2012

Routine Neurology Visit {Epilepsy Awareness}

December 9, 2012 by Dana

Yesterday, we had an appointment for Laycie at Pediatric Neurology in MUSC – Charleston, SC. It was a routine checkup to see how she’s been doing and discuss her medication. Just another visit for us.

Of course, everything went well. I have concerns about her medication that we discussed with our neurologist. For some reason, Laycie has side-effects for every medication she takes. Depakote is no exception.

Her neurologist suggested I give Laycie a multivitamin with B6 to see if that helps to improve our side-effects. B6 is not a new vitamin but the helpful effects on patients with Epilepsy has just been noticed by many neurologists. It’s being used in the hopes to help balance out negative effects many seizure medications cause.

Medicine has come a long way in the time since I was born 33 years ago, growing up with Epilepsy and even in the past 9, almost 10 years that I’ve been raising children with Epilepsy. Every year more and more is becoming known about this disorder but there is still relatively little that anyone, doctors included, can understand.

What we as parents and patients of Epilepsy must remember is that the brain is such a complex unit. Add to that the complexity of Epilepsy itself and well you find a lot of confusion. The brain is like a complex computer with many different areas that control every single inch of our bodies, inside and out. This computer is only completely understood by God himself and no other being can read or understand it.

What we can do to help learn more is to detail everything we can about how Epilepsy affects each of us, how it affects our children and our families. We can share that information with other parents and patients, along with our neurologists. We can ask to join in on Epilepsy panels and volunteer for testing.

All of these things together work towards the medical teams learning more and more about how our brains work and how Epilepsy affects each of us. Nothing is too small and every one of us can help. Ask and find out how you can do your part today.

Harrowing Day: Accidents Can Happen To Anyone {Epilepsy Awareness}

November 21, 2012 by Dana

Some days just get you. Break you down from morning to night. Bring trials you cannot image when you begin them. Today was one of those for me.

Last night, Laycie decided she needed to sleep with Mommy. She does that sometimes. Sometimes it’s just because she needs the extra snuggle. Other times it’s because she just feels off, which is common for her seizure type. So, of course, I let her.

Last night, she wasn’t feeling well so she wanted to sleep with us, and sure enough she began running a fever in the night. She’s been battling a canker sore the past few days. We were hoping it would get better but it worsened, leading to her fever.

Having a child with Epilepsy, fevers tend to not be friendly things. They can lead to a convulsion. They wear a normal child out but even more so with an Epileptic child. Needless to say this morning we were not up to going to therapy and we spent much of the day on the couch.

Since she wasn’t feeling well and had a fever, I pushed liquids to keep her hydrated and Motrin to keep her fever down and help her rest. This afternoon I offered her a butterscotch, thinking it would help sooth her throat.

She enjoyed her candy for a few minutes, then suddenly the hard candy slipped into her throat. She began to gasp for air and clutch at her throat. She began crying and trying to cough. My baby was choking on her piece of candy.

I quickly grabbed her up and sent her sister to find my Mom who had gone next door to her house. Laycie was still gasping and struggling to breath. Her body was automatically trying to throw her candy back up to get it dislodged.

My Mom, who is CPR certified, helped Laycie while I grabbed my Tahoe key and purse and ran out my door, only to run back in and grab Jackson. By this point Laycie was ok and breathing again but crying still and telling me she still felt like the candy was stuck and I definitely wanted to have her checked at the ER. A normal 10 minute drive to town, only took 5 minutes or less today.

When we got to the ER they took her straight in and I was assured by the closest EMT that since she was breathing and somewhat talking to me, she was fine. Still I had the doctor look her over, check her since she had a fever all day and had the canker sore. He told us the sore was causing her fever and it would just have to run it’s course. And he assured me though her throat would probably be sore she was fine.

Laycie has assured me she does not want any more butterscotch after her experience today. She is doing much better now and is soundly sleeping in my bed again tonight, not because she wants to but because Momma needs her close after such a harrowing day.

Hug your babies. Keep them close. We are never promised tomorrow and we never know how close we are to going “home”. I am thankful to God that my baby girl is just fine and snuggling with her Momma tonight.

This Momma is shutting down for the night but I hope you all have a blessed Wednesday.

Weak and Loved for Epilepsy Guest Post {Epilepsy Awareness}

November 19, 2012 by Dana

*This is our most popular post at Luv’N Lambert Life and I’m so very thankful for everyone who has stopped over to visit us, as well as followed to read our story. We are blessed by each of you.*

Today is the release of my first guest blog post ever! Emily from Weak and Loved asked me to stop by and share our story of our life with Epilepsy for Epilepsy Awareness Month. I’m so excited. I hope you will stop over and check out our post to learn more about us and help spread the word for Epilepsy Awareness Month. You can read the post here on Weak and Loved!

~ Dana

I spread Awareness for Epilepsy for my daughters,
Emmalee and Laycie,
who both began Life with this disorder as infants.

Always praying for a cure!

Mid – November Update {Thoughts From Me}

November 15, 2012 by Dana

It’s November and Winter has arrived in South Carolina. The leaves are changing colors and falling from all the trees. It’s nice to see since it’s been a while since we’ve had a real Winter here.

Laycie tells me Fall is her favorite time of year. I guess she gets that from me, or Barney – not really sure there. Either way, we both love Fall. The change from hot summer air to cool, crisp breezes always makes me feel renewed. Fall for me is a season of peace. And it makes me happy to know she shares that seasonal love with me.

Unfortunately, the weather change also often brings about bad things. Like the flu, which has hit our house full force in just 24 hours. Winston is down for the count. Jackson and I have escaped from the sickies and ran to Grandma’s house to hole up for the next few days.

Tonight I’m thankful my Mom lives next door and can care for my babies while I protect and care for my tiniest baby. I’m also thankful for breastfeeding because hopefully the antibodies in my breast milk will help keep Jackson from getting sick too. Since I chose not to vaccinate him, I’m doing my best to keep him well.

I’m hoping to wake in the morning to find everyone if feeling much better and this was just a 24 hour bug. -Hey, a Mom can hope right?! – If not, Jackson and I will enjoy a longer vacation at Grandma’s. I must admit, it’s kind of nice having the little man all to myself for a little while, but I desperately miss his older brother and sisters so I’m hoping they get well soon!

While I’m out of my house, I am working on blog posts and homekeeping plans. With seasonal change comes my need for a fall cleaning, home organizational overhaul and boy am I in full force with overhauling my house. The kids are learning lots of new things and didn’t realize Momma could clean so much, so well or fast as I have been lately with them. They are unsure if they like Mommy’s new ways but they are quickly learning to enjoy the clean and clutter-free life. Let’s face it: Clean and organized is better.

So that’s the update for now. It’s almost one here and I really need to shut down and get some sleep before the littlest man to steal my heart wakes up wanting to eat. I hope everyone who reads this is doing well. Much love to each of you.

Goodnight.

Apologia: Journeys of Faithfulness {Crew Review}

November 7, 2012 by Dana

As most know, Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc is one of my absolute FAVORITE Christian curriculum companies. I have yet to own an item from Apologia that I did not love. Journeys of Faithfulness is included on that list of books and curriculum that I love.

Journeys of Faithfulness was written by Sarah Clarkson, author of Read for the Heart: Whole Books for Wholehearted Families. This wonderful book was created to be a bible study for young women to learn about the women of the Bible who have journeyed through faith before them. This study goes deeper to show strong the strong relationships with Christ, sharing the stories of the following women: Mary and Martha, Ruth, Esther and Mary, Mother of Jesus.

The stories in Journeys of Faithfulness are thought provoking, as well as interesting. Sarah Clarkson has a way with words that captivates the reader. She draws the reader into the stories, leaving them wanting to learn more about the woman in the story, as well as their relationship with God.

My daughter is nine and I chose not to use this book with her at this time, but instead I found myself reading through and enjoying the stories inside. Journeys of Faithfulness is a book I have longed to read for quite sometime but was unaware existed. It is a storybook, a devotional, a bible study – all in one.

The book is broken into four parts, one for each of the women it details throughout. The book itself is 232 pages long with room for writing answers to the study questions. Note pages are included throughout for extra writing space, and for writing out thoughts as you work through the book. Important thought and statements are highlighted throughout the book in bold.

After reading through this amazingly written book myself and working through the bible study, I have decided that I will begin using it as a devotional and bible study for my daughter very soon. We will work through it together and use it to bond. It will also (hopefully) bring her closer in her relationship with God. I look forward to sharing with her the stories of Mary and Martha, Ruth, the beautiful Esther, and Mary, Mother of Jesus.

You can purchase Sarah Clarkson’s Journeys of Faithfulness through Apologia’s online website or their print catalog. It’s available for $13.00 in paperback. Journeys of Faithfulness is just one of Apologia’s many amazing products. You can see more on their website at https://www.apologia.com.

For more reviews of this product, please visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew!

*Disclaimer – This book, Journeys of Faithfulness by Sarah Clarkson, was provided to me free from Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc and the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest opinion in a blog review. I am included this disclosure in accordance with FTC rules.

Changes at Home {Thoughts From Me}

November 5, 2012 by Dana

There are a lot of changes going on around our house lately for us all. Life is hectic, full and enjoyable. The Lord has been leading us into many different and new directions, all for the best.

Emmalee has started with a new physical therapist, twice a week. She is wearing her braces more often, with less complaint. She’s really trying to correct her toe-walking issues and working hard to do so. Mommy has toughened up on her, parent-wise, too. She appreciates the effort I’ve personally made to push her through this. We will overcome her toe-walking. I will never give up on my sweet girl.

Winston has hit puberty right on time. He’s growing taller, growing facial hair a bit and is moody. It’s odd coming out of him because usually he’s my cooperative and thoughtful boy but lately he’s been aloof, forgetful and emotional. All perfectly normal and natural I know. I couldn’t be prouder of my growing boy, honestly.

Laycie is four going on twenty lately. She’s the “queen” around here. She’s bossy and sweet at the same time. She wants to be independent while still being Mommy’s baby girl. Today she did her own makeup and painted little KK’s fingernails on her own. She even cleaned up after herself when she did it. She’s such a smart and sassy girl. And I love every second of life with her.

Jackson is settling in more and more by the day. He’s cooing and laughing. His smile has stolen my heart. I found pictures of Winston today and confirmed to myself that my two sweet boys look just alike. I cannot wait to watch them both grow into men.

As for me, I’ve hit the busy season. The holidays followed by the birthdays to go. A new year on the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I’ll be stepping up my blogging and working on writing (bear with me as I build upon these things). Writing reviews for other companies and products. Advocating for Epilepsy, homeschooling, revamping, reorganizing and deep cleaning my home and my life. Working towards becoming healthier through eating better and exercising (with my kids).

It’s sure to be a busy year ahead and an enjoyable learning experience for us all. I hope you stick with me through our life changes and look forward to sharing lots along the way. Until next time….