Ruptured = ???
Call me crazy but is there some definition for ‘rupture’ other than ‘burst?’
Upon hearing that PC’s appendix had ruptured, over two dozen (that’s TWENTY-FOUR!) people responded:
“Oh, thank goodness it hadn’t burst yet!”
{scratching my head…}
Trust Your Instinct
Does it kick in right away? Right when the baby is born? Or does it develop in those first few weeks of parenthood?
Whenever it happens, let’s hear it for a mother’s instinct. Because it was that instinct that probably saved PC’s life.
So last week, life was chugging along. PC was home after the surgery to remove his ruptured appendix. He wasn’t getting appreciably better but we figured that he must be a slow healer. We saw the surgeon and though she thought his recovery was on the slow side, there was nothing to trigger an alarms.
Late Friday, he began to run a low-grade fever. By Saturday, he was feeling worse. I looked at the incision site and discovered that it was very red, hard, warm to the touch, and had a very foul odor. In other words, something wasn’t right. The surgeon responded to the page immediately and told me to rush him into the ER.
MomGiraffe, who had only just gotten home after taking Beernut to his special karate program, turned around and headed back to our home.
There was no question that PC had developed a post-op infection. All that was left to determine was where it was and what kind it was. Late Saturday night, tests confirmed that it was indeed an infection but it was contained in the abdominal wall only and was not in the abdominal cavity. They were able to take a culture of the infected fluid because it was now leaking through the sutures. He was in terrible pain and his fever was getting higher and higher. An I & D (incision and drainage) would be the only way to rid his body of the infection.
Our wonderful surgeon went back in and cleaned out every layer of skin to make certain that it was free of the bacteria — which we later learned was E.Coli. This was VERY good news in that E.Coli is far less serious than a staph infection.
When the appendix was first removed, the incision was able to be closed because it was a dry wound. However, now that it had been reopened due to infection, it would need to remain open in order to prevent any bacterial regrowth. The doctor packed it very tightly with gauze and each day, the gauze is removed, the wound is cleaned, and then repacked.
Imagine delivering a baby without any anesthetics. And then imagine the doctor saying “great job! I’ll be back again tomorrow at the same time and we’ll do it again.”
This will be PC’s reality for the next SIX weeks. Every day a nurse will come to the house for wound irrigation and dressing.
So now we are home. After another six days in the hospital, I brought PC home late yesterday afternoon. He misses the adjustable bed but that is ALL he misses! And the children. We both desparately miss the children. They will come home this weekend once we’ve had a chance to get into a comfortable routine.
SO — if you think that something doesn’t look or feel just right, chances are that you are right! Trust your instinct. That’s why you have it.
Ongoing Saga
I have not dropped off the face of the earth. I also can’t write much right now because I have to get back to the hospital.
Yes, the hospital. Where PC has been since this past Shabbos. Post-op complications and another surgery.
The good news is that he is coming home today.
The tough news is that he will have a SIX WEEK period of recuperation at home.
Poor PC.
Poor Frume Sarah!
In the middle of all this madness, DadGiraffe and I were interviewed by Dick Gordon and our segment is available for your edification. We had a great time chatting with him and hope that you enjoy our story.
May this new year be a sweet and healthy one!
Left at the Altar
The Bride was attired in all her fine array. She arrived precisely on time. And I was not there to greet her. I was not there to greet the Sabbath Bride.
After a week of abdominal distress, PC went to the ER, where a contrast CT confirmed a ruptured appendix.
Let me back up a bit…
Saturday, September 13
We attend Pajama Havdallah at the shul and after a injesting several slices of pizza, PC remarks that his tummy doesn’t feel so terrific and perhaps the dairy is to blame.
Sunday, September 14
Delicious pastrami and beer at the shul’s annual poker tourney. PC remarks that his tummy is still bothering him…and perhaps the deli food is to blame.
Monday, September 15
No improvement.
Tuesday, September 16
PC has little appetite (which is out-of-character) and with no food to blame, calls the doctor. She’s booked for the day but advises him to visit the Urgent Care clinic. Based solely on verbal history and brief physical exam, a diagnosis is reached; gas. Remedy? Gas-X.
Wednesday, September 17 and Thursday, September 18
Stomach cramps worsen. Decreased appetite.
Friday, September 19
2:45pm PC calls me to report that the doctor, who is concerned that the symptoms have worsened, has advised him to go to the ER to rule out the following:
* appendicitis
* diverticulitis
* intestinal obstruction
2:45pm. On a FRIDAY afternoon. Terrific. As if Friday afternoons aren’t crazy enough with Shabbat preparation. Realizing that I would not be on the pulpit later in the evening, I made arrangements for my pulpit partner to cover my sections of the service.
5:20pm I arrive at the ER and meet up with PC, who is still hanging out in the ER waiting room. He is feeling fine…and just a little embarassed about the whole thing.
6:15pm The ER doc does the intake and initally suspects IBS. Low-grade fever along with a loss of appetite are inconsistent with that suspicion. Pain starts up again and within moments of palpating the abdomen, a preliminary diagnosis of appendicitis is given.
7:20pm Blood test reveals elevated white blood cells. Indication that there is infection. The doctor is 80% certain that appendicitis is the cause. PC’s pain worsens and pain medication is administered. It doesn’t take long to realize that PC is allergic to the medication. As in — bad reaction within 10 seconds of hitting bloodstream.
10:15pm A contrast CT confirms a ruptured appendix. IV antibiotics are started to avert further infection. We will be spending Shabbat in the hospital.
I suppose that most people would say that they lost their Friday night or they lost their Saturday while hanging around the hospital. For me, on top of the stress of having my husband undergo surgery to remove the ruptured appendix, I lost my Shabbat this week. Gone. No chance to renew. To refresh. To guard or to observe.
My Shabbat was spent in prayer, but not of the sort typically reserved for Yom Shabbat.
The operation was on Saturday. The surgeon had hoped to perform the appendectomy via laparoscope. After making the initial incision below the navel, a peek inside revealed a lot of gunk. [That is actually what the surgeon called it. There is most likely a medical term but I don’t know it.] So PC is now sporting a transverse incision in the lower right quandrant of his abdomen.
I thought that it was Tuesday all day today. Without Shabbat as my anchor, last week and this week blurred into one another. I hope to find my bearings soon.
Responding to the Call
A little over a year ago, I received a summons. Jury Duty. Not the first time that I have been called to serve. But given Peach’s recent birth (at that time) and his nutritional needs, I was unable to serve. In the state of California, this does not excuse me from my duty. Nor should it.
Nursing moms can defer jury duty for six months at a time and this is exactly what I did. Twice. Put it completely out of my mind.
Until…
I realized that I was scheduled to report for duty this month. On September 29. Which is the 29th of Elul. Erev Rosh Hashanah.
In a perfect world, I would want to spend the day of Erev RH maintaining vocal rest. Taking a long bath (no, not mikvah. Can’t imagine leaving that to the last minute!). A relaxing pilgrimage to Sephora. A restorative nap. And I could forego these activities in order to meet my civic duty.
But how can I honestly go into a courtroom knowing full well that I am unable to be impaneled?
So I called 800-SRV-JURY and spoke with a very nice lady. Who gave me another number to call. Since I had already postphoned service, I would need to speak with the court directly. Called that number and spoke with another very nice lady. Explained that it was the Jewish New Year and that I did not want to shirk my responsibility and could she please assign me to the end of October.
She made the switch. Guessing that she doesn’t speak with very many people who want to serve.
The Game of Life
Casting Call
Survivor: SurburbiaSix married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.
Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.
There is no fast food.Each man must take care of his 3 kids which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
*keep his assigned house clean
*correct all homework and complete science projects
*cook
*do laundry
*pay a list of ‘pretend’ bills with not enough money.In addition, each contestant will have to budget in money for groceries each week.
Each man must remember the birthdays, anniversaries, and other life events of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time–no emailing.
Each man must also take each child to a doctor’s appointment, a dentist appointment, and a haircut appointment. He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.
Each man will be responsible for the following:
*decorating his own assigned house
*planting flowers outside
*keeping it presentable at all times.The men will only have access to television once the kids are asleep AND all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelery, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.
During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches,
and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.They must attend weekly school meetings, house of worship, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them , brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.
A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information:
*each child’s birthday
*height
*weight
*shoe size
*clothes size
* doctor’s name, phone number, and chart number
*each child’s weight at birth,
*length at birth
*time of birth
*length of labour
*each child’s favourite colour
*middle name
*favourite snack
*favourite song
*favourite drink
*favourite toy
*biggest fear
*what they want to be when they grow upThe kids vote them off the island based on performance.
The last man wins only if…
he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment’s notice.If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right To be called Mother!
Ok so there isn’t really going to be a version of Survivor like the one described above. And before you guys start shooting off dagger-filled comments about how much you help out at home, let me acknowledge that lots of dads are really great about participating in the child-rearing of their kids. But the reality is that the burden typically falls to the mom. Even when mom works outside the home. Full time.
As I sit here waiting for pasta to cool so that it can go into lunch boxes for tomorrow, I wonder why it is that after working a 13-hour day, I was the one who had to make a quick stop at the grocery store and then get the lunches packed and backpacks ready so that the incidence of screaming is statistically lowered in the pre-departure rush.
Happy Reading
This week’s Haveil Havalim is now open!
To See the World Through Jewish Eyes
I thought that Monopoly was the American version of Monopol.
I thought that Mother Goose nursery rhymes was the American version of Mother Goose for Jewish Children.
And I thought that Oreos were the ersatz version of Hydrox.
Yes, I really did see the world through Jewish eyes. (And I even had an LP by that title to prove it!)
You see, Oreos weren’t kosher when I was young. At some point, they replaced the always-suspicious sounding “animal shortening” with “beef shortening.” Since there was a dairy byproduct listed, however, the move away from pork didn’t really deal with the kashrut issue.
Then the unthinkable happened! In the late ’90’s, Nabisco changed the recipe and received ksoher certification. The forbidden fruit was no longer verbotten.
And though a connection has never been officially confirmed, within just a few short years, Hydrox cookies were discontinued.
Good news! As of right now, Hydrox are back on the shelves. In honour of the 100th birthday of Hydrox (which predated Oreos by a good solid four years), Kellogg’s is resurrecting this AWESOME cookie.
Baruch Ata Adonai M’chayei HaMeitim.
Aliyah??
Do you like where you live? Are you satisfied with your life?? Or are you ready to trade down to a slower and more peaceful life?
The Blumberg Family Jewish Community Services of Dothan has a proposition for you. Move to Dothan — which is in ALABAMA — for a period of no less than 5 years and there is up to $50,000 in grant money available to you.
No, this is no joke.
Apparently, Jewish life in many parts of the South has been on the decline. Local businessman, Larry Blumberg, decided to do something drastic; offer serious money to Jews who are willing to help reinvigorate his community.
Family Relocation Project Summary
Grants Up to $50,000
We are eager to move at least twenty Jewish families to Dothan Alabama during the time period January 2008 to December 2012 by offering financial assistance up to $50,000 per family.Guiding Principles
We seek Jewish families who intend to move to, and remain in, Dothan for at least five years.
We will carefully evaluate candidate families so that we bring to Dothan those who have the best opportunity for success.
Grants are available, for those who qualify, up to $50,000 in the following general categories (and maximum amounts):
Relocation – moving and resettling ($7,500)
Housing – primary residence ($7,500)
Temple Emanu-El membership ($1,000)
Repaying outstanding educational loans ($15,000)
Small business seed money ($15,000)
Children’s private secular K-12 education ($7,500)
Other outstanding financial obligations ($7,500)Qualification Standards
Pass background and credit checks
Submit written personal and Rabbinic references
Host an in-home visit at your current residence
Travel to Dothan to meet your new communityInterested in this once in a lifetime opportunity?
Click here to learn more about our Family Relocation Project
Click here to contact us.
A slightly unorthodox approach to the demographic problem, but sometimes a radical solution is needed. Given the current economic climate, it is not unreasonable to expect that people will be open to the possibility of moving to a place that has a lower cost-of-living. And Dothan, Alabama certainly qualifies with a composite cost of living index at 87.0 — which is 13% lower than the national index (and no, I did not do that math on my own.).
For those of us who missed the opportunity to be chalutzim, accepting the responsibility of building up the Jewish community in Dothan may be exciting. Though not as physical as draining swamps or constructing buildings, the emotional exertion of creating something out of (almost) nothing will be tremendous. Although I imagine that for those who are coming from larger and more active Jewish communities, Jewish life in Dothan will feel a bit solitary.
At least until the rest of the folks move into town.
The Middle Child
My middle child starts Kindergarten tomorrow.
No fanfare for this one.
No portable photo book for this one.
Quite frankly, she is lucky that she’s got a new backpack and a new outfit the way things are going here at the FrummieHouse. [FS gets a *tad* stressed during the month of Elul…]
We’ve been calling her “Middle Child” since she was a baby. We figured that she might as well get used to it from the get-go.
But she really is her own person, in her own right. Tomorrow, she will experience what it will be like to be “Beernut Frumette’s little sister.”
I wonder how she will take to that. The closest I ever got was in 12th grade math when the math “teacher” (and I use that term lightly!) once confused me and PepGiraffe. How any math teacher could confuse us remains an eternal mystery.
Backpacks are packed. Lunches are made. Cookies are cooling (for a sweet school year). And the lunch notes are written.
Only one thing left…
{sniffle}
Frume Sarah is Shabbos-observant -- in a Reform way, that is. Please note that from Friday afternoons until one hour after sundown on Saturday evenings, Frume Sarah will be unavailable, in observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
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Thank you for your understanding...and gut Shabbos!!! 
Frume Sarah's World 