Wednesday, September 24

Breast feeding

Recently, Jamie Lynn Spears had some photos taken of her while breast feeding on a digital camera. Casey Aldridge then took them to WalMart to have them developed and apparently they were copied and then tried selling them.

I have to say, I was kind of pissed about this. Okay, so I know the family can probably afford a home printer, but that doesn't matter since employees aren't suppose to be copying other people's pictures anyway. They have a right to go to WalMart just as much as we do, regardless of their wealth.

Of course, this brings up the topic of public breast feeding. It seems some people are either for it or against it. Oh, wait, maybe it's okay, if you're covered up.

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to put a blanket over my babies head. He likes to look at me while eating and though I do try to cover up as much as possible, he gets awfully hot in there. And frankly, I care more about my baby then making you uncomfortable.

I love the new breast feeding covers they have, where it wraps around you and the baby and you can still see your baby. And your baby can still breathe. But really? I can't afford to spend 40 bucks to make someone else comfortable. If you want to buy it for me, by all means. I'd use it. Just like I'd use those slings if I could afford it. But food for me and the baby are more important right now.

It's funny how formula mommies (and not all) can say don't judge us, don't judge us. And yet, here they are judging moms who chose to breast feed because they don't want to see boobies in public. Really, it's not that hard to find boobies in public and I don't mean breast feeding mamas either. Go rally somewhere else and leave me and my baby alone.

Also, pumps are ungodly expensive, for a good one. And even if you get one of the best, that doesn't mean you can pump. Some women just can't. Some have let downs (that's when the milk comes in) and you just gotta release that pressure. Otherwise, we'd be discussing why breast feeding mamas have wet t-shirt contest and bitching about that.

This is a hot issue for me. I mean, I won't judge you for whatever your choice is. But when you judge me for mine, it really pisses me off.

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Please note that Crissy did come back an apologize for offending anyone, as she did not understand how hard it is to breast feed and bottle feed. I was so happy she came back and apologized because I know she didn't mean to, but she did offend me. I know it's hard to understand, but you really couldn't unless you walked a mile in that person's shoes

Tuesday, September 23

The Good Doctor

We met with the new neurologist last Tuesday. Our appointment was at 11 and we didn't leave until about 1-1:30.

First, he explained how he did things and why he would ask us the same question we answered on the sheet before he came in.

Then he went over the CT scans and MRIs. The damage was pretty severe but at least he was telling us in a not so matter-of-fact way.

Then, he evaluated LilB.

If I had done an exam on LilB and then looked at his CT scan, I would never have put the two together.

Meaning, he was impressed. He was impressed by how much LilB could do and demonstrate to him. He was impressed with my dedication to his therapy. He compared other children with similar circumstances to LilB, who's MRI looked much better but were physically (and mentally) worse off.

We then moved on to the EEG. He explained why the other doctor had suggested medication. He said the EEG was abnormal, but considering the damage and history, that was to be expected. He said the EEG was consistent with similar patients that would have seizures in the future. He advised that there was a very good chance LilB would have seizures in the future.

We talked about Phenobarbital. He told us that it was a great drug, that it's been around for a long time, but that he didn't use it. He said that when patients come to him on it, he tries to switch them. The reason for this is that it's side affects greatly interferes with development (hmm... didn't I talk about this?).

He talked about Kepra (the other med the old Doc had changed his mind to) and said it would probably make LilB very grumpy. Which would make him difficult to work with. And then we would be calling him up asking him what the heck we were treating LilB for if we didn't even think he was having seizures.

I agreed 100%.

He said that he wouldn't advise putting LilB on medication until he actually had a seizure. That the first 5 years are crucial to development and the affects of the medication weren't worth it, if he wasn't having seizures. Which, he doubts he is having them.

He did prescribe a medication for if he does have a seizure for 3 minutes that we could use to stabilize him.

We discussed seizures and it's affects. He told us that there wasn't scientific proof that seizures caused damage... until they last 30 minutes to an hour. Which is why they tell you to call an ambulance after 5 minutes; it gives them time to get there, stabilize the patient and get them to a hospital.

All in all, I loved this doctor. He took extra time with us, making sure we understood everything he said (you know how those doctors can use big words, heh) and made sure we had our questions answered, although there weren't many left since he had covered almost everything. I was impressed with his patience and thoroughness and the fact that he could explain why he wasn't going to treat LilB.

But mostly, I was happy that LilB proved yet another doctor, wrong. He is definitely a Burb.

Monday, September 22

News and Crap

My hormones have been really up and down this past week or so. With the economy going to crap, along with our financial security, all the normal stresses of life seem to be weighing heavily on me.

Oh, and I guess being pregnant doesn't help the hormones.

We knew we wanted more kids. I really didn't think that MrB had super-sperm and I'd be knocked up right after Aunt Flo visited for the first time in two years, but still, we're excited about the news. I have a few more feelings I need to sort out in regards to guilt and LilB, but I think I'll work through them.

I don't remember being this tired the first trimester with LilB. Or hormonal. Then again, I didn't really find out until I was almost 3 months along (I kept having cramps and thinking, "Oh, it's coming...").

We haven't told many people since my first pregnancy, I miscarried. We did tell my BF and MrB's parents, because I knew we'd need them if it happened again. And I had to post it here. Because I knew I'd need you all if it happened again.

Today, I go to the Health Department so they can tell me what I already know and so I can give proof to the insurance company so they'll insure me.

I'm sure the months to come will be complete with bitchiness, sleepiness/sleeplessness, and tons of food. I've come to terms with this and have forewarned MrB. But, I'm pretty sure he's already noticed.

Monday, September 15

Post.Secret 9.14.08

A lot of people post their favorites from Post.Secret (a site, for those of you who don't know, where people anonymously send in their secrets to be published) and I finally went over the check it out. It wasn't long before I spotted a few that I thought were great.



...and this one is from Friday but it brought me to tears (but lately, that hasn't been hard to do).

Thursday, September 11

7 Years Ago

I still remember that morning. I was in study hall, trying to get some extra sleep when the teacher turned on the television. The news was going crazy; a plane had his one of the Twin Towers in New York.

I watched in horror as smoke billowed out from the building. This was bad.

And that's when I watched the second plane hit. Goosebumps ran up and down my body as tears flowed from my eyes.

I closed my eyes and whispered a silent prayer, but I knew that many of those people would not make it, including the ones on the planes.

My neighbor's sister died in those attacks.

It's been 7 years and still, I remember exactly how I felt. It's amazing after so long, a lot of those feelings are more then just lingering; they're as fresh as ever on this day.
See related posts from:



Monday, September 8

Goodbye Old Friend

"Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on." -Stairway To Heaven

I never thought I would be writing this post.

M, 23 years old, got married in June 2005 and got his degree with honors in aircraft mechanics January 2008. His daughter was born in March 2008 and they had relocated (for his new career) in May 2008.

August 31, 2008, M was shot in front of his home. He was the youngest of 3 kids.

M was the kind of guy who you always wanted around. He was the first guy I partied with, the one who introduced me to great bands like Nirvana, Led Zepplin, and other great musicians. He always made sure I was alright. He had a passion for life that couldn't compare. He was romantic, funny, and an all around good guy. He had a way with people and always had time for them, never making anyone feel left out. He was the kind of guy no one could forget.

He had just gotten his life on tract for it to be taken away by someone who probably didn't have a light like him in their life.

He lived his life to the fullest, perhaps knowing his time with us would be short.

I'll always remember how he was there for me when I had relationship troubles, whether with boys, family, or friends. He always had a way of making (in his words) "It's all good."

And though I hadn't seen him in years, I'll always remember his infectious smile.

But most of all, I'll always remember the pain in his father's cry as they bid their final goodbye.
I love you and I miss you Matt. I wish I hadn't waited so long to see you. But I look forward to the days that we can chill again.

Friday, September 5

Your PhD A$$ is FIRED

We got a call back from the Neurologist on Tuesday (2 weeks ago) about his EEG. He didn't have any seizures during the procedure but it was "abnormal". He said that there was evidence that he's had seizures in the past.

Well, duh. I could have told him that. Oh wait, I did. (And it's in his history...)

I wait for him to continue (or get his stuff together) and he states that he wants to put him on Phenobarbital. I wait for him to elaborate as to why, but he just continues on about the medication.

I jump in once he seems to lose his thoughts, So, he's going to take this just in case?

Right, he's more prone to seizures.

I ask him about the effects; I know it makes him sleepy and he has had too much in his system at one point. He goes on about the levels that would be considered high, and that he wouldn't consider anything high until 45, but oh wait, it looks like LilB was at 55 and that isn't so bad.

Oh, and Phenobarb does make you sleepy and could interfere with development (making them too drowsy) but since LilB already has problems, it shouldn't matter.

WTF. Do no make me come down there and stick you PhD right up your ass.

Then he changes his mind; he wants him to be on Keppra.

By this time, mom-alert is on red This guy is actually changing his mind about medication while I'm on the phone? Great, he's at least listening to me... until he starts asking me the same damn questions we talked about at the appointment.

Then he says we should do an MRI. But, oh wait, he had a CT done in June that he didn't look over last night when he was looking at LilB's chart (insert blood curdling scream hear)

I told him MrB would call him back. There were plenty of questions I'm sure he would have. Maybe he could understand where this guy was coming from.

**************************************************************************

Wednesday, I call MrB at work to give him a list of questions I came up with for the good ol' doctor. I'm put on speakerphone, to hear that MrB is already talking to Dr.AH (a$$hole).

I'm just trying to understand where your coming from and why LilB is being put on medication?

Ok, so he needs this medication because he's prone to seizures. Why? (pause) Is it because his results are consistent with other patients that were prone to seizures and have had them?

At this point, I can tell MrB is frustrated. But when MrB asked Dr.AH if he looked over everything and that he was just trying to make sure this medication was right for our son, since he had seemed a little scattered on the phone, the good ol' doctor replied,

Well, I'm sure you remember ALL of your clients...

Um, yeah. Maybe he doesn't, but he doesn't admit that, and he preps before he calls them.

MrB Your attitude is unbelievable right now. How you are speaking to me is not okay. Can we see another doctor?

Dr.AH You can see anyone you want to.

MrB Can you give me a referral (remember, we had to have a referral to even get an appointment)

Dr.AH I'm not referring YOU to anyone!


MrB then hung up on him. To make a long story short (believe it or not) I called the nurse manager. She had the Neurology Clinic's Chief look at my chart and make a recommendation on which doctor we should see, and though we'd have to wait a month, she thought I would really like him. She then urged me to call Patient Advocate, which I did and told them they needed to follow up with me.

And to even things out a bit, I also gave them a compliment to pass on to our impersonable Opthamologist, who has performed eye surgery on LilB. Who may not have been personable, but was completely professional and someone we were confident to care for our son.

Lesson? Just because someone has a PhD, doesn't mean they have a right to treat you like crap. I would be devastated to know that I hadn't done anything and another mother had to go through what I did. I know if life hadn't thrown as much crap at me as it had, I would not have dealt with this as well. I felt even more justified in my decision when Kelly (LilB's vision therapist) told me that there were two other incidents with the same doctor that were her clients. One of them had been a pregnant mother of twins and he had put her in such hysterics that he had to leave the office and the nurses had to come calm her down.

I really hope he either gets his act together or gets fired.

Rally of the Animal Lovers

Who's Your Dachshund is always looking for guest posts for our Weiner-Free Weekends!

If you'd like to contribute, please email me (MissBurb.TheBurbz@gmail.com) or the WYD email (whosyourdachshund@gmail.com).

Or, if you know of a great blogger who loves their pets, please email me with their URL and I will contact them!

Tuesday, September 2

I'll Blog When I Want To (100th Post)

For my 100th post, I'd like to do what I told myself I was going to on Sunday but completely forgot. Since I don't leave my house for work, things like dates don't come easily to me.





BlogDay was created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to getting to know other bloggers from other countries and areas of interest. On that day Bloggers will recommend other blogs to their blog visitors. With the goal in mind, on this day every blogger will post a recommendation of 5 new blogs. This way, all blog readers will find themselves leaping around and discovering new, previously unknown blogs.



More Is Better Nicole is someone I'd want to be my BFF. I love her writing style. She's the only person I know that elected to be homeless AND had two full time jobs simultaneously. I find her to be brave, hard working, and despite what she says, spontaneous. I mean, you have to be spontaneous when your homeless!


ChildsPlayx2 A great blogging dad who brings a relief to parenthood with humor. And with twins, you have to have a sense of humor!

Jason, For The Love of God I discovered this hilarious blog through a blog-friend of mine. She's been through a lot of crap and still blogs on. She also has two wonderful twins, Boy and Girl child, that are just as hilarious. And of course, we can't forget about Jason.

No Guts, No Glory Crazy things always seem to happen to Kayleigh and half of them are alcohol-induced, which always makes for great stories. She is definitely someone I'd share a bottle of champagne with and probably go dancing (and maybe BlogHer will be in Chicago so I can?). I'm not sure where I discovered her, but I'm glad I did.

No Ordinary Roller Coaster Ben is a witty, sarcastic, Canadian blogger. The first time I read his stuff, I didn't realize he was using sarcasm so it was a bit scary (just kidding Ben). But I love his dedication to his wiener friends (ahem, his pups) and all things dog. He's an intelligent, honest guy who follows his dreams. Check him out, you won't regret it.


I have to admit, this was a bit hard. I have so many favorites and regulars I read. Actually, I think I may go ahead and follow Ben's lead, and try to make this a weekly (or perhaps bi-weekly) event to make sure you guys get your exposure. So if you have some blogs you recommend, please email me: MissBurb.TheBurbz@gmail.com.
..♥MissB.