The Old Folks Home

[Arielle]

Quote: Roughly fold the best you can with one hand, and roll it into a log, then squish flat.

I'm not a nurse, but I have had my arm broken twice.

 

[scottcaddy]

Quote: I can wait

1 more day should not kill me

Scott

 

[chirpingcricket]

I know EXACTLY what you mean. When I had to rehome some beloved roosters, I offered two hens with each rooster to ensure I got folks who wanted to keep chickens, not just pick up free roosters to eat. Not only was it heart-breaking to part with George, Alex, Charlie, Hitchcock, Nugget, Wilbur and the two Cardigan boys, I had to pick out hens to go with him. Although some hens were pullets and not yet named, it was just awful. One nice lady would point at a hen, I'd say, "no, not her..." and look around for a different, likely prospect.

I had three white Leghorns all named Josie which I had hatched from Trader Joe's grocery eggs; two went away. Two Buckeye hens went away, leaving me two. My only Cinnamom Queens left, all three. I could NOT part with any Orpingtons, as I only had one Buff and two lavenders. Not my GLW "Red," as she was a rescue and didn't deserve to go to another home, especially as I didn't know how old she was, although she is still laying. No, not Rebecca, not Samantha, nor Paprika or Cinnamom (not a Cinnamon Queen) - these were all my EEs. Not Molly my BA, not Slvia my SLW, not Belinda my BR, not Rhoda my production RIR, not..... It goes on and on.

Finally, Charlie and Hitchcock went without hens to a farm a feedstore employee found for me - the farm owner was pleased to get a bantam Buff Brahma and a Salmon Faverolle in his flock. (After he clipped their wings, they each showed off and found themselves ladies to wing-dance by the time I left the farm. They were the only roosters I didn't have to give up hens to go with 'em.)

Nowadays, I will sell mutt hatching eggs as a "build your own flock kit" to anybody with a broody hen in their rooster-less flock, but when chickens hatch in my incubators or under my hens, I am not at all willing to part with them.

Hence this purchase of 8.28 acres where I can hoard - I mean RAISE - all the chickens I want.

Chirp

 

[chirpingcricket]

Doctors tend to minimize the side effects, and usually don't mention them at all. It is only at pick up that the med sheet lists everything. WOuld have liked to seen that before agreeing to the meds. Pharmacists are way up on drugs compared to the doctors. 

Advertising of drugs needs to be removed from TV. Period. 

THe almighty buck rules. 

I used to have what I thought was a fairly impressive handle/study of pharmaceuticals as a nurse. (Enjoyed pharmacology)

Over the past 19 + years, that industry, pharmacy, has just blown wide open with new meds and combo meds....daily, so much to the point that side effects MUST be discussed/reviewed since so many ARE life threatening.

At this point, I too find myself requesting (for myself and family/friends) the older meds when possible. Too many unknowns....experimental.

 

[Cynthia12]

Wow Cynthia, you are an amazing Lady!

I've worked with Spina-Bifida patients and their families, incredible resolve and determination. My prayers for all involved to include the medical/surgical team. If I may ask, how old is your son? Has he had a lot of surgeries this far? Sounds like he has some independence being in his own home. Please let me know if you can.....keeping him in our thoughts and prayers. Chirp

Hey chirp...my son was born in 81. He was definitely a pioneer for surgical procedures in babies born with this back then. They do a lot of things different for sure now. He was one of the lucky ones, didn't have hydrocephalus, so didn't need the shunt. It was the number one birth defect at the time he was born, but not many folks had heard about it. I actually did a lot of with trying to get public awareness out there. My son was the poster child during one year here in Utah for Spina Bifida. With the help of others, we got the Mayor to make Oct. the month for awareness of Spina Bifida. From then on for about 5 years straight, as Oct. approached, I went to the Provo Herald, the big newspaper for us here in Utah county, and they would do a write up on Spina Bifida, and Richard. They got so they looked forward to us showing up. They would go to the schools and take photos of him with the kids...This is what Richard is up to this year. At first, the photos were of him and myself when he was younger. I have some great newspaper clippings. )
I was part of a 5 year study that the state of Washington did. I would send blood to them, they would send prenatal vitamins to me once I decided to try again. I had to take the vitamins 3 months before trying, then it took three months to become pregnant. My baby was healthy. As the study showed, and many people know by now..folic acid is very important to a woman during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. First three months. My daughters knew to start prenatal vitamins as soon as they were either trying to get pregnant, or, they found out that they were.
He has been out on his own for around 7 years now. He lives next to a college, went for a while, had health problems, got better, tried going to school again, had health problems again. I don't think he's ever going to get to finish up! He keeps trying. This time around with the health problems, he was getting ready for a wheelchair marathon. You should see this kids upper body! Nice strong boy. But, now, he has to go back into the hospital. It sounds as though he will be in a while. There are some things the dr. wants to suggest he have done, I am not sure he will go for all of it. We'll see.
We stopped counting surgeries back in the 90's, when he was having his 32nd, or 33rd..or.... Most of it has been orthopedic. He has had a few spinal cord release surgeries. Had a surgery for a double ureter implant, they were at the wrong angle. That worked out well, and they have stayed put, but the scar has caused problems since, and he was 5 when he had that surgery. The scar has reopened, and reopened and reopened. I think he's done pretty well considering. He started walking with a walker at around the age of 3. Really couldn't get to work on that walking thing because he was in a body cast a few times..hip work. Then he went to arm crutches later, and now is in a wheelchair. He is so much more self dependent in the chair. He gets around much easier. His back was not straight enough to be able to stay up on crutches.
Well, there is some of it. You asked.

I get going when it comes to answering questions on Spina Bifida. Have gone to many a class room with him at the start of a school year to explain what he has to the kids so they could understand what was up with Richard, and I've gone to a college to speak in a class. To answer questions. Thankful we had that little man, what a darling baby he was, and a handsome young man today. A good person to boot.
Let's see if I can find a picture or two.

Yep, red hair! This is at Primary Children's Hospital..after having been in Provo for 10 days..they messed up at Provo, The Children's Hospital was great!

He's the red head..of course, and the other is the my son, Dustin I had after him.

On the way into therapy.. doing pretty good on the arm crutches.

All boy! Those are worms that he is holding up and showing off, there is a garden to left of the photo.

Here we are a couple of years ago at a Christmas party.

So, here is part of a book for you, pictures and all.

 

[chickadoodles]

Wow you are so amazing Cynthia! And your son is pretty awesome himself! Love the pics! Love just takes care of everything!

 

[chickadoodles]

Turkey update: She passed away last night. I was just happy she would not have to suffer any longer!

On another note I just helped my 4th Aussie chick hatch! It piped at 4 am and it had nearly quit moving. So I decided to help and it came out. It was just not strong enough to finish I guess. But so happy it alive!

 

[Bunnylady]

Cynthia, I think you and Richard are awesome people!

Sorry about the turkey, chickadoodles.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: WHen I went to see the oncologist she was very hopeful about the drugs coming down the pike. I think I was able to keep a straight face and not blanche. Really? I've been on the outskirts of research-- meds are are to get approved and then they need to prove some level of safety.

Ironically I was there to see her about preentative measures-- she apparentlyonly knows how to deal with full blown cancer, not prevention. THis is the same doc that advised me to eat a banana instead of taking potassium tablets.

Now I eat enough lite salt to equal 4 bananas!!!

Honestly I avoid drugs as m uch as possible. I wish there was more information on supplements though. While these are not catagorized as drugs-- they also have benefits and side effects. But are usally a lot cheaper.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Thats why I ask a pharmacist or SCG!!