Kintropy In Action

The other night was one of those rare times when the house was quiet. Both children had gone to sleep by nine o'clock. No emergencies or buzzers sounded as I waited for ten pm when I give Hannah a medication and start her night feed. I did this and quickly made my way through my bed routine. I laid down and worked on relaxing for sleep. This usually takes me a half hour. Everything remained quiet.

I started to fall into rem sleep. Suddenly, I heard "Beep, beep, Beep, Beep!" It was Hannah's pulse oximeter which monitors her oxygen levels and heart rate.

I jumped out of bed and ran to Hannah's room. The monitor had stopped beeping, and the numbers were all in great ranges. They were not even close to dipping or surging levels. I checked Hannah's feeding pump and her foot probe setting; then I went back to bed.

I started to fall into rem sleep again. Suddenly, I heard "Beep, beep, Beep, Beep!"

I jumped out of bed and ran to Hannah's room. The monitor had stopped beeping, and the numbers were all in great ranges. They are not even close to dipping or surging levels. I checked Hannah's feeding pump and her foot probe setting. I unseated the probe cable and reattached it. I changed the tape on the foot probe.

Then I went back to bed. This cycle repeated 5 more times. I gave up, grabbed a pillow, and slept on Hannah's floor next to the pulse oximeter. I decided the machine was lonely and needed my constant presence.

--Mom

Posted by parents at 09:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

So the title refers to the movie, not a command.  We just had an impromptu movie night.  Hannah, usually quite busy with her toys, gave the slapstick moments her full attention, laughing loudly whenever someone yelped in pain.  Gabriel giggled with her in unison.

Yes, we glossed over the more inappropriate moments, but it was fun to watch both kids drinking in the physical humor.  Maybe they're ready for the Three Stooges, Looney Tunes, and Chaplin (yes, I can say all those in the same sentence).

Meanwhile... Dad is on "vacation."  Usually, we take hospital vacation (i.e. timed to match Hannah going in for procedures).  This time, I actually took a week off with no plans, eh, initially.  I've managed to fill the time up productively, though, with some cool volunteer & committee work.  Yeah, it's not quite a break, but it's great to get out and do things in the community without having to pop back into work for half-day, etc..  Here are some of the things we've done so far:

• Took Janette & the kids out to George Fox University as part of a panel discussing in home health care to soon-to-graduate nursing students.  Along with two other self-advocates & one other family, we discussed the value of in home nursing & hopefully got some folks thinking about that line of work.
• Jumped over to Salem, our capitol, to give testimony on the MFCU program Hannah (currently) particpates in.  Hannah will graduate from the program soon, but both Janette and I wanted to make sure folks setting the rules knew how successful the program could be via Hannah. 
  
• Janette, Gabriel, and Hannah also got my penny tour of the Capitol Building.  Gabriel's main comment:  "kind of scary" (out of session & quite empty).  He also liked the big t.v. - go figure.  Hannah loved the high ceilings & alternated well between her DVD player & me speaking when we took the opportunity to talk with the MFCU Rules Committee.
  
• Medicaid Advisory Committee today.

Tomorrow, we're all taking a break (I think).  Janette and I get three hours to ourselves in the morning (hear the angels singing?).  Auntie OK spontaneously invited us out to a Blazers basketball game later tomorrow night, so Gabriel and I will enjoy our first professional basketball game together.  Hannah has school provided her cold doesn't progress much further....

Busy, busy - can't seem to do the slow down & relax vacations, but there you go.

-- Dad 

Posted by Dad at 08:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

"....

"Remember, Thursday, that scientific thought, indeed, any mode of thought whether it be religious or philosophical or anything else, is just like the fashions that we wear-only much longer-lived. It's a little like a boy band."

"Scientific thought a boy band? How do you figure that?"

"Well, every now and then a boy band comes along. We like it, buy the records, posters, parade them on TV, idolise them right up until-"

"-the next boy band?" I suggested.

"Precisely, Aristotle was a boy band. A very good one, but only number six or seven. He was the best boy band until Isaac Newton, but even Newton was transplanted by an even newer boy band. Same haircuts-but different moves."

"Einstein, right?"

"Right. Do you see what I'm saying?"

"That the way we think is nothing more than a passing fad?"

..."

(Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde page 61 *note: the main character relating the conversation is named Thursday)

I think this explains why I find everything relative to personnel experience. I have taken the concept of relativity to a subjective level. A big bag isn't too cumbersome in comparison to carrying a bunch of added medical equipment with a bag. Taking care of a g-tube is a walk in the park in comparison to taking care of a trach tube. I find being able to walk miraculous since, I'm trying to teach my four year old how to walk.

--Mom

Posted by parents at 09:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

"Ask Gabriel about S," Janette prompted me.  She and the kids had picked me up from work, and Janette was driving us home.

"Gabriel, Mom says to ask you about S."  I knew S. was a classmate of Gabriel's.  He had mentioned her a few times, and she had given him a note.  With pictures.  And an "I like you" message on it.

"We're dating," Gabriel said.

"Ah, okay," I replied, processing.  "What do you mean by dating?  Is she you're girlfriend?"

"Well, we went on a date at school, during recess."

Hannah chimed in, complaining that the car had stopped to comply with the red light.  She sat next to Gabriel, "All done.  All done.  Go."

"Hold on, Hannah," I asked.  "Maybe we should have S. over for a playdate," I suggested. 

Gabriel and I worked on the logistics:  who should call whom.  Hannah kicked her feet, willing the car to break free of the red light.  Janette glanced at me, looking for a reaction to Gabriel's assertion that he is now dating.

I really could wait longer for this whole phase to start.  Really & truly.  As Gabriel explained his date, I think it seemed an innocent enough way for him to describe playing with a friend who happens to be a girl.  I wonder if this is how it usually starts.  What ever happened to cooties?

-- Dad 

Posted by Dad at 09:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

When Hannah and I go out I bring a backpack. But it is not the size you are thinking. It isn't one designed for books and papers it is designed for travelling or backpacking.

I tried for a long time using a standard size backpack but, found I needed to bring extras bags to carry.

I was going to design my own when my wonderful father in law found the one I'm currently using. He bought it at a triple A automotive club store. It's label featured a television travel show correspondent as it's user slash designer. It is cool in that it has a soft shell and multiple ways of holding it.

Anyways, when I go out, people look at my bag and say "Wow, that's a lot to carry!"

I smile and laugh. "To me it is a lot less to carry. I use to have to bring a diaper bag, oxygen tank, pulse oximeter, suction machine, ambu bag and ventilator besides Hannah."

It is true, I love only having to bring one bag. These days when it is just a visit to the store I can even leave the bag in the car. All I need is a washcloth.

I am so happy that Hannah and the family can have more adventures since it requires less stamina per excursion.

--Mom

Posted by parents at 07:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Dad at 09:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Tomorrow is Nov 4, and here in the US, it is time to vote!

Two things I'll encourage every eligible US voter to do:  1) vote tomorrow and 2) think of one thing you'll do to contribute to your community AFTER the election is over. 

Given the financial, military, social, and other conditions of our nation and our world, we cannot afford to simply cast our ballot, judge the outcome, and walk away.  Each of us can make at least one contribution, even a small one, to our community.  Some ideas:

1)  Attend one school board or local city meeting.

2)  Write a letter to the editor.

3)  Introduce your children to a local community leader and ask the leader to explain his/her job.

4)  Check in with a non-profit & donate your time, energy, and interest as you are able

5)  Visit a retirement community & see if you can help or just chat up some of the residents if they're interested

6)  Talk to your neighbors & get to know them

7)  Offer to help out a friend/neighbor that needs some extra help

8)  Read up on the issues, develop an opinion, and discuss (often ;-)

I'm sure there are tons more - feel free to leave more ideas in comments if you have them. 

This year, I'd like to get involved in the local school board.  Gabriel is already in the public elementary school, and Hannah is headed there next year.  For both selfish and I hope selfless reasons, involvement in the school board makes sense.  I'll also continue my work on the Medicaid Advisory Committee and like groups.

What do you think?  How can you contribute?  How can we show our kids how to get involved?  Doesn't have to be Herculean.  I truly think if everyone pitches in a little bit, we can improve our communities and realize some of the changes we've been talking about throughout this long election season.

And don't forget to vote!

-- Dad 

Posted by Dad at 09:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

This is the second weekend that we were doubled booked. Gabriel and Hannah had parties and  events last weekend and this weekend. It is a new experience for us. They, of course, overlapped last weekend.

So we split up. I was mean when Robert asked which event I wanted to go to. I choose Gabriel's. I told him it would be easier and it was. I got to hang out with other moms and make small talk. That is a rarity in my life, so I relished it.

Poor Robert had to deal with many stairs. There was also an exuberant Golden Retriever who showered Robert with attention. Once Robert got Hannah and the wheelchair upstairs, he had to deal with easily bored Hannah. She being a four year old wanted to move. Unfortunately, most of the rooms were not on the same level so one had to go up and down between them. Not wheelchair friendly at all. Robert gave up and carried miss-pushing-40-pounds for a half hour.

Needless, to say he was exhausted when he and Hannah came to pick Gabriel and me up.

--Mom

Posted by parents at 09:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)