Babble’s Top 100 Food Mom Bloggers-Mother Connie

Mother Connie

 

I have to say that entering the fray in Babble’s Top 100 Food Mom Bloggers started out simply as a way of honoring my friend Mother Connie.  It has since become more about honoring her AND getting people aware of the impact she is making in the lives of the people who visit her Food Stamps Cooking Club Blog.  You see, Connie has always been about helping people be healthy (she teaches ways to eat healthier while on a tight budget) but she also truly loves connecting with people and encouraging them.

Her blog is one of community.  The people who visit there aren’t simply people who get their groceries from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-food stamps)…even though that is the name of the blog.  It is also written for, and contributed to by, people who receive WIC  (Women, Infants, and Children), Angel Food Ministries, Commodities, Farmer’s Market coupons or groceries from local food pantries.  Connie encourages people to participate with their cooking tips, shopping or marketing tips, health information and to ask questions that she or her readers may have an answer to.

All of this is done with the intention of helping people to stretch their food dollars and to shop, prepare and serve the healthiest meals that they can to their families.  Connie not only accomplishes this…she has been an inspiration to many.  For all of those reasons…I ask you to go here to Babble’s Top 100 Mom Food Bloggers and nominate her.  All you have to do is find her on page 1 or 2 and click on the “like” button to vote for her.   Thanks a lot.  Oh, and go visit her blog…and leave her a comment; she loves comments…tell her Write Where You Are sent you!

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Belly Buttons-We All Got Them-It Was A Gift

         If you are alive and reading this….take your finger and point it towards your middle…feel that indentation?  You are the proud owner of a belly button.  Do you know where your got your very own personalized lint collector?  From your mom…your belly button was a gift.

           Did you know that your belly button gift could actually have the ability to save a life?   When you were born; if the technology would have been available (who knows when you were born 🙂 ), you could have donated the blood from your umblical cord.   Science in this area has discovered something great and powerful.   Blood from umbilical cords has stem cells in it.  I know , I know…some people do not agree with stem cell research. 

          However, MOST people who object to stem cell research, object because some people were lobbying the government about using stem cells from aborted fetuses.  Life is precious.  It should be treated with respect.  I personally don’t agree with using stem cells from aborted fetuses…i don’t agree with abortions.  However, i have nothing against using stem cells from umbilical cords.

         In cases where a woman is going to give her child up for adoption…how great would it be if she could also send along information to the adoption agency that as a gift to that child…she also was having the child’s cord blood stored in case of medical need?  How loved would a child feel knowing that his or her birth mother cared enough about them to give them that?  What an amazing thing!

         Everytime a human being is born; there is an umbilical cord that nourished that baby while it was in it’s mother’s womb.    In the past that cord and it’s blood was tossed away for lack of knowledge.  We have options these days.  We are just, within the last few decades, realizing how important those life giving umblical cords are to our well being, even after birth. 

         There are over 70 diseases being treated from umbilical cord blood.  People who suffer from debilitating diseases that compromise their immune systems could benefit from the gift that the umbilical cord blood provides.   

           Many mothers today, are now choosing to either put their child’s umbilical cord blood into a blood bank or donating it to help others.  It is almost like an insurance policy in case that child or a close family member should suffer a life altering disease, in the future.  The blood would be a “match” so that person would not have to wait months or years; trying to find someone who “matched” them close enough to save their lives.

          If a child has relatives who have a disease in their family that could potentially harm them in the future…the precious stem cells, that would be stored from their own umbilical cord blood, could save their lives.  It could help to potentially save the life of their siblings; or, even a stranger if that very same cord blood was donated. 

            All an expectant mother has to do is, discuss it with her OB/GYN before delivering her child.  Motherhood is a wonderful thing…Fatherhood is no less wonderful…it is time that we realize how precious life is and honor the creator of all life.  What a miracle this type of donation is…tell others about this belly button gift that can save lives.  After all, Mother’s Day is sneaking up on us…if you are expecting…donating or saving that umbilical cord blood is a wonderful way of honoring all mothers.

         

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Mom’s Biopsy

      Today is my mother’s lung biopsy.  I am worried for several reasons.  Her lymph nodes are enlarged.  She is having breathing problems.  She has never smoked a day in her life but she lived with smokers almost her whole life.

       This biopsy is dangerous because she has too much pressure in her lungs.  I am praying that God protects and keeps her safe.  I am praying for a lot of things.  Mostly well-being.  * update:  Mom came through the biopsy just fine…but now we start the wait for the lab results.  The results could take up to a week or so.  Patience is not easy in this case.

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Mom’s Home

     My mother is home from the hospital; thank God.  For a time, we didn’t know if that was going to happen.  She was living on the edge in the hospital for almost a week.  She is still not up to life as usual.

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Happy Birthday

      Today is my father’s birthday.  He should be out celebrating but instead he is at the hospital with mom.  This morning i got a call that the doctor is rethinking her illness.  He thinks it may be possible that she does NOT have congestive heart failure…she may ONLY (which is bad enough but the lessor of two evils definately) have pneumonia.

       If this is true and the tests today prove Mom has pneumonia instead of congestive heart failure it just might be the best birthday present Dad ever got!

       I have been sick and therefore have banned myself from the hospital yesterday and today.  So, later we will call and sing happy birthday to Dad and (hopefully) hear the good news about the tests! 

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ICU

       My dad was moved to the ICU today.  He was given heperin as they believe that he has a blood clot below the lungs.  The doctors are not sure yet though so they are doing more tests.  He will have a specialist evaluate him tomorrow.

      The problem is that his blood is so very low that the blood thinners could kill him .  Yet, if the other dr is right and it is a reoccurance of cancer or some other type of cancer..that is equally horrible.  I am scared for my dad.  Right now, either scenerio is bad…and the treatments for the conditions are equally dangerous.  Only God is able to heal and protect him.  We are all praying.

      My mom is having health problems too…she is there for dad but…this stress isnt good on her right now either.  Man, we are all worried.  So many people going through hard times. 

       Then out in California…the fires.  Wow, hug those that you love….tell them that you love them.  Keep them close to your heart and mind.  I know i am. 

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