Just when I thought my path to recovery was on track, I hit a bump in the road yesterday.
While negotiating a turn on my walker, from hallway to bedroom, the walker hit the side of the doorway and I fell onto the carpeted floor.
No injuries, but I simply couldn’t get up from floor to bed. Even with my wife Vi’s help,
I felt headachy, but my temperature had been 97.8 or 98.2 the past two days.
But when I fell, I knew the temp was higher because my whole body was warm. Vi had earlier taken a reading yesterday, but I was asleep in the morn, just like the two days before., when I had no appetite, was groggy, taking over-the-counter meds.
Recalling my feverish spell last August (when I discovered I had a gall bladder abscess problem that spread to my liver), Vi made an ER call despite my “no need” pleas, and minutes later, an ambulance arrived.
The team of two women first responders did the usual: checked my temperature, which was 100.2, took my blood pressure (didn’t ask, but didn’t see the numbers), and asked about the meds I have been taken.
The big question: should I be whisked to the hospital?
I figured, why not? But clearly, I was not an ER-needy patient. The first responders, who are both nurses and doctors, said that all ER rooms at hospitals are jammed to the max. If I wanted to be treated at Queen’s, which has all my medical history, ER patients typically have a 7-hour wait.
If I were to be shuttled to Kuakini or Adventist Health Castle, the wait might be shorter and the trek longer, but the load is equally full.
Their suggestions: hydrate, take Tylenol to bring down the fever, Ibuprofen if needed and – at least for a few hours because I was toasty warm – sleep in the bedroom with the AC on, to reduce the body heat.
And guess what, the advice worked!
Sharing these thoughts, in case you’re in the same boat.
With airline baggage check-in costs spiraling upwards, are you thinking of cutting back your trips?
JetBlue now charges the most to check in luggage: $45 for the first bag, $60 for the second. Hawaiian Airlines has the lowest fees: for inter-island travel, $25 for the first bag, $35 for the second; for mainland trips, $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second. Delta matches Hawaiian’s $30 and $40 bag fees.
Checking in bags on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines also are more expensive now. So, the immediate dilemma: will you curtail your air travels somewhat, pulling back on recreational travel, and perhaps flying only when it’s a priority?
Fees for checked bags depend on the carrier, how much you pay for your ticket, where you’re flying to, whether you utilize an airline credit card (like Hawaiian’s World Elite charge card), whether you’re a member of an airline loyalty program (like United’s MileagePlus), and other variables. If you check your bags online, not at the airport, there are discounts of $5 or $10.
One blessing: Most carriers allow military fliers to check in bags free.
Some highlights of the new airline policies:
American’s check-in fees now are $40 for the first bag, but $35 if you prepay online, and $45 for the second bag. It used to be $30 and $40, but the rates changed Feb. 20.
JetBlue fees went up in January, and it costs $45 for first bag and $60 for the second checked bag, $10 more now than previous rates. That’s the most expensive baggage fees now. But JetBlue passengers who confirm they’re flying with checked bags ahead of time will pay $35 for their first bag and $50 for their second.
United boasts one of the industry’s most complex plan, detailing hikes depending on how much you pay for your ticket, where you are going, whether you booked via its charge card, and whether you’re a member of its loyalty club. United travelers in North America will pay $5 more for each checked bag now, with the first checked bag fee at $40 or $35 if travelers pay at least 24 hours in advance, and $50 for a second bag, or $45 if travelers pay in advance. United travelers can check a bag for free if they are flying in a premium cabin, or have a United Chase credit card, or are a MileagePlus Premier member, or an active military member. On international flights, the first bag is free, the second is $100.
Hawaiian has quite a detailed bag check-in policy, too, depending on destination: Neighbor Islands, the Mainland or internationally. For Neighbor Island travel, the first bag is $25, the second is $35; to North America, the charge is $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second. Third checked bags are $50 for Neighbor Islands, $100 for North America. For international flights, or first-class ticketing, checked bags are free. Hawaiian Air World Elite card users may check in two bags without charge on domestic flights. Overweight or over-sized baggage fuel more fees if bags are over 50 pounds.
Alaska Airlines’ bag rates are up by $5 for the first checked bag ($35) and a second checked bag ($45). Additional checked bags remain unchanged ($150) per-bag fee.
Delta’s first-bag fee is $30, and for second bag, $40. Delta SkyMiles card users may check in their first bag without charge.
You can’t dodge checked-luggage fees, but if you’re a frequent traveler, it makes sense to possess an airline charge card, which may include discounts on checked bags. For instance, Hawaiian’s charge card will reduce inter-island flight fees, $15 for your first bag, $30 for your second, and $50 for three or more bags.
Frequent fliers usually have charge cards with their favorite carriers; if you can afford and splurge for a business or first-class seat, you’ll get free luggage check-ins.’
On my last New York trip, I used accrued mileage to get two first class seats, flying to JFK on Hawaiian, and returning from Newark via United. Both flights took beaucoup miles, and the out-of-pocket fees were $50 a person both ways. With Hawaiian’s new partnership with Alaska, saving up mileage for a later trip might be prudent but could be a risk. Will the unused miles have lifetime safety?
WILL BAG FEES CURTAIL TRAVEL?
Just asking…
With airline baggage check-in costs spiraling upwards, are you thinking of cutting back your trips?
JetBlue now charges the most to check in luggage: $45 for the first bag, $60 for the second. Hawaiian Airlines has the lowest fees: for inter-island travel, $25 for the first bag, $35 for the second; for mainland trips, $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second. Delta matches Hawaiian’s $30 and $40 bag fees.
Checking in bags on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines also are more expensive now. So, the immediate dilemma: will you curtail your air travels somewhat, pulling back on recreational travel, and perhaps flying only when it’s a priority?
Fees for checked bags depend on the carrier, how much you pay for your ticket, where you’re flying to, whether you utilize an airline credit card (like Hawaiian’s World Elite charge card), whether you’re a member of an airline loyalty program (like United’s MileagePlus), and other variables. If you check your bags online, not at the airport, there are discounts of $5 or $10.
One blessing: Most carriers allow military fliers to check in bags free.
Some highlights of the new airline policies:
American’s check-in fees now are $40 for the first bag, but $35 if you prepay online, and $45 for the second bag. It used to be $30 and $40, but the rates changed Feb. 20.
JetBlue fees went up in January, and it costs $45 for first bag and $60 for the second checked bag, $10 more now than previous rates. That’s the most expensive baggage fees now. But JetBlue passengers who confirm they’re flying with checked bags ahead of time will pay $35 for their first bag and $50 for their second.
United boasts one of the industry’s most complex plan, detailing hikes depending on how much you pay for your ticket, where you are going, whether you booked via its charge card, and whether you’re a member of its loyalty club. United travelers in North America will pay $5 more for each checked bag now, with the first checked bag fee at $40 or $35 if travelers pay at least 24 hours in advance, and $50 for a second bag, or $45 if travelers pay in advance. United travelers can check a bag for free if they are flying in a premium cabin, or have a United Chase credit card, or are a MileagePlus Premier member, or an active military member. On international flights, the first bag is free, the second is $100.
Hawaiian has quite a detailed bag check-in policy, too, depending on destination: Neighbor Islands, the Mainland or internationally. For Neighbor Island travel, the first bag is $25, the second is $35; to North America, the charge is $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second. Third checked bags are $50 for Neighbor Islands, $100 for North America. For international flights, or first-class ticketing, checked bags are free. Hawaiian Air World Elite card users may check in two bags without charge on domestic flights. Overweight or over-sized baggage fuel more fees if bags are over 50 pounds.
Alaska Airlines’ bag rates are up by $5 for the first checked bag ($35) and a second checked bag ($45). Additional checked bags remain unchanged ($150) per-bag fee.
Delta’s first-bag fee is $30, and for second bag, $40. Delta SkyMiles card users may check in their first bag without charge.
You can’t dodge checked-luggage fees, but if you’re a frequent traveler, it makes sense to possess an airline charge card, which may include discounts on checked bags. For instance, Hawaiian’s charge card will reduce inter-island flight fees, $15 for your first bag, $30 for your second, and $50 for three or more bags.
Frequent fliers usually have charge cards with their favorite carriers; if you can afford and splurge for a business or first-class seat, you’ll get free luggage check-ins.’
On my last New York trip, I used accrued mileage to get two first class seats, flying to JFK on Hawaiian, and returning from Newark via United. Both flights took beaucoup miles, and the out-of-pocket fees were $50 a person both ways. With Hawaiian’s new partnership with Alaska, saving up mileage for a later trip might be prudent but could be a risk. Will the unused miles have lifetime safety?
Emme Tomimbang Burns, a beacon in Hawaii’s broadcast landscape, died Monday (Feb. 19) night at Queen’s Medical Center, while undergoing open heart surgery. She was 73.
A proud graduate of Farrington High School and a prominent figure in the Filipino community, she was the widow of Judge James S. Burns, who preceded her in death.
Best known as the producer and host of “Emme’s Island Moments,” Emme (pictured) — full first name Emmeline — was queen of Hawaii TV’s version of what is dubbed a “magazine show,” assembling show biz celebrities and notables in all walks of life.
Her “Emme” brand has been televised on all network affiliates, including KITV, KHON and KGMB, with screenings also on KFVE. She produced the productions and served as interviewer on all episodes.
Her idol was Oprah Winfrey, and she was inspired to put her own imprint on that genre.
She also was a philanthropist, supporting JABSOM, the James A. Burns School of Medicine, , named after Gov. John A. Burns, her father-in-law.
Memorial services are pending… Sneak peek at MVT’s new season
Manoa Valley Theatre has let the chat out of the bag.
Season ticket owners have learned that MVT’s 2024-2025 season will include three theatrical treasures:
“Parade,” a Tony Award-winning musical Alfred Uhry (book) and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The show, fresh from a Broadway run earlier this year, starred Ben Platt. “Parade” is a true story about a dramatization of the 1913 trial and imprisonment, and 1915 lynching, of Jewish American Leo Frank in Georgia.
“Kim’s Convenience,” a comedy by Ins Choi, about a Korean family operating a grocery store in Toronto’s Regent Park neighborhood.
“Side by Side by Sondheim,” a Stephen Sondheim musical which honors and celebrates the lyrical and tuneful artistry of the iconic Broadway composer, a favorite of the acting community.
Details of the complete new season will be forthcoming…
Are you a good speller?I think I’m a decent speller; after all, my life as a journalist demanded the ability to spell.
Words are tricky, however, and I admit I often have to spell-check a specific word. If you’re computer-efficient, you know that misspelled words usually are flagged with underscoring, to advise you of errors. No one is perfect. (Spell-check doesn’t work efficiently with Hawaiian words, right?)
I bring up spelling because a friend told me her grade-school child has some difficulty in spelling. It’s understandable because words can be tricky.
Many words sound alike but are spelled differently. Examples: but/butt, knew/new, knight/night, wood/would, dough/doe, plane/plain and kernel/colonel. These are called homophones.
Some words like psychology, pseudonym, phlegm, phantom, psychic, and physics don’t look like how they are pronounced. The spelling of Wednesday is not logical, nor is the word marble, which means the little glass thing kids play as well as the stone-like glossy matter utilized in countertops. Hmmm, it is what it is.
The older you become, your vocabulary increases, so you learn the ropes and will know the difference between rain and reign. Hopefully.
Perhaps you can whip up a pair of same-sounding but different words. I’ll add one here — pair/pear — so add yours to the list…
Today marks a health milestone for me. On Jan. 5, I was hospitalized to have my gall bladder removed, because It was a problematic organ that earlier sent me to the Queen’s Medical Center for two weeks last August.
So: I’m on the road to recovery, but not without challenges. In August, I left the hospital with a walker, a device that has given me support in walking. Post-surgery after the bladder removal, I still rely on the walker to navigate treks to the doctor, the post office, Longs, and a few nighttime plays.
But I’ve been very fortunate the past few weeks.
I signed up for interim physical therapy to strengthen my legs. Learned some worthy exercises that are doable at home.
I’ve not experienced what my from friends who had their gall bladders removed warned me about: the runs and/or constipation.
I’ve lost weight during hospitalization, to 186 lbs; weighed myself this morning, and I was 179. At my heaviest, I was 225.
My diet was rigid, initially — beef and/or chicken broth with soda crackers for a few days after surgery. I’ve been slowly adjusting and graduating to real food in the past month:
— Breakfast now includes oatmeal, toast, frozen waffles, croissants, naan bread, with margarine, jelly, jams or syrups.
— Lunch includes canned veggie or chicken soups, turkey or tuna sandwiches, and sushi. Occasionally, saimin.
— Dinner includes rice, chazuke, grilled salmon, pasta, salads, corn, beets, udon, and cheated once with tempura.
— Dessert includes Jell-O, pineapple slices, mandarin oranges, and – a recent treat – Haulolo (a combo of haupia with kulolo).
–Snacks include apple sauce (included seasoned versions with other fruit), bananas, apples, oranges, pears, wheat thins.
I still can’t have beef, milk products like ice cream, yogurt, fried foods like fried chicken, processed food like hot dogs and Vienna sausages, fatty food like bacon and Spam. And bakery desserts.
Yes, I miss Zippy’s fried chicken, and apple fritters, and Spam musubi,
Perhaps someday, but not yet. Have an appointment with my primary physician this week, and with my surgeon in two weeks, so I have lots to discuss.
To those who sent wellness thoughts and prayers my way, mahalo plenty.
So the journey continues. Sharing my experience to perhaps help others in the same boat. Recovery is a day-by-day process, so thanks for making my days worth living for.
