Water Birth in China

Posted on May 23, 2012 by flamidwyfe

Just attended the first water birth at the hospital in Guangzhou. First baby for this couple.

I love when I can see birth workers grow and learn to trust birth and it’s process. This lady only had two internal exams, one on admission this morning and another in the afternoon around 4 pm. She was 5 cms and transferred to the water birth room.

At 5 pm she was singing the loudest, sweetest birth song and holding onto me for dear life. One of the midwives wanted to check her, I said no, let’s watch what happens and 23 minutes later her sweet baby slipped gently into my hands and up to her chest. She and her husband cocooned with the baby and there wasn’t a peep out of anyone in the room. I think they were all stunned 🙂

Days like this I love my vocation. Funny thing, as I was changing into scrubs I had a fleeting thought that I was too old for this… Now I’m going out to run! LOL

Ciao!

DAY 1 – 60 Day Photo Challenge

Posted on May 22, 2012 by flamidwyfe

One of my bloggy friends, Jamie over at KeepingUpWithTheJones is doing a 60 day photo challenge and it looks like fun! So here goes:

Day 01 – A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.

This pic is from April 2012 in Guangzhou, China. I was there (and actually I’m there now) to teach a water birth training class to staff and to introduce water birth to the patients of the hospital.

1. I got pregnant with my son 2 weeks shy of my 17th birthday. Best decision I made in my life was to not crumble to the advise to abort… From nearly everyone in my life… He’s almost 31. That said, I am Pro-Choice.

2. Even though I was 7 months pregnant I walked across the stage and collected my high school diploma. My mom and dad threatened to sue the school board if they didn’t let me, we won, my parents rock!

3. I adore my little sister, Nannette. We’re in our late 40’s and still fight like little sisters, but if you hurt my little sis, you’ll pay, BIG TIME… She’s mine to pick on, and no one else! LOL

4. I have 2 daughters, Jenni and Tiffany, who have blessed me with a total of 6 grandchildren. My daughters also blessed me by allowing me to attend them for all of their births… I can’t explain the elation I had catching every single one of them! My face always hurts for days after I catch a grand baby, from smiling so much. None of my grand babies were born in a hospital and two of them were born in the water.

5. I’m a midwife. I did not pick this vocation, it picked me. It was a calling. It’s had it’s ups and downs and every single moment… EVERY SINGLE MOMENT has been worth it. I have been blessed to attend over 2500 births on 4 continents… How Lucky am I?

6. I just lost ~~101~~ 104 pounds in under 9 months by following the Dukan Diet pretty much to the letter. I reached Dr. Dukan’s goal within 3 days of the day he said I would… Pretty impressive!

7. I went from crying after running 45 seconds in January to running a 5K in under 45 minutes in 12 weeks 🙂

8. I love reading about serial killers… They fascinate me.

9. If I wasn’t a midwife, I’d be a forensic scientist.

10. Woman I admire the most (not including my mom): Hillary Clinton

11. I lived in Abu Dhabi for 3 years, I’ve lived in China for the last 8 months.

12. I love traveling ALONE. You meet so many interesting people that way.

13. Two of my grandchildren, Sydnie Renae and Sadie Rose were born in the same house to each of my daughters 22 hours and 35 minutes apart.

14. I love Lady Gaga 🙂

15. I am proudly part of the Christian Left and finally feel like I’ve found a group of people who think the same way I do… Finally!

If anyone else is up for the challenge, here’s the list:

Day 01 – A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.
Day 02 – A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.
Day 03 – A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 – A picture of your night.
Day 05 – A picture of one of your favorite memories.
Day 06 – A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day.
Day 07 – A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 – A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 – A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 – A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 – A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 – A picture of something you love.
Day 13 – A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 – A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 – A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 – A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 – A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 – A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 – A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 – A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel.
Day 21 – A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 – A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 – A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 – A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 – A picture of your day.
Day 26 – A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 – A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 – A picture of something you’re afraid of.
Day 29 – A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 – A picture of someone you miss.
Day 31 – A picture of a tradition you have.
Day 32 – A picture of a crazy night.
Day 33 – A picture of the house you grew up in.
Day 34 – A picture of your currently most played CD.
Day 35 – A picture of your favorite place to eat.
Day 36 – A picture of your ‘other half’.
Day 37 – A picture of the people you spend most of your time with.
Day 38 – A picture of the best part of your day.
Day 39 – A picture of your favorite movie.
Day 40 – A picture of your favorite Disney character.
Day 41 – A picture of your pet.
Day 42 – A picture of your dream house.
Day 43 – A picture of something you can’t function without.
Day 44 – A picture of someone you’re told you look like.
Day 45 – A picture of your room.
Day 46 – A picture of where you wish you were right now.
Day 47 – A picture of your favorite place to shop.
Day 48 – A picture of your favorite actress/actor.
Day 49 – A picture of where you live.
Day 50 – A picture of your most frequented place.
Day 51 – A picture of your dream car.
Day 52 – A picture of your favorite sport.
Day 53 – A picture of someone you think is hot.
Day 54 – A picture of the one thing you would bring if you were stranded on a deserted island.
Day 55 – A picture of the last movie you saw in theaters.
Day 56 – A picture of something that makes you happy.
Day 57 – A picture of your favorite holiday.
Day 58 – A picture of your favorite animal.
Day 59 – A picture of a random item that you own.
Day 60 – A picture of something you’re excited about

Weekly Photo Challenge – Hands

Posted on May 22, 2012 by flamidwyfe

This photo was taken in Pennapiedimonte, Italy. The hands on the clock are the same ones that were there when my great-grandfather, Antonio Santoleri married his bride Sofia DiPlacido in this church in 1898. The face of the clock was changed in 1963, the year I was born. The clock gongs every 15 minutes, so wherever you are in the village, you know what time it is without looking at a watch. The priest at the church showed my son Nick and I the church record of their marriage, along with the births of many of their children. we also stayed in their home with a cousin from the DiPlacido side of the family, Domenico. The family resemblance was stunning!

Weekly Photo Challenge – Hands

Posted on May 21, 2012 by flamidwyfe

This phot was taken with my iPhone in January 2012. Jenni, Tiffany and I were having lunch at the Jensen Beach Ale House…. I love and miss my girls so much!

Weekly Photo Challenge – Hands

Posted on May 20, 2012 by flamidwyfe

This photo was taken by Ruth Kraft an amazing photographer from Palm Beach, Florida. The hands belong to my daughter Tiffany, my son Nick, my granddaughter Sydnie Renae and me. Photo taken November 19, 2009. Baby Jose was born November 30.

Posted on May 18, 2012 by flamidwyfe

The post that started it all 🙂 August 19, 2011.

Flamidwyfe's Blog

Here we go!!!

Prior to going on holiday to the States, Lucy and I went to the book shop in the Al Jimi Mall and I discovered the Dukan Diet book, written by Dr. Pierre Dukan. I’m not fond of the word DIEt, since the 1st 3 letters spell “DIE”, so I’m going to call it the Dukan Program 🙂

I threw the book in my carry on luggage and boarded my flight and read my other novels while flying home to see family and friends. I ignored the book, purposefully while I was on my holiday.

On my first Friday in Florida I had a lovely, inspiring and motivating lunch with John Geraghty, who I went to high school with. His vocation is a life coach, and he’s awesome at it! His business is Courageous Authenticity. And we chatted for over 2 hours… me even admitting to John…

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Dukan Diet 101

Posted on May 18, 2012 by flamidwyfe

Going on a diet and following it to the letter is kind of like going to college. If you’re going to do it right and get a degree and be successful in your ‘career’ you have to study it, learn it, live it and breathe it. That is how college was for me and that has been how following the Dukan Diet has been for me. I bought the book at the urging of my friend Lucy. I threw it in my carry on to read while on vacation in the States last August and didn’t pull it out until I was on the plane going back to Abu Dhabi having been at my class reunion and being horrified at how fat I was in the pictures. Did everyone love me just the same? Of course they did, but OH MY GOD I was fat.

At the very start of the trip I met with my a school colleague, John Geraghty, for some life coaching. My weight was just one of the issues I wanted to discuss and it wasn’t even a major one. I wanted to talk about my career, moving forward, opening myself up for relationships and my weight. I admitted to John at the session that I weighted 255 pounds. The words coming out of my mouth astounded me. How did I get there? John gave me many tools for making changes that needed to be made in order to move forward. In fact, I changed jobs (and countries) the following month and I read Dr. Dukan’s book, word for word on that plane on the way home.

I’ve read all the books… Seriously… ALL OF THEM… This one MADE SENSE. Dr. Dukan’s philosophy on low carb and low fat and learning how to eat well and stay healthy made sense. And so, I embarked on his program August 20, 2012… Dukan Diet 101….

THAT 101 STANDS FOR A LOSS of 101 POUNDS!!! That’s 45.9 KILOGRAMS and 7 STONES 3 POUNDS. A LOT 🙂 A side note… They sucked out 3.96 pounds of fat last Thursday.

I’ve exceeded my goal by one pound. Now, I know, I promised not to weigh for 10 days post op, but I just couldn’t do it. My scale is my friend. It’s literally been there through thick and thin… Literally 😀 I’m not sure what my true weight is, because I still have quite a bit of swelling and edema.

So, what does this mean? IM IN PHASE 3!!! CONSOLIDATION!!!! WOO HOO!!!! I’m actually Day 8 consolidation, as I added cheese and some fruit in my diet last Friday. I felt like I needed the extra good fat in the cheese and the little bit if fructose (I’ve only had 2 apples and 1 pear) for energy while healing. That’s Day 8 of 500 days. Dr. Dukan recommends that you do the consolidation phase 5 days for every pound you lose. In the Consolidation phase you can add back in 2 slices of bread per day… I will NOT be doing that. After reading Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis and just knowing how amazing my body feels without it, I plan on being wheat free for life. Since going wheat free due to the Dukan diet in August I have not had a migraine, vertigo, reflux (heartburn), allergies, joint pain or IBS. NONE. I will pretty much follow a Paleo type meal plan throughout my Dukan Phase 3. I have done extensive reading on all of it… Seriously, like going to college for nutrition, and I have figured out what is best for me.

I’m back to nightly walks, I will do yoga (gentle yoga) starting Monday (okayed by doctor) and can start running again next Thursday, thank God since my first 5K is only 3 weeks and 1 day away!

So that’s the update 😀 I cannot thank all of you enough for the support, love, cheering and good wishes. To my family and friends… You are the BEST… To my new blogging friends… I am so glad we’re on this journey together… You inspire me… All of you!

Ciao!

Parting shots:
Me in April 2011

Jan-April 2011

May-August 2011

Sept-Dec 2011

Today 154 pounds 🙂

Unofficial Weekly Photo Challenge – Reflections

Posted on May 14, 2012 by flamidwyfe

I took this photo on the beach in Oman up in the Mussandam Peninsula in March 2009. This photo makes me reflect on the beauty of the Middle East and the people that live there.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Bridges

Posted on May 14, 2012 by flamidwyfe

I took this photo a few weeks ago while traveling by train from Hangzhou to Wenzhou. This bridge was on the very outskirts of Hangzhou.

My Surgery

Posted on May 14, 2012 by flamidwyfe

Phew… it’s been a helluva week. It is Sunday night, I THINK, and I’m on a flight from Hangzhou to Hong Kong. I boarded this plane less than 72 hours after being under general anesthesia for liposuction. I feel like crap! And that’s putting it mildly.

Just want to pre-warn that there will be some pictures of during and after my surgery. So stop right now if ya don’t wanna see… Hey! Don’t scroll down, you have to read first! 🙂

Wednesday, May 9 (Happy birthday Charity… I love you and I’m a shitty aunt for not sending you birthday wishes)… Kitty and I leave at 615 am for the train station.

Four hour train ride to Wenzhou, where we get checked into the hotel and go to hospital for 2nd consult with cosmetic surgeon. He and the Director of the Cosmetic Surgery department make me feel at ease, discuss what will be done on Thursday, go over the informed consent thoroughly and the papers are signed. Nice dinner out with the hospital admin and the guest speakers for tomorrow’s events. I had wine. I deserved it, lol 🙂

This is where I’m going to answer the question that 3 people have privately emailed me this week… Why did I have liposuction? Quite simply, at 48 years old, having been obese for most of my adult life, and having lost nearly 100 pounds in 8 months, I had fat that wasn’t going anywhere. It had settled in a few places that I didn’t like. Most noticeably to me was the inner aspect of my knees. About 6 weeks ago I noticed that my legs were getting so toned from running that my thighs no longer touched… WOO HOO… But my knees still did. I did tons of research on what kinds of exercise would get rid of it and the bottom line is none. I didn’t like it. In clothes (SIZE 10!!!) I looked great. But naked, not so much. I’ve been doing yoga 2x a week, running 5+K 5x a week and using the stretch bands 2x a week and it wasn’t budging. Not that it matters, because I had liposuction because I wanted it 🙂 And that is what is the most important.

Thursday, May 10 (Happy Birthday, Sydnie Renae, momma sent your mommy a text message, thanks for the response back)… Up early for a marketing event at the hospital. My job, stand on stage with the other dignitaries and support the company’s cross-straight relationship with Taiwan with a new IVF clinic using the latest technology. Very exciting for our Wenzhou patients!

My surgery was originally scheduled for 10 am, after the event, but was postponed until 2, so Kitty and I headed back to the hotel for a rest. It was around noon that I found out that my blog had been suspended… I wrote about that yesterday, but I was more upset about that happening than the surgery! I wasn’t nervous about the surgery, because I felt completely confident with my decision and completely confident in my surgeon. At 2 pm Kitty and I went to the 7th floor to see the surgeon and get drawn on.

Kitty and I on our way back to hospital for operation…

I then put on jammies for the walk down to the OR. I was able to walk in and get on the OR table myself. The anesthetist introduced herself and the Chief anesthetist came in and introduced himself. I was unbelievably calm. My heart rate was 57 bpm. Kitty was by my side. And as they gave me he “put you to sleep medicine” I looked over at Kitty and asked her if that’s what they gave me… I woke up 3.5 hours later. Here’s a peek at what happened in the OR.

Getting the fat sucked out of tummy..

This is my surgeon proudly displaying jar #1… There was a second jar with 700mL… And yes jar #1 is full to the top 🙂

I woke up a little panicky, but then Kitty reassured me she was there and I calmed. I was shivering u controllable. I kept trying to clear my throat because it’s hoarse from being intubated. I was on a heart monitor and kept asking for my glasses so I could monitor my vital signs 🙂 For some reason I was fixated on my oxygen saturation rate (it would drop to 89% and I’d take deep breaths to get it back up… lol). Kitty never left my side. When everyone left the room she told me that they sucked out 2500mL of fat and 400mL came from my knees. She’s such a good Doobie! I vomited 7 times. They had me on a drip of Fentanyl and no anti-emetic available. Something we’ll talk about at the follow-up. I turned off the fentanyl, since it hurt worse to puke.

Friday, May 11 (Happy Birthday, Sadie Rose! Momma loves you and I sent a message to your mommy… I’m sure she gave it to you!) My daughters gave birth 22 hours and 35 minutes apart 8 years ago, giving me to gorgeous grand-girls!

Around 400 a.m., my bladder starting bothering me, the foley was pulling, the bag was full. Kitty couldn’t fine a nurse, so she got me out of bed and I went in search for a syringe, so I could remove it myself! Which I did!

Kitty lovingly went back to the hotel to bring me yogurt for breakfast. And the news that the Taizhou CEO really, really wanted me to go there for their Sunday water birth event. He’s a really nice guy, I laid out the terms of what would need to be done to make it happen and within in an hour it was settled… Kitty and I were leaving Wenzhou to go back for one night in Hangzhou. So off we went… Less than 24 hours post op… Before we left Kitty took these lovely pics of my bruising…

Bruise over upper abdomen, over liver area…

This is the right side of my body… Wonder why I feel like I’ve been hit with a Mack truck?..

Here’s the sun setting at the Wenzhou train station…

Into Hangzhou late… Straight to bed, repack early in the morning and I walked to work with Olivia. Nice slow walk. Kitty got all my medicine together and I had my daily dose of antibiotics. Not a big fan, but this is China and I teach infection control… ‘Nuff said 🙂 while sitting there getting my IV, my CEO sends me a big bouquet of flowers…

Warning… Bad hair moment!

Saturday, May 12

Then BACK to the train station to go to Taizhou!

Beautiful room in Taizhou. I make Kitty and I dinner… Now listen here folks… If I can haul my little stove, pan, spatula, meat and onions 3 hours on a train, 48 hours after surgery and stay on my diet… Then SO CAN YOU! 🙂

About 3 minutes after we finish eating, we get a call that the car is downstairs to go to dinner with the CEO and guests for the next days events. We went and picked at the food. In bed by 9 pm and Kitty and I watched Big Momma, Like Father, Like Son… We laughed until we cried… Funny movie.

Sunday, May 13… HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Up at 7 to go to hospital for IV infusion before event. I stir fried steak for Kitty and I and had a yogurt with Splenda and flax seed meal. While getting my IV I practiced my speech for the ceremony.

Then downstairs for the event. I delivered the first water birth baby in Taizhou a couple months ago and the mommy was there with the baby…

Here’s the wall banner for the event…

Then lunch with the gang and back to the train station for the 3 hour trip back to Hangzhou. Long, sad ride knowing these were my last few hours with Kitty 😦 Her last day is Tuesday, so today was our day together. Kitty slept, as per usual…

We get to the Hangzhou train station and my driver Jerry scooped us off and off to the airport… Geez oh Pete! Jerry put the front seat down, so I could elevate my legs on the ride… He’s awesome!

Hangzhou airport… Goodbye Kitty! You’ve been the best personal assistant over the past 8 months. You’ve grown and improved and probably learned more from me than you should have, lol. Through you I’ve learned patience. Kitty’s last cute quote as she wiped my tears away, “now stop crying, you’re smearing the eyelash make-up”… Love the girl.

I look like crap in this picture… 5 cities in four days. This shot was taken less than 72 hours after I came out of surgery. Everyone keeps saying I’m strong. I think I’m stupid!

Flight to Hong Kong, uneventful… Here’s a shot while we were landing…

So, to wrap things up…
1. Elective surgery hurts the same as non-elective surgery.

2. I had the following done:

a. Inside aspect of knees
b. Above the knee
c. Inside upper thigh
d. Upper abdomen
e. Two spots on each side of my back

3. No one tells you how shitty you really feel after liposuction. I’m here to tell you that you feel like:

a. You’ve been hit by a truck
b. You’ve been run over by a train
c. You’ve been dropped from a 20 story building
d. You’ve run full on into a brick wall
e. You’ve been beaten with a baseball bat

4. Hard to find pictures of what you look like after liposuction, I’ve shared them here. You look battered. You LOOK like you’ve been beaten with a baseball bat. I guess a lot of people don’t want to say they’ve had work done, and that’s OK, but I really would have liked a little insight!

5. I would suggest a bit more rest than I’ve had. That said, I’m vegging out in a hotel room in Hong Kong. I’m suppose to get on a train to Guangzhou today, but I’m thinking I’m not going to do it. I need ME time. They have a lady who is wanting to be the first water birth in Guangzhou and they are waiting for me… She’ll have to wait… This momma is going to take care of herself today… Babies can wait 🙂

Ciao!