Bike Helmet Safety: Paying it Forward

2 days after surgery

July 10th, 2010 our 12 year old son Mathew fell off his bike. He ended up with a major head injury that was very serious. It happened as he was riding down-hill, lost his balance, and tried to get his tire back onto the sidewalk. He was slammed to the ground and knocked unconsious. His head hit the sidewalk, no time to brace himself.
Some good samaritans saw his fall, woke him, and escorted him 2 blocks to his friend's house.
We got the call that he fell off his bike, but had no idea how serious his injury was.

blood clot causing pressure on his brain

He had a 4 inch fracture that cut an artery inside his skull. That bleed caused a clot which put pressure on his brain. He needed emergency surgery. Mathew's neurosurgeon, Dr. Bovis told us he was just a few hours away from slipping into a coma and dying.
You can imagine how over-whelming this all was, and how long that two hour surgery was not knowing his condition. Larry and I learned a few things about his doctor that really helped us cope.

Larry's good friend Tracy is a nurse anestethist. Tracy told us during our wait that he knew Dr. Bovis in two ways. First, through personal experience he knew Dr. Bovis was top in his field. Second, Tracy went to high school with Dr. Bovis. Third, Tracy is Mathew's Godfather. Just learning about those connections when we did, as I said, really helped us cope with the trauma.

Our conversation with Dr. Bovis was limited up to that moment, right before Mathew was taken in to surgery. I was impressed and touched as a mother by just one small gesture and statement he made. It was about Mathew's favorite stuffed animal at his side, delivered by me and sent from his sister. Larry picked up the stuffed dog Scooter and remarked, "Guess he shouldn't have this in surgery." Dr. Bovis stepped in and put Scooter back at Mathews side. "Abosolutely not, this stays with Mathew." A seemingly small touch carried deep meaning to me as a mother, and of him, as a doctor.

Mathew's surgery went smoothly and we were able to see him in ICU and stay the night with him. His head completely bandaged, the doctor showed us his x-ray showing that he had two small titanium plates holding the fracture together. Dr. Bovis added that the brain sac was completely in tact, there was no injury to his brain at all.

external staples visible, titanium plates hold the fracture in place

He spent 4 days in the hospital, and a few weeks re-couping here at home. Shadowing him those first few days was a challenge, and exhausting, but I was grateful. Grateful for many things, but mainly that he was okay and would not have any long-term physical damage.
Thankfully, Mathew is completely healed and all that remains of the accident is his scar and the titanium plates.

Dr. Bovis, Mathew's neurosurgeon

Mathew made a 1 minute PSA video on his youtube account and was also interviewed by WGN August 21, 2010.

http://www.wgntv.com/videobeta/50239a42-2d62-4797-bdd4-716e3089c10a/Health/Bike-Safety

Please think of Mathew the next time you go for a bike ride. It is our hope that you will wear a helmet, ride safely, and even share his story with others.

Back on his bike with his Dr.'s permission - November 2010

8th grade graduation, May 2012

The Tale of the Tummy and the BBB

Right before the warmer weather hits, every single woman I know thinks the same about her Summer wardrobe. "I wonder if my shorts from last year still fit?" Or worse, we try them on and they don't. Now what?

We're faced with two options. 1. I'm going to lose this before I have to wear these shorts,or  2. I have to buy a bigger size before Summer.

From there, the downward spiral of thoughts can begin. "I will need to spend x amount of hours in the gym, spend x amount of money on some kind of program, ......but I just need to lose 10 lbs., I need a jump start."

I think it's especially hard for those of us who have had children. We have this image in our head, a reminder of what we used to look like before we had our first baby. And I will admit, I have this image in my head about what my tummy looked like before children. You guessed it, just like the picture below.

Whether it's realistic or not, we still hold on to these images in our heads.

Now just so you know, it's not that I'm unhappy about where I am, it's really all about wanting something better for myself and not just sitting back and saying it's okay to let myself go to pot because I'm not in my 20's anymore. Not at all!! In fact, most days I would just like to be comfortable in my shorts when I sit down, and not have to think about sucking it in!!! (Which by the way, causes pain over an extended period of time.)

I have stood in my closet staring at my Summer shirts with rather loud chatter in my head about why I shouldn't wear each and every one! Dumb. I know. When the verbage stops, I usually end up feeling like I have chosen the lesser of 2 evils. 

Am I the only one out there that has a hard time "accepting" the loveable muffin top??? I think not.

Those of you that know me also know that I have a secret weapon when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. I was introduced to a nutritional cleansing system almost 5 years ago by my sister-in-law.

I was able to shed those pesky 10 lbs. in 11 days (as well as 10.5 inches all around - 2 off my waist). Believe it or not, that was a side benefit to my increased energy, improved sleep and mental clarity. I didn't even realize how bad I felt until I started this program!!

So, back to the tummy. I have recently tried the "Bedtime Belly Buster" recipe that many of my Isagenix friends have been posting about on Facebook. I thought, "Well, it sure can't hurt. I know the products work, so I'll try it!"

Well, I not only tried it -- but by the 5th night I lost 3 inches!!!! And yes, that's just in my waist!!!

In fact, I know of several other women who have seen great results in a very short amount of time! A friend of mine lost 16 inches in her mid section in only 5 days!!!

AND............. I know what you're thinking. "Is this one of those fad things?" Not at all. I've seen those ads too -- the 5 tips to a tiny tummy, or whatever it is. Nope. This is nothing like that. These are all natural products that work, and they're based on trace minerals. That's it. Plain and simple.

So.......is there any Summer item in your closet that doesn't fit quite the way you'd like it to?? IT'S NOT TOO LATE!!!! I am jumping into a 14 day Bedtime Belly Buster challenge with a whole team of ladies, and I invite you to be a part of this challenge with me!!! Send me a PM, and let's get started!!!

 

The Truth about Water

How much water do you think you should be drinking everyday?
Truth is, there's a lot of information out there, so what's the right answer?

I think most of us have heard we should drink 8- 8oz. glasses per day. No matter what the proper amount is, why does it seem so hard for us to drink water everday? Is it because there's so many drink options available to us?
Whatever the case, most of us just don't drink enough water.
In fact, I've had some intereseting conversations with people about water in recent years. "Do you drink water?" I ask. To my surprise a typical response is, "No, I don't like the taste." Or, "I just can't seem to get it down, I don't like water."
Wow. Really?? Even when we know it's the healthier choice, I often hear "Oh, I just can't go a day without my diet coke." One shouldn't replace the other, but no matter what you're drinking, water should be on the list.
We also know that not only is it healthier, we physically need water to survive. Some not so nice things happen to our bodies when we're dehydrated.  Take the headache for example. I am surprised at how many people don't realize when they experience a headache, it could be due to not drinking enough water. Same with dry lips or chapped lips, dry skin, lack of energy, etc.

One of my vocations is coaching people in a nutritional replenishing program. I've learned through the program that drinking half your body weight in ounces per day is the proper amount of water to be drinking. So if you weigh 150 lbs., you should be drinking 75 oz. of water, 300 lbs. 150 oz. of water, etc.
I often hear that is a lot of water to be drinking a day, but I can attest to the fact that the body does adjust to the amount of water. The body does start to absorb and use all the water in a matter of days. And let's face it, the healthier you are, the better your body functions. Since the body is made up of 70% water, it only makes sense that it would function better with water.
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And yet........ I will sometimes go through an entire day and catch myself. "Have I had any water yet today?"  I do carry around my own 32 oz. water bottle everyday, but I'm not the only one who drinks out of it. It seems to serve as a constant reminder to my kids that they need a little drink of water. Yes, even when they have their OWN water bottles, there seems to be something attractive about mine. (but hey, they're drinking water!)

Drinking water is the most important thing you can do to improve your health, and the benefits are endless (see below). It's also the easiest and cheapest thing you can do.

So, next time you reach for that sugary drink, caffeinated drink, or carbonated drink.....think about drinking some water. Your body will thank you for it!!

By the way, how much water have you had today?? 

If The Shoe Fits

Have you had the experience yet of catching yourself saying something a little too familar, and then you realize.... "Oh. My. God. I AM becoming my Mother!!" Lol!!!

For me, that kind of reaction usually means I repeated something that I heard over and over again when I was growing up.  You see somewhere in the intricate threading of the fabric of my childhood, I took notes and professed, "I'm never saying that, I'm never doing that," as if my lack of life experiences somehow made me the judge and jury for my Mother (all parents for that matter), and I was going to do it better :)
Oh, and if your parents ever catch wind of this, they think it is hilarious!!! This adds to the fabric of their parenthood - the thread of justification!!
They love the stories of your children too. More justification :)

There is also the other kind of reaction too, when we recognize the good sayings and qualities we've inherited from our parents. They're  just not as funny to write about :)

Really, we all have characteristics that stem from our background . Our parents are out first teachers, and we are products of our environment. It only makes sense.

So then, what about the shoe anyway? Right. You know the saying, "If the shoe fits, wear it."
That has double meaning for me, as I think about it.
My Grandfather started a family business carried on by my Uncle -- hand-made shoes. Now, I could start a whole other blog and give you the entire history, but I won't because I'm interrupting myself. For now I'm sticking to the connection.
Just know that the family business is still carried on today, by my cousin and my aunt after my Uncle Paul passed away three years ago.
And since I've now peaked your curiosity (or completely lost you as a reader), you can learn more here:
http://cordwainershop.com/shoes.php

 Now, the other connection to me and the family shoe business is health. "What?" Yes, I said health.
You can imagine that custom hand-made shoes are better than manufactured shoes, right?
Leather upper, leather sole, custom made to your foot (stay with me....). Perfect fitting shoes make for healthier feet, and back... etc. etc.
Okay, so this is where I first got the idea to educate myself about decisions that could influence my health.
Believe me, I REALLY thought I would not EVER go the healthy route when I was a kid.
Kids are drawn to the things that aren't very healthy -- ice cream, cookies, candy, you get the idea.

Remember I said I was going to "do it better"?? Right. Well for starters, I professed that I would NOT ever keep 100% wheat bread in my house. Especially not Clark's Brownberry Ovens wheat bread. And I CERTAINLY would not ever buy seperated peanut butter!!!! You know what I'm talking about, the natural kind that you have to mix because the oil floats in the top 1/3 of the jar??
No. I'm NEVER doing that.

When I first moved away from home,  my first rebelious food purchase was a bag of Twizzlers :) I still love Twizzlers (in moderation), but educating myself about healthy choices  has lead me right back to my roots.
Today, I have whole wheat bread and seperated peanut butter on hand
at all times. They are staples at my house. 
And very soon....
I plan on sharing more about different kinds  healthy choices I've made. Something to look forward to :)

So, as I got older, I realized that maybe my Mom had some really good reason for choosing a healthier way of living. She absolutely
does, and looking at her and how she lives is the proof in the pudding!
My Mom is 82 and is in great health. She is in great physical shape, takes NO prescription meds, and she is very active. A few years ago, she even took up tap dancing and yoga!
So, though I've made some healthy choices as an adult that I never
thought I'd make as a kid, I am rather proud of the "shoes" my Mom
"made" for me. They fit rather nicely :)

Juggling Everyday Tasks

"What? It's the end of the day? But I didn't get it all done!"

That's how I often feel on any given weekday. I am a Mom of three, I work part-time from home, and you would think I would be used to juggling it all. You would think......
Except for the fact that I have two lists running constantly in my head. Okay, maybe more than that, but let's just say two for starters. There's the list of to-do's that have to be done around the house and for daily living, and then there's the "What I want to do for myself" list.
That's a new list for me, as my youngest is now in school all day. I've been looking forward to creating that list for, oh....14 years now.
Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed every minute of my kids before they were school-aged. It's just that.... well, it's kind of like the Mom's right of passage. On to the next chapter!!

Hmmmm......what would I really like to do? Sometimes I'd like to go to a class at the health club, sometimes I'd just like to make it to the drive-thru at Starbuck's, and other times I'd like to schedule a Mom's Night Out (MNO) to rejuvinate with friends.

So what? you might say. We all have things we need to juggle and maybe that list of mine could be tackled by prioritizing, or picking and choosing? Great! Problem solved!  But wait........
I think I have something else to offer.
What is your emotional state during any given busy day? How do you feel? Do you feel hurried? Stressed? Pulled in many different directions?? Like you don't have enough time?
Do you ever notice how some days things seem to be running along smoothly, and then something happens and the day just falls completely apart??  Things can change in an instant. Things can change in an instant with just one thought!

What? A thought? That sounds too easy!  Well, at first I thought so too. Recently,  I've made a conscious effort to just focus on a good feeling thought. Right, it did not get anything checked off my to-do list, but I just added a little good feeling to my day. Just hoping to feel better, really. It's a start. We all know that if we want something to be different change has to happen somewhere, right?

"Really? How could that possibly help when I'm being pulled in all different directions?" It can help because you choose in that moment to pause, and move in a better direction with one good thought, rather than getting caught up in a downward motion with a stressfull thought. For me, one stressful thought usually leads to the next, and the next, and the next, and sometimes I think back to how my day started and it was bound to be stressful! Why? Because I woke  up with something stressful. It was a thought. Then it multipied and here I am! "What? It's the end of the day?"

So, yes, I didn't get it all done. But I've had several thoughts that are good today, and the more I focus on those, the better I feel. The better I feel, the less stressed I am.

I invite you to try an experiment. The next time you're feeling stressed in the middle of a busy day, think one thought that makes you feel good. It could be the last time you went out with your spouse, or friends, or it could be something as simple as your little one saying, "I love you."
It can be anything, big or small. A life-long dream, or an appreciation for fluffy white clouds.
Whatever it is, I am hoping that you'll find the same thing I did. A little peace of mind in juggling everyday tasks.