CCK How Do You Feel?

IT'S TIME!!!!

We are so fortunate to be able to make an adventure and let loose with round the clock medical help if needed a couple of times a year.  I have never seen my 5 yr. old more excited!

We are ready to set sail for Pirate and Princess weekend at the Center for Courageous Kids.  A fully staffed camp for those with chronic health conditions.  We are truly blessed to have this place to go, have an extra set of hands of the family, know that we will be taken care of, and just have some fun.

There are games, family activities, arts/crafts, wood shop, cooking class, bowling, full game room, full gym for running when cold, swimming pool, lake when warmer for fishing/boating, horseback riding, and 3 meals a day.  All this provided to our family (and others) free of charge.  We do try to donate anytime we can so that others can enjoy this place as much as we do.

I encourage you to check out their website.  It is an amazing fun filled place where to feel safe and have fun.

http://www.courageouskids.org/

Thank You CCK!

I'm going to Belize

Many know I am trying to finish up a degree. Long story short, I am taking a class that I would consider to be a CHANCE of a LIFETIME. Complimentary and Alternative Medicine in the Belize Culture.  I will be able to do some research on herbal use and asthma.  Does it really make a difference?  Does it help?  Does it compliment modern medicine?

Feel free to follow our journey here: http://bellarminebelize2011.blogspot.com/

I will keep everyone updated on this site and the Bellarmine site.
Until next time...

I guess I can be counted on

How is that Life Style Change Going?

I have never wanted a steak or chicken nugget so bad.  But, I have not given in.  I made meatloaf for the kids and actually got a little grossed out.  I have managed to not run all over town and add to fossil fuel burning this weekend.  So, all in all, I guess the little things will continue to add up to make a difference on the carbon footprint I am making.

Kids have held up amazingly well with fall allergies.  Fall is usually when we have one or two on neb treatments, but not as of yet.  Maybe those allergy shots are making a difference?

Friday -the American Lung Associations Breath of Life Gala.  I am looking forward to a evening with some friends at a castle gathering for a good cause.

In a few weeks I will also be volunteering for the Bourbon Chase.  A 200 mile relay race that goes for 2 days!  Crazy people!!  But, the American Lung Association is one of the charities that will benefit from some of the donations.

Lifestyle Challange

Environmental Theology.  Who would of thought that this one class would have me in a tail spin and questioning everything that I do in my life. I have learned more about the American food crisis in this class than any nutritionist could of taught me.  It all comes down to we need to get back to basics.  Here is part of my project for this class, which was my idea.  Can I reduce my carbon foot print and the household carbon foot print to equal those of other industrial countries? 

I have stopped eating meat.  Do you know how difficult that is when you work for a large fast food corporation?  Do you know how difficult it is to eat foods that have 5 ingredients or less when you work for a large fast food corporation, work 45-50 hours a week and attend 10 credit hours of college classes? 

This lifestyle challenge is on.  Let's hope I don't fall off the wagon back into the Western Diet.

There are two sides to every story...

There are two sides to every story...

Can't wait!!

Self Destruction

I have to quote Peter Facinelli from Twitter, "Can some1 make an app 2 plug up the oil spill? Unbelievable.Y r we so determined 2 destroy this planet? I pray we can fix this mess soon. "  Peter is driving home a very good point.  Here we are in such a computer driven society and we can't plug an oil leak. 

The following is my take:  We are such an arrogant egotistical society that we are willing to destroy ourselves or our neighbor for the convenience we are not willing to give up.  Come on BP, we can put a man on the moon, blink across cyberspace, but we can't stop an oil leak that is affecting wildlife and the livelihood of thousands.  It's not just the delicate ecosystem that is being disrupted.  What about all of those that depend on fishing for a living, or tourism to support their families?  I too, hope we can find a solution soon!

Bring on June

Here it is, less than 20 minutes before June 1.  We are quickly approaching mid way point of 2010.  I remember when 2010 seemed so "sci-fi." 

Kids have their last day of school on June 1.  One is super excited for summer, the other is scared to be a 4th grader.  She has already put together how many more years until Middle School, and then how many more years until High School. 

We started another round of the stinkin pink eye tonight.  Thanks to lovely insurance, we can not refill the eye prescription until June 8th.  I hope we make it until then.

Asthma is back under control at the moment.  Gareth's eczema has been flaring and he has dark circles under his eyes.  That is usually a good indicator that he is getting sick or preparing for another attack.

I have my 1st meeting this week with the Lung Association's O2 Society.  I am really looking forward to the networking.  I can see lots good ideas coming from the next generation.  I am excited to be working with a group of young professionals that have a common interest.  Next Lung Association event will be the Bike Trek to Shakertown.  Look for post on that one.  It's a 3 day bike ride though the hills of Kentucky.  It's a fun time in the fall. 

June will be a super busy month for us.  I will do my best to keep the blogging up. 

It's Summer time in the Ohio Valley

Everyone in this house under 5 feet, (I am barely out of that criteria), has the snots.  With snots comes coughing.  With coughing comes increased breathing treatments.  Poor little guy started coughing about 10:00 PM last night.  A round of xopenex and being held upright all night was how any of us got sleep.  We have entered the right of passage of summer in the Ohio Valley.  It's time to bump up every one's meds, pay attention to those ozone/air alert days, and hope for the best.

And so, as I am attempting to proof this post, I hear the coughing starting from the blue room adjacent to ours that houses our son.  The last time we took him to the allergy/asthma doctor, the only thing the doctor could say is hang in there, you guys are doing all the right things, and typically when we see this in children like your son, it will only get worse.  WOW!  Those are really comforting words for parents to hear.  All I heard was, your son is going to get worse.

 But, the upside that I have to remind myself of is, we are doing the right things.  It has taken me getting involved with the Lung Association, and being determined to keep my children out of the hospital at ALL cost to learn those right things.  I encourage people to empower themselves and take action on learning about your own health or the health of those you take care of.  YOU as a patient have a right to ask questions.  Communication between a patient/doctor is a two way street that involves all parties to be honest and have open dialogue. 

With increased asthma and two rounds of pink eye in the house, I hope for a better tomorrow.

Another Hair Brained Idea Involving Robert Pattinson

What do you think the odds are to pressure Robert Pattinson into a smoking cessation program?  He could be a spokesperson for the American Lung Association.  Or if the British Actor is hung up on the American Lung Association, we can just approach it as the Lung Association.  I might Tweet this just to see if I can rock any boats.  He could become a wonderful role model for all the young lassies that want him to bite them.  What can I say, I'm stretching to put together two passions of mine.  And, I really don't like the fact the Mr. Pattinson smokes. I know I might hear backlash that I should "butt out" and let people live their lives and don't pick on him, but people that smoke, including Rob, do damage to some others.  I think that smokers take for granted the freedom of having breath flow freely from their lungs, (until the end anyway).  Some of us don't always have that luxury.  Fighting to breathe is not fun.  It's not a choice I would choose for my kids or myself.  So, what do ya say Mr. Pattinson and we help you extinguish your habit?

Lung Association -Stop Smoking