Friday, February 27, 2009
Baby G
Did I tell you that we are having a girl? If not, well...we’re having a girl. Yes, our third girl. We are THRILLED!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
At last I found them...Wonderful!
Over the last several weeks, I have gone on my own self-induced version of bed-rest. I would rather do this voluntarily, than to have my doctor order me on bed-rest or prescribe medication or worse, have this baby come early. I delivered both of my girls at term, so have no reason to worry that this baby would be early. I experienced a ton of Braxton Hicks with both of the other pregnancies, but nothing to worry me. This time however, besides the Braxton Hicks that I am having so much earlier that the other pregnancies, I am having full contractions. Their frequency is not predictable, which right now is a good thing. This past Saturday was the most constant and frequent episode of contractions that I have experienced so far. In the middle of dinner, contractions started coming every 15 minutes for about an hour and a half. It was enough for me to excuse myself from the table and lay down. Luckily, they did stop. In addition, I am doing everything possible to reduce any added stress in my life and limit my extra activities. This of course is all said remembering that I still am a parent to two young children who need constant looking after.
We have always been an advocate for online shopping, thereby saving our time and reducing our stress, and especially now as I try to limit my trips to the store. One item (or several, depending on how you look at it) that I always struggle with to find online was quality fruits and vegetables. Our local Safeway delivers and their produce is alright, as long as you are not looking for organic, extremely fresh quality. And Whole Foods does not deliver, total bummer. However recently, I have found an answer to my long quest for organic quality produce delivery… Planet Organics. And now as I lay on the couch, I can make sure my family is still eating healthy quality produce.
Planet Organics, www.planetorganics.com , is a local, family owned company that will deliver high quality organic fruits and vegetables, along with some basic grocery items, meats and dairies. They do not charge a delivery fee and they seem to be priced along the lines with your local grocery store organics. The majority of the time, all of the produce comes from local farms rather than being imported from other countries. This means that all of the produce is picked and delivered ripe and ready to eat.
I have been completely satisfied with the deliveries I have received so far. I place my order by midnight on Tuesday and a box shows up on Thursday morning. I customize my order, but if you are looking for simplicity, you can order standard boxes that they fill. And the best part is that you do not have to be home for the delivery. Since any perishables are packed with ice, they can leave your box at your door or on your kitchen table. And if you really want them too, they can put the food in your refrigerator for you!
If you do place an order with them, let them know I referred you. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
We have always been an advocate for online shopping, thereby saving our time and reducing our stress, and especially now as I try to limit my trips to the store. One item (or several, depending on how you look at it) that I always struggle with to find online was quality fruits and vegetables. Our local Safeway delivers and their produce is alright, as long as you are not looking for organic, extremely fresh quality. And Whole Foods does not deliver, total bummer. However recently, I have found an answer to my long quest for organic quality produce delivery… Planet Organics. And now as I lay on the couch, I can make sure my family is still eating healthy quality produce.
Planet Organics, www.planetorganics.com , is a local, family owned company that will deliver high quality organic fruits and vegetables, along with some basic grocery items, meats and dairies. They do not charge a delivery fee and they seem to be priced along the lines with your local grocery store organics. The majority of the time, all of the produce comes from local farms rather than being imported from other countries. This means that all of the produce is picked and delivered ripe and ready to eat.
I have been completely satisfied with the deliveries I have received so far. I place my order by midnight on Tuesday and a box shows up on Thursday morning. I customize my order, but if you are looking for simplicity, you can order standard boxes that they fill. And the best part is that you do not have to be home for the delivery. Since any perishables are packed with ice, they can leave your box at your door or on your kitchen table. And if you really want them too, they can put the food in your refrigerator for you!
If you do place an order with them, let them know I referred you. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Riley
In my last post, I noted that Wednesday evening was a fun night for Riley and me. Several of you have asked what is causing his seizures, what kind of seizures are they, what are they like when he is in one, etc. So here is what I know, so far, which isn’t much.
The week before Christmas, Riley had his first seizure. In the following seven weeks since then, he has had two more. All are very similar, except for his recovery time, which hovers anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours, and his mood afterwards, ranging from sleepy and lethargic to agitated and aggressive.
During a seizure, the convulsions last for what seem like several minutes. But in reality, it is about a minute or two. His entire body is stiff, almost paralyzed, during these convulsions. He is foaming at the mouth and letting all bodily fluids flow from any other body opening. After the convulsions finish, he is paralyzed on one half of his body for several minutes. He is unresponsive to his name and disoriented within the house, walking into doors, walls or standing in the middle of the room not sure where to go.
Our wonderful Vet has diagnosed Riley with having Grand Mal Seizures. They can happen in dogs, although I had no idea before this wonderful learning experience. Usually, it happens under the age of 5, and most often under the age of 3. Riley turned 6 at the beginning of January. It is not uncommon for a dog to develop seizures, at any age, however, if a dog is 12 years old and had a seizure for the first time, the vet would probably assume that the dog has a tumor, or something life threatening, and seizures are the dog’s way of dealing with that illness. Since Riley is 6 years old, the Vet is not assuming that there is something more serious going on with him. Some dogs, however, are genetically predisposition to having seizures and at some point in their life, will develop them.
Treatment options? Basically, there are two ways we can go. The first being medication and the second being no medication. Seizure medication for dogs can be costly and inconvenient, as he would have to take it daily for the rest of his life and it is not covered by any type of insurance. Some owners choose medication because they do not like the unpredictability of when a seizure can occur, do not like the inconvenience of when one happens (i.e., having to give the dog a bath, cleaning the carpets or floors), or simply do not like watching your dog go through such an ordeal. Some owners often choose not to go the medication route. Since dogs are just dogs, meaning that they do not operate heavy machinery, drive cars, or deal with people (other than family members), they really cannot cause harm to anyone when a seizure occurs.
We had decided, at our most recent vet appointment, that we would take the watch-and-see attitude with him. Until this week, he had only had two seizures in his entire life and without knowing the frequency or severity of them, putting him on medication seemed like a drastic course of action. Now that he had another one in such a short time span, I am beginning to wonder about medication. I am slightly concerned that the frequency of these seizures could indicate that something more serious is going on with him (see my example above of when a dog is 12 years old). Riley’s blood work has come back fine, so there is not a sense that something else is going on. Further testing would be scans of his brain and body, but that would mean knocking him out for the procedure and a hefty vet bill.
I am not sure what Riley’s future looks like, besides a monthly seizure, licking up crumbs on the floor that the girls leave for him, and enjoying his time outside with us. I’ll keep you posted on any further development with him.
The week before Christmas, Riley had his first seizure. In the following seven weeks since then, he has had two more. All are very similar, except for his recovery time, which hovers anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours, and his mood afterwards, ranging from sleepy and lethargic to agitated and aggressive.
During a seizure, the convulsions last for what seem like several minutes. But in reality, it is about a minute or two. His entire body is stiff, almost paralyzed, during these convulsions. He is foaming at the mouth and letting all bodily fluids flow from any other body opening. After the convulsions finish, he is paralyzed on one half of his body for several minutes. He is unresponsive to his name and disoriented within the house, walking into doors, walls or standing in the middle of the room not sure where to go.
Our wonderful Vet has diagnosed Riley with having Grand Mal Seizures. They can happen in dogs, although I had no idea before this wonderful learning experience. Usually, it happens under the age of 5, and most often under the age of 3. Riley turned 6 at the beginning of January. It is not uncommon for a dog to develop seizures, at any age, however, if a dog is 12 years old and had a seizure for the first time, the vet would probably assume that the dog has a tumor, or something life threatening, and seizures are the dog’s way of dealing with that illness. Since Riley is 6 years old, the Vet is not assuming that there is something more serious going on with him. Some dogs, however, are genetically predisposition to having seizures and at some point in their life, will develop them.
Treatment options? Basically, there are two ways we can go. The first being medication and the second being no medication. Seizure medication for dogs can be costly and inconvenient, as he would have to take it daily for the rest of his life and it is not covered by any type of insurance. Some owners choose medication because they do not like the unpredictability of when a seizure can occur, do not like the inconvenience of when one happens (i.e., having to give the dog a bath, cleaning the carpets or floors), or simply do not like watching your dog go through such an ordeal. Some owners often choose not to go the medication route. Since dogs are just dogs, meaning that they do not operate heavy machinery, drive cars, or deal with people (other than family members), they really cannot cause harm to anyone when a seizure occurs.
We had decided, at our most recent vet appointment, that we would take the watch-and-see attitude with him. Until this week, he had only had two seizures in his entire life and without knowing the frequency or severity of them, putting him on medication seemed like a drastic course of action. Now that he had another one in such a short time span, I am beginning to wonder about medication. I am slightly concerned that the frequency of these seizures could indicate that something more serious is going on with him (see my example above of when a dog is 12 years old). Riley’s blood work has come back fine, so there is not a sense that something else is going on. Further testing would be scans of his brain and body, but that would mean knocking him out for the procedure and a hefty vet bill.
I am not sure what Riley’s future looks like, besides a monthly seizure, licking up crumbs on the floor that the girls leave for him, and enjoying his time outside with us. I’ll keep you posted on any further development with him.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
My week, so far...
Monday: I am told that I am this > < close to being put on bed rest. Sorry doctor, cannot be an option.
Tuesday: Vanessa dislocates her elbow again. We end up in the ER.
Wednesday: Riley has another seizure. His third in seven weeks.
Thursday: Come on Thursday, don't let me down now. I love this excitement.
Tuesday: Vanessa dislocates her elbow again. We end up in the ER.
Wednesday: Riley has another seizure. His third in seven weeks.
Thursday: Come on Thursday, don't let me down now. I love this excitement.
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