Category Archives: Health

7 Quick Takes: The “Your Notebook Is So Pretty” Edition

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Apparently, I might be able to #bulletjournal? On Monday, my Accounting teacher collected all of our notebooks before giving us our homework quiz so she could grade our outlines (for those who decided to do theirs on looseleaf paper, she collected those) and upon seeing my notebook, someone blurted out that my notes were so pretty and precise and that I must be an engineer. Considering that I can barely draw a straight line even with the help of a ruler, I was suitably honored to hear this. #egostroked

Apparently, I might be able to do a #bulletjournal someday… if the #bujo can be in pencil. 🙂

— 2 —

A song for today. I went to the chapel service held by the Campus Christian Fellowship this week (think Intervarsity or Cru) and this song was sung. I’m kind of in love with it.

— 3 —

Interesting… Apparently, the Depression changed our eating habits and how we look at food. I might have to check out the book reviewed in this article.

— 4 —

Proud of my home state. Because of the accounts scandal at Wells Fargo, California’s State Treasurer John Chiang has suspended business relationships with them for the state because he feels they should be punished for their wrongdoing. Considering they’re a crappy bank to use (I just ended my banking relationship with them after 18 years because of bad behavior on their part in the last few years), I’m happy that he’s taking a stand against them instead of being bowed by them because they are kind of a goliath entity in the financial world.

— 5 —

An interesting suggestion. Elizabeth Scalia of Aleteia.Org has an interesting suggestion: read aloud to someone. Even though I can read by myself now, it’s fun to be able to sit and listen and crochet while listening to someone read.

— 6 —

*facepalm* This personal anecdote about racism has been making the rounds on Facebook. My question to y’all: would you have stepped out of your privilege and comfort zone and stood up on behalf of Ashley (the protagonist)?

— 7 —

An explanation on the Dr. Sears sitch. Last month, I blogged about anti-vaccination law activist Dr. Robert Sears being charged with gross negligence and facing the possibility of losing his license to practice medicine in California and shared the story on Facebook. One of my more crunchy friends from college is a fan of his vaccine book and schedule and emailed me to ask why I thought this was such a big flipping deal.

Well…

1.) His failure to actually research the kid’s vaccine reaction (and it would have been very well-documented if he had done so) if he had another one. I know from my own kid that having a paper trail is essential and having all of the records is vital if your kid has any problems, so much so that one specialist will not rule on anything unless they’ve seen all the records. I have never had a doctor take my word for it on almost anything related to Daniel — everything has to be backed up and it is considered to have never happened if it isn’t documented. This means that he would have needed records from the kid’s prior physician, ER records, or urgent care records from when the mom got the kid treatment for the vaccine reaction… because what mother wouldn’t take their kid in if they were having a reaction like that?!?!?

2.) By excusing the kid from future vaccines (and not just the one to which he reacted badly), he put both the kid at risk of contracting a disease that could have landed him in the hospital or killed him as well as anyone else who can’t be vaccinated for health reasons. One of the reason that they started requiring such a strict policy in California is that there were outbreaks of diseases like pertussis (for which you cannot vaccinate infants) and measles in the state that could have been prevented if parents hadn’t claimed phony “conscience” reasons for not vaccinating themselves or their kids. Having been in this situation, it is *HORRIFICALLY PAINFUL* emotionally to have to watch your kid suffer to breathe or to have your kid end up with a horrible side effect from a hospital stay. I know I would be angry beyond words and pondering a lawsuit if Daniel had gotten something like pertussis as a baby because someone unvaccinated (for no rational reason) was in the waiting room with him and Daniel died as a result. THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY IN 2010!!!

3.) For the love of all things holy, IT HAS BEEN PROVEN BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM. Dr. Andrew Wakefield lied and his lie was heinous enough (he spread false information for his own gain) that The Lancet had to retract what was written (a big deal because lawsuits had been decided using the false information which created an entirely new headache for the legal system in the UK and the US) and his name was stricken from the British Medical Record (a.k.a. he lost his license to practice medicine in the UK). There is a lovely infographic which gives all of this information PLUS links.

4.) After one appointment, the child claimed he had been hit in the head by a hammer and Dr. Sears did not report it to CPS. He is a mandated reporter and if he heard something like this, he is required by the state of California (and every state in the nation) to report this to CPS and do an in-depth evaluation. He didn’t. That is a serious breach of protocol and could mean that the child (if he was being truthful) could be an abusive home and in danger. That’s lawsuit material right there.

An interesting response detailing why he’s being charged with gross negligence is here.

And yes, I know that this was not a quick take but I felt like this explanation needed to be presented. 🙂

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.

7 Quick Takes: The “Wow… I’m a Student Again” Edition

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Duuuuuuude… The website for the local community college isn’t incredibly user-friendly so I didn’t know that I could have just walked in, filled out a non-degree seeking student application for classes, and been on my way. Instead, I did the community college application and found out that it would possibly take two weeks for them to review it. Then, I got an email from the college telling me that they got my application and it could take up to five days to review… and was notified 24 hours later that I was accepted.

I then had to jump through the enrollment hoops and had to go down in person and talk them into taking the block off my account so I could enroll in classes. (The block was on my account until I did the new student orientation stuff.) They made an exception for me this quarter but if I continue taking classes, I have to do the group advising session.

So… I start Monday.

— 2 —

My classes. I’m taking a class on Excel/Access and one on practical accounting. Both are areas where I know how to do some of it already but it’s been years since I’ve done things with it. I’m really hoping that a lot of it will come back to me pretty quickly. One of them is online so I’ll only be on campus 3 days a week and the campus isn’t far away.

— 3 —

My study/writing space. As I will be having to study and do homework while Daniel is in school and after he goes to bed, I have been making a nice spot for myself. I have my desk cleaned off, my pens/pencils sorted, a desk lamp, a cat bed, and a nice grey cat to occupy said cat bed. (Homer has volunteered to be my stress ball. He is so helpful. 🙂 )

— 4 —

I’m doing it and so should you. Even with taking the two classes, I’ll still be participating in Write 31 Days next month. Having to structure my schedule will be a good thing and I might be more efficient at writing daily if I have to plan around various things.

Come do Write 31 Days with me!

— 5 —

Useful infographic. Upworthy posted this infographic on Andrew Wakefield and the damage his falsified study has wrought. Feel free to share it and a tinfoil hat with your favorite anti-vaxxer.

— 6 —

I need this. Do you tap your fingers while waiting or do similar movements? Someone started a Kickstarter for a fidget toy with 6 different surfaces. They were hoping to raise $15,000 and have raised $4.3 million. I’m hoping the gross excess of funds means they can get it on the market faster!

— 7 —

Football funny. The calling of the run of the streaker at the game between the 49’ers and the LA Lambs was probably the best football thing I’ve seen all year. I think he also got more yardage than the Lambs did.

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.

{five favorites}: Miscellanea (LXXIV)

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#5Faves

One

Willamette Valley Fruit Company. Their “Berry Bananza” blend is my go-to for smoothies. I add some cranberry juice, Greek yogurt, the frozen fruit, and a handful or two of spinach and blend it all. It’s a lovely meal and a lovely way to use up overripened bananas and wilted spinach.

Two

Being the only one awake in the house right now. It’s peaceful and really what I need right now as I try to wind down before bed.

Three

“A Whisper and a Clamor” by Anberlin. I heard it on the the radio 6 years ago and fell in love with it. It usually has a place on mixed CD’s that I take on car trips.

Four

“Painting Pictures of Egypt” by Sara Groves. I heard this on my drive to San Jose in early October 2015 and it spoke to my heart and how I was feeling at that moment. It has been only recently that I’ve stopped feeling like I’m in such a liminal space.

Five

“It Is Well” by Bethel Music. It fits where I am emotionally and spiritually at the moment. One of the songs I used to sing to Daniel during his hospital stays was It Is Well With My Soul which seems to be the hymn that inspired this song.

Bonus

“Build Your Kingdom Here” by Rend Collective. The song just totally makes me smile and it’s a fun song to rock out to in the car… though other drivers probably think I’m having a seizure.

Go love up Bonnie, DeBalino, and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: September 4, 2016

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For Today…

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… partly cloudy and in the 60’s. An absolutely gorgeous day.

I am thinking… about this prayer someone posted in one of my Facebook groups and how it describes a couple people with whom I no longer have a relationship.

A Narcissist's Prayer

I am thankful… that the Decadron from last week is finally out of my body — lots of BAAAAAD side effects though they were almost worth it to not end up in the ER again from asthma issues.

One of my favorite things… soft grey kitties like the one in my window. 🙂

I am wearing… an indigo v-neck shirt and jeans.

I am creating… this entry and trying to motivate myself to work on various crocheting projects.

I am reading… Just Desserts by G.A. McKevett and Arriving at Amen by Leah Libresco.

I am hoping… my throat heals soon and this cough goes away. I’ve had it for the last month and it is miserable!
,
I am learning… not to try to eat past when I’m full. Holy serious stomach aches, Batman!

In my kitchen… my uncle is bringing Grandma for dinner tonight so my mom has made lasagna from scratch, sourdough bread, a pear-gorgonzola salad, and a fresh apple pie for dessert.

In the school room… the kidlet had a good first week of school and we seem to have worked out all the transportation issues.

Post Script… This is the fruit of all the helicopter parents and participation trophies — kids get to college and can’t deal with failure of any kind.

Shared Quote… This fits the election this year!

My thoughts on the 2016 election.

A moment from my day… Because it’s all about the short-necked Peruvian mongooses!

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Coming Off the Steroids Edition

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Prayer request. The ER doc put me on a 5-day course of Decadron to help heal my lungs from my virus after I ended up in the ER last week with asthma exacerbation. It *did* help heal the inflammation in my lungs and has helped with my throat… but it’s also making me feel really manic and wired even though I finished the last dose 48 hours ago. Monday and Tuesday were hard days for functioning because the Decadron was taking me out of my head and I had to function as an adult. Yesterday, I slept most of the time Daniel was in school because of the weird dreams and insomnia from the steroids. Last night, I ended up using the mania to get through a huge pile of paperwork and then hunkered down in my room in as calm an environment as I could make to try and deal with my body having the shakes.

I’m still dealing with the shakes and feeling really wired so if y’all could please pray that my body could regulate again, I’d appreciate it greatly. Thanks!

— 2 —

Yearly explanation of WHY Daniel is in his program. Every year, I have at least one person ask if I’ve considered homeschooling Daniel. The answer has not changed in four years: OH. HELL. NO. Homeschooling has never and will never be something I ever want to do with Daniel and I honestly can’t understand why anyone would suggest it. I have the personality of a drill seargeant, no training in elementary or early childhood education or special education, and I hate being a housewife and stay-at-home-mom. (I stay home with Daniel because I have no choice, not because I want to.) We’ve always had options for public school for Daniel that have included an autism program and I’d much rather have him in a classroom with a teacher trained to work with him, kids his own age, and therapists who can help get him caught up on developmental things.

There are families for whom homeschooling works but we’re not one of them.

— 3 —

Regarding Colin Kaepernick… Rachel has a point.

Rachel Held Evans on Colin Kaepernick.

— 4 —

Facebook. So does anyone else hate the way Facebook has changed the trending topics so that there’s really no context? Just wondering.

— 5 —

Happy Jen. Last night, we had some real WEATHER going over us so I decided to just shut off the TV news, open the windows, and listen to the rain pounding on the roof outside my window as well as the thunder and lightning. It was glorious and it helped to keep me calm as I was dealing with the steroid shakes.

— 6 —

Prerequisite politics take. #NeverTrump was in my state on Tuesday night and I am so thankful that he’s gone. My mom managed to find a way back up from Seattle that avoided I-5 — a good thing because I have a feeling traffic would have been worse than usual going through Everett because of his presence. I’m still hoping for a meteor to hit the earth before the election so that I don’t have to deal with the possibility of someone as horrible as Trump winning.

— 7 —

Wow… I realized today that for the first time in years, I’m not dreading the fact that Daniel has a four day weekend. We’ll find things to do outside the house if we have to, but I’m not having to worry about finding ways to get out of the house or keep Daniel quiet like I did when I was living with my former in-laws.

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 28, 2016

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For Today… August 28, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It was lovely and in the 60’s with a minor rainstorm in the afternoon. It’s so wonderful after a week of humidity and temps in the 80’s.

I am thinking… about all the calls I have to make tomorrow to structure my week around Daniel’s school schedule as his bus transportation seems to be messed up.

I am thankful… for my church and the Spanish ministry to whom a bunch of school supplies were donated and for the people who offered to buy backpacks for the kids who need them. It was also wonderful watching Rev. Helen kneeling in front of the non-Communing kids at the altar rail and giving them the best blessing she could in Spanish. She is an asset to us in many ways.

One of my favorite things… being able to breathe normally. I miss it with this stupid asthma exacerbation.

I am wearing… jammies. Church was my indigo shirt from Fred Meyer, black capris from Kohl’s, and black flats from the Naturalizer website.. I exchanged the shirt and the flats for my blue-green shirt and black flip-flops from Old Navy.

I am creating… a prayer shawl on one of my hooks.

I am reading… Just Desserts by G.A. McKevvett.

I am hoping… I don’t have too much of a problem getting a follow-up appointment this week after my ER visit on Thursday. I’m still having asthma issues and I need to talk about my med list.

I am learning… the ropes of getting Daniel’s services up here.

In my kitchen… we had Sunday dinner here with my uncle and my grandma so we had pork chops, chopped salad, mixed veggies, corn on the cob, and apple pie for dessert.

In the school room… Daniel starts back on Tuesday and I’m trying to get his transportation sitch resolved.

Post Script… I wanted to share this for my musically-inclined friends.

Shared Quote… “I find that when I think I am asking God to forgive me I am often in reality…asking Him not to forgive me but to excuse me. But there is all the difference in the world between forgiving and excusing. Forgiveness says ‘Yes, you have done this thing, but I accept your apology…’ But excusing says ‘I see that you couldn’t help it or didn’t mean it; you weren’t really to blame.’ …And if we forget this, we shall go away imagining that we have repented and been forgiven when all that has really happened is that we have satisfied ourselves with our own excuses. They may be very bad excuses; we are all too easily satisfied about ourselves.” — C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

A moment from my day… From one of our hymns this morning which I was bummed not to be able to sing because of my voice and lungs.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: The Asthma Exacerbation Edition

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

About the title. I’ve been fighting something respiratory for more than 3 weeks now and it has exacerbated my asthma to the point where I am having a really hard time keeping food and liquids down because I’m coughing to the point of vomiting. It was bad enough last night that my mom was mobilizing to take me to the ER if I didn’t stop vomiting. Could y’all pray for my asthma to calm the heck down? I have asthma issues so rarely that this is scaring me.

**UPDATE** Sitting in the ER getting breathing treatments because I can’t catch my breath and the cough is making me vomit. Fun fun fun. The doctor just asked if I wanted hairball meds on my paws. I may or may not have glared at him.

— 2 —

What the fur?!?!?!? There was a thing on Facebook trends about Rush Limbaugh saying that the Obama administration is paying lesbians to go farm in red states. (I’m not linking to the story because I’d rather swallow ground glass than give a moron like him any page views.) Snopes.Com had this to say about it.

— 3 —

Anglicans and the rosary. There is such a thing as the Anglican rosary and this is what is. (I have two in my purse.)

— 4 —

Ryan Lochte. The guy is a 32 year old frat boy. Are you really so surprised that he pulled that stunt in Rio?

— 5 —

The toothpaste story. I really some of the parents of my classmates in middle school had given this talk to their kids. I still have scars.

— 6 —

Spot on. Most of you reading this are also Kelly’s readers so you’ve seen this but… her blog post last Thursday/Friday was amazing and oh so true. It resonates with me as Daniel’s mom because I know his diagnoses have probably caused me more grief than they have caused him. He is a really happy kid and seems oblivious to the fact that he is not at the level that his neurotypical cousins and classmates are.

— 7 —

Ew! I was seeing pieces of this during commercials for the Olympics and finally remembered to look it up on Youtube.

I also love this one:

And this one:

And given that I’m choking from laughing so hard, maybe I shouldn’t be watching these…

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.