30 December, 2010
Hey friends and family!
Well we made it! Haylee had her EP study today at the hospital! Boy what a Trooper! I am so proud of my girl! I am always amazed at kids ability to be resilient!
She took every prick, pull… everything with such grace and courage!
We arrived very early in the morning to an awesome staff at the hospital. Welcoming, friendly… yes even at 6:30 am! She was put into pre-op. She got all hooked up and ready to go down to the Cath lab for her procedure. We were able to stay with her till she went night night for awhile! The procedure was to take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours depending on what they find out when there are in there. We waited with hourly updates from the lab. Phase one was complete with them NOT being able to induce an arrhythmia. Next phase… to put in synthetic adrenaline to see if that will induce arrhythmia. NO GO!!!! The procedure took 1 ½ hours! WOW! So after mapping out the systems of her heart and doing multiple tests from within…, they concluded that the pathway was benign. No way it can cause an arrhythmia or be of concern at any time! PTL. No restrictions, no issues, no problem! They also concluded that she actually does not have Wolf Parkinson White syndrome, but what is called Mahaim Fibre Tachycardia which is frequently mistaken for WPW. It shows up as WPW . I won’t bore you with the medical lingo. She will always have an abnormal EKG, but we know now what is going on. Another good thing is now with the new diagnoses… it isn’t hereditary… just the way her “fibers” in the heart formed when she was born and grew! (no need to rush to get the other kiddos checked ) She goes back in a month to make sure she still is on track and that her entry points are healing okay. Then back in 6 months to be “cardiac cleared” for good! She will have to carry an “official” paper with her if she does anything that needs to include an EKG so she isn’t diagnosed again and labeled with a heart condition, because that isn’t the case anymore!
I so appreciated all the thoughts and prayers! We could definitely feel them. I made a comment today asking myself… “should I be more freaked out about this situation than I am”… the answer was clear and felt! God had her in the palm of His hand from beginning to end and calmed my spirit! My relief going into this new year with answers , knowledge, and no fear of the what if and what can’t she do… well…. You can imagine my relief! I am so grateful for an awesome doctor! He was fantastic! (so was his staff at the heart clinic)
Haylee is doing well. A little sore in the entry areas, little scratchy throat, and a little headache, but doing great overall!
Many blessing for a great new year!
Thanks again,
23 December, 2010
Hey all…
Hope you are all ready for Christmas! I think I am ready! Oh wait… I have to wrap everything? Oh boy!!!
Getting "wired" up!!!
Just wanted to update you on our visit today with the cardiac doc. And her running stress test! She did really well on the test… the results… since neither the stress test nor the holter monitor tests revealed any sort of arrhythmia we are still uncertain the severity of the extra electrical pathway. So next thurs, December 30th, she will be going to APH for an EP study. (electrophysiology study) Essentially, it will map the electrical system of her heart from the inside. They will find the circuit and attempt to force it into an arrhythmia. If it is not able to be tripped into an arrhythmia then the circuit is benign. They won’t need to do anything—chances are she will just live with it with no issues. If the circuit is able to be tripped into an arrhythmia then it is a malignant pathway which then will require them to ablate the circuit which will cure her completely. They will go in the same day under the same sedation and ablate it on the spot. No extra visit. This will be all done under sedation and is an outpatient procedure. SO we will be at APH for the day! Gonna pack me a lunch!
Go girl GO!!!
She is still on Christmas break so need to miss school. The new year will indeed be a fresh new year!!! SO glad we will go into 2011 with answers!!
Either way, the outcome will be good in the long run. You can’t put a price tag on piece of mind! (the whole “what can’t she do, what if her heart rate rises?” stuff doesn’t do a mom good!) Either it will be taken care of or nothing will need to be done! I am a little freaked out by the concept of ppl going into my girls body for what I feel is an invasive procedure and being put under sedation, but I am VERY confident in the awesome doctors that we have. I know she is in good hands. I will still be a nervous momma in the waiting room until I can see her and all is well… but I won’t be alone! The Lord is my stronghold!
Please pray for us on Thursday! Haylee is in great spirits and really is very “whatever” about the whole thing. I am so grateful that we have found this so early. As she gets older , this could have been a much different complicated situation. The Lord is good!
08 December, 2010
Just wanted to update you on our pediatric cardiology visit for Princess that we had today! Let me start by saying… I am in complete AWE and amazement at how the Lord has knit together our hearts! WOW! So intricate, so complex… not only that, but he gave ppl the knowledge to navigate it and fix it! The doctors were amazing!!! He took A LOT of time talking to us, explaining to us, and even drew us pretty pictures in lingo we can understand! He gave the analogy that the circuits (the one that is supposed to be there and the extra one that shouldn’t) in her heart are like a dog chasing its tail. Instead of going one direction, they keep going around and around. The faster they fire, the more the heart has the possibility to “poop” out and shut down!
First they did a repeat EKG which confirmed her diagnoses. She does have WPW. Now at this point, because she didn’t come in with palpitations or increased heart rate (which would have meant a direct ticket right to the surgical unit) we don’t know how severe or intense the defect is… we are in test mode! They did a cardiactric ultrasound to make sure her heart was normal in respect to biology and design. They showed us she indeed has a heart!! :o) A very big one in my eyes! No abnormalities in the heart were detected. So the issue is now strictly electrical.
She was sent home wearing a Holter Device which is like a mobile EKG machine that will record her heart rhythms for 24 hours instead of just 10 seconds! This will give some insight into the daily operations of her heart during a typical day! Then on Dec. 23 we go back for her to do a running stress test on a treadmill. At this appointment, we will compile all our information and plan out the road map for the months to come! Based on the results and findings, we will either do nothing and just watch her, use medications, use medications till she is older, or go straight to surgery to fix it! It is still anyone’s guess… but we are on the road!
We all appreciate your thoughts and prayers! Your encouragement is awesome! We are so thankful that we have a heavenly father that we can go to when we need peace or rest!
John 14: 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Have a blessed day! We will keep you updated!
30 November, 2010
So I said in my last post that we were having some pretty stressful challenges lately! On of which was the van and the transmission issues! Well, mucho bucks later... the transmission is fixed. It actually purrs like a kitten!! :o) Here's hoping we can get a couple more years out of it!
I won't bore you to tears with all the little mini challenges that seem trivial to others, but stressed me to the max... so I will just get to the big challenge that faces us now!
Our pediatrician always has her 9-10 year old patients go and get a routine “sports ekg” to determine if there are any heart issues before the kids get into sports. She has seen too many kids go undiagnosed with heart issues and die on the football field. One of the many reasons I love our pediatrician!! Sometimes what seems to me to be "over the top" actually helps us cut things off before they get really out of control!! I am all about trusting your pediatrician, but.... you are the parent who knows and loves your kids like no one other! You, your child, and the Lord have the final say in their care!
Anywho…
We took Princess for her ekg last week. It came back that she has what is called Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. In as little words as possible, it is a form of tachycardia. Her heart’s electrical system fires with an extra circuit and runs the risk of “short circuiting out”. That sounds incredibly scary, I know it did for me. I think my stomach sank into my feet… but the symptoms of this syndrome usually don’t rear its ugly head until age 11-20 so we are catching it early. It also just means for now that she can’t participate in sports that will increase her heart rates. The faster the heart beats the more chance it has to short circuit.
At this point , we don’t know how severe it is. We are waiting to go see the pediatric cardiac specialist on Dec. 8th. We will need to find out what this will mean for her life and if it can be cured! (in some cases they can go in and “zap” the extra circuit so it doesn’t fire anymore letting the regular circuits fire in the correct sequence!) It may also mean NOTHING at all!!! That is my personal prayer!
I am in utter awe at how the Lord over the past week has shown me the amazing way He has handcrafted her little body! Princess, as you know, has turned her passions more toward the arts and entertainment with the shows she has been in lately. I can see the Lords fingerprints and handiwork all over this situation. If this condition means NO sports for her... I think the Lord may have just taken care of that!
I am at a place , after the initial fear, uncertainty, questioning what this means, and nauseating feeling... that I can very much say that I am so peaceful about this! God has got this! After that appointment that she had the ekg at, I found myself all day long cranking up the Pandora with Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, & all my favorite worship songs!!! I really am at peace! I just love the Lord for doing that for me! Don't get me wrong, I still fear & worry... this is my little girl! However, the difference now is that I can get back to that peaceful place a lot easier when I worship Him!!!
"Three of the most life-changing words in the entire Bible are 'Praise the
Lord'. Praise is the key that releases God's character back into even
the ugliest of attitudes and darkest of situations." Lysa TerKeurst
I love that!!! No matter our circumstances, attitudes, or challenges... just praise HIM!
I will keep you all updated on how her appointment goes!!! Pray for continued peace, wisdom, and healing if He so chooses!!
Love you all!
14 June, 2010
My pain became so bad, that vicodin wasn't even cutting through it! The left side of my face felt like it was in a vice grip. The pain radiated across my forehead and into my sinuses. I was in so much pain, I was nauseated and throwing up! Which made the pain worse from all the blood pressure going to my head from all the heaving. I finally gave up and went to the local walk in clinic on Sunday. The doctor said my ear canal was about 98% closed. He couldn't even see the back of the ear to see if the infection went into the middle ear. We were guessing, uh... yes! So he gave me ear drop antibiotics and oral antibiotics to kill it from both ways.
God bless my mom... she came over to sit with the kids so that hubby could get into work for an event. I spent all day trying to manage pain, eat, sleep, and not throw up the antibiotics! I am doing a bit better today. I am still in a lot of pain, can't hear a thing, and a lot sleepy! My nausea is gone, thank the lord! Just have to let the drugs do their thing! I thank the lord for the wisdom he bestows on Dr.'s and the miracle of medication! On the good side of things, I can't hear the kids fighting! :o)
This summer is a prime time to get swimmer's ear! The kids are more likely to get it! Here is some info to help you out this summer! (taken from web md!)
OVERVIEW:
Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is an inflammation and infection of the ear canal . It occurs when the protective film that covers the ear canal (lipid layer) is removed. This causes the ear canal to look red and swollen. The ear canal may be narrower than normal and is tender when the outside of the ear is gently pulled up and back.
Swimmer's ear may develop when water, sand, dirt, or other debris gets into the ear canal. Since it often occurs when excess water enters the ear canal, a common name for this inflammation is "swimmer's ear." If you have had swimmer's ear in the past, you are more likely to get it again.
A rare but serious infection called malignant external otitis can develop if bacteria invade the bones inside the ear canal and spread to the base of the skull. Not many people get this infection-it is mainly seen in older adults who also have diabetes, people who have HIV, and children who have impaired immune systems-but it can be fatal. Symptoms include ear pain with sudden facial paralysis, hoarseness, and throat pain. Antibiotics are used to treat this infection.
Other causes of inflammation or infection of the ear canal include:
Allergies.
Bony overgrowths in the ear canal called exostoses.
Bubble baths, soaps, and shampoos.
Cleaning the ear canal harshly or with a sharp object.
Headphones inserted into the ear.
Scratching the ear canal with a cotton swab, bobby pin, fingernail, or other sharp object.
Skin problems, such as eczema, psoriasis, or seborrhea.
Sweating.
Swimmer's ear is more likely if you have a very narrow or hairy ear canal, live in a warm, humid climate, have impacted earwax, or have had a head injury that also injured your ear.
Symptoms can include itching, pain, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. Your ear canal may be swollen. You may have moderate to severe pain, drainage, or hearing loss. Unlike a middle ear infection (acute otitis media), the pain is worse when you chew, press on the "tag" in front of the ear, or wiggle your earlobe.
You may be able to prevent swimmer's ear. Symptoms often get better or go away with home treatment.
HOME TREATMENT:
You may be able to relieve your ear canal problem.
If you are quite sure that you do not have a ruptured eardrum:
Gently rinse the ear using a bulb syringe and warm saline solution or a half-and-half solution of white vinegar and warm water. Make sure the flushing solution is body temperature. Inserting cool or hot fluids in the ear may cause dizziness.
If your ear is itchy, try nonprescription swimmer's eardrops, such as Star-Otic or Swim-Ear. Use them before and after swimming or getting your ears wet.
To ease ear pain, apply a warm washcloth or a heating pad set on low. There may be some drainage when the heat melts earwax. For more information about earwax removal, see the topic Earwax.
Do not use a heating pad when you are in bed. You may fall asleep and burn yourself.
Do not use a heating pad on a child.
Do not use ear candles . They have no proven benefit in the removal of earwax or other objects in the ear and can cause serious injury.
PREVENTION:
In most cases, it is best to leave your ears alone and let them maintain their own healthy, natural balance.
Do not scratch or clean the inside of the ear with cotton swabs, bobby pins, your fingernail, or other objects.
Removable earplugs may be used to keep moisture out of the ear canal. But prolonged use of earplugs can make your ears hurt and itch, and the earplugs can push earwax deeper into the canal. If this happens, your ears are more likely to get infected.
Keep soap, bubble bath, and shampoo out of the ear canal. Do not let a child lie down in the bathtub with his or her ears underwater. These products can cause itching and irritation.
Keep your ears dry.
After swimming or showering, shake your head to remove water from the ear canal.
Gently dry your ears with the corner of a tissue or towel, or use a blow-dryer on its lowest setting. Hold the dryer several inches (centimeters) from the ear.
Put a few drops of rubbing alcohol or rubbing alcohol mixed with an equal amount of white vinegar into the ear after swimming or showering.
Wiggle the outside of the ear to let the liquid enter the ear canal, then tilt your head and let it drain out.
You can also use nonprescription drops, such as Star-Otic or Swim-Ear, to prevent swimmer's ear.
If you use public swimming pools or hot tubs, ask about the chlorine and pH testing of the pool. You are less likely to get swimmer's ear from facilities that maintain good control of their pool testing and treatment.
Do not swim in dirty water or locations that have been closed because of pollution.
Follow any instructions your doctor has given you to treat skin problems-such as eczema, psoriasis, or seborrhea-that may cause ear canal irritation.
I can only imagine what the kids go through when they have this! OUCH! I have a little dropper filled with alchohol/ vinegar mixture ready for right when the kids get out of the pool! Don't want them to feel like I do!
Have a great and swimmer's ear free summer!!!
Don't forget to enter my blogiversary giveaway! Click HERE!!
12 March, 2009
It is FCAT week in Florida! For every child who takes the test, it is NOT a fun time! FCAT can mean the difference in passing or failing a grade! Each child deals with it in their own way. If your child was like mine, it would be compounded fear! The FCAT is timed and that doesn't sit well! We were told my boy had panic/ anxiety disorder about a year ago. He is currently 10 years old and in 4th grade! A great teacher saw his struggles and had him evaluated by a professional through the school district. He was an excellent help!
The symptoms they were seeing at school often carried over into home life.
-- He couldn't make a choice without it being a major affair.
-- simple tasks took him twice as long to complete, because he had to think it all to death.
-- he got upset extremely easily and broke down even easier
-- Every project was done very meticulously.
-- his homework or school work papers had to have the perfect handwriting.
-- he would write and erase, write and erase, not because of a wrong answer, but because it wasn't a perfect letter.
-- he will spend hours doing his homework.
-- does NOT do well with change.
After much testing, it came back to no learning issue. He was basically brilliant. He was 100% correct 100% of the time, it just took him two times as long to get it out on paper! He struggles with anxiety. I was relieved to hear he didn't suffer from a learning disability, but in the same breath-- this is hard to deal with and know how to handle. How did this come about? Where did it come from? My hubby and I have always told him that your best is good enough. There was really never any need to bring attention to bad grades, because he never had them.
Okay, so how do we deal?
-- we teach him how to deep breath! This was especially helpful when he had a panic attack!
-- we teach him "self talk", to talk himself out of the situation
-- we teach him and teach him again that he is good enough no matter what
--we validate his concerns, worries, and fears BUT teach him the facts of a situation. He has to know all the facts. When he doesn't , he is anxious.
-- We keep our home life as stress free as possible. Weekends, we try and let loose!
-- one thing they didn't tell us to do because it was a secular dr. was to teach him and remind him that HE isn't in control. The Lord is in control. That is hard for an anxious person.
-- we teach him "what is the worst that will happen?"
-- we teach him to call on Jesus when he is anxious.
Since last year, he has made amazing strides in over coming this. I am so proud of him. I can see an improvement in his work and his issues at home! I see him settling himself down, and breathing deeply! I see him seeing the other side of the coin and being okay with it! He is no longer writing and erasing, writing and erasing! It does still take him a LONG time to complete homework! ( which BTW I don't think kids should have, but that will be another post!) I believe this is something he will outgrow with the proper care! It may always take him longer to complete things, but you know it will be correct, meticulously accurate, and a work of art!! I would definitely want him for my brain surgeon!
As far as the FCAT goes, the school district has given him a 504 which allows him to NOT be timed to do the FCAT. He can take comfort in knowing he isn't against the clock. Because this is a pass/fail issue, they don't want him to fail just because he didn't finish the test. He is too smart for that. The FCAT is the only accommodations that the school gives him. We won't let him go through school knowing that he can take his time to complete everything. He needs to rise above. Life is timed , unfortunately, deadlines exist! He needs to learn them and not be anxious about them!
The report from yesterday's FCAT is that he finished the test under the allotted time! They time him without him knowing to track his progress from year to year ! That shows me his anxiety is being controlled and he believing in himself that he can do his best.
WHOO HOO!!! We are so proud of you son!! Keep up the good work!!
If you or your child have this issue or think you may, this website is a great resource!
09 March, 2009
I did a post a while back about a new source for stem cells. In light of the recent overturning of Bush's policy regarding stem cell research, I thought revisiting my post was appropriate!! You can read it here!
12 February, 2009
Things have been sort of crazy around here! 2 out 3 kids are sick and have been home from school. The other one is getting it though! *fingers crossed* that she will fight it off. The baby has been up during the night because pacifiers and stuffy noses don't mix! I have been fighting this head cold for a week now. My hubby has been on this crazy schedule. He is opening the new American Idol Experience at the Disney Hollywood Studios. Today was their huge press junket, the actual experience opens on Valentines day to the public! Therefore, he has been working over nights and barely sleeping during the day. No rest for the weary! So basically he isn't here at home to help out. Then on Saturday, he goes to Daytona Beach to be on the production staff for the Daytona 500. He comes home on Sunday night, just in time to pack and leave Monday morning for a marketing thing in Chicago for a week. ugh!
It is hard to say the least... I say all this to not have a pity party, but to rejoice that he has a job. (at least when I am up at 3am with my sick baby who won't go back to sleep-- that is what I tell myself over and over!) You single mom's out there .... my hat goes off. I only do the single mom thing for a couple weeks every couple of months, but you do it 365- 24/7! I will pray for you often!
That being said, if you could keep us in pray over the next 2 weeks-- I would be grateful. Bloggy land may have to wait for a while until things get back to normal and well! I will catch up when I can. I love all you guys! I am here- just in an alternate universe. :o)
12 December, 2008
It has been a long and exhausting couple of days! My poor "monkey" is sick! She has been terribly congested and has had a deep chesty wet cough since Monday. For the past two nights, she hasn't slept well. Then last night she started to "wheeze" when she breathed. It has only been accompanied by a low grade temperature, but it just really makes me nervous when it comes to breathing. My older daughter had had pneumonia this past year and was to the ER as an infant for croup. So, on to the Dr. we go!! He could hear her wheezing right away and didn't like it. The Dr. said she sounds fine in the lungs so far. BUT, with little ones upper respiratory stuff tends develop into other things that we would rather not deal with. He said she more than likely has the starting stage of RSV .
My Dr. is very proactive and decided that we needed to relax and open those air passages so she can get some relief, sleep, and fight this virus. So he sent me home with a prescription for medicine to a nebulizer. He then had the office fax my insurance company to have a local vendor deliver a nebulizer unit to my house. I had the unit in my living room within 5 hours!!
He said just use it as needed to give her a little comfort and easier breathing. If a higher fever develops then I am to call him since he is on call this weekend! I hope this helps. Poor girl (and me) needs some sleep! I HATE to watch my kids suffer!! She is in good spirits though. She really is such a happy girl!!
Anyway, the nebulizer is quite an experience for her. She isn't too sure what to think! At first she tried to "lick" the mist that was coming up and then tried to bite the mask! I gave her a treatment before bed, so I pray she sleeps for the whole house's sake!! Here's to pleasant dreams and coughless nights!!
She didn't like it around her head, so we took it off and just held it up to her face.
24 September, 2008
This is pretty exciting to me. New, different, and weird to think of at first but worth it!! During this election season with stem cell research being a topic of interest, there is a study out that gives us a new way we can preserve our own stem cells and save them for , God forbid, any future need. According to the BBC online and many other sources, (just look it up in your search engine) baby teeth can be a source for stem cells. I was prompted to research this a bit more when my pediatrician told me yesterday that when the kid's baby teeth fall out, freeze them immediately. Save the teeth in the freezer to preserve any cells. The "gold" is in the pulp of the baby tooth! I believe that wisdom teeth in adults can have the same cells too.I am all for any new and exciting ways to find stem cells if it means we pull our focus away from embryonic stem cells!!
12 August, 2008
So, I have been reading a lot and hearing a lot about the health benefits of Flax seed. (the benefits are endless) The three main ingredients to yield these benefits are Omega 3, fiber, and lignans. It comes in three different forms: flax seeds, ground (milled) flax seed, and flax seed oil!
Flax seeds are really difficult to consume. You have to "shell" them to get the benefits of them. You then can eat the seeds like sunflower seeds or put them in salad, cereal etc. If you don't "shell" them, your body won't break it down and you will just pass the seed. The oil is good, however, it make you "go" a lot more than you want!! My favorite... ground (milled) flax seed!!
This is amazing stuff!! It is almost tasteless. It has a little nutty taste, but not too much! The biggest PRO is that you you don't have to do any work to get to it and can hide it in almost anything!! My kids don't even know it is there! I put in my spaghetti sauce last night. Didn't even flinch!! I sprinkled it over their cereal this morning! I can put in their yogurt, ice cream, bake it into pancakes, add it to juice, sprinkle it on french toast, even better for me... bake into brownies!! I am really excited about this little thing I can do for my family's health that can reap HUGE benefits! You only need 2-4 tbls a day!
You can get this at any whole foods or natural food store, but I got mine from Sam's Club! Yup! I was so excited! I got this big tub (40 oz) for $9.47! This such a great price! 1 lb of flax seeds is @ the same price, however you then need to "shell" them and grind them into a powder to use it like I do!
Anyone have other ideas on how to use ground flax seed ... comment and share!!
;;
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
