts do go back to the lady in Florida that we all tried to help back then when the courts agreed to remove her feeding tube.  Her name just escapes me at the moment but I'll think of it later.

Pat her name was Terry Schaivo

That's it, Marilyn!  Thanks!

Good Morning, I am doing a little better this morning, I slept real good and the pain has subsided somewhat. I still did not go to Curves this morning,  I do not want to irritate  anything. Keith gave me orders yesterday not to walk Happy, because he pulls on the leash, to rest, no heavy cleaning or vacuuming. it is nice to have someone who cares. I did take Bebe for her walk yesterday, she can walk by herself off leash, she stays right with me and doesn't run off. Happy would take of way ahead of me.

Pat the photos in the challenge are going to be so hard to vote for, so many  and ALL are so fantastic. All y-all are doing a great job in the challenge.


Pat on  "your thoughts" :

QuoteMarker is especially concerned over a West Coast attempt to use terminal sedation to circumvent the ban on doctor assisted-suicide. "[T]here is a bill pending in California which actually would tell doctors that they're supposed to let patients know if they have been diagnosed with having a condition that will cause their death within a year," she says. "If the patient wants to know [their] options, [doctors] are supposed to inform them of all kinds of options, including ... terminal sedation."

Like Karma's father; I to know someone who was sent home with Hospice given only 2 weeks to live with terminal pneumonia. In that two weeks he greatly improved, this was 7 years ago and he is still alive and preaching at 89 years old. Hospice was amazed at  his speedy recovery and left after the 2 weeks. Of course we were all praying for his healing too.

In my opinion this would be murder to let a person starve to death in 5-21 days or to have terminal sedation.  Doctors are committed by oath to save lives not to end lives. They use overdoses of sedation and paralyzing drugs  when they give the needle as the death penalty. It would be the same thing as an execution of the patient.

Hi everyone.  I checked here yesterday morning and didn't get back the rest of the day so was quite a few postings behind this morning.  Pat it looks like all went smoothly.

We are awaiting the beginning of rain this morning and then the possibility of severe storms this afternoon.  Fortunately, I have done my running around and errands this morning, the trash has been picked up the buggy is back at the house so other than getting the mail this afternoon really don't have to go outside again today.  I made a trip to Wal-Mart for a return after coffee and walking this morning.  I was able to purchase a few supplies we needed so will save another trip. 

We continue to have a terrible time with our telephones.  The new ones I bought don't eliminate the hum on the line and I have again called the telephone company and reported the problem.  Either they get it fixed within the next few days or we are going to go to something different and drop ATT for phone service.  Unfortunately you can't talk to a human when you call and so far no one has called me back to followup on the same report I called in last week. 

Marilyn, sorry about the fall and do hope you haven't broken ribs.  Falls are so unexpected and can have such long lasting effects.  Glad to see you are taking things easy in terms of stress to your upper body.

Janet, a double shift sounds like torture.  Are you having your family reunion at your place this year?

Judy, these company are very good about introducing new products and forgetting about those they have already sold.  Glad you were able to find the part for the customer.

Ruth Ann, I expect you will find that getting the photos off your camera is a snap once you have gone through the process. 

Karmat, interesting comments on the subject Pat posed.  I think each case needs to be considered individually. 

Well I have a lot I want to get done today and the morning is about gone so will stop for now without trying to comment to everyone.  I did read all the comments.

Quote from: Marilyn on May 15, 2008, 10:07:35 AM

Pat the photos in the challenge are going to be so hard to vote for, so many  and ALL are so fantastic. All y-all are doing a great job in the challenge.

I know, Marilyn!!!!!!!!!!!!  I've in awe of the entries we have on there.  We have some wonderful images and all of them deserve to win!

Quote

8 more days Pat

I think it's nine, Marilyn!  HAHAHA!  And I have about nineteen days of stuff to do!!!

Hello from a rather cloudy day on the island.  Have had constant rain until today.  Cold and wet.  Now the forcast is for it to suddenly go from cool to hot....forcasting great increase the next few days, going to 90 on Sat.  Could be the weather person is a little 'off'....in more ways than one?    No sun in sight at the moment!

The painter and crew have not finished, won't be back for a month!!!  The floor crew has not completed the work, tho all the wood is in place, damaged some and it is supposed to be replaced.  Good luck on that one.  The plumbers have not sealed some of the sinks, etc.  Taps loose in one bathroom....Electrician is nowhere in sight....   We have heard so many stories about the destruction done by tradespeople ....  building new homes and damaged before even lived in.  Houses drywalled in the rain, without the roof built.  They have left a trail of damage here and the kids are so unhappy.  My daughter is in terrible pain from all the work and stressed beyond belief.  She can barely walk and will need to go to the specialist for another shot in her neck, hopefully also in the back.  In case you are wondering, these tradespeople are supposed to be the best around...the painter is even a Christian.  His daughter worked for him and he let her go...she did lots of damage here while pretending to work.  This is a divorced woman with two children.  Used to paint with her cell phone in one hand and the roller in the other.  I am too old for this word

Try to pray for all the problems around.  Find it getting harder by the moment.  So many problems right here.  As a person whose body has dealt with my own chronic pain for many years, I agree with Larry about Pat's question.  Think it is something that needs to be dealt with on an individual basis.  To me, personally, quality of life is more important than quantity.

Must go and have a look at the pictures in the challenge.  So many good ones to choose from...Hope everyone has a nice day.  Listen to Keith, Marilyn. 

God Bless,

Liz

Hi Liz...

I'm so sorry about all the unfinished work in that house!!!    It seems as if it's been an ongoing chore for such a long time now.  It's very depressing for you.

Well, it's supposed to get up well above 80 degrees here today.  That's summer.  And the gas prices are up over $4.10.  Obviously, the oil companies have no conscience.

Nita ~ Thank you bunches for the help and files you have given me so I can now vignette!! 

Busy. busy, busy!  Tony came last night.  Got the oil and filter changed on the mower.  He couldn't get the bolt off of one of the blades so had to pull the deck out from under the mower.  He got the blade off and for some reason stood the deck up sideways and leaned it on the mower.  The deck fell.  One of the belts cames off the deck.  When he went to put it back on, the deck was broken.  So he loaded it in the back of his pickup to take to work and get it welded back. 

He called later and said the deck is fixed.  He welded it himself in his garage. 

He called back and said he was on his way back here to get the mower going again. 

Then he noticed the ground drive belt was about broken.  The only thing holding it was the backing.  You don't go anywhere if it is broke. 

In the meantime, I picked up the bucket of old oil to move it and the handle broke.  Four pints of oil on my garage floor.  Thank God, I had kitty litter in the garage...probably from when Jerry worked in the garage.  Hope that cleans up in a day or two. 

So today I went to Sears and got a belt and also to WalMart for some groceries. 

Now I am to meet Kitty at 5:15 for pizza and then for lesson at the Photo Guild.

It's $1.26 per liter here in Guelph, Alan.  That's a little over $5.00 per gallon!!!

I love your little 'eek', Pat.  Exactly how things feel at the moment.  The kids are going to the States for five days the last week of this month, am looking forward to some peace. Even tho' it means looking after the six rabbits and two cats, etc.  Time to start smiling again...

Forgot to mention that the Anne Murray concert was wonderful.  She still has a wonderful voice and I was thrilled to see her in person.  We had a floor seat and were quite close, so that was really special.

The sun has come out.  I am going to ignore stuff and go outside with a book and read.  Can't run away physically, so will do the next best thing.  Could be the weather person is on track this time....

Liz

Hi Liz

That little "eek" can be found if you click on the "More" in the Smilies.  Then you just click on it.   What you type is : eek: with no spaces and it will look like this: 

Liz, I'm so happy that you enjoyed Anne Murray.  Did I tell you that I drove her kids on the school bus many years ago?  And Anne
still lives in the same house and it's not a huge pretentious house.  It's a ranch style bungalow.

Good evening all from a beautiful evening here on the Race Road. It has been absolutely lovely since I came here. Colin and his family are wonderful, and Colin and I have been all over taking pictures and videos. I don't think there is any place else on earth that is so beautiful, and the people are so friendly.

I have read the posts and will be praying. Time to go back to my corner. Have a blessed and restful evening in the Lord.

Still Trusting In Him,
Jeannine

Hi Jeannine...

Happy you checked in.  I know all about that beauty and the wonderful Ulsterfolk!

Please vote in our poll, Jeannine about the new Gallery Software and tell Colin to do so as well?

Thanks!

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=6927.0

Larry, I agree with you.  We all have our own ideas and experiences with end of life issues.  When Ron died, it was because we had them take the machines away.  He kept oxygen and that was all.  The doctor tried to tell us we could have him transported to a long term VA facility and on kidney machine for life, he could have "some quality of life".  I was horrified.  A nurse came and talked to the family later, and said we'd have to tell the doctor what we wanted.    We did.

We all gathered around Ron, while he was still conscious, and touched him and spoke to him.  He asked his son if he was dying, and Skeet told him it "didn't look good".  He didn't want machines.  We already knew that.

When we were alone, just he, myself and Kim, our daughter, I talked to him about the Lord.  About how much He loved him.  He said "I wish I could believe".   Kim and I sat with him while his organs were shutting down.   I laid my head on the pillow next to his ear and told him again that all he had to do was accept what Jesus did for him.  If he could do that....if he could just say "Yes.  I believe, Lord", then he would be.  I talked to him of my own coming to the Lord, and how he'd seen such change in me, and that was for him too.  Kim cried gently in the background, but the feeling was that we were in the presence of God, and she was also in awe.

I whispered in his ear, "Ron, if you can believe, if you've said yes to Jesus, then it's ok to let go.  You don't have to fight anymore.  It's ok to leave.  We'll be ok."

We sat and watched, from that very moment, the machine monitoring his heartbeat and the various dials gently head left and finally to zero.  He was gone.  And the way he wanted, and we felt that we had only done what was right for Ron by not keeping him on machines.  I know he said, "Yes" to Jesus in his dying moments.  My heart is at total peace about this.

Another family may have had him put on a kidney machine and visited him as often as they could.  And it would be right for them.

My brother had hospice, and they were able to give him medication to stop the terrible pain of stomach cancer.  It gave him time to sing for the last time with his sisters, "Jesus Loves Me" in the most incredible harmony,  and to hear again the gospel message from his sister, Faye. Though his mind was messed up already (not from drugs but from an infection in his brain), he was able to respond, just like a child, "Now I feel saved."   When the pain got worse, the last night, they upped the drugs and he died peacefully.   He died belonging to our wonderful Savior.

Both of these deaths have been so inspiring to know that there is a death bed acceptance of Christ, and that in the eyes of God, these dear children are as saved as if they'd walked with Him for all their lives.

This is our Jesus. 

I understand both views, and just wanted to share our story.  Nita

Thanks Nita. 

I so well remember that day for you. 

Thanks, Pat.  Sometimes I remember like it was yesterday, and at other times it seems so long ago.  hugs, Nita

This is a heart-wrenching subject for me.  My Beth is in such terrible physical condition, and I often think about and wonder about what her future will be.  When I called her yesterday, she was not even able to hold the phone up to her ear.  Oh, my........

Still, there is nothing wrong with her mind, so that kind of decisions about her life will only be made by her.  We did write up a living will for her, specifying that in NO CASE should water be withheld from her.  That's the part that got to me in the Terri Schiavo case--that they weren't even allowed to moisten her cracked lips with a cloth moistened in water!  That was pure torture, whether or not she could think clearly or speak.  And I do not think her so-called husband, who was living with another woman and already had two children with her, should have had final say, over her parents who loved her.

But, anyway, Beth's will says that she should receive "comfort care", water, and if I remember correctly, food.  But not to be put on a respirator or other machines to prolong life.  These are all her own wishes.

I do not believe any doctor should deliberately end a patient's life.  The Hippocratic oath begins with "First, do no harm."  Nor do I believe they should prolong life by using machines when the patient is, in all practicality, already dead.  So now you know my opinion, aren't you happy you asked? 

Larry, the double shift was tough, and I will not do that again unless it's a real emergency.  My boss thanked me three times for doing it, but that didn't make my body feel better, just my emotions.  Ha ha.  And yes, we are hosting the reunion here at our house----lots of work getting ready!

I must quit chattering and get to bed soon. 

Pat, I'm thinking of you (and Paul!) each day.  Love you! 

Good morning, I'll be taking my son for some oral surgery this morning, so plan to be with him all day. Y'all have a good day and I'll return if possible later.