How Far Will You Go?

As any pregnant woman, mom, or spouse knows, somewhere in the 25th or 26th week of pregnancy, women have to take a glucose tolerance test. Basically, the test is administered to ensure that a woman is not on the verge of developing gestational diabetes causing both the baby and mother to have health complications.

Anyway, as is my normal routine with the past 3 children, I take the one hour and I have yet to fall within the "normal range." Because my body was not able to fully break down the glucose juice, I had to follow-up with the 3 hour long glucose test. Each time I take the 3 hour test, it comes back well within the normal range. This is normally a good indication that all is fine with both me and the baby.

Since moving to New Orleans and having a different Obstetrician, I have found that some physicians are more than just cautious. They are overly cautious. Despite my previous medical history, my knowledge of my own body, and diet, my current OB decided that he would lump me with his group of "diabetic" patients. Oh, I guess I should state again...I am NOT Diabetic. I merely was 7 points higher than the allowable "normal" range for my one hour test. This could have been caused by my eating too much candy from Holloween, or my late night snack every night before going to bed, or even not drinking enough water the previous few days.

Therefore, my OB prescribed me to perform four skin pricks per day, draw blood, and then record the results in a journal. He wants me to do this for the next two to three months. His logic and rationale is that by monitoring my blood level daily, he can ensure that I don't fall in the gestational diabetic realm (because I scored 7 pounds outside of the normal range on my 1 hour test and the 3 hour was normal).

How far should I go to stand up for my beliefs and wishes? I know that I am not nor have I ever been diabetic. I will not idly stand by and be a pin cushion, nor will I allow my doctor to solely determine what he feels is best for me. I appreciate his experience and wisdom, yet I reserve the right to respectively disagree and decline. A part of health care is open discourse and discussion with my health care provider. I could choose a different provider, but what if I go from bad to worse? What if I choose a different provider and have no connection with that physician? What if that physician is worse than this one? What if I stay where I am and do nothing?

Open discussion is the course of action that I am going to choose. However, I will stand my ground and express myself. I will not continue to do the skin pricks nor will I subject myself to mindless testing all for the sake of "caution." It is time that patients stand up for their right to have a say so in their healthcare. It is time that we take an active interest in our health and the course of treatment that effect us and our families. Whether you are a pregnant woman, mother of children, grandmother or father, or anyone needing healthcare, this message is for you. it is time we stand up and become informed on our health, our options, and our insurance.

It seems that in this time of healthcare debates and reform, open discussion is needed now more than ever. We have to want to be informed, get involved, and take an active interest in our lives. In order to laugh out loud, and enjoy our families today, everyday, and in the future, we have to step out of our normal routine and do all we have to do to ensure our health, safety, and care.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas season!

Yellow Blurry Lines

It's been way to long since I last wrote, but alas, I finally remembered to be inspired to take some time away from life's little nuances.

As I drove home from picking up the kids today, I noticed that traffic was unusually slow in one area. Assuming it was because of the four foot wide dimple holes or the six inch high raised and cracked streets, I didn't think too much about it. However, when I finally got to the main area down the street, I noticed the big yellow arrow telling all the drivers in the right lane to merge with the left lane. Again, I was curious, but let my lingering thoughts and kids' conversation take over my mind. It wasn't until I drove past the arrow that I saw three men walking along side a machine making yellow lines down the middle of the road that I was taken aback.

I was a little upset to say the least. How can the City of New Orleans waste the tax payer money with man hours and yellow blurry lines in the street when the potholes, dimples, and raised asphalt are in dire need of repair? How can they lose sight of the bigger issue that causes accidents; in lieu of the minor cosmetic changes being made? Yes, there were existing blurry lines which drivers saw, or inadvertently knew were there, regardless of the painted yellow lines now being made.

Immediately, my common sense ceased my thoughts and I had to realize that as a parent, I can be like the City! I can lose sight of the many wonderful things I desire to do with my children because of my focus on their immediate behavior lapses or even my own issues. I focus on the now instead of the bigger picture of the future. I choose to forsake what I truly desire to see happen in an effort to quell the concerns of now.

How many of us out there can admit to losing sight of what's important in the lives of our families? I stand up first and admit that I've taken my eyes off of the prize and settled for something that is more tangible that I can touch and feel. It is not necessarily wrong, but it is something that I know I have compromised upon. However, I make a stance right here and now to not compromise on my goals, visions, and dreams for my family. I vow to keep my eyes focused on building a great future through making memories. I will not look at one test with a poor grade and yell at my child. I will not yell for not jumping to attention the moment I request it. I will focus on character building traits that will ultimately help my children to be responsible, compassionate, helpful, resourceful people who always strive to do their best in every situation. In essence, I will fix the streets first (keep my eyes on the bigger prize) and not make yellow lines instead (immediate concerns of now)!

Until next time, ponder that thought, laugh out loud and love on your family today.

Oasis In the Bayou

Today we had our weekly family outing, 'family time.' We decided to go to a place that many have told us is a great catch all park where the kids can run, jump, and have a bunch of fun. We were wholly unprepared for the surprise we were about to embark upon.

Driving past lots of dilapidated houses and remnants of Hurricane Katrina, we did not know what to expect. Suddenly, we turn a corner and see a huge welcoming sign followed by full tennis courts, large and beautiful trees that lazily hang over the streets and create a sense of complete serenity.

We park our car, get out and begin to walk towards the amusement park that is housed within this great park. We hear cheers, screams, smell the wonderful aroma of barbecue and popcorn. With excitement, the kids jump up and down in utter surprise as we prepare to enter the amusement park. Ride after ride, they are filled with youthful joy and plan out their next move. All we hear are calls of "Can we go on that next? Can we get a snow cone? Can we play in the park now dad?"

It was hot and humid, but nothing could replace the pure delight and joy expressed by all three children as they happily ran from ride to ride. No long lines. No huge park congestion. No fear of losing your child! It is the perfect size for family fun. The park is big enough to not get completely bored, but small enough to be contained in one afternoon. There was even a great park full of a fire truck, a space ship, fairy tale depictions, and serenity. It was a veritable cornucopia of juxtapositions of imagery and imaginations.

We had to stop momentarily to eat lunch. Hamburgers, hot dogs, or nachos were the main menu items. Not really a great assortment, but now we know we can bring food into the park. (Mental note for next time.) After lunch, the kids went on a few more rides and we finalized it all up with snow cones and slushies.

For only the second time since we arrived in New Orleans, once we got back to the hotel, the children fell right asleep for a nap. Any day where the kids can be kids (sweat, laugh, get messy, scream, run, jump, and smile all day) is a great day!

We had a ball Laughing Out Loud, and Enjoying Our Children and Family Time Today! Find something that you can do that helps you to Laugh Out Loud and Enjoy Your Children today! No matter whether the kids are 2, 15, or 25!

The Era of Public Schools

Over the last two weeks, I have gotten a rude awakening and impromptu introduction into the world of public school un-usual! Now, before I get all the teachers and administrators all riled up, let me explain.

Just one short month ago, we were chosen to move from Nashville, TN to New Orleans, LA. We were excited, but rushed to say the least. It's the middle of the summer and school starts in just a few short weeks. Believing that school is done on a zoned basis (you move into an area and go to the school in your neighborhood), we were not fully concerned. That is, until we began talking to fellow parents who informed us that the school system has definitely changed and we'll want to send our children to private or parochial school. We were then told that we should expect to spend anywhere between $5000 and $15,000 per child, per year.

I'm no brain surgeon, but when did public school get so expensive??? Why do we have to pay what used to be the equivalent of a college education, for elementary school?? I feel old and want to say, "well, in my day...."

I am a public school girl and know that there are always good FREE public schools that have high academic standards and great extracurricular activities. I searched and did my due diligence searching school sites like www.greatschools.com as well as a host of other sites given to me by local parents.

Come to find out, because of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina over 4 years ago, the City of New Orleans is still trying to revamp itself and get to a place where "normal" has a discernable meaning. The concept of "zoned school" is non-existent and there is much to learn about how the current system is operating.

There has been an infusion of Public Charter Schools, with a huge wait list (sometimes over 100-500 long) because of their excellent academic performances. The standard public schools have different things to offer, but the highest academically scoring schools not only have a potential "wait list", but may even require an application and recommendation letter. Even after submitting all required documentation, there is still no guarantee that you will get in. Once the school meets capacity, you may submit your application, but there is no guarantee of being accepted.

Home schooling our children became a very real option. We did not have a true desire to pay over $15,000/year for elementary school education. We also did not want to put the children in a low performing school where more than 50% of the children do not meet or exceed the state minimum standard testing scores.

What to do, what to do?

As a concerned parent, I put out a call to all my friends in Facebook land and got some great responses. I went to the public schools and talked with the administrators, secretaries, principals, and anyone else who would give me information. I got all my applications and supporting documents turned in the same day I received the applications. I displayed a genuine concern as well as knowledge for the process that we were embarking upon. I showed care for my children and for the quality of education that we desired for them to receive.

I basically did my due diligence. I prayed daily and kept abreast of new information. I did not stop until I had a definite answer of "No, we are at capacity and cannot accept any more children." or "Yes, your children are accepted and school starts on August 11th."

So, today, I finally got the answer I really wanted to hear of "Yes, your children are in!" Believing in the power of prayer, connecting with the administrators, and becoming informed about the public school system has paid off. My children will be attending one of the top 5 Public schools in New Orleans! I am excited because I believe in the quality of education that my children will receive and the fact that it's going to be "free."

Parents with children in school, value the educational system that you are a part of; be supportive of the staff and professionals teaching your children daily; and be an involved concerned parent.

So today, I am Laughing Out Loud and Enjoying My Children. I invite you to do the same.