doctor

How to prepare when Mom needs surgery

Abby H.

I will be having surgery next month, for the first time since I’ve had kids, and that’s 13 years.

I am excited because I need the surgery, but I know it’s gonna come with some downtime. I’ve been doing some research and I thought I would share some ways that I’m getting everybody and our house ready, so it doesn’t fall apart when I am incapacitated after surgery.

The Month before:

1. Talk to your insurance carrier to confirm co-pays, and work out a payment plan or apply for financial aid if needed.

2. Post Op snacks.  I will be doing some shopping over the next month and squirrel away good snacks I find on sale and putting them out the day before I head out for surgery. Snacks will be shelf stable, or things that require no preparation other than opening a package or putting it on a plate or bowl.

3. Make sure all of the bills are set up on auto-pay during the month I’ll be recovering.

4. Make some freezer meals, or set up a meal train (lean on your village if you have one). Not everyone has a village to lean on, and in that case, I suggest Dream Dinners. They have meals that need to go into the oven- perfect for post surgery dinners.

The Week Of:

5. Clean house! I don’t want to recuperate in a messy, dusty, cluttered house. In the month leading up to surgery, I am organizing the house, putting unneeded stuff away, or giving it away. The problem I’m running into is that our house is still in an active construction zone because of the water loss we sustained in January. As soon as our kitchen is done, I will have less of an issue with that.

5. Clean off the nightstand: Clean it off, declutter, and change the lightbulb in my bedside lamp- just in case.

6. Pick up your post-surgery medications if possible. If not, have them filled at the hospital pharmacy and pick them up before checking out of the hospital. Fill up your weekly medication pill boxes (if you use them). Ditto for any kiddo meds.

The Night Before:

7. Clean Bedding: In the days before, I will put clean sheets on the bed, wash the blankets, and fresh pillowcases.

8. Take an everything shower. Don’t forget any pre-op body wash that is prescribed.

9. Follow your doctor’s orders for eating and drinking.

10. Get a Good night’s rest. Aim for 8-10 hours.

The Morning of:

11. Take any pre-op shower with body wash that is prescribed.

12. Check into the hospital at the time requested- Don’t be late!

 

And finally- have comfy easy-on/easy-off clothes for after your surgery, that won’t aggravate any incisions or bruising.

 

Getting Ready for Back to School: Health Edition

Abby H.

The Back to school shopping crazies will start in a few weeks with sales and deals, but one thing we’ve done this summer to help with Back to school is getting everyone in tip-top health!

I made sure the kids are seeing all the doctors/specialists over the summer to minimize appointments during the school year.

Here in California vision and dental insurance is included under health insurance plans for kids 18 and under. To learn more, check the back of your kid’s health insurance card for phone numbers.

The kids saw the dentist and had eye exams. New glasses were ordered through the optometrist that are part of the vision insurance (one pair every 2 years from a list of specific frames), and we get the paper prescription for our family binder. 

I order extra pairs of glasses through online discount retailers such as EYEBUYDIRECT. A lot of online discount retailers have inexpensive kid’s glasses that can be less than $20 a pair, which is great to have on hand because we all know, kids tend to break stuff.

EYEBUYDIRECT prices start at $6 for select frames!

I also had the kids see any specialists that they needed to, in our case they needed to go to the podiatrist.

And of course, we took care of behavioral/mental health appointments and medication checks over the summer as well. And all future mental/behavioral health appointments are after school or on weekends.

The next health component that I am working on is getting our family first aid kit up to snuff, and that will be a separate post over the weekend.

What to do When You Have a Newly Diagnosed Child on The Autism Spectrum?

Abby H.

I’m in a few Facebook groups for parents of children that are on the Autism spectrum or are otherwise neurodivergent.

One of the things about being a parent of a neurodivergent child is that after you are informed of your kids’ diagnosis is there is nothing. It’s like, “Here is the diagnosis. Thanks for your co-pay… NEXT!!”

Typically, doctors and other clinicians don’t offer you resources, support, or give you any information. Sometimes you have to fight to get a copy of the diagnostic report.

In my Facebook groups, parents of newly diagnosed children come and ask, “What now?” or “How do I get my kid help and services?” After typing the same response literally hundreds of times in the past 5 years trying to help parents and guardians (because I had no help and had to google and claw and find help for my child and family), here are a few resources that have helped my family:

If you suspect your child may be neurodivergent, contact their pediatrician. Ask for an assessment. You may receive a referral to a psychologist. The intake process is lengthy. There are typically 2-3 appointments, plus lots of paperwork to complete. If you receive any pushback, keep pressing forward. If your doctor says no, call your insurance provider directly and ask for help. If you live in San Diego County, you can also contact the San Diego Regional Center directly for help getting an assessment.

Once you receive a diagnosis, request a copy of the paperwork for your files. You will need a copy of the diagnosis paperwork to access services.

Important side notes: Start a file/binder (I use this one) for all of your paperwork. There will be a lot of it. I also have heavy-duty page protectors and folders in the three-ring binder. I keep his IEP (Individual Education Plan), IHSS paperwork, Regional Center paperwork, a list of his doctors (including their phone numbers and addresses), and copies of the medication inserts/directions that come with the prescriptions.

If you are in San Diego County, contact the San Diego Regional Center. Any resident of San Diego or Imperial County believed to have a developmental disability may receive intake services through the San Diego Regional Center. The Regional Center can help you access services such as respite care, Medi-cal Waiver, and access to community services. For most families, Regional Center services are free or very inexpensive. The intake paperwork will go over income requirements for payment for being a Regional Center Client. Our kiddo has been a Regional Center client for 5 years, and they have been a great resource.

Once you get in touch with the Regional Center and your child becomes a client, you want to get your child on Medi-cal. This will allow them to receive the most services and can help your family access IHSS (In Home Support Services- Someone to help provide care for your child, as their special needs may mean that they require extra care or support above and beyond what a neurotypical child their age may require).

If your family makes too much money annually to qualify your child through Medi-Cal, ask for a Medi-cal Development Disability Waiver. Having this waiver for your child is really important, as it will open up so many services and programs.

Some neurodivergent children require services to help better their quality of life. Some of these services include:

  • OT (Occupational Therapy)
  • Speech Therapy
  • Behavioral or Mental Health Therapy
  • Feeding Therapies

The Regional Center Case Worker assigned to your child can help you navigate what services they can help with, and provide resources.

Note about Medi-cal: Just because your kid has it, doesn’t mean that you have to use it as their primary health insurance. For our family, we use Medi-cal to cover the gaps that we’ve found in our primary insurance. Covering co-pays for medication that relates to his diagnosis, and in the past, a few other therapies that we no longer utilize.

There are a lot of support groups online to help parents navigate life with Neurodivergent kiddos. It’s worth a Facebook or Reddit search, using your city, state, or geographic area.

There are also a lot of non-profits that are all about helping Neurodivergent people. I love NFAR (the National Federation for Autism Research), they are local to San Diego, and they have programs for parents, kids, and teens, and adults.

The Autism Tree Project Foundation is another NPO I love. They have all sorts of great playgroups, events, and resources for families of Neurodivergent people.

MOST IMPORTANT: Regardless of your child’s diagnosis, they are still your kid. Nothing changes your love for them and their love for you. If you are uncomfortable or if your child is uncomfortable with any therapies that they take part in, listen to your gut, and listen to your kid. There are some therapies that are commonly accepted that older Autists (people on the autism spectrum) recount as having negative mental or physical impacts on them.

Please seek out support- There are a lot of people who have gone through what you are going through. Lots of parents, friends, allies who can share their resources, and offer you a shoulder to cry on when you are frustrated, and hugs when you need them. I count myself among those supporters. When you need help or support, don’t hesitate to email me or DM/PM me on any of my socials. 

New or Expecting Mom? Check Out This Virtual Event-Bloom!

Abby H.

 

 

 

The folks over at San Diego Moms aren’t letting a little social distancing get in the way of helping education new and expecting moms!

Their conference called Bloom is going virtual, and it’s free to attend! There will be a grip of great speakers- Doctors, Dentists, lactation consultants, and more!

The VIRTUAL BLOOM event will take place on Saturday, November 7th from 10-1pm and it is completely FREE for all new and expecting mamas to attend the virtual event (upgraded ticket options that includes swag bags!). The pandemic has changed how we might do things, but it will not change the experience that we have brought to San Diego year over year!
This exclusive event is designed to bring new and expecting moms the latest must-have products as well as the newest information possible from local experts. BLOOM is presented by Children’s Primary Care Medical Group, the largest pediatric primary care group in San Diego and Southwest Riverside counties.
If you want to snag a free ticket, click here.