I thought they were talking about a sandwich!

Posted on May 26, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Reblogged from LOLA, THE PUPPY WITH congenital HEART disease:

Today I went to the cardiologist and my mommy was right, it didn't hurt! The doctor used a computer and a wand to look at my heart. I got to see it too! They called the pictures an echocardiograph, it's just a fancy word for heart pictures. The doctor told my mommy I have a PDA, at first I was really excited because I LOVE peanut butter and jelly...

It's Not Genetics

Posted on May 8, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Reblogged from NoTimeToW8:

Three of America's biggest killers are listed on this ecard, and they are all preventable. Walking, jogging, and running along with a healthy eating plan are perfect ways to reverse the damaging effects of these conditions, or even prevent them all together. As always though, you should always seek the advice of a medical professional before embarking on a new fitness routine.

Time flies by…

Posted on May 1, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Can’t believe how fast time goes between posts! Nick is home. He still has the PICC line in and is receiving home nursing care for his medication and dressing changes. He’s still in quite a bit of pain from his incision, but healing and much better!

I’ve done a lot of walking the past couple of weeks. Long walks on my days off 7-8 miles most of those mornings and then 3 mile walks at night on the days that I work. I also got in a bike ride this past weekend.

Weight is about the same. A bit frustrating to say the least I am eating per Dukan/Paleo so it’ll come off.

That’s my update… I hope everyone is having an amazing week!

Ciao!

What a Week and a Half

Posted on April 23, 2013 by flamidwyfe

It’s been 10 days of up and downs, but things are improving!

Last Sunday a bike ride after church and then a drive 70 miles north to Melborne to visit Nick in the hospital. Very sick, my boy He had surgery for this unknown infection in his left leg at 0700. Ask for prayers for healing… so many responses… THANK YOU!

Monday drive 70 miles south to job at the birth center. Call on my drive home, Nick being rushed back into surgery after spiking at 104.6 temp.

Tuesday drive 70 miles north to see Nick. Things not looking good. Surgeon says he may have to amputate to save Nick’s life. Lots and lots of prayer and healing energy, lots of emails and messages on facebook… my friends are AWESOME! Still no work on what this infection is.

Wednesday. Drive 70 miles south to birth center drive. In the late afternoon we’re told that it’s Group G strep… I’ve never heard of it. Conversation with my friend Julie so positive and full of light. Great suggestions! She also sends texts which I forward to Nick. I go to my Wednesday night bible study and everyone asks how Nick is… prayers said, uplifted by everyone’s spirit and positivity. Go to wifi cafe to read up on this G strep and it doesn’t look good. The first study I read 1 in 5 die. 2 of the 4 that survive have amputation. I decide to meditate on his leg and body being WHOLE. I went home, tucked Sydnie into bed and went for a 45 minute run… forgot to set the RunKeeper, but think it was about 3 miles total.

Thursday… NO IDEA WHAT I DID… LOL Oh wait! Tiffany and I ran the billing business all day… sheesh, I have NO BRAIN! Nick got his PICC line. That is an indwelling catheter in his subclavian artery so they don’t have to keep poking him for blood draws and resticking for IVs every 72 hours. Nick will be receiving long term antibiotics through this port for approximately a month.

Friday… Drive 80 miles to my college teaching job. Had a GREAT class. I really, really love teaching midwifery. LOVE IT. Then 10 miles north to the birth center to hook up with my girls and a 180 mile drive across the state to the west coast to see the mother of US midwifery Ina Mae Gaskin’s film premier and a meet and greet with her. Thank you boss lady, Miriam, for the trip… you’re the best… I still think the highlight of the trip was the stop at the TACO TRUCK in the middle of nowhere (South Bay) on the way over. FYI: I only ate the pork with the onions and cilantro… yum!!! Then 180 miles back to the birth center, where I spent the night, exhausted!

Saturday… Drive 70 miles north to home. Catch up on housework, saw the grandkids, did a nice bike ride. Nick improving. Doc cautiously optomistic. No temp over 100 for 3 days!!! Woo hoo!!!

Sunday… rode my bike to church 4.25 miles. Then rode it home, but took the long way…

Gorgeous day for a long bike ride!

My butt hurts, LOL. But it was a GORGEOUS ride! Lots of time to think and not think and just enjoy the wind in my hair. Nick update… surgeon says Nick is doing so well, he MIGHT go home this week! Last Tuesday he told him he’d be in hospital for at least 3 weeks! He will keep his PICC line in and continue on the long term antibiotics, but be at home. This is awesome news!

Monday… 70 mile drive to birth center job. It’s EARTH DAY and we’re celebrating. So much fun! Nick is still doing well and is waiting on news whether he gets to go home this week.

On the Dukan front… I’m eating very well, but my weight isn’t budging. I was starting to get VERY discouraged, but had a pep talk with myself. I know the Dukan Diet works… I mean everyone that follows this blog knows that. I also know that stress causes cortisol levels to rise, which makes it difficult to lose weight… I’m thinking my cortisol levels are through the roof this past week and a half My weight is 164. I’ll take that, for now. I’m focusing on my boy and that’s what is important. I’ll just keep eating right and it’ll happen.

So that’s the update. Waiting on word on whether he is going home today. My mom and sis are on the way there now. I’ve been skyping him on days I can’t be there. And I am so grateful for the technology that we have!

Skyping with Nick

My bike… a gift for which I’m grateful

Ina Mae Gaskin at her movie premier.

So that’s my week… what have you been up to? How is your exercise and food choices going?

Ciao!

Dukan – Update

Posted on April 16, 2013 by flamidwyfe

A quick update as my week has been full of ups and downs.

Three deaths this week. My friend’s husband, a classmate from high school and my brother-in-law’s mom… Grandma Rosie. Today is her memorial and I’m looking forward to seeing extended family.

My son fell last week and cut his knee on a piece of glass. He had sudden onset of fever and pain at work late Saturday night. He was admitted at 230 a.m. and was in surgery at 8 a.m. He went back into surgery last night due to his temperature being 104.6. The surgeon seems to think it is strep and that if they don’t get it under control, he may lose his leg. This is a NIGHTMARE! I ask that everyone keep him in their thoughts and prayers.

On a happier note… I had a lovely bike ride with Natalie on Sunday after church (11 kms) and then had the kids and grandkids over for dinner before heading up to see Nick.

From left: Celeste, Sadie, Jose, Sydnie, Ariana, Shane, Sofia and Faelynn.

Ribs in the crockpot… they were yummy!

Weight: 166 – Saturday was a BAD food day… shamefully bad, although gluten free. I’m working on it. I’m really working on not comfort eating. I’m hoping for a better week!

Ciao!

Memories of Europe & Sea Salt

Posted on April 8, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Yesterday morning I was grinding sea salt onto my breakfast and realized that my grinder was almost empty. I was flooded with the memories of the trip that brought that container of Spice Islands Sea Salt my way.

In the summer of 2009 (yes, nearly 4 years ago) I was living in Abu Dhabi and was meeting my son in Amsterdam for a 3 week EuroRail vacation. I asked him to bring a shaker of Spice Islands Sea Salt with him, since I couldn’t find it over seas… he brought 2 bottles…. This is what is left of bottle number 2:

Spice Islands Sea Salt

It has reminded me of the amazing trip we had… so much fun traveling with my son… He’s so UNNEEDY and a foodie, so we ate well… here’s some pics…

Nick and me in Bruges.

Roma

I’m also reminded of how much weight I’ve lost

I think 2 bottles of Sea Salt in 4 years isn’t so bad… and the memories of how they got to me are awesome… Nick… mom needs another bottle of salt!

Ciao!

Dukan Diet – Consolidation Day 327 – Day 2 Attack

Posted on April 3, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Had a pretty awesome day. On Tuesdays I work from home, so that I’m not commuting south 3 days a week. I did most of my work from Panero’s this morning. Lovely coffee, fast wifi and everyone leaves you alone.

I then had lunch with my pastor, Rick Evans. So refreshing to spend time with someone who practices what he preaches.

Then I did work from Dunkin’ Donuts (my wifi at home is slow as sludge!) and then picked up Sydnie, borrowed a bike rack from childhood friend, Natalie (who is also Rick’s wife) and then picked up my bike from my bestie, Denise! Good to see her and Loca, her shepherd, who is on her 9th life… I thought she had died while I was in Australia, so what a surprise when she started “talking” to me. Then off to fill the tires… Now I can ride again. Yay!

Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs
Lunch: Steak salad (so technically not attack, since I had approx. 1/2 cup greens)
Dinner: Stir fry – sausage with onions and garlic
Snack: FF greek yogurt with splenda and flaxseed meal

Tuesday morning weight: 172
Wednesday morning weight: 170
I love Dukan

Ciao!

Dukan Diet – Consolidation Day 326 – ReAttack Day 1

Posted on April 2, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Good Morning… here’s the update for yesterday!

Up early to drive Sydnie to school and drive the 70 miles to work. Boiled eggs to take with me.

Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs, 700 mL water, coffee x 2
Morning Snack: 1 boiled egg, 500 mL water
Lunch: Easter ham, Coke Zero
Afternoon Snack: 1 boiled egg, 500 mL water
Dinner: Baked chicken thigh x 2 with thin sliced onion over the top. Seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder… Sydnie’s favorite!
Evening Snack: Fat Free Greek Yogurt with 1 splenda and 2 TBS flaxseed meal, 500 mL water.

30 minute walk after Syd went to bed.

Monday morning weight: 173
Tuesday morning weight: 172

So far, so good

Ciao!

Two Things

Posted on March 31, 2013 by flamidwyfe

I forgot the two main things I wanted to focus on in the last post, lol. My jet-lagged brain can be mush at times!

I saw this on the wall of a bathroom stall on my way from Adelaide to Melbourne… It truly represents how I live and I love the person who wrote it… Even though I don’t know them… We are kindred sisters!

And… I never forget how incredibly blessed I am. I chase my dreams. I travel, a lot. I spend what I earn in travel. I have very little savings. I’d rather spend it and enjoy it now… While I’m young and able to, than let it sit in the bank. I trust The Lord will take care of me when I’m old… For now, I’ve got hundreds of tales to tell because I live my dreams…

Ciao

International Women’s Day

Posted on March 8, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Today, March 8, 2013 is International Women’s Day. A day to celebrate women and from the International Women’s Day web site…

Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women’s Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women’s rights and participation in social, political and economic processes.

They have a theme each year and this year it is:
2013 Theme: THE GENDER AGENDA: GAINING MOMENTUM
Over time and distance, the equal rights of women have progressed. We celebrate the achievements of women while remaining vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change. There is global momentum for championing women’s equality.

In celebration of IWD I caught a baby in Australia. Birth is an arena where women’s rights are still being trampled, all over the world. Women aren’t given the choice of where and with whom they want to deliver. Often, what is perceived as a high risk (and many times it is) precludes a woman from having choices. For most OB practitioners it is their way or the highway. Sadly, women don’t feel supported in certain settings. So they choose to birth at home where things turn out fine. As they did today. Trusting in the body’s innate ability to do what it was designed to do. Trusting that the woman and her partner know what is best for them. Trusting your own instinct as a practitioner that you will make the right decisions and seeing absolute joy and self empowerment on the women I serve is the epitome of celebrating women. Internationally. Respecting. Trusting Birth. This is what I do. This is what has sent me to 5 different continents to serve women and their families. This is why I feel so honored and blessed today…

Happy International Women’s Day!

Flamidwyfe's Blog

Midwifing in the Far East and travelin' the World!

Category Archives: Life

I thought they were talking about a sandwich!

It's Not Genetics

Time flies by…

What a Week and a Half

Dukan – Update

Memories of Europe & Sea Salt

Dukan Diet – Consolidation Day 327 – Day 2 Attack

Dukan Diet – Consolidation Day 326 – ReAttack Day 1

Two Things

International Women’s Day

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