My Kid Eats Crayons

2 year old C eats crayons, and chalk, and sand, and Styrofoam, and wood chips, and....well you get the point. Lots of non-food items. If he just mouthed them or chewed them up and spit it out I'd pass it off as age and something he'd grow out of but no he eats them. He seeks them out, finds them, goes and hides with them- all to ingest them (this makes for very colorful diapers too!). And man if you happen to find him and take it from him there's war! He'll cram it into his mouth whole and chew as fast as he can- try and put your finger in that little mouth and watch out you WILL get bit. He also likes to lick windows (yup he's one of those! LOL), walls, gates and people.

This is one of the concerns we brought up to our Pediatrician a few weeks ago. She was concerned about PICA (very low iron in the blood, makes you crave weird non-food items) and had his hemoglobin (and lead since he's eaten paint in our house and sand/dirt from outside) and his results came back normal (11.4 UL/G- I think those are the letters that go with it, the number I know for sure). (His lead came back within safe levels too- a 5.) So at this point there isn't a medical explanation for his behavior.

(Eating chalk!)

Now we wait and see about our referrals- we have one, possibly two that'll help us to find out what we're dealing with. The developmental pediatrician and Early Intervention. But to me this seems like a sensory issue, whether through taste or texture. A few other things that point me in this direction- and these have to do with real food- he won't eat root vegetables that are cooked (soft), that includes mashed potatoes (like any kid he will eat french fries, as long as their not thick cut/steak fires/jo-jo potatoes), sweet potatoes, carrots, yams, parsnips, etc or eggs (cooked anyway). He'll eat most of them raw (no I don't normally feed my dc raw potatoes but C recently grabbed one and started eating it). He doesn't like a whole lot of carby foods- he's only recently started eating cereal, bread, and crackers. He's developed a taste for spicy foods and (my stomach rolls on this one!) hot and spicy pork rinds (my dh is from the South- pork rinds are his thing). The spicier or sweeter the food the more he'll eat. Too bland- it goes to the dog.

(Eating sand)

I know some of this is normal, I've had 5 dc before him, and more than a fair share of picky eaters and there's still the possibility he'll grow out of it but a few answers to the questioning looks I can get while out at playgroups and playgrounds would be nice. "Hey my kid just eats crayons" isn't cutting it anymore.

(Eating snow)

SPD? ADHD?

As a mother I've come to learn to trust my gut when it comes to my children. (For ex. C and vaccines- something told me to go slow, not to do too many at a time- that proved to be true. When at 9 months he reacted to the 2 vaccines he'd received, in a way none of my other children had. Luckily I'd followed my gut and now have more confidence in myself and my gut.)

Since birth I felt, No! Knew O was a bit different than my others. When he first learned to pull up to standing, around 9 months, if he fell and bumped his head (something all my kids did to some degree) he'd start screaming, crying and seemed to hold his breath, to the point he'd pass out and as things went on, he'd have what I can only describe as a mini-seizure. The first time it happened I was nearly scared to death- didn't know what to do at all, and the only thing that came to mind was to slip my finger down his little throat and get him to gag a bit (not to the point of vomiting- just to get the reflex going). I'd already tried blowing on his face and that had no effect- I was at whits end. These "episodes" lasted till almost 3, and went away shortly after getting much needed glasses.

The only way to describe O I could come up with was "high needs". He was always on the go- moving, crying, screeching! Happy but not. I didn't know how to deal with a child like this, none of the 4 before him had been "difficult". I thought with time, age, and maturity he'd "grow" out of it. As he aged it became clearer how different he was from others his age. He wasn't growing out of it. I knew it was time to seek help, he would soon be in school and I really didn't want him to struggle as my oldest son did (Dxed w/ADHD and ODD), and getting help sooner was best.

I talked with his Pediatrician and she agreed and gave us a referral to a Developmental Pediatrician. His Dx was ADHD and seemed to lean towards ODD too. But to me these were not O! Having one son with the same disorders and them being polar opposites, it's too hard to just take it and go. My gut was (is) telling me this isn't right- this is not O.

Recently a friend of mine posted about SPD and a comparison to ADHD. Just the initial post made me want to look more into this. People are misdiagnosed all the time, and SPDs are just really coming into light here- so maybe the Doctor was wrong! (This for me is NOT to much of a stretch- I don't trust unconditionally.) The same strong mama that posted about SPD originally, recommended the book Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder by Lucy Jane Miller , which I hope to get soon. All this has led me to find as much info as I can.

I found this site.... and on it a checklist. Yesterday I went through it and got some interesting results, not surprising in the least but interesting, something to take to the doctors.

What I found (and yes I realize I am not a trained professional but I am an intelligent woman who reads quite well and understands what I am reading. Also I know my child better than Anyone else out there!):

(I'm only putting down the results that scored high/many.)

He got 9/12 on Hyposensitivity to Touch. (Signs of Tactile Dysfunction)

10/11 on Hyposensitivity to Movement. (Signs of Vestibular Dysfunction)

16/17 on Sensory Seeking Behaviors. (Signs of Proprioceptive Dysfunction)

7/9 on Hyposensitivity to Sounds. (Signs of Auditory Dysfunction)

6/8 on Hyposensitivity to Oral Input. (Signs of Oral Input Dysfunction)

And on the Social, Emotional, Play, and Self-Regulation Dysfunction Part-

He scored 7/8 on Emotional.

7/12 on Internal Regulation. (This is by far the lowest score but there are 3 I have no clue how to answer because I've never known to look.)

So what to do with this information and/or what's next!? Well I'll bring it to the doctors and see if I can't get them on board, I'll find ways to help him myself (with or without a Dx) and I keep reading (you can never have too much information!). I don't know how this will play out with the Docs- I'm feeling more and more like they're on the defensive with more and more parents questioning them and being informed, making choices and questioning their abilities. I may need to find a new doctor.....

But I need to help my son.

Again on the Vaxes

Last night our local news station did a segment on the decrease of vaccination rates in the state. The rate has dropped 3% in 2 years- at 77% compared to 80%. Their "expert" from our local Childrens' Hospital said that the current economy may have something to do with this- less people employed, going without health insurance= more children not getting their recommended vaccinations. Maybe- or maybe parents are becoming more informed.

I did a blog not long ago on this very issue. And had some reaction by parents who have chosen that has made me want to hold my tongue on the issue but I'm feeling very defensive again and it's time to use my voice. One statement in particular really got to me- "I'm perfectly aware that my vaccinated children are protecting your unvaccinated children." Like I made the decision was based on the idea that everyone else's children will protect mine, and I now owe them and thank you and I'll get right on getting them their shots. This is also a ploy the news last night used to get parents on board- we have to think about all the others. I am not saying that is wrong- I fully believe in harming none, but I also feel vaccinations are harming all. I'll get to my thoughts on that in a bit. But I want to address this attitude by those that choose to vaccinate towards those that don't.....

17 years ago I was mainstream in my thoughts on medical society and followed the guidelines on vaccination to a T- even fearing what would happen if I was late getting my oldests' boosters. Back then at 12 months they received 2 shots and an oral polio vax, just 6 years later my middles got 4 shots and 0 oral. The Chicken Pox vaccine was also introduced in that time frame but it wasn't pushed or required- my Ped at the time (she is now deceased- tragic accident) said it was a convenience vaccine- for parents, so there would be no time off from work (or school). She said it was up to me whether or not to give it but since I was an at home mom the time off work issue wasn't an issue. At that time I passed on it but shortly later I began work and it looked like a good idea- for the convenience issue, and because at that point I still trusted vaxes were important. I've vaxed on schedule for 5 of my children- but I started to question the vaxes ideal while pregnant with my O (6 year old) and could only decided against the chicken pox as being one to opt out of. My first refusal of a vax was with O and the chicken pox vax. Why did I suddenly start to question? Many cases of chicken pox and shingles started to appear in vaxed kids and medical society started to recommend a 2nd vax. I had been told only one would make them immune and now that was wrong- what else could they be wrong on? But I continued the rest of O's shots on schedule because I didn't know you could actually stop! I found out later that though I refused O's chicken pox vax it was still given to him- and now I am forced out of fear not to get him the second. Chicken pox and shingles in adults and teens can be bad- I so wish they all had a natural immunity.

I will finish any boosters my oldest children need but am not starting new ones. Especially the HPV vax for the girls. And for the littles they will not receive (in C's case any more) any. I once was in the camp of when they were older and their immune systems were fully developed we'd vaccinate (so we'd be considered delayed vaxers) but since my DH has made a choice and is completely opposed to all and/or any vaccinations for our boys. I will respect his choice as a parent, as he respected mine when we first found out C was a boy and I adamantly opposed circumcision. He came around to my view point and is now an intactivist. I will do the same out of respect for his rights as their father.

I feel there is an air from those that vaccinate (and no I'm not saying from everyone) that they are protecting our children and that is part of the reason those who choose not to vax do so- that we think the herd will protect our children and that is part of the reason we don't vaccinate. I can tell you from my side I could care less whether or not their children are vaccinated or not, choosing to vaccinate is their choice and their right as parents. If they choose not to vax too- so be it.

Why I don't vaccinate: Not because I fear vaxes cause Autism. Not because my Church tells me so (well I guess it does kind of. Harm none- I see this as being told not to damage my children at all- I don't circ by boys because I feel it's doing harm to them, so in a way I see injecting them with toxins in the same light. With circumcision I've always said if as teens or adults they make the choice to do that to their own body I'll support them- I feel the same with vaxes. You can always vax, you can never unvax.)

I am an inquisitive person by nature, I like to ask why and have the whole picture before I make decisions. I can not follow blindly. I have learned in life there are times when why is not the question to ask because sometimes life just is. But in science you ask why. That's the whole point in it. And vaccines are based on science. And there are not enough answers to the whys for me to make a comfortable decision. The generation before mine was the first to really have a schedule for vaccines and now there's the question: WHY are so many more people suffering from diabetes, heart disease, cancer, than generations ago? Could it be life style or environmental? Could it be mass vaccination? I may not be the first to ask this but it is not a common reason as to why some decide not to vaccinate. These questions are not being study or even asked in the mainstream- and to me that looks suspicious. And does not answer questions in my head, too many questions unanswered makes me uncomfortable making an informed decision. As a parent its my responsibility to have as many answers as possible.

Vaccines are made up of things that if were found in our homes would have warning labels to not ingest, keep out of reach of children and are harmful all around. But we're supposed to inject these same toxins into a newborn, infants and children on a regular basis. This seems absurd to me. There are countries out there that start vaxes later in life- why not here? Why can we not seek damages for injuries resulting from vaccines? I can get into a lot of conspiracy theories here but won't- I think you can already tell I don't trust everything I am told by the Big Entities. But these questions lead me to more and without the answers I can not, in good consciousness, continue to make decisions that may affect my childrens' health for a life time. These could be more serious down the road than what vaccines are protecting us against.

Please don't assume every parent that decides to not vaccinate doesn't worry about others and feel that your children are protecting ours. A choice is a choice. In the US we are free to make choices- it's one of the things that make us who we are- and we are free to ask why. Some, like me, ask why maybe too much and aren't finding answers. Maybe others should ask why too.

And Back to Vaxes

No I'm not talking about going back to vaccinating my family. I talking about another vaccine blog on the topic. Our experiences and opinions.

A little back history- my oldest 5 children are vaccinated- most fully, but eventually all will be, I have chosen to finish theirs. Well with the exception of the newer vaccines (HPV for one). My middle 3 are still short on the chicken pox vax and will finish it because simply since they've already had one the likelihood of them contracting it naturally is slim to none but in the rare case they did contract as say adults, when the effectiveness is worn down, I don't want them to. So they will receive their boosters. Along with rubella (if there is any more shots needed) for the girls. Also now that my eldest children are mid and late teens I'm letting them take the reins on the decisions. T will probably never have a shot in his life- nor will he probably vaccinate his own children, when the time comes. He's outraged by the things that we allow to be injected into our bodies, and our childrens' bodies. He once asked me "Why would you let them put that in me?!" All I could answer was "Because I didn't know better and trusted what they told me I had to do- what was best for you."

And this was true. Back then I didn't know better- there really wasn't internet and info that was readily available to the uninformed was scarce. This was the early 90s and I was 18, my info came from those we were supposed to trust and rely on, those with the education and information I didn't have, nor would I be able to obtain easily (medical school was out of the question at that point). Things are different now- if you need information just Google it! And there are a lot more people to ask- there's been a shift in thought- don't ask don't tell is going the way of the dinosaur and people are asking, telling (hell some are shouting it from the roof tops!), and lots more are questioning.

A decision that took me years to make and a brand new backbone (or the confidence to face opposition) with lots of internal struggling still- took my DH less than a year to make. I've read and researched so much (needed to make the "right" decision ya know?), He read a few studies, a few articles, listened to what I found and experienced our first son's reaction to his vaccinations with me. And he made a decision and has never waivered, only gotten stronger. I wish I had that confidence. His stance: Our sons will never be vaccinated (again for C, ever for J). I still sometimes waiver between "Not at all" and "Later, much later- like after 5. And then just a select few." You can always vaccinate later- you can never undo a vaccination.

I hate to say it, it makes me really uncomfortable to think this way- But my family is a little science experiment. We have 7 children growing up in the same household- same foods, exposure to environment and mother (some father). And some are vaxed fully, some are not at all, some only just a few. And from here we'll be able to see the risks and affects- in a casual way. We'll be able to see if the youngers (that are unvaxed or have had just a few) will develop what the older full vaxed have. (Asthma, ADHD, food intolerance's) Yes I know some evidence is out there that genetic make up is involved but they have a lot of the same- more than random strangers in tests do. And we're not going to be publishing this as a formal study, rather we'll look at it and gain personal experience and opinion.

But I do wish this informal science experiment wasn't happening. I wish I had had the info I have now (and the backbone) 17 years ago.

Feeling My Hormones

I don't know if it's come with age, or this last pregnancy, or with having worked the 12 steps of Alanon, but I am so more aware of when I am going crazy because of hormones coursing through my body. It's physical now. It feels like adrenalin rushing through my body and I can not control it. I also know when it's not and it's just me letting things in and build up, when I am just being crabby because of HALT (hunger, anger, loneliness or tiredness).

A few months ago, while still pregnant, with little J, I'd feel the hormones and it'd knock me down. And because it's not something I could control, I'd feel even worse. I hated feeling that way and bringing everyone else around me down. I don't know if there is a way to stop it short of drugs for those that are severely affected. For me this is not the case. It can be for a few hours, a day or two but then I level out and continue on. I am still feeling it postpartum, the hormones that is. These are what I call my "low days". Nothing seems to go right, everything overwhelms me and I can't move past, shake off the thoughts that creep in. I can talk about what's bothering me but the rushing feeling still doesn't go away. I feel like crawling out of my body and escaping to another.

I did not have this awareness as much while pregnant with C. And I know with the 5 before him it was completely non-existent. I was just crazy without a reason. With C, I could feel it coming on but never had an idea what it was. I couldn't say "My hormones are raging". My thoughts now is if I'll still be able to identify this when I'm PMSing. I'm hoping so, since I can postpartum. I think it'll help me to help myself (by asking for it and trying to watch what I'm saying to others- I know I won't be able to stop it or control the actual hormones but I can work on my reactions to it, and maybe warn- at least my DH- others of how I am feeling.).

A friend of mine and her circle of women, have a group and a signal to each other, when they are feeling similar and need extra nurturing. She has offered to invite me in and I am honored and excited to become part of this. I also would like to start something similar amongst my friends (both online and RL- real life), for this is how women should support each other, and only other women will really understand. This idea is based off the book "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant- a great read for all women of all ages. Honoring women and making sure we connect and support each other. I'd like to make this group open to all women (no matter their age), the wisdom of older women (especially those that can recognize what is going on inside them) would be so valuable to younger women (that may not recognize what is going on with themselves) and the passing of this has been lost. I want to bring it back for my girls. I have not done a good job of this, up to this point, and know I need help of others to get it back for them (my girls). They would probably learn more readily and easily from others than me. But this all will come- one step at a time.

Today, at this moment, my hormones are stable. And I am doing well. I can't say this will be true an hour from now or tomorrow but I have to live in each moment. But I do have new knowledge of myself. Yay! I'm growing!

Why Home Birth?

This is the first blog I've ever done where I sat down and did research, found sites to link to and generally don't feel as if I am just ranting or sharing experience. This blog will not directly link you to studies but I will have links to places that will link to studies. I like studies and stats, I love having the facts but my brain does not keep the exact numbers in my head, it just doesn't work that way. But I hope you find the resources I provider informative and even good reads.

So why a home birth? Well since being pregnant with P (way back in '98, baby #3) it's been on my mind. I was laying in bed at home and thought to myself "oh how peaceful it'd be to birth at home" even with 2 young ones running around. But fear and a mainstream medical society kept me from ever going pass the wishful thought.

Mainstream medical says "Why would you want to birth at home? It's so much safer in a hospital, there are trained professionals there if something goes wrong, and you can get relief from the pain." In theory this is all true- if I was very ill or injured, yes I'd rather be in a hospital with trained professionals. But pregnancy and childbirth are natural processes and the more children I have the more confident I become in my abilities to do what women, mothers, have done forever, and the more I find out about the process (something most women and girls are not taught regularly in the mainstream) the more I find appalling and feel a pull to get back to doing what's natural and womanly. (I am going to insert here that I don't believe home birth is right for every mother, yes I feel there are serious "high" risk cases that belong birthing in a hospital with lots of medical support.)

In my search for how to have a natural birth I've come across a lot of history of obstetrics that has surprised me and made me go "Oh", that has opened my eyes. Number 1 being: Birthing in a bed while laying down...this was invented by a male doctor to make it easier on himself to "do his job" no thought was put into what issues it may cause for the birthing mom, and this is relatively new only really starting in the 1800s. 2) The whole obstetrics field was non-existent until about then too. Doctors pressed the government to out-law Midwifery, and succeed too, to the point of almost extinction. (Yes this partly fuels my "anti-medical" outlook and really calls to my help the underdog side.)

But home birth is a very personal choice, made for personal reasons. At the beginning of this pregnancy one of the reasons we went with a clinic and hospital birth, was simply cost. Most insurance doesn't cover the cost, some do cover the prenatal and postnatal visits but not the actual birth itself. (And in my OP this is crazy considering a home birth on average cost about $4k and a standard easy hospital birth around, or over $10K! Again big medical controlling that which they should not!) But for us the clinic I was going to and the Midwives I was seeing kept throwing curve balls, now we just done. All I really wanted was honest, upfront care by people to listen. I've done this before, I know what works and what doesn't (I can even warn you) and I know my body and it's limitations. Trust me and I can trust you.

But I wasn't receiving that and without someone on my side it's hard to advocate against the "system". So we moved past the thought of cost, we'll figure it out some how, hoping to find someone to work with us on bills (even if they'll just wait till tax time and we could pay them straight off) and we went forward with the thought. Something we're doing is working, whether it's putting faith in things will work out and we're doing what's right, or what I don't know. BUT I do know after making the decision and moving forward with that thought, I attended my regular AP playgroup (yes with the intention of getting some names of HB MWs and experience from other HBers) but what I also got was some info (from a HB MW) that makes this more clear and available- my insurance will/has to cover my prenatal and postnatal visits, no matter who I see. So a huge bit of the cost has been lifted from our shoulders, just leaving us with the remainder of the actual birth itself. Even if is 1/2 the cost it's still helpful! This has really helped strengthen our resolve and made it more real.

(WOW this post is turning out longer than I thought it would! If your still reading, I thank you and apologize.)

BUT! Aren't YOU considered "High Risk" because of your history with Gestational Diabetes (GD)? Yes I am, period. But I'm also (in mainstream medical opinion) considered "higher risk" because I've had so many other births- because the "risks of hemorrhage are increased", never mind I've never had this issue, I am not a bleeder at all and HB MWs do carry Pitocin just in case this scenario happens (because it CAN happen to anyone, but with a trained professional HB MW, or a doctor in a hospital, it doesn't have to be life threatening).

But back to the GD risks- I've had GD with my last two PGs (pregnancies). My first was controlled with diet alone and he came in at 5lbs 14oz.(at 34 wks- so early but not a BIG GD baby) and without ANY breathing issues (this in itself is wonderful- since premise are more likely to have lung issues than most other babies, but is also a concern in GD babies too. Their lungs are said to sometimes mature more slowly than "normal" babies and therefore have issues with breathing and lung function.) and my second GD baby, I was unable to control my blood sugars with diet, and was on a med, came out at 7 lbs 14 oz. @ 39. wks- quiet average and proportional, and again he had NO lung issues. Both babies had very good blood sugars after birth (another possible outcome is baby suffering from hypoglycemia within the first day of life- this is simply remedied with breastfeeding {recommended and something natural anyways} or a bit of sugar water). So as you can see the biggest risks are not ones I've/we've suffered from and honestly I'm not too worried about.

Why? Am I chancing fate? Well before I got pg this time around I had already been making big changes to my diet and general life style anyways- ones that might possibly keep me from getting GD altogether (not bloody like and I'm not counting on it actually) but ones that will (if stuck to) defiantly help me stay off meds and keep my blood sugar low. I've already been testing for 2 months and my numbers have been great! (For those with some knowledge on diabetes: Fasting- low 80s and after meals between 105-115. I'm supposed to keep mine under 95 for fasting and under 120 post meals.) I know it's still early in the game here and not until 28 weeks can you be sure if you've got it and then it can still develop later in pg, towards the end. But I'm sticking to what I am doing and looking into natural ways of maintaining (both herbal and homeopathic), there's not a lot of info out there on this (well not in the mainstream) but I'm finding whats safe. (I can not site studies on this topic because there are none- thanks big pharma! Because who wants to do studies on things people can eat naturally and find in their own grocery stores.)

So over all I feel like I am more at risk birthing in a hospital than at home. From my own experience I know what I can expect in a hospital, with MWs or not- lots of external monitoring (baby's heart rate and contractions) which will involve lots of time laying still in bed (something that causes my labors to stall out), and then more than likely Pitocin to get it going again, which in turn comes with camel back contractions and usually an epidural followed by an inability to push and a call for a doctor to use the vacuum or forceps; but all NOT in my plan for birth. (This is how C's birth went. And very similar stories for my others.) What I wanted this time around was an intervention free birth, with much laboring in a birth tub and probably even the actually birth. It was made clear to me a few appts back that I could labor in the tub, but because of my "size" they'd have me get out for the actual birth- since large mothers aren't as flexible or fast and in an emergency (say the shoulders get stuck after the head is born- some that has never happened to me- after mine's heads are out the burst out with much force! My kids have big heads and small shoulders! lol) it's required they do the actual birth out of water. No thought of how flexible or fast I really am is put into it and quiet frankly it's offensive (and not only just to me but to others I've told this story to- I am not that big, am more of an athletic build and used to run hurdles in track. I am quiet flexible! and by necessity quiet fast, I am chasing around two little boys daily. lol)

But what about the logistics of your house and your kids- being there and all? Well our house has 2 floors and the olders, or those that don't want to be present, can be upstairs and help out with the youngers there too. And looking at my past history of birth most of my kids were born in the wee hours of the night and morning, so they all could just be sleeping. And those of our children that want to be present? Well why the hell not! I mean birth is natural and something we have only recently felt the need to shelter our children from. If children are comfortable being there and want to be there I see it as a great way for them to learn about life and the beginning of it! It shouldn't be some great mystery or something to be feared but what it truly is- a family being born again.

Well this is so much longer than I thought it'd be, but I want to end with some resources I've found, use and love. There are many more so this is just a few.

Books-

"Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin

"Spiritual Midwifery" by Ina May Gaskin

"Having a Baby Naturally" by Peggy O'Mara

Websites-

Mothering Magazine

Gentle Birth

Geneabirth

Web articles-

35 Reasons to Choose a Home Birth

The Myths of Home Birth

DVDs-

The Business of Being Born

Thank you for reading, and keeping an open mind.

O's Bilateral Strabismus Repair Surgery

This past Wednesday my middle son under went Bilateral Strabismus Repair Surgery, or more simply corrective surgery to fix 2 "lazy" eyes (eye muscle surgery). The doctor goes into the corner of his eyes cuts the muscle that attaches to the eye and reattaches the muscle so it is "shorter" or tighter. In O the left eye was predominately more "lazy" or noticeable but really both needed correcting. This is often seen as cosmetic surgery but for O, his left eye was so bad his brain was shutting off the connection to his eye and this will help at least keep the connection and maybe help reform it and make it stronger. His vision may or may not improve in the left eye but in the very least it won't continue to lessen and have the potential of blindness. Obviously not just a cosmetic procedure for him!

(Before the surgery)

The Journey: Somewhere between 1-1.5 we noticed O was crossing his eyes occasionally, not anywhere near all the time but once in a while. We chalked it up to him being funny and even mentioned it to his ped at his 15 mth appointment and she agreed. But somewhere around 18 mths it was happening way too often to be comfortable with and so at his 2 yr check-up I brought it up again to his ped and she gave us 2 referals- one for an MRI and another to a Pediatric Ophthalmologist. The MRI make back fine. The Opt found he definitely needed glasses and had a "lazy" eye. Her original treatment was just to patch him and wait. I got uncomfortable with just the waiting especially since his eye sight was just continuing to worsen, so made the decision to switch doctors. His next doctor was a bit gruffer but thought doing the surgery to fix his eye an important issue and wanted it done sooner than later. It's been just 6 months and he's had the surgery, compared with his old doctor who we saw for over 2 years.

(a photo of O at about 19 months- you can see how his left eye turns in)

The Day- We arrived at the hospital at about 7:15am and waited just a few minutes before preceding to pre-op. In pre-op O was given new pajamas and his name bracelet (along with one for Koda the bear too!). He was weighed, temp, blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels taken. He got to play in the waiting area.

While waiting a Child Life specialist came to talk to him about what was going to happen that day. (I don't know if all hospitals have these or if it's just at Childrens'- these are people specially trained to talk to kids about medical procedures and help them cope or with any questions). O's supplied him with a bag FULL of medical supplies (masks, head covers, gloves, bracelets) to share with his siblings or class.

We also got to meet everyone that would be part of his medical team during surgery- the nurses, anesthsisologist team and again with his doctor.Any questions he had were answered (which was actually none!lol) and mine. I had heard kids wake up from anesthsisa pretty crabby and wanted to be prepared. His told me that's typical with kids that have tubes put in their ears but O would be fine since his was a lot longer of a surgery. And if it did seem to be an issue they would have a sedative to give him. (I didn't want to argue with him but I KNEW it would be with O- even with just a normal nap he's a crabby cuss when he wakes up!)

I was able to go back in the OR while they put him under- all dressed up in hospital garb (sorry no pics! :D). And Koda the Bear got to stay in the bed with him the whole time, even during surgery! He mumbled something about floating and flying and was out- he tried to pull away once when the smell got bad but that went fast! After he was out I was shown to the family waiting room for what I expected to be 1.5. It was 9am. Having not eaten at all that day, I decided it'd be best to leave right away and grab a quick bite in the cafeteria one floor down. (I was really surprised at the breakfast I was able to get quiet cheaply- 1 egg, slice of toast and sausage or bacon for less than $2!, and it was nummy too!)

I got back up to the room at about 9:30 and settled in to wait another hour. But just 30 mins later his doctor came in and said they're were done and everything had gone well. That O should be out of post-op and going to recovery within a half hour, after he started waking on his own. I would meet him on the way to recovery.This took O an hour. I was sent to wait outside of the post-op room and could hear him crying and screaming- he was NOT waking up nicely! The nurse finally wheeled him out, they had given him a bit of a sedative but it was not helping.

We made it down to recovery with him kicking, hitting and screaming the whole way. His recovery nurse and I tried to calm him enough to get him to speak and all we could make out was his eyes hurt. All they had given him for pain at this point was some Ibuprofen via his IV. So Morphine was given and he fell back to sleep for another 2 hours.I was left alone with him most of that time- to try and hold his hands back while also dodging kicks and holding him down while bucking. The first hour was starts and fits of broken sleep then followed by actual rest. In my honest opinion he was not given enough pain meds to be comfortable, as he continued to complain about the pain and rub and scratch at his eyes. After he woke he had a few apple juice boxes and 3 Popsicles (1 cherry and 2 grape- his choice!lol) and some liquid Tylenol. He would try and open his eyes but they were first glued shut and then the lights hurt so he never fully opened them till we got home, and then it tool B getting home from school and lavishing attention on him to achieve!


So now a few days later you can see the improvement and it should continue a bit over the next week, as the incision heals. The corner of his eyes are blood shot and again this will go away within the next few days. He is already saying his glasses don't work right- so a new Rx may be needed right away (not for strength but for center), we'll know more next week after his follow-up.

Things I've learned from this experience: 1) My child will wake up crabby! 2) Fight for more pain meds. 3) I wish this had been done either a few years ago when he was better able to handle sitting still or a few years older and had more maturity to handle it all. 5 is a hard age for it, and he did really well considering! 4) NEVER NEVER NEVER will I go alone again- I will have back up! So I can even just go to the bathroom (parents are required to be bedside at all times in the recovery room- not that I disagree with this but I was in there 4 hours and unable to even go pee, let alone go get a snack.) once or twice. It's a long time to be alone and without support.

(This should be the only time he has to have this surgery. His doctor has a personal success rate of 98% for taking, and 93% for keeping for life. Those stats are usually 95% and 85% respectively.)

He's doing well and in a few months time I'll post an update with better pictures!

HDYF (How do you Feel?)- Vaxes

So I think I may do this time to time: a How Do You Feel? blog, where I post a topic a ask readers to respond on how they feel about the topic. I know really a no-brainer, I probably shouldn't felt the need to explain. But I do hope if you read this blog you'll respond- even if you aren't a subscriber!

Today's Topic (obviously): Vaxes but more specifically unvaxed children around vaxed children.

Most parents I know that don't vax don't have issues bringing their children around all other children (vaxed or unvaxed) and actually have more friends that don't than parents who do vax. (They tend to run in similar circles.) The general rule of Respect (and this should be for all parents and children no matter what their vax decision is) is if your child has been exposed to a contagious illness, don't bring them around others. And even if it's something as simple as the common cold, you check first with the other parent. (Yes I am aware this is not always the case and more often than not is the exception.) There are parents out there that seek out common childhood illnesses (ex. Chicken pox and chicken pox parties) in the hopes their child will catch it and build a natural immunity. And there are parents out there that fully vax their young ones but still keep them home and worry they'll catch Something.

Many vaxing parents are angry at non-vaxing parents for their choice and blame is thorn. I always believed once your vaxed for something you'll NEVER be able to get it.

Wrong. For instance the pertussis vax only lessens the symptoms but doesn't keep you from getting it OR spreading it, yes a lesser case is better and less easily spread but my doctor's always have led me to believe we'll never get it! (and just for thought say my oldest fully vaxed child catches whopping cough but it goes untreated because it doesn't seem that bad she can still spread it to the new little one who will be unvaxed for it simply because s/he will be too young to get that shot.) There are definitely pro and cons to that particular vax, IMOP.

And being vaxed as a child doesn't mean you have that particular immunity. I learned this the interesting way- at the beginning of this pregnancy I had my immunities tested. I tested for immunities to chicken pox- which I had naturally as a child and rubella- which I was vaxed for as a child, in combination with mumps and measles. I DO NOT have an immunity to either of the others- Mumps or Measles. So that vax was not completely effective.

Now all my older children are fully vaxed- the oldest 2 have even had their 2nd doses for chicken pox and R has had 2 out of 3 HPV vaxes- the first of which I consented to before knowing the side effects and the fact that the risks out weigh the positives. The 2nd was given to her a teen clinic, w/o my permission- it's not necessary because they consider it a sexual health issue and here in our state, permission is not need for children when it comes to treatment of sexual health at all. She is now 17 and I'm leaving the choice up to her on whether to receive the last shot (well I also don't have a choice/voice in the matter in regards to her clinic.) I made my op clear and have asked her to look it up and weigh the pros and cons before deciding. P and B are still luckily young enough I do still have a choice and they WILL NOT get that shot!

I regret the chicken pox vax- to the point I didn't want to vax O at all for it but at his 12 mth appt he was given it after I denied! I am now left to wonder what to do, and have for the moment decided to wait till he's in middle school to receive the second and hope and pray he's exposed naturally and can build that immunity himself.

Did you know that when vaxing the diease you've vaxed for runs through your body for years always active, you immune system always trying to fight it off?! Never getting a break or being able to form fully- which by the way doesn't happen until somewhere between 3 and 10 years of age, depending on who you ask. (Just a interesting fact I picked up.)

We will not vax for rotavirsus, flu, H1N1, or chicken pox. As for Hep A and B do not see the point of vaxing small children and babies for a sexually transmitted dieases- as teens yes and young adults. In general the vax dosage they give to my 175 lb teen is the same dose they give to my 12 lb 6 month old!

C is not fully vaxed and will not be receiving any more for a GOOD LONG time. This is a decision we've made as parents and after much thought and research. He has received 2 shots of Prevar (meningitis) and 3 doses of DTaP-Hib. That's it! No MMR, polio, or others. Does this cause a concern in you? Does this make you want to avoid me and him? Especially around your little ones? Does this make you feel like we are breaking the loop of herd immunity? And putting everyone at risk? Or do you see it as a choice we've made? And it really doesn't bother you? Are we reckless parents? Ignorant?

Does the info that C had a bad reaction to his 3rd round of vaxes change your mind? And make it more "forgivable"? Did you imagine we were those parents that have made this choice?! Is the above info that we've decided to stop vaxing him (and will not be vaxing the new baby at all because of C's reaction) make you feel that our choice is okay? Would you normally stop and ask why someone would make that choice? Or do you have more of an open mind and are open to new info on vaxing?

So HDYF? Honestly........





(Oh for the record- an case there are any questions- C's reaction was classified by his doctor as "bad" not extreme and luckily he'll have no permanent effects from it and also recommended stopping vaxing for him. He ran a temp, on Mortin/Tylenol, of 103 for 5 days straight, no he was not sick before had, and the doctor who saw him actually commented on how healthy he was, he was lethargic and just sat there looking horrid and out of it the whole time. When I contacted our clinic 2 days after the shot I got the brush off from the triage nurse- who dismissed it as a "normal" reaction and didn't even note in his file that I'd called with concerns, even after specifically asking for it to be. :( We originally had decided to get just one shot at a time but at the 2nd round we were swayed by our ped to add Prevnar, since it was one she was really concerned about. Now we don't know which vax caused the reaction, since we didn't follow our instincts and now both are unsafe for him, in our opinion.)

Detoxing For Our Health (Food Wise)

I recently read The Parent's Guide to Natural Health Care for Children by Karen Sullivan, in which she talked about detoxing your childrens' body of a bad diet. There are no strange foods to eat or extreme measures taken, basically all you do is remove refined and processed foods for days and eat foods that encourage the body to clean itself out.

She includes a list to ask yourself if they may need a detox.

- Does your child eat junk food of any sort?
-Does your child eat processed foods or refined products, such as white bread or pasta?
-Is your child under any stress?
-Is your child in contact with cigarette smoke?
-Does your child smoke or drink alcohol?
-Does your child drink carbonated drinks, or any sweetened drinks, apart from pure juice, milk and water?
Are any of the fruits, vegetables, meats, milk or grains you serve not organic?
-Does your child have asthma or eczema, or suffer from frequent skin rashes or hives?
-Does your child take medication regularly?
-Has your child had antibiotics in the last six months?
-Do you live in an area with high levels of air pollution?
-Is your child overweight?
-Does your child suffer from frequent constipation?
-Do you live in a city?
-Do you live in the country near farms that use chemicals of any sort?
- Do you use household cleaning products?
-Does your child crave sweet foods?
-Does your child suffer from frequent headaches or abdominal upsets?
-Does your child have mood swings linked to blood sugar?


For my children I was able to answer yes multiple times and continued on reading. I found her process completely doable sounding and really its a one to three day process.

Here is what we are doing:

-Before breakfast daily serve fresh grape juice w/a squeeze of lemon. (Grapes help to speed up the metabolism and cleanse the liver, kidneys and other eliminative organs.)
-Serve at least 5 of the following ea/day (raw- if possible): pears,grapefruit, apricots, apples, pineapples, melons, papayas, bananas, beets, cabbage, carrots, celery, cucumber, lettuce, and fennel. (Theses all help w/the detoxification process.
- Avoid tomatoes & spinach (can irritate digestive tract)
-Everyday offer @ least serving steamed brown rice, w/out salt or fat.
-Avoid condiments.
-drink @ least one glass of fresh water before every meal. 5-8 glasses ea/day.
-Add fresh garlic to @ least one meal/day. (garlic is an excellent blood cleanser, and stimulates the digestive organs.)
-Give 1 acidophilus pill between meals. Or fresh, live plain yogurt- to sweeten mash in a little overripe banana. (acidophilus balances the intestinal flora in the gut, helps to encourage healthy digestion and elimination and to insure against future toxicity.)
-Snacks: fruit, unsalted nuts, brown rice crackers (w/sesame seeds,if possible) raw veggies, seeds or dried fruits.
- For 3 days make sure everything we eat is unrefined. All foods should be fresh and natural. Including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, brown rice, lean meats, dairy products w/out added sugars or flavors, legumes, nuts seeds and plenty of water.

So this is "the plan". We've already, slowly begun these things a while ago, but now, TODAY!, we are officially detoxing. I've been preparing the kids for a few days now letting them know this was just for 3 days- and surprisingly everyone seemed cool with it. With one except- and I was a bit surprised by who- my R- the one lately who's been asking if everything we've been buying , eating and making is organic! She over most could really use this and is the most resistant.????



So check in a few days for an update! I'll try and remember how hard it was to complete, how it affected us and what were the biggest hurdles were. Hopefully, as the end result is supposed to be, we'll be cleaner!