The Right Perspective

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Today We are Less Safe

Apparently President Obama doesn't like the idea of keeping America safe.

Despite the massive pork-filled "stimulus" bill of more than $819 billion dollars, he is requiring the Pentagon's defense budget to be cut by 10%, or the equivalent of more than $55 billion dollars by 2010. Most of these cuts will be in weapons programs.

This is a stupid decision by a man more interested in advancing partisan democrat politics than in protecting America and its people. President Obama just put each and every one of us in more danger by requiring defense cuts.

Hey Pres. Obama, why not cut out all the cocktail parties and ignaugural festivities and waste that the white house and congress will throw away? Oh wait...that'll NEVER happen.

Thanks a lot, Mr. President.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Speaking of Babies...

By now, you've probably heard that a California woman has given birth to octuplets. All eight babies appear to be doing very well, despite being born nine weeks early. Only one is still on oxygen, which is just amazing.

I wish this family well, but I have to wonder about the circumstances surrounding this birth. Apparently, the mother is fairly young, already has six other children, is living with her parents with no father in the picture and is receiving welfare after the family declared bankruptcy. The woman apparently had fertility treatments and eight embryos were implanted (and obviously all or most "took").

These are the circumstances that make me question how this all took place. Having had some relatively minor fertility issues when trying to have Emily, I became well acquainted with the costs involved in fertility treatments as well as the harsh fact that most insurance plans do not cover much, if any, of the treatments which can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars PER TRY. So given the facts about this woman's financial situation, I wonder how she even managed to do invitro fertilization. (I don't doubt that she did it, just curious.)

Next I seriously have to question why a doctor would implant eight embryos at a time. In the vast majority of cases, most doctors will only implant three or rarely four embryos at a time because of the inherent risk of high-order multiple births. To implant eight at once seems extremely risky for the babies and the mother and probably negligent. Maybe the facts are not what is being reported, but if it is the case, the decision to place eight embryos at once was a dangerous one. Having said this, once the babies were conceived, I would not condone the idea of "selective reduction" or choosing to abort a portion of the babies. I will commend the mother on trying to give all those babies a chance at life.

And finally, I have to wonder why a woman with 6 children, who lives with her parents, with no father present and is on welfare would even be trying to have more children. I guess I just don't understand that decision at all. This is not to say that I think a person should be limited to a certain number of children. However, it does not seem responsible to purposefully keep trying (in a very invasive way) to have more children when it appears that the mother cannot provide for the ones she already has. Now California taxpayers will be footing the bill for eight babies in the NICU for an undetermined amount of time, not to mention providing support for not six, but now fourteen children. Something just doesn't seem right.

Anybody have any other thoughts?

17 Weeks

Well, we've officially made it to 17 weeks pregnant. Counting all of this week, there are only 24 more to go.

Overall, I'm feeling better. I am very hopeful that the migraines are gone. Of course, I'm assuming it's only because of the medication, but whatever works is fine with me. I haven't had any more vomiting either, which is a welcome relief. I still get nauseated at some point during each day, even with the Zofran, but it's bearable. I'm trying to decide if I might be brewing a sinus infection, since I've been getting annoying minor headaches each day and I am still congested. I guess I'll wait it out and see if anything changes.

I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and everything looks good. We heard the heartbeat with no trouble (well, at least not the kind of trouble we had last time!) and the doctor said all seems good. That's all that matters. I go back in 4 weeks and hopefully then or shortly thereafter, we will find out the gender of this little one. Em is hoping for a sister. However, if it's a brother her idea for a name was "Teapot".

It should be interesting!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

House Repubs. Get One Right

http://auditor.mo.gov/image/hunnurd.jpg

$819,000,000,000,000.00.



I believe that's the number we are looking at when democrats throw around the term $819 Billion dollars. It looks so much more innocent written out in three numbers and two words, doesn't it?



It's an unfathomable number to anyone outside of government. This amount of money will bankrupt many future generations (including our current ones). It will likely grow to be more than $819 billion before the end of the year. It will cripple millions of people for many years to come.



It will not stimulate the economy. It will not create long-term jobs. It will create temporary work. It already includes outrageous amounts of pork. It is an abomination.



"Thank you" to the House Republicans and the 11 Democrats who had the guts to stand up and vote against this plan. I know it still passed, but at least 188 of our elected House officials had the courage to do the right thing. Keep it up and encourage your Senate buddies to do the same. Your political future (and theirs) hang in the balance. You do not answer to President Obama. You answer to we, the people of the United States. Listen to us and DO NOT BACK DOWN!!!


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Inauguration That Was

I'll admit, I haven't watched a lot of inaugurations in my lifetime. However, I've seen a couple and I decided, after some debate, to watch some of yesterday's proceedings.

Undeniably, yesterday was a historical day. It will be forever recorded as the first time a black man became our nation's president. There should have, indeed, been much to celebrate, but in good conscience, I cannot celebrate this historical achievement. After all, what have we, as Americans, really achieved? Was the election and inauguration of President Obama really an end to racism? Or rather, was it a further wedge among the races?

See, I have never had a problem with having a black president. If George W. Bush had been a black man, I still would have happily voted for him, as I'm am quite certain most other conservatives would. I did not vote against Obama because he was black. In all honesty, I could not possibly care less what color the man is, I fundamentally disagree with virtually all of his policies. However, the problem lies with the millions of black men and women who, in quite likely many cases, abandoned their principles to vote for a man, not based on his qualifications or policies, but simply for his skin color. That, folks, is blatant racism. I don't know what else to call it.

See, a truly historical event would have been for people of all colors to vote for a man based on his character and policies and nothing else. His style, his speaking abilities, his skin color and his attractiveness would make no difference. They SHOULD NOT MATTER to anyone. The only thing that matters in the presidency is a person's character and policies. His race is NOT an issue.

Yesterday's inauguration events, for the most part, were the typical formalities. However, all the hoopla from the media about what an historical day it was simply because Obama was a black man leads me to believe that the only thing many people care about is this man's race. Instead of bringing the races together, the continued focus on Obama's race drives a wedge between people.

While men like Rev. Lowry say "prayers" such as "....help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right..." racism is still alive and one might even contend, growing stronger. Not only has Obama's race been the issue in this campaign upon which he won, but "prayers" such as Lowry's are offensive to pretty much every other race, and in particular to whites. Is this really the tone we should be cheering and lauding as "historical"?

In addition, if conservatives (many of whom are white) dare to disagree with President Obama over the next 4 years, we will be certain to be labeled by many as "racist" because we do not want a black man to succeed. Far from it...I would be firmly behind a conservative black man, joyfully rooting him on and supporting him, if he were my president, but not because he was black....simply because of his positions on issues.

And so, I contend that racism is alive and well and the historical moments we witnessed yesterday weren't so special when given some consideration. When Americans of all colors join together and judge a president based not on the color of his skin, but on the content of his character, then that will truly be an historical moment.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A Prayer for President Obama

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this country and the freedoms with which we are so blessed. Do not let us take them for granted and when we do, remind us of the true reason we are free. Have mercy on us, Lord, when we do stumble and protect us as only You can.

On this day and forward, may Your guiding hand and Your wisdom be upon President Obama. May he look to You as the source of hope and wisdom and guidance for our country. Give him humility and understanding beyond his years or experience. Soften his heart so that he will be willing to hear and heed Your voice. Allow him to seek out wise counsel and ignore those who will desire to do harm to our country and its people. Give this new president Your vision for our country and allow him to be successful in accomplishing Your goals.

And finally, Lord, remind us all that You are our true leader. Let us all seek Your face and Your wisdom and forgiveness so that together, we might remain truly free.

In Jesus' precious name,
Amen

Monday, January 19, 2009

On the Mend

Well, things here are (hopefully) on the upswing.

Friday was the breaking point. I started the day taking Emily to the pediatrician because she had an ear infection. We had a rough trip to the pharmacy to pick up Em's amoxicillin Rx, then we went home. Later in the day, after feeling nauseated all day, I tried eating again and promptly vomited all the soup and saltines that I had eaten not long before.

I had felt like I was slightly dehydrated before all this because I didn't have any desire to drink much, but after several days of vomiting that seemed to be escalating, I decided that I had enough warning signs of dehydration that I needed to be checked. Of course this happened on Friday evening, so around 7:00 pm, the three of us headed to the ER.

All things considered, we didn't spend a TON of time there. I was sent to a room almost immediately, had blood drawn and had briefly seen the ER doctor within an hour's time (almost unheard of). I was somewhat dehydrated with weird electrolytes, so I got hooked up to an IV and after a bag of fluids and a prescription for a different nausea med, we headed home around 11:00 pm.

We got home and tried (for the second time that day) to get Em to take her medicine, but after all that had gone on and two wasted doses, we gave up.

The last two days, I have felt better. No vomiting and the two new meds (verapamil for migraine control and Zofran for nausea) seem to be helping so far. Em is not faring quite as well, however. Long story short, we can no longer get her to take her antibiotic...and believe me when I say that we have Tried...It...All. After this morning's battle (round #7, with only 4 being successful), I called her doctor and begged for help. I'm sure she thinks we are not being good parents and aren't really trying hard enough, but I would love to see her try and be more successful. Seriously, if she had not given us another option, I would have literally told her that we would be coming in twice a day for the next 8 days so that she (the doctor) could give this child her medicine. But, it turns out that the doctor had a last resort measure that we could try....a shot. So, at 8:30 tomorrow morning, before school, we will be going in for an antibiotic shot of some sort, with a follow-up appt. next week to make sure it worked.

So, that's our update. I am hoping and praying that we have turned the corner and will all be healthy and happy again ASAP.

Friday, January 16, 2009

And Then There Were None...(That Are Healthy)

Well, yesterday was officially a rough day. After calling the doctor's office in tears, getting some new medicine prescribed, an all-day-long, want to rip my eye/head off headache and the complete inability to keep anything solid or liquid down, the icing on the cake was Emily waking up crying around 9:30 pm and then all through the night with what had to be an ear infection. She and I ended up on the couch (in separate recliners), watching the Cosby show and whatever else comes on at 3:30 am. I had such terrible heartburn that I couldn't stay laying down in bed anyhow.

So I called the pediatrician at 8:15 this morning and got an appt. for 9:15. I threw on some make-up and clothes, got a sobbing Emily dressed and headed out for the pedi's office in -17 degree (actual temp) weather. She definitely has a low-grade fever and a nasty ear infection in one ear. So we headed to Walgreens to pick up her anti-biotics (flavored grape, of course) where Emily continued to sob and then slip and fall on a wet spot from her boots.

It was a fun night/morning. I'm ready for bed.

In other medical news, my OB decided to prescribe Tylenol with Codeine for immediate pain relief of migraines (which didn't help much last night) and Verapamil to help prevent further migraines. Verapamil is primarily used in heart patients, to lower blood pressure and to act as a calcium channel blocker. I'm kind of afraid to use it, but I don't have a lot of options. If this doesn't work, it's off to the neurologist. And of course, every single medication (some of which are taken in combination with each other have the same side effect: drowsiness.

Yes, that's just what I need.

Keep praying, please. I don't like taking all this medicine and yet I have to have it to keep functioning.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Please Pray

If you're reading this, please pray that the migraines I've been having will go away permanently.

I have a second one in three days and I just can't handle it anymore. I've called my doctor's office and left a teary message with the receptionist. I don't cry easily, but today is my breaking point. I just can't take this constant pain in my head.

Please pray that the pain will go away and that my doctor will call back soon with some medicines that will actually help. I'm desperate for some relief.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

My Kingdom for a ...Snowplow!

We have about a foot of snow so far. The temperature outside is currently 12 degrees with a wind chill somewhere around 2. Today is warm compared to what is coming later tonight and for the rest of the week.

We are supposed to get 6-12 more inches of snow overnight...Lake Effect, this time which is unpredictable but usually as heavy or heavier than predicted. There is a wind chill warning in effect for the next couple of days and there's just too much snow everywhere.

The roads are passable at this point, but many other (more sensible) states would have closed up indefinitely with these conditions. Not northern Indiana, though. School and work must go on.

Andrew (in his little Olds Alero) barely made it out of the driveway. We've both been quite sick, we haven't shoveled (I can't) and the small snowblower we have just struggles with this much snow. And now there's more coming. I sure hope Andrew makes it home tonight...and in the driveway.

Anybody have a snowplow just hanging around? One that attaches to a mini-van perhaps? We just might need it!

Friday, January 09, 2009

14 Weeks

It's official. I'm done with the first trimester, no matter how you measure it. (In my opinion, it's been over for a week now).

Now it's on to the "golden trimester of pregnancy". At least that's what all the books tell me.

I'm supposed to be feeling much better, with most of my early symptoms (including nausea and fatigue) gone. I am supposed to be feeling renewed energy and a surge in feeling good. This is all supposed to happen in the next 13 weeks before I start feeling lousy again because I've lost the ability to see my feet or put on socks by myself.

Here's to hoping the books are right....because I need to start feeling better ASAP. Bring on the fun stuff...right now! I want to shop!!! (sorry Andrew, you knew it had to start sometime!)

Sweet Medication

May I say that Sudafed is a life-saver?

Yes, I still feel pukey without taking my anit-nausea meds. Yes, even with the Sudafed, I am still somewhat congested, but at least I can breathe better now. I couldn't even breathe AT ALL through my nose earlier today. I couldn't blow it, even though I knew it was completely stuffed up, but nothing was moving. Now, I can breathe a little better.

Hopefully this helps overnight too. I've been sleeping very fitfully because I've had to breathe through my mouth which results in my waking up numerous times a night with the driest mouth imagineable and what feels like shards of glass in my throat. Fun times, let me tell you!

Here's to hoping for a better night's sleep tonight...all night long, in my own bed.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Sick of Being Sick - A Complaint

First let me start by saying that I know how incredibly blessed we are to even be pregnant with what seems to be a healthy pregnancy. I know how hard it can be and I am not taking this for granted in any way, however....

I am sick of being sick. I will be 14 weeks tomorrow and I have been sick the entire time. Nausea every day, often most of the day, terrible migraine headaches several times a week for weeks, some vomitting, diarrhea (at the beginning for a few weeks)....you name it, I feel like I've had it this time around. On top of this, I have caught Emily's cold and have a head full of snot, a sore swollen throat and have lost what little ability to sleep I once had.

Last took the cake though. Andrew and I had pizza last night. I ate what might have equaled 2 slices (It was thin crust and cut in little squares). While I knew I might regret it because of heartburn, I figured it was okay once in a while. NOT! Almost immediately I felt lousy (stomach on top of cold). So I spent the rest of the evening debating which meds to take.....the anti-nausea stuff, the cold meds or benadryl to sleep. Finally I decided that I'd live with cold, take the nausea meds and hope that they made me comfortable enough to sleep.

I went to bed around 11 pm and as I was getting ready for bed, I attempted to brush my teeth. I had no more than stuck the toothbrush in my mouth before I started gagging. I made it to the toilet and proceeded to puke my dinner and guts out....even through my nose. Can I just say that when your sense of smell is already incredibly heightened, puking pizza through your nose is pure torture? And how is it possible to still smell when I'm full of snot anyway?

So after about 6 rounds of puking despite the meds, I finally laid down in bed and fell into a fitful sleep that resulted in me downstairs on the couch trying to breathe and get somewhat comfortable propped up. I have spent more nights on the couch already than I did in my entire first pregnancy. I'm ready for this part to be over. This is miserable. Sorry for complaining, but I'm literally sick and tired and I just need to get this off my chest.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Day 6 - 2009

Well, we are now 6 days into the New Year and I have little of consequence to report. (I know, shocking!)

Our family had a nice New Year's Eve/Day and a nice second (belated) Christmas with extended family. Happily, they are all healthy now, but we are not. Emily started coughing on Friday and has been steadily sounding worse since then. This kid has sneezed more than you would believe! And now, I seem to be coming down with the same thing.

We took Em to the doctor yesterday and it is just a bad cold. She's on day 5, so she should start turning the corner soon. Poor kid sounds like she's hacking up a lung when she coughs. Her eyes are constantly watering and red and we've already cleaned out 2 tissue boxes just from her.

I woke up a little before 4 am. with the feeling of gunk running down my throat and making it sore...a sure sign that I am next in line for the cold. Oh well...I'm just glad I got my necessary errands run while Daddy was still home with Em yesterday.

So, that's our update for now. See, I told you it wasn't exciting!