The Mom's Book of Worries

I'm a mommy and a nurse, so medications have always been a part of my life. I have always hated them. I say that literally. I was the kid who didn't want tylenol or a pill when my head or tummy ached. I wanted warm soup, crackers, or a kiss on the forehead.

But when nothing was getting me out of my dark, quiet room I went to the specialist and did what I was told. They just about killed me! Honestly, why is it acceptable to leave your patients drooling in their dinner plates? That is just wrong!

I turned to Acupuncture. Which when you think about it has been around and WORKING for hundreds of years longer than our Western 'medicine'. My regimen of needles and herbs had me off the hard stuff and well on my way...

Then the babies came. Wow, I was surprised since my doctor said I wouldn't be able to get pregnant! It was all the work my acupuncturist was doing. (He specialized in fertility and hormone imbalances.) I had to give up my treatments and focus and the new issue. My bones decided they didn't need to conform to rules and guidelines any more. They started doing the Watusi while I was steadily growing larger.

The long story short? My health has declined for years, and now on the cusp of my youngest's 3rd birthday, my headaches are back with a vengeance! If you are steady reader you know I had brain surgery, so you're probably rolling your eyes and saying Duh!

But these are just like they used to be and then some! My surgeon's regimen of pills was not helping and so they sent me to a neurologist. After a few trips in, I'm now off everything the surgeon started and taking Zanaflex and Tegretol. The purpose is to treat the muscle spasms from the unsteady spine, and relieve my trigeminal neuralgia, which I didn't even know I had!

Honestly? This pill hater has to bow down to modern science there. I feel much improved. The seizure drug is commonly used following surgery like mine, and can treat several different conditions. What it's helping correct in me I'm just beginning to realize.

I'm a more balanced Mother, and feel awake for the first time since May 13th (My surgery). Here's hoping that this is a new chapter and a preview of great things to come! I was beginning to think my kid's would be better off without me than to have an empty shell. I'm so glad I struggled on. And I'm glad that not all doctor's believe more pills will quiet the average woman.

Last night my husband was planting some hostas for me and we found a baby garden snake. It was tiny, about 6 inches and very active. He showed our son who was completely captivated by it.

We brought it in and put in our former crabitat. (Our hermit crabs had been upgraded to a bigger home and this one still had the heat rock and watering shell) We intended to keep it over night so he could show his cousin the following day.

About halfway to bedtime we decided it was probably not snake proofed enough for our peace of mind, so we released it outside.

This morning my son imediately went to the tank looking for the snake. I told him what happened and he says,

Oh the snake got out Mommy? That's not good.

I could have died laughing at his serious tone and expression! His phrases are always surprising me, but the inflection he chooses is what strikes me the funniest. My little serious man!

we took the opportunity to teach him about snakes being dangerous and should be left on their own. Now we wonder where Momma Snake is hiding.