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Diet? Get Me Started!

DGMS...On Politics

DGMS - Diet? Get Me Started!

  • Tinainwi
    Welcome to the new DGMS Support System for blogmunity members looking to stick to their 2009 Resolution to get healthy, get fit, and yes, lose weight! Photos will be posted here regularly as members send them in so we can keep one another on track, congratulate each other as pounds begin to be shed, and of course, keep one another honest!

DGMS Travel Gnome

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    Welcome to the DGMS Travel Gnome Photo Album! Enjoy this little guy's world travels - some far afield, some right in your own backyard!

Yes, Virginia, There IS A DGMS

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Sunday, July 05, 2009

Charlie Update!

The girls and I just rolled in from a super quick trip up to Dallas - we're soccer addicts, what can I say? - and found this update from Charlie from yesterday.

OK, everyone - let's get this cheer started - PUSH IT OUT!  SHOVE IT OUT!  WAAAAAAAY OUT!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charlie post op Dear Pursuers of Happiness Everywhere:

Baby Charlie here.  It's July 4th, Independence Day, the day Americans commemorate and celebrate their freedom by eating hotdogs and lighting off Chinese fireworks.  I'm writing to you from the NICU Level II Lockdown.  I'm confined to a 3X2' containment cell known as a "crib," shackled to four different machines that're monitoring my respiration, heart rate, oxygenation, and blood pressure.  If I do anything out of the ordinary, if my behavior deviates from the norm, an alarm sounds and a nurse rushes to my side, eyeing me suspiciously.  The wails of my fellow cellmates haunt my sleep.

All that being said, things are peachy keen here.  Grandpa Marty (aka "Old Granddad") and Grandma Sue ("Grammy") flew in last Tuesday to make sure Mom & Dad were holding up ok.  The whole gang camped out in my room for marathon sessions of Charlie Watch.  Old Granddad led everyone in Irving Berlin sing-alongs while Grammy kept saying things like, "We're not much, but we're here." 

They were a huge comfort to Mom & Dad in so many ways.  For one thing, they insisted on treating them to lunch and dinner every day, including three trips to The Cheesecake Factory and three to the Captain's Tavern, where everyone feasted on steamed lobsters and the best chowder this side of Cape Cod.  Mom's breast milk was extra yummy the morning after the double lobster.  

Best of all, Old Graddad gave them one of his famous guarantees.  It's so good, it's worth quoting in toto:


I, Martin Tolchin, do hereby GUARANTEE that my wonderful grandson, Charles Tolchin DeMarchi, will FULLY and TOTALLY overcome all the MISHIGAS to which he has been subjected in his first weeks of life; that he will grow up ROBUST in mind and body; that he will graduate with DISTINCTION from high school and college; that he will be a boy among boys and a man among men; that he will be pleasured by many beautiful women (a trend already apparent);that he will find MEANINGFUL work;  that he will be nurtured by warm friendships and a loving wife and children; that he will live a deeply SATISFYING and COMPLETE LIFE, in every sense of the word.

Witnessed this 24th Day of June, 2009 by
Susan J. Tolchin
Torie Tolchin

I'm not sure what "mishigas" means, but I assume it must be Hebrew for farting.  

Everyone should be so lucky to have a life like the one described in that guarantee.  Old Granddad is already right about one thing: I am pleasured daily by many beautiful women.  Look at the photo above.  See the Charlie sign?  That was made by my girlfriend, Nurse Danielle.  Looking at it—especially the orange frog and blue bear—brings me much pleasure.  So does getting changed and cuddled by Nurse Michelle, Nurse Lori, Nurse Kelly, Nurse Mimi, and all the other supermodel nurses of South Miami Hospital NICU.  Last night, Nurse Annie told Dad that she wants to take care of me every shift but that too many other nurses had requested the same thing and so she got bumped from the rotation. 

This is not to say I haven't suffered some pain in my short life, but it is far outweighed by pleasure.  

Speaking of pain, some of you have inquired about my surgery.  As Aunt Debbie said in Thursday's update, it was a success.  I got wheeled into the operating room at 9 a.m., intubated, anaesthetized, and the next thing I knew it was 11:30 and my ostomy bag had been replaced by a choo-choo train bandage.  I overheard Dr. Neville tell my parents that I lost barely any blood and that I was so strong she was able to extubate me as soon as the stitches were tied.  Old Granddad exclaimed, "Oh, what they do to a person!" and Grammy said, "Oh, he's a genius!"  Mom & Dad just sighed a lot, then Dad had to step into the hall to cry in relief.  Upon return, he sat cribside and sang "Baby's Got a Brand New Butt.”      

Now it's been 72 hours since the surgery and I'm still waiting to poop.  Dr. Neville told Mom that I can't be fed orally until I poop.  The average post-surgery wait for a CF baby is 3-5 days.  So I'm pulling a Gandhi and temporarily eschewing the bottle & boob.  Maybe "eschewing"'s the wrong word.  I mean, this isn't exactly voluntary.  The Gandhi comparison's a little self-congratulatory too.  It's not as if I'm making a grand symbolic gesture in an effort to free a country from imperial rule.  If someone put a boob in front of me, I'd lunge.  Plus, I'm getting TPN through my broviac, so my basic nutritional needs are being met.  Let's be honest: I'm not exactly starving over here, but my stomach is empty, and that emptiness is more uncomfortable than the incision.  I spend a lot of time gumming my pacifier and rooting around for any nipple that'll squirt milk or formula.  The nurses tell Mom & Dad that—incessant rooting aside—I'm recovering perfectly, that I'm fairly comfortable, that I can skip the morphine and stick with plain old Tylenol.             

A lot of you have been offering prayers and sending good vibes for my speedy recovery.  If you could maybe move from the general ("speedy recovery") to the specific ("hasty poopage"), I'd be most appreciative.  Aunt Lyn, Uncle Jesse, Aunt Karyn, Aunt Nancy, and Uncle Sam just sent me a helpful instructional video with pooping tips that include sitting on the commode and waving at the camera.  As soon as Mom & Dad secure distribution rights they'll post a link here.  But the sooner I poop, the sooner I'll be released.  I need your help is what I'm saying.  

It's nearly touch time, which means Mom & Dad'll be here to check the diaper for any big updates.  

In the meantime, Happy July 4th.  If you're shooting off fireworks, please run for cover as soon as you light the wick.  And go easy on those hotdogs.  Being stuck in the hospital with a major wound and/or constipation is the last way you want to spend a major holiday.  Take it from me.

Oooing and ahhhhing,
Baby Charlie

Saturday, July 04, 2009

The Bare Necessities

I doubt this is what Baloo was singing about, but it's still funny.

Air New Zealand has a new ad campaign and an accompanying on board safety video.  Taking a page from the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue which now routinely features several ladies in nothing but paint, watch closely...

Have Fun, Stay Safe! (and don't throw your sparkler on the roof - your Dad will get pissed at you...)

4th

Friday, July 03, 2009

Yes, Virginia, There Is A Sarah Palin Article

I was out for many hours today with the girls and returned to find my inbox crammed with links to stories about Sarah Palin's resignation.

Thank you all for making sure I was in the loop.  :O)

Yes, I have chimed in, but have done so at the DGMS Politics blog.

Sarah Palin Resigns:  The Grassy Moll

I'd Try To Explain, But You Just Have To Watch...

(too funny)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/02/van-friesche-vlag-commerc_n_224688.html

Jon Stewart: Shut Up, Mark Sanford

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Shut Up, Mark Sanford
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes
Political HumorJason Jones in Iran

Thursday, July 02, 2009

MJ's Rehearsal From June 23

Thin?  Yes.  He always was.  But I think this video puts paid to all the stories of him being incapacitated or unable to dance and sing.  I'm now more inclined to believe his long time friend Lou Ferigno - he was ready for this comeback.

Watch for the tiny smile at the end.  RIP.

Ssssssstupidity Ends Child's Life

I realize I'm going to catch it from someone out there who is going to go on about how I "just don't understand".  Or from someone who wants to lecture me about how "they make great pets."

Bullshit.

A 2 year old child in Florida is dead because her mother, and mom's boyfriend, Charles,  thought an 8 foot python is a good pet.  (Of course, he did not have a permit for the animal.  Who needs to bother with niggly details like that?)

Yesterday, little Shaiunna Hare was found strangled to death in her crib by the family's pet python which had escaped from its cage in the night.  She also had bite marks on her head.

The 911 caller is heard screaming, "The baby's dead!  Our stupid snake got out in the middle of the night and strangled the baby."

Sorry, but the snake isn't stupid.  The adults who owned the snake are stupid plus some.

Cats.  Dogs.  Ferrets.  Hamsters.  Fish.  Those are housepets.  A Burmese python is NOT.

My heart goes out to that poor child.  May she rest in peace.  As for the adults in her life?   This is a huge price to pay for some common sssssssssense.

Introducing Gianna Denise

Just heard back from Ronnie - with her permission, I am happy to share her email update this morning, and introduce her gorgeous granddaughter to the DGMS family.

Hi Linda--
 
Just getting home after a VERY long day. Gianna seems to be doing much better. Thank you so much for the post and thank you to everyone for the lovely thoughts, prayers, energy and cyber-hugs!  They've done tests and have ruled out her lungs (those are fine, thank God!).  At this point, they are assuming it is some sort of infection which they are treating with antibiotics.  There is a possibility it is sleep-apnea, although she hasn't had an "episode" since around midnight last night.  There is also a possibility that it was nothing more than her needing to remember to breathe.  If she can go all night without an "episode", she will be able to room with Mommy tomorrow!  I will keep everyone updated.  Thanks again to everyone!
 
p.s.  The NICU staff agrees with Gramma that she is one of the most beautiful babies they have seen!
 
Here are a few pictures:
Gianna1 
Proud grandmother
Gianna2 
Absolutely beautiful

Jon Stewart on Glenn Blech Segment

And I'M anti-American for supporting Barack Obama?!?!? WTF?

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Osama bin Laden Needs to Attack America
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes
Political Humor Jason Jones in Iran