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!!!