Category - Health

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Breaking Free From Her Braces
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When Your Mammogram Is Abnormal
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The Two Most Important Things In The World
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How Do We Protect Our Daughters With Disabilities From Abuse?
5
Eat Your Lunch!—and Other WAHM Wisdoms

Breaking Free From Her Braces

As part of her genetic uniqueness, Avery had pervasive weakness in her core. There’s a name for it which escapes me right now. How wonderful is it that I can’t even remember some of her physical ailments because it’s been so long since they’ve resolved? The medical knowledge packed into my brain remains only as long as it’s necessary. Once the issue is no longer relevant, the dosages, protocols, scary science stuff, etc. fades away, presumably to make room for new, current information. Anyway, in addition to her low muscle tone aka hypotonia (I didn’t suddenly remember the term. I cheated and looked in her medical file) she also had weakness in her legs and ankles. Standing without support was impossible. Hypotonia is a persistent condition relating to the amount of tension or resistance to the stretch in a muscle. Those affected must compensate by developing overall muscle strength. After years of intensive physical therapy, which we called “Super Fun Gym Class” or “Baby Pilates”, Avery was able to stand. Then with the aid of leg braces, she was able to take her first steps. Her first orthotic devices went up to her knees. They were clunky and ugly and[…]

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When Your Mammogram Is Abnormal

  I’m not one to think the worst or to worry to excess. Oh wait, yes I am. So the call that my recent mammogram was abnormal really scared me. My doctor made the call herself to assure me that this kind of thing is very common. A shadow, an obstructed or blurred view, anything out of the norm, and they follow up. Caution is a good thing. I know this, but the timing couldn’t have been worse—just two days after our family lost a very special person to breast cancer. I tried not to worry myself sick and for the most part, I did okay. There’s a lot to be said for deep breathing and positive thoughts and losing yourself in tedious tasks. My aunt, even when facing the most stressful and scary circumstance imaginable, always tried to live in the moment. She taught me (and so many others) lessons about being positive and present before “mindfulness” became a buzzword.  My appointment was scheduled for the day of my aunt’s Celebration of Life. Oddly ironic and terribly sad. Thankfully I was able to get on a cancellation list and got an appointment a week earlier. I teared up as the[…]

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The Two Most Important Things In The World

Avery and I have been home all week. Some random virus latched onto Avery and wouldn’t let go. And because I basically wear my child like a sweater (she likes to be close), I was an inevitable casualty of germ warfare. Cuddling in bed with a sweet little kid, watching Barbie on repeat, drifting in and out of sleep, isn’t the worst thing. Though I could do without this wretched phlegmy cough. I swear I busted a rib hacking up something that shall not be named. It’s clear to me now that I need to kick up my health regime. I have a responsibility to myself and to my family. So January, you and I have a date with a little something called, “Get up off your ass you sickly excuse making carb hogging not enough water drinking allergic to exercise blob.” Until then, I’m resting. And drinking lots of water. And slathering myself in Vicks Vaporub. I’m ashamed of myself for putting my health last. By ignoring the signs that I was getting run down, I allowed this to happen. And because I’m ill, I was unable to make the trip home to be with my family during a[…]

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How Do We Protect Our Daughters With Disabilities From Abuse?

We allow men of authority into our lives because why wouldn’t we? Celebrities, clergy, teachers, doctors—all intelligent, successful, well respected, and charming men—why wouldn’t we trust them? It’s hard to believe it when they turn out to be monsters. I have to wonder what happened to make them this way? You know that something happened. Somewhere along the way an incident or prolonged exposure to something dark or painful twisted them away from normal and decent. Despite what happened to them in their formative years, what they are inflicting upon others now is not okay. More than that, it’s humiliating and hurtful. It’s a hateful cycle that needs to end.  All women are at risk, but our daughters with disabilities are exceptionally vulnerable.  My daughter is beautiful, inside and out. She’s kind and loving and completely naive. She could easily fall prey to a monster disguised as a human man. How do I protect her online and in daily life? How do I teach her to respect and trust adults whose job it is to keep her safe at school and in activities and programs, but also council her to be cautious? How can she be wary when her eyes[…]

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Eat Your Lunch!—and Other WAHM Wisdoms

  I know it’s horribly unhealthy, but some days I skip lunch. This probably explains why I voraciously attack any uneaten scraps from my kids’ lunch boxes at the end of the day. The fact is, as a time-challenged WAHM, the clock ticks so fast that I can’t always stop to make a healthy lunch. And when I don’t… a)    I’m slumped over my desk by 2:30 pm listless and useless. b)    I’m tired, grumpy and stupid by 2:36 pm. c)    I’m stuffing my face with cheese and crackers by 2:59 pm. d)    I’ve ingested the equivalent of a meal for two while making dinner. e)    All of the above. So what’s a busy WAHM to do? Other than find a Sugar Daddy so you don’t have to work at all and can spend your days lunching with the ladies at the country club. Or, you can try these tricks:  Dish out a lunch sized portion of whatever you’ve made for dinner and refrigerate to eat for lunch that week. All you have to do is heat and eat. Fast and easy, just the way we WAHMS like it. Make and take a smoothie to go. Sip while you walk[…]

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