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

Asthma this week

In review, Gareth had pink eye and breathing troubles earlier in the week, (right before I had to leave town for work). After a 1 1/2 days at home and increased treatments, we came out ok. Everyone is back on a regular meds schedule. Izzy has started with the snots. If she continues in to this week, I will up her Pulmicort and put her on Xopenx as needed. All kids are on maintenance with their weekly allergy shots, (which is more than I can say for me). I have missed 2 weeks of shots and will NEVER get to my highest dose. I am permanently flagged as ANA.
Upside, Kosair Children's Hospital has opened their East End location. Link will be below. We are very excited to have a Children's Emergency dept. 5 mins from our home. Thanks to anyone that made that funding possible. A 20 min car trip to the downtown location with a baby that can't breathe right and can't stop throwing up makes for very nervous parents, (Gareth's 1st ANA to antibiotic/1st asthma attack).

Kosair Children’s Medical Center – Brownsboro

Voices IN MY Head

OK -so it appears I still don't have any followers to this blog. I guess this will prove my learning style. According to a learning style quiz I took, I learn by listening. Visual and reading don't do it for me. So, if I am typing out the voices talking in my head, I must be learning or working through something. I also talk to myself in the car a lot. I think I would talk to myself at work if it wasn't seen as unacceptable or me being crazy.

Success

Thank you to everyone that donated their time and money to the American Lung Association of Kentucky 2010 Lung Walk

Lung Walk for 2010 is complete. It was great to see people for the Lung Association, meet new people from the O2 Society, hang out with my aunt, and do a little networking. Posted are just a few pics. More will be uploaded to facebook later
Also posted is a link that describes what Louisville's O2 Society is. I'm looking forward to working and socializing with them.
http://www.lungusa.org/associations/charters/midland-states/volunteer/o2-society-information.pdfety-information.pdf

Music to my ears

I normally don't pitch music, but I watched a video of Billy Burke's new song and have been blown away. It's a cross of a blues/New Orleans/rock sound. I am so glad that maybe his acting career has given him a new avenue to go down. Check out his website for a free download and a peek of the video. Let me (and his site) know what you think.

http://www.billyburke.net/

American Lung Association Lung Walk -Tomorrow

This is one event my entire family gets passionate about every year. It is the one event we can participate in as a family. All proceeds raised go towards research and educational programs. Storms are moving through the area tonight, but we will hope for a pollen reduced, cooler, sunny morning on the Riverfront of Louisville. If you can't join us, please consider a donation.

Look for Team Schlageter

Click on the link below

http://action.lungusa.org/site/TR/LungWalk/ALAML_Midland_States?team_id=13222&pg=team&fr_id=1540&et=XHi2BEcc-rdlYqymhJVcvA..&s_tafId=8881

Time to jump back on it

A lot has happened in over a year. I decided part of my quest in life was to go back to school. I officially completed my 1st semester back in April. On that part of my quest, I have decided that I want to write a book. I'm noodling on it since I am so busy with the rest of life.

I am still a HUGE advocate for lung health/asthma. I accepted the American Lung Associations Volunteer of the Year for Kentucky this past March. I kinda set a new standard for myself to live up to. Lung Association plug: Lung Walk this Saturday on the Waterfront!

I have also found a passion for Twilight. The Twilight Saga got me reading for fun again. It has given me a world to retreat to in all my hecticness. My husband calls me Robsessed. It's a running joke, I am way too old and attached to my own Edward (husband) to really fall for a 24 year old movie star.

I think this is enough to start back on for now. Cheers until I post again (not so long in between this time).