I don't remember where I was during the last Samuel discussion and I'm too lazy to go search for it. We have completed an AD/HD assessment and the doctor compiled all the questionnaires from Samuel's teachers, Jennifer and me (the ex-husband and new wife were involved too, but they're way off base and I don't have enough time or energy to hash that out here). Per the pediatrician, the results are consistent with ADD. He recommended a medication and I immediately felt my blood pressure jump 20 points.
I looked up behavior modification and cognitive therapy. Reading through the material, I was slightly insulted, even though I shouldn't have been. I found that most of the suggestions and guidelines are things that I've always done with Samuel, and my other two children, for that matter. Reading that consistent discipline is key was kind of like a slap in the face. What good parent doesn't understand this? It was kind of like being told "Yes, your child is diagnosed with this condition but if you are consistent, he'll get over it." Yeah, I'm a little sensitive right now and I'm inferring a lot here, but still. I was miffed.
I am taking a couple of other suggestions (simple reward charts and routine lists) to heart and giving them another chance. His teacher has tried these in varied forms with occasional success at school but it can't hurt to try them at home again.
With much anxiety on my part, I put Samuel on the prescribed medication. I didn't need to wait long to see its effects. I gave it to him at 8:00 on a Saturday morning. Two hours later we did some of his homework and I could not believe how efficient he was! I usually spend 25 minutes hounding him to write his name or add 2 numbers together and it stresses both of us way more than it should. But with the medication, we were done in 15 minutes, no pain, no stress.
I was worried that his appetite would drop or that he'd be overly emotional or unable to sleep or any one of a myriad of other side effects that can happen with these kinds of medications. There have been some blips but for the most part, he's adjusting well to the medicine and we -- his teachers and I -- are seeing wonderful results.
As part of a comprehensive approach, we are going to see a counselor in a couple of weeks. We'll evaluate all the information from the pediatrician, the results of the medication and the results from my behavior modification at home and make sure that things are going well. I want to be sure we're not missing anything.
I have no idea if Samuel will spend the rest of his life on medication. The doctor seems to think that he might need medicine for a couple of years until he matures; it's obvious he's not as emotionally mature as his peers. I don't need all the answers right now. I'm just glad that he's able to keep up with his work at school and that we have resources to help with all of this.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Smoke Detectors
Why do smoke detector batteries always die at night? It never fails. The kids are finally asleep and I'm either relaxing on the couch or asleep (!) and the thing beeps once. At first, I think it's a fluke and try to ignore it. But then it beeps again. Still in denial, I continue to ignore it because I'm comfortable and the last thing I want to do is search out a 9 volt battery, climb on a chair, pry open the cover and switch the batteries out. But then it steps up the beeping to 2 consecutive beeps.
Fine. I'll change the stupid battery. Of course I always consider just taking out the old battery, therefore not having to look for another battery and getting back to my relaxation sooner. But you know, having a devastating house fire tends to change your perspective on these things. What's another 3 minutes spent changing the battery compared with losing the vast majority of your worldly possessions? Or worse?
On another note, I got a couple of chuckles out of my smoke detector tonight. The first is that the reset button says "Push to hush." I think 'hush' is a funny word in this context. Second, when I removed the battery, I saw a large, neon orange sticker inside the compartment that reads "WARNING: the battery has been removed!" No! Are you serious? I don't believe it!
Fine. I'll change the stupid battery. Of course I always consider just taking out the old battery, therefore not having to look for another battery and getting back to my relaxation sooner. But you know, having a devastating house fire tends to change your perspective on these things. What's another 3 minutes spent changing the battery compared with losing the vast majority of your worldly possessions? Or worse?
On another note, I got a couple of chuckles out of my smoke detector tonight. The first is that the reset button says "Push to hush." I think 'hush' is a funny word in this context. Second, when I removed the battery, I saw a large, neon orange sticker inside the compartment that reads "WARNING: the battery has been removed!" No! Are you serious? I don't believe it!
Kids Are Gross
So Samuel picks his nose, in public. And to my eternal shame, he occasionally eats the contents, also in public. Excuse me while I dry heave ... okay, better now.
I've tried and tried and tried to discourage this activity by all means possible. I have come to the conclusion that he will have to be shamed out of it by his peers. I wash my hands of it. Literally. Ick.
Anyway, we were at a birthday party held in a public party establishment. The kids spent 90 minutes bouncing in air castles, flying down 10 foot slides and battling their way through inflated obstacle courses. It was really a lot of fun.
After play time we all lined up and proceeded to another room for the cake and presents portion of the party. There was a party attendant standing at the door, squirting Germ-X onto all the children's hands. As Samuel approached the attendant, he chose that particular moment to indulge in his disgusting habit. The poor attendant looked absolutely repulsed and said, "You're getting a lot of this stuff."
Yeah, kids are gross.
I'm going to have to beg Samuel's forgiveness for this post in 10 years.
I've tried and tried and tried to discourage this activity by all means possible. I have come to the conclusion that he will have to be shamed out of it by his peers. I wash my hands of it. Literally. Ick.
Anyway, we were at a birthday party held in a public party establishment. The kids spent 90 minutes bouncing in air castles, flying down 10 foot slides and battling their way through inflated obstacle courses. It was really a lot of fun.
After play time we all lined up and proceeded to another room for the cake and presents portion of the party. There was a party attendant standing at the door, squirting Germ-X onto all the children's hands. As Samuel approached the attendant, he chose that particular moment to indulge in his disgusting habit. The poor attendant looked absolutely repulsed and said, "You're getting a lot of this stuff."
Yeah, kids are gross.
I'm going to have to beg Samuel's forgiveness for this post in 10 years.
Friday, February 20, 2009
A Genuinely Nice Guy
Found this posted on my message board today. Enjoy.
To the woman that crapped in my car... (NE Portland)
We met on Craigslist so I am hoping that this post finds you. I know that it could quite possibly be the most humiliating first date that you have ever been on, but I am willing to look past that.
I thought we had chemistry sitting at McMenamins sharing that basket of Cajun Tots while drinking the Terminator Stout. I really felt like there was a connection there. I found you to be intelligent and witty and looked forward to further conversation with you.
At some point in life, everyone has gambled on a fart and lost. It just happened to be on a first date in the passenger seat of my car. Please don't feel bad. The package I sent you with Pepto the next day and the note that said "First dates are always a crap shoot. Call me." was meant to be funny, not offensive.
I have gambled on a fart and lost on multiple occasions. The first time I did it was very memorable. It happened when I was five and sitting on my uncle's lap. I am lactose intolerant, but love cheese. I probably win 95% of the time, but I don't think anyone wins 100% of the time. That's why they call it "gambling". I'm the last person to judge you for crapping your pants. In fact, I am impressed by your boldness. The timing on the other hand, could have been a tad bit better ... like when you're not sitting on a heated leather seat ...
What I am trying to say is that if you want to go out again, I would be more than happy to take you someplace where we can get a meal that is high in fiber and less taxing on the digestive tract.
I await your call,
Tad
P.S. - If you shat yourself on purpose to end the evening early ... Touché ...
To the woman that crapped in my car... (NE Portland)
We met on Craigslist so I am hoping that this post finds you. I know that it could quite possibly be the most humiliating first date that you have ever been on, but I am willing to look past that.
I thought we had chemistry sitting at McMenamins sharing that basket of Cajun Tots while drinking the Terminator Stout. I really felt like there was a connection there. I found you to be intelligent and witty and looked forward to further conversation with you.
At some point in life, everyone has gambled on a fart and lost. It just happened to be on a first date in the passenger seat of my car. Please don't feel bad. The package I sent you with Pepto the next day and the note that said "First dates are always a crap shoot. Call me." was meant to be funny, not offensive.
I have gambled on a fart and lost on multiple occasions. The first time I did it was very memorable. It happened when I was five and sitting on my uncle's lap. I am lactose intolerant, but love cheese. I probably win 95% of the time, but I don't think anyone wins 100% of the time. That's why they call it "gambling". I'm the last person to judge you for crapping your pants. In fact, I am impressed by your boldness. The timing on the other hand, could have been a tad bit better ... like when you're not sitting on a heated leather seat ...
What I am trying to say is that if you want to go out again, I would be more than happy to take you someplace where we can get a meal that is high in fiber and less taxing on the digestive tract.
I await your call,
Tad
P.S. - If you shat yourself on purpose to end the evening early ... Touché ...
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Six Degrees -- Or Fewer?
I like to scan through the Friend Finder on Facebook. It suggests friends for you based on mutual acquaintances. Sometimes I find new friends, sometimes I find people I don't necessarily want to reconnect with. And other times -- twice, in fact -- I find people that know people I know but the people I know do not know each other. Clear as mud? Let me explain.
In the first instance, Facebook suggested I befriend Joe (not his real name, don't remember his real name, not important) because Joe was friends with my brother and one of my friends -- a friend I have never met face to face, but in fact, know from a message board. My brother and my message board friend do not know each other. Furthermore, my brother lives in Arkansas and my message board friend lives in Washington DC and will likely never meet each other. Very odd.
The second instance was tonight. Facebook suggested I befriend John (not his real name, do remember his real name, still not important) because John is friends with my friend Abby and my friend Ellie. Abby and Ellie do not know each other. At least, I don't think they do. I know them from very different circles that haven't ever crossed to my knowledge. But they do both live in the Denver Metro area so I suppose they could know each other and I just don't know it.
Anyway, all of this points, yet again, to our surprisingly small world of 6,760,844,960 individuals.
No, I didn't pull 6,760,844,960 out my ear. I got it from here. BTW, that number jumped by 30 in less than a minute. Fascinating. How do they do that?
In the first instance, Facebook suggested I befriend Joe (not his real name, don't remember his real name, not important) because Joe was friends with my brother and one of my friends -- a friend I have never met face to face, but in fact, know from a message board. My brother and my message board friend do not know each other. Furthermore, my brother lives in Arkansas and my message board friend lives in Washington DC and will likely never meet each other. Very odd.
The second instance was tonight. Facebook suggested I befriend John (not his real name, do remember his real name, still not important) because John is friends with my friend Abby and my friend Ellie. Abby and Ellie do not know each other. At least, I don't think they do. I know them from very different circles that haven't ever crossed to my knowledge. But they do both live in the Denver Metro area so I suppose they could know each other and I just don't know it.
Anyway, all of this points, yet again, to our surprisingly small world of 6,760,844,960 individuals.
No, I didn't pull 6,760,844,960 out my ear. I got it from here. BTW, that number jumped by 30 in less than a minute. Fascinating. How do they do that?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Did You Know ... ?
1. At work, I keep my work keys and a pen in my left scrub pocket and my cell phone and lip gloss in my right pocket. Always.
2. Also at work, I use the same pen for weeks until it either breaks or runs out of ink.
3. In the shower, I always, always, always wash my hair first. The other stuff is done in whatever order I remember but the hair comes first.
4. If I have a dinner plan, I'm a lot more likely to look forward to cooking it and enjoy eating it than if I just come in from work and scramble eggs or make quesadillas.
5. If I weren't a nurse, I'd be a forensic anthropologist.
6. Some of my favorite books are gory, non-fiction titles about death and investigating death.
7. I think the men that host a lot of shows on the Discovery channel are among the most attractive on television: Mike Rowe, Bear Grylls, Adam Wood.
8. Since moving to Colorado, I've stopped wearing as much make up -- not that I've ever worn a lot -- and stopped worrying so much about being 'dressed.' I think I was destined to live here and be more comfortable in my own skin.
9. A down side to being more comfortable in my own skin is that I've gained some weight. I need to lose it. Sigh.
10. I used to really like romantic comedies but I don't any more.
11. If I didn't have children, I'd live in a little loft apartment in downtown Denver, sell my car and bike every where. Or almost every where. And I'd buy a large, short-haired dog.
12. I like going to movies alone.
13. I like loading the dishwasher but despise unloading it. I'd rather clean both of the toilets in my home than unload the dishwasher.
14. I hate mopping the floor, too. I can go weeks without mopping the floors. I sweep regularly and will spot clean with a dirty dishrag instead of mopping.
15. I do not like butter substitutes. I converted to butter 3 years ago and I'll never go back.
16. I probably spend too much time with my computer, but I don't care.
17. I know I watch too much television and I don't care about that, either.
18. I recently discovered that I like bleu cheese. A lot.
19. I hate arcades and arcade-type places. Unfortunately, my children love them.
20. I also hate carnivals and the stupid games at fairs.
21. I didn't like sushi the first time I tried it but I did the second time. Same with Indian food.
22. I'm a Snopes fiend. If you send me an alarmist e-mail forward, there is a 100% chance that I will research it through Snopes. If it's inaccurate, I'll reply to you with the link.
23. I'm an extremely suspicious person. I still haven't decided if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
24. I used to buy a purse and use it for months and months at a time. Even a couple of years. Recently I decided to branch out and buy more purses. It's more fun than I thought it would be.
25. This time of year, I'm kind of proud of myself that I can file my own tax return. I secretly scoff at people who file a simple 1040 and pay someone to do it. (Thanks, Dad!)
26. I moved a lot as a kid and didn't like it then. Now I like that I had all those experiences at a young age. But I still don't want my own kids to move that much. They get enough of that between here and Albuquerque.
27. Blogging is so good for me, I wish I'd started it sooner.
28. I saw a therapist once for about 3 months. That was so good for me, I should have done it much sooner than I did.
29. I greatly increased my water intake a few weeks ago and now I find that I miss it if I don't drink much during the day. I have to make up for it at night before I go to bed. That is sometimes inconvenient.
30. I recently discovered that I can tolerate -- and even enjoy -- some beers.
31. I never thought I'd get divorced, but I'd much rather be divorced than married the way I was.
32. I don't care if the toilet paper roll goes over or under.
33. Occasionally, I get emotional about my kids growing up and wish it happened more slowly. But for the most part, I want them to grow up and become independent just as quickly as they are.
34. I really like staying in hotels. It's fun to drop my towels on the floor and not make the bed or worry that I should be doing something other than vegging on the bed and watching crap tv.
35. My favorite actress is Kate Winslet.
36. I frequently stay up much later than I should. I'd probably be 20% more productive if I went to bed 2 hours earlier every night.
37. I can make really, really good sangria.
38. I'd like to see the Sham Wow guy and Billy Mays in a cage match, but only on mute.
39. I get strange satisfaction out of shopping around for stuff and getting things ridiculously cheaply.
40. I enjoy spending an entire day in my pajamas. Sometimes I get up, shower and put on clean pajamas for the rest of the day.
41. No matter how bad a day I've had, there is some kind of music that can always make it a little bit better.
42. I appreciate sarcastic, crude, crass humor. Most of the time.
43. I thrive on routines but I have a hard time establishing them.
44. I have little patience for dense, obtuse people.
45. I was either pregnant or nursing or both from September 1999 through June 2006.
46. I nursed all three of my children for 6 weeks after Samuel was born and before Solomon weaned.
47. I have read a couple of books that were so good that I want to read them again, but I can't remember their titles and no amount of searching or cross-referencing at the library has found them.
48. I like to paint my toenails but I rarely paint my fingernails.
49. I am sometimes too invested in my Sim families.
50. I do not like air fresheners, air sanitizers or any other substance meant to be sprayed willy-nilly throughout a house.
51. I like to light candles for no reason.
52. Random movie lines pop into my head at odd times. I once went on a blind double date with a couple I knew and their friend. My date and I ended up laughing more at the same random movie lines than we did conversing with the couple.
53. I've had some of the same internet friends for over 5 years.
54. I do not see the appeal of Star Wars. My boys do.
55. The Ped Egg commercial really grosses me out.
56. The Snugee commercial really annoys me. What are bathrobes for?
57. Alec Baldwin is my least favorite actor, maybe my least favorite person ever.
2. Also at work, I use the same pen for weeks until it either breaks or runs out of ink.
3. In the shower, I always, always, always wash my hair first. The other stuff is done in whatever order I remember but the hair comes first.
4. If I have a dinner plan, I'm a lot more likely to look forward to cooking it and enjoy eating it than if I just come in from work and scramble eggs or make quesadillas.
5. If I weren't a nurse, I'd be a forensic anthropologist.
6. Some of my favorite books are gory, non-fiction titles about death and investigating death.
7. I think the men that host a lot of shows on the Discovery channel are among the most attractive on television: Mike Rowe, Bear Grylls, Adam Wood.
8. Since moving to Colorado, I've stopped wearing as much make up -- not that I've ever worn a lot -- and stopped worrying so much about being 'dressed.' I think I was destined to live here and be more comfortable in my own skin.
9. A down side to being more comfortable in my own skin is that I've gained some weight. I need to lose it. Sigh.
10. I used to really like romantic comedies but I don't any more.
11. If I didn't have children, I'd live in a little loft apartment in downtown Denver, sell my car and bike every where. Or almost every where. And I'd buy a large, short-haired dog.
12. I like going to movies alone.
13. I like loading the dishwasher but despise unloading it. I'd rather clean both of the toilets in my home than unload the dishwasher.
14. I hate mopping the floor, too. I can go weeks without mopping the floors. I sweep regularly and will spot clean with a dirty dishrag instead of mopping.
15. I do not like butter substitutes. I converted to butter 3 years ago and I'll never go back.
16. I probably spend too much time with my computer, but I don't care.
17. I know I watch too much television and I don't care about that, either.
18. I recently discovered that I like bleu cheese. A lot.
19. I hate arcades and arcade-type places. Unfortunately, my children love them.
20. I also hate carnivals and the stupid games at fairs.
21. I didn't like sushi the first time I tried it but I did the second time. Same with Indian food.
22. I'm a Snopes fiend. If you send me an alarmist e-mail forward, there is a 100% chance that I will research it through Snopes. If it's inaccurate, I'll reply to you with the link.
23. I'm an extremely suspicious person. I still haven't decided if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
24. I used to buy a purse and use it for months and months at a time. Even a couple of years. Recently I decided to branch out and buy more purses. It's more fun than I thought it would be.
25. This time of year, I'm kind of proud of myself that I can file my own tax return. I secretly scoff at people who file a simple 1040 and pay someone to do it. (Thanks, Dad!)
26. I moved a lot as a kid and didn't like it then. Now I like that I had all those experiences at a young age. But I still don't want my own kids to move that much. They get enough of that between here and Albuquerque.
27. Blogging is so good for me, I wish I'd started it sooner.
28. I saw a therapist once for about 3 months. That was so good for me, I should have done it much sooner than I did.
29. I greatly increased my water intake a few weeks ago and now I find that I miss it if I don't drink much during the day. I have to make up for it at night before I go to bed. That is sometimes inconvenient.
30. I recently discovered that I can tolerate -- and even enjoy -- some beers.
31. I never thought I'd get divorced, but I'd much rather be divorced than married the way I was.
32. I don't care if the toilet paper roll goes over or under.
33. Occasionally, I get emotional about my kids growing up and wish it happened more slowly. But for the most part, I want them to grow up and become independent just as quickly as they are.
34. I really like staying in hotels. It's fun to drop my towels on the floor and not make the bed or worry that I should be doing something other than vegging on the bed and watching crap tv.
35. My favorite actress is Kate Winslet.
36. I frequently stay up much later than I should. I'd probably be 20% more productive if I went to bed 2 hours earlier every night.
37. I can make really, really good sangria.
38. I'd like to see the Sham Wow guy and Billy Mays in a cage match, but only on mute.
39. I get strange satisfaction out of shopping around for stuff and getting things ridiculously cheaply.
40. I enjoy spending an entire day in my pajamas. Sometimes I get up, shower and put on clean pajamas for the rest of the day.
41. No matter how bad a day I've had, there is some kind of music that can always make it a little bit better.
42. I appreciate sarcastic, crude, crass humor. Most of the time.
43. I thrive on routines but I have a hard time establishing them.
44. I have little patience for dense, obtuse people.
45. I was either pregnant or nursing or both from September 1999 through June 2006.
46. I nursed all three of my children for 6 weeks after Samuel was born and before Solomon weaned.
47. I have read a couple of books that were so good that I want to read them again, but I can't remember their titles and no amount of searching or cross-referencing at the library has found them.
48. I like to paint my toenails but I rarely paint my fingernails.
49. I am sometimes too invested in my Sim families.
50. I do not like air fresheners, air sanitizers or any other substance meant to be sprayed willy-nilly throughout a house.
51. I like to light candles for no reason.
52. Random movie lines pop into my head at odd times. I once went on a blind double date with a couple I knew and their friend. My date and I ended up laughing more at the same random movie lines than we did conversing with the couple.
53. I've had some of the same internet friends for over 5 years.
54. I do not see the appeal of Star Wars. My boys do.
55. The Ped Egg commercial really grosses me out.
56. The Snugee commercial really annoys me. What are bathrobes for?
57. Alec Baldwin is my least favorite actor, maybe my least favorite person ever.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Huh?
One of my patients today was a little girl, barely 2 years old. She was in for a cough but on the way out, her mother asked me about night waking. She said the little girl has a 'very bad habit' of waking in the middle of the night and asking for water. If her mother says no, she cries and cries and cries and wakes the rest of the family.
I asked what happens if she gets a drink of water. The mother said she goes back to sleep. I stared at her, trying not to look like I thought that was an obvious answer and that I thought she was not very bright.
Then the mother said she can't keep getting up to get water. And then she changed her story. She said the little girl doesn't go back to sleep after a drink of water. She asks repeatedly for more water every 15 minutes. I'm not buying that.
But really, what's the problem with giving the girl a sippy cup of water to keep in the crib? She can drink all she needs and not wake anyone. I just don't get some people.
I asked what happens if she gets a drink of water. The mother said she goes back to sleep. I stared at her, trying not to look like I thought that was an obvious answer and that I thought she was not very bright.
Then the mother said she can't keep getting up to get water. And then she changed her story. She said the little girl doesn't go back to sleep after a drink of water. She asks repeatedly for more water every 15 minutes. I'm not buying that.
But really, what's the problem with giving the girl a sippy cup of water to keep in the crib? She can drink all she needs and not wake anyone. I just don't get some people.
Ho. Ly. Cow
What a day! I got to work at 7:45 and didn't sit down again until 11:45. Even then, it was just a short break between patients. I didn't eat lunch until 12:30. Every appointment slot was filled -- and not with simple issues.
There was a boy who cut his finger with a knife; no stitches needed but the doctor decided to order a Tdap since he hadn't had a tetanus shot since kindergarten. Then I realized that he was behind on 3 other injections and, of course, his mother wanted him to get all of them today.
We had two kids with bad infections who couldn't tolerate oral antibiotics so they had to have Rocephin injections. Rocephin is a pain in the neck. It comes in powder form and is reconstituted with Lidocaine. It is the consistency of maple syrup and, even with the Lidocaine, hurts a lot. It's not uncommon for patients to have large bruises the next day. Because of the large volume usually ordered, it's divided into two injections. We usually get two nurses to give both shots at the same time since it hurts so much. Afterward, the patient has to wait in the office for at least 10 minutes to be sure there isn't a bad reaction to it. And I did that twice.
I administered 3 nebulized breathing treatments, 2 of which were done with oxygen. I did 2 flu tests, an RSV test, and half a dozen strep tests.
In addition to all of that, we had 3 well care visits with their necessary immunizations, weight checks and developmental questionnaires. One stressed, exhausted new mother had forgotten to bring her baby's formula with her. The baby was hungry and the mom was near tears. Fortunately, we had bottles with ready to feed formula. A baby peed on a scale. Another baby pooped on an exam table. Three separate times, children with appointments also had ill siblings and we managed to squeeze them in, too.
I was dead on my feet by lunch time. I'm so glad the day is over.
There was a boy who cut his finger with a knife; no stitches needed but the doctor decided to order a Tdap since he hadn't had a tetanus shot since kindergarten. Then I realized that he was behind on 3 other injections and, of course, his mother wanted him to get all of them today.
We had two kids with bad infections who couldn't tolerate oral antibiotics so they had to have Rocephin injections. Rocephin is a pain in the neck. It comes in powder form and is reconstituted with Lidocaine. It is the consistency of maple syrup and, even with the Lidocaine, hurts a lot. It's not uncommon for patients to have large bruises the next day. Because of the large volume usually ordered, it's divided into two injections. We usually get two nurses to give both shots at the same time since it hurts so much. Afterward, the patient has to wait in the office for at least 10 minutes to be sure there isn't a bad reaction to it. And I did that twice.
I administered 3 nebulized breathing treatments, 2 of which were done with oxygen. I did 2 flu tests, an RSV test, and half a dozen strep tests.
In addition to all of that, we had 3 well care visits with their necessary immunizations, weight checks and developmental questionnaires. One stressed, exhausted new mother had forgotten to bring her baby's formula with her. The baby was hungry and the mom was near tears. Fortunately, we had bottles with ready to feed formula. A baby peed on a scale. Another baby pooped on an exam table. Three separate times, children with appointments also had ill siblings and we managed to squeeze them in, too.
I was dead on my feet by lunch time. I'm so glad the day is over.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day, Mom!
Solomon: Here, Mom, it's your early Valentine's Day present! (hands me a mostly dry, hard orange)
Me: Oh, thank you! (pause) How long have you had this?
Solomon: About three days. But it was in this safe compartment in my backpack so it wouldn't get messed up.
Me: Um, okay. But I think it might be too old to eat.
Solomon: Yeah, but you can still cut it up and make the house smell good. (beaming pride)
Me: Absolutely! (big smile)
Solomon: You have a really weird smile on your face, Mom.
Me: Oh, thank you! (pause) How long have you had this?
Solomon: About three days. But it was in this safe compartment in my backpack so it wouldn't get messed up.
Me: Um, okay. But I think it might be too old to eat.
Solomon: Yeah, but you can still cut it up and make the house smell good. (beaming pride)
Me: Absolutely! (big smile)
Solomon: You have a really weird smile on your face, Mom.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
TMI Follow Up
Warning: This is technically part 2 of the disgusting thread from before. You know what that means.
I overheard my nurse manager on the phone with rotavirus parents today. She was letting them know that their child's stool specimen was negative for rotavirus. That means that my fighting with the super absorbent diaper over 0.1 ml of diarrhea was worth it. The lab doesn't run tests on inadequate specimens. :pats self on the back:
I overheard my nurse manager on the phone with rotavirus parents today. She was letting them know that their child's stool specimen was negative for rotavirus. That means that my fighting with the super absorbent diaper over 0.1 ml of diarrhea was worth it. The lab doesn't run tests on inadequate specimens. :pats self on the back:
Thursday Thirteen: Best Life Events
After # 1, these are in no particular order ...
1. The births of my children, seeing their faces for the first time.
2. Christmas 2008.
3. Christmas 1993.
4. Moving into my own apartment after separating from the ex-husband.
5. Being voted Unsung Hero at West.
6. Trip to Lake Tahoe.
7. Trip to Honduras.
8. Going out with Kelly and Hope to Heaven.
9. Marc Broussard concert.
10. The 'other' staff Christmas party at West in 2007.
11. Obama rally.
12. Snorkeling in Cancun.
13. Any and all Thanksgiving holidays spent with the family in Arkansas.
1. The births of my children, seeing their faces for the first time.
2. Christmas 2008.
3. Christmas 1993.
4. Moving into my own apartment after separating from the ex-husband.
5. Being voted Unsung Hero at West.
6. Trip to Lake Tahoe.
7. Trip to Honduras.
8. Going out with Kelly and Hope to Heaven.
9. Marc Broussard concert.
10. The 'other' staff Christmas party at West in 2007.
11. Obama rally.
12. Snorkeling in Cancun.
13. Any and all Thanksgiving holidays spent with the family in Arkansas.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Texans, Take Heed
Our Tamiflu drug rep came to the office today. I eagerly await her visit every week because she brings us the latest stats on flu tracking across the country. I have a weird preoccupation with this. We've been pleasantly surprised not to have much flu activity in our office or across the country up to now. Or at least, we were.
In the Tamiflu rep's words: It Has Hit. She showed me a map of the United States with color-coded sections denoting High, Moderate and Low Flu Activity. High is red, Moderate is orange and Low is yellow.
Immediately, my eyes fell upon Colorado. Colorado is entirely red which means we are swimming in a deep sea of creepy-crawly flu bugs. Blech. I'm so glad we took care of inoculation weeks ago. This is the one time of year I will consent to the use of Lysol wipes in my home.
Next, I checked out Texas. My friends, you have it bad. A teeny sliver of the Gulf Coast is moderate, as is the very northernmost edge of the panhandle. The rest of you ... all I can say is, I hope you had your flu shot. Also, washing your hands needs to take up the better part of your day. It's not pretty.
Stay healthy, all!
In the Tamiflu rep's words: It Has Hit. She showed me a map of the United States with color-coded sections denoting High, Moderate and Low Flu Activity. High is red, Moderate is orange and Low is yellow.
Immediately, my eyes fell upon Colorado. Colorado is entirely red which means we are swimming in a deep sea of creepy-crawly flu bugs. Blech. I'm so glad we took care of inoculation weeks ago. This is the one time of year I will consent to the use of Lysol wipes in my home.
Next, I checked out Texas. My friends, you have it bad. A teeny sliver of the Gulf Coast is moderate, as is the very northernmost edge of the panhandle. The rest of you ... all I can say is, I hope you had your flu shot. Also, washing your hands needs to take up the better part of your day. It's not pretty.
Stay healthy, all!
TMI & 21st Century Technology
Warning: This post contains much discussion of dirty diapers and is quite disgusting. If you can't handle it, move along. I am not kidding.
I had to send a stool sample off to be tested for rotavirus yesterday. The doctor I was working with brought two diapers out of the exam room and set them in the lab sink. He then brought me the patient's chart and asked me to send off standard stool cultures and rotavirus but the rotavirus was the most important since the stool was especially foul-smelling. Wonderful.
I called the lab to ask how much stool is required for rotavirus testing. The only thing worse than digging through a diaper for stool and sending it off for culture is getting a call 24 hours later because there was not enough stool in the culture tube. The lab rep said they needed 0.1 ml. This surprised me because most stool cultures require 2 grams but the rep assured me 0.1 ml was sufficient. Okay, that should make things a little easier.
I pulled my hair back with a rubberband, applied Vicks to my upper lip and gloved up. I readied my specimen container and opened the first diaper to collect what I could. As it turns out, I couldn't collect much. Disposable diapers, with their multiple layers of paper/plastic/gel, are doing their jobs these days. I scraped the diaper lining with a tongue blade and came up with a miniscule amount of yellow liquid. I scraped a little harder. Still not much. So I went to the next diaper. It wasn't any better. A co-worker suggested squeezing the diaper since the stool was obviously more liquid than solid. Nothing. Not a drop.
By this time I was frustrated. When the lab rep said 0.1 ml, I didn't expect volume to be my problem. Plus, the smell was getting to me. So I began looking in the elastic bands for bits of stool that weren't absorbed by the space age gel beads. I got a little more fluid/solid mixture but not enough. There was only one thing left to do: tear open the first layers of absorbent material. But you know what that gets you? Space age gel beads full of diarrhea. Probably not what the lab technicians want and probably not worth counting in the 0.1 ml.
Well, tough noogies. That's what they got. And Dr. Standard Stool Cultures can forget about it. Unless we attach a bag directly to this child's rear end, we're not getting stool from him. Twenty-first century diapers are not cooperative enough for that.
I had to send a stool sample off to be tested for rotavirus yesterday. The doctor I was working with brought two diapers out of the exam room and set them in the lab sink. He then brought me the patient's chart and asked me to send off standard stool cultures and rotavirus but the rotavirus was the most important since the stool was especially foul-smelling. Wonderful.
I called the lab to ask how much stool is required for rotavirus testing. The only thing worse than digging through a diaper for stool and sending it off for culture is getting a call 24 hours later because there was not enough stool in the culture tube. The lab rep said they needed 0.1 ml. This surprised me because most stool cultures require 2 grams but the rep assured me 0.1 ml was sufficient. Okay, that should make things a little easier.
I pulled my hair back with a rubberband, applied Vicks to my upper lip and gloved up. I readied my specimen container and opened the first diaper to collect what I could. As it turns out, I couldn't collect much. Disposable diapers, with their multiple layers of paper/plastic/gel, are doing their jobs these days. I scraped the diaper lining with a tongue blade and came up with a miniscule amount of yellow liquid. I scraped a little harder. Still not much. So I went to the next diaper. It wasn't any better. A co-worker suggested squeezing the diaper since the stool was obviously more liquid than solid. Nothing. Not a drop.
By this time I was frustrated. When the lab rep said 0.1 ml, I didn't expect volume to be my problem. Plus, the smell was getting to me. So I began looking in the elastic bands for bits of stool that weren't absorbed by the space age gel beads. I got a little more fluid/solid mixture but not enough. There was only one thing left to do: tear open the first layers of absorbent material. But you know what that gets you? Space age gel beads full of diarrhea. Probably not what the lab technicians want and probably not worth counting in the 0.1 ml.
Well, tough noogies. That's what they got. And Dr. Standard Stool Cultures can forget about it. Unless we attach a bag directly to this child's rear end, we're not getting stool from him. Twenty-first century diapers are not cooperative enough for that.
Monday, February 2, 2009
One Year
Today is February 2, 2009; one year exactly since I left Texas. It doesn't feel like it has been a year. So much of Colorado still feels new to me. I guess that's what happens after spending the entirety of my adult life thus far in one city.
A few times during the last year, various people have asked me if this move was worth it, if I'm sure I made the right decision. In a word, yes. Yes, it has been worth it and yes, I made the right decision. But that doesn't mean I don't miss Texas. We had a good life there and I miss a lot of it.
Unfortunately, life doesn't allow me to pick and choose pieces and compile them into my own personal utopia. In Texas, I had the perfect job for me, the perfect church for me and a lot of very good friends. But my nearest family was an 8 hour drive away. Here, I have settled for a job I like, but not love. I'm making friends. But I have family 15 minutes from me. In either place, I'm missing things important to me.
Mom and Dad always said life isn't fair. Boy, were they right.
A few times during the last year, various people have asked me if this move was worth it, if I'm sure I made the right decision. In a word, yes. Yes, it has been worth it and yes, I made the right decision. But that doesn't mean I don't miss Texas. We had a good life there and I miss a lot of it.
Unfortunately, life doesn't allow me to pick and choose pieces and compile them into my own personal utopia. In Texas, I had the perfect job for me, the perfect church for me and a lot of very good friends. But my nearest family was an 8 hour drive away. Here, I have settled for a job I like, but not love. I'm making friends. But I have family 15 minutes from me. In either place, I'm missing things important to me.
Mom and Dad always said life isn't fair. Boy, were they right.
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