I've not been able to put much real weight on it, and it is now bruised all down the outside edge and across the instep in a line - sort of - with my third toe in from the outside.  Have been doing ice and elevation, and starting last night, staying off it as much as possible (as much as people tried to help with the birthday thing, I just could not seem to stay off my feet!).

I called the orthopaedic doc today, and I have an appointment for tomorrow; as I explained to the secretary, I could have just gone to the ER or the local free-standing 24 hr clinic for an x-ray, but I really didn't want to be sitting with all the people who think they have the flu...

My brother and his family were supposed to be coming to the party, but when my sister-in-law called - hacking and hoarse and sounding like death - and said my brother wasn't coming because he was home throwing up, I told her that as much as I appreciated the effort she was making to come over, I would prefer that she and my niece (whose best friend just got over H1N1) - just stay home.  I hope she wasn't offended, but I certainly didn't want my 79 yr old mother exposed to their cornucopia of germs/virus.  And from the looks on everyone's faces as they listened to my end of the conversation, no one else wanted what they have, either!

As for airplane passengers - I expect that anyone truly concerned would wear a mask and carry sanitizer and wipes to keep themselves safe.  

The seasonal flu wave has not yet hit.  This means you should still get the seasonal vaccine if you want and haven't already.  It also means that people shouldn't relax after the H1N1 wave passes - there's still more flu coming.  Keep up the hand washing and other precautions.

I hate, hate, hate, hate flying. I've been on my share of planes. I was considering going on vacation this year but as I'd have to fly to the destination I decided against it. That's right: the tour company, hotel, restaurants, destination all lost money simply because I do not want to put up with the hassle and degradation of flying during the little time off my employer gives me. Half the time their planes are disgusting (crusted with dirt and God knows what else) and -- honest to God -- the planes stink of refuse and worse. Forget about flying first class because it's the same exact experience in a larger chair.

There are so many things we all share, such as money. I don't intend to go around wearing gloves all the time, but who knows what it will come to eventually.And we all know of a time we were on a plane next to a sick person and just knew you were going to be sick in a few days. And you were.

How many of you had the 1976 "Swine Flu" shot? I did. They had to stop it because too many people were dying from it.On 60 Minutes last night they were saying people born before 1952 have the least chance of getting it because of the flu strains that happened before that time. Interesting concept.

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years.

The following message given by him, makes a lot of sense.

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing.

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you
   

don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in
the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic
symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every
day with warm salt water . Not everybody may use a Neti pot
(very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population. Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and inexpensive....under $15.        

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C . If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.
   

Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in
the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Pass this on.  You never know who might pay attention to it - and STAY ALIVE because of it.
 

I actually just quit volunteering at the local no-kill animal shelter here for the winter because so many of the volunteers are kids, and constantly come in sneezing and coughing all over the place, using the computer and phone. I always clean the mouse, keyboard and phone first thing, but with cases of swine flu being reported at the elementary school here, I decided to stay away for now.

On one station the talk show host was ranting about those who do not get the H1N1 vaccine.  The message:  Anyone who does not get the shot is irresponsible (children are dying!), foolish (they question everything when they should leave it to the experts) or gullible (they listen to those alternative medicine wingnuts).  The talk show host began to quote an alternative doctor whose message was to bolster your immune system with supplements, get your rest and excercise, and practice good hygiene; then you won't need to get the flu shot.

The talk show host began by admitting that some of the advice was good, even reading quotes about washing hands etc.  But then something funny happened.  When the quotes started to be about why the alternative doctor had problems with the flu shots, the talk show host abruptly stopped quoting, and began ranting, "Just don't listen to them.  Don't listen to this utter nonsense!" (Perhaps not a direct quote, but to the best of my memory that was the intent of the statement.)

I find it fascinating that the actual reasons why people might not want to get the shot were suddenly censored.