Health Archives - Page 7 of 20 - Forever In Mom Genes

Grief-Helping Kids Cope

Jul 14 2014

My husband’s mum was a vital part of our lives. There hasn’t been a day since she died that we don’t miss her terribly. As adults who’ve had years to develop coping skills, it’s still tough. So how can a child possibly deal with grief when they can’t begin to reconcile the devastation of loss and moreover, the finality of death? Our eleven year old son experienced anxiety resulting from the loss of his grandmother, so we sought help. Grief counseling has helped him begin to accept the death and has given him skills to cope with the fear of losing his parents and sister. Avery, our seven year old, seems to be the most profoundly affected. She and her ‘Grandie’ had a special bond (one that my husband and I are convinced has continued in some other worldly way. It sounds odd, but the evidence we’ve seen is impossible to ignore). At first Avery believed her Grandie had gone to the dentist and would be coming back soon. We don’t know where this idea came from. Regardless, the first dental appointment I took the kids to afterwards was difficult to say the least. When it became evident that[…]

Jul 11 2014

Just imagine how many people pee freely in public pools. Wait, don’t. It’s too disgusting. (By the way, experts estimate ONE in FIVE people urinate while swimming. Thank goodness for chlorine and hot showers). My daughter would happily stay in her grandparents’ pool all day if we let her—minus the dozen or more times she has to get out of the pool to pee. And not just a tinkle. We’re talking bucketfuls. Literally. To save the poor child from drying off every ten minutes to use the toilet, my mum fashioned her a makeshift outdoor-bucket-potty. “AGAIN?! There’s no possible way. She just went.” my husband would exclaim, shaking his head in disbelief. “What do you mean we need to pull over and use the bathroom at the grocery store? We’re almost home, can’t you hold it?” I’d whine, trying hard not to sound pissed off. Pun acknowledged. During swimming lessons Avery has to leave the pool to use the bathroom two to three times at least. We knew there had to be a scientific reason because on dry land, she’s just as dry as a camel, so what gives? My friend Sharon told me she experienced the same thing[…]

Jul 10 2014

We kept our daughter up for most of the night to deprive her of sleep, on purpose. Consider it payback for all the nights she’s kept us awake. In your face, Avery! Mwah hahaha… Kidding. She was scheduled for an EEG the next morning. Having her good and exhausted prevents her from having to be sedated (she fell asleep naturally on the exam table within seconds) and it ensures her brain will be disorganized and stressed—perfect conditions for performing an exam to look for the abnormal brain waves associated with seizure activity. The same test last year revealed ‘moderate abnormalities.’ This meant Avery would remain on medication—the seizures were still there, suppressed by the meds, but skulking in the shadows. This year we were hopeful that even if the result wasn’t completely normal, there would at least be some improvement, indicating that Avery is slowly but surely growing out of this condition. No such luck. The results were the same. ‘Moderately abnormal.’ We’ll try again in a year. There’s time, things could still change. And in the meantime we’re fortunate to have found the perfect balance of medications, with no side effects, to suppress the seizures. When[…]

Jun 26 2014

My mother often cuts out stories for me from the newspaper or sends interesting online snippets from her iPad. I don’t always have time to read them. What? I’m busy (I could sense my mum’s eyes rolling the second I typed the B word).I read this particular article right away. Not only is it full of truth and inspiration, it also describes my SUPERWOMAN aunt Jan perfectly. If you looked up resilient in the dictionary, you would see her smiling and determined face looking back at you square in the eye. After reading the article I wondered, am I resilient: hardy, airy, easy-going, quick to snap back, flexible? Some days I know I am. Other days I know I absolutely am not. Here are the main points from the article in case you don’t have someone sending you interesting articles to read on the daily like this one called— The 5 Characteristics of Incredibly Resilient People by Smita Malhotra. Read the full story here. Resilient people… 1) practice mindfulness I try to be mindful, but then I get distracted by all of the other pressing things swirling around my mind. Mindfulness is hard. 2) don’t compare themselves to others I[…]

Jun 02 2014

To say we’re “celebrating” Rare Chromosome Disorder Awareness Week is a bit of a misnomer. However, we are marking it and we are grateful that the first ever RCDAW starts today. Thankfully we found a support in an organization called Chromosome Disorder Outreach early on. Through their research, education, and efforts to connect families who face similar struggles, we feel much less alone in this unique journey. Individually, chromosome changes like the ones that affect our daughter are still considered rare. But we are now learning that these disorders actually may not be as rare as once believed…

Category - Health

Grief-Helping Kids Cope

Affected By This? Then “Urine” For It!

I Like My EEGS Sunnyside Up

Are You Resilient?

Rare Chromosome Disorder Awareness Week