Tales From an Exhausted Medical Mama

  I like to post longer/long updates here because let’s face it, no one wants to read a two-page status update. This way, if someone wants to read this, they can or otherwise keep scrolling Facebook.  Last year Mini Mayhem was in and out of the hospital three times. Twice, she had UTIs and we learned that she has Grade 4 vesicoureteral reflux which is currently stable and she is being followed by a urologist in Alabama. She had a renal ultrasound in March of this year to follow up and all was well with exception to it showing a possible 5 cm ovarian cyst. Her urologist wanted to follow up with a pelvic ultrasound at our next trip to AL in July. The results showed the cyst had increased in size to 6.8 cm. The urologist referred her to a general surgeon which she sees September 2. We should find out that day if the cyst will require surgical intervention. Typically, cysts will resolve on their own but to not go into detail, her’s likely will not. She has an appointment tomorrow ...

  Happy Birthday! Another year has rolled around, and here I am, wishing you another heavenly birthday. I can only imagine the celebrations you're having in Heaven. Thanks for leaving us with some unforgettable tales and memories. May the angels be serving you all your favorite drinks and snacks. If anyone deserves an amazing heavenly celebration, it’s definitely you!  Cheers to love that never fades and laughter that echoes through the stars! You are SO missed.  At bedtime, I will give Mini Mayhem one of her favorites, powdered donuts in honor of your birthday. We will cheers to you with 🍩s! I know you continue to watch over your boys as well as your entire family. I hope they feel and see your presence regularly in things that remind them of you. 💜 I continue to wait my turn but save me a seat !

Police officers are going to jail for committing crimes. Parents are kidnapping and killing their children. People are road raging, shooting at cars and killing people. Doctors are committing crimes and losing their license. Teachers are being arrested for having relationships with students. There’s been an increase in juveniles committing crimes that result in them being tried as adults. There is always someone in the news being arrested and or convicted for all types of crimes against children. People are spewing hatred online for one another, for the government, for the United States of America. When you consider the endless barrage of bad news on social media and the 24 hour news cycle, you can almost understand why people are just a little more jaded and unkind than they used to be. HOWEVER, just because you see all this injustice and suffering doesn’t give you a free pass to be rude or unkind to others. In fact, treating people poorly only adds to the problem. We can be passionat...

The new Tyler Perry movie on Netflix, Straw, is 500 stars. ⭐ TRIGGER WARNING:  To all the medical 🩺💉🩹🧪🩻🌡 Moms out there, it can definitely put you in your feels. I was still crying an hour after the movie ended. I will also say, if you have lost, nearly lost, or been at risk of losing a child, it can be extremely triggering as well. As a medical Mama, it was heartbreaking for me to watch because of the relatable aspects but I still say it is an incredible movie .  It is real. It is raw. It is genius. It is heavy. It is sad. It is triggering. It is superb.  I think it is the best movie that Tyler Perry has ever made.  The entire cast is great but the three characters that stood out for me are: Taraji P. Henson deserves all of the awards for her portrayal of the Mom, Janiya. She totally elevated her character in the movie to a whole new level and brought it to life, real life. As you watch, you really feel the weight of her personal struggles. She ...

Mini Mayhem is nearly an entire adult in height. Obviously, she does NOT get that from me. She has had a twin sized Sleep Safe bed since she was 2 years old and it has been a lifesaver. Potentially, literally a life saver. We tried the toddler, mesh bed rails for a bit and because she is as strong as an ox, she moved them down toward the foot of her bed. One day she moved it enough, scooted up to the top of her bed, and had worked herself partially off the side! Thankfully, she didn't completely fall out of the bed. To not sit up, crawl, or walk, she can sure get to where she wants to go in her bed or in the floor. #mayhemonthemove She has gotten so tall that she has started kicking and throwing things in her bed. She also rolls herself over with her face touching the side of the bed. The sides are padded but she smooshes her face against the side and falls asleep. Although her breathing is SO much better since having her tonsils out last year, it still makes me nervousssssssssss f...

                                                      Despite the negative reputation that politicians receive, it's important to remember that there are indeed good people in politics. These are the ones who enter the political arena not for personal gain or power trips, but out of a genuine desire to serve their communities and make a positive impact. These individuals may not always make headlines or grab attention, but they work tirelessly behind the scenes to make positive changes and advocate for those who are marginalized or disadvantaged. These good people in politics are driven by a genuine desire to serve their constituents. May their integrity shine brightly amidst all the chaos of Capitol Hill. My previous post was about the absurdity I was experiencing with Medicaid and my unsuccessful attempt to get answers relating to Mini Mayhem. After th...

Is there a veil of secrecy purposely draped over Medicaid?  I believe the government-run bureaucracy delights in making things as complicated as possible. It’s like trying to translate hieroglyphics wearing a blindfold and using a broken calculator. Need to know if a specific service is covered? Good luck navigating through a maze of automated phone menus, hang ups, conflicting websites, and unhelpful employees who seem to have all graduated from the School of That’s Not My Department. I have looked at countless websites and read numerous brochures and PDFs to the point that my eyes have glazed over. The lack of transparency and clear communication from Medicaid only adds insult to injury. After 3 days of grappling for even the most basic information that should be readily available and no returned calls; I waved my white flag, gave up, and emailed 2 State Senators. There is a myriad of waivers and programs that cover specific services, some that cover several of the same services ...