My Healthcare Plan....

I'm going to be selfish for a minute and blog about me. The blog was created to document the funny stuff that comes out of Boo's mouth, but I need an outlet for me too. It should be fine since I am the "Boo-maker" (one of the many affectionate pet names my darling husband has for me).

Anyway, I am so pumped about my new Chiro. Dr. Jessica. Pam at work went to see her and brought in a folder full of information regarding Chiropractic care. They performed a number of tests to determine what type of adjustments she would need and had plan of care ready at her next appointment. I was still feeling some pain in my back and curious about what caused my injury. I felt like I could get some answers from Dr. Jessica and within a week or so I had my very own folder full of information about my spine. In a nutshell my spine is way out of line....I'm walking around all cock-eyed...it's no wonder I jammed my back. I do believe that I have been out of line for a while and the jammed back just drew my attention to it.

I like Dr. Jessica's approach; she wants to see people stay healthy. Instead of forking out Co-pays for sick visits and drug refills, why not pay for wellness? Lamar had a good idea...why don't we pay a monthly fee to our primary care physician as long as we are well and stop paying if we get sick? I know it isn't that simple, but maybe I am still healthy enough to try it.

It's funny to me that Dr. Jessica and I have spent more time talking about my stomach issue than my back. When I went to my first appointment I was having a tough time with my stomach. I was about halfway through my 2 weeks of treatment for H.Pylori and my stomach was a mess, probably from the megadoses of antibiotics. I was ready to quit and hope that all the bacteria were gone. She convinced me to tough it out and follow my MDs orders but to consider a plan of action once that treatment was over. Instead of popping purple pills from the rest of my life, which has negative side affects, she suggests apple cider vinegar. This should trick my body into thinking it has produced enough acid therefore preventing overproduction. It makes sense to me...it couldn't hurt to try it. If you could see our medicine cabinet you would understand why I am willing to give this natural approach a try...

Dr. Jessica has some strong opinions about processed food and is very big on drinking at least a gallon of water a day and an additional gallon for every can of soda consumed. Well, coke zero and diet coke have been staples in my refrigerator for years. I couldn't imagine doing without them...until Dr Jessica told me how bad they are. Of course I already knew that, but she makes me listen! I guess it is because she is a mother of 4 who is in great shape and seems to have en endless supply of energy. She is not afraid of the flu- no patient has ever gotten her sick. I truly believe that she practices what she preaches and it works, somehow. I want to try her program for a while and see what happens. I'm only a coule of weeks into it and I am already making progress. I can't quit everything at once- sugar white bread, cokes, caffeine....but I have started with the sodas and I am proud to say that I have had maybe 8 oz of coke in the past week. I am drinking plenty of water and publix green tea and feeling pretty good because of it.

If you had suggested a Chiropractor to me to resolve issues such as headache or stomach problems, I would have laughed. I've known people who have gone to Chiropractors and swear by them...now I think I get it. I will still need to see my internist for check-ups but I am hoping to get thing under control through diet, adjustments, and proper exercise. I have pledged to do the home exercises, get adjusted, and take small steps to improve my diet. If it works then great, if not I will reassess my plan of care.

It's much more than getting your back popped; it is a wellness plan. Now I need to decide what to give up next. I'm thinking sugar....wish me luck with that!

5 going on 15

We are 3 weeks into football season and we finally got together with the neighbors to eat chicken wings and let the kids run wild. They all played well together for the most part but at some point I made Ellie decide that she "don't want a momma like you". Now I remember...David came downstairs to update us on what the little kids were doing and all I remember hearing is "Ellie cut Milo's hair". Then fear came over me that maybe Milo wasn't the only one getting a haircut. Ellie, Alli, and Sarah Jessica all have long hair and no bangs. So I ran upstairs as if someone's hair was on fire to find that the scissors they were using were the little nail scissors that come in the infant manicure set. Whew! That was close. Once I knew that no damage had been done, I let them have it, especially Ellie. I wanted to make sure she knew that she better never cut her own hair or anybody else's...and to never let her friends talk her into it. She didn't like what I had to say so she gave me a dirty look and then said "I don't want a momma like you". So I responded "would you rather have a momma that let's you walk around looking like an idiot"? I didn't get my point across, because what she heard was me calling her an idiot (in hind sight I shouldn't have argued with a 5 year old)...anyway moving on....

Later in the day, the boys went home to rest and the girls continued to play. They played dress-up and then decided to karaoke. Well, they weren't sharing so Elizabeth told them that if they didn't share she would take the karaoke machine and nobody would get to play. Sassy Ellie responds "I guess you are going to put it in the stupid garbage can". Liz said "No, I'll let your daddy decide what to do with it" (Lamar was resting at the time). I chimed in "we're having a garage sale- we can sell it" to which Ellie responded "HOW ABOUT I SELL YOU TO HEAVEN". When I asked her how she would feel if I really did go to heaven, she replied "I wouldn't miss you"....

Elizabeth talked her down a little bit so she came to apologize. At this point I am still rattled so Ellie gave me a peace sign with her fingers, but her face told me that she couldn't stand me at that moment (Elizabeth couldn't really see her 2 fingers so for a split second she thought Ellie may have flipped me off!). I returned the peace sign and said "peace out"...she had to have the last word so she gave me a "rock on" sign with her pinky and index finger and said "EXIT". And then it was over....at least the drama. Now I am just trying to figure out how to get this kid to understand that she can't tell her momma that she wants to sell her to heaven. Then again, it's better than her telling me to go to hell! What in the world am I going to do in 10 years. I am so glad I have Lamar to even us both out because when she hits puberty I will likely be menopausal....

At the end of the day I chalk it up to a BIG day of excitement which left her too tired to control herself. I'm sure her Aunt Charlene and Aunt Rainey will be appalled when they read this. If it makes you feel better, when I told her that I would be discussing it with her Daddy she begged me not to tell. This is not because she was afraid of a whoopin', but because she was ashamed....she does have a conscience...and I love her for who she is, attitude and all.

It hurt to laugh, but I needed the medicine!

Where have I been? I absolutely love this blogging thing but I have been so busy I haven't had time to post! Lets see...I started to post about Teeka, the bunny that Ellie created at Lacey's birthday party. I really need to post a picture of the bunny that was almost named Jesus and turned out looking like a hoochie mama! It was our first experience at the Build a Bear workshop and I was not disappointed. I can't wait to go back and buy a new outfit for Teeka! The guy hosting the party was a trip! He was so full of energy and excitement in the beginning, but by the end, his eyes were as big as half-dollars and he was so over the kids.

I think the whole idea is precious; they stuffed and fluffed their animals and got to pick out the perfect outfit. All but one of the girls picked something pink or purple for their animals; there were pink tu-tus, pink short sets, and then there was Teeka's outfit which was black and white animal print. Ellie said that it was something Elizabeth would wear (Ellie loves Elizabeth's style)! It was hilarious. Accessories were not included, but we had to complete the outfit. So, Ellie picked out the perfect pair of gold glittery shoes...the ensemble is great! We will find out if I can post the pic later- it is a must-see!

Of course I also wanted to write more about my ailments. In addition to the strained back, I have the h. pylori bacteria taking over my digestive system. When I went in to the Dr's office to get my lab results, I told her about my back injury and how I had been to the chiropractor. She went into the plan of care for the h pylori. I have to take 4 pills in the morning and 4 at night for 2 weeks. Then I will continue to take prevacid for 6 more weeks. She informed me that I didn't need to take ibuprofen or aleve; it will further irritate my stomach. I explained that the few pain pills I had taken had nearly stopped my digestive tract (if you know what I mean) and I just didn't know what I was supposed to do. She then told me that my cholesterol was up a little and that the HDLs, which are super, are down and that's not the direction I need to be going. I explained that I am an RD and I know what I should eat, but that sometimes it is easier to grab something not-so-nutritious. She said that I needed to try and then just shook her head. At this point I am throwing my own little pity party, tears and all. I'm sure she thinks I am a total mess. In hind sight I was just tired of hearing and feeling what's wrong with me! I have belly-ached (literally) for 2 months, jammed my back the previous week and didn't think I would ever feel like myself again. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired! I like a break now and then, but not like this!

It has been almost 3 weeks since I jammed my back and I am finally able to zumba again. I am only 3 days into the antibiotics, however. I waited until after labor day since alcohol doesn't mix with megadoses of antibiotics. Besides, I couldn't let my health crash the party in Atlanta! And let me tell you, the Atlanta trip will have a dedicated post!