It's 11:20pm on Monday night and the boy just finally fell asleep. I have not had a break long enough to write a blog (or any breaks at all really) so this is going to be short.
Three trips to Urgent Care this week for us. One for Zachary - his Pink Eye is all cleared up now. The second trip was for me, and the third was because I walked out of the second.
I'll say it a thousand times... if you're not satisfied with the level of medical care you are getting, seek additional help.
I would like to be able to tell you more details when I have more time, but here's the short version. The doctor came in and gave me incorrect information - twice. Then when I called him out on it, he accused me of yelling at him. I told him that the fact that he did not like what I was saying did not mean I was yelling and that I was not comfortable with the level of medical expertise I was receiving. I would need a second opinion. He replied, "Well I'm the only guy here." So I left.
Thankfully, the second doctor at the second facility discovered that I had an ear infection and would need antibiotics. So here we are. I am going to have to find time to tell you all the whole story soon.
It's 11:54pm. Posting now - goodnight everyone!
Much Love and well wishes for a happy and healthy week ahead...
There were also two road trips and over six hundred miles traveled, one follow-up doctor's appointment (still can't lift anything over twenty pounds for a couple of weeks), one toilet clog, one trip to the vet with both dogs, and one trip to pediatric Urgent Care for what turned out to be a case of pink eye.
In our neighbor's case, several people had called the authorities because they smelled gas - including the homeowners. The area was inspected and people were told that there was nothing else to be done. Then there was an explosion and a fire. The occupants were Blessed to have survived.
IF YOU SMELL GAS... follow safety tips as prescribed by the Fire Department and proper authorities and find answers to your concerns. Keep going until you find your answers. Apparently, the source of the leak in our neighborhood was an improperly installed underground propane tank which had been slowly deteriorating for years. I learned this was the source of the leak roughly seventeen hours AFTER the explosion.
The whole neighborhood came together very quickly. Everyone was trying to help in whatever way they could and share information with each other. I can scarcely imagine what those homeowners must be feeling.
Time marched on and without the ability to lift Zachary yet, I had to travel to where I would have constant help with him. We loaded up the trailer (after duct taping the panel that had the accident and isn't repaired yet) after Roto-Rooter came to fix the toilet. We drove over four hundred miles to our first destination. The dogs had been to the vet a few days earlier to get all up to date on their vaccines. Zachary had a bit of a runny nose, but when he woke up with a swollen eye, I took him to the pediatric Urgent Care.
Now we are all washing hands and taking extra precautions to avoid the spread of infection over the next twenty-four hours and I need to go to bed now.
Here's wishing us all a safe and uneventful week ahead. Hope you all had a Happy Father's Day!
Here's the thing: there's so much I have to say to you all, but it will have to wait until after my nap. Love... xo
Namaste,
T
Birds under the deck. Why? Because I didn't take any hospital pics. ;)
Alright, I'm back. (That was quick right?) ;)
Normally, I might not choose to discuss matters of such a personal nature here, but people should know about things like this. Not because it's me, not because I want to complain or get sympathy or anything like that (I'm fine), but because this is potentially serious and you should know.
I've been in physical therapy for over a year since having the baby. Although that tummy bulge was diminishing in size, it just wasn't going away. That soft spot where there should be muscle did seem to be improving, but very slowly and not completely. Apparently, abdominal separation happens in two thirds of pregnant women (Webmd.com). I had no muscular command of a section of my abdomen. My physical therapist sent me back to my doctor - more than once.
One doctor admitted it was not his area of expertise. Another just supposed I should keep on going for therapy. Fearing an issue, I had a colonoscopy from doctor number three and was declared healthy and fine. A fourth doctor noticed nothing to be alarmed about when I saw him for what turned out to be a benign cyst.
When the persistent cramp got bad, yet another doctor thought it was my gallbladder. Tests showed it was not and I was dismissed to continue therapy by the fifth doctor. I kept describing my abdominal issues in detail to my physical therapist who suggested I see someone for a possible umbilical hernia. I was referred by doctor number two to doctor number six who confirmed this on first sight and scheduled me for immediate surgery. Can you believe it???
It was a relatively minor procedure, but the condition could have led to life threatening complications if it were left untreated. WHAT???
I've heard this before, maybe you have too: YOU are in charge of matters concerning your own health. NO ONE ELSE IS. You MUST continue to seek medical advice until you are satisfied with your understanding of any health situation. KEEP SEEKING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE UNTIL YOU HAVE YOUR ANSWERS.
I can not thank my physical therapist enough. Thank you for noticing. Thank you for listening. Thank you for being interested and not dismissive.
I don't want to make anyone paranoid about matters of health, but let's take things seriously and remember that we are human - not invincible. We need to take responsibility for ourselves and enjoy a healthy, active and full life.
I thought a nice long walk would be good to dispel some disappointment I was feeling for having not gotten into the summer study program I was hoping to attend. There happened to be a marching band rehearsing along the route we took and Zachary was beyond thrilled to watch them! #bonus
That evening I was in the emergency room because he accidentally whacked me in the eye with a puzzle piece with a plastic buckle on it. The next morning I followed up with an eye doctor where I was informed that I still have 20/20 vision (my vision hadn't been checked in years) and my "corneal abrasion" was already almost healed!
I lost a studio recording day due to scheduling, but booked three gigs!
The BEST part of the week was a family trip to the beach! Zachary LOVED it! He'd been there last year, but was too young to remember. It was positively joyous watching him experience the water for the first time.
Alright - so what I'm taking away from this week is that disappointments happen, but success is all about how you handle them. I'll keep looking for the bright side and going to the beach!
;)
Remembering those whose ultimate sacrifice makes our freedom and liberties possible...
I was all set for a cool blog about the great time I had in Vegas rehearsing with an awesome band... then students were shot and killed in school - AGAIN.
The standard "thoughts and prayers" are not sufficient when children continue to suffer and die. I begin today's blog by inviting us all to take at least one step of action toward change. Here is an article with some suggestions:
It's too much to recount here. Suffice it to say that good ol' Murphy's Law was in full effect all week.
I just don't want to focus on all that. The flight delay might have saved Russ's life. That traffic jam, or rather those three traffic jams, may have had great purpose. Maybe that customer service lady will find a new job - one she is more suited for. Sigh... The furniture, which was delivered and then picked back up again is going to be AWESOME when it's delivered the next time! And so what if the ceiling trim doesn't match the rest of the trim in the room - it has character. We'll fix that broken railing too - no worries at all! We're all here and healthy (well, Russ is much better anyway, I mean at least his voice is back). Those flowers Zach unplanted? They'll grow back. Sure they will! And no one was hurt in the stroller accident. The dental insurance issue DID end up getting resolved. We got background vocals done for one of the new songs. I was able to get more food after all of mine fell on the floor. A thousand miles later, we're back where we started - only now my hair is done and I'm ready for what's next. LOL. Is this making any sense at all? #imtryingtolookonthebrightside
Here's what's going to happen now: I am going to bed. Monday morning will come and I will head to the gym. Travel plans THIS week are going to go off without a hitch. Everything is going to be great and I'm going to have an absolute blast working with an awesome band! (More on that later.) I'm going to see old friends and get to work with people I truly adore on music that I love! I'll come back home and finally be able to relax. Life is actually pretty good despite the debacles, or maybe even because of them.
Thank you Universe for last week. It's going to make a great basis for comparison. Let's just remember: we don't need many of those weeks to make the desired impact. A little goes a long way. That will be enough for a good long while. Thanks again.
