ER Visit

I'm just now getting a chance to sit down! Dan came home, and I said good-bye. I ate lunch on the way and had a big bag of multiple books and a sweater. I was ready...

to sit in the waiting room for 6 hours and 45 minutes.

When I got there at 1 pm, this entire row of people were saying that they had all gotten there between 9 & 9:30, so I knew it would be bad. I sat down and told the girl next to me (or mumbled it), "I don't even have to be here." She says, "Me neither. They wouldn't let me make an appt with my PCM." Ah! It felt nice not to be alone. And of course she and I watched tons of people who came in after us be called back before us because WE DIDN'T HAVE EMERGENCIES!

Even she was called back and left the hospital before I did. In fact, everyone that was in the waiting room with me when I first got there (even those who got there after me) left the hospital before I was called to the back. And you KNOW (because you know me) that I knew every one of them. I made friends with every person in that ER. If I'm going to spend a day with you, I might as well be able to talk to you. Plus, I had no children that I had to keep up with! Every time someone would come back out to the waiting room, they would tell me their diagnosis and course of treatment. I wouldn't say it made up for being there, but it was enjoyable getting to know the lives of some other people.

So after sitting in the waiting room for almost 7 hours, they called me back. At first there was a flurry of activity (EEG, chest exam, chest x-ray). EEG fine, chest exam fine. Then no one came to my "room" for 2 hours. The doctor checked for nothing "GI" related, which is what this is (Just call me Alicia Smith, MD). At the 2 hour mark (or 2.5 hr mark) I called the nurse to say, "Hey, haven't seen anyone in 2 hours. I would love to know what my status is."

In a few minutes, there was another flurry of activity. The doc, a couple of nurses (I think 3 actually), all doing different things. My doctor gave me a piece of paper that said, "chest pain-other". I guess the symptom was my diagnosis? I got a prescription of some pain reliever. Then the doctor said the words I knew were coming, "Follow up with your PCM within 3 days."

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

That was on the inside. On the outside I somehow got out (as I had already explained to him at the beginning of the visit), "With my symptoms, they won't allow me to make an appt with my PCM. Would you please write me a referral to a Gastro?" He looked up at his nurse clearly contemplating whether or not to do that, and then he goes, "I'm feeling generous." BAM! Got the referral.

And it only cost me 9 hours and 45 minutes of being at the ER!

Awake with thoughts

So I'm bombarded with thoughts tonight. Since I can't sleep, I might as well just get them out. This post is going to seem way more like a diary entry than most my posts do, so just take this as the rantings of someone who really needs sleep and should have picked up a pen and paper.

1. I have to go to the ER tomorrow when Dan gets home because my insurance won't let me schedule an appt with my PCP in my current condition (just upper GI stuff). So even though I've had these symptoms for 2 weeks, I'm just now getting them checked out because my husband's been gone. And I had this crazy thought that after sitting in the ER for who knows how many hours (I'll tell you tomorrow) that they may refuse my referral. Oh my.

2. Timothy's teacher went on vacation 2 weeks ago (with 4 weeks left of school), and I wasn't notified. Timothy accidentally told me after the 1st week. I called the director saying, "Timothy was saying something, and I just KNOW it can't be true, but..." Sure enough. She'll be back the last day of school. Change is not something Timothy handles well (wasn't that the understatement of the century?) That makes the 3rd issue on my mind not so surprising...

3. His behavior has reverted/changed/magnified. I don't know what word to use, but he's different and struggling. It's not like it was in our really bad days where he couldn't handle anything all day, and it would take an hour to end a tantrum. (Oh, the memories) Things now are very acute, so when it's bad it's BAD. And there are new things that he never did before like chewing/sucking on everything. I don't know what to make of it. Another thing he's doing is needing to touch everyone and everything. This is the same boy who would barely let me touch him before the age of 3. We have an appt with the dr on Tues for this.

4. He's such a paradox, though, because on the flip side he's doing the best he's ever done. His SS teacher was even commenting on it Sun. He has matured more in this 4 month span than I've ever seen him. And I have to praise the Lord for that. We "all but" decided at the time that we would let him start Kinder, but I've prayed and prayed that it would be the right decision. I've seen T grow in leaps and bounds in terms of self-control (which makes #3 all the stranger).

5. And that's another thing whirling around in my head. I have another school tour tomorrow morning (before my ER visit!) My second of three. I thought there was no way I was going to like any of them or the process at all. However, I loved the first one and in the days that followed found out little extra things here and there that added to that. So I'm just wondering will the same thing happen? will I think every school I visit is "the school" because I just personally love learning? and yet have no concept of what I'm actually supposed to be looking for in a school? will the 1st school decide not to add that 2nd Kinder class and T not get accepted? just because the school is good, does that mean the teacher is a good fit for all of his needs? he has so many needs, and some days (most days) I am not only inadequate for any of them, I feel inadequate. when will my identity as a person not be based on how my son behaves? how can someone I didn't even know for the 1st 30 years of my life now be what my life seems to continually revolve around? why can't I just find my identity in Christ like I know I'm "supposed to"?

Okay, I'm tired. Thanks.

Great Strides: Team Sam!!!

Last Saturday was our Great Strides walk. Four miles is not much for adults, but it proves to be a good amount for preschoolers! We had so much fun, though! The kids played great together, and Team Sam raised $4150 towards a cure for Cystic Fibrosis!!! Our goal was $3500, so we are thrilled.

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.





Gennaro's-wonderful family in our church. They're in the application process to be missionaries to Uganda, so I'll probably blog more about them later this year...


USS Antietam representatives...


The Minnich's are the family right behind our wagon. Miranda brought tupperware full of cut up fruit, and Samantha loved it (blueberries, then strawberries, then a banana, and I think more).


Half way point...


Daddy, I'm tired...


Let me fix your hair.


I'm strong enough to pull you, Sam!


It's all for you, Baby Girl, all for you.

The following was printed on one team's t-shirts:

Concerned Families
and
Caring Friends
will
Continue Fighting
with
Courageous Faith
until
Cystic Fibrosis
is
CURED FOREVER

I'm blown away

This post will blow you away: Michael Jordan and the Prodigal Son and Me. I feel like if all of us could really grasp the "wasteful" forgiveness of our God, we would live so freely that people would actually see the God we claim to serve. Look around at Prodigal Jon's blog while you're there. This isn't the only good post.

American Idol Wrap Up

Okay, so those of you who know me know that I am a serious AI fan. I haven't blogged much about it because, well, I haven't been blogging! But I'm thinking I need to get some final thoughts out of my system as we wrap up season 7. So David Cook has been my favorite for weeks and weeks, but I have to admit I thought Archuleta did the best he's ever done last night. I really thought he was going to win it by a landslide. No big deal. I'm used to my favorite not winning. I've been watching since Season 1, top 7 or so. Here's a recap of my favorites so everyone can laugh at me:

Season 1-Justin Guarini (seriously, I loved listening to him)
Season 2-Clay Aiken (ALL TIME FAVORITE!!)
Season 3-LaToya London (that was a rough year)
Season 4-Bo Bice or Vonzell Solomon
Season 5-Elliot Yamin (Yes, I also loved Mandisa)
Season 6-Melinda Doolittle (liked several: Phil, both Chris's, Blake)

It took 7 seasons for the contestant I've been rooting for to win!!! I just can't believe it, and by 12 million votes. Who knew? And even though there has been a dip in ratings, there IS going to be a Season 8! Yippee! So who were your favs of past seasons??

One more anecdote: Last week a friend of mine received a voucher to attend AI. She could pick last night or tonight's show. Because she already had plans today (being our fearless MOPS leader), she picked last night. The voucher is good for 4 people and gets you a place in line. It's first come, first serve to actually get in. Well, she invited me, but since they had to leave at 5:30am yesterday to go get in line I had to say no. I have friends here, but I don't have "watch my kids for 17 hours" friends. So I said no, and yes my friends got into the show. They were there last night LIVE watching the two David's battle it out. We had breakfast this morning, and I officially told them that I was happy for them and I hate them all at the same time (because I'm Godly and caring and think of others' happiness before my own.)

First time that all in one week we wrap up Dancing with the Stars AND American Idol. Good thing "So You Think You Can Dance" starts tomorrow...

WW: What in the "Sam-hill"?

If you click on the picture you can see a good shot of Samantha's face close up!

"The Kid In You" Photo Contest

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a photo contest entitled "The Kid in You". At the San Diego Zoo, there are statues of different animals, and kids instinctively start climbing on them! How great is childhood that you can climb on things and no one thinks it's weird!! Look at these pics from our recent trip:

It looked like so much much fun, I just had to join in. Here's to the kid in me!:

San Diego Zoo

Can we say, life is busy? For about the last 5 weeks Dan has pretty much been gone, and when he comes home we have company. This weekend, my precious friend, Christi, and her family, were in town for a wedding. We got to spend last Saturday (the 10th) with them at the zoo, and it was a lot of fun! Timothy and Josiah get to see each other about 1-2 times a year, and yet even as little 4 yr olds they are the best of buddies. They just pick up where they left off, like friends who live miles away learn to do. This was a special trip in that we got to meet Robert (Christi's husband) and Megan (Josiah's new sister). We had such a wonderful time together, and I'm so happy that we get to see them again next month when we travel to Kansas.

Timothy on the Skyfari...



Dan got a workout by carrying Samantha. Look closely, and you can see the gorilla laying on the ground right by the window. Sam was in awe.



Megan on the Polar Bear statues. How beautiful is she?



Timothy and Josiah did this on EVERY bar they could find. Little monkeys...



And here's the whole clan. I love this picture!

Bow Holder Giveaway

How adorable are these? If you've seen any picture of Sam, you know we don't quite struggle with countless hairbows yet, but I feel the day coming. At 2 1/2 yrs old, I think we're pretty close to our first hair cut, and I've even gotten a bow in once or twice already! These ballerina's are the cutest thing I've seen for hair bow organizing! It's practically art! So head over to Bambina Ballerina and check them out. She's giving one away in a contest, and all you have to do is post about them and/or add her blog to your blogroll.

National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month

I just want to thank all of you who have donated to our Great Strides Campaign. We are $10 over our goal, and we have an additional $600 in cash & checks waiting to be deposited. I am overwhelmed by your amazing giving! If you wanted to donate, and it's just slipped your mind, PLEASE don't let the fact that we've reached our goal stop you. Every dollar counts towards a cure! Just click on the link to the right. Nine days until Great Strides. I'll be posting pictures from the event (probably even BEFORE June 8th!)

These 4 exciting bullet points were in this month's CF Foundation Newsletter (Samantha was diagnosed with a newborn screen and believe early intervention has been key to her health):

We are pleased to tell you that, over the past seven days, Congress and the President took action on four separate bills that champion the rights and health of people with cystic fibrosis.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation played a hand in each of the following developments:

1. The Senate officially recognized May 2008 as National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.
2. Congress passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) today. This law makes it illegal for employers and insurance companies to discriminate based on genetic information.
3. President Bush signed into law the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act, which provides resources and funding for new and existing newborn screening programs through 2012.
4. The House of Representatives reauthorized the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This program awards grants to small biotechnology companies that conduct important CF research.
   

A Mommy Moment.

We were driving home from church today, passing through the section of town where all the restaurants are. Timothy is actively trying to read, so he was making sure he knew everything we passed by. Well, he had extra time to study the word H-O-O-T-E-R-S because we were at a stoplight! The sounding out went something like this:

"Hoo"

"That's right, honey." (hoping he would stop)

"Hoooooo's"

"Good sounding out, Timothy," and yet he knew it wasn't "complete", so he kept working...

"Hooooooooor's"

"Mom, it's Hor's!" (say it out loud, just as I've typed it-I'm not even making it up)

And then the light turned green.

***I shared this story, not because it's necessarily my favorite mommy moment, but so that I could have the classiest anecdote on 5 Minutes for Mom Motherhood Carnvial. Don't let anyone tell you motherhood isn't exciting. Head over there and read other funny (and I'm sure more tasteful) stories!