Morning at the Med Center

After another rough night and early morning, I brought James in to see the doctor. I wanted to rule out everything else (e.g., ear or throat infection, stomach bug). Because I wanted one of the first appointments of the morning, we saw a new doctor. She introduced herself to us and told me she'd reviewed James' chart as well as the information coming in for today's visit before asking me about my concerns as she checked James' breathing, ears, and throat. She was very calm, thorough, and quick. She did however, have concerns it might be appendicitis.

Oh God. 

This, this, this, and this flashed through my mind, and I teared up.

I explained as calmly as I could to the doctor that we'd been this route before, and it was rather traumatic and we really didn't want to do another ER stint unless it was absolutely necessary. I give her all kinds of kudos because she did make it a much more positive experience for us, while still taking steps to make sure we were not dealing with appendicitis.

First, she ordered an x-ray of James' digestive system, which could be done on the same floor of the building. She had a wheelchair brought so that James would not have to walk. The x-ray was quick and efficient. James even perked up because he thought the technician was cute. We were soon back in the waiting room, and the new doctor saw us before I could get halfway through a short Winne-the-Pooh book.

This makes sense if you read down to the end.

Next, she showed us BOTH his x-ray, and answered our questions. Because yes, James was interested and asked "Is that me?" I loved how she communicated with us. The image showed some constipation and air in his intestines, as well as a stomach full of even more air. So the diagnosis now leaned more towards constipation. The doctor offered having an enema done down the hall in the Treatment Room and then recommended getting blood drawn to definitely rule out appendicitis. That being far preferable to an ER trip at another facility a mile or so away, I agreed.

Well, the enema triggered nausea and yammying. Not much happened at the other end. I did, however, manage to get a urine sample. There was a bit of a mess. How weird am I to be happy that it happened in a med center and not the car or our house? After it was over, we had no BMs, but a much more relaxed guy.

I did a quick emergency call to his Nana to please bring clean jammies and underwear. While we waited, James was able to lie on a padded gurney and watch a movie, covered by a beach towel from home. The doctor came back to check in. She told me the urine sample had no indicators for appendicitis and asked James to jump up and down on his toes, which he did. She then told me she didn't need a blood test, that James would not have been able to do that if he'd had appendicitis.

I almost kissed her feet, I was so happy. Everything was checked out with a minimum of fuss and delay and a maximum of compassionate assistance. James could go home to rest, and they even sent some suppositories home with us to try later tonight and tomorrow. Good Lord, I hope they work!

This looks like a cool x-ray app for the iPad - I think we'll check it out. Click the image above for more info.

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Endurance

Third night of little sleep and a lot of discomfort. I finally broke down and administered an enema this morning. It produced a little result. Encouraging, but I wish it was more immediately helpful.

Our brave guy is on the sofa, trying to keep himself occupied. It still hurts.

Why, oh why, oh why, oh why does his constipation keep coming back and being so bad? I wish I knew.

I keep trying to be calm and patient. And James shows me the meaning of endurance.


For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Full Stoppage

James' world has crashed to a halt yet again as a massive bout of constipation lays him low.

Like the previous two instances, we thought at first it was the flu. The absence of a fever and fruitless trips to the bathroom made us realize we were in for another few epic days. And we're still trying to get things moving.

So, no school for James; out weekday routines are scrapped. New things pile up as the backlog ages further and my husband and I try our darndest to make James comfortable and undo the blockage as non-invasively as possible:

• We use the prescription anti-nausea pills that dissolve quickly in his mouth; it relieves pain and vomiting bouts, and allows him to sleep. 
• We offer James sippy cups of iced electrolyte water; according to latest bathroom trips, he's hydrated. 
• We give him milk whenever he asks for it and make sure the Miralax is in there as well; we hope this will prevail and keep us all from the pandemonium that ensues with James after an enema is administered.
• Bathroom trips are checked for results (a few tiny BMs have started to appear and he's able to pass gas).
• We help James finish up bathroom trips with disposable wipes and ointment, to keep him clean and comfortable; I keep hoping this will relax him enough to help things along.
• James is given yogurt squeeze-ups when he requests food (we did try letting him have an apple bar once but that was a mistake). Oh how I wish he took prune juice and that it did not trigger a gag reflex from Hell.

And now, we rest, and hope that tomorrow is a better day.

Magic Marker Monday: The $1 Family Calendar

I used to love buying calendars. For years I'd enjoy my 12 months of Kliban Cats, Impressionists, and romantic illustrations. I think it's safe to say I was a sucker for a good calendar.

Then I my job and life took off in many directions and I started buying the giant kitchen wall calendars.

I added a calendar white board when I started working from a home office.

Now that I need to focus on family and keep a tight grip on household expenses, I have discovered the joys of the $1 Family Calendar!

I buy a $1 pad of paper from the Dollar Store, round up all the stray markers, crayons, and pencils from the kids, and spend an hour or two on the kitchen floor, inking in months, days, and numbers. I used to need a ruler, but now I just trace over old moths and go for it! The kids help by adding their own drawings  and sometimes the days of the week and numbers for the month for a unique family calendar we all can use.

Ooops! Did Mommy mis-abbreviate Thursday?
Kiddo #1 to the rescue!

I get to use the wall mount from the $20 kitchen calendars. Using small binder clips, I attach this year's calendar pad to an old $1 blotter/calendar from Target. Using produce ties and a plastic hook with a sticky back, I am able to hook the calendar onto the wall mount.

January is all fireworky and snowy!

Don't forget your marshmallow on a stick and your s'mores!

$1 Target blotter back, with adhesive hook.

Original $20 wall calendar mount and produce ties.

It may not look suave, but it works and the price is right. Plus, it becomes a family activity, which helps teach the kids about the months, numbers, and seasons. Oh yes, and it helps me keep track of our lives, when I remember to look.


For more great masterpieces or to share some of your own, visit
5 Minutes for Special Needs for more Magic Marker Monday.


                            

Stormy Play

Winter's here -- dark, cold, windy, and wet. When there's a break in the weather, it's good to get outside. This was especially true over school break.

Here's where we went the day before school started - the park near our house:

Looks balmy and inviting, eh? We were desperate.

Actually, the kids had a ball. We swung on the swings and played with just about every piece of equipment there:

"Wa-hoooooo! I flying!"

Funny voices galore.

Right back at ya!

Heh. Those pants fit him this time last year ...

We had an absolutely fantastic time for half an hour. Then, as I was trying to round them up to go back home, James ran off, slipped, and slid on his backside through the mud. He then ran further off, wailing, to a bench, leaving his shoes stuck in the mud.

I trecked after him, picking my way through the swamp to retrieve his shoes. As I was calming him down, and getting his dripping socks off, two well-meaning people stopped by to "help" James stop crying. Their friendly dog on a leash just made things worse. This is when "Why me?" starts flashing in the back of my brain.

The good news is that I have a lot of situations like this under my belt so I just kind of breathed extra deep, smiled, and thanked the people for their concern and returned focus to James, coaxing him out of his socks, into the Crocks, and over to our car.

The bad news is that as we stopped to pick up his sister, she fell backwards off a ridiculously low (as in about 10 inches) step, whack her head and loosening a tooth (thankfully a baby one).

So it goes. We had baths and showers and dinner. By bed time, all was well again.

As for me, I need a park pick-me-up. Here is is, courtesy of Charlie and Humphrey -- two of my favourite pals from Pat McCormick, KTVU, and my days growing up in the Bay Area ...

Best Gift of All

James' birthday was a good one. Despite it being a school day, it started with presents. We brought his cupcakes, which he helped bake & decorate, to share at school. Then we went to his grandparents' house after school, to celebrate some more and open even more presents. We'll have a party with some friends later this month.

I saw some cute pictures of James and I flipped through my recent downloads. It made me smile to see him so much more aware and happy about his birthday events than in previous years.

There were two photos that especially warmed my heart. They were of James, getting the best gift of all:

Attention and love from Big Sister. She made his card and present herself.

Look at that quiet, happy smile. He played with that all morning and then put it in his room.

These are moments I'll treasure.

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Birthday Baker

Guess who's turning 8 tomorrow and baking his own cupcakes to share with his class?

Happy Birthday, Baby. You're my big guy and I am so proud of you. Love, Mom.


For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday