Beware of Panic or Anxiety Attacks, they may be a sign of worse to come

Re reading the title, I can see how this might cause some over concern in the hypochondriacs of the world, the story does need to be told though.

I was reading through the local newspaper this morning and I ran across a front page story of a local Delta Girl, Brandi Knapp, who died of an undiagnosed heart condition known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. I guess I should say her condition was mis-diagnosed SEVERAL TIMES. Apparently the local hack doctor(s) said he rapid and irregular heart beats as well as dizziness and shortness of breath were caused by PANIC ATTACKS.

This 13 year old girl lived a very happy existance and from how the story reads, was always friendly to everyone, even the unpopular and picked on kids. It is a sad thing when a child with so much zest for life and caring for others leaves this world so early. Even worse is the fact her condition whould have been treatable had her doctor done his/her job properly. A simple Elecro-cardiogram (ECG) would have exposed her condition and Brandi would not have died such an untimely death.

The condition is a result of an extra connection in the heart which causes an abnormally fast heartbeat and other symptoms such as dizziness. My hope is those searching for INFORMATION ON ANXIETY or PANIC ATTACKS read this article and push their doctors for a more thorough examination. With modern technology the way it is, there is no need for any more 13 year old children to die of a completely managable condition.

In closing, I hope the lazy assed doctors who's complacency caused Brandi's untimely death get sued for all they are worth and banned from medical practice. This is NOT a little mistake.

Here is the original Story:

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The first thing people noticed about Brandi Knapp was her ever-changing hair colour. It could be red one day, streaked with blue the next, blonde the week after that. A fashion-conscious teen, she loved to dress with flair and march to her own drum, happily snapping photos along the way.

"She always took a different path, even as a little girl," remembers her mom, Lisa.

"She just liked to do things differently. She didn't like to be like everybody else, that's all." She wasn't entirely a non-conformist, though.

"She listened when we told her something. With the hair and clothes, I let her do what she wanted, as long as she didn't act out in other ways, which she didn't. She was good." Creative.

Different.

Caring.

Social.

Cheerful.

These are other words used to describe the young, photogenic Deltan, whose life was cut short after suffering the unthinkable: cardiac arrest triggered by an undiagnosed heart defect.

The day it happened plays like a movie in Lisa's mind, in full detail. For those close to Brandi Marie Knapp, it's like a real-life horror film. Until too late, her parents knew nothing about Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, an alphabet-soup jumble of words used to define abnormal electric pathways in the heart that cause disruption to its normal rhythm.

Like Brandi, people with WPW are born with an extra connection in the heart, leading to an abnormally fast heartbeat and symptoms such as dizziness and shortness of breath.

Over the 13 years of her life, Brandi had complained to her parents about these irritants.

"Doctors told us it was just anxiety, panic attacks," recalls Lisa.

In rare cases, the syndrome can lead to cardiac arrest and sudden death.

"If we'd known she had this," says Lisa, "all we would have had to do is take her into emergency and her take some medication, or have them stop her heart to put it back into rhythm. We had no idea."

On Thanksgiving Day, Brandi woke up feeling good and excited about meeting a friend at Pinewood Elementary. It was a familiar trip for the first-year Seaquam Secondary student, who, since Kindergarten, had bused to the Watershed Park-area school from her family's home on Ladner Truck Road. This time out, her mom drove her.

"Usually," recalls Lisa, "she'd give me a hug or just say, 'Thanks for the ride, mom,' but that time she gave me a real kiss, on the lips. That was nice."

Brandi met her friend and off they went for the day.

Little more than an hour later, Lisa received a phone call.

It was Brandi, and she wasn't feeling well.

Her mom told her to relax and try to catch her breath, maybe lie down for a bit.

A couple hours later, another phone call from Brandi, this time asking her mom to pick her up.

"I could hear in her voice that something wasn't right."

She'd thrown up and looked like she'd come down with the flu.

At home, Brandi lied down on the couch and dry-heaved several times. She grew unresponsive as the afternoon wore on, her body cold and clammy.

By dinner time, Lisa put her hand on her daughter's stomach while dad Kevin watched over her. At that very moment, Brandi gasped as her head was thrown back and her back arched.

Cardiac arrest.

Paramedics arrived on the scene in decent time, but the first ambulance wasn't equipped with a defibrillator to help restart Brandi's broken heart. As the clock ticked, she slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness.

Five days later, she died in hospital.

On Sunday, nearly 400 people - family, friends, neighbours and teachers - said goodbye to Brandi at Valley View Funeral Home in Surrey.

They remembered her as a social butterfly who sang in the school choir and loved to bake, figure-skate and create giant collages of photos, many of them self-portraits.

She always championed the underdog, treating others like she'd want to be treated.

"She really took that to heart," says Lisa. "I've heard stories now about her stepping up and making friends with the kids who were picked on and made fun of. That was her."

Brandi talked of being a model when she grew up, or maybe an actress.

But her dreams were dashed by WPW, a potentially deadly acronym for a syndrome that can only be detected by a cardiologist using an electrocardiogram (ECG) test.

At the hospital with Brandi comatose, her parents were told about the syndrome, which isn't well known and is difficult to diagnose.

"Now we know what it is," Kevin says with resignation.

"Too late."

This week, Lisa said she's going to be tested for WPW, having suffered panic attacks, as is Brandi's older sister Becky.

"The only thing that could help losing her," says Lisa, "is if we could have one parent whose child is having panic attacks, to take the child to a doctor and push the issue, get the tests done. If we'd known more, we'd have had the tests done in a heartbeat, if we knew it was something more serious than just panic attacks. If we can save one child and the parents from going through something like this, that's what we hope for."

In Brandi's honour, a Knapp Family Trust Fund has been set up at VanCity branch 7, account number 486753.

Daylight savings Time Vs Dubbya - Just tell me the damn time

This has been a thorn in my side since its' inception. Back a few years ago, wanting some sort of legacy, George W. Bush decided in his inifinate stupidity that changing the length of daylight savings time would be a good thing for the environment. I guess this was better than angering his gas guzzling chronies back in the Lonestar state by making some real environment helping changes.

So what does this mean for you, the person searching for various time related keywords like daylight savings time, time change 2008, daylight savings time 2008 usa, fall back 2008, daylight savings time change, daylight savings time, daylight savings, when is daylight savings time, what time is it, time, time change fall, time change 2008, daylight savings time 2008, time change, daylight saving time, daylight savings time, daylight saving time, standard time, world time clock, time and various other related search terms....

Basically it means, if your cellphone moved the time up by one hour, you have an extra hour to sleep. no hold on Fall is fall back so that would mean what was 8AM is now 7Am but because of George Bush it is really 8AM for another 2 weeks because Bush is a fvcking idiot. My head hurts and I just want to know "WHAT TIME IS IT?"

In honour of Dubbya, and as a public service to the masses, let the Pigs tell you the real time.

PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (PST)


EASTERN STANDARD TIME (EST)


MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME (MST)




The bill amends the Uniform Time Act of 1966 by changing the start and end dates of daylight saving time, beginning in 2007. Clocks were set ahead one hour on the second Sunday of March (March 11, 2007) instead of on the first Sunday of April (April 1, 2007). Clocks were set back one hour on the first Sunday in November (November 4, 2007), rather than on the last Sunday of October (October 28, 2007).

Chemical Burns caused by Carter's Baby Garments spur "Press Release" but not an official recall???

Not really my article, but it did catch my attention. This post comes from Nicole at http://windbornelife.blogspot.com

As a mom, I feel responsible for sharing information about this news with you. Carter's has made a press release (but not a recall, which is infuriating), about the "tagless" clothes in their fall 2007 line. They are causing chemical burns on some babies and young kids. Here is the press release from the Consumer Products Safety Commission. I know this problem only affects a small percentage of consumers, but Carter's was a brand I trusted and it is discouraging to have that trust marred.

This really contributes to the overall paranoid feeling you might naturally have as a parent that the world can be a dangerous place for your baby. Just as our parents thought "You can't trust the government," I feel that our generation must think, "You can't trust corporations." And in a free market economy, it is pretty scary to not be able to trust corporations. Since Mac has been born, we've seen it again and again: The plastic bottles and cups we heated leached chemicals into his body. The organic formula we used was loaded with cheap sugar. The clothes we put him in caused chemical burns on some. I know it needs to be kept in perspective (how many hundreds of products do we use that don't cause any problems?), but I am still allowed to be discouraged!

Anyway, I will put away my soapbox for now. But, if you want to sign up for CPSC recall emails (on children's stuff or anything else) here is the link: https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx

For more information on the Carter's Inc Baby Garment issue

Dr. Phil the Media Whore seeks out Whore

So there is now a rumour going around that Dr. Phil Cheated on his wife of 31 years. In my search for information on Dr. Phil Cheating and the Dr. Phil Affair, I ran into this interesting article whic kind of illustrates how I feel about the Media Whore that is Dr. Phil.

Enjoy

The medical community is fed up with “Dr.” Phil. The last straw came when he showed up to counsel Britney when she was hospitalized and then immediately had a press conference stating his opinion of her condition. Although Britney was never a patient of Dr. Phil’s, if a doctor were to reveal information about a patient’s condition this would be a violation of HIPPA laws.

However, Dr. Phil is not a licensed psychologist. He claims the “Dr.” in the Dr. Phil name because he has a Ph.D. in psychology. He did have a license 20 years ago. Dr. Phil was reprimanded by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists for an “inappropriate dual relationship” with a therapy client in 1988; McGraw was required to take ethics classes in order to continue his private practice in Texas. McGraw admits to giving the client a job at his office (which of course isn’t allowed) but denied carrying on a sexual relationship with the 19 year old, who says their relationship was both sexual and codependent. Shortly thereafter he founded Courtroom Sciences, Inc. which is how he met the great and powerful Oprah.

Dr. Phil and wife, Robin, love to tell everyone that they have been happily married for 31 years. 1988 was just twenty years ago. If Dr. Phil had a relationship with the 19 year old client-turned-secretary then it would have been during his marriage to Robin. This adds another blemish to “Dr.” Phil’s image–or rather, the image he wants us to believe.

Practicing psychology without a license is a felony. What can authorities really do to him? They can’t take away the license that he doesn’t have. However, the medical community wants to protect the public from Dr. Phil. They are seeking to have a disclaimer that plays before each of his shows stating that Phil is not a licensed medical professional and that most of his advice goes against medical advice.
Also, any person that is on his show signs a waiver stating that they understand that Dr. Phil doesn’t have a license. Dr. Phil certainly seems to know his way around the law. If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness, then you cannot go on his show. Why? Because Phil doesn’t have a license, he only has a degree in psychology. Phil can’t legally counsel a person with a diagnosed mental illness. He failed to renew his license after the affair allegations. The waiver that people on his show sign states the following:

* You do not suffer from mental illness.

* You are not under psychiatric care.

* You understand “anything” Dr. Phil says is not therapy or a substitute for any form of therapy. (So what’s the point of his show?)

If you can’t or won’t sign the waiver, the producers won’t allow you on the show — for your own protection. Which sort of undercuts the whole “he’s a qualified mental health professional” right?

When the fame-whoring “Dr.” Phil heard about the Britney Spears fiasco he probably saw a great opportunity–for himself. Britney is probably the most talked-about celebrity on the planet. Also, Britney has not been formally diagnosed (that anyone knows of) with a psychological condition. “Dr.” Phil thought he could get in on some of that Britney publicity.

Wonder what Oprah thinks? We do too. Dr. Phil isn’t the first faker that she has endorsed on her show. Remember James Frey and Dr. Jan Adams (R.I.P. Donda West)? Currently, Oprah is trying to get Barack Obama into the White House. Let’s hope Barack is everything that Oprah believes him to be. He could be our next president

For More on the Dr. Phil Cheating Story

The Chinese are killing our babies

So they have a population problem. The thing is we don't and Chinese companies are found at fault for the deaths of yet 2 more infants. This time a crib joins the long list of deadly products manufactured in China. Of course we are also at fault, as western culture seems to be geared towards getting something for nothing or at least finding the cheapest price irregardless of quality.

In fact, the word "quality" has been overused by companies like ADT, Alarmforce and even insurance companies we really don't know what it means. All we do know is companies use the word to convince us that we need to buy their shit. Yes, Alarmforce and ADT wireless systems are shit. Of course that is off topic, I was just trying to illustrate how we fall for these cheap or "no charge" options believing we will get "Quality" when history and common economics dictates lowest price usually means low standards, and cost cutting measures.

At the same time, these people falling for this "cheap is good" garbage are in unions demanding more money for the work they do. Odd, they want more money, but yet they will not support the same for other industries. Where I come from that is called Hypocrisy.

All that being said, it is very hard finding something NOT made in China these days.

Sad state of affairs.

For More information on the Delta Crib recall visit

Nothing is worse than rap crap.. Except Wigger Rap

No more than 2 days after my wife asked me "What ever happened to eminem?" To preface this, we were talking about crap groups like Hanson at the time. We were watching an episode of House where House had his ring tone set to some song from Hansen. It scares me that I even recognized the song.

So anyways, onto the topic at hand. Apparently, wigger bad ass wannabe Eminem has decided to pollute the radio waves with more of his misogynistic Plastic Wrap (just came up with that now)

So the title of the new album is going to be "Relapse" which generally refers to something bad coming back again. There ya go, the title says it all, like a bout of Diarrhea, Eminem is back.

Chinese Fur Farms - BOYCOTT ANYTHING MADE IN CHINA

I just got this email today. Typically I ignore petition emails as they are usually crap. Honestly, I wish I had ignored this Email. Watching the video of the assholes at a Chinese fur farm has stunned me. As I am writing this post, I am struggling with words to describe how I feel about the situation. Disturbed, sick, saddened and disgusted don't even begin to describe my feelings at this moment in time. It is sort of a numb stomach curling extremely sad feeling.

AQUARIUS, one of our PET Chinchilla's
As I child, I grew up with pets of all sorts, hamsters, Guinea pigs and dogs. Currently, I have 6 very spoiled PET Chinchilla's, and my parents have two dogs which I enjoy visiting and they seem to enjoy the visits. Having been around pets all my life, I know they have feelings and they respond to attention and love.

It sickens me to no end that a group of individuals would consider this type of activity acceptable, further to add to my disdain I cannot believe that a government could condone such activity. China is a communist country, so you better believe they condone this. In fact, they are making money off it.


HERE IS THE VIDEO. If you have small children in the room or have a week stomach, you may not want to watch it.

Some Animals are not as lucky as Aquarius.

This is the same country that just recently hosted the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and also manufactures many of the goods consumed by the western world today. PETA is looking to have a petition signed so they can act on these atrocities. Me, I would like to suggest the world stop buying good made by these dirtbags. I am not one to promote hatred against a country, and I understand that all the people in a country cannot be held accountable for the actions of their government.

I consider myself a capitalist and definitely like to save money and make money and am far from a tree hugger. That being said, I ask you to join me in this boycott of good made in China. I know it is difficult to find good made elsewhere, and sometimes it may be impossible. However, most products do have alternatives.


I purposely did not put any ads within this content of this post as I do not want anything to distract from the message within.

HERE IS AN OPINION POLL FROM PETA, it only takes 1 minute to answer please do so
Here is the text from PETA

When undercover investigators made their way onto Chinese fur farms recently, they found that many animals are still alive and struggling desperately when workers flip them onto their backs or hang them up by their legs or tails to skin them. When workers on these farms begin to cut the skin and fur from an animal's leg, the free limbs kick and writhe. Workers stomp on the necks and heads of animals who struggle too hard to allow a clean cut.

When the fur is finally peeled off over the animals' heads, their naked, bloody bodies are thrown onto a pile of those who have gone before them. Some are still alive, breathing in ragged gasps and blinking slowly. Some of the animals' hearts are still beating five to 10 minutes after they are skinned. One investigator recorded a skinned raccoon dog on the heap of carcasses who had enough strength to lift his bloodied head and stare into the camera.

Before they are skinned alive, animals are pulled from their cages and thrown to the ground; workers bludgeon them with metal rods or slam them on hard surfaces, causing broken bones and convulsions but not always immediate death. Animals watch helplessly as workers make their way down the row.


Undercover investigators from Swiss Animal Protection/EAST International recently toured fur farms in China's Hebei Province, and it quickly became clear why outsiders are banned from visiting. There are no regulations governing fur farms in China—farmers can house and slaughter animals however they see fit—meaning miserable lives and excruciating deaths. The investigators found horrors beyond their worst imaginings and concluded, "Conditions on Chinese fur farms make a mockery of the most elementary animal welfare standards. In their lives and their unspeakable deaths, these animals have been denied even the simplest acts of kindness."


On these farms, foxes, minks, rabbits, and other animals pace and shiver in outdoor wire cages, exposed to driving rain, freezing nights, and, at other times, scorching sun. Mother animals, who are driven crazy from rough handling and intense confinement and have nowhere to hide while giving birth, often kill their babies after delivering litters. Disease and injuries are widespread, and animals suffering from anxiety-induced psychosis chew on their own limbs and throw themselves repeatedly against the cage bars.


The globalization of the fur trade has made it impossible to know where fur products come from. Skins move through international auction houses and are purchased and distributed to manufacturers around the world, and finished goods are often exported. China supplies more than half of the finished fur garments imported for sale in the United States. Even if a fur garment's label says it was made in a European country, the animals were likely raised and slaughtered elsewhere—possibly on an unregulated Chinese fur farm.

Because a fur's origin can't be traced, anyone who wears any fur at all shares the blame for the horrific conditions on Chinese fur farms. The only way to prevent such unimaginable cruelty is never to wear any fur. Take PETA's pledge to be fur-free today!



http://www.peta.org/feat/ChineseFurFarms/index.asp

Another Animal Cruelty Case

I say they should dump this fuck head down an outhouse.
I really find it hard to believe the lack of humanity some "people" show. There isn't all to much more I can say about this case, it sickens me.

PINCHER CREEK, Alta. - A man has been convicted of animal cruelty for dumping five puppies down an outhouse toilet last January and leaving them to die.

The Crown is seeking jail time for Frederick Hoath, 57, of Fernie, B.C., who was found guilty in provincial court in Pincher Creek, Alta. He is to be sentenced Jan. 27. A co-accused in the case, Samantha Rieberger, has pleaded not guilty and is to stand trial Feb. 9.

RCMP received a 911 call from a motorist who had stopped to use the outhouse in the Crowsnest Pass on the Alberta-B.C. boundary and heard whining coming from inside.


Five Lab-cross puppies about eight weeks old had been tossed into the outhouse pit and were eventually rescued after the structure was dismantled.