How can you let him play hockey?

Over the years I have been asked by parents "Why do you encourage your son to play hockey?".

When Brandon was 4 he begged his father and I to play ice hockey.  Hockey is an expensive sport, so we decided to get Brandon skating lessons first.  He loved being on the ice.  When he turned five we bought him his first pair of hockey skates.  At six he was playing on his first hockey team.  

He chose to play hockey.  We encourage him to play well.

I was even approached by a parent who sons plays football, and she wanted to know "How can you let your son play such a violent sport?"  

I do agree that hockey is way rougher than football.  Players get checked, high sticks in the face and pucks are flying.  Football you pointlessly run in to people.  =D

Bantam Level 2012

From an outsiders point of view, I can see why hockey seems like a violent sport.  But in fact, we fans all know that ice hockey is very physically demanding and yet it also requires skill and finesse, and given the fact that you’re playing on ice, there are always going to be some moments when you’re a little bit out of control. Big hits are part of what makes the game as exciting as it is.  

Midget U16 2013

Sure, hockey can cause injuries. Just like any other sport.  However, if you look at statistics almost 215,000 children are treated in the ER from football injures every year vs. the 20,000 ER visits from hockey players.  

Midget U16 2013

These days, it’s tough for parents to decide whether to enroll their children in organized sports such as hockey or football. Yes, physical safety matters. But is our collective obsession with protecting our children from harm threatens to turn out a generation of children ill-equipped to deal with their future?  It seems to me that children in modern America are growing up in a country paralyzed by complacency and fear.  

My son wrote an essay on sportsmanship for an English class that I thought was pretty amazing.  My favorite paragraph:

I learned to listen to and respect the coach. I learned to listen to the team captain. I learned how important my role was as a team captain. I learned how to skate better. I learned how to protect myself. I learned that I had to wait my turn to play. I learned that I was not the centre of the universe, but a team member. I learned how to be punctual and stick to a schedule. I learned how to be responsible for my own body and for the bodies of my team mates and opponents. I learned that it was better to obey the rules than to sit in the penalty box. I learned to be organized and responsible for my hockey equipment. I learned what sportsmanship was. Sportsmanship is a style and an attitude, and it can have a positive influence on everyone around you.

Our children need to learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, toughness, and competitiveness. It good for children to learn to strive, to succeed, and most importantly, how to fail. When the time comes, let your kid play football, or hockey... or whatever, and let him decide for himself. He may break his leg or suffer a concussion, but he will be far better off for it over the course of his life than if he stays inside and plays video games.

Hockey can be a pain!

All it took was a split second, checked at the wrong angle into the boards and SNAP, just like that, Brandon was injured.

I could tell something was wrong the minute he skated for the bench.  I could see him holding his shoulder. He tried to lift his arm and he couldn't.  The trainer went over to examine his shoulder.  It was at that moment I got up from the stands, ran around the rink to the players bench.  My heart was pounding, I was freaking out.  At first I was told we would have to take Brandon to the ER.  After removing his hockey gear, the trainer re-examend his shoulder and said he thought it was just a sprain and there was no need for the ER.

The next day I took Brandon to a Sports Medicine facility.  The doctor explained that Brandon has AC Shoulder Separation.

Photo Credit

There are different levels of separation:
Type 1 = stretching or small tear to the ligament
Type 2 = tear in the ligament
Type 3 = total joint separation

Brandon is between the 2 and 3.  He has a severe tear in the ACL, but his collarbone is not separated.

Right now Brandon is in a sling and taking Tylenol for the pain. He also has to put ice on his shoulder for 20 minutes every two hours.   I am taking him back to the doctors to get another opinion and find out how long it will take to heal.

As of now, he is out for the remainder of hockey season.  Including play offs and The Flyers Cup.

His high school varsity hockey team is in first place of their league and the play offs begin this week.   His team was also selected to participate in the Flyers Cup.  The Flyers Cup is a big deal for high school teams. It's like the NHL going for the Stanley Cup.

I am so bummed that he cannot play in any of these games.  He worked so hard all season only to have one check to the boards end it all.

TGIF

This time last week was my 45th birthday.  My son said with astonishment in his voice, "Mom, I thought you were 41."  Hey, I'll take any younger year as a compliment.  However, he ended his thought with "You will be over 50 when I graduate college."  Gee, thanks for reminding me!

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There was a windstorm that knocked our canopy off the posts.  

Luckily my husband was able to put it back together.

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Zachary had all four wisdom teeth removed.  He's been walking around in agony for the last two days. I feel for him. I had mine taken out when I was a senior in high school.  It's no walk in the park.

~

 My friend, Audrey made me two hats for my birthday.  

It was cold enough last night to wear one.

~

Corbie found a new place to sit on one of the kids chairs.

My princess has found her throne.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Home Sweet Home

Saturday we came home from our beach vacation.  It was nice sleeping in our own bed again.

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Seeing our pets was a welcome sight. I sure missed my babies!

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Brandon's girlfriend took care of the house and pets.  She had to spend the night because of our dog, Teddy.  Teddy has diabetes and gets up a few times in the middle of the night to go potty.  His bladder cannot hold out all night long.  Teddy is almost blind. He needs someone to direct him so he doesn't run into things or fall down steps.

AND

We came home to a spotless house.  She did a fabulous job!

~

Zachary has been searching all summer for a job.  He has had quite a few interviews with no luck.  While we were at the beach, he got a call from Walmart.  This is Zachary's first job.  I can imagine his face when he gets his first paycheck and sees how much taxes are taken out. Welcome to the real world kid!

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I read two books while I was at the beach.  I am a fast reader.  It rained Thursday, so I spent the entire day reading and got one book done that day.

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The week before we left for the beach, I took a horrible fall.  I do not recommend falling on concrete and sliding onto macadam. My leg looked like someone scrapped a knife down it. Both of my feet had holes on the top. One hole was so deep, you could place a dime in it and it would be flat with my foot. Really nasty looking.  

Probably should have gotten stitches. The cuts did not heal enough for me to go on the beach.  I was afraid of the sand getting into the gouges in my feet (yes, they really were that bad). It looks infected in the picture, but that is really the scab process beginning. Everything is healing now. I think I will have a nasty scar though.

Bipolar is Scary

Before I have a Bipolar 'episode' I withdrawal from family and friends.

Before I have a Bipolar 'episode' I am hateful and spiteful.

Before I have a Bipolar 'episode' I want to cry all the time.

During an 'episode' comes anger RAGE I cannot control

(please don't be angry with me)

… 

During an 'episode' comes sadness DEPRESSION that is so overwhelming 

(even suicide is in the back of my mind)

...  

Call Suicide Prevention Life Line

Bipolar takes over my mind and 

I have wicked, unreasonable thoughts.

When I have an 'episode' I hate myself.

When I have an 'episode' I have panic attacks.

When I have an 'episode' I am crying out for help.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

During an 'episode' my husband doesn't know how to help me.

(which makes me sad I put him in that position).

During an 'episode' my husband thinks I do not love him.

(which is so far from the truth).

Help Your Loved Ones Cope with Bipolar

After I have an 'episode' I feel guilty and worthless.

After I have an 'episode' I feel empty.

Bipolar scares me.  

I know I am more than my mental illness but it is also a part of who I am.

I am not my illness. 

I am worthy of love and friendship.

I need to take everyday as it comes.

Life in my head is hard.

I can overcome Bipolar!

Dogs get Diabetes too….

Teddy is a 11 year old spring spaniel, who is the best dog ever.

It seemed like overnight Teddy wasn't feeling well.  He could no longer jump up on our bed (I have to lift him from behind). He is loosing his footing when he tries to get up and down the steps. He was lethargic, panting heavily, drinking a lot of water and even peeing in the house. I also found a lump on the inside of his right thigh the size of a grapefruit.  

I thought he may have a bladder infection.

I got him into the vet right away.  The vet thought the lump was a fatty mass and not a bladder infection.  They tested his urine to verify this.   The vet recommended removing the mass to see whether or not it would help with Teddy walking.

Next they did blood work and found that he has diabetes.  I was in shock.  

It never occurred to me that a dog could get diabetes too.

The vet called in a prescription for insulin and needles.  I went to our local CVS to pick up the prescription.  I wasn't sure what to say when I went up to the counter.  Do I ask for "Teddy Miller", or do I say "Umm yeah, I have a script for my dog".  

I explained the situation to the clerk. I was dumbfounded when he asked me for Teddy's date of birth so he could put Teddy "in the system".  

Really?  It's not like Teddy is on our health insurance. 

Anyway, I got the meds and my jaw dropped when I saw the price. $88.00 for the insulin and $15.00 for the needles. That, my friends, is for one month!

Since then, I have spoken to a friend who gets her dogs insulin from Walmart and it's a whole lot cheaper.

Every day I have to give Teddy 2 insulin shots. It has been difficult because he needs to eat a special food  before the shot is given AND the shots have to be 10 hours apart.  

Photo Credit: Purina Vet Diets

Teddy hates the new food.  

I've tried putting gravy, chicken broth and even wet dog food mixed in it.  I have to be careful what I add to the food. It cannot have too high of a sugar content.   He is rebelling!  

Any suggestions from the dog lovers out there??

Since the shots began, Teddy is doing better.  He still cannot jump up on our bed and is having difficulty walking up and down the steps.  This may be caused from the lump on his leg or arthritis.  We won't know until the lump is removed.  That operation cannot be scheduled until his diabetes is under control.

One thing at a time...

Heart murmur scare

It's been quite a few years since Brandon has played Lacrosse.  **HOLD THE PRESS** Yes, he decided to play another sport other than hockey!

To play a school sport a Sports Physical is required.  During this physical the doctor told us that she detected a heart murmur.  Wait, WHAT??  Yes. The doctor even wondered why it wasn't detected sooner.

I made an appointment at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania) to have an EKG and ECHO done.  CHOP is one of the top children's hospital in the area.  I felt reassured knowing that we would be seeing a heart specialist from this leading hospital.

We checked in with no problem and immediately went into an exam room. The nurse took Brandon's vitals and asked a bunch of questions.  After she was done she began to leave the room. Apparently she asked us to follow her. Brandon and I just sat there. The nurse had to turn around and tell us again.  Brandon and I just looked at each other and giggled.  We both have hearing issues and did not hear the nurse ask us to follow her.  My other children tease Brandon and I that we are 'Deaf and Deafer'.

In the next exam room my stomach was in knots and my hands were sweaty while Brandon had an EKG completed.  The nurse applied a bunch of sticky tabs on Brandon's chest.  When taking them off, Brandon commented "Good thing I don't have chest hair."  That boy has a way of finding humor during a tense moment.

Two heart specialist came into the room and spent a good deal of time listening to his heart.  They gave us the good news that they could not find the presence of a heart murmur.  

A clean bill of health was much of a relief!  But what a scare!

I would recommend this hospital to anyone. The staff, nurses and doctors were kind, considerate, professional. We had no wait time. They went over their results quite a few times so that the information was understood.  I was quite impressed.

Oh, and after all this excitement, Brandon has decided NOT to play Lacrosse!

TGIF

MEDICAL CRAP
My mother-in-law is doing very well and adjusting at home.  I didn't think a broken pelvis would hold her back!

My mother is an emotional wreck.  She is dealing with a divorce, parkinsons and finding a place to live.  It really is too much for her to handle.

My dog, Teddy has diabetes.  He is almost back to normal health.  The insulin shots are working! YAY!

Brandon went for a sports physical.  The doctor detected a heart murmur.  I took him to the Children's Hospital of PA to see a heart specialist.  I was pleased when the results of his EKG came back normal and no murmur was heard.

Sinus Infections Suck!  I have had on and off again issues with sinus infections for the last 5 months. I cannot wait for the air to get warmer so I can open my windows again!

I've been suffering depression again. My blog has always been a way to help me get through the 'blues'.  Not so this time.  I've neglected my blog in the last two weeks.  I am so sick of fighting this battle!

HOCKEY
Brandon's team made it to the play offs.  The games are this weekend!

How is it that I am the major hockey fan in the household and my husband went to not one but two NHL games??  :-)


Happy Friday Friends!!

Medical Nightmare!

Last Thursday, my mother-in-law fell and broke her pelvis in three places.  She was in the hospital until Wednesday.  It took that long for the hospital to read her MRI and figure out what the best plan was for her to recover.  Surgery was an option, but one that should be the last resort.

The family chose to have her recover at home.  First she needed to be transferred to a nursing facility for rehabilitation.  Wednesday morning she arrived in her temporary home, which would be about a week.  We were told the staff at the nursing facility would show her how to get up and down, move about and even shower in a safe and pain free manner.

That was until wednesday afternoon, at 4pm, when my MIL called me.
First, they didn't give her any of her heart medication or pain medication throughout the day.  She had to ask for pain meds.
Second, the nursing facility gave her the wrong medication. Instead of a pain pill they gave her  an antihistamine.  Luckily it was nothing dangerous towards her health.   Her pain medication is Tylenol 3.  There is a '3' on the pill.  A trained nurse would know this.  A trained nurse should not have made that mistake!
Third, they were feeding her the wrong food.  My MIL has a heart condition and must have a low sodium diet.  When this was brought to the nurses attention, she insisted that my MIL was being fed the correct diet.  We had to show her the dinner ticket to prove it was a 'regular' diet and not a 'cardiac' diet.

Let me tell you, I was VERY ANGRY!

Ridiculous! That night the staff was informed she was going home!   It was arranged to have a hospital bed, wheel chair and walker put into their home.

Tomorrow she will be home, safe and sound!


  

Outpatient Surgery for Zachary

Zachary had an operation on Black Friday.  He was born with a deviated septum.  The doctor thinks when Zachary was born his nose broke in the birth canal.  The wall between his nasal passages was displaced, which caused nose bleeds, snoring and allergies.

When he was 10 years old Todd and I took him to an Otolaryngologist, who recommended that we wait until Zachary was older and stopped the majority of his growing.   I am glad we did wait.  A 10 year old boy would not understand nor know how to react to so much pain this surgery caused.

Prior to surgery the nurse came in and asked all kinds of questions. Zachary is quiet and answers her very softly.  I can tell he is nervous.  I am worried for him, but try to be strong and not let him see how twisted up my stomach is.

Zachary has never done well around needles or blood. So when the nurse put in his IV in, I thought he was going to pass out.  He looked white as a ghost.  He told me he was hot and light headed.

I explained to him that it was his anxiety making him feel like that. Told him to relax and it would pass.

By the time the nurse came back and gave him his 'hat' he was feeling better.

~

They wheeled him out and I felt lost.

I know it's only a minor operation.

Logically I knew he'd be okay.

He is my baby.

I wanted to cry.

I didn't.

I went to the waiting room… and waited.

~

Two hours later I was able to see him.

He was so HIGH!

It was a funny sight to see.

The nurses who were attending him couldn't stop laughing.

You would have thought Zach won the lottery when the nurse handed him a soda and jello!

~

By the time we got home the pain medication wore off.

Zachary has been down for the count for 6 days. 

He has been sleeping on a recliner because he cannot lay flat.

He has watched all the seasons of "King of Queens" and "The Big Bang Theory".

 He may go back to school tomorrow.  It all depends how he feels when he wakes up.  

~

The worst is over and every day he gets a better.

I am just glad to see him smile again.

Friday

This time last week I was on the road to South Carolina. It was a long trip, but worth it to visit with my Nanny and Dad.

Getting to the gym is a struggle for me. It's hard to get motivated.  My son is good about pushing me to get in the car and GO.  He likes to work out and I am the only way he can get there.  I ran into an acquaintance there last night. She has never seen my teenage.  When I introduced him to her, she said: "Well Hell-O!"  I know she was kidding (Brandon is 15 after all), but the compliment had him blushing.  I could see it made him feel graciously embarrassed and puff up with "peacock" pride.

This hockey fan is angry!  The NHL has cancelled the first two weeks of the regular season with no hope of a resolution any time soon.

After waiting two months to get my boys into a dermatologist, they called me to cancel the appointment. Their excuse was an new computer system they are updating and the office staff needed to get training.  To top it off, they couldn't reschedule us for another two months!  Totally unacceptable!!  Especially since it is difficult for me to schedule a day off.  My parents are counting on me to watch their child in my day care.  It is rare that I ask for a personal day because they are inconvenienced when I ask for a day off.   Needless to say, I contacted a different dermatologist.

I am looking forward to the weekend!  Happy Friday to ALL!!!