The Huamani's

Mr. Heckles

2011-10-16T21:22:00.001-05:00

In our last apartment, we lived on the first floor, but either there was some serious insulation and flooring between the two floors, or we had fabulous upstairs neighbors who we only heard (barely) when they were vacuuming or if they ran across the floor. Other than that, we barely knew they lived there.

Here, we live on the second floor, but our upstairs neighbors on the third floor apparently try to make as much noise as possible. Our first week here, we nearly called the police because we heard a male screaming at someone (we assume his wife?) for about 30 minutes. We couldn't make out what he was saying, but he was definitely screaming and stomping around. Eventually, he stopped and left (we know what kind of car he drives). However, it does appear that he lives here...oh yay...bleh.

Apart from that, the neighbors upstairs must also be sumo wrestlers that have elephants, and they all practice gymnastics all day long...because the noise on their floor through the ceiling is ridiculous. It is seriously like they run around and stomp all day long...or wrestle...or do gymnastics...because it's nearly impossible to make that much noise...we walk around or run into the other room to grab something, and I'm pretty certain that our neighbors below us barely know we exist. Are they rolling their couch over and over across the room upstairs?

So finally I got really really pissed off tonight after listening to it for about 4 hrs straight...there is just NO way to make that much noise...I turned into Mr. Heckles...yes, that old guy from "Friends" who lived below the girls and always hit his ceiling with the broom when they were too noisy...If I could have reached my ceiling with my hands by standing on the table or counter, I would have...Instead, I grabbed the broom and took the handle and banged it loudly 3 or 4 times quickly against the ceiling and screamed SHUTUP! I wanted to do more, but Beto told me to sit down. Do these people EVER sit down? Ugh! These are nice, brand new apartments...

Since I'm not sure if there's an abusive situation going on up there given the male that was screaming at someone else last week, we definitely weren't going up there...though if THAT happens again, the cops are getting called.

The apartment complex office is definitely getting an ear full tomorrow morning...It's hard to enjoy supper or your evening of TV or study for your NNP NCC exam when the circus is taming lions upstairs!

Emily & Beto

Settling in...

2011-10-08T11:27:00.001-05:00

We're finally settled in in our new apartment in Peoria...

I started my new job on September 26 at OSF (St. Francis Medical Center) at Children's Hospital of Illinois...The first two days involved general hospital orientation...8 hours a day of all the fun reviews of the history of the hospital (which was actually very interesting), education on workplace violence, occupational health, parking, etc. The third and fourth days were nursing orientation for anyone working in the nursing field. Then on Saturday and Sunday, I learned all about documentation and placing orders in their computer system.

Finally, Thursday and Friday, I was in the NICU with the neonatal nurse practitioners! I just spent this week following them around, learning where everything was, how some things work, going on rounds, etc. I was able to go to a few deliveries which was wonderful! Everyone is so nice! I'm so excited about being here.

A little about the history: some nuns came to the Peoria area in 1877 and began taking care of the sick and poor. They started a small hospital in a two-story house...and then their hospital grew and grew and grew with additional buildings to what it is today. The children's hospital was added just over a year ago and includes a huge pediatric emergency department, an amazing CV OR/ surgery floor, NICU, PICU, heart unit, general peds unit, along with more clinics than you could ever name, including a St. Jude affiliate center.

It is a Catholic faith-based hospital; the nuns are still very present in the hospital and in its administration today. It's been very refreshing working here (though I'm not Catholic)...orientation was started with a prayer...meetings are started with prayers or reflections...the mission statement of the hospital focuses on love and care...if we're ok with it, it's encouraged to pray with families/patients if they are accepting...I feel so blessed to work in this institution.

Anyway, everything is finally unpacked in the apartment so it's starting to look like home...We visited at a local church last week and really liked it. There's another church or two we still want to visit, but it'll have to wait another week because we'll be out of town next week. Beto's still looking for a job so we'd appreciate any prayers.

-Emily & Beto :)

Packing

2011-09-08T20:37:00.001-05:00

I despise packing...and moving...they are very high up on my black list...

We moved across town a year ago...we managed to probably sell off or give away half of our stuff (or throw it away)...and here we go again...We're moving in about 2-3 weeks, and we haven't packed a thing...

There's just so much involved in moving and packing...First, we had to pick a moving company...We receive our last quote in the morning, and then we'll make a final decision. Then, there's the packing...ugh...

We have to separate things into four groups: trash, giveaway, sell, and pack...You'd think that since we went through this a year ago, there wouldn't be that much to go through...Wrong! Then we have to pack it nicely in boxes...then do we take it in our cars, or let them load it in the trucks?

Oh, FYI. Please keep the boxes your TVs come in. If you pay a moving company to move you in the future, they will try to charge you up to $250 for a special "tv box" with styrofoam packing...seriously? Thanks to recommendations from friends, we will be buying a cheaper box from either UPS or UHaul. It's so ridiculous.

It will be so nice to get rid of junk we don't care about or don't use...Do you want to come pack for us? :)

Peoria, Corn, and Apartments

2011-08-18T18:04:00.001-05:00

Beto and I drove up to Peoria, IL, to look for a place to live this week.

First, let's talk about Illinois. First, I guess I'm lacking in my agricultural knowledge of the country. Apparently that area of the U.S. is the corn belt, which I should have known right away. There was nothing but corn the entire drive up there. No really, I'm serious. Even the apartments we picked out back up to corn. But I started to like it...there was something peaceful about it...but I'm pretty sure we're going to have to come up with some corn jokes for when friends and family come up to visit...

Illinois has a lot of activities for history buffs as former President Abe Lincoln is from there. The city of Metropolis is in southeastern Illinois complete with statues of Superman and other Superman-related fun!

The interstate drive was pretty interesting. The department of transportation is creative with their signs.

These were all over the interstate when there were construction workers present.

These were throughout the drive as well.

When we arrived Sunday night, we went to CHOI (the children's hospital) so I could pick up some paperwork from one of the NNPs. I was able to visit with them for a bit, and Beto and I both got a tour (my second time) of the NICU. It was nice for him to get a peek of what I really do. He said, "Your work is scary!"

We spent our first day in Peoria looking for a place to live and found one by 1pm! It's in a great location set off a main road, so it's near everything we need, but very quiet. We're excited!

We spent the rest of the day exploring a little bit...there are definitely some restaurants we want to try out when we move there.

On Tuesday night, we went out with some new friends (relatives of a Nashvillian friend). Granite City Food and Brewery serves the yummiest cheese soup!!! :)

I'll probably have to run up there once more before we move to finish paperwork and some other things...we're really sad about leaving family and friends here in Nashville and Memphis...but we're excited about this new opportunity and the adventure of moving to a new place...Let the packing begin (I hate moving!)

Emily and Beto

Heading North for the Winter...

2011-08-08T14:46:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, I received my nursing pin from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing as I completed my Master's of Science in Nursing degree to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

I am the first person on either side of my family to complete a Master's degree. It's kind of surreal to finally be done with a degree that I have been slowly working on for the last three years. After months of having either clinicals or work every single day, with very few days off, I feel like there is something I should be doing anytime I have a free moment. I'm trying to relax for a couple of weeks, but then I will be studying until I take my boards later in the fall to become board-certified as a neonatal nurse practitioner.

Everyone has been asking what my plans are, so I thought I'd just address them here.

I have accepted a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) position at Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, Illinois (2.5 hrs from Chicago and St. Louis). It's a beautiful new children's hospital with a 60-bed (private rooms) NICU that is connected to a delivery service and also cares for cardiac and surgical babies, as well as ECMO patients. They take transport calls from the majority of the region between Springfield and Chicago, though I will not have any transport responsibility. The unit is very dedicated to quality improvement and hugely impressed me from the moment I walked in.

The hospital is the midwest affiliate of St. Jude, has a home ventilator clinic (if you know me as a nurse, you know I like this), a spina bifida clinic, a multi-specialty CDH clinic, and so much more.

Beto and I will be moving to Peoria, IL, in late September and are very excited about this new opportunity. We're excited about living in a smaller city, but thrilled about being close to larger cities like Chicago that we can visit often.

We'll definitely continue to keep in touch via Facebook, and I promise to update this blog more often.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support. God has truly blessed us with this wonderful opportunity!

Emily & Beto

Let the Countdown Begin...

2011-05-19T19:32:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe that I've been in school for basically 24 years...with the exception of taking one year off...and those 24 years do not even including pre-school...so maybe that's 26 years...

I spent elementary school accidentally throwing away retainers...going to sleep overs...and winning the school spelling bee with the words "sandal" and "caloric"...I spent middle school by progressing into the honors program, not knowing it meant I'd be in Calculus in high school...ugh...I even participated in a dance routine with a group of close friends in the school talent show...we lost, but everyone knows we should have won!...In high school, I studied like there was no tomorrow...all but 3 of my classes were AP/Honors (only because they weren't offered in honors/AP format)...I loved Spanish and excelled in competitions (surprised?!)...I graduated #14 in a class of 630+ students with a GPA 4.0 and averaged > 100 points.

In college, I obviously had no idea what I wanted to do since I got a degree in Marketing...I initially focused on pre-med, then pre-law, then pre-med...then thought about international business because I wanted to do something with my Spanish...I even focused on Women's Ministry/Missions for a semester...I spent a semester abroad in London with an internship at a fabulous hotel in their marketing department (super famous people stayed there!!)...but hated the office/desk job....

Then Holly Scarborough Cromwell saved me! :) We had lunch one day after a beading class...she talked to me about nurse practitioners, and I immediately knew that was for me! I went home and researched some schools...talked to my parents...Dad was near a heart attack (after all, he had been paying for my private university education, and I was near graduation)...Mom was in tears because she was so happy! We visited Vandy, Duke, Johns Hopkins, etc. Then, Lipscomb announced their own program with Vandy. I debated between Duke and Lipscomb, but ultimately selected Lipscomb/Vandy because of Vandy Children's and the fact that Lipscomb's program allowed for summer and Christmas breaks, and Duke's didn't...and you paid Lipscomb's tuition vs Vandys... :)
I met Beto in Peru on a medical mission trip, and those breaks would allow me to travel and see him often! :) Just prior to the end of nursing school, we got married...

Finally, I graduated and began working in the NICU...I knew I wanted to specialize in that area as a nurse practitioner. After finally taking ONE whole year off school, I began the neonatal nurse practitioner Master's program at Vandy School of Nursing part-time while working full-time. And here I am, having done the program part-time over almost 3 years, almost done at last.

I have 2 more months and 19 days until my pinning ceremony. That's 2 1/2 months of clinicals, then I'm done. I'll graduate, study for boards, and PASS them...I'll go on to start a job as an NNP...how long has it taken me to get to this point?!?!

I'm already the first nurse in my family - both sides.
I will now be the first person to have a Master's degree in my family - both sides.
Let the countdown begin. :)

Super Couponer: Take 1

2011-02-04T00:27:00.003-06:00

I've been inspired by a friend's blog about her recent coupon experiences...

Sunday morning, we bought 4 copies of The Tennessean, our local newspaper. I separated all the Red Plums, P&Gs, etc. I set aside the ads for Publix, Walgreens, Target, etc. Then, I attacked it all with scissors until my back hurt so much from leaning over!

I then played online with coupons.com, smartsource.com, redplum.com, target.com (their store coupons), hunting down as many coupons as I could find that somewhat applied to products that I would consider buying.

I divided up the coupons into categories like frozen, dairy, household, personal, etc., and I placed them all over our coffee table in stacks. I began combing through grocery store ads for deals that would include my coupons and made a list. I also visited various super coupon woman blogs like Common Sense with Money, I Heart Publix, The Krazy Coupon Lady, Mama Cheaps, Frugal Coupon Living, etc. I hunted the best coupon deals for the sales out there.

What did I learn? People are freaks. Complete coupon psychos I tell you. But they are super saving ones. Only they can go into a store armed with a list and coupons in hand, spending $30 and saving $100. I'm amazed...and a bit scared.

I dragged my husband into the craziness. If I must suffer, so must he.

The first venture was to Target:
I learned important lessons before going there.
For instance, did you know that there are both store AND manufacturers' coupons in existence???
AND you can use both of them at the SAME time...and it's called STACKING???
So, I took this concept, and I did what I could. Here's the purchase that my hubby and I made.

Finish Jet Dry Dishwasher Cleaner - $3.59
---Target coupon $1.00 off
---Mfr coupon $0.75 off
---Final: $1.84 --- savings of 49%

Finish Jet Dry - $2.59
---Target coupon $1.50 off
---Mfr coupon $0.75 off
---Final: $0.34 --- savings of 87%

Reynolds Crock Pot Liners - $1.69 (on sale!!!)
---Mfr coupon $1.00 off
---Final: $0.69 --- savings of 59% ---> I ended up buying 2!

Triscuits & Wheat Thins - $2.00 each (on sale!!!)
---Target coupon $1.00 off (must buy 2)
---Mfr coupon $1.00 off (must buy 2)
---Final: $2.00 --- savings of 50%

Total Before Coupons - $13.56
Total After Coupons - $5.56 --- savings of 59%

I was hoping to spend only $0.10 on each item after coupons, like those amazing stories you hear. But I don't think my trip was too shabby. I'm pretty proud.

We already had some Jet Dry from Costco, but from what I'm learning, this is all about creating a Stockpile and using your coupons when there are deals to be made. We do eat triscuits and wheat thins. And as for the crock pot liners, I'm super excited because crock pots (at least our's) were not shaped or made for easy cleaning.

I'll post another trip later. :)

Family Update 2011

2011-01-12T18:38:00.001-06:00

I officially stink at blogging.

Look at the date of my last blog post, and you'll see that I don't need to try to make a case. I average 6 months between posts.

Let me make up for it by telling you ALL about what's been going on with my immediate family (parents and brothers) and with me and Beto for the last few months.

My parents still live in Memphis (Germantown). Their live is relatively uneventful (Sorry, Mom). However, they do take multiple trips each year now to New York City to visit my brothers (I'll get to them in a minute). They really love NYC...Eventually maybe we'll all spend a beautiful snowy Christmas there one year...Beto and I still haven't visited there...They still have their dog, Sweetie, who continues to be spoiled rotten, but who lives up to her name by being super sweet.

Jason moved to NYC in August of 2009 to attend New York Film Academy for a year. After graduating, he took a few minor tv acting or stand in/extra roles. He stood in during filming on 'Royal Pains' on USA (You wont see him on it). I think he was an extra on a new lawyer show on there, too, coming on soon...'______ Legal'...'Lights Out', an FX show that premiered its season last night, is about a boxer. Jason plays a security guard on the season finale so watch for that. I'll be sure to post info on facebook. The big news of course is that he auditioned in July for a tall alien role in the movie Men in Black 3...he's 6 ft 10 in tall so he was perfect. They rewrote the movie and cut that part, but he filmed in December for a week in full prosthetics (Created by the same makeup artist who won awards for all the Star Wars movies) as a tall alien named 'Feelers'...met lots of famous actors in it...and will continue filming this non-speaking role (for now) in the Spring. Quite an honor. Watch for it on Memorial Day Weekend 2012. I'll be sure to let you know what he looks like around the time the movie comes out! ;)

Jordan, while working at Germantown High School, continued to work on his own website for video games and was paid to keep it looking nice by Rockstar Videogames in NYC, who created games like Grand Theft Auto. Finally, they flew him out a year ago to NYC and offered him a job as a manager of a new department that would target communications and interactions with customers and gamers. He accepted and moved in with Jason for few months. They live separately now, but he continues at the job and loves it and the city.

Beto continues to work at Publix while looking for a preaching job. He was invited in the late fall to teach a series of Bible classes on Sunday mornings at the Hispanic congregation at Berry's Chapel Church of Christ. If you remember, this is where he preached for 10 months interimly previously. He was asked to teach on relationships with Christ, church members, spouses, and children. We are almost done with the classes. When I finish my degree in August, we hope to look for preaching jobs at Hispanic congregations throughout the country where there are also NNP jobs for me at the same time! :)

While I've continued to work full-time as a NICU nurse, I've been studying part-time to complete my Master's in Nursing to be a neonatal nurse practitioner. I will finally graduate at the beginning of August. I have classes for the next 7-8 weeks or so. Then, in March-April, I will have one set of clinicals. In May-July, I will have my final set of clinicals! Then, I'm done! :) I really can't believe it. I'm excited, but I'm completely terrified. But Vanderbilt has a great program, so I'm sure I will feel much smarter by the end of it. There haven't been any preaching jobs at Hispanic congregations in Nashville or any congregations interested in starting any Hispanic churches. So I think we're interested in looking for NNP jobs and preaching jobs elsewhere if we don't find anything soon, which is exciting to us because we've been in Nashville since we got married, and I've been here for almost 11 years. We're ready for a change, maybe, we'll see, who knows. We'll see what happens.

Please keep us all in your prayers! I'll post updates when I remember, especially when I do clinicals!
God bless, Emily & Beto

Why I'm Liking Budgets...But Need Help With Couponing...

2010-07-25T14:29:00.001-05:00

So I will definitely admit that budgets certainly work! And while it was sometimes annoying to have to make my lunch or take the time to figure out what's for dinner and actually try to cook almost every night or every other night, I'm very proud of us because it definitely worked in the long run...financially and in terms of weight loss - I lost a few pounds myself! :)

To start, we went from spending $792 last month to $188 on dining out/entertainment, including buying food at work, going out to eat, getting takeout, going to movies, renting RedBox movies and forgetting to return them, etc. We ended up spending about the same as last month on groceries ($450), but at least we actually USED the groceries this time instead of waiting for them to expire and having to toss them out. We didn't buy unnecessary things other than a few fun things so our "miscellaneous" area of spending was down, too!

All in all, let's just say that it's July 25, and we've already paid next month's rent, cable/internet, cell phones, and electricity.

We're dividing up this leftover money from our paychecks to use for Beto's application for citizenship, a deposit into our savings account, and an extra nice monthly payment on the car.

If you need help making a budget, I'd be happy to help! :)

Now, I need help from you. Ok, so I can cut out coupons. And I tried to watch for Publix ads or Kroger ads and use them with the deals already being offered, but they just didn't seem to help THAT much compared to deals that I've seen my coupon-obsessed friends get. Any pointers? I'll take any help! Thanks!!! :)

An Update from the Holidays

2010-01-12T14:19:00.015-06:00

Apparently, I dont understand the true purpose of a blog and how you are supposed to update blogs regularly. If you look closely, it's obviously been way too long since my last update.

Beto and I managed to work out our schedules so that we could go home to my parents house for a few days for Christmas. Thankfully, it was not my year to work Christmas!

We spent most of the days just being lazy at home and sleeping...

A few years ago, my mom had been sick so cooking that Christmas was out of the question. I suggested just going out to eat or just picking up food. So dad took out the whole family on Christmas night to the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis. We ate at the Capriccio Grill. It's amazing. Every year I get the same thing: prime filet mignon, risotto with cheese, and chocolate bread pudding...can't even describe it. It's the best meal I've ever eaten. We've continued the tradition and gone there to eat each Christmas since then.

Afterwards, we came back to the house for some ice cream cake since Christmas is my birthday too...this year was the big 2-8...

While at the Peabody, we took a lot of pictures...so here are some for your enjoyment...

This is the 2-3 story tall Christmas tree that is always decorated beautifully at the Peabody each year.

This is where the ducks enter and leave every day to walk around and into and out of the fountain in the center of the lobby. The lobby of the hotel is GORGEOUS!

Beto and I in front of part of the huge Christmas tree :)

My mom and dad in front of the Christmas tree...on Dec 21, they celebrated 30 years of marriage! :)

This is a pic of the entire family.
In the back, on the left is Jordan (27 yrs old), and on the right is Jason (22 yrs old)...they are actually THAT tall. Jordan is 6 ft 7 in tall. Jason is 6 ft 10 in tall.

The entire family went sneaking around the hotel for the next hour looking for fun pictures to take. We found three phone booth right next to each other. Beto (my husband) and my brothers jumped in them for a "candid" picture. My brothers BARELY fit into the phone booths! (From L to R, Beto, Jason, Jordan)

This pic was taken just outside the entrance to the hotel. If you look just above our heads, you can see the sign that says "The Peabody"...This was one of the first nights of temps in the teens and twenties! Brrrr, BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!!!

Back at the house, we got ready to celebrate my birthday! This pic was taken of me and mom just after I blew out my candles! :)

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! :)

Swine Flu Vaccine...and other updates

2009-10-19T22:15:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone...So I need to update our blog more...not that we have anyone interesting to write about...but if we're going to have a blog, we might as well write on it regularly!

So I caved and went to get my swine flu vaccine today. I got the shot, not the flu mist because the flu mist gives you the live virus and makes you sick for a few days with a mild case of the flu...no thanks. Plus since I work with babies in the NICU, we were told NOT to get the nasal vaccine. So I got the shot, I didnt feel a thing, and I'm still alive...Many people told me that they would get it after I got mine first...so I got mine, now it is YOUR turn! :)

School started back for me in August. For those of you who dont know, I'm working on my Master's in Nursing to be a neonatal nurse practitioner. I'm doing the program part-time so I wont graduate until probably August 2011, but by doing the program more slowly, I wont pay for a cent of tuition, and I will have more NICU experience. I'm just taking one class this semester so it's not too rough right now. I have taken one test, and I think I have 3 more to go. The class is called "Neonatal/Developmental Physiology," and you wouldn't believe how many things can happen or go wrong from the point of almost-conception to birth! It's amazing but also pretty nerve-racking!

I went to the doctor today about my thyroid/migraines/hormones/insomnia, etc. So we drew blood to send off to find out what my thyroid levels are right now. We are also checking my hormone levels since my thyroid has a lot to do with my hormones. I'm hoping that once we get everything back where it should be, i will be FREE of migraines. I started a new thyroid medication a few weeks back because my other medication had been discontinued, permanently. Less than 2 weeks ago, I started Topamax for my migraines. I started at 25mg every night, then I advanced to 50mg every night. I have had 2 migraines in the last 2 weeks. So I am going to start taking 50mg in the morning and 50mg in the evening. So we'll see how that goes. Is it too late to go back and just have my thyroid cut out completely?! All this started when the parathyroidism started a few years back!

Oh well, hopefully I"ll see a differenc ein the next couple of weeks. And since my labs were done at Vandy, I should be able to get online at work and see my labs tomorrow!

I shouldn't forget my fabulous hubby Beto! He's doing well! His birthday is November 4, and I'm pestering him like crazy about what he wants for his birthday and Christmas. If he says anything to one of you guys, please pass along the gift suggestion to me!!!! He'll be turning 29! Then in December, I'll be turning 28! We're getting so old!

Well, it's getting late. Sorry that this wasn't the least bit interesting. I'm off to bed because I have to go take care of the babies in the morning!

Fake Appendicitis

2009-09-21T19:48:00.002-05:00

If you haven't guessed, I experience way too many health problems...asthma...allergies...deadly nut allergies...thyroid problems...

And if you know me, you know that I get sick with the most random things...parathyroid tumors...typhoid fever in Peru...and now I have something else to add to that list...mesenteric lymphadenitis...or as I affectionately call it, "fake appendicitis"...

Yesterday afternoon, I woke up from a wonderful Sunday afternoon nap with a horrible, sharp pain in my lower right abdomen...I had some cramps last week and just assumed it was my ovary or something...but I very quickly realized that it wasn't...the pain began to get worse...and definitely was NOT going away...

A few hours later, I could barely bend over to change into my pajamas...I kept debating about going to the ER but knew I had to work today and just hoped the pain would magically be gone...I didn't have a fever or vomiting so I was hoping that it wasn't appendicitis...I consulted with a few friends who are nurses or docs...finally I talked with a co-worker who had to have her appendix removed a few months back and never had a fever or vomiting either...

As much as I love working at Vandy, I know it's swine flu and regular flu season and that the Vandy ER is usually jam packed...so I went to Williamson Medical Center ER...I went into triage after about 20 minutes...got a room in the ER about 15 minutes later...then saw the doc about 10 minutes after that...

I went back for a CT scan...about an hour-ish later, the doc came back with the results from the radiologist..."mesenteric lymphadenitis"...basically, it mimics appendicitis perfectly, except that it involves your lymphnodes and not your appendix. It can be from an infection or virus in the area...but usually goes away on its own. Treatment - pain meds...I got home at 3am...so we were in and out and home in about 3 hrs...nice huh?

Now I'm just trying to tolerate the pain...if I'm really really still, it doesn't hurt that bad...I'm determined to work tomorrow so say a few prayers...hopefully I wont have any big babies...it hurts more to lift something...stupid "fake appendicitis"...

Awww Nuts

2009-08-14T07:19:00.003-05:00

Do you remember watching "Full House" and hearing Michelle say "Awww nuts!" when something didn't go her way? Ahhh, memories.

Now for a memory I'd like to forget.

Walmart is on my naughty list. Santa Claus should NOT make any stop there this year.

So a few months ago, I purchased some water bottle flavorings (like the Crystal Light ones), and they were Walmart-brand. After drinking one bottle, I felt a little tingle in my throat and felt different. I ran and read the label on the box, and sure enough, it was processed in a facility or on equipment in which it may have come into contact with nuts...and it LISTED EVERY nut...even cashews...the worst for me! Great.

So yesterday we ventured into Walmart because we had a LONG shopping list, and I knew we could find everything at Walmart AND save money...I usually am really good about reading the labels on EVERYTHING. So this morning, I'm using our new eggs, cheese, sausage, and PAM spray to make omelets. Yummm, right? Not really. After finishing mine, I feel a small bump on my lip and a tickle in my throat. Crap! I ran to the kitchen and pulled out each product and began to read the labels.

Can someone tell me how the heck shredded CHEESE has come into contact with nuts or why it'd be packaged or manufactured in the same facility or on the same equipment?!? I turned around, opened the fridge, and began to read the labels on all of our simple foods that were Walmart brands. Sour cream - no nuts...but cheese, yes? Soups - no nuts, but cheese and drink flavorings, yes? Seriously. How is it that some of these have warning labels, but others don't. Surely Walmart manufactures similar products in the same facility, so why wouldn't all dairy have this label? Is anything ok for me to eat that is Walmart brand? Who can I trust?

So I just sent Walmart a LOOOOOOONNNNNNG email about this. I mean, what's packaged or processed in which facility? Seriously?!? Because I HAVE to know...it's a matter of LIFE and DEATH!

For now, I will be boycotting Walmart...the service there is always ridiculously slow anyway...and parking sucks...and I always buy more than I needed anyway...I'll stick with Kroger where simple, common sense products are SAFE and have been tested by me! I'm done with Walmart brands!

Emily & Beto

Pass the Kleenex

2009-08-10T21:21:00.004-05:00

So, I know I promised that my next blog posting would be positive...and interesting...but...

I'm STILL sick! Seriously?!? I went to the doctor last Wednesday and felt awful. I got a steroid shot and was prescribed a 21-day course of Augmentin, an antibiotic. The FNP said that I just had a really bad sinus infection...

Now, it's almost a week later...and I don't feel even 1% better! I called the doctor's office first thing this morning, and they said they'd consult with my FNP. This afternoon, they called and asked how quickly I could get there. I ran in and got a sinus CT scan...let's just say that it was BEAUTIFUL...then I waited an hour to see the nurse practitioner. When she came in, I just about started bawling! I am just sooooo physically and emotionally exhausted from being sick and don't feel better at all! She decided to do blood work, send off a swine flu swab, and change my antibiotics.

Thankfully, I can access my Vandy labs online and just saw that my white blood cell count is 17,500...it should be more like 5,000-10,000...How is it that my WBC is so high after a whole week of antibiotics!?!? I'll have to wait til tomorrow for the swine flu results. And now, I'm on Biaxin, which tastes 10 times as lovely as Augmentin...bleh...twice a day...for 21 days!

So while our laundry from Peru still isn't all done...and I still haven't made it to the grocery (Thanks to Beto for buying a few things at a time so we at least have SOMETHING!)...so hopefully I'll be good enough to go to work later this week!

Say some prayers please!

Emily & Beto

Back to the Real World

2009-08-06T00:17:00.002-05:00

I sure do miss life moving more slowly in Peru last week. No real responsibilities, no work to go to, just hanging out with family...that's the life...

But now we're back to reality...bill-paying...work...stress...

Unfortunately, we haven't gotten much accomplished...there are still 4, full, zipped-closed suitcases in the living room, just waiting to be open and emptied...full of clothes begging to be washed and dried and put up...However, Beto has been at work (I don't go back to work til Friday), and I've been super sick so not much has gotten done.

I went to the doc today and got a steroid shot, 21-day course of antibiotics, and meds to do breathing treatments with my nebulizer machine. I have a really bad sinus infection, and my asthma is still bothering me from the trip. I have had a continuous headache (which has twice turned into a migraine) ever since the flight from Lima to Atlanta on Monday night. I'm hoping the steroid shot and a couple of doses of Augmentin will help relieve some of the pressure in my sinuses in the next day or two! Thankfully, Beto is feeling ok. He's always a trooper who is rarely sick. I feel bad for him to have to work and take care of me!

It is nice to be back to my own bed and air conditioning...I do miss the nice cool weather in Peru because it's "winter" there, so the temps are in the low 60s...There have already been two rough thunderstorms since we got back Tuesday morning...though I must admit, I kinda liked them!

I wish I had something entertaining or mildly interesting to write about...maybe in a day or two. Please pray that I feel better soon because I am scheduled to work on Friday and Saturday, and even though those 12-hr (which really are more like 13-hr shifts) day shifts wear me out, I really miss the babies and feeling purposeful...And pray that Beto doesn't get sick or catch whatever I have!

God bless,

Emily & Beto

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

2009-08-04T10:53:00.003-05:00

Bienvenidos a los Estados Unidos!

Yay! We're finally home! I have remembered once again why I hate international flights...this blog post is more a way for me to vent today...

I dont mean to complain so much. It was just really hard being in Peru this time. I had the worst problems with my asthma. I had to go to the local clinic twice and do multiple nebulizer treatments...used my inhaler more than should be allowed...and sneezed an average of probably 100 times a day. My lungs are ready for a break!

Peru's air is VERY different from here...there are no EPA standards...no regulations for the pollution put out from cars or factories...dirt everywhere...construction still going on in some places where it's been going on for years...It got to the point where I couldn't leave the house to go into the city without feeling like I was having continuous asthma attacks...I can handle the cold water and other things, but I kinda need my lungs to be able to function efficiently...The contamination in the air is just a lot for my lungs to handle...I'm hoping that it will be better the next time around...

I really did enjoy our time with Beto's family. I introduced Adriana (my niece) to Twilight...she's officially obsessed and didn't understand why she had to wait until for the next movie to come out! She wanted to watch it now! We watched lots of Disney together in Spanish...Milagros (Beto's cousin) and I hung out a lot too...

Unfortunately, everything ended with lots of stress as we tried to leave the country! So we got to the Lima airport more than 2 hrs before our flight...but found the longest line ever behind the Delta Airlines check-in desk...not a great start to our return trip...then after finally getting checked-in, we were told that we didn't have assigned seats yet and that we'd get them at the gate...great...even though i had chosen them MONTHS ago when we first purchased the tickets! We headed upstairs with the family to the area where passengers enter to begin to pass through security and immigration and all that fun stuff. We said our tearful goodbyes to Beto's wonderful family and headed towards security. Luckily, we didn't have to take our shoes off, and it took a grand total of 5 minutes.

As soon as we turned the corner, we saw it...hundreds of people in a backed up line to go through immigration...this just got me further riled up...when we finally made it to the front, the immigration officer's line that we had chosen turned out to be the slowest...finally, we made it to the gate as they were announcing the final boarding call. We requested our tickets to our seats, only to find out that we were not even sitting together. That was it. I became the rude customer and pitched a fit. We bought these tickets before most of the other passengers and didn't even have seats together! The lady changed them so that Beto and I were on the same row, but I was in seat B and he was in C...we had an aisle between us! I ranted and raved at the lady and finally threw my arms up into the air and ran to the plane...

Of course, the lady who sat in seat A didn't wanna give up her window seat so Beto could sit with me. Thankfully, the nice man sitting in seat D was willing to switch seats with me so that I could sit with Beto. By this time, I was so frustrated and exhausted that I just cried quietly on Beto's shoulder. The flight attendants came around and handed out pre-made, pre-wrapped sandwiches which I couldn't eat because of the ingredients in the bread (I'm allergic to nuts)...no yucky, warm meal later...As a result of all of the stress, a few hours later, I got a migraine...as the plane landed, i rushed to the bathroom and puked...there's nothing like hugging a toilet on an international flight...

We were able to get through customs, recheck our bags, get through security again, and find our gate for our Atlanta-to-Nashville flight on time, thankfully. I was actually able to sleep a little bit on that flight...

And now we're home...I just took a nice warm shower...and am under the covers in bed...getting ready to pass out for a loooooong time...

Thanks for letting me vent. I will be venting further in an email to Delta Airlines...maybe I'll get some extra miles or dollars towards a future flight...

I promise that my next blog posting will be more positive...

Nighty night.

Our Last Weekend in Peru

2009-08-01T23:13:00.004-05:00

Hey everyone!

So the end of our trip is near...and though it has been nice to spend time with Beto's family, I'm ready to get home!

What I Miss from Nashville, TN, USA
-Our bed. Beto and I have been sharing a twin bed here...and we are used to sharing a king-sized bed back home...it's been interesting...thankfully, he's been willing to sleep on the couch a time or two.

-Clean air and water. Peru does NOT have any EPA regulations...just imagine blowing your nose and seeing that your boogers are black. Gross, I know...but real. The water here is NOT drinkable...I refuse to drink it even after it has been boiled so we buy bottled water.

-Decent drivers. I will never again complain about bad drivers in Memphis or Nashville. I should videotape a taxi ride here in Peru. The cars have no problem driving within an inch of each other, and if you are on a 2-lane road, 4 or 5 cars will try to squeeze in. I have seen my life flash before my eyes way too many times.

-Hot water. Beto's dad added a special piece of equipment to heat the water in the shower here, but it already got broken from everyone taking hot showers! So now, it's back to freezing cold water.

What I Will Miss from Peru

-Family. I will miss Beto's family. I remember having typhoid fever (yes, I know!) a few years back and how Beto's mom came and took such good care of me! He has very loving parents who would do anything for their children. Adriana, his niece, is one crazy little 8-year-old who I will miss when we leave next week.

-Peruvian food. If you haven't eaten Peruvian food before, you have not had REAL food. I know it's all based on recipes of rice, chicken, and potatoes, but you cannot imagine how delicious it all is!

-Minor earthquakes. You gotta love a country that doesn't have tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricans, or tsnumais. I can totally tolerate an occasional, minor earthquake.

Last night, we took Beto's family out to eat at La Carreta. It is a NICE restaurant in a very NICE area of Lima. It was wonderful to sit down and watch everyone enjoy some of the city's best food and have such great service from the waiters. I am pretty sure we all stuffed ourselves last night. It was expensive (our gift to the family) but a wonderful family time.

Today, we were just lazy. Beto ran a few errands. I watched some shows on Disney with Adriana, my niece. She is obsessed with Demi Lovato and the show "Sonny with a Chance"...it's actually a cute show. Tonight, Beto and I went to a shopping center called "Megaplaza." We ate at the Pizza Hut there...it was REALLY REALLY nice. Here in Peru, it's a nice, sitdown restaurant that even serves wine. We enjoyed a Peruvian appetizer, a meat lasagna, and a thin pepperoni and sausage pizza! Yummmm!

So, it's time to go to bed, but not without sharing the big news with you guys! Beto's sister Jacky is married to Jorge. He is NOT a Christian, but we have all been triyng to study with him or encourage him for a long time. This morning, he told Beto that he wants to be baptized tomorrow morning at church!!! Yay! So we'll get up and baptize him (just with the family there) at church before classes and services start. It should be a wonderful end to our trip!!!

God bless,
Emily & Beto

Felices Fiestas Patrias!

2009-07-28T23:40:00.013-05:00

(From left to right, Milagros, Tia Fabi, Jorge, Jackie (with Adriana in the middle), Emilio & Meche.)

Today is July 28, Peru's Indepedence Day.

In 1821, Peru won its independence from Spain.
Kinda crazy to think that the U.S. has had its freedom longer than Peru, huh?

Typically, on July 28, in Peru, there are lots of parades with the President, military, etc. However, due to the outrageous number of swine flu cases in Peru, the President cancelled all parades. It seems kind of ridiculous to me because everyone was still out of the house and out and about celebrating.

We ate Pachamanca for a late lunch today. Pachamanca is a special Peruvian dish of chicken ("pollo"), potatoes ("papas"), sweet potatoes ("camotes"), "habas" (special vegetable in a pod), and rice, of course. Typically, to make it, you dig a hole in the ground. You first put in really really hot rocks. On top of that, you put in some sort of aluminum. I'm not really sure about that part. But it helps heat and cook the food. Then you put in some special leaves. Then on top of that, you put in the chicken and meats. Then you add more leaves, then the vegetables, like camotes and papas. It is really really yummy, and we only have it on special occasions. Of course, we cooked it the easy way instead of in the ground. We ate it at "Tusuy Wasy," which is the name of Beto's father's restaurant. It was closed so we had it all to ourselves.

Afterwards, we went to "El Circuito Magico de Las Aguas." It's a park where they put in 20-something beautiful water fountains. The water is timed with special lights so that there are special shows at night. It was really nice, but it wasn't such a good idea to have it open when it's "winter" in Peru. Being wet and walking around in cool temperatures isn't the best idea.

In these next two pictures, you see Peruvians dressed in typically, old-time Peruvian clothes, dancing to Peruvian mountain music.

Beto and his cousin Milagros are in front of one of the fountains.

Emily and her niece Adriana are in front of a fountain.

Milagros and Beto took a photo with someone dressed as the "Andean Devil."

I haven't blogged in the last couple of days because Beto and I stayed at the Sheraton Hotel here in Lima for the last two nights because I got sick, and we thought it'd be better to stay somewhere else so that I could recuperate in a more comfortable environment free of bugs and pollution and dirt/dust, which is hard to escape from since we are in Peru. I slowly felt better, but we checked out today, and as of a few hours ago, Beto has a temperature of 102. I am now drugging him up with tylenol and ibuprofen, alternating each every couple of hours. Tia Fabi (his aunt) is making him some tea, and we are hoping he'll feel better in the morning.

Emily & Beto

The Sounds of Peru

2009-07-26T10:50:00.002-05:00

Peru is extremely different from the United States, and extremely noisy at times.

As I sit on the couch in my in-laws's living room, this is what I hear:

-Birds are chirping in the trees.

-A cat just jumped onto the roof and then walked across it, though since it is a metal roof, it sounded more like a lion!

-Stray dogs are barking all around. You never miss animal control more than when you are in Peru. The streets are flooded with stray dogs digging into the trash and just walking around. They dont bother you or bite you, though they might if you messed with them. They just keep walking around and going about their business. Ugh!

-Bells clang on the garbage dump truck. They ring bells to let everyone know they are coming. Then everyone runs out there with their bags of garbage. They come almost every day or every other day.

-You hear the voice of a man shouting on a speaker that he is selling something. I have no idea what though because his mouth is too close to the microphone. He is pushing around his cart of odds and ends.

Peru is very noisy. Thankfully, for the most part, it is quiet at night, though the occasional cat jumping onto the metal roof from the house next door can scare you to death! And on the weekends, everyone is having crazy parties until the wee hours of the morning...the thin walls dont help...neither does the lack of respect for peace and quiet, but it's Peru!

Today should be a quiet day. We were going to go to the zoo with the family today, but since I seem to be getting sick, we're going to change those plans to another day. I think Beto and I might even go to a hotel downtown for a night or two just so I can be in a different type of environment so I can sleep and recover from whatever I have. They have decent hotels here, like Marriott and Sheraton, which are very nice and just like any other American hotel. They dont exactly fit into the budget of our trip but will cost a lot less than trying to change our tickets at last minute to go back earlier than planned.

Have a great rest of the weekend!
Oh, and did I mention that it's about 60 degrees outside! :)

Emily and Beto

La Gripe Porcina (The Swine Flu)

2009-07-23T20:54:00.003-05:00

Just when you think the drama with the swine flu has disappeared, you fly to Peru and see that all airport employees are wearing masks, and your airline company makes you fill out a form indicating if you have had any H1N1 symptoms. Good grief!

So the U.S. has had about 20,000 cases...and Peru has had about 2500+, which is a lot for a small country! However, it's apparently been running more rampantly lately, and there have been a good number of deaths here. Just what I need!

When Jackie, Jorge, and Milagros met us in the airport, they themselves were wearing masks. But I laughed and told them that these masks would not do anything because they were not the model indicated to actually help with H1N1 prevention. Some people insist that there are vaccinations available here for it...but I'm thinking that if the U.S. doesn't have an approved vaccine yet, neither does Peru.

I'm sure it's more rampant here because it's a third-world country, and many simple precautions are probably not taken by the people here. However, we will be careful...and I'm sure that if any one of us would get it, of course I would! Ha!

Hopefully this drama will quiet down soon. I am kinda disappointed because July 28 is Peru's Independence Day, and the government cancelled the big parades because of the swine flu. Though I'm sure no one is upset, they also started vacations earlier for local schools!

Ok, time to get out of the house for a little bit! Take care!

Emily & Beto

Bienvenidos a Peru

2009-07-23T20:26:00.005-05:00

Buenas noches, amigos!

Could I BE any more tired?! (interpreted with the tone of Chandler from Friends)

Wow! So, I worked 12-hour shifts (really more like 13-hour shifts) Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday at Vanderbilt, while intermittently packing, finishing a school paper, and working on Beto's immigration/residency paperwork, which I still have yet to finish...I stayed up late Tuesday night after working, got sick, and finally went to bed for a few hours, only to wake up very early the next morning to finish packing and rush (and i mean RUSH) to the airport!

Thankfully, we made it in time (Thanks, Hope!), and we even had time to eat at O'Charley's in the airport before boarding to head to Atlanta. Of course we had GREAT (sarcasm intended) seats on the plane. We were in the last row RIGHT NEXT to the bathroom. How many people need to go to the bathroom on a ONE-HOUR flight? Apparently, about one-third! It was insane! No sleeping there!

We had about 3 hours in Atlanta between flights...we found our gate, chilled out for a bit, and then ate a little more in TGIFridays. Finally, we got on the plane to go to Lima. We flew on Delta airlines, and I was impressed with our plane going to Lima. Each passenger had his or her own TV on the back of the seat in front of them. You could pick movies, tv shows, music, and games. It kept us entertained until we could go to sleep for a bit. The trip was soooo long though...6.5 hours...on American Airlines flights, we were more used to 5 hours...

Finally we arrived...we passed through customs/immigration and got our suitcases fairly quickly! We found Emilio and Meche (Beto's parents) quickly. We were outta there in less than an hour! Record time! Jackie (Beto's sister), Milagro (Beto's cousin), and Jorge (Beto's brother-in-law and Jackie's husband) arrived just in time to ride back to the house with you. It's always fun to find a taxi to take everyone to the house because the taxi drivers are very persistent and always try to charge more when they see an American.

We got home, and Tia Fabi (Beto's aunt and Milagros's mom) and Adriana (our niece, and Jackie and Jorge's daughter) were ready to greet us with soup, rice (of course), and pollo al horno. It was delicious! We stayed up talking til probably 3am and finally got ready to go to bed. I have never slept so good in my life. I'm pretty sure I didn't even change positions while I was asleep in bed...though I really couldn't have if I wanted to because Beto and I are sharing a twin bed...haha

This morning, we got up around 10am and had breakfast, which consisted of an assortment bread and jelly. Afterwards, Beto, Adriana, and I went to Metro, the local supermarket, to buy food and other household items. I'm pretty sure we had three overflowing shopping carts! When we got home, Jackie and Meche had finished making seco (chicken with a special sauce made with cilantro in it) with rice and potatoes...it was really good! Of course, we had Inca Kola too...no time in Peru is complete without lots of bottles of Inca Kola, the specialty soda of Peru.

Now that we're unpacked and full of food, Adriana and I are going to watch "El Programa de Proteccion para Princesas" (or "The Princess Protection Program") in Spanish on the Disney Channel. Then, we'll have a late supper of chicken and fries!

Oh did I mention that it's been in the middle or low 60s all day outside? Kinda makes you forget about the wandering stray dogs and the dustiness/dirtiness outside!

Que Dios les bendiga (God bless you),

Emily & Beto

A Little Bit Nutty...

2009-06-05T23:51:00.003-05:00

I feel a reaction coming on just by LOOKING at this picture...ugh

If you don't have a nut allergy, or a deadly allergy to something else, you have no idea what it's like to live on edge day after day because the tiniest bit of a piece of dust from a nut.

When I was about 9 years old, I remember eating a Kudo bar and having an itch in my throat afterwards. My mom gave me a benadryl to take and assumed it was a reaction to the tiny pieces of almonds in it. After taking the benadryl, I was fine.

Little did I know that my family should be literally investing in benadryl...and maybe Epipens...

Apparently, as I've gotten older, my reactions have gotten worse...thanks puberty...from an itchy throat to a pretty much a full-on anaphylactic reaction. It starts out as an itch in my throat or a tiny swollen bump on my lip...that I can feel before you can even see it...then progresses to my throat swelling and closing up...not being able to breathe...and panicking, which doesn't exactly help when you know that in a few minutes, you won't be able to even take a breath...

I used to just have to make sure that I didn't eat anything with pieces of nuts in it...no Snickers bars...no Nutella...basically, I just had to be careful with desserts...

Then, it progressed...I"ve made numerous ER visits...more than I can count...I wil purposely drive all the way out to Williamson County Medical Center (which is 20+ minutes away, versus Vandy, which is less than 10 minutes away, because I know that I can be seen faster and treated more quickly)...some reactions have been paid for by restaurants who weren't careful after I told them that I was allergic to nuts...then a tiny piece of a nut fell into a dessert...or an entree.

Allergy testing several years ago showed whelts bigger than quarters on my arms from the tiny injections of nut allergens...I was even told that some reactions (from a few nuts in particular) would possibly NOT be able to be resolved by an Epipen or trip to the hospital...great.

A few years ago, Beto and I were in a nice part of Lima, Peru, and we ate my favorite Peruvian dish "Aji de Gallina"...We promptly asked the chef if there were any nuts (in Spanish "nueces") in the dish...After an itch in my throat and ears developed at the completion of my meal, we ran to ask again if there were any "nueces" in the meal...She responded "no"...We then named every nut we could think of..."Are there any almonds, peanuts, cashews, walnuts, pecans, etc in this food?" And she responded, "Well we crushed up pecans into a dust." (Little did I know that apparently in Peru, "nueces" seems to indicate a particular nut versus the family of nuts.) Great. I, of course, did NOT have my Epipen with me because I refused to carry around a purse in unsafe areas of Lima. So I grabbed Beto's hand and started running towards the street and flagged down a taxi like a crazy woman and told the taxi driver to take us to the nearest clinic as FAST as possible, and that it was a big emergency. I felt my throat quickly closing up, and freaking out did NOT help. On the way, I wrote down the Spanish words for epinephrine, antihistamine, and prednisone on a piece of paper in case the worst happened before we got to the clinic. Finally, we arrived, and I ran in. Of course, they would NOT give me any medication until Beto went and paid...oh the joys of Peru...then a nurse came in, inserted an IV quickly in my hand, and pushed in some mixture of antihistamine and steroid (or so she told me that was what it was...I really didn't care at the time.) Finally, after a minute or two, I could finally breathe better and knew I'd be ok. They refused to give me a dose of epinephrine because they were worried about it causing tachycardia...whatever. Then, we went off to the pharmacy and purchased benadryl and prednisone to take for the next week in case a delayed reaction occurred after the meds wore off...Oh yeah, the inital reaction isn't the only one that can happen. I could still have a delayed reaction for up to almost 4 days after the ingestion of the nut. How much fun is that!?!

And that's my life now. Now, I walk around with a bottle of benadryl and at least one Epipen in my purse...and maybe some prednisone and an albuterol inhaler...And there's more of all of that in the medicine cabinet at home...But I never go anywhere without them. I have taught Beto how to use the Epipen. I've even used it a couple of times at work when I thought a reaction was developing.

I read the labels of every single package of food. If it says that it "may have traces of nuts," or that it was "manufactured in a facility that processes nuts," or that it "was manufactured on equipment that processes foods with nuts," I do not eat it. At restaurants, I have to speak to the waiter and use the words "deathly allergic to nuts"...and usually the chef or manager will come talk to me to tell me how they will be extra cautious...We usually don't eat at "new" restaurants if I haven't eaten there before and don't know that it's "safe." Chili's, O'Charleys, and TGIFridays are usually safe...I know the Spanish words for every single nuts in existence and name them all when we go out to eat somewhere in Lima, Peru.

No candy...no peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...no kisses from Beto if he "may" have eaten a food with nuts in it...and apparently now, no Walmart-brand water flavorings. I just read the side of the package of the grape flavorings for water bottles and saw that it is processed in a facility that processes all kinds of nuts. That is what really spawned this note. I mean, it's a fruit-flavored powder for my water, and now I can't buy that kind anymore. At least Crystal Light doesn't say anything on its package...yet. I usually try to clean off the area where I eat my lunch at work because I've had light reactions before when someone has eaten nuts in the same place. I wash my hands like crazy outside of the house in case I touch a place that someone else touched after they ate or touched nuts. I eat just about everything with a utensil just in case I've touched something...

So if you get upset because you can't send something with peanut butter in it with your child to school because another child has nut allergies...or you're a waiter, and a customer asks you about all the nut-free dishes and to make sure that the chef cooks her food in a separate pan so that she doesn't die...remember that nut allergies are super hard to live with...and can kill within minutes...and are ridiculously dangerous...and (lucky me) are the ONLY food allergy that you CANNOT grow out of...

Though right now, some studies have been conducted where the tiniest amounts of peanut flour are being introduced into the diet of a person allergic to nuts...and the amount of peanut flour is gradually increased...to the point where people who are deathly allergic to nuts can eat a handful of nuts without a reaction! Hopefully they will make more progress with that...we'll see...for now, no food from Logan's or Texas Roadhouse...

Rain Rain, Go Away!

2009-05-06T23:39:00.003-05:00

So I'm pretty sure it's already rained for about 40 days and 40 nights...or so it seems...I can't really remember the last time that I saw the sun...last week at work, I'm pretty sure it was so dark outside that you didn't know if it was 8am or 8pm!

Whenever I go to check out the weather predictions for the next 10 days (www.weather.com), it seems that MAYBE 1 day of those 10 days, it says "partly cloudy"...that's the extent of the sunshine predictions.

Can't we get that special system that the Chinese used during the Olympics? They had some way of making the clouds and rainy weather go away so that the outdoor Olympics could still happen.

I Will Praise You In This Storm

2009-04-10T23:11:00.011-05:00

So obviously, if you live in Nashville and have been watching the news at all, you know it's been a rough enough week already.

To begin, the other night, WSMV News Channel 4 Anchor Dan Miller died of a heart attack while in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia. I never thought that the death of a beloved news anchor could impact so many people around the area. It was a big shock without a lot of answers to us as to why? Why did he have to die now? Were there signs that he may have a heart attack? This man came into my house (with an invitation) every day and night via my television. He presented us with the good news and the bad news and did it with class. Every night since then, it's been really hard to watch the news because they play special clips from his time at WSMV and always close with a shot of his chair in the newsroom. He seemed amazingly healthy and to be a wonderful and generous man. Yet he is no longer with us. I can only pray for his family and hope that he is now in heaven.

Today a string of tornadoes ran rampant throughout Middle Tennessee. Thankfully, no one I know was directly affected by it all. However, on the news, we see dozens of homes that barely exist anymore, or homes in completely different locations because the powerful tornadoes have moved them. Material things are material things. Most of the homeowners survived. But one family tried to escape the tornadoes when things got bad. The mom and her 9-week-old baby were found dead, the baby still in her carseat. Now the father is struggling for his life in the hospital.

My friend's husband just had to go to training to get ready to serve in Iraq for the next year. His wife is being so strong, but I know it is so hard for them to be separated, especially since they have to small children.

Too many of my friends have lost loved ones this week...friends and family...from all over the U.S., and are now making various emotional journeys to the funerals.
In times like these, you hear how we must live our lives to their fullest because life is short. Treat every day as if it's your last.

Then I think about my job...my calling...I spend 2-3 long days each week taking care of babies in the NICU who suffer from a variety of conditions...some who are born at or before 24 weeks gestation, with the smallest chance of survival...or a full-term baby with a fatal diagnosis...but these babies are so resilient and grow stronger every day to succeed each obstacle in their way...we have our good days and of course a lot of bad days...we love these babies so much...but we do everything in our power to save these babies, give every medication, investigate all of the latest research, and include all of the best doctors and nurses...sometimes, there isn't anything that we can do...and we see the storm starting to loom around us. Sometimes we see it coming from a distance; sometimes we turn around, and it's already here. We don't always have all of the answers and tools to defeat it or survive it. It's very scary out there.

But I believe that we have to see all of these situations from a complete different perspective...it's hard just to move on...it's hard to sit there and cry...it's easy to blame God...why couldn't Dan Miller have been sick right in front of an ER? why couldn't that tornado have stayed higher in the air or gone in another direction? why couldn't we save that baby? We try not to get depressed and not to point the finger and spread the blame...but it happens...we think it...

There's a song I recently heard that seems to fit this week perfectly...I've attached the link to go and watch the video LIVE. But I suggest you read the lyrics first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ype1xE0wzsg

I Will Praise You In The Storm
by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now, God
that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away
stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say Amen,
and it's still raining...
And as the thunder rolls,
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise You in this storm
and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise you in this storm.

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised my up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on if I can't find You

And as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rains
"I'm with you"
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

Yummy (and EASY) Recipes!

2009-04-01T19:46:00.005-05:00

On Tuesday, I made a list of things that we would cook for the next two weeks. We trekked over to Walmart and stocked up in hopes that we'd actually use that food and make something yummy, and healthy, to eat!

My friend Cayla suggested trying out some recipes at Kraft Foods. They even have a section called "budget-wise" where you can pick what foods you like, and it'll show you a menu and shopping list for the whole week! Tonight, we made Saucy Baked Pork Chops! Oh my goodness! Only 5 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook, and it was delicious!

Saucy Baked Chops

prep time - 5 min
cook time - 45 min

Ingredients - 4 bone-in center-cut pork chops, 1/2 c kraft original bbq sauce, 2 Tbsp orange marmalade, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp garlic powder

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400*F.
2. Place chops in 8-in. baking dish (I used a casserole dish)
3. Combine sauce, marmalade, ginger, and garlic powder. Spoon evenly over pork chops.
4. Bake for 45 min. (or until ready!)

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm! And CHEAP! We got Walmart-brand bbq sauce to make it even less expensive! And who doesn't have 5 minutes to get something ready to toss in the oven!

I'll let you know how it goes when I try out other recipes, but for right now, I'm pretty sure I could live off of this!

Emily + Coupons = Savings!

2009-03-20T15:42:00.003-05:00

So, I made a list last night of everything I needed after checking out Kroger's current sales (thegrocerygame.com) and searching for coupons all over the internet. I got some things that we need now (fruit, bread, meat, chicken) and some things to stock up on because the sale was just too good when combined with my coupons (paper towels, toilet paper, soup, canned fruit, oatmeal). On top of that, we get 10% off Kroger-brand items since my hubby works there.

So my total would have been $189.75, including tax and everything.

Among manufacturer's coupons, doubled coupons, kroger plus card savings, and my hubby's 10% off of Kroger-brand items, new total was $139.47.

Original Total - $189.75
Coupon/Discount Total - $50.28 (including tax)
Total Amount Paid - $139.47

So I think I'll keep up with the coupons, whether it's searching in the mail, newspaper, or internet.

Recommendations:
-www.thegrocerygame.com - You get a one-month trial for $1. Choose your store, and it gives you a list of everything on sale, plus where to find coupons, if available, to save EVEN MORE.

-www.afullcup.com - You get lots of printable coupon websites all in one website.

-others: www.coupons.com, www.smartsource.com, www.redplum.com

So What Does a NICU Nurse Do?

2009-03-15T21:58:00.015-05:00

Person 1: "What do you do?"
Emily: "I'm a NICU nurse."
Person 1: "Bless your heart. I couldn't do what you do."
Emily: "I love doing it. Our babies are very strong and usually do very well. I'm blessed with a very rewarding job."

Person 2: "What do you do?"
Emily: "I'm a NICU nurse."
Person 2: "Oh you play with the cute babies! That must be fun!"
Emily: "It can be. But it is very difficult and complicated work."

So what DOES a NICU nurse do?
Do I rock babies? Of course.
Do I play with babies? Only if they are big enough and healthy enough.
Do I change diapers? I'm beyond expert status in diaper-changing. I should be in the Olympics.
Do I feed babies? Through tubes, my mouth (bottles), and by IVs.
Do I see sad things? Absolutely. Usually the babies do well. But we definitely have very very sad days.

But what do I really DO?
I promise that you cannot even imagine what my job entails.

The babies in the NICU are usually born at any time betwen 24 weeks gestation and 40+ weeks gestation. They can range from less than 1 pound in weight to 10+ pounds in weight. Obviously, the 10+ pound babies are more rare in the NICU and typically seem like toddler-sized kids to me compared to our preemies. The diapers in this picture range from micropreemie size (smaller than a maxipad or the palm of your hand) to size 2!

Here are some of the diagnoses of the babies that I take care of. I'll leave it up to you to hunt for more specific definitions or pictures if you can stomach it. I've seen gastroschisis, omphalocele, necrotizing enterocolitis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CPD), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), patent ductus arteriosis (PDA), hydrocephalus, spina bifida, aspiration pneumonia, hyperbilirubinemia, epilepsy, congenital heart defects, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and the list goes on and on.

So, yes, I change diapers, take temperatures, and feed babies. But...

But I am on my toes all of the time, watch bedside operations (in which the operating room is basically brought to the baby's room in the case that the baby is not stable enough to go down, or maybe the baby's breathing equipment doesn't allow), administer medication to keep the infant's heart working, see intestines on the outside of an infant's body, pour formula down feeding tubes, suction out mucous down to an infant's lungs (almost), see firsthand a baby's real heart (being operated on), draw blood from the tiniest of feet, start IVs in the tiniest of veins, save babies' lives with the flick of a foot or a back rub, etc...

...I also help moms hold their tiny baby boys or girls for the first time (or the last time), see babies go home in their carseats, attend funerals of babies who are in heaven, cheer at the sight of poop (sometimes, it's a huge deal!), teach a dad how to change a diaper, help parents give their baby boy his first "big boy" bath (which involves a small tub and not just a "sponge bath," help parents do "kangaroo care" (in which they hold their baby close to bare skin and bond), etc.

Did I mention how often I wash my hands? I scrub well (from elbow to fingertips) when I arrive at work. Then after that I probably wash my hands more than 100 times in a 12-hour period when at work (and you thought Mr. Monk from "Monk" was bad).

It's enormously hard to limit what I do to a simple blog posting...or find a way to describe what I do. It's hard to communicate to other people what I see and what the parents of these babies go through. Sometimes it's hard for ME to understand what these parents go through. But I do the best I can, and I think that I do a pretty darn good job. I'm so lucky to have the job that I have.

And when God really really really blesses me and my patients, I get to see those patients when they return for follow-up visits several months or a year later. I look at those patients in amazement because I remember how tiny they were when they first arrived or I recall a particular dreadful night or week or month in the health of that baby. I see the progress that has been made, the love that has blossomed, and the success of the care that we work so hard to give, all with God's help!

Babies, Babies, Babies!

2009-03-13T17:15:00.013-05:00

So was last June "National Baby-Making Month," and apparently I missed it on the news or calendar? I feel like I can name a dozen people having babies THIS month and several who had babies last month! It's crazy! I suppose there was a repeat of "National Baby-Making Month" in September or October (preemie babies!) because the NICU is pretty full as well!

In February, Jackson Manis made it quite obvious to dad Justin and mom Kara that he was no longer going to wait to make his grand entrance. He thought it'd be a good idea to give mom contractions at 9:30pm, break her water at 10:30pm (in the car on the way to the hospital, just before dad got pulled over for speeding), and fought his way out at around 11:15pm. Needless to say, mom didn't get a chance to get an epidural or even take much of a breath!

Last month, Beto and I spent 2 days in L&D with some friends from church. Baby Emmanuel was very comfortable in his home of 9 months (the uterus), and labor wasn't progressing. Finally, Teresita finally gave birth to little Emmanuel (via C-section), a precious and HUGE (9+ pounds) baby boy! Proud dad Gregorio, mom Teresita, and baby Emmanuel are in the picture at the top in the operating room.

Earlier this week, Andrew and Krystle in Memphis were blessed with little Ethan Parker Howell! Ethan actually behaved himself and arrived in a timely manner! First grandson for Byron and Jeanette Howell! Someone is going to be super spoiled! He's quite a cutie! Congrats! My mom is holding precious Ethan in the picture here.

Speaking of babies, don't hold your breath! We're still planning for another year or two from now!

Coupons Galore!

2009-03-12T20:53:00.005-05:00

I always remember my mom sitting at the kitchen table and cutting coupons on Sunday afternoons...and then I remember that huge box in which all of the coupons were organized...we lugged that thing to Kroger every time we went...so maybe it was a good idea after all...

Forget cutting coupons...print them! Erin Gray Howell (thanks!) went on a coupon-searching frenzy today and got me addicted as well! So we'll see what all I find...but I had no idea that there were so many coupons available on the internet for nearly every brand of food!

Too bad I decided to start searching for coupons AFTER we bought two weeks worth of groceries...ugh!