Wow! My blog finally hit 1,110 posts! Go me! In celebration, I decided to share my top 10 favorite blog blogs. Sit back, grab the coffee and enjoy!
My favorite blog blog #1: Problogger
Problogger is a pretty awesome blog. I got there often to read through the articles and just to browse. Darren also offers 6 resources to make your blog successful. I don't make any money by saying that. I just really love the blog. It is very helpful for me as a blogger and something fun to browse when I have the time to just sit and read (which is often).
My favorite blog blog #2: Official Google Blog
The Official Google Blog is the blog I go check out just because I use blogger as my blogging platform. And if the article is too boring, I can spent the next 10 minutes running my mouse all over the circles on the top right of the blog. (Do it! I know you want to!)
My favorite blog blog #3: Daily Blog Tips
Here's another Blog site that I like to read. It gives me ideas, insight and useful tips. Daily Blog Tips also has a list of the Top 25 Blogs about Blogging (which is where I got the idea for this post). It has a lot more blogs to help you blog and some of mine aren't on the list. You can check them out when you are done.
My favorite blog blog #4: For Bloggers by Bloggers
This is a good blog and I love reading what they have. For Bloggers by Bloggers has a tab for blog tips, blog designs, blog topics, Social Bookmarking, Social Networking and more. Basically, there is a little something for every blogger there. One of my favorites from them is the Blogging's 7 Deadly Sins article. I have it bookmarked!
My favorite blog blog #5: Blogger Buster
If you are using blogger for your blogging platform, then Blogger Buster is a good resource. I found it a few weeks ago and I have been browsing it a lot. I like what I see! I've been toying with the idea of taking the Google Blogger Online Course they offer (for free!) just to see what it's like. I'll let you know what I find!
So, what blogs about blogging do you like?
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Mother's Day Gifts I love to Remember!
Love knot earrings: my first Mother's Day gift.
I just wanted to hop on here and wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. I became a mom in 1991 when my first son, Brandon, was born. He died in my arms five days later and my first Mother's day was a little surreal to me. My mom gave me love knot earrings. I had them until my jewelry box was stolen years later but I always think of them fondly.
A Pink Rose
The first year I met my w-husband (w... it's just before an ex) met me, he bought me a pink rose. It meant so much to me because every other man I had met after Brandon died wouldn't acknowledge I even had a child and wouldn't even mention it. But my w-husband embraced it fully and honored the fact that I was a mother, even if my son was only in my memories. It meant the world to me and made me fall in love even more.
After my second son was born, I was thrilled to have a child that was made it and three years later, I had another bouncing little boy! Between the two of them, I had some wonderful gifts over the years. Usually their dad would help concoct some special breakfast in bed or a trip to restaurant. I think he had more fun planning these gifts LOL.
Burnt toast and coffee with sugar
But occasionally my kids would join together and give me some really special present. When my youngest was about 2 or 3, I woke up to the smell of burnt toast and coffee and the sounds of whispering little boys outside my bedroom. My door opened and here came two smiling boys with a plate of black toast, one from each of them, covered with enough jelly to send someone into a diabetic coma. Mendel handed me the plate of toast and Miles gave me the cup of coffee and both announced "Happy Mother's Day!" I was in heaven as I sat up eat my breakfast in bed.
The boys ran out and grabbed their toast and juice and joined me in bed. I ate few bites of toast and told them it was delicious. Actually, all the jelly masked the burnt taste, and apparently they dowsed it in butter too. It wasn't bad for burnt toast at all. I went to take a sip of the coffee and got a mouth full of coffee so strong and bitter it could remove my stomach lining. I told them it was really good (especially since they made the pot of coffee by themselves. Mendel grinned ear to ear and announced proudly "I put sugar in it!" Odd, it didn't taste anywhere close to sweet. Miles smiled and nodded "I helped!" "You did? Why thank you!" and they grinned ear to ear as they watched me force another swallow down my throat.
I finally couldn't take the bitterness and asked "Can mommy have more sugar in her coffee? I love it but I think it needs more sugar." Mendel got all excited, hopped up and yelled "I'll do it!" crawled forward and blew two kisses into my cup. "There! I put more sugar in it!" I nearly cried. When they were little, Nana always gave them "sugar" when she came to visit... and this Mother's Day, I got a cup of coffee with the sweetest sugar ever.
I just wanted to hop on here and wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. I became a mom in 1991 when my first son, Brandon, was born. He died in my arms five days later and my first Mother's day was a little surreal to me. My mom gave me love knot earrings. I had them until my jewelry box was stolen years later but I always think of them fondly.
A Pink Rose
The first year I met my w-husband (w... it's just before an ex) met me, he bought me a pink rose. It meant so much to me because every other man I had met after Brandon died wouldn't acknowledge I even had a child and wouldn't even mention it. But my w-husband embraced it fully and honored the fact that I was a mother, even if my son was only in my memories. It meant the world to me and made me fall in love even more.
After my second son was born, I was thrilled to have a child that was made it and three years later, I had another bouncing little boy! Between the two of them, I had some wonderful gifts over the years. Usually their dad would help concoct some special breakfast in bed or a trip to restaurant. I think he had more fun planning these gifts LOL.
Burnt toast and coffee with sugar
But occasionally my kids would join together and give me some really special present. When my youngest was about 2 or 3, I woke up to the smell of burnt toast and coffee and the sounds of whispering little boys outside my bedroom. My door opened and here came two smiling boys with a plate of black toast, one from each of them, covered with enough jelly to send someone into a diabetic coma. Mendel handed me the plate of toast and Miles gave me the cup of coffee and both announced "Happy Mother's Day!" I was in heaven as I sat up eat my breakfast in bed.
The boys ran out and grabbed their toast and juice and joined me in bed. I ate few bites of toast and told them it was delicious. Actually, all the jelly masked the burnt taste, and apparently they dowsed it in butter too. It wasn't bad for burnt toast at all. I went to take a sip of the coffee and got a mouth full of coffee so strong and bitter it could remove my stomach lining. I told them it was really good (especially since they made the pot of coffee by themselves. Mendel grinned ear to ear and announced proudly "I put sugar in it!" Odd, it didn't taste anywhere close to sweet. Miles smiled and nodded "I helped!" "You did? Why thank you!" and they grinned ear to ear as they watched me force another swallow down my throat.
I finally couldn't take the bitterness and asked "Can mommy have more sugar in her coffee? I love it but I think it needs more sugar." Mendel got all excited, hopped up and yelled "I'll do it!" crawled forward and blew two kisses into my cup. "There! I put more sugar in it!" I nearly cried. When they were little, Nana always gave them "sugar" when she came to visit... and this Mother's Day, I got a cup of coffee with the sweetest sugar ever.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Kids skipping class. My solution.
I am the guardian of a six year old little boy who loves to test boundaries and how much he can get away with. This week has been interesting, to say the least. When I drop him off at school, the kids play outside until the bell rings, they line up and then they all file in to go to class.
Except my little guy. He decided to stay outside as long as he could and not go in when the bell rang. He was pretty late for class. When I found this out, I talked to his co-guardian mommy and devised a plan to make sure that doesn't happen again!
Today *evil grin* I walked him ALL the way to his locker, holding his hand and smiling and waving to everyone. It was pretty easy to find people to wave to this morning because I was dressed in my jammies, bathrobe and my hair was absolutely disastrous. I made sure to say hi to all his gawking friends too.
And, I'm guessing, he won't be trying that stunt anytime soon. I also told him if he tries it in a higher grade, I will be walking him to class in a chicken suit. I will! Don't test me!
Except my little guy. He decided to stay outside as long as he could and not go in when the bell rang. He was pretty late for class. When I found this out, I talked to his co-guardian mommy and devised a plan to make sure that doesn't happen again!
Today *evil grin* I walked him ALL the way to his locker, holding his hand and smiling and waving to everyone. It was pretty easy to find people to wave to this morning because I was dressed in my jammies, bathrobe and my hair was absolutely disastrous. I made sure to say hi to all his gawking friends too.
And, I'm guessing, he won't be trying that stunt anytime soon. I also told him if he tries it in a higher grade, I will be walking him to class in a chicken suit. I will! Don't test me!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
St John's Lutheran Hospital and Kalispell Regional Medical Center: FAIL!!! (Pic at the end of the post!)
I know I do not speak kindly about the health care in this little town and some who do not live here say I am "overreacting". So let me share this birth story with you to give you another example of how horrible it truly is. Especially if they think you don't have insurance.
History on Previous Pregnancies
Crystal's first daughter was born at 37+ weeks. (I forget the number of day, I think it was 37 weeks and 4 days). Her contractions were never so bad that she couldn't walk or talk through them. She labored and delivered with no meds, no hysterical scream or eye-gouging. If all labor and deliveries were like her's, we'd all be like the Duggars and have 20 children. To compare, if all labors were like mine, the human race would go extinct.
History on THIS Pregnancy
A little history on this pregnancy. Crystal has had complications through this whole pregnancy. From water leaking at 29 weeks, to early contractions, infections, admissions to the hospital and more. I can't remember all of it. She was put on Terbutaline but her insurance wouldn't pay for it saying that it "wasn't necessary". I guess they'd rather pay for the hospital stay? The doctor called and got her on Nifedipine instead and the insurance agreed to pay for it after the doctor talked to them.
All was going well, for the most part, until about a week and a half ago. They got a letter stating their insurance had been cut off. They called and found out why, sent in the form and are waiting to get the reinstatment letter. The insurance said they would cover everything during the time it was shut off because it was an error.
So, on Nifedipine, she continued to contract but was able to make it to 37 weeks. The doctor told her she could stop taking the nifedipine. And that is where this story starts...
Friday, April 6
My friend, Crystal, is 37 weeks pregnant. She starts having contractions 3-5 minutes apart. Her significant other takes her to the hospital. They check her and she is 3 cm dilated. They send her home and told her that when she is 4 cm they will admit her. She returns home, still contracting consistantly 3-5 minutes apart.
Saturday and Sunday she continues to contract 3-5 minutes apart and doesn't sleep except for a passed out moment of 3-5 minutes here and there. Nothing significant as far as sleep goes.
She calls me on Sunday night and we chat about how she is doing. (We saw each other all weekend, but we talk a lot at night after kids are in bed). She says she is having bloody show, lots of mucus discharge and STILL contracting and can't sleep through them. She wanted to wait until the morning because the sweetheart that she is, she didn't want to drag everyone out in the night to be released from the hospital again and have everyone exhausted for nothing. I told her to call me AT ANY TIME! She said she didn't want to wake me and I told her WAKE ME! This is worth missing sleep! She agreed and I dozed off feeling better about giving her permission to wake me.
Monday, April 9
Crystal calls me and I answered right away because I slept with the phone near my head, just in case. She said she was still contracting and miserable. She's had no sleep, she couldn't eat and she was exhausted. I love ya, Crystal... But she looked like she had been hit by a Mack truck when I got there. We grabbed the kids some clothes, dropped them off with a friend and headed to St John's Lutheran Hospital.
They hooked her up to the monitors and she was contracting 3-5 minutes apart, 5 cm dilated and 70% effaced. She got excited! YEA! Active labor! But the Doctor wasn't going to keep her. Funny, she was going to keep her when she had insurance... anywhoodles! She said to go home and come back when her water breaks. You know, I am not a doctor but even I know that not every's water breaks right away. Some women's water doesn't break until the baby is coming out.
As Crystal got dressed, I stayed in the hall. I love my friends, I don't want to see them naked though. I don't love them that much. While I am out there, I hear the doctor telling the nurses she is NOT in active labor "she just really WANTS to be in active labor". I have never gone past 4 cm and contracting consistantly without being admitted. I was a little confused.
What is Active Labor then?
Blog pause... What is active labor if not 5 cm, 70% effaced and contracting consistantly? Let's google that!
This website says... "A standard rule is 5-1-1. Contractions are less than 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, and have followed that pattern for at least an hour." Check!... 3-5 minutes apart, 1 minute long and has lasted for 4 days. I think that counts. This will make your cervix dilate... check! And since Crystal could always talk and walk through contractions with her first, we weren't really counting that.
But hey, websites can be wrong! Right? So here is another website description of active labor and another and another... oh but what the hell do they know. It's the internet. So, on with the story...
Released from St John's, going to Kalispell
I took Crystal to my house and frankly, I was calm on the outside, but inside I am freaking out and visualizing delivering a baby on my couch or in my car, on the side of the highway in an area with no cell phone coverage. I called my friend who had the kids and finally convinced Crystal to let me take her to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. It's the hospital I go to unless I am about to die. She called Jared at work and he came right over from work. We stopped by their place and grabbed the hospital bag and carseat and headed to Kalispell.
She was checked into Kalispell Regional Medical Center Birthing Center and was 6.5 cm, 85% effaced and at station -1. They were all ready to admit her until they talked to Donna Smith, her doctor in Libby. I have no idea what the hell happened there. They ended up releasing her. Being so close to 7 cm, I was not about to drive back to Libby.
Second Trip to Kalispell Regional
After a nice walk through Wal-Mart (I was starving) and a visit with friends, she was still contracting and they were getting stronger. So we back to Kalispell Regional. They acted like we were crazy but decided to keep her overnight for "observation". The discharge paper says "...due to contractions the patient found very uncomfortable."
She labored all night long. I have to say, the nurse was awesome. Very kind. Once she realized that Crystal really was in labor and not just in "false labor" as they kept telling her, she gave her tips on how to help the baby get into position better, how to get a little more comfortable and kept a good eye on her. Crystal sat in the tub for awhile, sat on the birthing ball and walked a little. Still, she could always talk and walk through her contractions. There were a few times she had to pause during sentences to breath, but if that was me, I would have been screaming and wrapping my IV tube around someone's neck. Crystal? Nope, she so calm and composed through the whole thing.
For a little bit, Crystal laid in bed and dosed off for 3-5 minutes at a time, waking up through contractions and breathing through them. At 6 a.m. they said she was 7 1/2 cm dilated, 90% effaced and fully engaged at stagoe 0. I was getting excited!
At shift change, Crystal got a new nurse. She was told to order something to eat and had breakfast. I was thinking "WTF!? They are letting her EAT???" Okay, so things probably changed since I delivered my three boys 13 years, 16 years and 21 years ago. But she was staying so I wasn't worried.
Then the doctor came in and I'll be honest, I instantly hated her before she said a word. She told Crystal she was 6 1/2 cm and she was sending her home. No mention of effacing or station. At that point, I had to step outside or I was going to kill someone.
The discharge paper says:
Released? Are you serious?
So she was released that morning. We sat in the car trying to figure out what to do next. I was REALLY not comfortable driving back to Libby at 7 1/2 cm, 90% effaced and fully engaged. I was mad, no... I was pissed, I was worried sick and I really wasn't sure what to do now when Nikky called and screamed into the phone "TAKE HER TO WHITEFISH!" and told me about the hospital there.
Crystal insisted on going to Wal-Mart... and who am I to argue with the pregnant lady? So we went, got more food to eat and got her a drink, went tinkle and headed back to the car. The whole time she kept saying "I don't feel good" and "I just don't feel right". We talked a little more about just heading home but in my heart, I just knew it was wrong. So I headed to Whitefish.
Fainting Mom and Why the hell did they release her???
On the way to Whitefish Crystal was talking up a storm in the backseat complaining about the hospitals and how her contractions were hurting and then... silence... I looked back and she was passed out, slumped over on the door and PALE... her lips and cheeks had NO color to them at all. I didn't bother stopping since I could see she was breathing and could see her contracting... I also didn't bother watching the speed limit. I figured they could follow me to the ER and give me a ticket there. That was the most nerve-wrecking drive ever.
She did wake up just before we got to the North Valley Hospital and walked in. The ER sent her straight to the Birthing Center. Once in the Birthing Center, she was barely coherent. She knew name but couldn't remember how far along she was or when her due date was. Then she said "I feel like I am going to faint" and started swaying. The nurses ran to her and got her in the room.
We explained that she was at 7 1/2 cm, 90% effaced and station 0, then they changed that and released her and I was NOT driving her to Libby (and thank goodness I didn't!) They looked at us with a WTF expression and then said they would see if her water was leaking. Her water was not leaking so they checked her. The nurse explained to us that she gives ranges instead of definite numbers... but her range is... ready for it... 7-8 cm. She was staying!
The doctor broke her water since... SHE WAS IN LABOR! and then went out to get changed into scrubs. (She kinda soaked him LOL)
Investigation and WELCOME ELIJAH!!!
Within an hour of breaking her water, the baby was ready to come out but since he was posterior positioned (facing the wrong way), the doctor got the baby turned around. Crystal, who didn't scream or cry or kill anyone while in labor, only let out a couple cries during delivery. Nothing major. Not trying to break anyone's fingers or punch anyone. Seriously, she did awesome. She must have the highest pain tolerance ever. He was born at 3:13 p.m. And only needed a little oxygen (aren't you glad we didn't deliver in my car on the side of the highway!) He cried beautifully and nursed very well.
Mom went from pale and sickly looking, like she was going to die... to full color and full of energy. Proud dad got to hold the baby! We were all so happy everything turned out okay considering the care (or lack thereof) that Crystal received.
Speaking of which... The doctor told us he had called Kalispell Regional and told them how disappointed he was with the care they gave her and there is now an investigation going into why they released her that close to delivering. I am very happy to hear that.
And now! Here is little Elijah...
THANK YOU! A huge thank you to the nurses, the doctor and the pediatrician at North Valley Hospital for taking such good care of Crystal and Elijah. Not just that, but they were there for my mini melt down out in the hall after Crystal was in her room. They did such a good job, I can't even begin to say enough nice things about them.
Thank you North Valley! You guys are awesome!
History on Previous Pregnancies
Crystal's first daughter was born at 37+ weeks. (I forget the number of day, I think it was 37 weeks and 4 days). Her contractions were never so bad that she couldn't walk or talk through them. She labored and delivered with no meds, no hysterical scream or eye-gouging. If all labor and deliveries were like her's, we'd all be like the Duggars and have 20 children. To compare, if all labors were like mine, the human race would go extinct.
History on THIS Pregnancy
A little history on this pregnancy. Crystal has had complications through this whole pregnancy. From water leaking at 29 weeks, to early contractions, infections, admissions to the hospital and more. I can't remember all of it. She was put on Terbutaline but her insurance wouldn't pay for it saying that it "wasn't necessary". I guess they'd rather pay for the hospital stay? The doctor called and got her on Nifedipine instead and the insurance agreed to pay for it after the doctor talked to them.
All was going well, for the most part, until about a week and a half ago. They got a letter stating their insurance had been cut off. They called and found out why, sent in the form and are waiting to get the reinstatment letter. The insurance said they would cover everything during the time it was shut off because it was an error.
So, on Nifedipine, she continued to contract but was able to make it to 37 weeks. The doctor told her she could stop taking the nifedipine. And that is where this story starts...
Friday, April 6
My friend, Crystal, is 37 weeks pregnant. She starts having contractions 3-5 minutes apart. Her significant other takes her to the hospital. They check her and she is 3 cm dilated. They send her home and told her that when she is 4 cm they will admit her. She returns home, still contracting consistantly 3-5 minutes apart.
Saturday and Sunday she continues to contract 3-5 minutes apart and doesn't sleep except for a passed out moment of 3-5 minutes here and there. Nothing significant as far as sleep goes.
She calls me on Sunday night and we chat about how she is doing. (We saw each other all weekend, but we talk a lot at night after kids are in bed). She says she is having bloody show, lots of mucus discharge and STILL contracting and can't sleep through them. She wanted to wait until the morning because the sweetheart that she is, she didn't want to drag everyone out in the night to be released from the hospital again and have everyone exhausted for nothing. I told her to call me AT ANY TIME! She said she didn't want to wake me and I told her WAKE ME! This is worth missing sleep! She agreed and I dozed off feeling better about giving her permission to wake me.
Monday, April 9
Crystal calls me and I answered right away because I slept with the phone near my head, just in case. She said she was still contracting and miserable. She's had no sleep, she couldn't eat and she was exhausted. I love ya, Crystal... But she looked like she had been hit by a Mack truck when I got there. We grabbed the kids some clothes, dropped them off with a friend and headed to St John's Lutheran Hospital.
They hooked her up to the monitors and she was contracting 3-5 minutes apart, 5 cm dilated and 70% effaced. She got excited! YEA! Active labor! But the Doctor wasn't going to keep her. Funny, she was going to keep her when she had insurance... anywhoodles! She said to go home and come back when her water breaks. You know, I am not a doctor but even I know that not every's water breaks right away. Some women's water doesn't break until the baby is coming out.
As Crystal got dressed, I stayed in the hall. I love my friends, I don't want to see them naked though. I don't love them that much. While I am out there, I hear the doctor telling the nurses she is NOT in active labor "she just really WANTS to be in active labor". I have never gone past 4 cm and contracting consistantly without being admitted. I was a little confused.
What is Active Labor then?
Blog pause... What is active labor if not 5 cm, 70% effaced and contracting consistantly? Let's google that!
This website says... "A standard rule is 5-1-1. Contractions are less than 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, and have followed that pattern for at least an hour." Check!... 3-5 minutes apart, 1 minute long and has lasted for 4 days. I think that counts. This will make your cervix dilate... check! And since Crystal could always talk and walk through contractions with her first, we weren't really counting that.
But hey, websites can be wrong! Right? So here is another website description of active labor and another and another... oh but what the hell do they know. It's the internet. So, on with the story...
Released from St John's, going to Kalispell
I took Crystal to my house and frankly, I was calm on the outside, but inside I am freaking out and visualizing delivering a baby on my couch or in my car, on the side of the highway in an area with no cell phone coverage. I called my friend who had the kids and finally convinced Crystal to let me take her to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. It's the hospital I go to unless I am about to die. She called Jared at work and he came right over from work. We stopped by their place and grabbed the hospital bag and carseat and headed to Kalispell.
She was checked into Kalispell Regional Medical Center Birthing Center and was 6.5 cm, 85% effaced and at station -1. They were all ready to admit her until they talked to Donna Smith, her doctor in Libby. I have no idea what the hell happened there. They ended up releasing her. Being so close to 7 cm, I was not about to drive back to Libby.
Second Trip to Kalispell Regional
After a nice walk through Wal-Mart (I was starving) and a visit with friends, she was still contracting and they were getting stronger. So we back to Kalispell Regional. They acted like we were crazy but decided to keep her overnight for "observation". The discharge paper says "...due to contractions the patient found very uncomfortable."
She labored all night long. I have to say, the nurse was awesome. Very kind. Once she realized that Crystal really was in labor and not just in "false labor" as they kept telling her, she gave her tips on how to help the baby get into position better, how to get a little more comfortable and kept a good eye on her. Crystal sat in the tub for awhile, sat on the birthing ball and walked a little. Still, she could always talk and walk through her contractions. There were a few times she had to pause during sentences to breath, but if that was me, I would have been screaming and wrapping my IV tube around someone's neck. Crystal? Nope, she so calm and composed through the whole thing.
For a little bit, Crystal laid in bed and dosed off for 3-5 minutes at a time, waking up through contractions and breathing through them. At 6 a.m. they said she was 7 1/2 cm dilated, 90% effaced and fully engaged at stagoe 0. I was getting excited!
At shift change, Crystal got a new nurse. She was told to order something to eat and had breakfast. I was thinking "WTF!? They are letting her EAT???" Okay, so things probably changed since I delivered my three boys 13 years, 16 years and 21 years ago. But she was staying so I wasn't worried.
Then the doctor came in and I'll be honest, I instantly hated her before she said a word. She told Crystal she was 6 1/2 cm and she was sending her home. No mention of effacing or station. At that point, I had to step outside or I was going to kill someone.
The discharge paper says:
"She was checked multiple times... with no cervical change" (oh really?) and "Discussed with pt [can't read this part] and understanding of how uncomfortable false labor can be. Offered her an ambien for sleep, as she reports no sleep for days (did sleep this a.m.). Pt does not want to take meds..."False labor? Really? Hold that thought...
Released? Are you serious?
So she was released that morning. We sat in the car trying to figure out what to do next. I was REALLY not comfortable driving back to Libby at 7 1/2 cm, 90% effaced and fully engaged. I was mad, no... I was pissed, I was worried sick and I really wasn't sure what to do now when Nikky called and screamed into the phone "TAKE HER TO WHITEFISH!" and told me about the hospital there.
Crystal insisted on going to Wal-Mart... and who am I to argue with the pregnant lady? So we went, got more food to eat and got her a drink, went tinkle and headed back to the car. The whole time she kept saying "I don't feel good" and "I just don't feel right". We talked a little more about just heading home but in my heart, I just knew it was wrong. So I headed to Whitefish.
Fainting Mom and Why the hell did they release her???
On the way to Whitefish Crystal was talking up a storm in the backseat complaining about the hospitals and how her contractions were hurting and then... silence... I looked back and she was passed out, slumped over on the door and PALE... her lips and cheeks had NO color to them at all. I didn't bother stopping since I could see she was breathing and could see her contracting... I also didn't bother watching the speed limit. I figured they could follow me to the ER and give me a ticket there. That was the most nerve-wrecking drive ever.
She did wake up just before we got to the North Valley Hospital and walked in. The ER sent her straight to the Birthing Center. Once in the Birthing Center, she was barely coherent. She knew name but couldn't remember how far along she was or when her due date was. Then she said "I feel like I am going to faint" and started swaying. The nurses ran to her and got her in the room.
We explained that she was at 7 1/2 cm, 90% effaced and station 0, then they changed that and released her and I was NOT driving her to Libby (and thank goodness I didn't!) They looked at us with a WTF expression and then said they would see if her water was leaking. Her water was not leaking so they checked her. The nurse explained to us that she gives ranges instead of definite numbers... but her range is... ready for it... 7-8 cm. She was staying!
The doctor broke her water since... SHE WAS IN LABOR! and then went out to get changed into scrubs. (She kinda soaked him LOL)
Investigation and WELCOME ELIJAH!!!
Within an hour of breaking her water, the baby was ready to come out but since he was posterior positioned (facing the wrong way), the doctor got the baby turned around. Crystal, who didn't scream or cry or kill anyone while in labor, only let out a couple cries during delivery. Nothing major. Not trying to break anyone's fingers or punch anyone. Seriously, she did awesome. She must have the highest pain tolerance ever. He was born at 3:13 p.m. And only needed a little oxygen (aren't you glad we didn't deliver in my car on the side of the highway!) He cried beautifully and nursed very well.
Mom went from pale and sickly looking, like she was going to die... to full color and full of energy. Proud dad got to hold the baby! We were all so happy everything turned out okay considering the care (or lack thereof) that Crystal received.
Speaking of which... The doctor told us he had called Kalispell Regional and told them how disappointed he was with the care they gave her and there is now an investigation going into why they released her that close to delivering. I am very happy to hear that.
And now! Here is little Elijah...
THANK YOU! A huge thank you to the nurses, the doctor and the pediatrician at North Valley Hospital for taking such good care of Crystal and Elijah. Not just that, but they were there for my mini melt down out in the hall after Crystal was in her room. They did such a good job, I can't even begin to say enough nice things about them.
Thank you North Valley! You guys are awesome!
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Mailbag: How did the injection go?
I have a lot of people asking me how my Medial Branch Nerve Block Injection went.
The short answer: Horrible.
The long answer: I didn't want the injection in the first place. But Pam at Esis said I get it or they stop my work comp claim and checks for non-compliance. So in fear of losing my ridiculously small amount of income, I complied under duress. I also called a lawyer in hopes they could shed some light on this situation but they didn't call back on Friday.
Monday: The appointment
Monday I had a friend drive me to the Surgery Center. I still wasn't wanting the procedure and signed the consent form under duress. Literally, I put that on there before I signed my name. I got all set up and the doctor came to see how I was I was doing. I said I wasn't really comfortable with this idea and he said it would be fine. We'd be done in no time.
Okay... so if my patient signed a paper under duress and said they weren't comfortable with this procedure, wouldn't you start asking questions? Maybe it's just me.
I got back there, got the injections and was sent back out to the comfy chair. It didn't help anything. Actually, I was having sharp pains in the middle of my back and my back felt like I just couldn't move it. It hurt pretty bad. Worst than when I came in. They called my ride and he came and picked me up.
Going Home
I had to take a pain pill for the ride and it barely did anything for me. Once home (after a few stops and about 4 hours later), I took another pain pill. I was itching pretty bad and my skin felt rough. I didn't feel right at all. But I figured if I laid down I would be okay. My friend went home after asking me a million times if I was okay and said to call for anything, at anytime.
First signs of a reaction (hindsight is 20/20)
I was trying to relax in bed, in horrible pain, when my other friend called to see how I was doing. I told her I didn't feel right. I knew something was wrong but couldn't put my finger on it. She came right over and checked my blood sugar (perfect!) and my blood pressure. My blood pressure was 84/54.
Miles immediately gave me Gatorade to drink, a treatment we use since the cardiologist told us to try it when Miles B/P was low. After 2 drinks of gatorade (maybe a cup and a half?) and two b/p checks, my blood pressure was back up and I felt a little better. Steph checked my skin because I was REALLY itching by then and I was covered in a rash. It was mild and I just brushed it off. Probably because I didn't want to move anymore than I absolutely had to.
Angioedema attack
Steph ended up leaving with the instructions to call for ANYTHING. ANYTIME! Seriously! I was like "Okie dokie" and tried to find a comfortable position to fall asleep. I did dose off for a little bit. When I woke up, I felt like I was having an angioedema attack. Having had this since I was 9 years-old, I know how dangerous and life-threatening it can be.
I managed to get out of bed and to a mirror where I gasped in horror at my face. My lips were HUGE, my eyes were swelling and my face looked puffy. Here's some pictures of angioedema to scare the crap out of you. Imagine finding your face like that.
I immediately texted Steph "I need to go to the ER stat!" and called the doctor office to let them know I was going. When they answered, I could barely talk because I didn't realize how swollen my tongue was. Usually my tongue doesn't swell like that. Just my lips, chin, throat and eyes. So I was a teensy freaked out about it.
I hit down one on the phone and dial knowing I had either talked to Nikky or Steph last and hit send. I didn't care who I got a hold of. I got Steph and she was on her way. The ambulance here could take a while, Steph got here in five minutes (or less?). She managed to call Nikky on the way and screamed into the phone that she was taking me to the ER.
ALLERGIC REACTION!
I got there and picked up the emergency phone (the doors are locked after hours. You get buzzed in) and said the only thing I knew they would understand me saying... "Allergic Reaction!" I was buzzed in before I said "reaction".
Boy that was close
Once in there, they had to pull my records from the CHC here (my regular doctor) for my allergy list because it was really hard to understand me. My tongue was so swollen it wouldn't fit inside my mouth anymore and my throat was really rough and hoarse b/c my throat was starting to swell. They finally just asked if I can have Benadryl. I nodded. They gave me a shot in butt of Benadryl and the reaction was under control in about 5 minutes.
The doctor wasn't going to send me home unless I had someone with me watching me. So Steph called Nikky and Shane and they made a plan so I could be released from the hospital.
I got a babysitter :)
I found someone to sit with my kids and Steph took me to Nikky's house. Shane sat up with me until my next dose at 2:30 a.m. That was hard to stay awake after 1. I was so tired! But after my next dose, I fell asleep. I woke up at 6 a.m. when Shane told me to take my next dose and then fell right back to sleep. They took turns sitting up with me and making sure I got my next dose. Just before each dose, I would start swelling a touch so I knew I had to take it promptly!
"I know all about allergies"... yea, right.
Once I miscounted my time and I was late with a dose. I was starting to swell and my abdomen started cramping HORRIBLY! I called the on call doctor to see if he wanted me to go back to the ER. The on call doctor must not be familiar with angioedema at all because he didn't think abdominal cramping was an allergy but told me he knew a lot about allergies. Apparently not. If you read this link, and scroll down to other symptoms, it states that abdominal cramping is another symptom and I have had abdominal cramping with my bad attacks before. But he didn't feel it was related and made me feel like a complete idiot for calling. I really need a doctor who knows about allergies better than this.
The ER nurse calls to check on me
Anyway, eventually I went home later in the evening. The next day the ER nurse called and asked how I was doing. I have to say, I was impressed by this. I told her that I was taking Benadryl every three and a half to four hours or I started swelling. She suggested I start taking a Zantac or two a day on top of the Benadryl. It's an antacid but also is a type 2 antihistamine. Benadryl is a type 1. So I started it that night.
Healing
The next was VERY different! Much better and only improving. I am up to every six hours now for Benadryl. My abdominal cramping finally stopped in between doses. All my swelling is almost gone and my eyes are the only thing that looks a little puffy. My chin is a teensy discolored and my tongue is still sore from swelling so much. But I feel a lot better.
Thinking Ahead
I think my next appointment will be a chat with the doctor about allergies, angioedema and symptoms and how I am NOT agreeing to any more invasive procedures. I called a lawyer and he said the "non-compliance" thing does not apply to invasive procedures so I can refuse the next time.
But, there you have you have. My week has been spent in bed on Benadryl and Zantac, staying cool so I don't set off my angioedema with a heat related attack.
I am so loved :)
My friends are awesome! My kids have been making sure I get enough to eat and keeping coffee brewed for me. Every one has been calling to check on me (even the ER nurse) and stopping by to make sure I am okay. This week, I totally feel loved :)
The short answer: Horrible.
The long answer: I didn't want the injection in the first place. But Pam at Esis said I get it or they stop my work comp claim and checks for non-compliance. So in fear of losing my ridiculously small amount of income, I complied under duress. I also called a lawyer in hopes they could shed some light on this situation but they didn't call back on Friday.
Monday: The appointment
Monday I had a friend drive me to the Surgery Center. I still wasn't wanting the procedure and signed the consent form under duress. Literally, I put that on there before I signed my name. I got all set up and the doctor came to see how I was I was doing. I said I wasn't really comfortable with this idea and he said it would be fine. We'd be done in no time.
Okay... so if my patient signed a paper under duress and said they weren't comfortable with this procedure, wouldn't you start asking questions? Maybe it's just me.
I got back there, got the injections and was sent back out to the comfy chair. It didn't help anything. Actually, I was having sharp pains in the middle of my back and my back felt like I just couldn't move it. It hurt pretty bad. Worst than when I came in. They called my ride and he came and picked me up.
Going Home
I had to take a pain pill for the ride and it barely did anything for me. Once home (after a few stops and about 4 hours later), I took another pain pill. I was itching pretty bad and my skin felt rough. I didn't feel right at all. But I figured if I laid down I would be okay. My friend went home after asking me a million times if I was okay and said to call for anything, at anytime.
First signs of a reaction (hindsight is 20/20)
I was trying to relax in bed, in horrible pain, when my other friend called to see how I was doing. I told her I didn't feel right. I knew something was wrong but couldn't put my finger on it. She came right over and checked my blood sugar (perfect!) and my blood pressure. My blood pressure was 84/54.
Miles immediately gave me Gatorade to drink, a treatment we use since the cardiologist told us to try it when Miles B/P was low. After 2 drinks of gatorade (maybe a cup and a half?) and two b/p checks, my blood pressure was back up and I felt a little better. Steph checked my skin because I was REALLY itching by then and I was covered in a rash. It was mild and I just brushed it off. Probably because I didn't want to move anymore than I absolutely had to.
Angioedema attack
Steph ended up leaving with the instructions to call for ANYTHING. ANYTIME! Seriously! I was like "Okie dokie" and tried to find a comfortable position to fall asleep. I did dose off for a little bit. When I woke up, I felt like I was having an angioedema attack. Having had this since I was 9 years-old, I know how dangerous and life-threatening it can be.
I managed to get out of bed and to a mirror where I gasped in horror at my face. My lips were HUGE, my eyes were swelling and my face looked puffy. Here's some pictures of angioedema to scare the crap out of you. Imagine finding your face like that.
I immediately texted Steph "I need to go to the ER stat!" and called the doctor office to let them know I was going. When they answered, I could barely talk because I didn't realize how swollen my tongue was. Usually my tongue doesn't swell like that. Just my lips, chin, throat and eyes. So I was a teensy freaked out about it.
I hit down one on the phone and dial knowing I had either talked to Nikky or Steph last and hit send. I didn't care who I got a hold of. I got Steph and she was on her way. The ambulance here could take a while, Steph got here in five minutes (or less?). She managed to call Nikky on the way and screamed into the phone that she was taking me to the ER.
ALLERGIC REACTION!
I got there and picked up the emergency phone (the doors are locked after hours. You get buzzed in) and said the only thing I knew they would understand me saying... "Allergic Reaction!" I was buzzed in before I said "reaction".
Boy that was close
Once in there, they had to pull my records from the CHC here (my regular doctor) for my allergy list because it was really hard to understand me. My tongue was so swollen it wouldn't fit inside my mouth anymore and my throat was really rough and hoarse b/c my throat was starting to swell. They finally just asked if I can have Benadryl. I nodded. They gave me a shot in butt of Benadryl and the reaction was under control in about 5 minutes.
The doctor wasn't going to send me home unless I had someone with me watching me. So Steph called Nikky and Shane and they made a plan so I could be released from the hospital.
I got a babysitter :)
I found someone to sit with my kids and Steph took me to Nikky's house. Shane sat up with me until my next dose at 2:30 a.m. That was hard to stay awake after 1. I was so tired! But after my next dose, I fell asleep. I woke up at 6 a.m. when Shane told me to take my next dose and then fell right back to sleep. They took turns sitting up with me and making sure I got my next dose. Just before each dose, I would start swelling a touch so I knew I had to take it promptly!
"I know all about allergies"... yea, right.
Once I miscounted my time and I was late with a dose. I was starting to swell and my abdomen started cramping HORRIBLY! I called the on call doctor to see if he wanted me to go back to the ER. The on call doctor must not be familiar with angioedema at all because he didn't think abdominal cramping was an allergy but told me he knew a lot about allergies. Apparently not. If you read this link, and scroll down to other symptoms, it states that abdominal cramping is another symptom and I have had abdominal cramping with my bad attacks before. But he didn't feel it was related and made me feel like a complete idiot for calling. I really need a doctor who knows about allergies better than this.
The ER nurse calls to check on me
Anyway, eventually I went home later in the evening. The next day the ER nurse called and asked how I was doing. I have to say, I was impressed by this. I told her that I was taking Benadryl every three and a half to four hours or I started swelling. She suggested I start taking a Zantac or two a day on top of the Benadryl. It's an antacid but also is a type 2 antihistamine. Benadryl is a type 1. So I started it that night.
Healing
The next was VERY different! Much better and only improving. I am up to every six hours now for Benadryl. My abdominal cramping finally stopped in between doses. All my swelling is almost gone and my eyes are the only thing that looks a little puffy. My chin is a teensy discolored and my tongue is still sore from swelling so much. But I feel a lot better.
Thinking Ahead
I think my next appointment will be a chat with the doctor about allergies, angioedema and symptoms and how I am NOT agreeing to any more invasive procedures. I called a lawyer and he said the "non-compliance" thing does not apply to invasive procedures so I can refuse the next time.
But, there you have you have. My week has been spent in bed on Benadryl and Zantac, staying cool so I don't set off my angioedema with a heat related attack.
I am so loved :)
My friends are awesome! My kids have been making sure I get enough to eat and keeping coffee brewed for me. Every one has been calling to check on me (even the ER nurse) and stopping by to make sure I am okay. This week, I totally feel loved :)
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