For the past few days Faith and I have been in Chicago visiting the Children's Memorial Hospital for some testing due to her Thalassemia.
I cannot even begin to say what a blessing this trip has been. We were the receipients of an Angel Flight, have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House, and all around, this has been like a mini vacation. Say it with me now....Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I miss my kiddos and my hubby. Other than that, I would really rather be here. I LOVE CHICAGO!!
Now, if you know me, this is the part where I get very excited and start talking so fast that you only hear about every other word.
If you do not know me.....read the next part of my entry...REALLY REALLY FAST!
OkaysoChicagoissogreatIcanteventellyouhowmuchIloveit!!!!!!!EEEKS!
I have ridden in a smelly taxi, where the air conditioning made its way to the back seat by a long vacumee tube looking thing. I went past The Coach store,( Ya, uh huh, smile & wave, smile & wave!)Bloomingdale's, waved to Neiman Marcus....HEYYYYYYYY Marcity Marc!
I went to Giordanos pizza place for some FABULOUSO deep dish Chicago pizza. Even on a budget, I found a way to buy pizza for two! YEEHAW COWBOY!
I went to Garrett's popcorn GLEEMED from ear to ear. This is the popcorn place that Oprah put on her top 10 Christmas list a few years ago. I don't care about Oprah....But LOVE Christmas cause I'm just a kid at heart. I have always wanted to go there, just cause......just cause!
So, I went there, stood in line and got some caramel and Peekan covered popcorn! YUMM-O! Paula Dean,(AKA Stephanie Crawford) I thought of you girl! Oh, how I wished you would have been there with me. One employee's job was to wipe down the inside of the popcorn bins that were covered with butter, cheese sauce, and caramel with a washcloth.
I so wanted to knock him outta the way and say,,,,,"STEP BACK.....I got it.....and then I could proceed with climbing my fatt butt in the bins and just lick them clean.
I got to see the meter police, passing out tickets like I have seen on tv. I passed a trumpet player who was playing for money. We dropped some quarters into his bucket, which made my heart happy. Yes, he could have owned a BMW from his earnings, I don't care....don't burst my bubble....I was in a zone....in a zone!
Everyone in Chicago walks, runs, bikes, jogs,,,,,you name it, they move and jazzersize it! Wheh, Girl I was tired just watching em sweat! Made me wanna eat a brownie....ummmmm hmmmmm...fo sho!
Faith and I walked to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was so beautiful! We walked around for a few hours at our leisure which was so nice....and FREE...O YA! We saw giraffes,birds,a polar bear with an itchy butt, (yes, he was scratching)hippos,rhinos,lemurs,an anteater, HUGE Cockroaches GAG ME, ostriches....the list goes on and on and on.
There is a beach here and is so beautiful, but we did not make it there to visit upclose and personally.
I did find that many, okay.....more like...MANY women held hands, which struck me as odd. I saw this quite frequently. Now, in China 2 friends will do this. We saw this constantly there. Here, I am not sure if everyone is very GAY....FREE....or just real close with their friends.
RANDOM OBSERVATION ABOUT CHICAGO:
The dogs here are BIG...not just BIG, but like GIRRRRL, YOU GOT JUNK IN YO TRUNK KINDA BIG, Popeye delivered spinach for lunch, and dinner was prepared by BLACK ANGUS and Co & breakfast was WHEATIES..SUPER SIZE POOCHES!!
Welcome to Pets R Us....May I BIGGIE size my labradoodle today pleaseeeee? Oh my Goshhhhhhh!AAAWWWWOOOOGGGGGGAAAAA (AWOOGA!!)
I truly would move here. I told Bill just yesterday, sign me up, pack the house.....let's G-O! He was not a fan of the idea, but hey, I like to be flexible!
The people, the sights, the food, the people, the attractions, the food, the tall, ornate buidlings, the endless list of things I could do with my kids and never get bored, the food....did I mention that Chicago food rocks? No wonder everyone is ty-bo-ing it down the street. They just ate a whole Giordanno's stuffed crust pizza, followed by some of Molly's Cupcakes, followed by a 10 mile Chicago bike ride.
I must run now, but will post more later. I have eaten so much caramel,PeeKan popcorn that I'm about to heeavvee hoooo.
To Be Continued,
Bambi
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
MUST Simplify
Hello friends and strangers too who are wondering how the heck they stumbled upon our families blog!
Linny, over at a Place Called Simplicity has been talking about ways to simplify your life with kids, HUNTing for items, you name it, she is covering it. She sooooooooooooooooooooo has it together more than I. Go check out Linny's blog at aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com YOU WILL LOVE IT!
We recently decided to "Simplify" by adding TWO, count em, TWO, giant dry erase white boards to our kitchen.
One, specifically is mine. I told the 5 kiddos, if they even get close to MY board, they truly are risking their lives! LOL
On this board I have the days of the week for an entire month. Two days before the end of the month, we switch and start for the next month.
I have dr's appt cards magnetized on the dates so that, with a glance, I can see when the next doctor visit is for Faith or anyone of her siblings. Elijah goes to counseling and Chevy sees the orthodontist so the appointments are endless at our house!! Whehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I also have my meal plan on MY board. I do this a month in advance and OMG it helps me soooo soooo much!
So, let's say I am leaving for work, the kids are fighting, the youngest has spray painted some art in the middle of the living room floor, (I know Elijah, the devil made you do it! wink wink) and you remember, DANG, in 8 hours, were gonna have to eat..AGAIN. I glance at the date, see that hamburgers are on the menu and BAM.....grab some hamburger out of the freezer.
Then, I chuck, yes, I like that term, it across the room so that it lands in the sink to unthaw while were gone. When I come home at the end of the day, I make hamburger patties and were off.....on our next adventure.
Let me tell you that at times, I am at work and dont get a chance to eat....not because I want to..HEAVENS NO! I never have understood skinny people that say they FORGET to eat. Ya, uh huh, size 2 lady, that never happens to me!
But, anyways, by the time I get home at night, the natives are VVVVVVERY restless and want to eat, especially Faith with her diet and health issues.
They are cranky, I am cranky, the homework papers are flying......this helps our family so much. We truly have cut down on some chaos.
I have another tip to SIMPLIFY things for a family of any size, not just a family of 8 like us. Stick around, sign in, become a friend and follow our blog, you will see whats up my sleeve.
MMMMuuuuuuhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (evil, ornery laugh)
By the way, here's my disclaimer, we are not always pretty, perky, shiny, and smell good, but, We always are Honest, True, and love each other. I DID NOT SAY LIKE!! DO NOT QUOTE THAT!! I SAID LOVE!!! :)
See ya soon,
Bambi
crazy momma of 6
Linny, over at a Place Called Simplicity has been talking about ways to simplify your life with kids, HUNTing for items, you name it, she is covering it. She sooooooooooooooooooooo has it together more than I. Go check out Linny's blog at aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com YOU WILL LOVE IT!
We recently decided to "Simplify" by adding TWO, count em, TWO, giant dry erase white boards to our kitchen.
One, specifically is mine. I told the 5 kiddos, if they even get close to MY board, they truly are risking their lives! LOL
On this board I have the days of the week for an entire month. Two days before the end of the month, we switch and start for the next month.
I have dr's appt cards magnetized on the dates so that, with a glance, I can see when the next doctor visit is for Faith or anyone of her siblings. Elijah goes to counseling and Chevy sees the orthodontist so the appointments are endless at our house!! Whehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I also have my meal plan on MY board. I do this a month in advance and OMG it helps me soooo soooo much!
So, let's say I am leaving for work, the kids are fighting, the youngest has spray painted some art in the middle of the living room floor, (I know Elijah, the devil made you do it! wink wink) and you remember, DANG, in 8 hours, were gonna have to eat..AGAIN. I glance at the date, see that hamburgers are on the menu and BAM.....grab some hamburger out of the freezer.
Then, I chuck, yes, I like that term, it across the room so that it lands in the sink to unthaw while were gone. When I come home at the end of the day, I make hamburger patties and were off.....on our next adventure.
Let me tell you that at times, I am at work and dont get a chance to eat....not because I want to..HEAVENS NO! I never have understood skinny people that say they FORGET to eat. Ya, uh huh, size 2 lady, that never happens to me!
But, anyways, by the time I get home at night, the natives are VVVVVVERY restless and want to eat, especially Faith with her diet and health issues.
They are cranky, I am cranky, the homework papers are flying......this helps our family so much. We truly have cut down on some chaos.
I have another tip to SIMPLIFY things for a family of any size, not just a family of 8 like us. Stick around, sign in, become a friend and follow our blog, you will see whats up my sleeve.
MMMMuuuuuuhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (evil, ornery laugh)
By the way, here's my disclaimer, we are not always pretty, perky, shiny, and smell good, but, We always are Honest, True, and love each other. I DID NOT SAY LIKE!! DO NOT QUOTE THAT!! I SAID LOVE!!! :)
See ya soon,
Bambi
crazy momma of 6
Friday, May 28, 2010
New Life
It's 12:25 a.m. on a Friday and I find myself unable to sleep.
Today has been very eventful with constant motion and I need a minute to catch my breath and get some down time.
We had 3 appointments at the Children's Hospital today for Faith: hearing aid check up, blood transfusion, and echo of the heart. It was a full day.
Then, we were off to purchase some pocketbook friendly paint for Amber's and the two Asian princesse's rooms.
When all is done, it will look cute, and I will nap.....It is good to dream right?
Currently, I have 2 teenagers that are painted as blue as a smurf. Yes, they got a lil out of hand with the painting project.
We are trying to decorate Amber a room so she has a space to call her own, she deserves to have that.
She chose to paint her room (aka the added on small sun room) sky blue. She will have chocolate brown and sky blue for the colors. We bought adhesive wall polka dots tonight in those colors..>>SOOOOOPA CUTE!
I have to say with 4 bedrooms in our house, 6 children, (nearly half being teenagers EEKS!)and all being males and females mixed, we have had to be creative with the living/sleeping arrangements.
Amber (17) sleeps with Faith (8) in her room. Jacob (15) sleeps upstairs. Chevy (13) sleeps on the couch even though he has a bed....hmmmmmm.Ya, I still haven't figured that one out yet/
Elijah (11) sleeps on a full bed in the living room. That's the only thing he wanted that belonged to my mother when she passed away. Seriously, I was thinking he would choose a coffee mug, a small photo, a blanket that smelled like her house....NOT A STINKIN BIG OLE FULL SIZE BED!! UGH, Bless his sweet little ole heart! :O So, I grit my teeth, hug him for being the sweet boy that he is,(at times) and move on with a full size bed in my living room.
Gracie,(5) the diva, who also informed me last night that she did NOT love my nose, because she was mad at me, sleeps with us in our room. Oh how how we have fought to remove her, but she has gotten sneaky and is quiet as a mouse in the middle of the night when she usually decides to join us.
Sex life???? What the heck is that?
Remember 1/2 our kids are adopted, so they didn't come by the good ole fashion way at our house. Can I get an AMEN on the non existent sex lives PLEASE????
I have to say that summer is here and that is nice. I love summer, hate winter!!!! BURRRRR!!
I do however, feel so inadequate lately. I cart my children around, from place to place. Sometimes my life seems lived to be mostly lived in a car. Lol! I feel like I cant catch my breath and I hate that feeling.
Just thinking about the summer does make me anxious. I wish I could control this unruly feeling.
Summer plans 2010:
Faith blood transfusions every 2 1/2 to 3 weeks
Faith endocrin appts for her reactive hypoglycemia
Take Amber to Columbia for the orthopedic dr consult for surgery on her rt knee.
Get through surgery and recovery with Amber. She is tough and will do great!
She has had a torn ACL for 4 years....NICE HUH!?
Fly to Chicago in June for 3 days with Faith to visit the Comprehensive Care Clinic for Thalassemia patients
Babysit 3 lil boys, 2 days a week
Elijah, counseling
Gracie, see dermatologist
Chevy, see the orthodontist a few times
Hopefully...crossing my fingers, get Faith approved for Medicaid for Disabled children so that they will pick up the remaining portion of her medical bills, co-pays, and prescriptions.
Have a few menstrual cycles, cause that always brightens my day, week, month! :)
Today, we had dr's appointments at 9:30, 10:30, and 2:00 for Faith. We headed home around 3:30, stopped and got paint. While getting paint I had two separate people call. One said, I need you here at 5:00, one said I need you here at 5:30. Let's just say being 4:53 pm and being 35 minutes away from my destination, it was highly unlikely that I would arrive at either place on time. Oh well, life goes on.
If you have read my journal before, you will already know that I was late to my own mother's funeral, and the world never stopped.
I know I am being a whiner today................please no snotty comments, but man I am whipped.
Have you ever seen the newest movie, "Cheaper By The Dozen?" Ya, that's our life, lol.
We truly should make money being a reality tv show. I bet people would laugh at the things that happen around here, like Elijah shaving off his eyebrows, and the many other things that seem to occur on a daily basis. lol
I would ask a special prayer for my girl Amber tonight and for my bestie, Kim. Amber is struggling with some very personal battles that only God can help her get through. She deserves to be loved unconditional, for ever and ever, and I am not sure she feels that she is deserving of this. Please pray that God will cuddle her and reassure her of all the misconceptions she has of herself. She is a beautiful, brown princess and we cherish the fact that she is now one of us.
Also, please pray that God will provide the simple things that she needs to feel like she fits in here. We cannot provide her with a coooosh room and a big fancy bed. We can provide her though with a warm bed, 5 crazy brothers and sisters, and oodles of endless love, no strings attached.
She is 17 and needs her own space. We are trying to decorate her space so that she feels happy and safe. We are also on a strict budget that has lil room for stretching. Please pray that God provides everything we need to care for her and everything she needs to feel like she is a Rockhold.
Also, my friend Kim is being induced Tuesday morning, bright and early if she does not go in to labor earlier with their newest blessing, baby Bennett.
Without giving details, I know that God "planted" Bennett at the time when Brad and Kim were in need of healing and the promise of "new life."
Please pray that the labor and delivery goes smoothly and will be low on the pain totem pole.
I was invited to be there, with her during labor. To me, this is one of the highest honors one could ever be asked to witness and take part in. I love her like I have known her forever, even though it's just been a few short years since we met.
When I get sad, I wanna run to her house. When I'm mad, I wanna call her and vent. When I am craving salty junk food, I get in my car, Doritos in tow, so we can share. She is closer than blood to me and I her more than words, if ya couldn't tell.
I feel like through the hustle and bustle of my everyday tasks, God has asked me to STOP, and see that only He can bring a "NEW LIFE" for Amber, Kim and Brad, myself, and many others.
I am thankful for that whisper in my ear today.
As you end your day with blue kid's toothpaste on your shirt, (Hey, we match!)smeared mascara, and aching feet, may you feel the promise of "NEW LIFE!"
Lovin you oodles,
Bambi
Today has been very eventful with constant motion and I need a minute to catch my breath and get some down time.
We had 3 appointments at the Children's Hospital today for Faith: hearing aid check up, blood transfusion, and echo of the heart. It was a full day.
Then, we were off to purchase some pocketbook friendly paint for Amber's and the two Asian princesse's rooms.
When all is done, it will look cute, and I will nap.....It is good to dream right?
Currently, I have 2 teenagers that are painted as blue as a smurf. Yes, they got a lil out of hand with the painting project.
We are trying to decorate Amber a room so she has a space to call her own, she deserves to have that.
She chose to paint her room (aka the added on small sun room) sky blue. She will have chocolate brown and sky blue for the colors. We bought adhesive wall polka dots tonight in those colors..>>SOOOOOPA CUTE!
I have to say with 4 bedrooms in our house, 6 children, (nearly half being teenagers EEKS!)and all being males and females mixed, we have had to be creative with the living/sleeping arrangements.
Amber (17) sleeps with Faith (8) in her room. Jacob (15) sleeps upstairs. Chevy (13) sleeps on the couch even though he has a bed....hmmmmmm.Ya, I still haven't figured that one out yet/
Elijah (11) sleeps on a full bed in the living room. That's the only thing he wanted that belonged to my mother when she passed away. Seriously, I was thinking he would choose a coffee mug, a small photo, a blanket that smelled like her house....NOT A STINKIN BIG OLE FULL SIZE BED!! UGH, Bless his sweet little ole heart! :O So, I grit my teeth, hug him for being the sweet boy that he is,(at times) and move on with a full size bed in my living room.
Gracie,(5) the diva, who also informed me last night that she did NOT love my nose, because she was mad at me, sleeps with us in our room. Oh how how we have fought to remove her, but she has gotten sneaky and is quiet as a mouse in the middle of the night when she usually decides to join us.
Sex life???? What the heck is that?
Remember 1/2 our kids are adopted, so they didn't come by the good ole fashion way at our house. Can I get an AMEN on the non existent sex lives PLEASE????
I have to say that summer is here and that is nice. I love summer, hate winter!!!! BURRRRR!!
I do however, feel so inadequate lately. I cart my children around, from place to place. Sometimes my life seems lived to be mostly lived in a car. Lol! I feel like I cant catch my breath and I hate that feeling.
Just thinking about the summer does make me anxious. I wish I could control this unruly feeling.
Summer plans 2010:
Faith blood transfusions every 2 1/2 to 3 weeks
Faith endocrin appts for her reactive hypoglycemia
Take Amber to Columbia for the orthopedic dr consult for surgery on her rt knee.
Get through surgery and recovery with Amber. She is tough and will do great!
She has had a torn ACL for 4 years....NICE HUH!?
Fly to Chicago in June for 3 days with Faith to visit the Comprehensive Care Clinic for Thalassemia patients
Babysit 3 lil boys, 2 days a week
Elijah, counseling
Gracie, see dermatologist
Chevy, see the orthodontist a few times
Hopefully...crossing my fingers, get Faith approved for Medicaid for Disabled children so that they will pick up the remaining portion of her medical bills, co-pays, and prescriptions.
Have a few menstrual cycles, cause that always brightens my day, week, month! :)
Today, we had dr's appointments at 9:30, 10:30, and 2:00 for Faith. We headed home around 3:30, stopped and got paint. While getting paint I had two separate people call. One said, I need you here at 5:00, one said I need you here at 5:30. Let's just say being 4:53 pm and being 35 minutes away from my destination, it was highly unlikely that I would arrive at either place on time. Oh well, life goes on.
If you have read my journal before, you will already know that I was late to my own mother's funeral, and the world never stopped.
I know I am being a whiner today................please no snotty comments, but man I am whipped.
Have you ever seen the newest movie, "Cheaper By The Dozen?" Ya, that's our life, lol.
We truly should make money being a reality tv show. I bet people would laugh at the things that happen around here, like Elijah shaving off his eyebrows, and the many other things that seem to occur on a daily basis. lol
I would ask a special prayer for my girl Amber tonight and for my bestie, Kim. Amber is struggling with some very personal battles that only God can help her get through. She deserves to be loved unconditional, for ever and ever, and I am not sure she feels that she is deserving of this. Please pray that God will cuddle her and reassure her of all the misconceptions she has of herself. She is a beautiful, brown princess and we cherish the fact that she is now one of us.
Also, please pray that God will provide the simple things that she needs to feel like she fits in here. We cannot provide her with a coooosh room and a big fancy bed. We can provide her though with a warm bed, 5 crazy brothers and sisters, and oodles of endless love, no strings attached.
She is 17 and needs her own space. We are trying to decorate her space so that she feels happy and safe. We are also on a strict budget that has lil room for stretching. Please pray that God provides everything we need to care for her and everything she needs to feel like she is a Rockhold.
Also, my friend Kim is being induced Tuesday morning, bright and early if she does not go in to labor earlier with their newest blessing, baby Bennett.
Without giving details, I know that God "planted" Bennett at the time when Brad and Kim were in need of healing and the promise of "new life."
Please pray that the labor and delivery goes smoothly and will be low on the pain totem pole.
I was invited to be there, with her during labor. To me, this is one of the highest honors one could ever be asked to witness and take part in. I love her like I have known her forever, even though it's just been a few short years since we met.
When I get sad, I wanna run to her house. When I'm mad, I wanna call her and vent. When I am craving salty junk food, I get in my car, Doritos in tow, so we can share. She is closer than blood to me and I her more than words, if ya couldn't tell.
I feel like through the hustle and bustle of my everyday tasks, God has asked me to STOP, and see that only He can bring a "NEW LIFE" for Amber, Kim and Brad, myself, and many others.
I am thankful for that whisper in my ear today.
As you end your day with blue kid's toothpaste on your shirt, (Hey, we match!)smeared mascara, and aching feet, may you feel the promise of "NEW LIFE!"
Lovin you oodles,
Bambi
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The list is endless today of things that have arisen, things that I am frustrated about and troubles that only God can take away from me.
Today, I ask for prayer for myself, Bill, Jacob, Chevy, Elijah, Faith, Gracie, and Amber.
"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."
Right on!! I am sooooooooooooooo not qualified for this job!
Today, I ask for prayer for myself, Bill, Jacob, Chevy, Elijah, Faith, Gracie, and Amber.
"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."
Right on!! I am sooooooooooooooo not qualified for this job!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Mother's Day...wheh, glad that's over!!!
For Mother's Day I was treated at a nice and relaxing day at the spa in Hawaii. The island was beautiful as well as the person who brought me my cool, fruity drink.
I know, you are not convinced....lol. Oh well, maybe next year I will be the recipient of that kind of 5 star treatment. :)
This year, I woke up on Mother's Day as a Momma of six kids, instead of five.
What, you may be asking?? China? Vietnam? Uganda? Suprise pregnancy? Fast adoption? Nope, on all accounts.
I have another daughter, in fact I cannot remember a day that she hasn't called me "Mom" since the day I met her.
Our newest edition is a 17 year old girl, Amber. She is a junior in high school and is oh so sweet.
Recently, due to some unique circumstances, Amber found herself without a home and in desperate need of one.
Well, we are nowhere close to organized or non-chaotic at the Rockhold farm, but we always have room for one more. So, for now, our house is where she calls home.
So, six children, all different shades and colors of beautiful, look to me for guidance......ScArY thought HUH!
I told Bill that I was amazed at the fact that orphans are found all over the world, not just in foreign countries, but in the USA too, sometimes, as little as 8 miles away.
I know, you are not convinced....lol. Oh well, maybe next year I will be the recipient of that kind of 5 star treatment. :)
This year, I woke up on Mother's Day as a Momma of six kids, instead of five.
What, you may be asking?? China? Vietnam? Uganda? Suprise pregnancy? Fast adoption? Nope, on all accounts.
I have another daughter, in fact I cannot remember a day that she hasn't called me "Mom" since the day I met her.
Our newest edition is a 17 year old girl, Amber. She is a junior in high school and is oh so sweet.
Recently, due to some unique circumstances, Amber found herself without a home and in desperate need of one.
Well, we are nowhere close to organized or non-chaotic at the Rockhold farm, but we always have room for one more. So, for now, our house is where she calls home.
So, six children, all different shades and colors of beautiful, look to me for guidance......ScArY thought HUH!
I told Bill that I was amazed at the fact that orphans are found all over the world, not just in foreign countries, but in the USA too, sometimes, as little as 8 miles away.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Please God, give me the strength to..............................
I have not updated my blog in almost a month. Life has been busier lately than it ever has been in my opinion. But, who knows, maybe I am just too tired to remember the other "BUSIEST" times.
We seem to spend many days at Children's Mercy Hospital. I have to say that I truly am getting sick of that place and Miss Faith asks, every time we get in the car....again Mommy? Yes, again baby. :(
Here's kind of what the past few weeks have looked like for Lil Miss Faith:
2 trips to 2 different emergency rooms
a ct scan of the pelvic and abdominal area
received a set of hearing aids (YAY!)
11 different appointments at the Children's Hospital between the ENT, hearing and speech, hemoc, and pre-surgery testing clinics
Removal of tonsils and adenoids along with removal of an ear tube and patching of the hole in her ear
an overnight stay in the hospital after surgery
many sleepless nights due to the pain from her surgery.
Really, in general we have had enough! I don't mean to whine, but I thought life would be easier for Faith. I so desperately wanted life to be easier for her once we adopted her. I want to stomp my feet and scream, IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In my opinion, once you have lived 5 years of your life in a poor country without proper food and medical care, you should get a FREE PASS to an EASY LIFE! I know this is not how it is, but "I wish I may, I wish I might" take all her troubles away.
I wish I could say that all the doctors we have run across in the past few weeks have been kind, compassionate, and have listened intently while I have addressed my concerns of Faith's health issues.
NOPE.....NOT THE CASE! These are just a few samples of the words I have been told by trained medical professionals during the last few, long weeks:
During the blood sugar of 337 and abdominal pain at the E.R. we heard :Your daughter is fine. We wont draw labs or take urine, just have her go home and rest.
I have been a doctor for 27 years, 27 years, 27 years (YES, he said this three times!)
After Faith's surgery I expressed a concern to her hematologist regarding her hgb that has been dropping rapidly over the past month even with the transfusion 6 days prior to surgery.
Her hem/dr tells me that we will sit done and "discuss" things on Monday, which was 5 days from the time we talked. Good thing she doesn't need blood to breathe, think, live and maintain function to her vital organs between now and then huh??
Now, this is the chart topper! Last night, after Faith was acting lethargic, looking yellow, (which usually indicates she needs a blood transfusion)and I could not seem to keep her pain from surgery at a bearable level for her, we called the Nurse line at the Children's hospital and then headed to the E.R.
The e.r. doctor(Her name was Dr. Shizzle, so if you happen by CMH and get her appointed to your child just yell out....NEXTTTTTTT!)was not kind. I explained what symptoms Faith was having and that also I was concerned about the amount of pain she has been in. We have not been able to control her pain level and are up about every 2 hours in the night, which has been difficult to say the least.
She said, and I quote, " Her pain seems bearable to me, because kids that do not have good pain control will stop breathing, she is obviously breathing, so her pain is controlled.
Yes, I was appalled too! I shot her a look and she said WHAT? I teared up and said, "nothing," it really did seem pointless to even open my mouth. They don't seem to be listening lately anyways, so what's the point in speaking? she said, "Well, it must be something that you don't agree with that I've said." GEE YOU THINK< CAPTAIN OBVIOUS??? Tomorrow we will be meeting with her hematologist. This is the hematologist that stormed in last week when Faith was admitted after surgery. He had his Nurse Practitioner and Social Worker in tow, to basically tell me that I have been emailing and calling him too much, so he would like to meet with us to "DISCUSS THINGS." OH DEAR! These are just a few of the replies I spit out when talking to some of the medical professionals over the past few weeks: I don't care how many years of medical training you have had, I know my daughter. And my Mommy Knowledge trumps your years of medical school when it comes to my child! You think I am a CRACK HEAD (Yep, that's one of my classy rebuttals!) and think that I have nothing better to do than to make up illnesses or symptoms for my child, when, in all actuality I would rather be home baking cookies for all 5 of my children than living in a hospital with my daughter. We do not deserve to be treated this way! Faith deserves better! I am NOT here to make friends, I am here to ensure my child get's the proper care! My saying now is, you can mess with the Momma Bear, but if you mess with the baby bears, you will get the CLAWS!! Please pray for these things for our family if you somehow happen upon this page: Prayer for Faith as she struggles to just feel like a normal little girl. Prayer for Bill and I as we talk to Faith's hematologist tomorrow. Please God, give us the right words to advocate for our child, not the spiteful or hateful words in my head, but the words that will get us answers and will help Faith's health and well-being in the long run. Prayer for financial assistance from organizations or state funded programs to help with the co-pays for Faith's medications. Prayer for gas in our cars for the many trips we make to the Children's hospital. Prayer to keep food in the cupboards as we struggle to stay afloat. Prayer for airline money to fall from the sky for Faith and I to take Faith to the Beta Thalassemia Major Specialist at the Cooley's Anemia Foundation on June 29th in Chicago. This is a huge portion of my stress. Please just help us get there Lord where we will be able to find out many answers to Faith's issues and see inside her body to see if the iron overload has caused damage to her organs, especially her heart and her liver. Prayer for me, yes, I'm asking selfishly. I am struggling to get through daily life as I am sleep deprived, full of anguish and fears for my daughter, and worried about the daily financial needs as we care for Faith in that best way that we know is possible. Faith has had many difficult days lately. My heart yearns to buy her a play-doh ice-cream making set, a new barbie, or a SUPER SIZE FULL OF LIFE PONY every time they poke her for blood or we have to do another form of treatment. Finances will not allow these things which adds to my heartache. No, my child does NOT have cancer, but she does have a chronic, life-long blood disease as well as other significant health issues and she is drained these days. I am going to try something and I need your assistance please. Although it is hard for me to be receiver, I am in a place where I have no choice but to do anything but receive. I used to be a giver more than I am these days. Not because I don't want to give, but I just cannot because the funds are not there as they used to be because of Faith's medical needs. I think that God sometimes places us on both sides of the giving/receiving fence so we know how each feels. I have found this to be very humbling. Here is where I need your help please. Would you be so kind to send Faith a card in the mail or an email to Faith through my email address that I can read to her? She loves to get mail and I think this would make her feel very special and make her O SO HAPPY! My email address is heart1054@hotmail.com to send a card in the mail to Faith please send it here: Faith Rockhold, P.O. Box 234, Lexington, MO 64067. I have also added a "Paypal" button in case you would like to "GIVE" to Faith or her medical needs. Faith is an awesome little girl and we feel so blessed that she is our daughter. Please pray over us with our many needs. Hopefully, we can return the favor very soon. Much Love,
Bambi
Faith's Momma
We seem to spend many days at Children's Mercy Hospital. I have to say that I truly am getting sick of that place and Miss Faith asks, every time we get in the car....again Mommy? Yes, again baby. :(
Here's kind of what the past few weeks have looked like for Lil Miss Faith:
2 trips to 2 different emergency rooms
a ct scan of the pelvic and abdominal area
received a set of hearing aids (YAY!)
11 different appointments at the Children's Hospital between the ENT, hearing and speech, hemoc, and pre-surgery testing clinics
Removal of tonsils and adenoids along with removal of an ear tube and patching of the hole in her ear
an overnight stay in the hospital after surgery
many sleepless nights due to the pain from her surgery.
Really, in general we have had enough! I don't mean to whine, but I thought life would be easier for Faith. I so desperately wanted life to be easier for her once we adopted her. I want to stomp my feet and scream, IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In my opinion, once you have lived 5 years of your life in a poor country without proper food and medical care, you should get a FREE PASS to an EASY LIFE! I know this is not how it is, but "I wish I may, I wish I might" take all her troubles away.
I wish I could say that all the doctors we have run across in the past few weeks have been kind, compassionate, and have listened intently while I have addressed my concerns of Faith's health issues.
NOPE.....NOT THE CASE! These are just a few samples of the words I have been told by trained medical professionals during the last few, long weeks:
During the blood sugar of 337 and abdominal pain at the E.R. we heard :Your daughter is fine. We wont draw labs or take urine, just have her go home and rest.
I have been a doctor for 27 years, 27 years, 27 years (YES, he said this three times!)
After Faith's surgery I expressed a concern to her hematologist regarding her hgb that has been dropping rapidly over the past month even with the transfusion 6 days prior to surgery.
Her hem/dr tells me that we will sit done and "discuss" things on Monday, which was 5 days from the time we talked. Good thing she doesn't need blood to breathe, think, live and maintain function to her vital organs between now and then huh??
Now, this is the chart topper! Last night, after Faith was acting lethargic, looking yellow, (which usually indicates she needs a blood transfusion)and I could not seem to keep her pain from surgery at a bearable level for her, we called the Nurse line at the Children's hospital and then headed to the E.R.
The e.r. doctor(Her name was Dr. Shizzle, so if you happen by CMH and get her appointed to your child just yell out....NEXTTTTTTT!)was not kind. I explained what symptoms Faith was having and that also I was concerned about the amount of pain she has been in. We have not been able to control her pain level and are up about every 2 hours in the night, which has been difficult to say the least.
She said, and I quote, " Her pain seems bearable to me, because kids that do not have good pain control will stop breathing, she is obviously breathing, so her pain is controlled.
Yes, I was appalled too! I shot her a look and she said WHAT? I teared up and said, "nothing," it really did seem pointless to even open my mouth. They don't seem to be listening lately anyways, so what's the point in speaking? she said, "Well, it must be something that you don't agree with that I've said." GEE YOU THINK< CAPTAIN OBVIOUS??? Tomorrow we will be meeting with her hematologist. This is the hematologist that stormed in last week when Faith was admitted after surgery. He had his Nurse Practitioner and Social Worker in tow, to basically tell me that I have been emailing and calling him too much, so he would like to meet with us to "DISCUSS THINGS." OH DEAR! These are just a few of the replies I spit out when talking to some of the medical professionals over the past few weeks: I don't care how many years of medical training you have had, I know my daughter. And my Mommy Knowledge trumps your years of medical school when it comes to my child! You think I am a CRACK HEAD (Yep, that's one of my classy rebuttals!) and think that I have nothing better to do than to make up illnesses or symptoms for my child, when, in all actuality I would rather be home baking cookies for all 5 of my children than living in a hospital with my daughter. We do not deserve to be treated this way! Faith deserves better! I am NOT here to make friends, I am here to ensure my child get's the proper care! My saying now is, you can mess with the Momma Bear, but if you mess with the baby bears, you will get the CLAWS!! Please pray for these things for our family if you somehow happen upon this page: Prayer for Faith as she struggles to just feel like a normal little girl. Prayer for Bill and I as we talk to Faith's hematologist tomorrow. Please God, give us the right words to advocate for our child, not the spiteful or hateful words in my head, but the words that will get us answers and will help Faith's health and well-being in the long run. Prayer for financial assistance from organizations or state funded programs to help with the co-pays for Faith's medications. Prayer for gas in our cars for the many trips we make to the Children's hospital. Prayer to keep food in the cupboards as we struggle to stay afloat. Prayer for airline money to fall from the sky for Faith and I to take Faith to the Beta Thalassemia Major Specialist at the Cooley's Anemia Foundation on June 29th in Chicago. This is a huge portion of my stress. Please just help us get there Lord where we will be able to find out many answers to Faith's issues and see inside her body to see if the iron overload has caused damage to her organs, especially her heart and her liver. Prayer for me, yes, I'm asking selfishly. I am struggling to get through daily life as I am sleep deprived, full of anguish and fears for my daughter, and worried about the daily financial needs as we care for Faith in that best way that we know is possible. Faith has had many difficult days lately. My heart yearns to buy her a play-doh ice-cream making set, a new barbie, or a SUPER SIZE FULL OF LIFE PONY every time they poke her for blood or we have to do another form of treatment. Finances will not allow these things which adds to my heartache. No, my child does NOT have cancer, but she does have a chronic, life-long blood disease as well as other significant health issues and she is drained these days. I am going to try something and I need your assistance please. Although it is hard for me to be receiver, I am in a place where I have no choice but to do anything but receive. I used to be a giver more than I am these days. Not because I don't want to give, but I just cannot because the funds are not there as they used to be because of Faith's medical needs. I think that God sometimes places us on both sides of the giving/receiving fence so we know how each feels. I have found this to be very humbling. Here is where I need your help please. Would you be so kind to send Faith a card in the mail or an email to Faith through my email address that I can read to her? She loves to get mail and I think this would make her feel very special and make her O SO HAPPY! My email address is heart1054@hotmail.com to send a card in the mail to Faith please send it here: Faith Rockhold, P.O. Box 234, Lexington, MO 64067. I have also added a "Paypal" button in case you would like to "GIVE" to Faith or her medical needs. Faith is an awesome little girl and we feel so blessed that she is our daughter. Please pray over us with our many needs. Hopefully, we can return the favor very soon. Much Love,
Bambi
Faith's Momma
Monday, March 29, 2010
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