Frustrated

I cannot even begin to explain my frustrations of yesterday. Thank God for this amazing Dr. Rogers who came into my life at just the right moment! I've been coughing for a week now, and yesterday my throat and right ear really started to hurt. I knew immediately that it was either strept throat or tonsillitis. And probably an ear infection. I called my drs office here, and after 2 1/2 hours they still hadn't returned my call. When I got off work, I just headed over there. I figured one of three things would have to happen. They'd either work me in, just give me an rx, or tell me to go to urgent care. The first thing to ruffle my feathers a bit is that the girl at check in was a tee-total-bitch. She was livid that I just showed up. Well, if your staff would have called me back, then this wouldn't be an issue. If I had a fever, or chills, or any true flu symptoms, I would've never gone in public. But here's the deal: I'm an educated health care professional, and I know my body. I knew damn well I didn't have the flu.

So, they move me to a separate room where I'm all alone. No biggie; actually a smart move on their part. I wait 15 minutes, then a nurse shows up with two pieces of paper. One is a prescription for Tamiflu (the treatment for swine flu). The other is an order, so I can go to the hospital and get tested for the swine flu. She instructs me to start taking the medicine immediately, without waiting for results. Also a decent idea, IF ONLY I HAD THE FRIGGIN FLU!!! I was livid. I looked at her in disbelief, and said "Do you realize that not ONE person has asked me about my symptoms, or examined me or assessed me?" She had nothing to say for about 10 seconds. Then she looks down, and says that her papers say I've had a fever and cough. WRONG! No fever you ding-dongs. I proceed to tell her (she still hadn't asked) what my symptoms were, and the history of this particular illness. I told her that what I needed was actually an antibiotic. She went back to talk to the doctor (who still wouldn't see me, I think she's afraid of swine flu), only to come back and say tough stuff. No antibiotic, but we will add a strept screen to your lab orders. Well, thanks alot. Thanks for your superb care, and listening to your patients. I asked where I was supposed to go for these tests, since they couldn't do them. Oh, just the hospital. No biggie she says, just register as an outpatient. I was beyond livid at this point. It was such horrible care. I hope and pray I NEVER give such inadequate care to a patient of mine.

So I get in my car still fuming. I drive my fuming self right on over to some place called "Doctors Care". It's an urgent care center, and I'm now in love with that place. I see this fabulous man named Dr. Rogers, who has been a pediatrician and family doctor for over 45 years. He comes in, and first asks me about all my symptoms. NOVEL idea there. He then looks in my throat and eyes, and informs me I have a strept infection. Such a shocker. He then looks in my ears, and says I have ear infections. And then this kind and amazing man gives me a prescription for an antibiotic. Thanks for doing an assessment and listening to me. I feel better already, after just three doses of Amoxicillin.

I know and understand that the H1N1 flu is serious, and can be life threatening. I get it. I don't get a refusal to listen to your patients, or to assess them. That's just unacceptable.

Working Woman

I started my job today, but there isn't much to report. I did the whole hospital orientation thing, then headed over to the department for about 30 minutes. Tomorrow is more paperwork, and finding my way around. Hopefully by Wednesday I'll be back to knocking people out!

Drake has been going to bed so early! Between 6 and 7. He's just so tired after dinner and a bath, that he sacks out with the last bottle. He does stay in the crib 12 hours, but sometimes he will wake up a couple of times. He's usually back asleep within 5 minutes. About 1-2 times per week he will throw a massive fit, and get to sleep with mommy and daddy for the rest of the night. We all love it, to be honest, but are trying not to start that habit. I really hope to take some photos of him soon and get them up.

Eric and I are headed to Greenville this weekend for my friend Adriann's wedding. That will definitely be a good time!

We joined the big fitness center here today. Big thumbs down to them not having an outside pool. I miss the Y's in Charlotte something fierce. We didn't know how good we had it with the gyms there! I've been pondering lately. If I'm "home", then why am I so homesick? I'm assuming we just need to give it a little more time to settle in here. For it to only be 2 and 1/2 hours from Charlotte, these two places could not be more different. It's hard to explain, but I feel as if I've been having a major culture shock. I forgot so much about Florence, and it's people and places. It is SO different from Charlotte, in SO many ways. I'm not saying it's all bad, just very different. I just feel like the people, from our neighbors to friends to coworkers, just all "get" Eric and I, like people here don't seem to. Of course, there are the exceptions, like my parents and old friends from college. I'm gonna give it all the benefit of the doubt, and assume we just need to give people more time to get to know us. One big positive; we are loving having the grandparents nearby. Eric's parents come next week, and we can't wait! Although I have no idea what they will do here for a week. I guess just play with Drake! My parents will probably take them to the beach for a night or two.

I can't wait to get my schedule for work. I'm going to plan a nice long romantic weekend at Grove Park Inn and spa. I see a massage and pedicure in my future!

How refreshing; and a little more on H1N1

It seems that there are a few people that take my blog for what it is; a chance to share what works for my family. It was really refreshing to read positive feedback for a change. Here is what one dear soul had to say:

"Niki-
I have to tell you thank you for your blog. I have been reading it for quite awile now. (I was WTTC around the time you got pregnant so I saw you in WTTC grads). I do not plan on doing everything you have done as a mother, I am just not the "crunchy" person, but I totally respect all of your choices and opinions. I do not understand how anything you said can be seen as anything more than your opinion. You have stated more than once that the things written are how YOU feel about life and never once have I felt as though you have been trying to push your ways on anyone else. However your blog alone it the reason I started doing my own research on a number of things, NCB, cloth diapering, delaying vax's and not starting solids till 6 months for example. I learned things that I had NO clue about thanks to you and I feel as though it will help me to be a better mother to my daughter just because I now can make truly educated choices. Please do not let people get you down and keep blogging just as you have been, people are truly learning from it and I hate that some women are so childish that they feel as though they have to belittle you for what you think.
Sorry this got so long but I wanted to let you know that you are doing a great job no matter what anyone else may say."

And another person who "gets me",
"Nikki, I already posted to this thread, but wanted to say that I love your blog. I check it all the time and I have never thought you have belittled anyone! You state what works for your family but you don't say that has to work for everyone. I think some people just like to feel attacked to make themselves feel better about their choices."

Another positive thing has happened lately. I've had not one but two people actually ask my opinion, or what I've found in research about the h1n1 vaccines. One momma pointed out that she didn't know there were variations of the vaccine. Well, most mommy's wouldn't. I guess they have a blind faith in their pediatrician to just make decisions for them, but this momma does not. We don't do any vaccines with thimerosal, or squalene, and is this is why.

The multi dose vials of vaccines often have "preservatives". The most well known is thimerosal. Here is what that is, in a nutshell, courtesy of the FDA's website.
"Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound (an organomercurial). Since the 1930s, it has been widely used as a preservative in a number of biological and drug products, including many vaccines, to help prevent potentially life threatening contamination with harmful microbes. Over the past several years, because of an increasing awareness of the theoretical potential for neurotoxicity of even low levels of organomercurials and because of the increased number of thimerosal containing vaccines that had been added to the infant immunization schedule, concerns about the use of thimerosal in vaccines and other products have been raised. Indeed, because of these concerns, the Food and Drug Administration has worked with, and continues to work with, vaccine manufacturers to reduce or eliminate thimerosal from vaccines."

Now, from what the package inserts are saying, these H1N1 vaccines don't have squalene. At least from what I can tell from reading their reviews. So, that isn't an issue.

So, if the FDA is working with manufacturers to eliminate thimerosal from vaccines, why is it in the new H1N1 multi dose vials? Two answers: speed and money. Drug companies can make the vaccine faster and cheaper by doing it in a multi dose vial.

I'm not a mom that believes in some autism and vaccine conspiracy. I just believe in researching (alot) to find out what is best for my child. Not your child, but my child. And I just happen to believe that asking for a single dose syringe of the H1N1 vaccine is best for him. Here's hoping his peds office has it!

For additional info, here is what Dr. Sears has to say:
http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/

Fun Weekend Planned

We are taking full advantage of another beautiful late summer/early fall weekend. I have my very first Bunco game tonight. And tomorrow is She Saturday, which is a local shopping event held once a year in Florence. After that, we may try to make it to a local family festival held at the local library. Photos to come, hopefully! We don't have much planned for Sunday, which is the way I like it since I start work on Monday. As much as I miss Drake when I work, I do really enjoy what I do. So I'm ready to jump back in the game.

Just a few thoughts on the weeks news. Beyonce is truly a classy woman. I'm thrilled the President called Kanye a jackass. That's awesome. I'm really happy the coach in Kentucky (was it Kentucky?) was found not guilty. I'm hope that family can get closure. I'm getting tired of hearing about H1N1. I don't think it's nearly as big of a deal as the media is hyping it up to be.

And as I'm sure you've guessed, Drake will probably not be getting the vaccine. He is SO fortunate to be watched by my Mom while Eric and I work, so he doesn't have the added risk of possible daycare exposure. Whether or not he gets it depends on which brands are available here. I will NOT give him one with mercury or squalene. He is due for his nine month appointment soon. I'll get my schedule when I start work next week, and will make his appt after that. I'm nervous about switching peds offices, because we were really happy with his care in Charlotte. I hope we'll find the same here. Hopefully the delayed and separated vaccinations won't be an issue. I'd hate to be the new bitchy mother to the practice, if anyone gives me crap.

Blog Changes

I changed my comments to where you have to be a member of my blog to comment. Now, I'm not really sure what you have to do to be a member of my blog. But I couldn't find an option to not allow commenting at all. I do enjoy thoughtful and intelligent comments, and hate to see comments go. But, I'd rather have it that way to keep away all the others that just piss me off. Absolutely asinine comments, with no basis, that are completely untrue. And certainly not ones that I'll ever publish. Suggestion: Quit attacking my family, just because yours is falling apart all around you.

Thought of the morning

In order to be unbelievably hateful and hurtful, I believe that someone must be very sad and miserable inside. I feel sorry for any unfortunate blog reader this applies to, and NO, I won't be publishing your untrue and asinine comments.

Thought of the day

Some people really are as "bad" as you think they are, and as nasty. While on the other hand, others aren't nearly as "good", and caring, as you think they are. True colors ALWAYS show.