Happy Tenth Anniversary, RMH of Central Georgia!

November 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s been ten years. Can you believe it?

4500 families.

32000 room nights.

Hundreds of volunteers.

3650+- nights of hot volunteer-prepared meals served.

I’ve been blessed by the Ronald McDonald House.

No, I’ve never actually stayed there, but I started volunteering for the Macon House before its doors even opened. I served on its Board of Directors. I provided, with my family and sometimes friends, dinners for the families almost monthly for several years.

It provided a room for my Mother-In-Law when my son was in the hospital, mostly because they weren’t full and COULD. It helped us more than they could ever know.

By allowing me the opportunity to work with and volunteer for, it’s blessed my heart more than I can put into words.

After Charlie died, our family and friends blessed the Macon House with donations… enough to have the playroom named in his memory.

This February, I will Run For Ronald. I’ll push myself to run 13.1 miles at The Happiest Place On Earth with Team Ronald.

How can you help? Today, you can make a donation in celebration of the Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia’s TENTH ANNIVERSARY.

Just go here and it’s easy peasy!

Happy Anniversary, RMH!

Proud to be a part of something so amazing!

Here’s to many more room nights, many more families helped,

many more volunteers and MANY more years of success!

Filed Under: Charlie, Memories, Running Tagged With: , ,

Walking Among Angels

November 1, 2012 By 5 Comments

In honor of All Saints’ Day, I wanted to share a little story with you. It’s a great reminder for us to look around for moments that help us remember, and to treasure the memory of those we’ve lost.

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For nine years, I’ve been looking for the perfect angel or lamb for the cemetery where my son is buried.

In the old part of the cemetery in our town, there is an infant’s grave with the most perfect lamb placed at the head of the marker. I’ve searched high and low for one like it, but none has ever jumped out at me. Same goes for the angel. I’ve been searching for a little boy angel for years and none have spoken to me in the “right” way.

Until one day a few months ago, I thought I would never find one. Do you know how hard it is to find a non-Cupid, non-cherub-looking, little baby boy angel? Start looking. There aren’t a lot of them out there. Or maybe I haven’t looked in the right places.

I was visiting a customer’s gardens one day a few months back and was taken aback by all the baby boy angels that were placed perfectly throughout his beautiful collection of plants. I had a hard time concentrating on the plants and beauty for the angels I was walking among.

One in particular, continued to grace my dreams and appear in my thoughts.

I sent an email to my customer the other day about something work related and added an inquiry into where he has found all the angels… that I had been searching for the perfect one for my son’s grave.

Minutes later, I was on the phone with him, both of us choking back tears, him inviting me to “please come choose the angel that I want – the one that is perfect.”

Trying to argue wasn’t getting anywhere, but honestly, all I wanted to know was where I could find an angel like the ones he had. He wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.

That Thursday, I drove to his home and we walked through the green paths of his garden. Straight to the Perfect Angel.

I snapped a picture of him in his garden home before I placed him in my arms to take him to his new home at the head of my baby’s grave.

Words were shared about faith and beliefs, the goodness of people and the hope that people would be kinder to one another.

Leaving, I realized that in the gardens of his home, I was not only walking among the angels, his statues, but I was walking with an angel. Kindness comes in all forms and sometimes it’s hard to realize that we’re walking among angels of all shapes and sizes, even when the world is so full of hurt and sorrow and meanness.

Look around at those whom you walk through life with. Find your blessings and bless one another.

I bet you’ll find you, too, are walking among angels.

Filed Under: Charlie, Serious Stuff

Sitting On My Shoulder…

August 13, 2012 By 9 Comments

Today was a second “first day” at Buck Jones for me.

Nearly 14 years ago, fresh out of college and freshly married, I started working at the Woodstock location. There were no nerves at all. I was young, smart, and probably pretty full of myself.

A lot of things have happened, good and bad, in the last 14 years. Some of them caused me to be a little anxious. Some things gave me extra confidence in certain areas. A few of the things made me feel very unsure of myself. But at the same time, I feel very confident in my ability to do this job.

This morning, after dropping Henry off for his first day of 2nd grade. He wasn’t nervous — after all, he’s pretty young, smart, and full of himself! I didn’t have a whole lot of time to think about what he was doing today because I knew he was having a great day. He always does.

But I felt my little angel sitting on my shoulder. I knew he was with me. Charlie was perched in his usual spot — right on my left collarbone, snuggled up against my neck, in his blue and white seersucker gown.

There were a few times today when I talked to vendors I had worked with way back when and they asked what I’d been doing all these years. “Raising a family” is of course, my standard answer. It’s not the time to lay it all out. I’m sure it’ll come up in time because it’s a part of my daily life. I talk about it and it’s just not a secret.

I came home and picked Henry up at his new after school program. He loved it. I knew he would.

But when I pulled out his work and looked at his “All About Me” page that he filled out at school, I realized I was right when I knew Charlie  was with me. He was with both of us today.

family image

I’m always amazed when Henry draws his family for others and includes Charlie (always bigger than him and with wings). It makes me happy and at the same time, extremely sad that I didn’t have a 2nd grader AND a 4th grader today. But I don’t question it. I just hold on to the knowledge that we’re doing the right thing in making sure Henry knows that his family is bigger than it seems.

It’s not surprising that while he was with me today, he was also with Henry. They’re connected in ways I’ll never understand.

Our family will continue to celebrate firsts.

And our boys will celebrate many more firsts together… as brothers… in their own way.

 

Filed Under: Charlie, Henry, Thoughts, Work Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Your Group B Strep Questions — Answered!

July 13, 2012 By 4 Comments

July is Group B Strep Awareness Month.

I wrote last week about Group B Strep and GBS Awareness Month. Please read (and share) that post if you haven’t already.

I promised to answer YOUR questions about Group B Strep during July, right here on the blog. I was thrilled to get some great questions almost immediately, but I know there are more out there. Please let me know if you have questions — tweet me, FB me, email me. You ask, I’ll answer!

I was strep b positive with Cora, what does that mean for future babies? (you can answer in a post if you’d like) — Kristine (@KristineBrite) July 1, 2012

Because you were GBS+ does not mean that you will be GBS+ with any future pregnancy. Your status changes over time, as the bacteria “colonizes.” You will be tested between 35-37 weeks in your next pregnancy and antibiotic protocol will be followed according to that test.

CDC protocoldoes state that if you have a baby who contracts GBS, you should be treated in any subsequent pregnancy. GBSI advocates you and all pregnant women be screened for GBS bacteriuria (GBS in urine) in early pregnancy and treated if positive.

I’d like to know if its possible to pass gbs to the babe with a c-sec. I honestly thought it was only passed through the birth canal — Nicci (@Sticky41284) July 1, 2012

Yes. It is possible, but not as likely, to pass GBS to the baby with a c-section. In these cases, the womb becomes infected by one means or another. Bacteria could be introduced to the womb by internal exams, excessive monitoring or from what I call, random, natural means. It can happen and it does happen, but it’s rare, especially when the c-section is started before your water breaks or labor begins.

If you know you’re GBS+ and your doctor tells you that since you’re having a c-section you won’t need antibiotics, you CAN request them. Talk to your doctor about the risks v. benefits of having antibiotics before your incision is made.

Why don’t they test once you go in labor? Isn’t that the only way to be truly accurate? (and thank you, mama) — Sara (@SaraJOY) July 1, 2012

There are highly effective point of care or bedside rapid (less than 1 hour) tests available in a small number of hospitals. Yes, testing RIGHT THEN is obviously a way to get an updated, accurate reading. But unfortunately hospitals haven’t grabbed on to the rapid tests like we, the GBS community, wish they would.

The CDC and ACOG states that if a woman has not had the GBS test results given to her and a rapid test isn’t available, antibiotics will be administered based on the following risk situations:

    • baby born before 37 weeks
    • water broken for 18+ hours (12+ increases the risk)
    • you have a fever higher than 100.4°

@revsmf why don’t they automatically test all babies for group b strep postbirth? My daughter died at 2 days old, likely due this! — Sarah (@revsmf) July 1, 2012

I asked Dr. James McGregor, our best friend in the GBS fight, about this question. He said that, unfortunately, nobody has studied this. The community is interested in invasive disease and it just hasn’t gotten there yet. He hopes that one day this will be studied. One avenue of research for early onset (pre-signs and symptoms) include GBS antigen or infection biomarkers in the newborn’s urine or blood

This leads me to mention that the GBS bacteria moves quickly. If you feel like something is “off” in your baby, ask about it. Get him or her checked out. Know the symptoms (which are symptoms of other things as well).

Remember, your gut is rarely wrong.

Knowledge is power and your doctor is there to help you.

Do you still have questions? Ask and I shall answer!

Tweet me, ask on FB, ask in the comments, email me at janasthinkingplace@me.com!

 

Filed Under: Charlie Tagged With: , , , , , ,

July is Group B Strep Awareness Month

July 1, 2012 By 10 Comments

I struggle with being extremely vocal about Group B Strep awareness. I would love to scream, “DANGER DANGER” from the rooftops, but for me personally, I don’t like to frighten people.

I struggle with knowing when to step in and say, “You really should head to the doctor since your baby has x, y and z symptoms because those are signs of GBS.” I’ve done it a few times on Facebook and Twitter and in real life, but the bottom line is, I don’t want to say anything because I don’t want people to think their baby is going to die just because mine did.

I struggle with being able to spout statistics, because statistics are bullshit. Yeah, the chances of a baby contracting early onset GBS are slim. It’s even more slim to contract late onset GBS. And it’s downright rare for a baby to die from late onset GBS. But when YOU are the statistic – the rare one – it’s often hard to tell someone of your experience without causing sheer panic.

I don’t struggle with talking about grief. But I do struggle with talking about Group B Strep.

July is Group B Strep Awareness Month.

So I’m here to talk about it.

For those who don’t know and who may stumble across this page, let me first tell you about Group B Strep.

What is Group B Strep (GBS)?

Group B strep (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the digestive tract and birth canal in up to 1 in 4 pregnant women who “carry” or are “colonized” with GBS. Since levels of GBS can change, each pregnancy can be different. Carrying GBS does not mean that you are unclean. Anyone can carry GBS. (Quoted with permission from Group B Strep International)

When will they test me for Group B Strep and what does that even mean?

CDC’s guidelines recommend that a pregnant woman be tested for Group B Strep when she is 35 to 37 weeks pregnant. The test is super simple. It’s simply a swab of the vaginal area and rectum. Results are typically back at your next appointment. At that time you’ll be told whether you’re positive or negative.

A pregnant woman who tests positive for GBS and gets antibiotics during labor has only a 1 in 4,000 chance of delivering a baby with group B strep disease, compared to a 1 in 200 chance if she does not get antibiotics during labor.

Any pregnant woman who had a baby with GBS disease in the past, or who has had a bladder (urinary tract) infection during this pregnancy caused by GBS should receive antibiotics during labor.

What’s the difference between prenatal onset, early onset and late onset Group B Strep?

Prenatal onset of Group B Strep happens before your baby is born.

Early onset relates to cases from birth to 7 days old.

Late onset typically relates to cases from 7 days old to 3 months (or later in some cases, but that’s the typical timeline for GBS to infect a baby).

 What do I look for?

Symptoms of Prenatal Onset Group B Strep:

    • decreased fetal movement or no movement after 20 weeks
    • unexplained fever in mother — signals infection

Once born:

    • High-pitched cry, shrill moaning, whimpering
    • Marked irritability, inconsolable crying
    • Constant grunting as if constipated
    • Projectile vomiting
    • Feeds poorly or refuses to eat, not waking for feedings
    • Sleeping too much, difficulty being aroused
    • High or low or unstable temperature; hands and feet may still feel cold even with a fever
    • Blotchy, red, or tender skin
    • Blue, gray, or pale skin due to lack of oxygen
    • Fast, slow, or difficult breathing
    • Body stiffening, uncontrollable jerking
    • Listless, floppy, or not moving an arm or leg
    • Tense or bulgy spot on top of head
    • Blank stare
    • Infection at base of umbilical cord or in puncture on head from internal fetal monitor

What is the outlook for a baby who contracts GBS?

Babies can be infected by GBS before birth and up to about 6 months of age due to their underdeveloped immune systems. Only a few babies who are exposed to GBS become infected, but GBS can cause babies to be miscarried, stillborn, or become very sick and sometimes even die after birth.

GBS most commonly causes infection in the blood (sepsis), the fluid and lining of the brain (meningitis), and lungs (pneumonia). Some GBS survivors have permanent handicaps such as blindness, deafness, mental challenges, and/or cerebral palsy.

(Quoted with permission from Group B Strep International)

Now we’re all caught up on what Group B Strep is. So here’s where I’m honest with you.

I don’t believe in scaring people. I believe in educating people and arming them with the information that will allow them to make informed decisions.

Unfortunately, I can’t make decisions for everyone. If that were the case, nobody would ever have their membranes stripped, internal exams after finding out they were GBS+, scalp electrodes during labor, long labors without c-sections, or choose to not have antibiotics during labor with a positive GBS status.

In short, I would put everybody in a GBS-proof bubble.

As long as there is life on Earth, there will be baby loss. There will be mothers dying during labor, babies taking one breath, babies spending weeks and months in the ICU because of life-threatening conditions. As much as we want to eradicate it, it’s a fact of life.

I’m armed with more information about GBS than most doctors, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t talk to your doctor about Group B Strep. Because the incidence rate is smaller and smaller, a lot of doctors do the test at 35-37 weeks and just throw out the positive or negative results without much of an explanation. Make them explain it to you. Talk to them. Understand it.

Use your mommy and daddy instincts and USE YOUR PEDIATRICIAN. That’s why they went to high-dollar schools for a bazillion years. To help you when you need them.

The baby does something you don’t like or understand? Call them. Go in.

BE THAT MOM!

I can’t underscore this enough. YOU know your baby better than anyone and have to follow your instinct. If it says, “call the doctor,” then by God, call the doctor.

Your gut is rarely wrong.

Anyway, in honor of Group B Strep Awareness Month, I want to answer your questions.

Leave a comment (or Tweet it to me or ask me on Facebook) with any question about GBS you may have. If you don’t want to do it publicly, email me at janasthinkingplace@me.com.

I’ll post a few times this month with answers to them. And together, we will make the world AWARE OF GROUP B STREP!

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