What we have to put up with also........

http://oilandgasinnorthernmichigan.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-we-have-to-put-up-with-also.html

I had to go to the Emergency Room in my town of Cheboygan.  It is into bankruptcy and had a scare of a closure but I guess someone else is going to buy them.  They had already shut down OB/Peds, Intensive Care and many other things they offered. They plan (I hear) to keep the ER open but have a few beds for observation for 23 hours and then ship patient to Petoskey, larger town. I feel bad for all of those working there. We have family working there and we are so worried for them.  Well, this was my experience on March 17, my chronic myofascial pain, fibromyalgia other bone and muscle problems.  I DON'T go to ANY ER unless I am at the end of my rope.  My chiropractor friend and even my doctor insisted I go to the hospital.  My friend said I was too exhausted from fighting severe pain for almost 2 weeks.  She assured me I would be treated right, my doctor's nurse assured me he understood my hesitation but thought my body needed a break.  I waited until the next day.
  THAT BE TOLD HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED.  I was told it was in my head, couldn't believe an industry would do what it had done to my small town of Lewiston.  The doctor sat down, crossed his legs and looked like he was staying a while.  He then tried to psychoanalyze me.  Wrong thing to do, I could  far psychoanalyze him through my life experiences. 
     Thank God Joe was right there with me and had had enough of the "interrogation" I was in no shape to take.  Joe's ex wife had been exposed to floor wax stripper when she worked at the Hospital years ago and that doctor remembered it.  Once he realized, I think, that he could no longer bully me-in the nice, professional way they try to-my care was finally addressed.
    I know what I need when I get to that point I should not have had to get to.  Severe pain is stressful on the body and unnecessary these days but it still happens.
    They are good people at that hospital.  I wish the doctor's would educate themselves and make the job easier for the nurses, PA's or whoever works with them.  Your ignorance only shows by not listening to your patient.  Listen to me, I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE BUT AS LONG AS I MADE THE DECISION AFTER HOURS OR DAYS OF SUFFERING PLEASE HELP ME.  I'm sure it was written clearly on my face.  I can't hide my "bad days" very well. My friends and family know that.
    IN THE END, NOT ALL OF PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC, DEBILITATING, OUT OF CONTROL PAIN EXACERBATION IS  A DRUG ADDICT.  Look at their eyes, eyes
will give all away usually.
    We don't want to lose our hospital so let's show them how good you are and save yourselves and the community.  You have given excellent care most of the time, don't let the ER doctor make all of you look bad, help your patient communicate with the doctor. The nurse has to be their patients advocate. Someone has to........
    After some criticism, the ER  personnel have kind hearts, just help us when we can't help ourselves at the time.

Life After Oil and Gas Exploration

LIFE AFTER OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION

Several people have asked me to write the revised edition of our story and here it is, shortened for you.

My name is Jaime Lorraine Long Chimner. I am a casualty of the Oil and Gas Industry. I was 45 years old (I'm now 54) when the facility I lived by let off an alleged illegal release of H2S, hydrogen sulfide or rotten egg smell, without notifying local residents or EMS. My life would never be the same.

Because of the gas and oil industry I now have fibromyalgia, a neurological muscular disease, trouble walking and some days can't. A lot of pain, more than anyone can imagine except those living this nightmare, osteoporosis, worsening of my asthma, muscles in my vocal cords can close off. I only go outside when I have to because it is easier that way. I check the air quality every day on the computer. We were told to get the heck out of Michigan, the air was not good and so much land and water had been contaminated. I can see all that now.

I can't remember the exact date any more (2004) but I can tell you that my life, as well as others, was turned upside down. We called it the twilight zone. What had occurred, we found later, that the floating lid on one of three 150,000 gallon storage tanks had broken and dropped to the level in the tank. Pushing all the H2S up and we lived straight downwind, H2S is heavier than air. H2S can kill or destroy a life in seconds. We didn't have the choice of seconds. We were alive and slowly being crippled.

We met a couple Dan and De who had been investigating this facility. They had come to our door because De had heard I was very ill. I'd never heard of H2S before but knew the rotten egg smell. My husband and De plunged into research. We were on the attack, legally.

I became weaker and weaker. I was so hoarse (as are others from Lewiston, MI, my town). My muscles go to jello and some days I can barely stand from the pain. Then and now.

After heart pains for a month ( a side affect of H2S exposure) my family doctor sent me to a cardiologist. He ordered a treadmill test. It was positive. The doctor proceeded to recommend a heart catherization. Having been a Emergency Medical Technician for 16 years I knew there were risks. In recovery I eventually couldn't talk and my head hurt so much. The nurse thought I was having a stroke. They never found out except I had “a Huge, Major Neurological event” as my chart says. The catheter and the chemicals inside me clashed and caused stroke like symptoms that I still have today.

After that event I could no longer work. My memory was affected severely, my balance was bad and just getting around was difficult. I was losing my hair, I couldn't urinate, I felt like in a fog some days. My doctor said I needed to leave Lewiston and the area and get north of these wells or they were going to do me great harm (like they hadn't already) or I could die. I have met or heard from many people who have said that when they left the Lewiston area they felt better. I have had emails recently saying families left Lewiston because it smelled. I get so many emails from people having heard of me. One man even said he thought we were crazy years ago but now he could see we weren't crazy, people just wouldn't listen to us then.

Lewiston was a cute little tourist town. It is an oil and gas town now. I can no longer visit and my boundary is 20 miles south from where I am now, no further.

During all this in Lewiston, I had 4 nasal surgeries, the first finding aspergillis. It is a mold that is not found up here in Northern Michigan often I was told. It shows up on the oil and gas industries list of things you can get from that industry. Interesting, my dad had to quit visiting us as he would get so sick and go into pneumonia and usually ended up in Cheboygan Hospital (he also got aspergillis.)

Finally my doctor said there was nothing more he could do. There was an “experimental drug” that I could qualify for. Having a suppressed immune system right after the exposure and high dose Prednisone, I was desperate to give anything a try. My life will never be the same. In desperation I didn't always make wise choices in my health care.

My ENT doctor wrote a letter stating that H2S and the chemicals where I lived were causing my problems. I have multiple chemical sensitive. This was sent along to the Environmental Protection Agency along with two other doctor letters. In fact during our many local Township meetings back in 2004-2006 I saw DEQ officials passing my medical records around themselves.

We have dealt with the Department of Environmental Quality people, who by the way are supposed to protect the public from these kind of things. We've dealt with the Department of Natural Resources who approve the drilling permits, the DEQ makes the final decision. As the DEQ and DNR get revenues from the mineral rights on State Land to run these two agencies who would turn down a permit? No one. The State puts up ten of thousands of mineral rights on the land they owned out for bid for the oil or gas companies to buy up and drill baby drill.

We have caught the industry in so many alleged deceptions. We have paperwork.

No one seems to care in this State and we could find no one to help us. Lawyers disappeared and we felt helpless. I wrote a newsletter back then. I tried once a week to keep informed my home town and all over the world. One DEQ official named Mark Stephens, in the Air Quality devision said after a heated phone debate that “he would rather work for rich people who fight people like me.” What a nice thing to come out of a DEQ's official mouth. We were fighting for our lives and this was what we had to put up with?

We contacted Rep. Bart Stupak who wrote the head of the DEQ who had the nerve to an alleged lie of not knowing any H2S was going in that facility. Rep. Stupak realized he was lying and not much happened after that. We contacted Senator Stabenow who got the EPA to come due air testing for 3 days. They did, but the DEQ was right there with them. The interesting part was during that air sampling it did show CONSTANT H2S, no matter how low, it was chronic, exposure to those people in Lewiston of hydrogen sulfide. Of course the companies didn't care. The claimed vapor recovery on the trucks delivering the product to the station, I allege they never had it. It all vents into the air, as they can vent natural gas Antrim wells up to five miles, last I knew, and if it is by a house, like my friend Patty, it didn't matter.

There was a study out about the affects of constant low level of H2S exposure in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We fit the bill but not enough air monitors for us.

Our lives were threatened. We lost everything from friends to eternity or friends who didn't understand what we were doing or thought we would fix it. To those family members who turned their backs on us for fighting for our lives, shame on all of you.

We had four years to find a lawyer and get a lawsuit going. We tried in Michigan and all over the country and no one wanted to help. Yes they would say there was a problem but it was too big for them. Our case was before its time to be believed. How could an industry do this to people? There is no answer to that other than greed.

I putter around the old farmhouse we're redoing. It goes very slow as Joe has to see if I am going to react to something he's using. He tries hard to get non scented building items. I can't do any cleaning because of the fumes. When I can I use baking soda or vodka to clean. They are great cleaning supplies. I have to look at ALL the labels of items I might be using, including medication.

Doctors up here don't know how to deal with someone like me. I'm trying to educate them and the public about the affects this industry, whether deep fracking or shallow fracking or oil occur. It is a slow process. I had a doctor in the Cheboygan Hospital Emergency Department look at my medical record (which I carry with me to remember) and said no one could have 16 allergies to medications. Guess what....it's up to 19.) As my life goes on more diagnosis's are found with no money to get the bathroom enlarged for the special tub I need or the ramp to make leaving the house tolerable or any special needs I have. People ask how much the industry paid us off. I don't get offended anymore I just say nothing, I lost everything.

I have a special mask and 2 special air cleaners in my house. We have the special tub I need but no one to help expand our bathroom. It is in the living room with the bed with a hose running from the bathroom to fill it. We drive 45 miles one way for the continuous physical therapy I need. I need a ramp that we can't afford to build onto the deck. We moved the bed downstairs in our living room because I can no longer do steps or do them safely.
We can't afford the face masks I need just to go outside, including the big one seen in the picture. We can't afford someone to come clean my house. My husband tries so hard. The Oil and Gas industry must be laughing at us.

Injury was and is so hard to prove in a court of law because of overlapping symptoms. We couldn't afford the expert witnesses so our statute of limitations went by and we lost everything. My family (other than my children) turned their backs on me for reasons they will never understand. Friends tend to stay away, especially when we were fighting full time for 2 years.

If you come away with anything from this is if you see someone constantly sick ask them what they live around and 9 times out of 10 there is a well, compression station, or trucks that go by that may be causing their problem, a paper mill or air venting from the petroleum tanks by the river where we live.

I never thought my life would end up like this in a thousand years. I am alive and kicking one day at a time. A good day is a miracle and cherished. Through the horror I found my soul mate, my joe. Ironically his ex wife was exposed to floor stripper at a local hospital. She eventually died from it over 2 years ago. He looked after her for 14 years even though divorced. That says a lot for a man. He can get me to smile through my tears on those all too frequent “bad” weeks.

I would be glad to speak on the subject and/ or educate people about Hydrogen Sulfide. Watch for Propylene glycol on labels as it is an antifreeze. It can be found from ice cream to shampoos to creams. There are many others petroleum chemicals in our foods and househould items so read your labels and watch what is around you.

What we go through is so frustrating but if we can help one person and/or save one life than all this hell has been worth it. That's my story in a nutshell with lots in between.

Thank you

Jaime Long Chimner

Cheboygan, MI 49721

231-627-6374

(may be long but it is a story that needs to be told)

How many times people doubted you, this is for you......

Northern Michigan oil and gas wells, again

www.michigandnr.com/ Publications/ PDFS/ ForestsLandWater/ Mineral/ Oil &GasMaps/ montmorency_oil_gas.pdf -

Department of Natural Resources map of the county I used to live in and raised my children

Northern Michigan
jaime

Finally, Natural Gas isn't good for YOU.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/business/energy-environment/12gas.html?_r=1&emc=eta1


Finally, yes, there are bad things that come from this industry!  Gas and oil, don't breathe if you  don't have to.

Bee in my Bonnet

Industry companies: You have no conscious or you wouldn't be putting these people you are making sick and running them from their homes. How do you look at your children and grandchildren and and KNOW you have threatened their lives. May you never know the pain, terrified feeling when you see a well going in  knowing they ARE NOT BEING REGULATED the way they are supposed to be. It's just a "job". Well, shove my bisquits in my oven and burn them!! Read between lines. 

You can't take anymore from me you have them all and my money.

A NEW DAY

Yes it is another day.  4 days later I can finally move around without crying in pain. 
    There are so many of us out there suffering from the same maladies as I.  I will come right out and say the oil and gas industry destroyed my health.  Having lost a (ex) husband to this and fortunately stayed friends, because when I am unable to move from the pain, he can visit and leave it behind him.  My joe has his way of dealing with my bad days, he goes to coffee with his buddy. 
   A local woman asked me why my story isn't in the newspaper, locally.  Well, years ago as in 2004 starting, we were in local papers, regional local television as stories, we even had the Associated Press do a story as well as numerous contacts that led no where. We have been in the press, but at a time when it wasn't well know as it is due to the Gulf spill. We had the EPA in our little town, Senator Stabenow, Rep. Stapak and many other governments agencies and here we are, telling them what are in chemicals and how toxic they can be.  Go figure.   
   I think back to the initial gas/oil exposure with the plume of hydrogen sulfide flowing freely over my town, quickly hitting the ground, as it was heavier than air.  None of us had a clue what the heck to do.  Yeah, I lost my family to ignorance and judging.  In these things we don't even understand what is happening to us.  We just know we are sick and feel better away from our homes. We lost everything as so many have but we survive monetary as best we can.  
 That seems a lifetime ago but then I wake up as I did a couple days ago and I remember the nightmare will never go away.  It just gives a reprieve. 
   Thank you to those few friends who understand the suffering we go through and accept me as I am.
Thanks.  So, staying clear of massages and pray for all of us. 
 jaime
p.s. one good news is all the State land they just auctioned off didn't have as much interest.  I wish for Pennsylvania it would go away.  We still have the oil wells and antrim  gas wells by thousands so hope they back off.  
That is all I know from Northern Michigan.  Joe found a place that listed all the spills around the country I think.  Will have to go home and ask him and post it for you. Interesting. (At library as computer caputted  again lol)

PLEASE HIT FOLLOW ON MY BLOG

If I can ask a favor, can you hit follow on my blog so I can get it up there in people following.  Thanks.  jaime

Revving up my strength.....

I was thinking this morning, always dangerous, and after coughing and trying to breath on my nebulizer machine  I felt a strength I didn't have before.   After the death of 2 of our friends in this group I wanted to do something.  What could I do?  I was sent the Split Estate Movie to show in Cheboygan.  At the time I was getting over pneumonia and just couldn't do it.  I had a couple groups in the area offer help in getting the word out.  I said No, I just didn't have the strength to do it. No one was offering to take it over but did I really want that ?  I don't know. 
  I feel differently now.  Even after mostly staying in my house, wearing my mask when I went out in public, and I woke up  hoarse (my fear of an hospital run) and man was I frustrated! 
I thought of that song which I play in my car about the man taking care of his sick other half.  I thought of those women who lives were taken because of the oil and gas industries lack of safety.  I know what I have to do.  I have to get that movie shown in honor of those women and for ourselves. 
     So ladies and gentlemen, I am going to try my best to get the Split Estate movie shown in  Cheboygan, Michigan.  It will have to wait until Monday to get my paperwork because I just can't do it today.  I told Joe, it is hard to plan anything because we don't know how I will be day to day.  Oh, I cherish those good days, which make the worser (lol) days harder to endure but endure we all must.  There are far worse off people than me.
    Josh said I should have this shown before Gasland comes.  But will it come? I read all the things about 
our oil and gas and Michigan is never mentioned.  That makes me sad.  My heart bleeds for Pennsylvania, I used to live there but we are suffering here also.  The different groups I was told to contact don't have an interest in the "health" issues as I do and they tend to think, I believe, that I am a radical. 
So what, I am.  I am a normal (most days) middle aged woman (I won't tell my age, ok 53) who is fighting for myself, my family and those who can't or won't fight for themselves.
We have to, or who will?  I hope that the other local groups will take an interest in promoting this movie with me as one day I am running up the stairs and the next my joe has to push me up them.  Hard to makes plans, as many of us know.  SO, HELP ME DO THIS, through emotional support or help, Chris Mobaldi was featured in this movie that won an emmy and she deserves to have her story told that in essence is our story.
    On the NBC nightly news they had a piece on fracking and I was impressed it seemed to be on the side of us-safety and health.  
    Thanks for reading.  You ALL get me through the day.  I wish I could let you know how much.  I know that if I have a problem or bad day I can turn to you all and someone will have an answer I need. Thank you.  You are all angels. 
jaime chimner
northern michigan
    

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=172913612734629#!/

This song is for people like us who are suffering.  Listen to the words.  If it doesn't bring a tear to your eye then listen again. 

What is going in Michigan?

Last that I had heard was the well in Lake City, exploration well, had hit but not producing at the moment.  I find that hard to believe.  The one by Indian River M68 and Crombley Creek is drilling.
 I am not sure what they were drilling but on my way to Traverse City the other day (in my RED ZONE) I counted 7 wells being drilled actively and 2 pads being prepped for drill rigs, not sure what kind as we have Niaragan for oil , Antrim Twinned wells which uses fracking and are shallower or near our water tables and the new deep wells. All near the road or houses.  Since so much State Land was sold at auction I am assuming it is the new deeper wells.  Why did Encana pull out Michigan??? Anyone know????

******Interesting note:  Went on US 31 just south of Levering, this afternoon,  all kinds of trucks and backhoes and men in official hats and vehicles all over.  Got a picture but my husband was too nervous to stop (he's new at this).  I think I got some decent pics but will have to download them after another appt.  The name MEARS was on the side of one of the white pickups. DOES THAT MEAN ANYTHING TO ANYONE???
It was as if they were digging for the pipeline that runs through there.  Signs all over about watching for electrical lines, cell phones etc.  Anyone have a clue?
JAIME
northern michigan  

"Be the change that you want to see in the world"  Mahatma Ghandi
http://www.leaderpost.com/health/Sensitivity%20chemicals%20affects%20woman%20daily%20life/3067261/story.html

BP Death Clouds Already Onshore! Benzene-3400ppb & Hyrdrogen Sulfide-1200ppb TOXIC AIR ALERT           cnn.com/toxicamerica.
"Weebles wobble but they don't fall down!" Perfect!

I blog at  oilandgasinnorthernmichigan.blogspot.com  & myspace/bigoilinsmalltownamerica.com
oneifbylandbuckscounty.com, www.greenopolis.com,

Interesting info

Interesting news blog found by a friend. 
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_cheapskate/46/10-shocking-facts-about-our-world.html
jaime at
http://www.blogger.com/oil and gas in northern michigan