Wordless Wednesday

Welcome Timothy Addison

Last Friday I had the privilege of being invited to attend the birth of another baby from my church...Timothy Addison was born Friday,

Oct 15, 2010 at 1857.

I became friends with Pam and her husband Paul quite a few years ago. They had two children who have since grown up and have started having their own children. Three years ago, their daughter Patricia had little Matthew. I didn't take care of her then - in fact I didn't really even know her that well but I was at the hospital hanging out with Pam and I did get to take pictures when Pam's first grandchild was born. Earlier this year, I was able to attend another of their grandson's birth - which I blogged about here.

Since then, I have gotten to know Pam's daughter Patricia better ~ so of course when Patricia asked me to take care of her I told her that I would make every effort to be there.

Patricia was scheduled for a repeat C/Section at 3:30 pm - and as luck would have it the day was a crazy day on our unit. I wasn't scheduled to work but since they were so busy they welcomed an additional set of hands. They couldn't even get Patricia started so I admitted her as soon as I was able to get to the hospital. We got a bit of a late start, then my camera wouldn't work (hence I had to wait until Patricia posted some pictures so that I could borrow them for my blog), we got 'bumped' out of the operating room not once - but twice! And finally a little after 6 pm we were finally able to think about getting Timothy delivered. Patricia wrote a cute little story about his delivery on her blog which you can click on and read. Patricia and her husband Paul were such good sports about all of the delays and unexpected happenings. Finally ~ after waiting past her due date and then 3 more long hours this fine looking infant was delivered:
Timothy is healthy and weighed in at 9 pounds 9 oz! Not sure where Patricia was hiding that baby...I never expected him to be that big. He came out screaming - I think he was a little upset that we took him out of his nice warm home.

I've talked to Patricia since her delivery and she says they are all doing fine. She seemed so much more relaxed this time around and is really enjoying her little family and new son.

Congratulations to Paul and Patricia - and the grandparents Paul and Pam. I hope that I get to be around for all of your family additions!!

Welcome to our world Timothy Addison. You are just adorable! May you continue to grow big and strong. I can't wait to see you at church and watch you grow in to the man God has made you to be.

Debbie

It's Gone

My daughter Michelle has been talking about doing this for a long time.

She kept telling me that she was going to go for it.

She kept telling me that she thought it was a good idea.

Michelle already donates her blood on a regular basis.

She is on the national bone marrow donor list.

She donates her time to take photos at events like the microcephaly convention and even talks of taking pictures for my hospice patients.

Yet, I was still a bit surprised when I came home and saw this:You see ~ Michelle has had long hair for a very long time. I think the last time I saw her with short hair she was in kindergarten. Today she cut off her long hair to donate to locks of love. She is always giving, always thinking of others.

Here is a recent 'before' picture taken just a couple of weeks ago:

This is all that is left:

She is as cute as ever!!

Here's the tail that is hopefully going to be made in to a wig for some child who has lost his or hers.

You make me proud Michelle. I love you even if your long hair is gone - I know that it won't change the person that you are!!

Debbie

Rain, School and other misc. thoughts

I love the rain. It is so refreshing, so calming. It rained most of today....even had some thunder and lightening which is rare is southern California. I loved it. Reminded me of sitting on the porch swing in Ohio watching those wild summer storms. But I hate to have to leave the house. It is much more fun to be home with the fireplace on, watching the rain outside than it is driving around in it and having to get in and out of that car (even though I do have a cute umbrella). I'd rather be home doing my laundry than running errands in the rain. Had to do both today though.

I also had to go to school in that rain today. Last week I had exams in both my math class and in my chemistry class. I was stressed about both exams. It is hard to find the time to study when you work full time so I just did not feel prepared for either one. I knew that I had to just get in there and do my best. I keep telling myself that I just have to pass the classes...I don't need to be the best in the class. Found out that I did pass the math exam...I think I got an A but you know me and math...we don't get along and I couldn't really quite figure out the number curve - HA! But I think it was high enough for an A (it wasn't out of 100 so it made me question my score...)

Then tonight Michelle and I went to our chemistry class. Keep in mind that she is really wanting to get a higher score than me. A little mother / daughter rivalry going on there. We laugh about it and I don't really care if she does better than me. I just wish I saw her studying more! The girl hardly studies...yet, sure enough she scored higher than me but I got a 97 - so there!!I was so relieved. I want to do well and when I don't feel prepared it stresses me out. I should know by now to just relax and trust that I can do it! We have met the nicest people in this chemistry class...we even have little deals...like 'whoever scores the highest has to buy drinks for the others'. Guess Michelle with her 99 owes us all starbucks!!

Best part of the day ~ booking our flight to go to Oregon for Nationals!! Yeah!! Can't wait. We are going to go to the race then visit my sister for a couple of days in mid November. Fun times!

All in all it was a good day ~ rain, school, laundry and errands all thrown in there!!

Heard this today while I was out running those errands...My new found quote for the day:

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

— Corrie ten Boom

Debbie

Grandma Ruth

Today in church we sang the song Amazing Grace. You may or may not be familiar with the song but it is special to me. Special because it takes me back to the farm and summers that I spent there. Special because it reminds me so much of my Grandma Ruth. You see, we used to stay with Grandma Ruth (my mother's mom) when we were young. My brother and I spent many a summer on the farm in Ohio, living a different life than most of our friends here in southern California.

All I have to do is hear this music and sing these words~

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed."

You may ask why this song? Why does this remind me of Grandma Ruth. I will tell you ... Grandma Ruth had an old piano downstairs in her front room. Grandma wasn't the best player and she probably didn't sing that great but she sure loved Jesus. Many mornings I would wake to her plucking away on her old piano singing away, "Amazing grace, that saved a wretch like me"

"Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures."

I am so lucky to have had Grandma Ruth's love and example. She wasn't perfect but she knew where her security was and she was a shining example of God's love. She lived a tough life but never stopped loving her God. I know that one day I will see her again in Heaven. I bet she is plucking away on a beautiful golden piano in the skies and I can't wait to sing with her.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Thank you Grandma Ruth for your life example.

It was wonderful to be reminded of you today

Debbie

I'm Back

Came home from Wisconsin a week and 1/2 ago....

But brought home an ugly case of bronchitis. I was in bed for a couple of days, coughing like a mad woman, had fevers and NO energy.

It is finally getting better after a round of antibiotics. I still have an ugly cough but feel so much better and am getting back to my normal self. I am normally not one that just lays around doing nothing so the last couple of days had been hard. I think my body needed that rest but I still didn't like it.

Now the me I know is back. Back to work, back to school, back to watching Lily and back to doing special deliveries...going in this afternoon to welcome a baby that I know from church.

Will post more later ~ I think a little girl is getting in to stuff and I need to go see what she is up to instead of being on the computer!

Debbie

Race Video

This is for my niece...I found a link that shows the actual race from yesterday...

Click Here Be sure you are on the Charles Bowles Women's GOLD 5K and you can root for the girls.

Alright...I can't get that to automatically pull up...try clicking below or just typing in the link on your computer.

http://www.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?do=videos&event_id=371

Debbie

Conference Day 3 & 4

Well, the conference has ended and I am sitting here in the hotel lobby waiting to catch a shuttle to the airport. Yesterday was good - had much interest in our program poster and got to meet more people.

I was asked by INJOY - a company that produces educational materials and videos to sit on a committee to look at making some materials for our 'special' patients. Videos that educate them on what childbirth is going to be like...but then also what it may look like to go home without a baby. So much of the information you can find out there is geared to happy endings and then breastfeeding and normal newborn baby care. So it looks like I got myself in to another project?!?!?

I will say that I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to work where I work. After hearing so many stories about the care that is given out there and comparing that to the great work we do at St Joseph's...I am just humbled. We have such a progressive team that is willing to change and to give good care. Things like being 'baby friendly' and encouraging skin to skin. You would be amazed how many facilities as just not 'on board' with current standards. Thank you St Joseph co-workers and management for allowing us to do what is best for patients!!

Thanks too to those people who have answered my little impromptu survey - I've gotten some interesting responses.

I will admit that I am anxious to get home. I am over tired, have a sore throat (maybe I talked too much this weekend), and miss my own family. See you guys soon!

Debbie

Cross Country

As I sit clear across the country...I can't help but wish that I were in Oregon with the Biola crosscountry team. They are running today in the Willamette meet in Salem, Oregon.

We were able to go last year when they ran there - and it is a great course in a beautiful park.

I will definitely be missing them. The girls continue to hold their #1 ranking spot.

"In the Women's Gold 5-kilometer race there will be seven nationally ranked NAIA teams. The list includes Biola University (Calif.), ranked #1, Concordia University (Ore.), ranked #6, Point Loma Nazarene University, ranked #9, Southern Oregon, ranked #12, British Columbia, ranked #13, Eastern Oregon, ranked #16, and Lewis-Clark State, ranked #18."

I'll update later once the results are posted.

GO EAGLES!!

update: Biola girls took first place in the race!! Oh how I wish I had been there to watch!! Here's a tiny bit of the article from the Willamette website:

"Julia Tschanz from University of Victoria won the individual women's Gold championship with a time of 17:26.41. Second place went to Kelsey Gasner of Biola University. Gasner ran a 17:31.95. Third place was Amanda Phillips, who ran unattached with a time of 17:35.46.

The Gold women's team championship was won by Biola with a score of 55. Biola just edged the University of Victoria, who finished second with a score of 59. Point Loma Nazarene University finished third with a team score of 157."

Debbie

Conference Day 2

Got through the first of my poster presentations today. I think there was a lot of interest and some people said that they had never heard of perinatal hospice. We talked about how to take care of these special patients and how to implement programs in hospitals where there are none.

Perinatal hospice is still a fairly recent idea but with all of the testing that patients get in today's OB world it just makes sense that we have a way to provide care for families that are given 'bad' diagnoses. I am looking forward to meeting more people tomorrow and hopefully sparking a drive in someone to implement programs at their hospitals.

The main speaker this morning was Penny Simkin, well know child birth educator who has worked for change over the years. It got me to thinking about how we give care. Do we do waht is best for the patients and for their babies?? Are we supportive of their needs. So...I created this little informal survey. If you wouldn't mind, can you fill it out and send me your responses? Feel free to cut and paste and send it back on my email if that is easier for you and to keep your responses private. I'm not using it for anything big - just trying to gain an understanding of where we are culturally with our child birth practices.

My email address is babyrndeb@earthlink.net

I'm anxious to hear your responses!!

Informal Childbirth Survey

Where did you get most of your information for pregnancy and labor & birth? Did you attend childbirth classes, use the internet, read books, ask friends and family for information?

If you attended childbirth classes were they hospital based classes or taken through an independent instructor? Did you find the classes helpful?

How would you describe your birth experience / experiences?

Did you change things from baby #1 to baby #2….?

If you could change anything about your birth, what would that be?

Did you have a vaginal birth or c/section birth?

Did you have pain medications or an epidural?

If you did not have any pain medications what did you do for comfort measures?

Any other interventions? – ie pitocin, IV, etc

Who was present at your birth?

Did you breast feed? For how long? Did you feel supported in that decision to breast feed?

Would you describe your birth as traumatic?

Do you feel empowered by your delivery?

Is there anything else you’d like to share with me….to make me a better caregiver or to help make change in the system??

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I’m curious to hear everyone’s responses.

Debbie