Wow. Just wow.

This article is about a 37 year old man who had an entire face transplant. In 1997 he suffered a gunshot wound to the face. Because of the extent of the damage the man wore a mask for 15 years. His new face was a combination of his own face and the face of a donor. The entire operation took 36 hours. Richard is only the 23rd patient to receive a face transplant in the world.

This story is so amazing to me. The things that we are now capable of doing through medicine are just astounding. For that man to finally want to show his face after 15 years of hiding has to feel so good to him. The generosity of the donor is also wonderful. The donor not only donated his entire face but he also donated organs to 5 other patients. I am glad I stumbled across this story. It cheered me up for that man to get what he has wanted for so long.

Thank you to them

This article is about a man who was Vietnam war. He was 23 years old when he enlisted. He was more priviliged than some and didn't have to enlist. He did it because he said he couldn't watch others his age die while he hid behind being priviliged. He didn't have his first flashback until 15 years after the war. The flashback occured while he was in a business meeting. He walked in the room and saw a pile of dead bodies on the table. One study showed that 472,000 Afghan and Iraqi veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I just want to say thank you to all veterans who have fought to protect our rights. To be able to do that takes a very special person. I have a few friends who are fighting for our country right now. The thought of losing any of them terrifies me. I feel bad for their spouses. They have to sit there wondering if they will ever see their wife/husband again. They raise their children and try to make sure they know who their mamas/daddys are. My heart aches for those who have lost someone. It aches just as much for those who have got their spouses back as completely different people. War does change some people. Sometimes for the worst. I just thank God that I have my family all with me.

My life goings on-Spring Break

It was nice to have time with my family over Spring Break. Unfortunately thanks to the rain our plans of camping and fishing were ruined. We didn't get to do much. We did go to House of Bounce one day and Chuckee Cheese another. All in all it was a pretty good week. The only bad thing to happen was that I found out my friend's unborn baby has fluid on her brain and may not live. As I am dealing with the probability that my own baby isn't going to make it this hit a sore spot with me. I really hope she isn't told news like ours. I am dreading tomorrow. She gets her amnio results back then and I have an appt to see another specialist to get a second opinion about my son. I am so afraid that if the doctor says the same thing that I will lose hope. I'm normally a pretty optimistic person but this is too much for me. Even just seeing baby boys tears me up. Wow how did my rant start out good and end on such a depressing note? My bad!

My life goings on-getting by

This week hasn't been so bad. I have had my bad days and my good. Seems that is how the next 16 weeks is going to go. I had a panic attack the other day because my son didn't move for over 17 1/2 hours. Other than that, just keeping hope as much as possible.

Today we got my daughters' Easter pictures done. I can't wait to get them back! They were all so good and did everything the photographer asked. It was alot of fun. I know alot of moms think their kids are gorgeous, but I am 100% sure. :-) When I can't go a day without being told how cute they are, pretty sure it has to be true. Yup, I am a proud mama and you will most likely hear alot of bragging from me.

Is my facebook really that serious?

This article is interesting to me. It talks about how the government now has a list of around 500 words that are considered "bad" words. If someone posts them on their facebook, or tweets them on their twitter, the government will then monitor their accounts. Some of the words are as simple as subway or San Diego.

This is just crazy. Is the government seriously that interested in people's social network sites? Do you really think that terrorists or drug dealers would tweet about what they plan to do? I guess the government is trying to keep us "safe" but to me it is just another way to control our lives. I wonder if they are monitoring me. I know I have used the word subway since my husband works at a subway. I have also used infection when my daughter had an ear infection. Sorry to tell them, but this stay at home mom has no intention of blowing up any buildings or anything equally insane.

Dedication

This article is about a mother who spent 33 years trying to find the remains of a baby she gave birth to when she was only 23. The baby had died of a fatal heart condition shortly after being born and was burried in a Potter's Field on Hart Island. This field has many deceased that none of the family members even know they were buried there. There are up to 1 million people buried there.

I love the dedication this mother had in finding her baby's remains. It had to have been heart wrenching to not even have a grave to visit. I am glad she found the lady who assisted her in the search for her baby. I would feel lost if I didn't know where my son was buried. When I am having a down day, I go visit him and it makes me feel better. If Castan doesn't survive, I am going to request the cemetary bury him right next to his big brother. I know it is wishful thinking, but I like to think Odd would be taking care of Cas. Kind of depressing too.

Birth control bashful

This article is discussing how baby boomer men and women differ in their thoughts on birth control. The men don't really discuss birth control. The women have no problem with it. They both tend to think that contraceptives are a "woman thing". Men of the generations after the baby boomers have become more promiscuous and are more willing to openly discuss birth control and abortions.

It is amazing to me the differences of generations. The older men I know usually won't talk about my pregnancy, other than to ask if I am doing ok. If I go into details, they tend to get uncomfortable. I couldn't imagine living in an era where my husband would want me to keep everything about my birth control and pregnancy to myself. He is so in tune with everything about me, that he gets every symptom I get. It amuses me when he is at work, and gets heartburn about the same exact time that I do. I am glad I live in a generation that I can openly discuss whatever I want with him. Wouldn't change it for anything.

Brave mom

This article is about a mom who laid herself over her kids during the tornadoes in Indiana. She tried her best to shield the children from the tornado. Her legs were crushed in the process. Her son then crawled out of the debris, and went to find help. The lady used the blanket they had covered themselves with as a tourniquet to prevent herself from bleeding out. She lost both legs, one just above the knee, the other just below the knee.

This woman is so incredibly brave and selfless. She thought of her children first and did what she could to protect them, causing herself pain. I am in awe of this incredible woman, and of her son for getting help as fast as possible. This story actually brought tears to my eyes. Any mom would try to protect their babies, but she went the extra distance and ended up losing both legs. I feel bad she lost her legs, but am so glad that she and her children made it out ok. Kudos to her.

My life goings on-emotional wreck

I am going to start this week with my "life blog". I got the results back from my amniocentisis Thursday. The diagnosis was not good. My son has something called Triploidy. I was told he would either die while inside of me, and I would have to deliver him after, or he would die soon after birth. I went from being told my baby may have Down's Syndrome, to being told he will not live. There is a very slim, almost non existent chance that the abnormality is being caused by my placenta. The doctor said it would be a miracle, if this is the case. We are praying for that miracle. I am trying so hard to believe he is going to be ok, but living minute by minute, wondering if that kick is the last one I will feel, is excrutiating. I am not looking for sympathy, though the sympathy, faith, and compassion my friends and family have shown us has astounded me. I decided to sell bracelets and if he lives, all proceeds will go to Children's Miracle Network, if he doesn't, they will go towards his funeral. Within 2 hours, I had orders for all 200 bracelets I had ordered, and had to order more. I have never felt like we had people we could rely and this situation has just shown me that there are so many who care. The only person, it seems, who does not believe in Castan, is the specialist who gave me the results. He was so dead seat that Cas will die, that he told me "since the chances of him living are so slim, I see no reason to follow up." I was in shock. Where was the compassion doctors are supposed to have? Oh well, I choose to believe that jerk is wrong, and when I deliver my baby boy, I will call him up and tell him so. Time for me to get to bed. Castan is currently kicking my laptop, so I think he decided I am done with homework for the night. :-)