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2009/05/25
When I was 8 yrs old, my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She lived until I was 18, she was just 50. At that time, there was very little help for either of us. In fact, my mother suffered with headaches for at least 5 years before her diagnosis. They had told her it was her “nerves” and depression. She was sent away to sanitariums…I was too young to understand why. I can only imagine now, how frustrating and depressing it must have been for her. My mother probably knew it wasn’t her “nerves.”
As I grew up, I often thought about finding a way to help other children as myself, but I didn’t know how or where to turn to. Thankfully, Cancer Research has made great strides in early detection and treatment of the many forms of cancer. Even so, children need emotional help just the same.
Recently, I was introduced to a wonderful new book by a young author, Taylor Rice. The book is My Cancer Mommy. Taylor was only seven months old when her Mommy, DeAnna, was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time. When she was seven years old, her Mommy was diagnosed with the BRCA cancer gene and was diagnosed with her third cancer.
“I didn’t know what cancer was but it scared me. I just wanted to help other kids whose mommies were sick,” said Taylor, about why she wrote My Cancer Mommy. Taylor is now 8 years old and lives in California with her parents.
In her book, My Cancer Mommy, Taylor shares what it is like for her having a mother who undergoes surgery and chemotherapy. Taylor has also included a Key Words section with definitions, a section to write down questions, and four pages for recording Special Memories. The book is colorfully illustrated by Russian children’s artist, Olga Matushkina, who generously donated her time and talent.
My Cancer Mommy is available in hard cover for a Suggested Retail Price of $24.95, including shipping and handling. Proceeds help support Moms with Cancer. To order My Cancer Mommy, go to www.mycancermommy.com, www.momswithcancer.org or Amazon.com. DeAnna is currently in negotiations with other leading online booksellers to carry My Cancer Mommy.
About Moms With Cancer:
Started by DeAnna Rice, Moms with Cancer is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose primary goal is addressing the special needs of Moms dealing with cancer treatments and recovery.
A cancer diagnosis can financially and emotionally devastate some families. The extra deductibles, co-pays, tests, and medications are very costly.
Moms with Cancer believes that any mom battling this disease deserves extra support and as such, there are no financial requirements to qualify for services. The only prerequisite is that the recipient must be living with at least one dependent child.
If you know of a child whose Mom has cancer, please let Taylor share her story. Order the book, My Cancer Mommy, and also help other Moms with Cancer.
Memorial Day marks the opening of the Jersey Shore summer season for many who enjoy visiting our beaches and attractions. Whether you travel or stay at home…no matter where you enjoy your summer…it is always a good thing to be aware of ways to ensure safety for our grandchildren, children, and ourselves.
Also, as motorists, we need to be mindful that children may be on their bikes, running after balls, and focused on what they are doing rather than on what we might be doing. Please be alert and be safe! Parents, please keep your kids out of the street! My son-in-law’s brother was killed crossing the street on a green light when he was 8 and his cousin was killed when he ran into the street after a ball…he was just 3. I remind my grandchildren regularly that I know they know the rules, but I don’t know if others do…so they have to be extra careful to stay safe…because we love them so very much.
Now, please read the following spring and summer safety tips below sent to me by Malcolm Denniss (AKA “Mr. Toy Safety”) Technical Director for SGS Consumer Safety Testing, to share with you all.
Spring Summer Safety Tips by Malcolm Denniss: Technical Director for SGS Consumer Testing Services
As the weather improves and children start playing outdoors more, some of the precautions that may be forgotten in the excitement for more sun should be reviewed and checked, for instance:
1) Protective gear is most important for kids out on their bikes, skate boards and other riding toys.
- Make sure they have helmets that fit correctly. As they grow make sure the straps are adjusted properly and the knee and elbow pads are fitted correctly. Remember there are different types of helmet for different activities – use the right one.
- Remind the kids to stay away from traffic areas such as roads parking lots and driveways. Particularly with young children, riding low slung ride-ons should be kept away from driveways as too many accidents happen when someone backs up a car and cannot see the child behind.
2) Swimming is a popular summer sport.
- It is important to make sure the pool is properly protected with fences and self-closing gates to ensure very young children cannot access the pool without close adult supervision…even a minute left alone can risk a toddler falling into the pool and drowning.
- Make sure your pool has the proper drain guards to prevent long hair being dragged into the drain pump and trapping the child under water.
- Finally make sure there are no toys like hard dive sticks that could be positioned in the pool such that a child jumping or diving into the pool could hit one.
3) Trampolines are fun for kids out in the yard.
- It is important that the tranpolines are stable and properly anchored. They are safer with mesh barriers around to prevent kids falling off and always make sure they are properly supervised.
4) The younger kids may want to get out into the sand box and rediscover the dump truck or spade and shovel from last year.
- Check them all out carefully and make sure that they have not deteriorated due to weathering. A rusty metal truck can not only have the potential for a nasty cut but could also lead to an infection as well.
5) Buying a new home playground or still using the old one…these are fun activities, but it is necessary to set up a new one or make sure the old one is still properly set up.
- Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for initial set up and most importantly for periodical maintenance checks.
- The surface under the playground is most important as many injuries result from falls onto a hard surface.
Many of these safety considerations and more can be found on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/nsn/child.html as well as information on recalled products and new requirements that have been enacted to safeguard children at play.
May you all have a very, happy and safe summer!
2009/05/20
Personalized grandparent gift suggestions for today’s first-time Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Poppy…or long-time grandparents! Free personalization – customize your gifts to the Grandparents in your life with their special name for Father’s or Grandfather’s day, Mother’s or Grandmother’s Day, and Grandparents Day, too! Don’t forget Grandma’s or Grandpa’s birthday or anniversay! These can be given as baby shower gifts to first time grandparents…they’d be so excited! I know I was!! Take a look at these gifts and more…each can be personalized as you desire…from grandmother to nana to grandpop…just specify the name you want!
Get personalized…give personalized Grandmother and Grandfather gifts
 
2009/05/17
The following Father’s Day poem is one of my favorite poems honoring both fathers and grandfathers (past, present, and future) around the world. We may have our differences and conflicts, but when all is put aside, this is something we all have in common…love and appreciation for our DADs. Make this Father’s Day a very special one for both Fathers and Grandfathers alike. If you don’t have a father or grandfather to honor, honor a gentleman that is a “father” figure in your or your child’s life…an uncle, a family friend…or visit a nursing home on Father’s Day and bring joy to those fathers and grandfathers who are without their children for one reason or another on Father’s Day.
What Makes A GrandDad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in Spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … GrandDad
~ Author Unknown
Note: The original title for this Father’s Day poem was What Makes a Dad. In honor of granddads, I took the liberty of changing Dad to GrandDad.
I shared this Father’s Day poem with our grandchildren. They want to give it to Poppy, so they will change the title to What Makes a GrandPoppy for his Father’s Day. Their mom said she will print the poem, and frame it with an attractive mat framing the poem. On the mat, they will attach small sized photos of Poppy with his 3 children and 3 grandchildren. I know he will love this Father’s Day present!!
2009/05/15
With the life expectancy of the elderly increasing, the number of senior citizens unable to care for themselves, or families not being able to provide the essential care at home, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are rapidly popping up all over. Hospitals and doctors offices are seeing an increase of patients due to the new studies, infections, and diseases being discovered every day. Nursing is one of the most demanded positions in the 21st century. Nurses will always be needed.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
LPNs work in all areas of the healthcare field: nursing homes, sub acute rehabilitations, hospitals and doctor’s offices. In long and short term nursing facilities LPNs pass medications, evaluate residents upon admission. During routine follow-ups, LPNs determine the patient’s needs and develop care plans. They also oversee nurse’s aides. LPNs in a doctor’s office duties include making appointments, taking vital signs when a patient arrives for an appointment, being responsible for keeping medical records up to date, and additional office duties. Some LPNs work as visiting nurses for those families who chose to keep their family member at home but cannot provide necessary care that a trained medical professional can. They visit patients at their home to take vital signs and look for any changes that would need to be reported to a doctor. LPNs also teach family members how to administer medicines, prepare foods if there is a specialty diet required, and perform care on the patient when there is not a caregiver a the home.
Education for an LPN would include a one-year program with a state approved training program. This would include classroom study and clinical education from one of the thousand of nursing schools worldwide. After finishing the program, students would be required to pass a licensing exam known as the NCLEX-PN.
LPN Salary Ranges from $28,000 to $50,000 and are determined by factors such as setting, region, and experience. LPN salaries prior experience as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) or patient care associate in a hospital and/or skilled nursing facility can increase the starting salary and provide experience in the field giving that extra foot in the door when when searching for an LPN position.
Job Outlook for LPNs is high as in all phases of nursing. Over the next ten years it is predicted that job opportunities will increase by at least 15%. The majority of these will be in home healthcare settings and skilled nursing facilities. Due to the growing elderly population and hospitals discharging patients before they can thrive at home, the population of people entering a skilled nursing facility, whether for short term or long term care, continues to grow. This requires the need for more licensed professionals to care for them.an
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