February 8th, 2013

We went to Hughes Physical Therapy in Kennewick to do Joseph's wheelchair evaluation.  This is just one of the steps we'll have to take to have medicare pay for most of the chair he wants. Joseph found this certain chair and he really wants it, I don't blame him. The chair he has now is starting to fall apart, it's still together only with TLC and the mechanic know-how of my sweet husband.

At first he was really resistant to the idea of having a wheelchair, but I jumped at the chance when a free one was offered to us. Initially a wheelchair seems really limiting and restraining, but now he sees a wheelchair as a liberator, he goes miles and miles on his chair outside on his own, he was able to do a 5k again, albeit a little differently than before. And it allows us to do so many things together, especially when we travel, this wheelchair is a door opener rather than a closer.

So this is the chair, it's made by Ti Lite, it's base weight is 12 lbs! (much better than his current chair which is about 40 lbs)  This has been our project lately, finding someone to do the evaluation and measuring and how to get all the info for billing etc.

So his chair will be blue and have handles, so he can be pushed. And wheelie wheels in back so he doesn't tip. We're both pretty excited but there are a few things to do: wheelchair evaluation, a prescription written for a "ultra light weight" wheelchair, dated within 45 days of the evaluation, a letter accompanying the evaluation stating exactly why he needs an ultra light weight chair (10-18lbs) as opposed to a light weight chair (24-38 lbs)  we have to have it worded perfectly and such. And then once the order is in to Spinlife, the company we are choosing to order through the doctor has to sign a copy of the order before all of that is sent to Medicare. Yea, I think that's all but I don't have the list with me. It's in the works, hopefully everything works out so Joseph can have the chair that he wants/ needs. 

January 25th, 2013

This was the day that our newest nephew was born, Sean Robert Bready. 

To Alisha and Marc, and big sisters Tori and Sera Jean.

This makes us Aunt and Uncle x7.

Brand spankin' new

Big Sisters.

Tori looks so proud, and Sera is like "brothers stink!" 

Alisha and her 3 kiddos. 

Tori 3, Sera 21mo. and Sean born 3 years and 10 days after Tori!

It's always a party when Oma comes to town. 

(don't worry it's cream soda.)

pictures courtesy of Mom, mostly.

Gluten- Free for me

Well if the title didn't give it away I will now, I (Shaylee) am gluten intolerant. After coming up with this diagnosis, I've done lots and lots of research that I will share here, mingled in will be my story... thus far.

Definitions:
"Gluten sensitivity (also gluten intolerance) is a spectrum of disorders including celiac disease and allergy, in which gluten has an adverse effect on the body"
"Gluten is a protein composite found in food processed from wheat and related species, including barley and rye"  (Source)

Signs and Symptoms of Gluten intolerance
1. If you have eczema (or other skin rash) and no one seems to know the actual cause behind it, you may have some sort of food allergy.
2. If any of your blood related family members are gluten intolerant then you should get tested. (My Aunt, on my father's side is extremely gluten intolerant)
3. Symptoms associated with gluten intolerance:
-Weight loss/ or gain
- nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption (ie. low iron)
- gastrointestinal problems (bloating, gas, pain, constipation & diarrhea)
- fat in stool
- aching joints
- depression
- eczema
- headaches
- exhaustion
- irritability, behavioral changes
- infertility, irregular menstrual cycles & miscarriage
- cramps, tingling and numbness
- slow infant and child growth
- decline in dental health.
(Source)

My symptoms include: skin rash on my arms, that looked a lot like Keratosis Pilaris, but didn't go away and got worse when I ate bread. Gastrointestinal discomforts, that mimic the side effects of metformin & headache that lasted all week.

After determining that these were symptoms, not side effects & that I am not sick, I consulted google and my doctor. We agreed that there is a link between gluten intolerance & PCOS, infertility and miscarriage. We also decided not to do a blood test, which can be expensive and inconclusive, instead just eliminating gluten from my diet.

Back to google, I wanted evidence that gluten intolerance may be connected to my infertility. Here are my findings:
The body has an innate intelligence that prevents pregnancy when the health of the mother and/or father are poor. To force pregnancy through unnatural means is a dangerous practice. miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, birth defects, infant developmental problems are common among those having children through treatments.
The 2 most common causes of infertility are pelvic inflammatory disorders and polycystic ovarian syndrome, PCOS. A study in the medical journal of human reproduction identified gluten sensitivity in as many and 8% of women with unexplained infertility problems. The following fertility issues have been linked to gluten sensitivity: (only listed are those that I have had) PCOS, diabetes (or insulin resistance), amenorrhea (absence of menstrual cycle), spontaneous abortion & multiple miscarriages. Gluten intolerance has become a modern plague on human fertility. (Sources here, here and here)

So I then I went on to research what does and doesn't have gluten in it. and because my symptoms included my skin, I need to cut gluten out of my life entirely. Do you know how many thing have gluten in them? Everything, basically.

Cutting gluten out of my diet hasn't been the hard part, it's ridding myself of products that have gluten in them. So far I have replaced my soap (to Dove), deodorant (to Dove), toothpaste (Colgate), face wash (Neutragena, tons of gluten- free options)  & some makeup (Physicians Formula & E.L.F are entirely gluten free make up lines). Luckily a lot of my beauty products are gluten free, way to go Paul Mitchell (I use Super Skinny Serum, Round Trip & Worked up), my shampoo and conditioner (Garnier Fructis), my lotions (Melaleuca's Renew & Hempz), my laundry detergent (Melaleuca). I find myself double checking labels on EVERYTHING. Especially after having a little set back a few days into going gluten free, I used products with gluten- totally on accident, and got a dry itchy rash.

Isn't this absolutely insane? I am 1 week into being gluten- free internally and topically, and I already feel better; no headache, stomach is great, skin is clearing up, I have more energy & sleep better.
I'll keep you posted as I go.

Come on 2013...

I asked you to be kind. Our friendship isn't starting out well, you're new here so be warned: I may be nice but I am also feisty & I will fight back.
January was a little rough...

Grandma Swanger fell and then needed brain surgery she has been in the hospital since the 22nd. And that threw life into chaos, between taking shifts at the hospital and helping with my cousins, it's been so busy and quite hectic.  Grandma will be home tomorrow, on her 75th birthday. It's still going to be a long road and we'll still be helping as much as we can.

I've been taking the little cousins to school, and this is Ralphie my aunt's cat. When I got back he demanded some snuggles. He has missed Grandma, in fact today he spent a lot of time sleeping on her bed, while we were preparing the house for her return. 

Joseph's internship with Yakima Specialties ended on the 16th and again the company couldn't hire him. Yes, we are disappointed, but not surprised. let me explain: a few days before the end of the internship Joseph had a strong feeling that this particular job wasn't for him. We didn't understand exactly what that meant at the time. So now it's back to the drawing board for us. We'll welcome any ideas for part-time work from home kind of jobs. I think that we've concluded that this is his best option.

Now that it's February I'll get caught up with the blog.