August 21, 2008

I’m Still Missing, But In the Meantime…

I know.  I’ve been MIA.  Lots of things going on around here.  Still taking care of Dad.  Hopefully he’ll be released from the hospital soon.

In the meantime, I’ve got a review up at Dana Reviews.  Do your kids love yogurt?  Yoplait Kids sent us a coupon for a free package.  Dawson loves it.  Check out the review, a giveaway is involved!

I’ll be back soon with updates, as well as more giveaways (and the announcment of the winner of the Norton 360 giveaway, too)!

August 13, 2008

I’m Not Here… *Updated

I’ll be spending my day at the hospital.  My father was injured in a minor accident, but it’s scary just the same.  He was changing a tire on his truck when the jack slipped, causing the vehicle to fall on his face.  After being transferred from our local hospital to St. Joseph’s in Marshfield, doctors say he’ll need reconstructive surgery after the swelling goes down.  I’m hysterical.  I keep imagining things turning out worse and I can’t bear the thought of losing my father.

And I’m angry because the accident happened last night, and my mother wouldn’t let my sister call me until this morning, because she claims she didn’t want me to worry. Yeah, that really makes me feel better.

I’ll give updates as soon as I know more, but in the meantime, please head over to the Imperfect Parent.  I’m talking about work flexibility in scheduling.  Now that the kids will be off to school, many parents are looking for work hours that accomodate their child’s school schedules.  Have any ideas on this subject?  Please leave a comment.  I love to see all the great suggestions you all come up with.

And if you’ve been dying to read The White Trash Mom Handbook by Michelle Lamar, the White Trash Mom, head over to Dana Reviews to see what I have to say about it.  Believe me, it’s good.

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My sister and I have been at the hospital since a little before 11 a.m.  It was a 45-minute drive to Marshfield and we couldn’t find Dad’s “room” in the ICU because they moved him.  Once we got there, I broke down into tears upon seeing him.

Dad is in a neck brace to keep from moving and causing more fracturing and he is so uncomfortable.  For so many hours the doctors wouldn’t allow him to drink anything, and he is so thirsty.  He can’t breathe out of his nose because of the swelling and his mouth was drying out from breathing through it.

He doesn’t look so good.  Which I expected, but actually seeing the extent of his injuries and realizing how much pain he is in, I started to cry.    Then I frantically tried to regain my composure.  The last thing I needed was to scare Dawson. 

Doug thinks I’m traumatizing our son by allowing him to see his Papa in this condition.  I don’t know what to think.  I would have taken him to daycare this morning, but after I freaked out when I found out what happened, there was no way Dawson would go to Renee’s willingly.  Leaving me to worry about another thing in this difficult time.

Dad’s doctors say that he has a fractured eye socket, a broken nose, fractured cheek bone and his sinus cavity is caved in.  The neurologist says there’s no brain swelling, which is a blessing, and his eye is fine.  Once the swelling is relieved, he should be seeing normally again.

The scariest part of this is that he can’t have surgery until the swelling is reduced and this could take 7-10 days — and they’ll have to do a craniotomy.  Part of his skull will be cut and removed to correct his injuries from the inside out.  I nearly lost my mind when I heard that.  It sounds risky and for the first time I saw the fear in my dad’s eyes.  It breaks my heart.

The hardest part for me is not showing how freaked out I am.  My dad is my rock and I can’t bear to let him worry about me worrying.

Dad’s got a great neuro-surgeon and oral-maxillofacial surgeon.  Think McDreamy and McSteamy but not dreamy and steamy at all.  I don’t think I’ll ever be able to watch that damn show again after this. 

Now that they won’t be performing any surgery for awhile, they are finally feeding him soft foods like mashed potatoes, and he might be able to go home in a couple days to rest until the surgery.

My mind is racing, but I’m trying to hold myself together.  Lots of things to do on Dad’s behalf.  I’ll update that later.  We helped him fill out disability forms from his job, but we’re waiting for the doctor to complete his portion.

Thankfully, Marshfield Hospital has computer I can use to check e-mails and file his insurance claims online.

I’ll try to update later, but right now I’m fuzzy as I try to navigate all of this information.

Thank you all for keeping my father, my family and me in your thoughts and prayers.  It means the world to me.  I can’t express the gratitude I am feeling, but I love you all so much.

July 31, 2008

Important Message from The Dana Files

I interrupt your regularly scheduled BlogHer Recap reading to tell you this:

If you’ve got a moment on this beautiful Thursday (at least it is here, sunshine, lollipops & rainbows, practically) click over to Dana Reviews, and read what I have to say about Hanes Comfort Fit Promise underpants, boxers and socks.  You won’t be disappointed.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for a Hanes Blog Blast at the Parent Bloggers Network on August 22nd! You could win Hanes-wear for your kids!

AND — I’m going to be having several giveaways over there, starting tomorrow and through the weekend.  I’ve got an autographed copy of Sleep is for the Weak, Norton 360 software, some gift cards and more.  Stay tuned!

July 24, 2008

Discussing Pelvic Health With Poise

I have a confession to make. I have something to share with you, dear readers, but it’s kind of embarrassing to discuss. But here goes: I have this problem with my bladder. Either it doesn’t hold the same amount of liquid it used to, or maybe it has gotten smaller after childbirth. Whatever the reason, sometimes I have a problem with light bladder leakage.

It’s not as though I can’t hold my bladder, it’s just something that happens occasionally. Like when I’m busy all day long and forget that I have to pee. Or if I drink too much water and both of our bathrooms are occupied. Occasionally it happens if I can’t stop laughing or if I’ve sneezed or coughed too hard.

This condition is so common among women, it’s still considered a taboo subject even with close friends and family. Recent research found that 80% of women who suffer from light bladder leakage are hesitant to talk to their peers about this sensitive topic for fear of embarrassment. I’m one of those women. And I always blamed my “problem” on childbirth, an after affect of pregnancy.

The fabulous ladies of Mom Central have asked me to help women become aware of this very common and uncomfortable condition, and I learned that Kimberly-Clark’s Poise brand has joined hands with the Women’s Health Foundation (WHF) to increase awareness of pelvic health and wellness.

Recently, the Foundation held the “Below the Belt” benefit to raise awareness of the issues effecting women today and celebrate champions of the cause. At the event, Poise presented the first-ever Passion Award to Linda Michael of Portage, Indiana because her story of personal triumph over pelvic pain and bladder control issues - and her willingness to tell it - has inspired women and doctors alike to share their stories. Click here for Linda’s Story (you’ll need Window’s Media Player or equivalent to play the video.)

Linda personally struggled with and overcame her own pelvic pain and bladder control issues after giving birth to her son and now works toward breaking down the stigma surrounding these and similar problems affecting many women.

We’re hosting a blog tour in conjunction with Kimberly-Clark, to help jump start a conversation on Women’s Pelvic Heath. (To learn more about bladder control, click here.) What kinds of pelvic health concerns do you have? Have you ever suffered from light bladder leakage? How did you “control” the situation? Do you have any advice you’d like to share about your experience with this condition? Comments are open!

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Did you check-out Dana Reviews yet today? Head over there to read about the Box Tops for Education Program, and the really cool contest they launched with Kimberly-Clark!