[When would you consider a service animal?]

I've been thinking about service dogs bc DD had a bad fall in the bathroom the other day bc of a seizure and had some injuries.

 

I was thinking...would/does the dog move around the house every time the person does? Go to the bathroom every time the person does? How soon before the seizure can the dog sense it?

 

In DD's case, could the dog have helped prevent the subsequent injuries?

 

I'm just wondering logistically...how would it all work?

I have some friends with service animals and they do seem to keep them close all the time. I'm not sure how far before a sx they can alert, did you get a chance to look at the Empatica Embrace? They're saying that predicts 15 mins before a convulsive sx. 

[When would you consider a service animal?]

Thank you so much to everyone who weighed in! :)

 

I'll have to talk to DD and see what she thinks. We can afford care for another animal and we've been approached by a foundation that helps raise some of the initial costs for the dog (and has worked with the org training the dogs in question, before). 

 

I really want to empower my sweetie to feel safe being independent as she gets bigger and I think this would help. 

[When would you consider a service animal?]

Thank you guys. :)

[When would you consider a service animal?]

Thanks, Mergath. :)

[When would you consider a service animal?]

Thanks.

[Freaking dinner]

Your younger three are pretty small. I don't think it's too late to start. Food battles are never fun. :(

[Food for hotel advice?]

I stay in hotels reasonably frequently with kids. Bring things that they'll be able to eat without spilling since you probably won't have a table like they're used to.

[Flu even after shot?]

All seven of us got flu shots, and then got lab confirmed Influenza A. It's a bad match this year. 

[Would you be willing to pay for this service?]

I'd be worried about the legality of this unless you billed yourself as something like a life coach. I think the idea of nursing home visitor might be better, that's a sweet idea.

[Talk to me about the new IKEA cabinets]

I think the sale times vary every year. 

[Ski equipment rental and chair lift passes. Questions.]

I live driving distance to really posh skiing in the Rockies... so yes, that sounds really reasonable. ;)

[UPDATE page 2: I am going my bi-monthly "bariatric surgery" rumination..........]

I know someone who had it and had really terrible complications- as in very nearly died. More than two years later and they are still wheelchair bound. It has really clouded how I feel about the procedures, but I also understand that for some people it truly is the best option. 

[Talk to me about the new IKEA cabinets]

Things to think about:

- the new ones have a kind of half-moon cut-out in the bottom shelf, to allow for pipes/wires to be threaded.  We had our joiner patch that over so that we could stack things all the way to the back.  I don't know if the old ones had that.

- the new wall cabinets hang from a long bar, rather than being screwed up one by one.  This works fine, but any joiner who has put up previous kitchens may take a little while to get used to it, so beware if you are paying by the hour.

 

There are a few things that the new kitchens have that I'm not sure the old ones had.  My favourite are very skinny (20cm) pull out cupboards that are perfect for keeping oils, vinegars, sauces, etc for cooking.  We have two - one for Western and one for Chinese ingredients.  They are a great way of using extra tiny bits of space.

 

Here's the new kitchen.

 

L

 

Thank you!! Your kitchen is lovely and the stove is amazing. That really helps me visualize. Thanks again!

[Talk to me about the new IKEA cabinets]

Not released yet, it looks like they're saying they'll be comparable. 

[Talk to me about the new IKEA cabinets]

I'm worried about that, too- what if I get them now and want to change anything?

 

But on the other wise, what if something happens and the new ones aren't as good as the old?

[Talk to me about the new IKEA cabinets]

Self serving bump. ;)

[Tamiflu-blessing & a curse]

I was adamantly against Tamiflu until I got Influenza A this year and ended up in the hospital. I didn't want to take it when I initially got sick but I went downhill really quick and Tamiflu along with other care in the hospital really helped. YMMV.

[Talk to me about the new IKEA cabinets]

http://www.thekitchn.com/ikea-is-changing-their-kitchen-system-akurum-to-be-replaced-by-sektion-210635

 

It's supposed to be all incompatible with the new system, and they're discontinuing all the current ones. :-/

[Talk to me about the new IKEA cabinets]

Do you think that they're really be better than the current line?

 

If you were doing new cabinets would you snap them up now, or wait for Feb and the new line?

 

I need opinions! :D

 

ETA: the current line is being discontinued and they're incompatible with the new ones. 

[If you would like to purchase Photoshop...]

No problem!!

[If you would like to purchase Photoshop...]

At that point I'd be really tempted to do the free Adobe trail, get a student monthly rate, and then use this. http://www.gimp.org/

[If you would like to purchase Photoshop...]

Have you looked at the free open source options like GIMP? The only longer length licenses I'm aware of are like $700. 

 

Maybe someone else can hope more. :)

[Am I old or is this creepy?]

In defense of electronic jewelry- my seven year old is on the list to get a smartwatch this summer. There's a company that has developed the tech to sense certain electrical changes in your body BEFORE a seizure and she has epilepsy. Having her wear it will hopefully help keep her safer. 

 

Some of the new tech is really exciting. 

[We're done!! - Would love some prayers or good thoughts for the next two days]

Ugh, sorry you have to do this. We just did this before the new year with my seven year old but she didn't need sedation for the MRI (first time nonsedated!). It's exhausting. I really wish that hospitals had their child life people available in the middle of the night to help give mom and dad a rest. 

[Side effects of Tamiflu? And possible TMI]

My DH ended up having similar side effects from Tamiflu and quit after a few doses.