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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Reflections from the ICU

I’m in ICU with my dad – for another day, too many that I don’t want to count right now. It’s not a place either of us ever wanted to spend much time, but here we are at the moment. We are waiting on tests and tests and more tests, and the bottom line is “we still don’t know”. I’ve been a little serious lately so thought I’d lighten up a little and share a few more light-hearted insights (okay, they’re not all light-hearted but I’m trying) from the past few days: Hospitals with free wi-fi rock. It’s a life saver when you spend the entire day in a hospital room. It’s also turned our ICU room into a makeshift office, with hubby and I on our computers getting some actual work done. Being productive is good and takes my mind off things so I don’t just sit and worry all day. Solitaire is very relaxing. I’m becoming addicted to the Solitaire game on my iPad. For whatever reason, the mindless activity is very soothing to me. It’s comforting and engaging and super addicting. Don’t go on Facebook when you are sitting in the room with a loved one who is in critical condition. Of course I still do – sometimes as an easy way to update family and friends and other times, just to pass the time and see what everyone else is up to on a beautiful summer day. The problem is that posts that I normally tolerate become completely annoying – like what my friend had for lunch or someone complaining about waiting in a long line at Starbucks. But then I remind myself that these people really have no idea what I am going through. They are just going through life as normal just as I was before all this started. I really have the best friends ever. Just today, I have had three separate offers to take my kids all day. And other offers to watch the dogs, go grocery shopping, bring dinner over or just texts to see how I’m doing. My friends and neighbors truly are incredible. Someday, I hope that I can return all the favors, and love and support and then some. Man, the ICU is a noisy place. There are always alarms and beeping and things going on. To give us a break from all that noise, I’m playing music. I have decided that Miles Davis somehow makes everything seem better. My Dad and I both love jazz and a little “Kind of Blue” (in my opinion, the best jazz album of all time) is very soothing - I know it is to me and although I can’t be sure, I hope to my Dad too. And most important, never ever take your health for granted. The cliché “at least you have your health” is something we say all the time but don’t think about much, but in the end, it’s really the only thing that matters. If you have it, you can handle almost anything that life throws your way. A very wise friend just said to me "Remember, it's all part of the journey, his and yours. Live through every minute no matter how hard, you will need the experience again." They were the perfect words at the perfect moment and so true. So for now, we sit and wait, unsure of the outcome, but comforted by a little jazz, some mindless games and the love and support of family and friends. I’m so thankful for those things.
Posted By OC Family On 08/24/2010 At 4:18 PM Comments (1) TrackBacks (0)
Disclosure: Bloggers are often provided with free products, services and "experiences" from companies for the purpose of testing and reviewing them in a blog post. Any product mentioned in the blog posts of ocfamily.com may have been offered at no cost to the blogger.

Monday, August 02, 2010

A summer of ups and downs

It’s been a pretty crazy summer so far. I feel like I’ve gone into hiding – been absent from blogging, twitter, and the social media (and the just plain social) world. When I look back on the past couple of months, it's kinda of unbelievable how the summer has unfolded so far. Summer began on a high with a relaxing, romantic trip to Sonoma - just me and hubby. We went to celebrate our 15-year wedding anniversary. We stayed at a beautiful B&B, rode bikes, went wine tasting, and generally just relaxed and enjoyed our first alone time in way too long. Toward the end of the trip, summer took its first down turn, when my sister called to let me know that our brother had passed away. It was totally unexpected. He was only 36. Aaron (my brother) is actually my step-brother, but you kind of lose the “step” thing after twenty five years of being siblings. Aaron had been a diabetic from the age of 12. Unfortunately, the disease had taken its toll on him over the years and he died in his sleep. After the initial shock we made plans to gather together to celebrate his life. There was one service at his current home in Colorado (where he was living with his mom) and a second in California at my house. It was a great celebration, reuniting family and long-lost friends. I think there was even a mini high school reunion in my backyard that day. It was a nice celebration of his life and gave comfort to the family. Rest in peace AC. Around this same time, my father-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. Fortunately, the cancer is now surgically removed, resolved, and he’s cancer free. We are happy to have some good health news this summer. After the emotional ups and downs of these two events, we were looking forward to our long-planned and much needed vacation. Hubby and the kids and I took off for two weeks to explore the East Coast and discover a bit about our nation’s history. We visited Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York City. It was a fantastic trip. Unfortunately, events at home took another downturn while we were on vacation. My dad began to become sick again. I’ve written before about the health problems my dad had earlier this year – a tumor in his brain. But just before he was going to have surgery back in March, the tumor completely disappeared along with all of his symptoms. Some kind of miracle we thought. We now know the cancer just temporarily went into hiding and is back with a vengeance. Now, we begin his road to recovery all over again. Only this time, it’s harder…much, much harder. Right now, because of the location of the tumor, my dad’s memory lasts all of about two minutes. Anything that has happened recently (like getting sick again), he can’t remember. So he wakes up every morning basically thinking “what the hell is wrong with me and how long has this been going on?” Each day, we patiently answer his questions, and try to reassure him that we are going to begin treatment soon. And then we do this again, and again and again. Oh, and then we do it again. We have developed coping mechanisms like a “daily reminder” page, a daily journal, and distraction. Because of his health condition combined with the memory loss, he needs care full-time and well, right now that care giver is me. As I’ve mentioned before, I already have two full-time jobs – mom and business owner. I’m sure you can see where this is heading. But before it leads to a complete physical and mental breakdown for me, I’m making some changes in my life. Exactly where this will all end up, I’m not totally sure. Right now, we are just taking it one day at a time. And on most days for me right now, that involves talking with neurologists, oncologists, endocrinologists (in a weird twist of fate, my dad has now developed diabetes too), physical therapists, and home health nurses. I’m also preparing carb-controlled meals, monitoring blood sugar levels, administering insulin, and reassuring my dad hundreds of time each day about his condition and the possibility of treatment. So, all of this is just to say, I’m still here but my blogging activity will probably be a little sporadic. Also, my topics may take some twists and turns as well – possibly covering things like care giving, cancer, diabetes, memory loss, or the amount of waste in hospitals – lots of material there. Right now, we are just moving forward - one day at a time, sometimes even one hour at a time, but we are moving on and going to imagine better days ahead …
Posted By OC Family On 08/02/2010 At 8:53 PM Comments (6) TrackBacks (0)
Disclosure: Bloggers are often provided with free products, services and "experiences" from companies for the purpose of testing and reviewing them in a blog post. Any product mentioned in the blog posts of ocfamily.com may have been offered at no cost to the blogger.

Friday, July 02, 2010

A more sustainable Fourth of July

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. I love the warm weather, neighborhood block parties, barbecues and fireworks. Here are some ideas for adding a bit of green to the red, white and blue this year: Recycle - If your neighborhood has a block party, volunteer to collect and recycle all the bottles and cans. Have trash and recycling bins clearly labeled and placed side by side for the best results. I’ve found over the years that if people have to walk to two different locations for trash and recycling, well, it doesn’t quite happen. Ditch disposable plastic - If you are hosting a smaller party or barbeque, consider reusable plates, utensils and table cloths instead of disposable plastic, which will be sitting around the landfill for at least the next one hundred Fourth of July celebrations. Or, if the party is too large for reusables, try compostable plates and cups made from corn and even utensils made from potatoes instead of plastic. Reuse decorations – save and reuse your Fourth of July decorations. Our neighborhood hosts a bike parade for the kids every year. It’s a big hit, here’s a pic of the starting line from last year: For four or five years, my kids have used the exact same decorations and found new creative ways to apply them to their bikes. Each year, we take them off and box them up until next year’s contest. Here is what the finished product looked like last year. The fifth use must have been the charm, because after many years of believing she was a shoe-in and losing, my daughter actually won the contest last year. Last, but not least, a not so fun, suggestion... Avoid fireworks –I love fireworks displays as much as the next person, but I’m going to be the party pooper and tell you that there is a down side to those beautiful firework displays. Fireworks contain a variety of chemicals, many of which are toxic to humans and animals. From the gunpowder (usually a mixture of charcoal, sulfur fuel and potassium nitrate) used to launch them to the metallic compounds that provide the color, fireworks contain radioactive, carcinogenic or endocrine-disrupting substances that seep into the soil and water. Now, isn’t that a bummer? The good news is that there are some alternatives on the horizon. In 2004, Disney began using compressed air instead of gunpowder to launch fireworks at Disneyland, reducing the issues of smoky particulates in the air and perchlorates in the water. Researchers are also developing alternative propellants that use nitrogen-rich materials in place of perchlorates, but those will not be available for a few years. If a fireworks show is part of your plan, enjoy them without guilt – they would be going on whether you were there or not. But please don't buy or set off your own fireworks – they are not safe, they pollute and they are illegal in most neighborhoods in California due to the fire danger involved. To get in the spirit, here’s my favorite picture from last year’s holiday (This isn't my dog, but he makes me happy and gets me in the mood for an awesome holiday weekend). Happy Fourth of July!
Posted By OC Family On 07/02/2010 At 12:04 PM Comments (0) TrackBacks (0)
Disclosure: Bloggers are often provided with free products, services and "experiences" from companies for the purpose of testing and reviewing them in a blog post. Any product mentioned in the blog posts of ocfamily.com may have been offered at no cost to the blogger.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Greener sunscreens that won’t leave you red

Just in time for summer, The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its 2010 Sunscreen Guide. Alarmingly, this study found that 92 percent of brand name sunscreens either don’t sufficiently protect skin from sun damage or contain hazardous chemicals, or both. Ultimately, the best defenses against harmful UV radiation are protective clothes, shade and timing. But I can’t see this going over well this summer: “No kids, we can’t go to the beach with your friends. We have to wait until after 5pm because that is when the sun’s rays are not as harmful. And you have to wear your long shorts, rash guard and a hat.” Um, yeah, that’s not going to work - so, sunscreen is a must for this fair-skinned family. The choice for us is to find safer, more effective sunscreens. That starts with choosing a mineral-based sunscreen, which is generally safer than a chemical one. The problem with chemical sunscreens is that, well, they use chemicals to protect our skin from the sun - chemical compounds like avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octyl methoxycinnamate. These chemicals absorb the light rays rather than deflecting them, with the majority of them only blocking one kind of the sun’s rays (either UVB or UVA). In order to block both types of rays, most chemical-based sunscreens have to use many different types of chemicals. Often the chemical particles are very small, called nanoparticles, which are small enough to penetrate the skin and enter the blood stream. Young children’s skin is especially sensitive to these chemical allergens. The other type of sunscreen is mineral-based sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which are minerals that deflect the sun’s rays. So, unlike chemical sunscreens that absorb the sun’s rays, these sunscreens form a physical barrier to protect your skin from absorption. Look for sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad spectrum protection. One thing to watch for with mineral sunscreens (just like chemical sunscreens) is micronized particles - look for mineral sunscreens with mineral particles larger than 100 nanometers. Another issue with mineral sunscreen is a symptom my son likes to call “ghost-face.” Basically, because the mineral creates a barrier on your skin, it doesn’t absorb the way chemicals sunscreen do. So, the lotion can create a white effect on the skin. If you are going for the golden brown look (well, you probably don’t care much about sunscreen anyway), this may not be the choice for you. As for me, I just blame my intensely white skin on the sunscreen rather than my complete lack of tan, so it works just fine for me. There are a number of safe, effective mineral sunscreens on the market. You just may have to look beyond the big brands to discover alternatives like UV Natural, Soleo Organics, Miessence, Badger and California Baby. These brands can be found in health food stores, online, and even in some traditional drug stores. More sunscreen tips: The majority of sun damage occurs before the age of 18, so it’s important to keep kids protected from too much sun exposure. Apply sunscreen frequently - more frequent applications protect even better than a high SPF rating. Try to coat on the sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure and then reapply every two hours at a minimum. Stick to SPF 15-50. SPF 15 blocks 93.3% of UV rays while SPF 30 blocks 96.6%. Any SPF higher than 50 is misleading. Apply generously – many dermatologists recommend using a full ounce on sunscreen (an amount that would fill a shot glass) if you are applying to your face and body. Most people use about half that amount. Broad-spectrum is crucial. Look for broad-spectrum products that filter the UVA rays that penetrate to the dermis, causing damage that may show up years later. There is no FDA requirement for sunscreen to block any UVA rays at all, so read the label and buy carefully. Include anti-oxidants - With sun exposure, free radical formation is inevitable, but damage to your skin can be minimized with the use a topical Vitamin C or anti-oxidant product at night, especially after a day in the sun. Also look for mineral sunscreens that are high in anti-oxidants like green tea. Avoid sunscreen with Vitamin A (added to 41% of all sunscreens). An FDA study indicates that a form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions Prevent sun damage now and later - The UVB (burning) rays are 1000x stronger than UVA rays, while UVA (aging) rays are 1000x times more prevalent than UVB rays. So when it comes to sunscreen your rule of thumb should be: to prevent burning wear a lot, to prevent aging, wear it all the time.
Posted By OC Family On 06/15/2010 At 10:57 AM Comments (1) TrackBacks (0)
Disclosure: Bloggers are often provided with free products, services and "experiences" from companies for the purpose of testing and reviewing them in a blog post. Any product mentioned in the blog posts of ocfamily.com may have been offered at no cost to the blogger.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Tips on how to donate hair

One day a few years ago, my daughter came home from school and said that she wanted to donate her hair. It was pretty long at the time, so after a few more months of growth, she cut it off and donated it. As soon as she cut it, she decided that she wanted to grow it out and donate it again. Now, it’s a couple of years later, and she just cut and donated it for a second time. On the way to her haircut appointment, I asked her if she was nervous. She looked at me like I was crazy. “Mom, it’s only hair,” she said. And she’s right. A little hair is not much to give to those who can use it. I also think of it as an ultimate form of reuse of something that would (if cut off in small increments) just be put in the trash. So, we cut off her hair and donated it for a second time – and since we have some experience now, I thought I’d share some tips. The requirements of each program vary slightly, but in general here are some things to keep in mind: Hair donated must be from 8-12 inches (length varies slightly for each program – check out the program you wish to donate to before cutting hair.) Wavy or curly hair is fine. You can just straighten the hair to measure. Hair should be freshly washed and completely dry, without any styling products. Hair cannot be bleached, permanently colored or chemically treated. (This is why kids are great candidates for donation) Hair may not be more than 5 percent gray (probably rules me out I’m sad to say) Hair must be in a ponytail or braid before it is cut. It should be sectioned off in 2-6 ponytails depending upon length and thickness. Make sure each ponytail or braid is tightly secured with rubber bands. Hair that is loosely wrapped tends to become loose when shipped, making it unusable. Go to a good stylist who knows how to cut hair for donation (and anyone cutting off that much hair deserves a great haircut). Place the ponytail or braid inside of a plastic bag, and then place the bag in a padded envelope and mail. Organizations that need donated hair: Locks of Love - the organization most people think about for hair donation, this non-profit provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children (under age 21) suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Most of the children who receive wigs through Locks of Love suffer from an autoimmune disorder called alopecia areata. Pantene Beautiful Lengths - Partnered with the American Cancer Society, they make real hair wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments. Wigs for Kids - a much smaller nonprofit than Locks of Love, this organization was founded by a hairdresser when his niece was diagnosed with Leukemia. Wig for Kids has been serving children suffering from all types of hair loss since 1980. My daughter chose Pantene Beautiful Lengths because she wanted her hair to go to someone diagnosed with cancer. Hair is a personal donation, so I wanted her to be able to choose where it should go. And, best of all, she loves her new summer cut too:
Posted By OC Family On 06/08/2010 At 10:09 PM Comments (0) TrackBacks (0)
Disclosure: Bloggers are often provided with free products, services and "experiences" from companies for the purpose of testing and reviewing them in a blog post. Any product mentioned in the blog posts of ocfamily.com may have been offered at no cost to the blogger.

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