I didn't always see myself as "pretty". In honestly any sense of the word.
I was your average American tomboy girl. I loved being barefoot, in jeans or shorts and a comfy shirt. I hated dresses and makeup. In fact, I rarely, if ever wear either of the latter to this day. And I'm about to turn thirty-five.
As a teen, I had your basic teen acne. Or so I'd thought. I had some pretty icky breakouts. Especially around the time of a hormonal flux at the nearing of my menstrual cycle.
After years of trying everything, by my 19th birthday, it all just went away. I went on with my life. Had gotten married, had a child, divorced. Remarried, had two more children. Also I'd lost a child in between the middle and youngest.
That's also when my breakouts came back. Right near the loss of that baby in 2003. And they came back with a vengeance.
After having my youngest child, who is now seven years old, and in the First Grade, things only had become worse. But I figured that over time, with my hormones getting back to a normal level, everything would just clear up again.
Oh how WRONG was I with that assumption. If anything, they had become worse.
By the time she was a year old, my face went to looking like this with Rosacea...
And yes, it steadily got worse than this. To the point that it hurt me emotionally, psychologically and even socially.
I hated leaving my home. I didn't like to be out in public. Not looking like that! People would stare. Little children would ask what happened to my face, as they pointed and had that look of disgust upon their faces.
There were times that I was even embarrassed to be around my family, wondering what they thought of how I looked. On occasion certain members of the family would "grill" me on what I ate, what I used to clean my face and whatnot.
I did NOTHING wrong. I ate NOTHING wrong. It was NOT my fault. But it certainly felt like I did SOMETHING wrong.
Eventually the Rosacea went in to an area of the body I had NEVER heard of it even being possible.
My eyes. But it primarily attacked my left eyeball. And I went to a Ophthalmologist who sadly MISTREATED me for the wrong infection. In the end, the Ocular Rosacea (Subtype 4) ate away most of the cornea (outer window of the pupil that is your eye's lens) in the left eye.
At times, my face looked like this man's...
And yes, my eye would like like the one in this picture...
In the end, after my cornea had perforated (had a hole in it), I looked like this..
Not even two weeks later, thanks to Ocular Rosacea eating away my cornea, I had no choice but to have an emergency-based Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) and required a full graft of another person's cornea after they had died and were an organ/tissue donor.
Here I am 2-weeks post-op...
And here I am 2 YEARS later...
As for the Rosacea, it is now under control!! I am on Doxycycline pills. And will most likely be on and off of them for the rest of my life.
Plus, soon, seeing as I can no longer have children, we are going to try a cream medication after removing me from the Doxycycline pills in a few months. And if need be, I may even end up being on both to ensure that when I have an "attack of the pimple kind", it will not be that bad, and will be staved off from being inside my eye.
Here I am today, pimple/Rosacea free (for the most part)...
I still have breakouts. Mainly around my cycle. But it's now just a bump here and a bump there. Yes, they CAN be painful, swelled and very red. But at least I'm NOWHERE near as horrible looking as back in the time of my youngest being a baby.
I'm more confident, knowledgeable about my conditions and am no longer afraid to walk out of my home, only to face ridicule from strangers young and old.
A blog about my life as a Stay-At-Home Mom, and other aspects of it. As well as my thoughts/feelings on different subjects.
My work is ORIGINAL...Don't be a thief.
Showing posts with label medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medicine. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Cornea Transplant Update
Okay, first of all, thus far, it seems it is NOT rejecting. But it was getting infected, and in turn THAT could have started a graft rejection, if I waited another day or so.
But I did have the BEGINNINGS of an infection, thanks to a stitch that had popped loose from the graft. So, the doctor I had to see on Triage/emergency basis removed it just with the tweezers. I asked and SHE (who is a Retina Specialist, not cornea) said it was ONLY the popped stitch, and kept me on my OmniPred steroid drop every 4 hours, and added Vigamox antibiotic drops 4 times a day.
Well.....
I'd gone back yesterday (Monday) for a re-check with my regular doctor, the Cornea Specialist. And he found something that must have developed over the weekend, otherwise the other doctor, I'm certain would have seen it while looking at my eye on Friday.
It seems that I have developed an abscess where the stitch was loose and just "floating" there. So, now I am a self-proclaimed walking Drug Store. At least through tomorrow morning, when the decision will be made to either keep me on my drug plan, or take a knife (again) to my eyeball (same thing he said, as when he removes the stitches). Yes, he may have to lance the abscess, let it drain, and grab a culture to see exactly what kind of infection is growing.
Of course, I'm hoping and praying feverishly that the drugs all are WORKING.
What's my drug regimen, you ask? The kind where it has made it impossible to volunteer at the school at all this week.
Twice a day, Aleve (one in morning, one at nighttime, both with food).
Once a day, Doxycycline (at bedtime, no dairy/calcium at least 2 hours before taking)
EVERY (waking) hour, Vigamox drops (antibiotic to stave off rejection and bacteria).
Every 2 hours, OmniPred drops (steroid) to ward off swelling and inflammation and eye pressure problems.
Every 4 hours, Bacitracin Ointment in lower eye lid, also an anti-bacterial medication.
To say I feel like I'm on a never-ending merry-go-round is probably a horrible understatement at the moment. And I have to do this regimen AT LEAST through a part of tomorrow morning. Probably even longer if he has to cut in to the abscess.
But!!!... Yes, there is a "but". There is a so-called silver lining in all of this mess.
It seems (seeing as I haven't seen the doctor in over a year) that we BOTH got a surprise. Because the doctor on Friday claimed I still had five stitches to go, but I don't know if she was actually looking for anymore of them other than the infected one. My regular specialist (Cornea) said he saw NONE.
Either he already removed some (which he did, a total of eight altogether), the other doctor removed the one, or they even actually DISSOLVED somehow, though they aren't considered "dissoluble" by what I had always understood.
So, that is ONE less worry to have to go through anymore. And that is apparently why my vision was now pegged in that eye as being either 20/50 or 20/40 (depending on which test I took between two different eye chart tests that they give me).
We'd talked about it many times in the past (and yes, he reminded me yesterday lol) that as stiches came out, being that the graft was sewn in pretty tightly and "flattened" it, to where it 'touched' my pupil, that the cornea would round its self out, and that this is FINALLY happening..
Now it seems that it is NOT the stitches, but the cataract that I have had since about a month post-transplant, that is hindering my peripheral vision on the outer left side of the eye.
So, of course, that means I am STILL facing (at least) one last surgical procedure to remove the cataract-ridden lens, and have it replaced with an implant.
So, there's the current news from the last post, If It's Not One Thing, It's Another... (WARNING!!!! language laced!) .. At least this one isn't filled with words that would make a sailor blush and pass out. (=
But I did have the BEGINNINGS of an infection, thanks to a stitch that had popped loose from the graft. So, the doctor I had to see on Triage/emergency basis removed it just with the tweezers. I asked and SHE (who is a Retina Specialist, not cornea) said it was ONLY the popped stitch, and kept me on my OmniPred steroid drop every 4 hours, and added Vigamox antibiotic drops 4 times a day.
Well.....
I'd gone back yesterday (Monday) for a re-check with my regular doctor, the Cornea Specialist. And he found something that must have developed over the weekend, otherwise the other doctor, I'm certain would have seen it while looking at my eye on Friday.
It seems that I have developed an abscess where the stitch was loose and just "floating" there. So, now I am a self-proclaimed walking Drug Store. At least through tomorrow morning, when the decision will be made to either keep me on my drug plan, or take a knife (again) to my eyeball (same thing he said, as when he removes the stitches). Yes, he may have to lance the abscess, let it drain, and grab a culture to see exactly what kind of infection is growing.
Of course, I'm hoping and praying feverishly that the drugs all are WORKING.
What's my drug regimen, you ask? The kind where it has made it impossible to volunteer at the school at all this week.
Twice a day, Aleve (one in morning, one at nighttime, both with food).
Once a day, Doxycycline (at bedtime, no dairy/calcium at least 2 hours before taking)
EVERY (waking) hour, Vigamox drops (antibiotic to stave off rejection and bacteria).
Every 2 hours, OmniPred drops (steroid) to ward off swelling and inflammation and eye pressure problems.
Every 4 hours, Bacitracin Ointment in lower eye lid, also an anti-bacterial medication.
To say I feel like I'm on a never-ending merry-go-round is probably a horrible understatement at the moment. And I have to do this regimen AT LEAST through a part of tomorrow morning. Probably even longer if he has to cut in to the abscess.
But!!!... Yes, there is a "but". There is a so-called silver lining in all of this mess.
It seems (seeing as I haven't seen the doctor in over a year) that we BOTH got a surprise. Because the doctor on Friday claimed I still had five stitches to go, but I don't know if she was actually looking for anymore of them other than the infected one. My regular specialist (Cornea) said he saw NONE.
Either he already removed some (which he did, a total of eight altogether), the other doctor removed the one, or they even actually DISSOLVED somehow, though they aren't considered "dissoluble" by what I had always understood.
So, that is ONE less worry to have to go through anymore. And that is apparently why my vision was now pegged in that eye as being either 20/50 or 20/40 (depending on which test I took between two different eye chart tests that they give me).
We'd talked about it many times in the past (and yes, he reminded me yesterday lol) that as stiches came out, being that the graft was sewn in pretty tightly and "flattened" it, to where it 'touched' my pupil, that the cornea would round its self out, and that this is FINALLY happening..
Now it seems that it is NOT the stitches, but the cataract that I have had since about a month post-transplant, that is hindering my peripheral vision on the outer left side of the eye.
So, of course, that means I am STILL facing (at least) one last surgical procedure to remove the cataract-ridden lens, and have it replaced with an implant.
So, there's the current news from the last post, If It's Not One Thing, It's Another... (WARNING!!!! language laced!) .. At least this one isn't filled with words that would make a sailor blush and pass out. (=
Saturday, February 26, 2011
In Transplant News This Past Week...
This past week has been filled with appalling headlines. Both of which I'd known about earlier on. But one thing has become "official", whereas the other news of noting is still "in the works". In the end, both stories go against ethics of humanity and ethics within the Transplant world.
First of all, let's talk about the (ahem) 'lovely' Janet Brewer, Governor of Arizona and her cuts that SHE passed in to affect.
I'd written a piece about her and what her plans were a while back in regards to those that are waiting on organs and are served by the state's Medicaid Assistance. To read that post, CLICK HERE.
Now, these "Death Panels" have been officially put in to place. The cards are all laid out. And HUNDREDS of Arizona citizens that are waiting on a LIFE SAVING organ transplant will NOT live long enough to get it.
Why? Because the worst of the worst will be removed from the Waiting List, and are on Medicaid Assistance in the state of Arizona.
Governor Brewer signed in to affect, budget cuts to "save money" in her state. One of those slashes were to Medicaid. And primarily those waiting on an Organ Transplant.
To read the latest article on it, CLICK HERE. This is an older article, yes, But now Janet Brewer has set in to motion, a wave of death.
Now, as for the other article that has been capturing my attention, and has for some time now, as the story has been unfolding is the story of the two sisters from Mississippi who were sentenced to LIFE in prison for their crimes, but were RELEASED after serving sixteen years, on ONE condition... That one sister IS to donate a kidney to the other, who's own kidney is failing.
Apparently, the judge that ordered this "new sentence" is not very well versed in the rules, regulations, ethics and overall practices of Organ Donation. Because if the idiot was, he would KNOW that to FORCE anyone to be an organ donor (especially when it's NOT known at the time if indeed the sisters are an actual match) is considered unlawful and goes against EVERYTHING that UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) stands for and has laid out as the procedures to give and receive organs.
To read the article in reference to the criminal sisters who got off on a strange "technicality", CLICK HERE.
They were ALLOWED to move out of state (which normally is a no-no with Probation). But the transplant cannot take place until they BOTH lose weight. And hey, they get a PERSONAL TRAINER for that, and Gastric Bypass Surgery. Then of course, the Organ Transplant Surgery.
Like the doctors, I'd REALLY love to know WHO is going to pay for this? It's obvious that neither of them have medical insurance. And by my understanding of practice, the patient MUST have some kind of medical insurance to be approved as a Recipient.
Plus the Judge who ordered this weird release states that the transplant MUST happen within a year, or (hypothetically) they will be sent BACK to prison. WTF?? I say that they should have NEVER left on these types of terms.
Maybe I should have been imprisoned BEFORE my transplant that I had for my eye. Then all MY bills would be paid FOR me. Instead, I have pretty good insurance, but still stuck with on-going bills for the REST OF MY LIFE for the transplant its self and for the lifelong, on-going care I will need (and possibly ANOTHER Corneal Transplant down the road). Because apparently, it PAYS to be in prison these days, instead of a "punishment".
First of all, let's talk about the (ahem) 'lovely' Janet Brewer, Governor of Arizona and her cuts that SHE passed in to affect.
I'd written a piece about her and what her plans were a while back in regards to those that are waiting on organs and are served by the state's Medicaid Assistance. To read that post, CLICK HERE.
Now, these "Death Panels" have been officially put in to place. The cards are all laid out. And HUNDREDS of Arizona citizens that are waiting on a LIFE SAVING organ transplant will NOT live long enough to get it.
Why? Because the worst of the worst will be removed from the Waiting List, and are on Medicaid Assistance in the state of Arizona.
Governor Brewer signed in to affect, budget cuts to "save money" in her state. One of those slashes were to Medicaid. And primarily those waiting on an Organ Transplant.
To read the latest article on it, CLICK HERE. This is an older article, yes, But now Janet Brewer has set in to motion, a wave of death.
Now, as for the other article that has been capturing my attention, and has for some time now, as the story has been unfolding is the story of the two sisters from Mississippi who were sentenced to LIFE in prison for their crimes, but were RELEASED after serving sixteen years, on ONE condition... That one sister IS to donate a kidney to the other, who's own kidney is failing.
Apparently, the judge that ordered this "new sentence" is not very well versed in the rules, regulations, ethics and overall practices of Organ Donation. Because if the idiot was, he would KNOW that to FORCE anyone to be an organ donor (especially when it's NOT known at the time if indeed the sisters are an actual match) is considered unlawful and goes against EVERYTHING that UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) stands for and has laid out as the procedures to give and receive organs.
To read the article in reference to the criminal sisters who got off on a strange "technicality", CLICK HERE.
They were ALLOWED to move out of state (which normally is a no-no with Probation). But the transplant cannot take place until they BOTH lose weight. And hey, they get a PERSONAL TRAINER for that, and Gastric Bypass Surgery. Then of course, the Organ Transplant Surgery.
Like the doctors, I'd REALLY love to know WHO is going to pay for this? It's obvious that neither of them have medical insurance. And by my understanding of practice, the patient MUST have some kind of medical insurance to be approved as a Recipient.
Plus the Judge who ordered this weird release states that the transplant MUST happen within a year, or (hypothetically) they will be sent BACK to prison. WTF?? I say that they should have NEVER left on these types of terms.
Maybe I should have been imprisoned BEFORE my transplant that I had for my eye. Then all MY bills would be paid FOR me. Instead, I have pretty good insurance, but still stuck with on-going bills for the REST OF MY LIFE for the transplant its self and for the lifelong, on-going care I will need (and possibly ANOTHER Corneal Transplant down the road). Because apparently, it PAYS to be in prison these days, instead of a "punishment".
Friday, February 4, 2011
One Hot Mama!...I'm Pretty Ticked & Heed My Warning.
If I could, I would have this shooting out of my head..
And have these shooting from my eyes...
Why?
Because, for the now third or fourth time, my local Walgreen's Pharmacist has messed up. It's one thing to miscount the number of pills. It's also one thing to not even fill one of them. Heck, it's even one thing to place your child's medications in the WRONG "filled and ready to go" bins.
But when your "mistake" at reading the prescription goes as far as one, filling it with the WRONG refill number, as well as with the WRONG DOSE, that is when I am DONE.
And that is also when I write to Corporate Office, and to the District Office, and to the Local Store. Yep. Every single level of Walgreen's got a copy of my letter of complaint about this "mix up".
The medications that my child is on are pretty "powerful" and can have some pretty bad side effects if given wrong. The one that was completely dispensed wrong can hurt his Blood Pressure or even his heart.
What SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2 mg. of a dose at 2 refills was ACTUALLY FILLED as 3 mg. dose with 3 refills.
How does someone read a "copy" wrong? When in doubt CALL THE DOCTOR that prescribed the medication, THEN proceed to fill it. It's not rocket science.
Please, my readers, for your safety and for the safety of your family, especially your children, READ LABELS on the medication bottles. Every time. No matter how many times you filled the same medication.
Here is a copy of my letter to all of the branches of Wallgreen's...
To Whom It May Concern,
I'm writing to complain about the (now) third or fourth "accident" in regards to my son's medications being improperly filled.
My nine-year-old is on medications that can have a great impact on his heart and his blood pressure.
His Intuniv was filled COMPLETELY wrong. I was supposed to have 2 mg dose with 2 refills. Instead I received 3 mg dose and 3 refills.
I cannot tell who had filled my son's medications last night, seeing as you do not have your Pharmacists place their names on the prescriptions that they are having to fill. That alone to me, is discouraging. Because I now cannot tell you in fact WHO ACTUALLY filled my child's medications.
At this time I am NOT "taking my business else where", but do know that I will NOT be talking very kindly about your store, and especially not in regards to this branch.
When filling medications, it means that your staff is literally holding their customer's/patient's lives in their hands. Including children.
Thank you,
Melissa C
And have these shooting from my eyes...
Why?
Because, for the now third or fourth time, my local Walgreen's Pharmacist has messed up. It's one thing to miscount the number of pills. It's also one thing to not even fill one of them. Heck, it's even one thing to place your child's medications in the WRONG "filled and ready to go" bins.
But when your "mistake" at reading the prescription goes as far as one, filling it with the WRONG refill number, as well as with the WRONG DOSE, that is when I am DONE.
And that is also when I write to Corporate Office, and to the District Office, and to the Local Store. Yep. Every single level of Walgreen's got a copy of my letter of complaint about this "mix up".
The medications that my child is on are pretty "powerful" and can have some pretty bad side effects if given wrong. The one that was completely dispensed wrong can hurt his Blood Pressure or even his heart.
What SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2 mg. of a dose at 2 refills was ACTUALLY FILLED as 3 mg. dose with 3 refills.
How does someone read a "copy" wrong? When in doubt CALL THE DOCTOR that prescribed the medication, THEN proceed to fill it. It's not rocket science.
Please, my readers, for your safety and for the safety of your family, especially your children, READ LABELS on the medication bottles. Every time. No matter how many times you filled the same medication.
Here is a copy of my letter to all of the branches of Wallgreen's...
To Whom It May Concern,
I'm writing to complain about the (now) third or fourth "accident" in regards to my son's medications being improperly filled.
My nine-year-old is on medications that can have a great impact on his heart and his blood pressure.
His Intuniv was filled COMPLETELY wrong. I was supposed to have 2 mg dose with 2 refills. Instead I received 3 mg dose and 3 refills.
I cannot tell who had filled my son's medications last night, seeing as you do not have your Pharmacists place their names on the prescriptions that they are having to fill. That alone to me, is discouraging. Because I now cannot tell you in fact WHO ACTUALLY filled my child's medications.
At this time I am NOT "taking my business else where", but do know that I will NOT be talking very kindly about your store, and especially not in regards to this branch.
When filling medications, it means that your staff is literally holding their customer's/patient's lives in their hands. Including children.
Thank you,
Melissa C
Thursday, September 16, 2010
ADHD...
As a mother, it is hard to watch your child struggle. What are ordinary, everyday tasks and expectations to us, is a ball of confusion and frustration for our kids.
Sitting still. Focusing. Being organized. Paying attention to the instructor. Following multiple directions at a rapid pace.
Sounds like a lot, and even a bit confusing to you? I'm sure that it does. But to my son, and to millions of other children in the United States alone, it is a hardship for them every single day to keep up with those tasks while in the classroom, and even at home.
Constantly, I have to remind my hyper, active, not-very-attentive son to complete this task first, so he can move on to the next. Then, after that, I have to remind him to let me check his work against his Agenda, to ensure that he completed the assignments. Then, and only then, may he have his computer or his TV time.
The same goes for his household chores. And the teachers have to stay on top of Bryce as well, being he can fall off of the track pretty quick, and pretty often.
Case in point.. Bryce was found to be sitting in the hall, by his Science and Social Studies Teacher's room. Apparently, he was disrupting the class and "poking at" one girl constantly. After being told to finally move himself to an area where he could be alone, he started to bawl and be belligerent. So, the teacher sent him to the hall.
Then, at snack time, when the Mixed Berries were passed out, he couldn't have any, being that the kitchen never made him a separate bowl without the Blackberries, being he is allergic to them. He went buck wild, pitching a fit, not concentrating on the teacher's explanation, and saying he was being abused because she was "starving" him.
It's not ALL stemming from his ADHD. The lashing out is from another disorder he is inflicted with. But the "poking" of the child, his fidgeting, his lack of concentration, and organization skills, as well as his hyperness, even in his talking to others is a part of the ADHD that he has. Bryce has the more severe form of the disorder.
And yes, he is on medication therapy for it. He takes Vyvanse in the morning, before school. His Intuniv is taken before bedtime. It also serves as a sleep aide, being that his brain stays in "overdrive". The Intuniv relaxes the centers in the brain to control his sleep pattern. And it helps him focus on going to sleep, along with his bedtime routine rituals.
One thing that I have noted the last few years, as the parent of an ADHD child that is medicated, is that most (not all, mind you) teachers think that the medication is the "magic cure-all" for the ADHD while the child is in their classroom. That cannot be further from the truth.
While the medications DO help the child stay focused, attentive, and with less likelihood to blurt out or talk out of turn (or even go way off the topic at hand), the medicines can only control those points to a certain extent.
The remainder of the ADHD child's success relies upon both the child's willingness to gain SELF-control and SELF-discipline, as well as the teacher's willingness to work with the child to achieve those same goals that ADHD students need to be successful students.
This may mean giving the ADHD child a separate desk area, where fellow students will not be a distraction. Or even asking the child if the student is understanding and able to follow the lesson. The teacher can't be "all mouth". They must be about action as well. This means walking around, using hand gestures. Anything to keep the ADHD child engaged in the lesson.
On average, the typical ADHD child can give you no more than fifteen minutes of their attention. For the ones with severe ADHD, you are lucky, and I mean LUCKY, to get ten minutes of their attention, being most severe cases have an attention span of only five minutes.
Too many teachers rely on medication therapy. And anti-medicating advocates talk about us parents? MOST of us parents tried EVERYTHING else under the sun for our children BEFORE going the "pill route".
Our child's first line of defense of course, are the parents. Then, the doctors and therapeutic team. Teachers though, as well as the other school staff round out the team for these kids. We ALL have to work together to help these children with ADHD be successful . Within the classroom setting, as well as out in the community and within the world.
So, remember that while ADHD medications DO help, it's far from being the "cure-all" route of having a successful child. One-on-one working with your child (or student, if that is the case), providing the appropriate tools for success, and helping them to build their SELF-esteem and SELF-control are the REAL keys for having an ADHD child that is well-rounded, adjusted, organized and an overall good student in the classroom and beyond.
Sitting still. Focusing. Being organized. Paying attention to the instructor. Following multiple directions at a rapid pace.
Sounds like a lot, and even a bit confusing to you? I'm sure that it does. But to my son, and to millions of other children in the United States alone, it is a hardship for them every single day to keep up with those tasks while in the classroom, and even at home.
Constantly, I have to remind my hyper, active, not-very-attentive son to complete this task first, so he can move on to the next. Then, after that, I have to remind him to let me check his work against his Agenda, to ensure that he completed the assignments. Then, and only then, may he have his computer or his TV time.
The same goes for his household chores. And the teachers have to stay on top of Bryce as well, being he can fall off of the track pretty quick, and pretty often.
Case in point.. Bryce was found to be sitting in the hall, by his Science and Social Studies Teacher's room. Apparently, he was disrupting the class and "poking at" one girl constantly. After being told to finally move himself to an area where he could be alone, he started to bawl and be belligerent. So, the teacher sent him to the hall.
Then, at snack time, when the Mixed Berries were passed out, he couldn't have any, being that the kitchen never made him a separate bowl without the Blackberries, being he is allergic to them. He went buck wild, pitching a fit, not concentrating on the teacher's explanation, and saying he was being abused because she was "starving" him.
It's not ALL stemming from his ADHD. The lashing out is from another disorder he is inflicted with. But the "poking" of the child, his fidgeting, his lack of concentration, and organization skills, as well as his hyperness, even in his talking to others is a part of the ADHD that he has. Bryce has the more severe form of the disorder.
And yes, he is on medication therapy for it. He takes Vyvanse in the morning, before school. His Intuniv is taken before bedtime. It also serves as a sleep aide, being that his brain stays in "overdrive". The Intuniv relaxes the centers in the brain to control his sleep pattern. And it helps him focus on going to sleep, along with his bedtime routine rituals.
One thing that I have noted the last few years, as the parent of an ADHD child that is medicated, is that most (not all, mind you) teachers think that the medication is the "magic cure-all" for the ADHD while the child is in their classroom. That cannot be further from the truth.
While the medications DO help the child stay focused, attentive, and with less likelihood to blurt out or talk out of turn (or even go way off the topic at hand), the medicines can only control those points to a certain extent.
The remainder of the ADHD child's success relies upon both the child's willingness to gain SELF-control and SELF-discipline, as well as the teacher's willingness to work with the child to achieve those same goals that ADHD students need to be successful students.
This may mean giving the ADHD child a separate desk area, where fellow students will not be a distraction. Or even asking the child if the student is understanding and able to follow the lesson. The teacher can't be "all mouth". They must be about action as well. This means walking around, using hand gestures. Anything to keep the ADHD child engaged in the lesson.
On average, the typical ADHD child can give you no more than fifteen minutes of their attention. For the ones with severe ADHD, you are lucky, and I mean LUCKY, to get ten minutes of their attention, being most severe cases have an attention span of only five minutes.
Too many teachers rely on medication therapy. And anti-medicating advocates talk about us parents? MOST of us parents tried EVERYTHING else under the sun for our children BEFORE going the "pill route".
Our child's first line of defense of course, are the parents. Then, the doctors and therapeutic team. Teachers though, as well as the other school staff round out the team for these kids. We ALL have to work together to help these children with ADHD be successful . Within the classroom setting, as well as out in the community and within the world.
So, remember that while ADHD medications DO help, it's far from being the "cure-all" route of having a successful child. One-on-one working with your child (or student, if that is the case), providing the appropriate tools for success, and helping them to build their SELF-esteem and SELF-control are the REAL keys for having an ADHD child that is well-rounded, adjusted, organized and an overall good student in the classroom and beyond.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Walgreens Drugs should have been named "Failgreens".
At this point in time, I have nothing good to say about this company. At least not where my local store is concerned. While the staff IS friendly, they have a major problem with CORRECTLY filling drug prescriptions for ONE client.
No one should have to (after this evening) make THREE trips to the pharmacy to pick up my child's medications. Why? Because I got only ONE of three to be filled (along with his sister's one).
Then, I had to go get the ones left behind (that are NORMALLY bagged together), only to get 5 freaking pills from a 30-day supply refill. Because apparently (without my knowledge) they were running low.
Even this evening when I pick up, I can only have a total of 20 from the 30 I'm supposed to have.
The person(s) filling my son's medications 'accidentally' placed the ones I was missing in the WRONG pick-up bin as well. I found this out yesterday evening when I noticed the 'mistake' and called them about it.
I'm glad that what he takes are not drugs he needs to live (like Insulin or Anti-Rejection meds)..He missed a dose last night. If he was on the latter that I mentioned, that COULD POTENTIALLY kill or seriously injure someone because they were not able to have access to their medication!
The employees also need to only have ONE person filling for ONE client when there are multiple scrips for that one person. I mainly blame THAT as the reason for this whole entire debacle even taking place.
Yes, they are human. Yes, people make mistakes. But when you work in ANY area of the health care system, being it as a CNA, a Medical Doctor, or a Pharmacist, there really isn't much, or even any period, room for error. Especially when it comes to the health, well-being and overall LIVES that you are taking care of.
I've learned a VALUABLE lesson, especially after today. BEFORE you even pull out of the parking lot, pull the medications OUT of the bag(s), read them and make sure you have all the pills accounted for on the label(s) and ensure that you have ALL of your medicines you were to have filled that day in your hands.
No one should have to (after this evening) make THREE trips to the pharmacy to pick up my child's medications. Why? Because I got only ONE of three to be filled (along with his sister's one).
Then, I had to go get the ones left behind (that are NORMALLY bagged together), only to get 5 freaking pills from a 30-day supply refill. Because apparently (without my knowledge) they were running low.
Even this evening when I pick up, I can only have a total of 20 from the 30 I'm supposed to have.
The person(s) filling my son's medications 'accidentally' placed the ones I was missing in the WRONG pick-up bin as well. I found this out yesterday evening when I noticed the 'mistake' and called them about it.
I'm glad that what he takes are not drugs he needs to live (like Insulin or Anti-Rejection meds)..He missed a dose last night. If he was on the latter that I mentioned, that COULD POTENTIALLY kill or seriously injure someone because they were not able to have access to their medication!
The employees also need to only have ONE person filling for ONE client when there are multiple scrips for that one person. I mainly blame THAT as the reason for this whole entire debacle even taking place.
Yes, they are human. Yes, people make mistakes. But when you work in ANY area of the health care system, being it as a CNA, a Medical Doctor, or a Pharmacist, there really isn't much, or even any period, room for error. Especially when it comes to the health, well-being and overall LIVES that you are taking care of.
I've learned a VALUABLE lesson, especially after today. BEFORE you even pull out of the parking lot, pull the medications OUT of the bag(s), read them and make sure you have all the pills accounted for on the label(s) and ensure that you have ALL of your medicines you were to have filled that day in your hands.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Mama Bear Is Striking Back Again. Compliance Dept., Here I Come!
As mothers, many of us possess this uncanny gift. We call it Mom-dar. With this gift we can sense things from a mile away (it seems) that just feels "off". Be it about a place, a situation, or even a person.
And for me, my Mom-dar was right on target that day, but I couldn't place why. I knew the who. But for what reason?
Well, as of last night I now know the why, to go along with the who.
Many readers know that I had a lot of problems obtaining Bryce's Intuniv. I was able to get samples. But the going in every one to two weeks was getting to be a real hassle. And of course, it didn't help the doctor (once again) was on a month-long leave when I needed him for the Pre-Authorization process.
Being the doctor in charge of Bryce's care was gone, another doctor who in fact is over the other doctors in the practice is to pick up the slack and help with prescriptions (if they are established) and pre-auth's.
Not the Office Manager! And believe me, he SUCKED! Yes, it is a male head Office Manager/Nurse. Gender is not the issue. The ability to perform duties, and get the IMPORTANT matters taken care of in a TIMELY manner are the issues.
The one nurse that DID help us by taking charge when I came in crying and finding lie after lie had gotten more done in TWO DAYS than the idiot did in (almost) a month.
After all was said and done, I made formal grievance complaints against the Office Manager, and then called insurance and filed one with them as well. The lady in Compliance for the Doctor's Building was pretty upset and took care of it all right away. She even apologized to me (though I told her it wasn't her place, and nothing was her fault).
Last night, I had gotten a call. It was from the nurse that HELPED me and my son. I found out this happened to more than just us. It happened to a few families. And I was not the only one to file a complaint. A few of us did.
And our beloved nurse got FIRED last week because of it all. Because she stood up for us and our kids. Because she voiced herself over what she was seeing. And because she could EASILY get many in that building fired...
Though the office manager (if you want to call him that) claims he is going nowhere and that he has friends in "high places" to ensure his stay. And he has been REPORTED on several occasions for various screw ups and "no call, no shows" to work. He comes and goes as he pleases. No consistency in the office.
She was fired based on "aggressive communication" and for "overstepping authority". In other words, she got somewhere with insurance by playing their game back with them and got somewhere, where as the one appointed to do so, didn't do a damn thing and it made him look bad.
I've done it once, and I will GLADLY do it again. I am calling Compliance to file a grievance on my fave nurse's behalf. And writing her a Letter Of Recommendation. Plus I found out from the "birdie" that my other favorite nurse (that knew what the hell she was doing) was 'pushed out' by the Office Manager because he didn't like that she could run circles around him and do HIS job and her's 110% better than he ever could.
Sometimes, I hate men. Especially the egotistical, narcissistic, asshole types.
Off to start my busy day of calls and (maybe) taking a kid to the doctor due to an allergy problem and a (possible) ear infection.
And for me, my Mom-dar was right on target that day, but I couldn't place why. I knew the who. But for what reason?
Well, as of last night I now know the why, to go along with the who.
Many readers know that I had a lot of problems obtaining Bryce's Intuniv. I was able to get samples. But the going in every one to two weeks was getting to be a real hassle. And of course, it didn't help the doctor (once again) was on a month-long leave when I needed him for the Pre-Authorization process.
Being the doctor in charge of Bryce's care was gone, another doctor who in fact is over the other doctors in the practice is to pick up the slack and help with prescriptions (if they are established) and pre-auth's.
Not the Office Manager! And believe me, he SUCKED! Yes, it is a male head Office Manager/Nurse. Gender is not the issue. The ability to perform duties, and get the IMPORTANT matters taken care of in a TIMELY manner are the issues.
The one nurse that DID help us by taking charge when I came in crying and finding lie after lie had gotten more done in TWO DAYS than the idiot did in (almost) a month.
After all was said and done, I made formal grievance complaints against the Office Manager, and then called insurance and filed one with them as well. The lady in Compliance for the Doctor's Building was pretty upset and took care of it all right away. She even apologized to me (though I told her it wasn't her place, and nothing was her fault).
Last night, I had gotten a call. It was from the nurse that HELPED me and my son. I found out this happened to more than just us. It happened to a few families. And I was not the only one to file a complaint. A few of us did.
And our beloved nurse got FIRED last week because of it all. Because she stood up for us and our kids. Because she voiced herself over what she was seeing. And because she could EASILY get many in that building fired...
Though the office manager (if you want to call him that) claims he is going nowhere and that he has friends in "high places" to ensure his stay. And he has been REPORTED on several occasions for various screw ups and "no call, no shows" to work. He comes and goes as he pleases. No consistency in the office.
She was fired based on "aggressive communication" and for "overstepping authority". In other words, she got somewhere with insurance by playing their game back with them and got somewhere, where as the one appointed to do so, didn't do a damn thing and it made him look bad.
I've done it once, and I will GLADLY do it again. I am calling Compliance to file a grievance on my fave nurse's behalf. And writing her a Letter Of Recommendation. Plus I found out from the "birdie" that my other favorite nurse (that knew what the hell she was doing) was 'pushed out' by the Office Manager because he didn't like that she could run circles around him and do HIS job and her's 110% better than he ever could.
Sometimes, I hate men. Especially the egotistical, narcissistic, asshole types.
Off to start my busy day of calls and (maybe) taking a kid to the doctor due to an allergy problem and a (possible) ear infection.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The House of Pain
Yep, I'm indeed believing that I made it in to hell. And it's painful.
No! Not the fire and brimstone kind. The "OUCH!! Man this hurts like hell!" kind. Stupid TMJ jaw problem. It locked and popped yesterday evening as my family and I were eating dinner. My husband thought that it was my SHOULDER that popped. When I told him that my jaw was the culprit, I thought he was going to need the Heimlich Maneuver performed.
Even the kids had their jaws drop. Luckily no food or drink was in them. Yes, it was seafood night at Golden Corral. But I don't like SEE-food.
Not long after that, my bad molar tooth started to act up. Needless to say, my jaw and my tooth have decided to tag-team and make my life miserable.
Now, I have been forced to down Advil, topped off with Percocet every six hours. Being that Scott is working and I'm with the kids on my own, I'm only taking half a Percocet, along with two Advil pills. For the most part, I get a bit tipsy, as if I had one too many beers. I might slur my words a little and feel sluggish and giggly. But I don't pass out and am still alert enough to keep an eye on the kids. And at times, depending on how in-to my system the drug is in my body, I tend to misspell as I type...A LOT!
So, they (only two of them are home, oldest is with her father for the weekend) have been (for the most part) quietly watching TV and just chilling out for the day. Later, when it is once again time (six hours from now), and being my husband, Scott will be home, I can FINALLY take a whole Percocet. Then, I will be the fool.
After taking a whole Percocet pill, I end up stupid (as in plastered-like drunk), can't talk, wobbly to the point of almost falling down, burst out laughing at EVERYTHING and then I pass out cold for several hours in a painless (YAY!!) haze.
Well, I better stop typing at this point. I only have about another twenty minutes before this current dose kicks in to high gear. Talk to you all later. I hope I am not needing a dentist to pull my stupid tooth. I really can't afford it at this time. So it had just better be my TMJ giving my tooth (and my sanity) a bunch of grief.
No! Not the fire and brimstone kind. The "OUCH!! Man this hurts like hell!" kind. Stupid TMJ jaw problem. It locked and popped yesterday evening as my family and I were eating dinner. My husband thought that it was my SHOULDER that popped. When I told him that my jaw was the culprit, I thought he was going to need the Heimlich Maneuver performed.
Even the kids had their jaws drop. Luckily no food or drink was in them. Yes, it was seafood night at Golden Corral. But I don't like SEE-food.
Not long after that, my bad molar tooth started to act up. Needless to say, my jaw and my tooth have decided to tag-team and make my life miserable.
Now, I have been forced to down Advil, topped off with Percocet every six hours. Being that Scott is working and I'm with the kids on my own, I'm only taking half a Percocet, along with two Advil pills. For the most part, I get a bit tipsy, as if I had one too many beers. I might slur my words a little and feel sluggish and giggly. But I don't pass out and am still alert enough to keep an eye on the kids. And at times, depending on how in-to my system the drug is in my body, I tend to misspell as I type...A LOT!
So, they (only two of them are home, oldest is with her father for the weekend) have been (for the most part) quietly watching TV and just chilling out for the day. Later, when it is once again time (six hours from now), and being my husband, Scott will be home, I can FINALLY take a whole Percocet. Then, I will be the fool.
After taking a whole Percocet pill, I end up stupid (as in plastered-like drunk), can't talk, wobbly to the point of almost falling down, burst out laughing at EVERYTHING and then I pass out cold for several hours in a painless (YAY!!) haze.
Well, I better stop typing at this point. I only have about another twenty minutes before this current dose kicks in to high gear. Talk to you all later. I hope I am not needing a dentist to pull my stupid tooth. I really can't afford it at this time. So it had just better be my TMJ giving my tooth (and my sanity) a bunch of grief.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Arm, eye and stomach...What a combination to deal with.
Germ invasion, broken arm and a failing eye. That is what I have been dealing with since last week. Let's just say it's kind of looking up.
The bright side? Bryce's arm and hand/finger swelling is going down and he is doing well in the cast.
Otherwise, there isn't much of a bright side. Other than the fact that the constant drops in the eye are helping to reverse possible irreversable damage to my Cornea.
After sitting in the Cornea Specialist's chair, he looked in to my eye and looked at results from a new test I had done last Friday. Then asked how long my eye has been red.
Come to find out...My Cornea is in the EARLY stages of Rejection. Not even in my fourth month yet and BOOM! Now I'm on my Pred Forte Drops several times a day. At least for the next three weeks.
Then, Friday night, Skyler got us up at around eleven from a nice slumber, only to let Scott and I know as she cried that she "puked" all over my living room carpet and couch. Let's just say, it is going to still require the Rug Shampooer to get the stains up.
Top it all off with last night, around midnight, Bryce got up and barely made it to the toilet and threw up. He also had some on the doorway area of his carpet. But otherwise, he did it full throttle all over the seat, inside, and the side of the potty.
At this point with my immune system already attacking my eye and having a lowered "defense", I can't afford to get sick. That would make my already failing eye a complete failure most likely. My body is already attacking the Cornea. To get sick leaves a wide-open shot like a dear being hunted in the clearing of the forest. It's sure to be killed.
One day soon, I will be able to hopefully put all of my worries behind me with my eye. But now that is is in rejection, my chances go up for it to happen again if I can save THIS Cornea.
Well, that's life. I have YET to be able to get Bryce's Vyvanse. Still working on fighting insurance and waiting to see if the Pre-Authorization went through. Plus, Bryce has an appointment Friday for his broken arm. Needless to say, Dr. Asshat who doesn't call back never let him get an earlier appointment so he won't miss TWO WEEKS of school. So, it looks like Monday of NEXT week is when he can go back. Bryce NEEDS TO BE IN SCHOOL! Not stuck at home...for a broken arm. Good lord!
This guy makes me wonder if he is a quack. Who the hell keeps a kid home for two weeks? Put Bryce in a sling, make sure he gets assistance from the other kids and the teacher to help write and carry heavy things and take extra precautions (like no P.E. or recess on the school yard).
The bright side? Bryce's arm and hand/finger swelling is going down and he is doing well in the cast.
Otherwise, there isn't much of a bright side. Other than the fact that the constant drops in the eye are helping to reverse possible irreversable damage to my Cornea.
After sitting in the Cornea Specialist's chair, he looked in to my eye and looked at results from a new test I had done last Friday. Then asked how long my eye has been red.
Come to find out...My Cornea is in the EARLY stages of Rejection. Not even in my fourth month yet and BOOM! Now I'm on my Pred Forte Drops several times a day. At least for the next three weeks.
Then, Friday night, Skyler got us up at around eleven from a nice slumber, only to let Scott and I know as she cried that she "puked" all over my living room carpet and couch. Let's just say, it is going to still require the Rug Shampooer to get the stains up.
Top it all off with last night, around midnight, Bryce got up and barely made it to the toilet and threw up. He also had some on the doorway area of his carpet. But otherwise, he did it full throttle all over the seat, inside, and the side of the potty.
At this point with my immune system already attacking my eye and having a lowered "defense", I can't afford to get sick. That would make my already failing eye a complete failure most likely. My body is already attacking the Cornea. To get sick leaves a wide-open shot like a dear being hunted in the clearing of the forest. It's sure to be killed.
One day soon, I will be able to hopefully put all of my worries behind me with my eye. But now that is is in rejection, my chances go up for it to happen again if I can save THIS Cornea.
Well, that's life. I have YET to be able to get Bryce's Vyvanse. Still working on fighting insurance and waiting to see if the Pre-Authorization went through. Plus, Bryce has an appointment Friday for his broken arm. Needless to say, Dr. Asshat who doesn't call back never let him get an earlier appointment so he won't miss TWO WEEKS of school. So, it looks like Monday of NEXT week is when he can go back. Bryce NEEDS TO BE IN SCHOOL! Not stuck at home...for a broken arm. Good lord!
This guy makes me wonder if he is a quack. Who the hell keeps a kid home for two weeks? Put Bryce in a sling, make sure he gets assistance from the other kids and the teacher to help write and carry heavy things and take extra precautions (like no P.E. or recess on the school yard).
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Them's the breaks, kid!!
With three kids, I knew it was bound to happen eventually. As in, their teens as they tried some stupid stunt with a skateboard or in-line skates. Or from playing sports and landing the wrong way on the field (or someone landing on them).
Nope, it didn't happen that way. Oh believe me, it was still a stupid stunt. But not from doing something "cool" like skating or playing sports.
Bryce (the eight-year-old) decided to try and ride Skyler's (the five-year-old) mini tractor trike. By putting one leg on it and using the other to push it like a scooter.
Needless to say, the trike went out from under him and tipped. Bryce went the other way face first. He caught himself on his RIGHT hand (mainly). The force of landing on that one arm broke both his Ulna and his Radius bones in his fore-arm.
It was so bad, it bowed the top of his arm in (in a down position, like a smile). The doctor had to reset BOTH bones. And Bryce took it like a brave trooper. No pain meds, no numbing medicine...and no "knock out juice". After setting the first bone and hearing it "POP!", I had to turn my head as they got ready to set the other bone.
Today he is home from school, due to the pain getting to him this morning. And Hayley (the ten-year-old) will bring home his homework for him. But, he broke his writing hand...the RIGHT arm. So he will be learning how to be a "lefty" for a while.
Bryce is learning a six-week lesson. To not stand on riding toy and use it as a scooter or skateboard. Because you might end up in a full-arm cast and be VERY close to requiring surgery.
Nope, it didn't happen that way. Oh believe me, it was still a stupid stunt. But not from doing something "cool" like skating or playing sports.
Bryce (the eight-year-old) decided to try and ride Skyler's (the five-year-old) mini tractor trike. By putting one leg on it and using the other to push it like a scooter.
Needless to say, the trike went out from under him and tipped. Bryce went the other way face first. He caught himself on his RIGHT hand (mainly). The force of landing on that one arm broke both his Ulna and his Radius bones in his fore-arm.
It was so bad, it bowed the top of his arm in (in a down position, like a smile). The doctor had to reset BOTH bones. And Bryce took it like a brave trooper. No pain meds, no numbing medicine...and no "knock out juice". After setting the first bone and hearing it "POP!", I had to turn my head as they got ready to set the other bone.
Today he is home from school, due to the pain getting to him this morning. And Hayley (the ten-year-old) will bring home his homework for him. But, he broke his writing hand...the RIGHT arm. So he will be learning how to be a "lefty" for a while.
Bryce is learning a six-week lesson. To not stand on riding toy and use it as a scooter or skateboard. Because you might end up in a full-arm cast and be VERY close to requiring surgery.
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