I have 2 daughters, both very active as todlers. By the time Anel went to school, she had calmed down to such an extend, that no rapport ever commented on her activity or concentration levels. Until 6 months before she went to “big school” the pre-primary teacher was still worried about her concentration levels.
Ilse, on the other hand, had no mention of poor concentration levels at pre-primary school. The activities at pre-primary suited her personality like a glove. Lots of informal and unstructured lessons.
Before she went to primary school, we had her tested, as her birthday is very late in the year, and she was left handed. The educational physicologist said that she was ready for “ big school”. She had no problems in adjusting to school life and has a very outgoing personality. Every body in school knew her. She sailed through gr 1.
The beginning of gr 2, her teacher phoned me and said that the increased number of written work, has got a bad effect on Ilse, and she is not coping. It was suggested that we see an occupational therapist. Elsie lucas was an eldery woman, that has work in close relation to the schools for many years
Her first appointment included an assessment test with all the necessary emotional, cognitive tests. Elsie told me than that Ilse is left handed and totally right brain dominant. The normal interaction between left( Language/orginational) brain & the right(mathematical/creative) brain was not there. Ilse was using her right brain to fulfill the function of the left brain. She also told me that Ilse was possible ADD.
She started with OT therapy with Ilse to inprove the interaction between both sides of the brain. She also adjusted the way she was writing by putting her book at such an angle, so that she was able to see what she has written, before she continued with the next letter. ( A lefthanded person, covers their own writing with their hand, because we write from left to right) She also strenghened the muscles in her left hand to cope with the increase levels of writing required in class. I was also given a book – THE RIGHT WAY- to give to her teacher at school. The book was written by Elsie and explains the reasoning & thinking of a left handed child – right brain thinking.
We continued with OT for 2 years every Friday. Ilse would then get homework to complete before the next session.
In the mean time we went to see the Ilse’s pediatrition. He confirmed ADD, without uncontrolled hyperactivity.
Experts' opinions differ as to what ADD actually is, causing even more grief and confusion for parents and those suffering with the symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association lists fourteen signs, of which at least eight must be present for a person to be officially classified as ADD/ADHD. These fourteen signs are:
1. Often fidgeting with hands or feet, or squirming while seated.
2. Having difficulty remaining seated when required to do so.
3. Being easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
4. Having difficulty awaiting turn in games or group activities.
5. Often blurting out answers before questions are completed.
6. Having difficulty in following instructions.
7. Having difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
8. Often shifting from one uncompleted task to another.
9. Having difficulty playing quietly.
10. Often talking excessively.
11. Often interrupting or intruding on others.
12. Often not listening to what is being said.
13. Often forgetting things necessary for tasks or activities.
14. Often engaging in dangerous activities without considering consequences.
All 14 these signs were apparent in Ilse’s behavior,
I started my research on ADD………
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD or ADHD) is a neurobehavioral[1] developmental disorder.[2] It affects about 3 to 5% of children with symptoms starting before seven years of age.[3] Global prevalence for children is approximately 5%, with wide variability dependent on research methodologies utilized in studies.[4] It is characterized by a persistent pattern of impulsiveness and inattention, with or without a component of hyperactivity.[5]
ADHD is twice as common in boys as in girls[6], though studies suggest this discrepancy may be due to subjective bias.[7] ADHD is generally a chronic[8] disorder with 30 to 50% of individuals diagnosed in childhood continuing to have symptoms into adulthood.[9][10] As they mature, adolescents and adults with ADHD are likely to develop coping mechanisms to compensate for their impairment.[11]
Though previously regarded as a childhood diagnosis, ADHD can continue throughout adulthood.[12] ADHD has a strong genetic component.[13]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention-deficit_hyperactivity_disorder
NO RITALIN FOR MY CHILD! That was my first reaction. I spend hours studing 2 books that was stronly recommended by our Pediatrition. I also spend hours on the internet researching any topic related to ADD/Ritalin.
We started off with total diet changes:
ADD in many cases has been linked to diet, which includes food allergies and nutritional deficiencies…simply eliminating certain foods or adding others may reduce symptoms or eliminate them altogether. ADD children typically have difficulty focusing which is even more apparent if they have sugar and other stimulants coursing through their bodies. We believe it is worth attempting to address the ‘root' of the problem first, if it is indeed nutritional, before ingesting the potentially toxin pharmaceutical alternatives that merely mask the symptoms. Making healthy food choices for you and your child is NOT difficult. There is NO downside to adopting a healthy eating program and huge benefits for everyone, whether dealing with a current health issue or preventing future ones.
First, what NOT to eat for TWO WEEKS:
1) NO DAIRY PRODUCTS, especially cow's milk. This is the single most important restriction. Instead try Almond milk, Rice milk, or Better Than Milk. Drink water instead of milk. In fact, drink lots of water. The brain is about 80% water, and increasing your water intake to 7 to 10 glasses per day might be helpful all by itself. Sodas, Gatorade, teas, icees, etc., do not count as water. Water counts as water.
2) NO YELLOW FOODS. Especially Corn or Squash. Bananas are white. Don't eat the peel.
3) NO JUNK FOODS. If it comes in a cellophane wrapper, don't eat it.
4) NO FRUIT JUICES. Too much sugar content. One small glass of apple juice has the sugar content of eight apples. Later on you can have juice, but dilute it with water 50/50.
5) CUT SUGAR INTAKE BY 90%. If you can, cut it down to zero. Sugar is in just about everything, but give it a try. Do your best without going crazy.
6) CUT CHOCOLATE BY 90%. No more than a single piece, once a week.
7) NO NUTRASWEET. None. Period.
8) NO PROCESSED MEATS and NO MSG. Only get meats with labels that say, “Turkey and Water,” etc. If the meat has chemicals listed that you can't pronounce, don't buy it.
9) CUT FRIED FOODS BY 90%.
10) AVOID FOOD COLORINGS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. See if your child is sensitive to any particular colors, such as Reds, Yellows, etc. For now, though, avoid all if possible.
SUMMARY: Just eat foods that God made for a while. Eat like people did in the 1940's. . Just not much in the way of “fast foods” or “convenience” foods.
AFTER TWO WEEKS begin adding these foods back into your diet, one food every other day. Eat A LOT of that food every day for four days. If you have a problem with one of the foods, you will see some kind of a “reaction” within four days. The reaction can vary from big red splotches on the body to ears turning bright red to explosive temper outbursts. If there's a problem, you'll know. If there's no problem, enjoy the food.
WHAT TO EAT TO FEED THE ADHD BRAIN:
1) FOR BREAKFAST SERVE HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE MEALS. Say, “Good-bye,” to Breakfast cereals and milk. Serve 60% Protein and 40% Carbohydrates for Breakfast. Other meals should be 50% / 50%.
2) PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS might be needed to get the added protein for Breakfast. They are often very helpful in the afternoon as well
3) MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS may be helpful ( we used DS24)
4) FLAX SEED or PRIMROSE OIL. High sources of Omega oils. Borage oils and some fish oils are good as well. Very important. Mix about a spoonful a day into foods as you prepare them, or add to salad dressings, etc. ( We still use EYEQ Capsules every day)
6) EAT LOTS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. Avoid Aluminum exposure. Eat in a healthy manner.
By: Doug Cowan,
When she got to Gr 4, we were still resisting ritalin. After an appointment with the pediatritian, he called for a meeting with both me & Nico. He tried to explian Ritalin from his experience. He asked a few questions, and it was soon clear that Nico still suffers from ADD.
He tried to explain to me that if a child cannot see properly, you help them by giving the glasses to read. The same with ritalin. It just provides the chemical that is necessary in the brain to allow the neuro transmitters to give & accept instructions.
He would ask her, why doesn’t she sit still to finish her work, and she would answer, “I want to, but I can’t”
Impulsivity (or impulsiveness) is a type of human behavior characterized by the inclination of an individual to act on impulse rather than thought.[1] Although part of the normal behavior, impulsivity also plays a role in many mental illnesses.
As a personality trait, impulsivity is part of normal behavior as it contributes to adaptive functioning. However, psychological research has questioned impulsivity as a unitary psychological construct[2]. Some authors have proposed a 3-factor model according to which impulsivity can be decomposed as a combination of attentional ("getting easily bored"), motor ("going into action") and cognitive ("inability to plan") factors. Recent theories[3] have further decomposed impulsivity into 4 dimensions which partially map onto the five-factor model of personality:
Urgency, the feeling of negative affects for resisting the urge, is linked to neuroticism
Lack of premeditation, the inability to anticipate consequences, is linked to conscientiousness
Lack of perseverance, the inability to stick to one's task, is also linked to conscientiousness
Sensation-seeking, the experience positive feelings towards risky actions, is linked to extroversion
Increased impulsiveness is at the center of impulse control disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. It may be linked to other psychopathological conditions like addiction, ADHD, bulimia, and borderline personality.
Recent evidence from neurobiological research seems to support these psychological theories as it has been shown that these different aspects of impulsivity can be independently manipulated by specific drugs.
We agreed to go on a trail period of 2 weeks, and then discuss it further. We didn’t discuss it with Ilse’s teacher, but within a few days, I received a positive remark in her home work book. Suddenly no more remarks ; ILSE PLEASE FINISH YOUR WORK!. No more fighting in the afternoons to get her homework done
The difference in Ilse’s behavior was enormous, she gained so much confidence.
The first 3 months blood tests were done every month & we kept in close contact with the Pediatrition . She was put on Ritalin 20LA(long acting – 8 hours) 5 days a week. No ritalin on weekends or during holidays
Her growth, weight, moods & depression was monitored extensively, all side effects of ritalin. Her pediatrition also used her stats as an example, and I received quite a few calls from other parents asking about the effect of ADD & ritalin.
We changed our eating habits to the low GI lifestyle, and needless to say that the whole family benefitted.
In Grade 9 Ilse decided to start going to school without taking her ritalin. She would then only take it during test or exam times, but later didn’t take it at all any more. She learned other coping skills to deal with it.
There are some days when I can still see the affects of ADD, and she gets bored very easily
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Encephalites
Encephalitis
We had an outbreak of the coxsackie virus on the North coast last week. Umhlali Preparatory School & Dolphin Coast pre primary were closed for 2 days. The pre primay school is a few hundred meters away from us in the same street.
It set my mind off thinking about the ordeal we gone through when Anel got encephalitis.
It all started with flue symptoms, but after a week of intense headaches she was hospitalised in isolation. We had to wear masks & theatre clothes when we went into the ward to be with her. She had a sister looking only after her as they didn’t know whether the virus was contagious. The diagnosis was made that she had a virus spread to her brain. The search for which virus started, and her poor arms were poked to holes drawing more & more blood samples.
The waiting was exhausting, as the results came back, one by one negative. The me, glandualar fever, coxsackie virus and most of the terrible known viruses were also negative, and we were so relieved. On the other hand, we wanted to know what caused the encephalitis. All the possible tests were done, also where blood was grown, some for a week, 2 weeks and even 3 weeks. They were never able to tell what caused it.
During the week in hospital, they flooded her veins with antibiotics & painkillers.
She was then ready to come home. She got sick on the 2nd of May 2003, about 2 weeks into the second term of school. She wasn’t able to go to school for the whole second term. She didn’t write exams at school either. The third term, she started going back to school only half the school days. She wasn’t allowed to do any sport.
Her teachers at school was so great, and supported her, when she wasn’t feeling well. They put a bed in the deputy principal office, and she could go lie there when she felt that she couldn’t take the buzz & noice any more. There were times that her eyes were so glassy, you could almost see through them. That was how we could see that she wasn’t well.
Now this was a 15 year old girl, who was a straight A student, & she represented her province in swimming, hockey, triathlons, life saving and cross country. She was the School victrix lodorum in swimming for 6 years in a row. The school athletics victrix lodorum 2 years in a row. Suddenly she wasn’t allowed to do anything. The shock to her body caused her periods to disappear, only to start again after 2 years. She lost 10kg in a month, and was very weak. We received lots of uncalled for advice, about depression & too much stress. One afternoon, she was so dis-hearted, that I made an appointment at the specialist that treated her. We asked him straight on, whether it was caused by stress and or depression. His answer to us will always stay with me, and I have often told people the same. Stress cannot cause a virus, but the devastating consequences of the virus, can cause you to stress about your inability to achieve what came naturally before.
The end of the year Anel wrote the normal school exams, and was promoted to gr 10.
The following year she started swimming again, and also played hockey for the first team of her school. Only after 18 months, could we see the old Anel coming back, and in matric she made it through to the final rounds for kzn hockey again, although she didn’t make the team.
In 2003 there were 10 cases of encephalitis in Durban North. All the other girls lost a year of school, yet Anel managed to complete her school career in time. The staff at Northlands Girls High School were extremely helpful & understanding
What is encephalitis?
Encephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain. This may be a result of primary bacterial or viral infection, or an allergic reaction at a later stage to such an infection or to a vaccination.
This article will deal with viral encephalitis.
What causes viral encephalitis?
Viruses causing primary encephalitis may cause epidemics of the disease. These include the arboviruses, polio viruses, echoviruses or coxsackie viruses. The disease may also be sporadic, implying isolated cases, caused by viruses such as the herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster (causing chicken pox) or mumps virus.
Mosquitoes can carry arboviruses and cause encephalitis in particular areas during warm weather.
The parainfectious or post-infectious forms of encephalitis typically develop five to 10 days after the onset of a viral illness or vaccination.
Vary rarely, encephalitis occurs as a late consequence of viral infections, as may occur with measles.
Symptoms and signs of viral encephalitis
These may take three forms:
There may be no nervous system symptoms at all, with only fever and malaise present
The symptoms may be those of meningitis – fever, headache, vomiting, malaise and stiff neck and back
The symptoms may involve alteration in consciousness, personality changes, seizures and limb weakness.
How is viral encephalitis diagnosed?
Viral encephalitis must be distinguished from other infectious and non-infectious causes. The main distinction to be made is between viral and bacterial causes.
Diagnosis is usually based on examining the CSF, obtained using a procedure called a lumbar puncture. This often-uncomfortable investigation involves passing a needle into the space between the vertebrae in the spine and removing enough CSF to examine under a microscope and send for biochemical testing.
The appearance and composition of the CSF is different in viral and bacterial encephalitis.
How is viral encephalitis treated?
Generally, viruses do not respond to specific treatment. However, the herpes simplex virus, which can cause encephalitis, does respond well to treatment with acyclovir.
The patient is kept well hydrated and pain and fever are controlled.
What is the outcome of viral encephalitis?
Even very sick patients may recover completely. The acute phase of the illness lasts from a few days to a week. Recovery can be abrupt or gradual.
The disease can be complicated by salt imbalances, or problems with temperature and respiration resulting from involvement of certain parts of the brain.
Permanent neurological damage is more likely to occur in very young children, but at the same time, young children show improvement over a longer period than adults with similar infections.
When to see your doctor
Seek medical help immediately at the first signs or symptoms of encephalitis. This is particularly important if you know of cases in your area or at your child’s school.
Reviewed by Dr Andrew Rose-Innes, MD, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven
We had an outbreak of the coxsackie virus on the North coast last week. Umhlali Preparatory School & Dolphin Coast pre primary were closed for 2 days. The pre primay school is a few hundred meters away from us in the same street.
It set my mind off thinking about the ordeal we gone through when Anel got encephalitis.
It all started with flue symptoms, but after a week of intense headaches she was hospitalised in isolation. We had to wear masks & theatre clothes when we went into the ward to be with her. She had a sister looking only after her as they didn’t know whether the virus was contagious. The diagnosis was made that she had a virus spread to her brain. The search for which virus started, and her poor arms were poked to holes drawing more & more blood samples.
The waiting was exhausting, as the results came back, one by one negative. The me, glandualar fever, coxsackie virus and most of the terrible known viruses were also negative, and we were so relieved. On the other hand, we wanted to know what caused the encephalitis. All the possible tests were done, also where blood was grown, some for a week, 2 weeks and even 3 weeks. They were never able to tell what caused it.
During the week in hospital, they flooded her veins with antibiotics & painkillers.
She was then ready to come home. She got sick on the 2nd of May 2003, about 2 weeks into the second term of school. She wasn’t able to go to school for the whole second term. She didn’t write exams at school either. The third term, she started going back to school only half the school days. She wasn’t allowed to do any sport.
Her teachers at school was so great, and supported her, when she wasn’t feeling well. They put a bed in the deputy principal office, and she could go lie there when she felt that she couldn’t take the buzz & noice any more. There were times that her eyes were so glassy, you could almost see through them. That was how we could see that she wasn’t well.
Now this was a 15 year old girl, who was a straight A student, & she represented her province in swimming, hockey, triathlons, life saving and cross country. She was the School victrix lodorum in swimming for 6 years in a row. The school athletics victrix lodorum 2 years in a row. Suddenly she wasn’t allowed to do anything. The shock to her body caused her periods to disappear, only to start again after 2 years. She lost 10kg in a month, and was very weak. We received lots of uncalled for advice, about depression & too much stress. One afternoon, she was so dis-hearted, that I made an appointment at the specialist that treated her. We asked him straight on, whether it was caused by stress and or depression. His answer to us will always stay with me, and I have often told people the same. Stress cannot cause a virus, but the devastating consequences of the virus, can cause you to stress about your inability to achieve what came naturally before.
The end of the year Anel wrote the normal school exams, and was promoted to gr 10.
The following year she started swimming again, and also played hockey for the first team of her school. Only after 18 months, could we see the old Anel coming back, and in matric she made it through to the final rounds for kzn hockey again, although she didn’t make the team.
In 2003 there were 10 cases of encephalitis in Durban North. All the other girls lost a year of school, yet Anel managed to complete her school career in time. The staff at Northlands Girls High School were extremely helpful & understanding
What is encephalitis?
Encephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain. This may be a result of primary bacterial or viral infection, or an allergic reaction at a later stage to such an infection or to a vaccination.
This article will deal with viral encephalitis.
What causes viral encephalitis?
Viruses causing primary encephalitis may cause epidemics of the disease. These include the arboviruses, polio viruses, echoviruses or coxsackie viruses. The disease may also be sporadic, implying isolated cases, caused by viruses such as the herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster (causing chicken pox) or mumps virus.
Mosquitoes can carry arboviruses and cause encephalitis in particular areas during warm weather.
The parainfectious or post-infectious forms of encephalitis typically develop five to 10 days after the onset of a viral illness or vaccination.
Vary rarely, encephalitis occurs as a late consequence of viral infections, as may occur with measles.
Symptoms and signs of viral encephalitis
These may take three forms:
There may be no nervous system symptoms at all, with only fever and malaise present
The symptoms may be those of meningitis – fever, headache, vomiting, malaise and stiff neck and back
The symptoms may involve alteration in consciousness, personality changes, seizures and limb weakness.
How is viral encephalitis diagnosed?
Viral encephalitis must be distinguished from other infectious and non-infectious causes. The main distinction to be made is between viral and bacterial causes.
Diagnosis is usually based on examining the CSF, obtained using a procedure called a lumbar puncture. This often-uncomfortable investigation involves passing a needle into the space between the vertebrae in the spine and removing enough CSF to examine under a microscope and send for biochemical testing.
The appearance and composition of the CSF is different in viral and bacterial encephalitis.
How is viral encephalitis treated?
Generally, viruses do not respond to specific treatment. However, the herpes simplex virus, which can cause encephalitis, does respond well to treatment with acyclovir.
The patient is kept well hydrated and pain and fever are controlled.
What is the outcome of viral encephalitis?
Even very sick patients may recover completely. The acute phase of the illness lasts from a few days to a week. Recovery can be abrupt or gradual.
The disease can be complicated by salt imbalances, or problems with temperature and respiration resulting from involvement of certain parts of the brain.
Permanent neurological damage is more likely to occur in very young children, but at the same time, young children show improvement over a longer period than adults with similar infections.
When to see your doctor
Seek medical help immediately at the first signs or symptoms of encephalitis. This is particularly important if you know of cases in your area or at your child’s school.
Reviewed by Dr Andrew Rose-Innes, MD, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Life can change any day
In November 2008 I got the news that one of my friends had a tumor that's got to be removed as soon as possible.
Now J and I have been friends since gr 8. We stayed friends all along, and are still good friends.
Our husband liked each other as well, so it was easy to maintain the friendship 27 years after we left school. Our children are good friends as well, Anel was 18 month older than C, our second children is 2 weeks apart, and she has a 3rd boy, which I luckily didn't want to match!
She a DR, assisted with both my girls ceasearian births. With Ilse she was 38 weeks pregnant & huge, but she wanted to do it for me. After we moved to KZN, we spend many holidays together to make up for the friendship.
She had moles removed that were malignant, and she was treated accordingly. New years eve of 2000, we spent at their holiday home in Gordons Bay, and saw all the flares lighting up the sky.......and said that that is how our lifes is still to be: lots & lots of light in the world as her cancer was clean.
When I got the news about her operation, I was devasted. Especially after the op, when her husband phoned to say that although they removed the tumor, there were 9 branches into her brain that couldn't be removed. I couldn't function properly for about a week. I had all these thoughts running through my head. What if something like that would happen to me......my girls?
......my parents?......my hubby? I was so emotional and couldn't deal with it. Every time I got a call from her hubby, or phoned him, I was crying, and then when I phoned my mom to update her, I was also crying. Now I don't cry easily, and I don't share my emotions!
With time & lots of prayer I realised that I must accept it, and live my life to the fullest.
Then on 25th December I got the news that she was admitted to hospital in Cape Town and tings aren't looking to good, so my emotional rollercoaster started again.
This is the article that was in BEELD news paper
Sterwende ma hoor dogter kry 10 A'sDec 30 2008 08:18:22:520PM - (SA)
Sonja van Buul
Vereeniging. – C se vreugdetrane oor haar tien onderskeidings en tweede plek in Gauteng is met trane van hartseer gemeng.
C (18) van die Hoërskool Vereeniging het die nuus oor haar uitstekende matriekuitslae gister met haar sterwende ma, Jenny (45), in die Medi-City Vergelegen in Somerset-Wes gedeel.
“My vrou het vir my gesê sy sal nie sterf voordat Celesté se uitslae bekend is en my skoonma, mev. G van Vereeniging, by haar was nie,” het haar pa, dr. M, gister hartseer gesê.
“Jenny, ook ’n mediese dokter, het tydens C se eindeksamen in November skielik siek geword en breingewasse is gevind. Sy is ’n dag nadat C haar eindeksamen klaar geskryf het, geopereer.”
Haar toestand het ná ’n tweede operasie verbeter en hulle het in die Kaap gaan vakansie hou.
“Op Kersdag het Jenny breinbloeding gehad, sy is dié nag in die hospitaal opgeneem en sy is sterwend.”
Dr M was gistermiddag besig met reëlings om sy vrou vandag op ’n mediese vliegtuig na die Vaaldriehoek te bring.
“Wees die beste dogter wat jy kan wees,” was ma Jenny se raad.
Afhangende van haar ma se toestand moet C op 4 Januarie by die Universiteit van die Vrystaat aanmeld vir oriëntering. Sy gaan in dieselfde koshuis bly waar haar ma 25 jaar gelede die onder-primaria was.
Sy gaan medies studeer en wil daarna in neuro-chirurgie spesialiseer om mense soos haar ma te help.
I had to pull myself together, I am still a wife & mom and very much healthy!!!!!!
New years eve of 2009, I will always remember, just as the 2000 one.
I couldn't believe that something could affect me as much as this has.
Yet it wasn't the end yet.
The last Saterday of January her hubby phoned to say that she is going to theatre again, to remove another tumor. This was after 10 radiation treatments. She was exhausted, and by now dependant on drip medication.
I phoned my mom with the news, and just couldn't stop crying. My mom didn't know what was wrong and thought something happened to one of us. My poor mom, she doesn't know me as one to be so emotional. I am their "strong" daughter
This was in the regional news paper on 26 January 2009
26/01/2009 10:59 AM - (SA) Dr. Jenny herstel na derde breinoperasie
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'Ek het altyd gewonder waarom dit nou juis met haar moes gebeur, maar nou besef ek dat haar siekte baie mense tot stilstand geruk het om weer oor hul le?wens te besin.'
So sê dr. M (47), 'n bekende mediese dokter van Vereeniging, nadat sy vrou, dr. Jenny, Sondagoggend haar derde breinoperasie ondergaan het. Volgens dr. M het sy vrou se toestand die afgelope tyd agteruitgegaan en dr. S.A.H. Fatmi, die neurochirurg, het besluit dat die gewas links agter in haar brein wat op Kersdag aan die bloei gegaan het, verwyder moes word. 'Sy was Sondag na die operasie nog in die hoësorg-eenheid in Vereeniging Medi-Clinic, maar toe ek haar Maandagoggend besoek, het haar toestand so verbeter dat sy toe reeds na 'n privaatsaal oorgeplaas is. 'Dit gaan baie beter met haar as voor die operasie en hoewel sy nog baie swak is, lag sy reeds weer en maak grappies,' sê hy. 'Ons besef nou eers hoe sy mense se lewens verryk het en is baie dankbaar oor almal wat vir haar bid. Haar siekte het almal wat haar ken of net van haar siekte gehoor het, aangeraak en mense van so ver as Saoedi-Arabië, Australië en Nieu-Seeland bid vir haar,' sê dr. Van Drünick. * Dr. Jenny het in November verlede jaar skielik siek geword en breingewasse is toe gevind. 'n Operasie is op 4 Desember uitgevoer, waartydens 'n gewas verwyder is. Op 8 Desember is die drukking tydens 'n tweede operasie verlig en tydens Sondag se operasie is 'n gewas links agter in haar brein verwyder. 'Ek en Jenny praktiseer reeds die afgelope 20 jaar saam as vennote, waar ons mekaar ondersteun en aanvul. Haar siekte is vir ons swaar, maar ek glo dat al die gebede en ondersteuning ons daardeur sal dra,' sê dr. M. Vaalweekblad het verlede week berig dat die egpaar se dogter, C*, met haar tien onderskeidings in die afgelope matriekeksamen, die Vaaldriehoek se topmatrikulant vir 2008 is.
She is now so much better, and went home after more than a month in hospital, most of the time in ICU. After the third operation, they started with physio again, to get her strengh back to walk again. Her muscle weakened so much, and started weaning her of the medication, to be able to go home. When I phoned on Friday, she went to her daughters prize giving at the Gauteng Education Department. When I spoke to her, I could hear the determination to be with her family. Imagine somebody that was almost "gone" on christmas day, now she attends a lenghy prize giving ceremony.
It brings me back to being so totally out of control emotional about this. I am alive, I am healthy and we must live life to the fullest. You never know when it could be taken away from you.
I received so much support from the women at 24, and the prayers never stopped for this family. They still need the support. Her mom is nearly 80 years, and says that she is strong for the grand children, but she is tired. Her hubby has to work in their practise alone, and deal with all the emotions & extra responsibilities. He also says he is tired. The daughter is at varsity, and is coping, the 16 year old boys seems to be ok, but the 13 year old boy is suffering. Please continue to pray for them.
Now J and I have been friends since gr 8. We stayed friends all along, and are still good friends.
Our husband liked each other as well, so it was easy to maintain the friendship 27 years after we left school. Our children are good friends as well, Anel was 18 month older than C, our second children is 2 weeks apart, and she has a 3rd boy, which I luckily didn't want to match!
She a DR, assisted with both my girls ceasearian births. With Ilse she was 38 weeks pregnant & huge, but she wanted to do it for me. After we moved to KZN, we spend many holidays together to make up for the friendship.
She had moles removed that were malignant, and she was treated accordingly. New years eve of 2000, we spent at their holiday home in Gordons Bay, and saw all the flares lighting up the sky.......and said that that is how our lifes is still to be: lots & lots of light in the world as her cancer was clean.
When I got the news about her operation, I was devasted. Especially after the op, when her husband phoned to say that although they removed the tumor, there were 9 branches into her brain that couldn't be removed. I couldn't function properly for about a week. I had all these thoughts running through my head. What if something like that would happen to me......my girls?
......my parents?......my hubby? I was so emotional and couldn't deal with it. Every time I got a call from her hubby, or phoned him, I was crying, and then when I phoned my mom to update her, I was also crying. Now I don't cry easily, and I don't share my emotions!
With time & lots of prayer I realised that I must accept it, and live my life to the fullest.
Then on 25th December I got the news that she was admitted to hospital in Cape Town and tings aren't looking to good, so my emotional rollercoaster started again.
This is the article that was in BEELD news paper
Sterwende ma hoor dogter kry 10 A'sDec 30 2008 08:18:22:520PM - (SA)
Sonja van Buul
Vereeniging. – C se vreugdetrane oor haar tien onderskeidings en tweede plek in Gauteng is met trane van hartseer gemeng.
C (18) van die Hoërskool Vereeniging het die nuus oor haar uitstekende matriekuitslae gister met haar sterwende ma, Jenny (45), in die Medi-City Vergelegen in Somerset-Wes gedeel.
“My vrou het vir my gesê sy sal nie sterf voordat Celesté se uitslae bekend is en my skoonma, mev. G van Vereeniging, by haar was nie,” het haar pa, dr. M, gister hartseer gesê.
“Jenny, ook ’n mediese dokter, het tydens C se eindeksamen in November skielik siek geword en breingewasse is gevind. Sy is ’n dag nadat C haar eindeksamen klaar geskryf het, geopereer.”
Haar toestand het ná ’n tweede operasie verbeter en hulle het in die Kaap gaan vakansie hou.
“Op Kersdag het Jenny breinbloeding gehad, sy is dié nag in die hospitaal opgeneem en sy is sterwend.”
Dr M was gistermiddag besig met reëlings om sy vrou vandag op ’n mediese vliegtuig na die Vaaldriehoek te bring.
“Wees die beste dogter wat jy kan wees,” was ma Jenny se raad.
Afhangende van haar ma se toestand moet C op 4 Januarie by die Universiteit van die Vrystaat aanmeld vir oriëntering. Sy gaan in dieselfde koshuis bly waar haar ma 25 jaar gelede die onder-primaria was.
Sy gaan medies studeer en wil daarna in neuro-chirurgie spesialiseer om mense soos haar ma te help.
I had to pull myself together, I am still a wife & mom and very much healthy!!!!!!
New years eve of 2009, I will always remember, just as the 2000 one.
I couldn't believe that something could affect me as much as this has.
Yet it wasn't the end yet.
The last Saterday of January her hubby phoned to say that she is going to theatre again, to remove another tumor. This was after 10 radiation treatments. She was exhausted, and by now dependant on drip medication.
I phoned my mom with the news, and just couldn't stop crying. My mom didn't know what was wrong and thought something happened to one of us. My poor mom, she doesn't know me as one to be so emotional. I am their "strong" daughter
This was in the regional news paper on 26 January 2009
26/01/2009 10:59 AM - (SA) Dr. Jenny herstel na derde breinoperasie
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'Ek het altyd gewonder waarom dit nou juis met haar moes gebeur, maar nou besef ek dat haar siekte baie mense tot stilstand geruk het om weer oor hul le?wens te besin.'
So sê dr. M (47), 'n bekende mediese dokter van Vereeniging, nadat sy vrou, dr. Jenny, Sondagoggend haar derde breinoperasie ondergaan het. Volgens dr. M het sy vrou se toestand die afgelope tyd agteruitgegaan en dr. S.A.H. Fatmi, die neurochirurg, het besluit dat die gewas links agter in haar brein wat op Kersdag aan die bloei gegaan het, verwyder moes word. 'Sy was Sondag na die operasie nog in die hoësorg-eenheid in Vereeniging Medi-Clinic, maar toe ek haar Maandagoggend besoek, het haar toestand so verbeter dat sy toe reeds na 'n privaatsaal oorgeplaas is. 'Dit gaan baie beter met haar as voor die operasie en hoewel sy nog baie swak is, lag sy reeds weer en maak grappies,' sê hy. 'Ons besef nou eers hoe sy mense se lewens verryk het en is baie dankbaar oor almal wat vir haar bid. Haar siekte het almal wat haar ken of net van haar siekte gehoor het, aangeraak en mense van so ver as Saoedi-Arabië, Australië en Nieu-Seeland bid vir haar,' sê dr. Van Drünick. * Dr. Jenny het in November verlede jaar skielik siek geword en breingewasse is toe gevind. 'n Operasie is op 4 Desember uitgevoer, waartydens 'n gewas verwyder is. Op 8 Desember is die drukking tydens 'n tweede operasie verlig en tydens Sondag se operasie is 'n gewas links agter in haar brein verwyder. 'Ek en Jenny praktiseer reeds die afgelope 20 jaar saam as vennote, waar ons mekaar ondersteun en aanvul. Haar siekte is vir ons swaar, maar ek glo dat al die gebede en ondersteuning ons daardeur sal dra,' sê dr. M. Vaalweekblad het verlede week berig dat die egpaar se dogter, C*, met haar tien onderskeidings in die afgelope matriekeksamen, die Vaaldriehoek se topmatrikulant vir 2008 is.
She is now so much better, and went home after more than a month in hospital, most of the time in ICU. After the third operation, they started with physio again, to get her strengh back to walk again. Her muscle weakened so much, and started weaning her of the medication, to be able to go home. When I phoned on Friday, she went to her daughters prize giving at the Gauteng Education Department. When I spoke to her, I could hear the determination to be with her family. Imagine somebody that was almost "gone" on christmas day, now she attends a lenghy prize giving ceremony.
It brings me back to being so totally out of control emotional about this. I am alive, I am healthy and we must live life to the fullest. You never know when it could be taken away from you.
I received so much support from the women at 24, and the prayers never stopped for this family. They still need the support. Her mom is nearly 80 years, and says that she is strong for the grand children, but she is tired. Her hubby has to work in their practise alone, and deal with all the emotions & extra responsibilities. He also says he is tired. The daughter is at varsity, and is coping, the 16 year old boys seems to be ok, but the 13 year old boy is suffering. Please continue to pray for them.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
My Babies
At the age of 18, after a series of blood tests, scans and X rays, and I was informed that there is a 90% change that I would never have any children. I have PCOS( – the eggs in my ovaries didn’t ripen for release in the fallopian tubes). That was shocking news to a girl on the brink of adulthood. My mom cried with me and supported me so much during that time.
Years later, when my husband and I went to tell her that I was pregnant, she actually said “ I Don’t want to be a grandmother” and left. Only the following morning did she come to see me at home and brought me/baby a beautiful baby grow. I think, over the years, she prepared herself for fact that I would never have any children, and it was such a shock to her to realise that I was actually pregnant. Up to today we still tease her about the fact that she didn’t want to be a grand mother (she has 6 grandchildren)
7 years later, my first baby was born after 4 years of marriage to my high school sweetheart. She was the most beautiful baby I have ever seen, and YES, I know all parents say that. She was born on 39 weeks by caesarean section. My proud husband, Mom and Dad were there. This was a miracle.
At 36 weeks my Dr informed me that she would have to be born by caesarean section due to the disproportion of my pelvic bones. I was very upset at first. I was young and healthy and wanted everything to be perfect. After her birth, my Dr explained that there would be no chance of ever giving normal birth. He strongly believed that it was connected to my intense sporting days, and the fact that I wear a size 3 shoe.
She was the first grandchild and, needless to say, the blue eye girl of the family! She looked just like her father, with lots of long black hair. He always said that he would like a little blond girl with blue eyes, but with his dominant genes, there was almost no chance for that. She got the blue eyes though.
Soon after birth we realised that she was allergic to milk, and after switching to infasoy, things were much easier for this new mom.
By 10 months she started walking and then all my troubles started. She kept me busy from morning to night and sleep time was a nightmare. I had to hold her tight, while kicking and screaming, until she fell asleep. Once asleep she would sleep right through the night.
In spite of her hyperactivity, she was the best thing that ever happened in our family.
She was always laughing, and hardly ever cried. She had grandma just where she wanted, and until today she is still the apple of her eye. Must say she loves her grandparents just as much as they love her.
When she was 2 years, we decided we should try to have another baby, to be a friend for her! But is will also be perfect just to have just the one, a miracle baby.
After trying for a year, I decided to make an appointment with the Dr. Again he told me that chances are slim to fall pregnant, but put me on a product called clomid. After 7 months of terrible side effects, the results came back +. Joy like you’ve never seen in our family. My mom was convinced that this was going to be twins (it is quite common after taking clomid). We waited with great anticipation for the 9 week scan, and to great relief there was only 1 heart beat.
The pregnancy was as easy as my first one, and this time we knew it was going to be a caesarean section. At 38 weeks our 2nd daughter was born, just as beautiful as her sister. Her sister was so proud, and by now she was already 4 years old.
Years later, when my husband and I went to tell her that I was pregnant, she actually said “ I Don’t want to be a grandmother” and left. Only the following morning did she come to see me at home and brought me/baby a beautiful baby grow. I think, over the years, she prepared herself for fact that I would never have any children, and it was such a shock to her to realise that I was actually pregnant. Up to today we still tease her about the fact that she didn’t want to be a grand mother (she has 6 grandchildren)
7 years later, my first baby was born after 4 years of marriage to my high school sweetheart. She was the most beautiful baby I have ever seen, and YES, I know all parents say that. She was born on 39 weeks by caesarean section. My proud husband, Mom and Dad were there. This was a miracle.
At 36 weeks my Dr informed me that she would have to be born by caesarean section due to the disproportion of my pelvic bones. I was very upset at first. I was young and healthy and wanted everything to be perfect. After her birth, my Dr explained that there would be no chance of ever giving normal birth. He strongly believed that it was connected to my intense sporting days, and the fact that I wear a size 3 shoe.
She was the first grandchild and, needless to say, the blue eye girl of the family! She looked just like her father, with lots of long black hair. He always said that he would like a little blond girl with blue eyes, but with his dominant genes, there was almost no chance for that. She got the blue eyes though.
Soon after birth we realised that she was allergic to milk, and after switching to infasoy, things were much easier for this new mom.
By 10 months she started walking and then all my troubles started. She kept me busy from morning to night and sleep time was a nightmare. I had to hold her tight, while kicking and screaming, until she fell asleep. Once asleep she would sleep right through the night.
In spite of her hyperactivity, she was the best thing that ever happened in our family.
She was always laughing, and hardly ever cried. She had grandma just where she wanted, and until today she is still the apple of her eye. Must say she loves her grandparents just as much as they love her.
When she was 2 years, we decided we should try to have another baby, to be a friend for her! But is will also be perfect just to have just the one, a miracle baby.
After trying for a year, I decided to make an appointment with the Dr. Again he told me that chances are slim to fall pregnant, but put me on a product called clomid. After 7 months of terrible side effects, the results came back +. Joy like you’ve never seen in our family. My mom was convinced that this was going to be twins (it is quite common after taking clomid). We waited with great anticipation for the 9 week scan, and to great relief there was only 1 heart beat.
The pregnancy was as easy as my first one, and this time we knew it was going to be a caesarean section. At 38 weeks our 2nd daughter was born, just as beautiful as her sister. Her sister was so proud, and by now she was already 4 years old.
In hospital already they put her on infasoy, as precaution to possible allergy. She was spitting up her whole feed. After lots of tests and dr’s appointments, her paediatrician diagnosed an underdeveloped oesophagus which influenced the motility of the muscles of the oesophagus (Gastroesophageal reflux is a condition in which stomach contents travels backward from the stomach to the esophagus, rather than down through the digestive system ). The prognosis- she should outgrow the condition by 13 months. The treatment - we had to thicken her milk with nestargel.(a product with no nutritional value) to keep the milk down.
She was such a content little baby from then on. She never cried and was always amused by her sister. She had her first birthday party, without a tooth and without giving her first step. A few days later she actually started walking, and hasn’t stopped moving since.
It proofed to be a difficult with 2 very active toddlers in the house. She was, however, totally different to her sister with regards to sleep. When she was tired, she would just come and sit on my lap, and seconds later be fast asleep.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Goodbye....
Today I want to say goodbuye to our dear friends, Charles, Corne, Charne & Arno. They are moving back to Johannesburg. They are going to a new house, schools, church....very unsure of what to expect, but 100% sure of the fact that God is in controll.
When they moved down to the North Coast, from Pretoria, 8 years ago, we became like family. We have "struggled" through the schools issue- Afrikaans/English, Church issues, ADD issues.
But most of all we became sisters in Christ. Thanks Corne, for always being there when I had a question or was concerned. And I loved being there to listen to everything the Lord is telling you! I am so glad for email, so we can continue sharing the Good News with each other.
I am going to miss our "quick" coffee dates at the Wild Bean Cafe. I am going to miss you at our home cell, and all the braais we had.
Our friendship will never end.....
Friday, December 26, 2008
My Christmas 2008
Our Christmas 2008
I received the best Christmas gift ever! We don't go big on Christmas presents and if asked I always say that I only want lots of love & happiness.....
I received the best Christmas gift ever! We don't go big on Christmas presents and if asked I always say that I only want lots of love & happiness.....
Well my girls went to Gateway last week & I heard hubby talking to them on the phone a few times. They were so excited to give me my present and were so proud of their choice.
.JPG)
THE HAPPIEST FATHER CHRISTMAS
EVER!
I got a Guess handbag, something I would never bought for myself! I am so chuffed!Both my girls have Guess handbags & purses that Ilse bought when she was in Canada in July. But I didn't want her to spend so much money on me!
I always take much care & time when buying presents, and I always try to buy something they will use and want or is different!
Ilse got a iTrip to connect the iPod to car radio.
Anel got new speakers for her car, and daddy has to install them today
We all went to church on Christmas morning and then spent the lest of the day lolling around. We had our Christmas dinner at home, just the 3 of us. We haven't been at home for Christmas for the last 10 years, so this was a very special day for us as a family.
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