Posted by kim on October 21, 2009
I’ve been out of the deal loop for a couple weeks as my daughter had surgery, but is now recovering at home. It is a bit ironic that I recently wrote about breast milk vs. infant formula, and how I did not breastfed my twin daughters. I wished store brand formula which is now sold at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, and Babies “R” Us would have been available to me years ago to save 50% off the price of name-brand baby formulas such as Similac, Enfamil and Good Start.
Available exclusively at Walmart, special cans of the store brand Parent’s Choice Infant Formula are currently on sale for only $5.00. Parents have the choice of Parent’s Choice Milk Infant Formula in a 15.5 oz (440 gram) can and/or Parent’s Choice Gentle Infant Formula for babies with fussiness or gas in a special 12.9 oz (366 gram) can.
All infant formulas marketed in the United States are subject to the same FDA standards, so you can be assured that even store brand formula meets minimum and maximum nutrient specifications.
If you are currently receiving formula paid for by the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, there have been new changes in the WIC program which may reduce infant-formula subsidies. So you may want to check into your eligibility and stock up during Walmart’s sale.
If you are not familiar with the WIC program, visit the USDA website for more information and to apply for assistance.
WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Posted by kim on September 21, 2009
My daughter, Macy has a high pain tolerance. I attribute it to the fact that she endured a lot surgeries and setbacks as an infant. She was a very high-maintenance child, and I could actually tell when she was sick as she would be still, quiet and not throw her normal tantrums. So now when she does actually complain of not feeling well, which isn’t often, I know something is definitely wrong with her.
Since Macy’s stomach has been hurting on her main incision line across her abdomen and not stretching as she grows, I made an appointment with the surgeon. The other indented scars seen above are from her colostomy and bile drainage tubes.
We went to see Dr. Stephen Raynor at Children’s Hospital in Omaha last week, the same surgeon that performed all of Macy’s surgeries as an infant. He remembered her well, saying she was responsible for all of his gray hair. It was nice to catch up with him, as we haven’t seen him in over a decade.
We scheduled exploratory surgery for October 5th, as the doctor thinks she most likely needs some hernias repaired. He will also be able to do some scar revision and remove some adhesions. Macy is sometimes upset that she will never have a bikini-perfect tummy, but I told her she should be proud of her battle wounds, for without them, she would not be alive today.
We could have scheduled the surgery sooner, but Macy is also a certifiable socialite and didn’t want to ruin any already made plans. She was fussing a lot today of stomach pain, so much that I offered to call the hospital and see if I could move up her surgery. But I just got the eye-rolling look that she is not going to miss the big Homecoming dance. Everyone has priorities. 
Posted by kim on June 2, 2009
I had an appointment with Dr. Jim Albin today – the same obstetrition / gynecologist that delivered my preemie twins over 15 years ago. I gave the nurse this web address to read Macy and Mallory’s story, and realized I have no current pics of my million dollar miracle babies on here. And none in my purse either. What kind of doting mother am I? So, here is a picture taken at the twins’ confirmation on Palm Sunday this year. And you get to see my shining face as well.
The twins looked identical at birth, except for Macy had bigger feet. They were in separate sacs, but shared a placenta, so doctors said they could either be identical or fraternal. Seeing them now, they are definitely fraternal! Both girls have always been ”short and skinny” for their age, but Mallory (shown right) is the taller and thinner one of the two. And their demeanors are complete opposites!
So I haven’t been feeling well lately and have been experiencing abdominal pelvic pain. I’m sure I’ve met my insurance deductible* just on running various tests (my pesky gallbladder wasn’t the culprit after all). Today Dr. Albin diagnosed me with a uterine fibroid tumor in the wall of my uterus. Couple that with polycystic ovarian disease, abdominal free fluid, endometrial hyperplasia, yadda yadda yadda, and the only sure-fire treatment is a total hysterectomy. I’m scheduled for surgery on June 22nd.
I know I’m still in child-bearing years at age 36, but I also know I don’t want any more biological children. Heck, raising the four I have now alone has been stressful enough! And with my oldest now off to college, my baby making days are over! Miss Tatym was quite estatic that she will forever be “my baby”. And I will not miss the way-too-heavy menstrual periods that I’ve had the past five years. Here’s wishing myself a speedy recovery to get on with my life!
*Maybe I should add “Group Health Insurance” to my Date Application Requirements.
