Most Read Post of 2012

    This year, I really started to open up on this blog and tried to stay consistent with post.  I believe people are reading this blog, even though I don't have a lot of comments.  Either way, it is great to have an outlet for the things that go on in my head.  I know my husband is thankful I am not keeping him up with my ramblings.  I thank you for reading this blog.  I hope it gives you a window into how someone else is dealing with hemophilia in their home. 

     My goals for this blog in 2013 is to improve my post by writing more clearly ( I read some older post and I don't know what the hell I was trying to say....sorry) and keep sharing more experiences beyond Hemophilia.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

Happy New Year!

  The most read post for 2012 was:

10 Year Hemo Mom Award

 

 

 

Teaching The Gift of Giving

     I knew from the moment Marques, my 10 year old son, asked me,  "What day is Christmas on?", I wanted to do something different this year for Christmas.  Marques and MaRee' (13) have been very spoiled, never wondering if they would have gifts under the tree.  Besides something they made in class, they never thought about putting a gift under the tree for someone else.  I can only blame myself and work on trying to correct my mistakes.

 

Video Game Addiction

     My heart really goes out to the parents of Sandy Hook, CT.  I could not imagine the pain those family feel from loosing their children so young and so tragic.  I keep praying for them and pray God eases their pain a little everyday through great, although short, memories.

     Of course with all the tragic shootings that have taken place over the last six months, America is now ready to address the gun laws.  I myself don't own a gun and I'm not familiar with any of the laws or what it takes to get a gun.  I'm sure in the next few months my knowledge will change.  It's funny, I knew my Dad had a gun.  He kept it in his suitcase with his factor supplies locked up.  I guess it was the only case he had with a lock.  It was a pistol, I'm not even sure if he kept bullets in it..but I knew it was in there.

      Anyway, with psychologist and news reporters now looking into the effects of video games on gun violence, I have to take a look at my own child.  It's ironic that my husband and I have been discussing this previously about Marques playing his Xbox live all day.  When I say all day, I'm not exaggerating.  Just this past weekend he was on it from 5:30am to about 2:00am...and only because I made him go to bed.  That is an example of an extreme time, but I know he would do that everyday if he could.  Besides Minecraft, he plays Call of Duty.  I really didn't know how violent Call of Duty was until I watched him play it.

HSC Educational Symposium and Family Weekend Review

     Let me just start of by saying I had a good weekend!  The weather was foggy Saturday, which was okay since we were in meetings all day, but Sunday morning made up for it.

     My family has made a commitment to attend this meeting every year so we can "check in" with the Hemophilia community.  This year, I have to say it was a good check up.

     This year theme was "Today and Beyond".  The Weekend Agenda was full of education sessions for parents as well as the children followed by a Holiday Buffet Dinner and Christmas Celebration.  There were several good sessions that I will break up into a few blog post.

     One of Saturday Morning sessions presented by Michelle Rice, Director of Public Policy of NHF who is responsible for coordinating NHF advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels, provided everyone with a Personal Health Care Insurance Toolkit created by NHF to help you decide which insurance plan is best for your family.  Of course it's the end of the year and time for insurance changes.  My husband always just picks the one that seems to be the best choice to take care of our hemophilia needs.    The toolkit walks you through a worksheet you complete based on information from your own insurance plan.  You can compare dollar for dollar which plan is best for you.  I'm almost scared to check to make sure we did pick the right plan. 

    
     If you were following me on Twitter this weekend at @Prophyholic, you know I had an enlightened moment about the importance of supporting your Chapter, which came up during this session.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I knew it was important to join a Chapter, but I did not understand the correlation between being involved and showing up to events with how much funding your Chapter can receive from drug manufactures and insurance companies to donate to the Chapter.  I guess my ignorance came from always seeing pharmacy providers at events when I attended with my Father and just thought they were part of the package.  Back then, pharmacy providers paid for trips, provided helmets and everything else to keep you as a customer. 
    

Goals for attending HSC 2012 Educational Symposium and Family Weekend

     I should be packing for this weekend, but I also need to write this post because I’m packing to attend South Carolina Annual Educational Symposium and Family Weekend.  It's like a local/mini version of NHF annual meeting held in Mrytle Beach, SC.  This year went by so fast…last year’s meeting is still fresh in my head. 

2011 Educationl Symposium pictures

     I wanted to make sure I wrote a post before I went to hold myself accountable for a few goals I wanted to accomplish this weekend.  I’m already disappointed that this is the only hemophilia event I’ve been able to attend this year.  I almost made the decision to back out of going to this one because Maree’ (oldest daughter) is competing in the State Middle School Mock Trial Competition this weekend.  I’m double booked, but we are going to attend the first day of the competition Friday then head to the Symposium.  Thank goodness the competition is on the way and will break up our 4 hour drive.  My daughter knows how important it is for us to attend the meeting and she is also disappointed she's will miss out on spending time with friends she made last year (Thank goodness for Facebook!)

     Like my daughter was able to do last year, I want to come away with people I can continue a relationship with.  It would be great to stay in contact and “know” (not just a Facebook or Twitter know) someone local.  So, that is goal number one. 

     Goal number two is to continue to learn something new or learn another best practice from another family.  In the same respect maybe I can offer a new family a best practice.

     Goal number three. Have fun.  We are at the beach for the weekend…this is an easy goal!  We are in meetings all day, but during the breaks I take a moment to go outside and appreciate where I am.  Hopefully, the twins will sit on Santa’s lap this year at the Holiday Dinner.

     I plan on Tweeting from the meeting this weekend to share our adventure and pictures!  You can follow on facebook or twitter…wish me luck!