Mama Pajama

Women Have Choices!

Recently, I learned about an important health issue from the nice folks over at Mom Central. Many women suffer from pelvic health conditions such as fibroids, stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.  These conditions are so common in fact, that one-third of women will experience one or more of these conditions in their lifetime.  This is due to many different factors - most commonly pregnancy and childbirth. 

But, the good news is that there are treatment options for these conditions that do not require the traditional surgery, which frequently comes with a higher risk of complications and a longer healing process. Minimally invasive procedures, done quickly and relatively easily, usually require much less time to heal and there's a lot less pain, too. Yet many of us do not even know they exist, as we rely on information from our doctors who may suggest the outdated approaches because they lack the skill to perform the newer, less invasive ones or even because new endoscopic procedures bring less income to the doctor or hospital.

The US News & World reported that out of the one in four women who receive hysterectomies, approximately 85% are still treated with traditional open abdominal surgical methods, despite the perfection of a decades old laparoscopic procedure that leaves the ovaries and cervix in place.

Women need to take control of their health care decisions so they can make informed choices.  If a doctor proves unwilling or unable to perform minimally invasive procedures, they should feel empowered to seek out a second opinion from a gynecologist who offers less invasive options.

To learn more and find an endoscopic surgeon in your area that is a member of AAGL, a professional association of doctors who perform minimally invasive treatments, click here.  You owe it to yourself to explore all of your options. 

Summer Safety Tips

With all the fun that summer brings, it's also important to think about safety.  The folks over at Mommy Docs want to make sure everyone knows the following tips that can keep the whole family having fun in the sun!

• Have a Sun Protection Strategy: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15.  Look for products that provide "broad spectrum" coverage to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.  Use this sunscreen routine with your child--daily application 30 minutes before going outside and reapplication every 2 hours (or sooner if swimming, toweling off, or sweating).  Creating a routine will establish good habits for the future.  In addition, don't forget a wide brim hat, sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, and sun protective clothing.

• Keep Pests off Your Little One: In the summer, many insects can bite or sting your child.  For pesky mosquitoes and ticks, consider a DEET containing insect repellant.  Apply sparingly to exposed skin (avoid backs of hands and around the eyes and mouth) and/or to clothing once a day. As the percentage of DEET goes up, the duration of action increases. To prevent unnecessary exposure, always use the lowest percentage that will last for the planned length of time spent outdoors. Never go above 30% or use on children under 2 months old.

• Keep the Pool Cool and Clean: Small yard pools provide a great way for kids to have fun and cool down when the temperature rises, but they can also harbor germs, such as bacteria.  To keep the pool free from unwanted "swimmers," after each use disinfect it with bleach by cleaning with a solution of  ¾ cup regular bleach to one gallon of water, then rinse well and dry thoroughly.  Safety must: Always supervise children regardless of age when they are around any water; whether it's a bucket, a small backyard plastic pool, or the local community pool.

• High Heat Means Hydrate: Excessive heat exposure may cause your child to experience a heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. How to prevent this: take breaks in the shade, avoid playing outside during peak sun exposure hours, and drink, drink, drink!  Make sure your child is taking in plenty of fluids before he become thirsty.

• Rid Rashes and Relieve Itchies: Running through the yard in bare feet, taking a nature walk on a trail, and picnicing in the park are some of the joys of warmer weather.  But all of this outdoor activity can expose your child to a host of plants including those which cause poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.  If an allergic reaction occurs, ask the pediatrician about an oral antihistamine and/or a topical skin care product such as a steroid cream or calamine.  If the rash is extensive, looks infected, or is not getting better, call your doctor right away.

You can find all of these safety tips at MommyDocs.com.  Check out their site for even more helpful information!

Are You Taking Care of Yourself?

There are so many things that we should be doing to monitor our health.  Of course, we should all be doing what we can to prevent things like heart disease and diabetes.  But, most people do not make their health  a priority.  I just wanted to post a reminder to all my blogging buddies out there to keep up with your health check-ups.  Go to the dentist. Get your yearly mammogram.  Listen to Katie Couric when she suggests getting a colonoscopy at a certain age.  Life is short enough.   Be proactive in keeping yourself healthy!  I just hate when someone finds out that if they had caught something sooner, it might have saved their life.   Most of us hate going to the doctor, but do it anyway!

Heads or Tails #10

This week's theme is Heads: Train.   Wow, what a coincidence! I was going to write a post about my son's Animal Train at some point, just because it has literally changed his life.  I saw a commercial for it last year around this time, and I remember thinking, "Oh that looks like fun."  I mentioned it to my aunt, since she had asked me what we thought she should get him for Christmas that might help him with his mobility. 

Last Christmas, Cam was 21 months old.  Part of his condition is having extremely low muscle tone, called hypotonia.  At this age, Cameron was rolling a lot, but he wasn't scooting, or even pivoting around yet.  When he received his giant loot of Christmas gifts, he seemed to like his Fisher-Price® Amazing Animals™ Sing & Go Choo-Choo™train. But, we had no idea how much it would help him.

  After a few weeks, Cameron figured out that he could push the smoke stack to make it "go".  But, first, the animals and everything but the engine had to go. Bye bye animals. You just slow it down.  Within a month or two, Cameron started rolling out of the way after he started the train. Then, before our eyes, he pushed himself up and pivoted with his arms!  We were so proud of him.  By his second birthday in March, he started "army crawling" or creeping.  By the summer, he was a pro.  He would start the train, immediately roll out of its way, and then "steer" it in the direction he wanted it to go.  Now, his favorite thing to do is point it towards my husband's feet.  Then, Chris flips it across the room with his feet and Cam gives his dad a mischevious grin.  Repeat. Repeat. Repeat....

Now we're on Animal Train #2.  After months of abuse, and probably twenty battery changes, the first train finally stalled out.  Cam found train number two in my closet.  He actually got inside my closet, shut the door, and then I heard, "All Aboard!!!"  That stinker must have known his first train was about to die.  

We bought Animal Train #3, which is now hidden in a secret location, so that when this one is worn out, we won't have to worry about finding another one.  Cameron is currently army crawling all over the house, and we owe a lot of it to his train.  Physical Therapy helps so much, but finding something motivational was really the key to his progress. 

Smart Habit Saturday

  .....the meme that forces me to recognize my laziness and do something about it!

Week 5: I'm not going to eat candy after dinner! My husband must eat something sweet after every meal, and I've gotten into the same habit.  All these little bits of chocolate over the weeks add up a lot of extra calories.   I'm not really that much of a sweet tooth anyway.

Week 4: Wow, a cavity made me actually floss my teeth!  (7 out of 7 days).  I haven't been using the elliptical much, but I have been jogging a little every night when I walk the dog.  My allergies are starting to kick in though.  This week I am going to drink less coffee.  I'm only going to make this amount so that I can't cheat.

Week 3: OK, I took a month off from SHS.  I just went to the dentist and I have a cavity.....ugggg.  So I will really floss now every night.  Also, I will make sure I go to the dentist for a cleaning every 6 months.  We've been letting it slide to more like once a year.

Week 2:  I pledge to start timing myself on the computer.  For every hour I spend on the computer, I must use the Elliptical Machine 10 minutes.....will the computer time be worth it?  (6 out of 20 days)

Week 1:  Daily Flossing (4 out of 7 days)

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

Germ Freaks

When Cameron was born, we became really obsessive about germs.  I had been an elementary school teacher right up until he was born, so this was a big change from that environment.  We had to be extremely cautious about touching his head after his shunt surgery (done when he was only about three pounds). He was also highly succeptible to meningitis, colds, and the flu. We spent 70 days in the NICU making sure that every single person with whom he came into contact knew how important it was to wash his or her hands! 

Well, we managed to keep him free of illness for almost two years. We just never brought him into stores, the malls, etc. We were really lucky that all of his initial therapy was given at our home.  My husband did (and still does) most of the shopping and running errands, so that I don't have to bring him around many crowds.  And then when we are at people's houses, we just make sure everyone has washed their hands.  He's had two or three colds now, and he's handled them like a champ.  But, since he is underweight for his age, and does not eat much anyway, even something like a cold makes it harder for him to grow and get stronger. 

So, around here, we all get flu shots.  I just got mine Friday at Krogers.  My husband will get his free at  work in October, and we'll  get Cameron one as soon as the pediatrician has them in stock.  I've been getting the flu shot for over 10 years now.  Now that the immunization is available, I can't find a reason not to take advantage of it.  The flu would be really bad for Cameron, so we even ask all the grandparents to make sure that they also get immunized.  Here's to a happy and healthy flu season to everyone!

Smart Habit Saturday

                  

  .....the meme that forces me to recognize my laziness and do something about it!

Week 4: Wow, a cavity made me actually floss my teeth!  (7 out of 7 days).  I haven't been using the elliptical much, but I have been jogging a little every night when I walk the dog.  My allergies are starting to kick in though.  This week I am going to drink less coffee.  I'm only going to make this amount so that I can't cheat.

Week 3: OK, I took a month off from SHS.  I just went to the dentist and I have a cavity.....ugggg.  So I will really floss now every night.  Also, I will make sure I go to the dentist for a cleaning every 6 months.  We've been letting it slide to more like once a year.

Week 2:  I pledge to start timing myself on the computer.  For every hour I spend on the computer, I must use the Elliptical Machine 10 minutes.....will the computer time be worth it?  (6 out of 35 days)

Week 1:  Daily Flossing (4 out of 7 days)

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

Smart Habits Saturday

                            

  .....the meme that forces me to recognize my laziness and do something about it!

Week 3: OK, I took a month off from SHS.  I just went to the dentist and I have a cavity.....ugggg.  So I will really floss now every night.  Also, I will make sure I go to the dentist for a cleaning every 6 months.  We've been letting it slide to more like once a year.

Week 2:  I pledge to start timing myself on the computer.  For every hour I spend on the computer, I must use the Elliptical Machine 10 minutes.....will the computer time be worth it?  (6 out of 35 days)

Week 1:  Daily Flossing (4 out of 7 days)

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

SMART Habits Saturday

Week 2:  I pledge to start timing myself on the computer.  For every hour I spend on the computer, I must use the Elliptical Machine 10 minutes.....will the computer time be worth it? 

Week 1:  Daily Flossing (4 out of 7 days)

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

SMART Habits Saturday

Week 1: OK.  This will be my first habit.  I'm only committing to one a week...because I know me...and I work well with baby steps. 

My first habit is daily flossing....yes, daily...I'm going to the dentist in one month so that should add to my motivation.

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

Work it Out

Nothing can relieve stress as well as a good workout.  I think people forget just how exercise can make them feel better.  It actually gives you more energy...if you can just muster up the strength to get up off the couch.  Whether it's a brisk walk, or a good run, the endorphins you release will make you feel empowered and strong.  In our time crunched society, it is easy to put exercise at the bottom of our "to do lists."   But, if more people would make exercise a priority, the day might not feel so hectic after all.  And, they might have a lot more energy in general.

Recently, we bought a New Balance Elliptical Machine.  I love it!  It's great because it is harder than a tread mill, but easier than a stair climber.  I used stair climbers for a while, but I would always stop after a few months because it was actually hard on my knees.  The elliptical machine is smooth and fun. And it really makes you sweat!  You use your upper and lower body.  The New Balance Elliptical Machine was a very reasonable price for it's high quality and durability.  It has a twelve different programs, and eight resistance levels. It keeps track of the calories you've burned, as well as your distance. It also has a great display on it's computer, which will also monitor your heart rate.  I love a good jog, but it's difficult to fight the weather year round.  You really need something fun that you can use at any time.  I would recommend this product to anyone who wants to work out with a machine that's easy on the joints, but is also a very efficient calorie burner.