Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
No News Is Great News
After not hearing all morning from the our friends at the Reuten outpatient clinic, Michael called Annette to see if they had the radiologist's report from yesterday's CT scans. Annette was surprised that Dr. Harris had not called us himself. She then told Michael the wonderful news that Sylvie's CT scans were perfectly normal! After 7 months of one shit sandwich after another, finally some positive news! I guess the good thing is that Sylvie is healthy enough to be at the end of the To-Do List.
After school and physical therapy, we headed into the city for the Dan Zanes screening and performance at Housing Works Bookstore. Caroline got a whirlwind tour of New York City as I navigated Friday traffic. Sylvie had on her favorite dress, actually Samantha's, with fruit all over it, for the occasion. I happened to post our whereabouts on Facebook and was ecstatic to be joined at the toddler music fest by my friends Stephanie, in town from Los Angeles, and Janice who is one of my most cherished and longtime friends. Sylvie had never met either of them. When Dan entered the room, Sylvie's face lit up. We said hello and Sylvie tried to follow him around. During the screening, Sylvie chose to sit on my lap for most of the show until Stephanie offered to whisk her off her feet and dance the funky chicken. It is a side of Stephanie I have never seen! They were like Fred & Ginger's kooky relatives. Steph works on House MD and I was equally thrilled and surprised to see my friend Ana cast in the season opener. She's also the cellist in a band I work with (Into the Presence) and my friend Luis' girlfriend. This week was definitely six degrees of Stephanie.
Dan and Sonia played a few songs which was more like Sylvie and I calling out our favorite tunes... "The Fine Friends Are Here," "Wonder Wheel," "Pay Me My Money Down" and more. During "Catch That Train," Sylvie made Caroline, Janice, Stephanie and I form a train with her. I hope Dan appreciated my maurauding crusaders enthusiasm.
Afterwords, we walked over to the Scholastic Store where Sylvie went beserk over the larger than life Clifford which Janice animated. Janice and I have embarked on many adventures in our lifetime, from camping (on a gravel bed in a KOA campsite) to hiking in the Shawagunks without food and practically shaking down a park ranger for a granola bar to learning how to kayak in the Hudson River together as well as rock climbing. We were known to wear vinyl pants back when I preferred Southern Comfort to soy milk but really, watching Janice make Clifford the Big Red Dog come to life ranks up there with sharing a rock ledge together on a multi-pitch climb. I forgot to tell her that our first climbing teacher is in jail for killing his roommate's ex-girlfriend's pet rabbit and making fricassee.
Sylvie was pretty much insane on the drive home. There was so much traffic that I hopped out of the car on Broome Street to MariBelle Chocolate shop, got a bag full of goodies for us and back into the car which had inched forward maybe 10 feet. Sylvie stuffed her face with a buttery cookie filled with fresh caramel. Her fingers were so gooey that Caroline had to rub the caramel off them while Sylvie tried licking off the rest.
When we finally got home, we finally opened that bottle of champagne which we've had waiting and waiting and waiting for such an occasion as today. I made Mark Bittman's soba noodles for dinner (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/dining/23mini.html) and took Sylvie upstairs for bedtime. She asked me to give Dan Zanes a message and then proceeded to tell her Sleeping Beauty "the good things" of the day which went something like this, "Sleeping Beauty, let's talk about the good things... I won't drop you off and leave you at school. Today we spent the whole day together and I didn't go to work. It was a good day. One day when you were a baby, you were in my tummy and were (gesturing) this small." I couldn't stop telling Sylvie how much we love her and then kissing her fuzzy head over and over and over.
After school and physical therapy, we headed into the city for the Dan Zanes screening and performance at Housing Works Bookstore. Caroline got a whirlwind tour of New York City as I navigated Friday traffic. Sylvie had on her favorite dress, actually Samantha's, with fruit all over it, for the occasion. I happened to post our whereabouts on Facebook and was ecstatic to be joined at the toddler music fest by my friends Stephanie, in town from Los Angeles, and Janice who is one of my most cherished and longtime friends. Sylvie had never met either of them. When Dan entered the room, Sylvie's face lit up. We said hello and Sylvie tried to follow him around. During the screening, Sylvie chose to sit on my lap for most of the show until Stephanie offered to whisk her off her feet and dance the funky chicken. It is a side of Stephanie I have never seen! They were like Fred & Ginger's kooky relatives. Steph works on House MD and I was equally thrilled and surprised to see my friend Ana cast in the season opener. She's also the cellist in a band I work with (Into the Presence) and my friend Luis' girlfriend. This week was definitely six degrees of Stephanie.
Dan and Sonia played a few songs which was more like Sylvie and I calling out our favorite tunes... "The Fine Friends Are Here," "Wonder Wheel," "Pay Me My Money Down" and more. During "Catch That Train," Sylvie made Caroline, Janice, Stephanie and I form a train with her. I hope Dan appreciated my maurauding crusaders enthusiasm.
Afterwords, we walked over to the Scholastic Store where Sylvie went beserk over the larger than life Clifford which Janice animated. Janice and I have embarked on many adventures in our lifetime, from camping (on a gravel bed in a KOA campsite) to hiking in the Shawagunks without food and practically shaking down a park ranger for a granola bar to learning how to kayak in the Hudson River together as well as rock climbing. We were known to wear vinyl pants back when I preferred Southern Comfort to soy milk but really, watching Janice make Clifford the Big Red Dog come to life ranks up there with sharing a rock ledge together on a multi-pitch climb. I forgot to tell her that our first climbing teacher is in jail for killing his roommate's ex-girlfriend's pet rabbit and making fricassee.
Sylvie was pretty much insane on the drive home. There was so much traffic that I hopped out of the car on Broome Street to MariBelle Chocolate shop, got a bag full of goodies for us and back into the car which had inched forward maybe 10 feet. Sylvie stuffed her face with a buttery cookie filled with fresh caramel. Her fingers were so gooey that Caroline had to rub the caramel off them while Sylvie tried licking off the rest.
When we finally got home, we finally opened that bottle of champagne which we've had waiting and waiting and waiting for such an occasion as today. I made Mark Bittman's soba noodles for dinner (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/dining/23mini.html) and took Sylvie upstairs for bedtime. She asked me to give Dan Zanes a message and then proceeded to tell her Sleeping Beauty "the good things" of the day which went something like this, "Sleeping Beauty, let's talk about the good things... I won't drop you off and leave you at school. Today we spent the whole day together and I didn't go to work. It was a good day. One day when you were a baby, you were in my tummy and were (gesturing) this small." I couldn't stop telling Sylvie how much we love her and then kissing her fuzzy head over and over and over.
AFP 10.2!!!!!
Finally, good news! I mean, we still don't have Sylvie's CT scan results but with an AFP of 10.2 we are all pretty hopeful that everything is a okay. Michael is a bit on edge waiting for today's call. When Annette told us yesterday that Sylvie's AFP was 10.2, Michael said, "Well, I was hoping it would be no higher than 11." I was just hoping for anything good, quite frankly. We needed some good news.
I wish Sylvie could share in our enthusiasm over the 10.2 AFP and 1 kilogram weight gain but really, her excitement was directed at getting mozzarella sticks at the Children's Hospital cafe. We ran into one of Sylvie's favorite nurses from Pediatric Oncology, Danielle, in the cafe while Sylvie was cruising back and forth looking at the enormous fish tank yelling "Hi Nemo!!!!!" It was a very sweet reunion.
We haven't gone upstairs to say hi to the nurses since July; we talk about it; it just hasn't happened yet.
We are one step closer to actually planning a vacation in November, though!
In celebration of yesterday's good news, after preschool and Sylvie's physical therapy today we are headed into the city to also celebrate the Dan Zanes and Friends DVD release with a free screening party at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in SoHo. I hope our city friends join us!!! Dan Zanes is going to play a few songs too. For more info, click on The New York Times link or read below.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/arts/25kids.html
New York Times
Spare Times: For Children
By LAUREL GRAEBER
Published: September 24, 2009
DAN ZANES (Friday and Wednesday) Both the Housing Works Bookstore Café and
92YTriBeCa are welcoming some fine friends: they¹re celebrating the new live
concert DVD ³The Fine Friends Are Here,² the latest effort from that trusted
friend to children, Dan Zanes. The DVD will be screened, and in the ultimate
gesture of friendship Mr. Zanes himself will appear to play a few songs and
join the fun. On Friday at 4 p.m., the event is accompanied by snacks and a
party at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, 126 Crosby Street, between Houston
and Prince Streets, SoHo, 212-334-3324, housingworksbookstore.org; free.
I wish Sylvie could share in our enthusiasm over the 10.2 AFP and 1 kilogram weight gain but really, her excitement was directed at getting mozzarella sticks at the Children's Hospital cafe. We ran into one of Sylvie's favorite nurses from Pediatric Oncology, Danielle, in the cafe while Sylvie was cruising back and forth looking at the enormous fish tank yelling "Hi Nemo!!!!!" It was a very sweet reunion.
We haven't gone upstairs to say hi to the nurses since July; we talk about it; it just hasn't happened yet.
We are one step closer to actually planning a vacation in November, though!
In celebration of yesterday's good news, after preschool and Sylvie's physical therapy today we are headed into the city to also celebrate the Dan Zanes and Friends DVD release with a free screening party at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in SoHo. I hope our city friends join us!!! Dan Zanes is going to play a few songs too. For more info, click on The New York Times link or read below.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/arts/25kids.html
New York Times
Spare Times: For Children
By LAUREL GRAEBER
Published: September 24, 2009
DAN ZANES (Friday and Wednesday) Both the Housing Works Bookstore Café and
92YTriBeCa are welcoming some fine friends: they¹re celebrating the new live
concert DVD ³The Fine Friends Are Here,² the latest effort from that trusted
friend to children, Dan Zanes. The DVD will be screened, and in the ultimate
gesture of friendship Mr. Zanes himself will appear to play a few songs and
join the fun. On Friday at 4 p.m., the event is accompanied by snacks and a
party at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, 126 Crosby Street, between Houston
and Prince Streets, SoHo, 212-334-3324, housingworksbookstore.org; free.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Happy New Year
Every minute of every day, we're reminded about Sylvie's illness whether it's her crewcut or abdominal scar or wobbly movements. Or the bills, envelopes from Oxford United Healthcare and doctor appointments. it's knowing the pharmacist's voice or being called by him to inquire if we might need a refill for Sylvie's raspberry-flavored magnesium glycinate. Or Dr. Rosen stopping by the house en route home from the Whole Child Center and lining up Sylvie's three new mini My Little Pony's (a present from Tracey, Sylvie's physical therapist) on our arts & crafts style front door because she left them in his office. The continued kindness of friends, neighbors and even strangers like Denise who makes us amazing chicken noodle soup. Or little Suzanne down the street who gave Sylvie the most fancy Barbie ever. Perhaps it's my parent's rabbi waving to Sylvie during Rosh Hashana services and mouthing the words to me "I'm so happy that you are here" or something like that. We were very happy to be there too.
I'm actually not sure if Sylvie is technically in remission; I'm sure she is not considered to be cured --not yet, I'm pretty sure.
On one hand, we appreciate and treasure every single moment with Sylvie but naturally, when she is hiding in her Tinkerbell Tent in the playroom every morning in an effort to not go to preschool, going "boneless" on me as I try to dress her in something other than a tulle princess costume or one of her many pink dresses, trying to escape the potty, or going insane for the first 25 out of 30 minutes of her first private gymnastics class, I'm just like any other mom being tortured by their strong-willed and sassy toddler. It took Michael an hour to try and get Sylvie dressed this morning while Catherine and I sweated it out at a 6 am spin class. I reminded him abut each of our friends' kids who do the same thing. In a way, it's comforting knowing that Sylvie is just like her friends.
Tomorrow morning, Sylvie has her CT scans, an AFP test and appointment with Dr. Harris. I'm very concerned about her continued abdominal pain. If she were healthy and "normal" I'd be worried so naturally it's unsettling to Michael and me. I am eager to see how much she weighs. Sylvie eats an egg and cheese on challah sandwich at least once a day and for the next few days, Blue Smoke mac n cheese which I swear is made with bacon fat and cayenne pepper. I thought I'd hurl when I tried it but Sylvie can't get enough of it. I'd weigh about 25 pounds more if I ate like that. That being said, she eats her fare share of very healthy foods, too, from cashews to cottage cheese, organic fig cookies and cantaloupe.
Michael and I went to yoga tonight. Michael is on pins and needles about tomorrow. Sylvie is in that awful stage where she's nearly ready to lose her afternoon nap. She fell asleep tonight at 7 pm in a Cinderella dress that looks like a 7-layer-cake of blue and silver fabric. We need to get her to drink some apple-flavored barium. Last time, it made her puke. Oh joy.
Speaking of joy, I told her we were going to see the Dan Zanes movie on Friday afternoon (at Housing Works Book Cafe) and that Dan would be there too. She was pretty ecstatic and reminded me of the time he dedicated "Jump Up " to her.
L'Shana Tovah friends and family.
I'm actually not sure if Sylvie is technically in remission; I'm sure she is not considered to be cured --not yet, I'm pretty sure.
On one hand, we appreciate and treasure every single moment with Sylvie but naturally, when she is hiding in her Tinkerbell Tent in the playroom every morning in an effort to not go to preschool, going "boneless" on me as I try to dress her in something other than a tulle princess costume or one of her many pink dresses, trying to escape the potty, or going insane for the first 25 out of 30 minutes of her first private gymnastics class, I'm just like any other mom being tortured by their strong-willed and sassy toddler. It took Michael an hour to try and get Sylvie dressed this morning while Catherine and I sweated it out at a 6 am spin class. I reminded him abut each of our friends' kids who do the same thing. In a way, it's comforting knowing that Sylvie is just like her friends.
Tomorrow morning, Sylvie has her CT scans, an AFP test and appointment with Dr. Harris. I'm very concerned about her continued abdominal pain. If she were healthy and "normal" I'd be worried so naturally it's unsettling to Michael and me. I am eager to see how much she weighs. Sylvie eats an egg and cheese on challah sandwich at least once a day and for the next few days, Blue Smoke mac n cheese which I swear is made with bacon fat and cayenne pepper. I thought I'd hurl when I tried it but Sylvie can't get enough of it. I'd weigh about 25 pounds more if I ate like that. That being said, she eats her fare share of very healthy foods, too, from cashews to cottage cheese, organic fig cookies and cantaloupe.
Michael and I went to yoga tonight. Michael is on pins and needles about tomorrow. Sylvie is in that awful stage where she's nearly ready to lose her afternoon nap. She fell asleep tonight at 7 pm in a Cinderella dress that looks like a 7-layer-cake of blue and silver fabric. We need to get her to drink some apple-flavored barium. Last time, it made her puke. Oh joy.
Speaking of joy, I told her we were going to see the Dan Zanes movie on Friday afternoon (at Housing Works Book Cafe) and that Dan would be there too. She was pretty ecstatic and reminded me of the time he dedicated "Jump Up " to her.
L'Shana Tovah friends and family.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Music To My Ears
Sylvie has been to more kinder-rock concerts in the past year than the majority of our adult friends. I enjoy my job and getting to work on interesting projects with interesting artists but my heart explodes with joy watching Sylvie go beserk at home, in the car or at a live show.
Worlds collided last November when I began working on the forthcoming Dan Zanes and Friends DVD "The Fine Friends Are Here" which is finally going to be in stores next Tuesday. My friend Gerard gave us a Dan Zanes CD when Sylvie was born which I've always loved although I have to admit, Michael was a little suspicious about songs whose chorus cry out "Pay Me My Money Back!" In the past 10 months, we've seen them perform at the New Victory Theater in Times Square, the Museum of Natural History beneath the big blue whale, with Ziggy Marley at the Blender Theater and I'm pretty sure at least one other time. Sylvie is obsessed with Dan or as she likes to say in an exotic run-on, "danzanes" whether she's watching his videos on DanZanes.com, his previous DVD "All Around the Kitchen," or in concert. She picks out the subtle nuances like the big orange cat, verses like "tofu lasagna" and the very pretty women who play in his band.
The new DVD is pretty awesome. It's like a live greatest hits concert with 3 brand new animated music videos and a bonus audio CD. So yeah, this is shameless plug because I've worked my butt off on it but because I'm so honored to work on something I like so much that I see makes so many kids, especially my own, so darn happy.
Click here to purchase at Amazon or MusicToday and a free song "The Fine Friends Are Here" (which I'm approved to share with you).
Enjoy. Check out DanZanes.com for tour dates including a stop on 10/3 in Asbury which should be very cool and a great excuse to check out the new and improved town including my childhood friend Mike's super-fabulous shabby chic store Bodega Shoppe.
On a separate kid-approved music topic, Laurie Berkner is performing at a NYC Literacy in the Public Schools event hosted by Alex & Sam on 10/4 in SoHo. Tickets are $20. In order to purchase tickets, please visit: www.alexandsam.net under SPECIALS, you will see a category entitled EVENTS. See you there.
On Target
The first few weeks of school is exhausting for any parent, working or non-working and so forth. It was our 6 year anniversary over the weekend so Michael and I went away to essentially SLEEP while my parents took Sylvie everywhere... children's museum, restaurants, Brooklyn Aquarium & Coney island. This week includes:
Preschool 5 days a week.
Physical therapy 3 times this week
Swim class for the first time in 9 months
Emergency trip to Dr. Rosen for sore tummy and tushy (Sylvie's, not mine!)
School mom meeting
New au pair arrival
Trip to HUMC to get hearing aid molds created
Jewish Holidays
Puppy obedience school
Carpet cleaning (see above re: puppy obedience)
Cooking for Rosh Hashana
And oh yes, I'm still working!
I picked up Caroline, our new au pair, at Newark Airport on Monday afternoon. She pretty much rocks and Sylvie is quite obsessed with her already. I have high hopes that Caroline will have Sylvie eating healthful Brazilian food in no time. Sylvie did try hot chocolate for the first time this morning, rice and beans next!
School is going very well although Sylvie's teachers are scared of Sylvie wiping out or being knocked over by a classmate. These things can definitely happen, especially in a pretty large class, so we need to prevent them while Sylvie continues to get stronger and stronger. I swear Sylvie is twice as determined as her classmates. She has to be. For the next two weeks, Caroline will accompany Sylvie to school. I am hoping that it will not affect Sylvie's sociability. Today went very well though. And Caroline really gets to see what makes toddlers tick.
Tracey, Sylvie's physical therapist, said that Sylvie has surpassed their PT goals with the exception of balance. She's very excited which means that we are too. We talked today about going back down to 2 days a week PT and perhaps by mid-October, being finished altogether. Tracey has become such a regular part of our week and is one of Sylvie's most favorite people that I don't know what we'll do in her absence. I might have to beg her for the occasional playdate. Her level of expertise is really exceptional.
I was so excited to be able to return to the Whole Child Center instead of the Reuten Clinic yesteday. On top of that, Sylvie had a truly wonderful visit to see Dr. Rosen yesterday despite the reason for the visit being Sylvie's constipation and hemorrhoid. Sylvie was transfixed by a mosaic that Dr. Rosen's daughter had made him which he presented to her. Sylvie was ecstatic-- so thrilled that she left the 3 teeny My Little Pony's that Tracey had just given her. We decided to stop the Colace and Senna and try flax oil. Since every day is one more day farther away from chemotherapy her body should be getting back to normal. When we left Dr. Rosen's office, Sylvie said, "That was fun, mommy, can we see Dr. Rosen again soon?"
Both my mom and Michael's mom were VERY excited reading about Dr. Rosen in the New York Times last week and seeing him on the Channel 4 news yesterday. Learn how to make hand sanitizer using natural oils here.
Tomorrow afternoon, Sylvie's getting the molds made for her hearing aids. Since Sylvie told me today that she wanted to show Caroline the Target store and that Barbie also wanted to go, her reward for having gooey stuff put in her ears will be a trip to the big Bullseye.
Preschool 5 days a week.
Physical therapy 3 times this week
Swim class for the first time in 9 months
Emergency trip to Dr. Rosen for sore tummy and tushy (Sylvie's, not mine!)
School mom meeting
New au pair arrival
Trip to HUMC to get hearing aid molds created
Jewish Holidays
Puppy obedience school
Carpet cleaning (see above re: puppy obedience)
Cooking for Rosh Hashana
And oh yes, I'm still working!
I picked up Caroline, our new au pair, at Newark Airport on Monday afternoon. She pretty much rocks and Sylvie is quite obsessed with her already. I have high hopes that Caroline will have Sylvie eating healthful Brazilian food in no time. Sylvie did try hot chocolate for the first time this morning, rice and beans next!
School is going very well although Sylvie's teachers are scared of Sylvie wiping out or being knocked over by a classmate. These things can definitely happen, especially in a pretty large class, so we need to prevent them while Sylvie continues to get stronger and stronger. I swear Sylvie is twice as determined as her classmates. She has to be. For the next two weeks, Caroline will accompany Sylvie to school. I am hoping that it will not affect Sylvie's sociability. Today went very well though. And Caroline really gets to see what makes toddlers tick.
Tracey, Sylvie's physical therapist, said that Sylvie has surpassed their PT goals with the exception of balance. She's very excited which means that we are too. We talked today about going back down to 2 days a week PT and perhaps by mid-October, being finished altogether. Tracey has become such a regular part of our week and is one of Sylvie's most favorite people that I don't know what we'll do in her absence. I might have to beg her for the occasional playdate. Her level of expertise is really exceptional.
I was so excited to be able to return to the Whole Child Center instead of the Reuten Clinic yesteday. On top of that, Sylvie had a truly wonderful visit to see Dr. Rosen yesterday despite the reason for the visit being Sylvie's constipation and hemorrhoid. Sylvie was transfixed by a mosaic that Dr. Rosen's daughter had made him which he presented to her. Sylvie was ecstatic-- so thrilled that she left the 3 teeny My Little Pony's that Tracey had just given her. We decided to stop the Colace and Senna and try flax oil. Since every day is one more day farther away from chemotherapy her body should be getting back to normal. When we left Dr. Rosen's office, Sylvie said, "That was fun, mommy, can we see Dr. Rosen again soon?"
Both my mom and Michael's mom were VERY excited reading about Dr. Rosen in the New York Times last week and seeing him on the Channel 4 news yesterday. Learn how to make hand sanitizer using natural oils here.
Tomorrow afternoon, Sylvie's getting the molds made for her hearing aids. Since Sylvie told me today that she wanted to show Caroline the Target store and that Barbie also wanted to go, her reward for having gooey stuff put in her ears will be a trip to the big Bullseye.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Skool Rulez
After a night filled with crying out in pain from the tummy blues, Sylvie was dressed in her fineries for day two of school. Sibel and I walked her to the door of the classroom and without turning back, Sylvie grabbed her teacher's hand, wobbled into the classroom and sat down for circle time. I was so proud and thrilled to see Sylvie so confident and enjoying herself.
I took the train into the city, picked up some office supplies at A.I. Friedman and headed over to the East Village. I stopped into Taralucci y Vino to make some work phone calls and to practically inhale what continues to be the best pain au chocolat I've ever had. From there, I ran into Commodities and picked up some commodities (olive oil, bread, cereal). Ran into an old friend from the Tompkins Square Park dog run and opted to not tell her about Sylvie. I didn't have 45 minutes to explain. Instead, Michael and I headed over to Flushing, again, but this time our fancy US Open tickets actually got us past the front gate. I kept a tally as to how much money we spent on bottled water, sharing fish and chips and so forth but it's sickening. We saw some incredible men's matches and then landed amazing seats in the first ten rows to see Venus and Serena Williams kick some ass. Foremost, they are HUGE. I mean Lawrence Taylor, William "The Refrigerator" Perry huge. I think Serena might be over 200 lbs of muscle.
We had a great day although I did have to park myself on the floor outside the stadium to get some work done. I still plan on writing a letter to the USTA publicity office because they failed to help out Tomorrows Children's Fund when Kathy called them last week. And they failed to help us when we had the Great Ticket Fiasco of 2009 on Saturday. And then we had to pay $18 in order to park so far away that it required a shuttle bus to bring us back to the stadium even though the closer lots were completely empty. Who knew that Lexus owners got free parking; we would have switched cars with my mom.
In the meantime, Sylvie was having a BALL with my mom and dad. They went to Abma's Farm to say hi to the animals. Home for a quick bite to eat and then over to Van Saun Park where not only did Sylvie ride a pony but she also got to tour the little barn and meet all the pony's and miniature horses. Sylvie was on Cloud Nine. While she was thanking my mom for making the "perfect dinner" friends Andy , Catherine and their two daughters came over. Boy we missed them a lot last week.
Clearly we've been affected by huge medical bills since February and grateful that we have medical coverage. But I empathetic for the medical professionals who are also being shafted by insurance companies and seldom brought up in discussions in regards to overhauling the system. Just to be clear, imagine if we had a sick child and had to wait a month for a basic diagnostic test like an MRI... And fortunately, my 'bigger' small company provides a very good insurance plan because that same plan would cost Michael's small business a LOT more. Now you know how we feel about health care.
Until today, the doctor side or how it's affecting the next generation of doctors has been pretty underreported. I was thrilled to see an article in The New York TImes today about medical students who spent time in the field with patients whose treatment was structured around ability to pay, ordering unnecessary tests as protection against lawsuits, hectoring specialists into seeing Medicaid patients, matching patients with prescriptions on Wal-Mart’s $4 list and lastly treating a crazy volume of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, depression. Oh yeah, I forgot-- and in general pediatrics, the practice the student joined saw 45 kids daily per pediatrician. Read it here.
I also wanted to provide the links to The New York Times article on cinnamon oil and antibacterial properties of oils/herbs/etc.
Dr. Rosen is quoted in it. Read it here but if you really want to know more about The Secret of Thieves, check out The Whole Child Center blog.
I had to call there today to ask about Sylvie's um, hemorrhoid. I was so excited to call there instead of the Reuten Clinic! Karen suggested we stay our course with the Colace & senna but add 1 tsp of flax oil 2x daily. Will try tomorrow. I might need to wear safety goggles.
I don't know who is more excited about preschool tomorrow, me or Sylvie!
I took the train into the city, picked up some office supplies at A.I. Friedman and headed over to the East Village. I stopped into Taralucci y Vino to make some work phone calls and to practically inhale what continues to be the best pain au chocolat I've ever had. From there, I ran into Commodities and picked up some commodities (olive oil, bread, cereal). Ran into an old friend from the Tompkins Square Park dog run and opted to not tell her about Sylvie. I didn't have 45 minutes to explain. Instead, Michael and I headed over to Flushing, again, but this time our fancy US Open tickets actually got us past the front gate. I kept a tally as to how much money we spent on bottled water, sharing fish and chips and so forth but it's sickening. We saw some incredible men's matches and then landed amazing seats in the first ten rows to see Venus and Serena Williams kick some ass. Foremost, they are HUGE. I mean Lawrence Taylor, William "The Refrigerator" Perry huge. I think Serena might be over 200 lbs of muscle.
We had a great day although I did have to park myself on the floor outside the stadium to get some work done. I still plan on writing a letter to the USTA publicity office because they failed to help out Tomorrows Children's Fund when Kathy called them last week. And they failed to help us when we had the Great Ticket Fiasco of 2009 on Saturday. And then we had to pay $18 in order to park so far away that it required a shuttle bus to bring us back to the stadium even though the closer lots were completely empty. Who knew that Lexus owners got free parking; we would have switched cars with my mom.
In the meantime, Sylvie was having a BALL with my mom and dad. They went to Abma's Farm to say hi to the animals. Home for a quick bite to eat and then over to Van Saun Park where not only did Sylvie ride a pony but she also got to tour the little barn and meet all the pony's and miniature horses. Sylvie was on Cloud Nine. While she was thanking my mom for making the "perfect dinner" friends Andy , Catherine and their two daughters came over. Boy we missed them a lot last week.
Clearly we've been affected by huge medical bills since February and grateful that we have medical coverage. But I empathetic for the medical professionals who are also being shafted by insurance companies and seldom brought up in discussions in regards to overhauling the system. Just to be clear, imagine if we had a sick child and had to wait a month for a basic diagnostic test like an MRI... And fortunately, my 'bigger' small company provides a very good insurance plan because that same plan would cost Michael's small business a LOT more. Now you know how we feel about health care.
Until today, the doctor side or how it's affecting the next generation of doctors has been pretty underreported. I was thrilled to see an article in The New York TImes today about medical students who spent time in the field with patients whose treatment was structured around ability to pay, ordering unnecessary tests as protection against lawsuits, hectoring specialists into seeing Medicaid patients, matching patients with prescriptions on Wal-Mart’s $4 list and lastly treating a crazy volume of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, depression. Oh yeah, I forgot-- and in general pediatrics, the practice the student joined saw 45 kids daily per pediatrician. Read it here.
I also wanted to provide the links to The New York Times article on cinnamon oil and antibacterial properties of oils/herbs/etc.
Dr. Rosen is quoted in it. Read it here but if you really want to know more about The Secret of Thieves, check out The Whole Child Center blog.
I had to call there today to ask about Sylvie's um, hemorrhoid. I was so excited to call there instead of the Reuten Clinic! Karen suggested we stay our course with the Colace & senna but add 1 tsp of flax oil 2x daily. Will try tomorrow. I might need to wear safety goggles.
I don't know who is more excited about preschool tomorrow, me or Sylvie!
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