[email protected]

My 3.5 year old was attacked by a pit bull on Monday night. She is refusing
all medication, antibiotics, motrin, etc. She has been taking arnica and has
let us put calendula cream on her stitches but she is clearly in pain --
throwing things, slamming things, extremely cranky and violent, etc. She is
usually a gentle angel. I just spoke with her ped who informed me that the risk of
infection is great and that we "MUST get antibiotics into her body
immediately." Yesterday I made Augmentin popsicles, mixed crushed tablets into ice
cream, pudding, jello, etc. I've reduced myself to threatening to hold her down
(due to my own fears) in order to get the Augmentin in her body but haven't gone
there. I was concerned yesterday but because she had had IV Augmentin in the
ER on Monday night I thought she was covered for 24 hours so although we
tried all day to get her to take it, we didn't push it. The Dr. said that IV
Augmentin is not a 24 hour drug and that she is at great risk for infection and
that there is NO choice but to take her to the hospital and get them in
intravenously. Madison has about 30 stitches in her face, lips and eye and has two
deep puncture wounds above her eye and in her bottom lip that are areas of real
concern. I've had differing opinions from two homeopaths, one who said that no
homeopathic remedy will prevent infection and another who said that gunpowder
remedy has helped prevent infection in similar wounds but there is still a
risk.

How have other unschoolers handled this in a respectful way? I don't want to
pass my own fears onto her (I'm sure I already am, though) by explaining
infection and the possibility of us having to stay at the hospital, but these
thoughts are running rampant in my head. Her face is a mess and the Hasbro
Children's Hospital where she was stitched was a filthy, disgusting place so I know
she was exposed to germs and crap during our 10 hours there. I am truly
terrified for her and I would feel much better if she had the antibiotics in her
little body. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Robin in MA



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Manisha Kher

Ouch! That sounds awful.

There was a long posting on AlwaysUnschooled by Robyn
about a similar situation. If I remember right Jayn
had an infected tooth and needed antibiotics. Maybe
someone with a better memory can find it and post a
link to it.

Manisha

--- ohpurple1@... wrote:
> How have other unschoolers handled this in a
> respectful way? I don't want to
> pass my own fears onto her (I'm sure I already am,
> though) by explaining
> infection and the possibility of us having to stay
> at the hospital, but these
> thoughts are running rampant in my head.



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Deb Lewis

***My 3.5 year old was attacked by a pit bull on Monday night. ***

Robin, what a stressful situation. I'm so sorry for your little girl. You
must all be feeling so tired and overwhelmed.

How does the antibiotic taste? If it's awful can you ask for another kind?

Would she take it if you took it too? Would she take it herself if you let
her be in charge? (with your help)

Is she afraid taking it will hurt? Can you get a liquid version in a
dropper? Would she take it in a spoon or cup?


Deb Lewis

Sylvia Toyama

My 3.5 year old was attacked by a pit bull on Monday night. She is refusing
all medication, antibiotics, motrin, etc. She has been taking arnica and has
let us put calendula cream on her stitches but she is clearly in pain --
throwing things, slamming things, extremely cranky and violent, etc. She is
usually a gentle angel. I just spoke with her ped who informed me that the risk of
infection is great and that we "MUST get antibiotics into her body
immediately. " Yesterday I made Augmentin popsicles, mixed crushed tablets into ice
cream, pudding, jello, etc. I've reduced myself to threatening to hold her down
(due to my own fears) in order to get the Augmentin in her body but haven't gone
there.

*****

What an ordeal for all of you! I can understand why she'd be cranky and violent -- more than just the physical pain, is the sheer terror she must have felt with the attack. I'd expect the crankies to continue for some time.

Given the severity of her injuries and the infection risk at hospital ER's and also once she's home, along with the dog germies, I'd definitely do all I could to get the meds into her.

About the meds -- they gave you pills for a 3yo? Would she take a liquid med? I remember that augmentin can be mixed into almost any flavor. Another option might be IV antiobiotix at home, or even IM (intra-muscular) shots at home. When Andy came home from the hospital as a newborn, he was on IV anti-bios. The hospital wanted to train me to do his meds thru a heparin port, but I insisted they send a home nurse out to do it for us. Poor little guy had had so many IV's in his first four days that most of his veins were unusable for more ports. On his second day at home, the 'last vein option' for homecare collapsed, and the docs wanted him back in NICU. The home nurse (an absolute angel, that woman) argued with the doctor that Andy would do better at home where he could still nurse on demand, getting IM shots than going back to NICU. She came by twice a day and did the shots for him, which meant he stayed home.

I'd ask about IV meds you (or a nurse) could administer at home, or shots, even if that meant daily trips to the doctor's office or home visits by a nurse.

Sylvia





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Julie Hampton

If she does not have an infection then the antibotics are just in case. Do you know anything about the dog? has it had shots and what not. My son was also bit in the lip and did not get an infection it was a watch it to see and then we would have to treat that but they did not automatically put him on one. If you do not want to go to the hospital is there somewhere else you can take her- instant care- urgent care? If you do not want the hospital involved then I would suggest watching for infection that right now is not there. Try to get a liquid medicine that is flavored. why does she not want to take anything?
----- Original Message -----
From: ohpurple1@...<mailto:ohpurple1@...>
To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 6:38 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Our Fears


My 3.5 year old was attacked by a pit bull on Monday night. She is refusing
all medication, antibiotics, motrin, etc. She has been taking arnica and has
let us put calendula cream on her stitches but she is clearly in pain --
throwing things, slamming things, extremely cranky and violent, etc. She is
usually a gentle angel. I just spoke with her ped who informed me that the risk of
infection is great and that we "MUST get antibiotics into her body
immediately." Yesterday I made Augmentin popsicles, mixed crushed tablets into ice
cream, pudding, jello, etc. I've reduced myself to threatening to hold her down
(due to my own fears) in order to get the Augmentin in her body but haven't gone
there. I was concerned yesterday but because she had had IV Augmentin in the
ER on Monday night I thought she was covered for 24 hours so although we
tried all day to get her to take it, we didn't push it. The Dr. said that IV
Augmentin is not a 24 hour drug and that she is at great risk for infection and
that there is NO choice but to take her to the hospital and get them in
intravenously. Madison has about 30 stitches in her face, lips and eye and has two
deep puncture wounds above her eye and in her bottom lip that are areas of real
concern. I've had differing opinions from two homeopaths, one who said that no
homeopathic remedy will prevent infection and another who said that gunpowder
remedy has helped prevent infection in similar wounds but there is still a
risk.

How have other unschoolers handled this in a respectful way? I don't want to
pass my own fears onto her (I'm sure I already am, though) by explaining
infection and the possibility of us having to stay at the hospital, but these
thoughts are running rampant in my head. Her face is a mess and the Hasbro
Children's Hospital where she was stitched was a filthy, disgusting place so I know
she was exposed to germs and crap during our 10 hours there. I am truly
terrified for her and I would feel much better if she had the antibiotics in her
little body. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Robin in MA

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.<http://www.aol.com./>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 5/16/2007 9:50:18 AM Eastern Standard Time,
sylgt04@... writes:

About the meds -- they gave you pills for a 3yo? Would she take a liquid med?
I remember that augmentin can be mixed into almost any flavor. Another option
might be IV antiobiotix at home, or even IM (intra-muscular) shots at home.




They gave us the liquid at first. We took it to our pharmacy yesterday and
had it re-flavored to grape and they also added an anti-bitter agent but she
still refuses it. Her issues with taking it is that it tastes "really bad."
We've all tried it to show her it's not *that bad* and we all made yummy noises
etc. Her response to that was that if we like, then we can eat it. I also
have the augmentin in tablet form and have crushed that into every possible
food/candy/frozen treat we could come up with and we also have it in chewable
tablet form but they are bigger and taste worse than the adult unflavored
version. I must admit, it tastes like poison -- she's right. I put the grape
flavored stuff in a concentrated version of kool-aid and in grape jello and other
purple stuff I thought would hide the taste but nothing can hide the horrible
taste.

I'm weary about taking her to the ER for an IV because I know she'd hate that
more than being held down. I'm going to call the doctor and ask about home
IV/IM shots. That seems so much easier. This is my third child and she has
been unschooled all her life and she expects and insists that everyone treat her
well and would be devastated if we ever held her down. I'm amazed at how
easily the doctors and pharmacists suggest it as a solution. When I threatened
to hold her and force her yesterday she laughed at me (and I was in a very
serious state) and *knew* I must be joking. She trusts us not to do that to her.
My older kids took me seriously, though and started coming up with other
solutions to help avoid that route. I was hoping that someone on this list would
have some magic words or brilliant ideas for helping her understand the
importance of taking the meds that I hadn't considered. So????

Thanks,
Robin, still fretting and trying to administer the meds but taking a breather
to reconsider all our options. The 3 year old is playing joyfully and has no
worries. Childhood is so precious and wonderful!



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Debra Rossing

Augmentin is the ONLY antibiotic DS can take (basic stuff does nothing
and he's allergic to sulfas). Yes, it is available as a liquid - one
that can be mixed into a variety of flavors. Also, FWIW, the first dose
always comes back out again with DS - whether it's with food or not,
within 2 hours it comes back up, repeated vomiting about once an hour
for 2 or 3 hours then he's okay and his system tolerates it (which is
why we try to avoid the whole thing whenever possible). It's just a
really -strong- thing for his system on that first "hit". Come to think
of it, it's been quite a long time since we've seen any need for it
(even the dr we see isn't big on jumping right into an Rx - not a
pediatrician, a GP, he's a basic family doctor who tends to look a bit
more holistically at the situation than some doctors I've known and is
willing to let the body try to heal itself first before intervening, and
relies heavily on my input and DS' in regard to how he's feeling and
what action to take).

Definitely need to get the meds in given the nature of the injuries.
But, I can also see how that would seem like an additional invasion of
her person right now while all of her defenses are still on high alert.
One thing I might do, in addition to the arnica she's taking, is try
something like Rescue Remedy or one/a couple of the more specific Bach
essences that are for trauma, anxiety, etc. That might bring the
residual stress level down enough that she'd be willing to take a liquid
antibiotic.Good heavens, my almost 9 yr old still prefers liquid meds
and my 39 yr old hubby probably would too - swallowing pills is not
something he likes (but at least I don't have to crush stuff up for him!
lol)

Deb

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Manisha Kher

--- ohpurple1@... wrote:

> Yesterday I made Augmentin popsicles,
> mixed crushed tablets into ice
> cream, pudding, jello, etc.
I forgot to add earlier - augmentin comes in a bubble
gum flavor that my son loves. Also chocolate syrup is
a pretty strong flavor and I can get him to take a
medicine he doesn't like in just a couple of teaspoons
of the syrup.

Manisha




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thehomeopathicway

Hi Robyn,

I am a homeopath in California. I won't tell you that homeopathy can
or cant prevent infection. It would depend on too many variables.
Some possible suggestions are: First, perhaps your homeopath (who I
assume has taken your dd's case) can give her something to calm
down. Perhaps she needs ledum (for puncture wounds), or Lys. (rabies
for anger caused by the whole experience) or aconite (for shock and
fear). I would also recommend that you talk to your homeopath about
treating you for shock and fear.
If all else fails, perhaps you and her could take rescue remedy and
then try to get her to take the antibiotics after a few doses.

I am sending you lots of good energy and knowing that all is well.

in peace,
Dianna Glick, CHom



--- In [email protected], ohpurple1@... wrote:
>
> My 3.5 year old was attacked by a pit bull on Monday night. She is
refusing
> all medication, antibiotics, motrin, etc. She has been taking
arnica and has
> let us put calendula cream on her stitches but she is clearly in
pain --
> throwing things, slamming things, extremely cranky and violent,
etc. She is
> usually a gentle angel. I just spoke with her ped who informed me
that the risk of
> infection is great and that we "MUST get antibiotics into her body
> immediately." Yesterday I made Augmentin popsicles, mixed crushed
tablets into ice
> cream, pudding, jello, etc. I've reduced myself to threatening to
hold her down
> (due to my own fears) in order to get the Augmentin in her body but
haven't gone
> there. I was concerned yesterday but because she had had IV
Augmentin in the
> ER on Monday night I thought she was covered for 24 hours so
although we
> tried all day to get her to take it, we didn't push it. The Dr.
said that IV
> Augmentin is not a 24 hour drug and that she is at great risk for
infection and
> that there is NO choice but to take her to the hospital and get
them in
> intravenously. Madison has about 30 stitches in her face, lips and
eye and has two
> deep puncture wounds above her eye and in her bottom lip that are
areas of real
> concern. I've had differing opinions from two homeopaths, one who
said that no
> homeopathic remedy will prevent infection and another who said that
gunpowder
> remedy has helped prevent infection in similar wounds but there is
still a
> risk.
>
> How have other unschoolers handled this in a respectful way? I
don't want to
> pass my own fears onto her (I'm sure I already am, though) by
explaining
> infection and the possibility of us having to stay at the hospital,
but these
> thoughts are running rampant in my head. Her face is a mess and
the Hasbro
> Children's Hospital where she was stitched was a filthy, disgusting
place so I know
> she was exposed to germs and crap during our 10 hours there. I am
truly
> terrified for her and I would feel much better if she had the
antibiotics in her
> little body. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Robin in MA
>
>
>
> ************************************** See what's free at
http://www.aol.com
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[email protected]

In a message dated 5/16/2007 11:01:58 AM Eastern Standard Time,
wisdom1133@... writes:

If she does not have an infection then the antibotics are just in case.




Exactly and in the past, we've always gone the watch and wait route but this
time my instincts are screaming to me otherwise. She was at a party when this
happened. The kids had all been playing near a dead rat that the cat had
brought home. The dog had been batting the rat around, too. Madison's face was
filthy, the wounds are deep and the dog tore the skin off her cheek so that is
not only deep but is rather large as well. She has several other wounds as
well, stitches in three places and two deep puncture wounds. The hospital was
filthy and full of sick and injured children. The staff was repeatedly
careless with regard to universal precautions, etc. My gut tells me that she needs
the antibiotics so I'm looking for respectful ways to help us get them into her
body. I have considered whether my desire to have the antibiotics in her body
is coming from my fear or where but the truth is -- the wounds look like they
could become infected. Her face is a mess and I feel like she needs to avoid
further physical problems at this point by preventing infection.

Any ideas on how to kindly help her understand why we want her to take the
meds without talking about all the scary horrors and my fears? I tried the
"have to" suggestion and her response was that she doesn't have to.



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Melissa

First of all, I'm sorry for all the trauma your whole family is going through. I'm sure your
daughter is twice as shocked, esp reading follow up posts where she has never been
forced to do anything against her will, and a dog biting you against your will is pretty
much the ultimate insult.
Next, i would ask why you assume that informing your daughter of the possibility of
infection as 'passing on fears'? It is probable that this will happen, to some extent. I would
say it's far more respectful to tell her and let her make an educated choice, Wounds of this
type are prone to infection, an infection is the body's way of fighting germs that don't
belong there. Those germs came from the dog, and probably some from the other sick
people at the hospital. If there are too many infection causing germs, it could make you
much more sick and it would hurt worse than it does now.
Of course, how you phrase it depends on your daughter's understanding, but we've kind of
always presented it as a choice. I just don't see it as passing on fear, it's not unreasonable,
it's realistic. What are you going to do when she doesn't want the IV either?
My daughter was seven last year, so a bit older, but something similar. A spider bite
allowed for the introduction of staph bacteria, and she wound up with an abcess behind
her knee, with MRSA. There was one way that the doctor wanted to handle it, straight to
surgery to pull back skin and muscle, flush the entire wound and restitch. *I* personally
did not want that for her, but after talking to the dr there were some alternatives. She
chose to have it drained in the office, without painkillers because it would be the quickest
way to handle it. She also chose to take the antibiotics because the dr explained that it
was very unlikely that it would heal without surgery. She wanted to take the antibiotics,
and she chose a rather painful course, having the abcess drained, and several days at
home of draining, because she was educated to the alternatives, and she was able to
choose.
I think i'd say quite reasonably, here are the choices and some possible outcomes. I know
they all suck, but we need to pick one pretty soon before an infection sets in and gets out
of hand.
Melissa

--- In [email protected], ohpurple1@... wrote:
> How have other unschoolers handled this in a respectful way? I don't want to
> pass my own fears onto her (I'm sure I already am, though) by explaining
> infection and the possibility of us having to stay at the hospital, but these
> thoughts are running rampant in my head. Her face is a mess and the Hasbro
> Children's Hospital where she was stitched was a filthy, disgusting place so I know
> she was exposed to germs and crap during our 10 hours there. I am truly
> terrified for her and I would feel much better if she had the antibiotics in her
> little body. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>

Becca

This is the Nurse in me talking. I agree with how bad you are explanning the wounds she deffiently needs the antibiotics..... Personally if she wont take the meds by mouth some antibiotics can be given rectally I know its not something that is wanted to be done but to get the meds in her if it was the only way then I would personally do it. Infections like that can turn deathly I hate to say. I had my best friend recently die from a broken foot that turned into staff infection. Not only is that one bad but you also have MRSA out there too not good infections to take a chance on. No Im not trying to scare you at all just giving my personal Nursing advice.


ohpurple1@... wrote:

In a message dated 5/16/2007 11:01:58 AM Eastern Standard Time,
wisdom1133@... writes:

If she does not have an infection then the antibotics are just in case.

Exactly and in the past, we've always gone the watch and wait route but this
time my instincts are screaming to me otherwise. She was at a party when this
happened. The kids had all been playing near a dead rat that the cat had
brought home. The dog had been batting the rat around, too. Madison's face was
filthy, the wounds are deep and the dog tore the skin off her cheek so that is
not only deep but is rather large as well. She has several other wounds as
well, stitches in three places and two deep puncture wounds. The hospital was
filthy and full of sick and injured children. The staff was repeatedly
careless with regard to universal precautions, etc. My gut tells me that she needs
the antibiotics so I'm looking for respectful ways to help us get them into her
body. I have considered whether my desire to have the antibiotics in her body
is coming from my fear or where but the truth is -- the wounds look like they
could become infected. Her face is a mess and I feel like she needs to avoid
further physical problems at this point by preventing infection.

Any ideas on how to kindly help her understand why we want her to take the
meds without talking about all the scary horrors and my fears? I tried the
"have to" suggestion and her response was that she doesn't have to.

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






---------------------------------
Be a PS3 game guru.
Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 5/16/2007 11:43:58 AM Eastern Standard Time, debra
.rossing@... writes:

One thing I might do, in addition to the arnica she's taking, is try
something like Rescue Remedy or one/a couple of the more specific Bach
essences that are for trauma, anxiety, etc





~~~~~~

That's brilliant! I have a collection of Bach remedies; I'll go research
which ones are recommended for this type of situation and we both just took some
rescue remedy. Thanks for the reminder!






In a message dated 5/16/2007 11:48:55 AM Eastern Standard Time,
thehomeopathicway@... writes:

First, perhaps your homeopath (who I
assume has taken your dd's case) can give her something to calm
down.


~~~~~~


Our homeopath recommended arnica and calendula for Madison. She is treating
her huge, swollen face and said that the arnica would also help with the
traumatic effects and help alleviate her pain. I'll run the other ideas by her and
ask her about what might help me.

Thanks!

Robin, soothed by the reminder that all is well. I know it is but I forgot
for a brief moment and got caught up in the fears and urgency presented by the
on call pediatrician this morning.



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

marji

When Liam was really young (about 3, I guess), he had Lyme
disease. His dad also, coincidentally, had Lyme at the same time and
he was treating it (ultimately, successfully) with alternative
medicine. The doc I was using could have treated Liam
homeopathically or allopathically, the choice was ours to
make. Jimmy was having to take a ton of nasty-tasting remedies eight
times a day, including raw garlic and goldenseal, and he was also
enduring second-stage Lyme, which was very painful. Because Liam's
titers were so high, the doc strongly recommended the allopathic
route (antibiotics) with complementary homeopathic therapy to support
him through it.

At that time, Liam had never had refined sugar in his young life, and
he really balked at the amoxicillin, which he had to take for three
weeks. Although he didn't like it at all for about the first week
and a half, I was honest with him about the alternatives for treating
it (I didn't scare him or make it seem like it was gloom or doom; I
presented the medication to him as a choice he could make, along with
other choices, such as treating it the way Jimmy was doing it, and
not treating it at all, and what the various outcomes would likely
be). He opted, as I hoped he would, for the meds, and for the first
week and a half, he hated the amox, but then (unfortunately) it grew
on him. He also took the complementary stuff (including the
probiotic), and he did great!

He got Lyme again about two years later, and he was cool with the
whole thing (even drawing the blood, which he regarded with
curiosity; the phlebotomist allowed Liam to sit on me both times, and
Liam had always accompanied me to donate blood, so it wasn't too
strange to him). But, his doc was really great and always spoke to
Liam with the same respect he would to me. I think that feeling that
kind of respect from his doc and from us made all the difference for Liam.

I hope that helps a little, and I wish you guys all the best!!

~Marji

At 12:40 5/16/2007, you wrote:
>
>In a message dated 5/16/2007 9:50:18 AM Eastern Standard Time,
>sylgt04@... writes:
>
>About the meds -- they gave you pills for a 3yo? Would she take a liquid med?
>I remember that augmentin can be mixed into almost any flavor. Another option
>might be IV antiobiotix at home, or even IM (intra-muscular) shots
>at home. ...


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Schuyler

Simon had an ear infection once that he was given antibiotics for. I
remember building an advent calendar for the different doses of antibiotics.
David went to the dollar store and stocked the calendar full. It was clearly
bribery, but I was then, and would still be now, fine with bribing him. He
got to open a door whenever it was time for a dose. Maybe you could do
straight out trades with your daughter?

Schuyler
www.waynforth.blogspot.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <ohpurple1@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 6:14 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Our Fears


>
>
> In a message dated 5/16/2007 11:43:58 AM Eastern Standard Time, debra
> .rossing@... writes:
>
> One thing I might do, in addition to the arnica she's taking, is try
> something like Rescue Remedy or one/a couple of the more specific Bach
> essences that are for trauma, anxiety, etc
>
>
>
>
>
> ~~~~~~
>
> That's brilliant! I have a collection of Bach remedies; I'll go research
> which ones are recommended for this type of situation and we both just
> took some
> rescue remedy. Thanks for the reminder!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 5/16/2007 11:48:55 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> thehomeopathicway@... writes:
>
> First, perhaps your homeopath (who I
> assume has taken your dd's case) can give her something to calm
> down.
>
>
> ~~~~~~
>
>
> Our homeopath recommended arnica and calendula for Madison. She is
> treating
> her huge, swollen face and said that the arnica would also help with the
> traumatic effects and help alleviate her pain. I'll run the other ideas
> by her and
> ask her about what might help me.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Robin, soothed by the reminder that all is well. I know it is but I
> forgot
> for a brief moment and got caught up in the fears and urgency presented by
> the
> on call pediatrician this morning.
>
>
>
> ************************************** See what's free at
> http://www.aol.com
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

[email protected]

After all that stress, sweet Madison walked in and said: Okay, I'll take it
one time. She gulped down the liquid and then ate a handful of m & m's and
topped those off with a can of whipped cream.

*I* feel so much better! I guess she just needed time to process all the
information we shared with her.

Marji,

I'd love more info on what alternative treatments were successful in treating
the Lyme. Will you please e-mail me off list?

Thanks,
Robin



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sylvia Toyama

I have considered whether my desire to have the antibiotics in her body
is coming from my fear or where but the truth is -- the wounds look like they
could become infected. Her face is a mess and I feel like she needs to avoid
further physical problems at this point by preventing infection.

Any ideas on how to kindly help her understand why we want her to take the
meds without talking about all the scary horrors and my fears? I tried the
"have to" suggestion and her response was that she doesn't have to.

****
Something else to consider -- not to add to your stress -- but because bites are generally documented by the authorities, and your daughter is now being 'tracked' by a doctor -- you could find yourself in danger of being reported for neglect if you choose not to force the meds into her, or if by repecting her autonomy the docs feel you're not being responsible enough as a parent.

Sylvia


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sylvia Toyama

After all that stress, sweet Madison walked in and said: Okay, I'll take it
one time. She gulped down the liquid and then ate a handful of m & m's and
topped those off with a can of whipped cream.

****
Way to go, Madison! Just keep a big supply of chocolate and whipped cream on hand. I like Kelly's skittles idea, too.

I should pop out now and get some whipped cream for Dan -- he just called me from an overnight at a friend's house to say he'd lost a crown (again!). I called the dentist and we'll go by at 4 to have it put back on/in. Last time this happened, putting it back on was a real ordeal and he needed some sweet treat after to make it more survivable. Good news is the dentist is across the street from a Sonic -- we'll swing by for a blast ice cream treat on our way home.

Dan has five crowns total, and overall he's been a trooper about it, but man this sucks.

Sylvia


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

rn9302000

This is the nurse in me speaking also. I would do everything possible
to get the meds in her.
can you get the liquid reflavored into something of her choice?
how about smoothie drinks, does she like those? you could put the med
into the smoothie.....or any special sweet drink she likes?
how about ice cream?
good luck!





--- In [email protected], Sylvia Toyama <sylgt04@...>
wrote:
>
> My 3.5 year old was attacked by a pit bull on Monday night. She is
refusing
> all medication, antibiotics, motrin, etc. She has been taking arnica
and has
> let us put calendula cream on her stitches but she is clearly in
pain --
> throwing things, slamming things, extremely cranky and violent, etc.
She is
> usually a gentle angel. I just spoke with her ped who informed me
that the risk of
> infection is great and that we "MUST get antibiotics into her body
> immediately. " Yesterday I made Augmentin popsicles, mixed crushed
tablets into ice
> cream, pudding, jello, etc. I've reduced myself to threatening to
hold her down
> (due to my own fears) in order to get the Augmentin in her body but
haven't gone
> there.
>
> *****
>
> What an ordeal for all of you! I can understand why she'd be
cranky and violent -- more than just the physical pain, is the sheer
terror she must have felt with the attack. I'd expect the crankies to
continue for some time.
>
> Given the severity of her injuries and the infection risk at
hospital ER's and also once she's home, along with the dog germies,
I'd definitely do all I could to get the meds into her.
>
> About the meds -- they gave you pills for a 3yo? Would she take
a liquid med? I remember that augmentin can be mixed into almost any
flavor. Another option might be IV antiobiotix at home, or even IM
(intra-muscular) shots at home. When Andy came home from the hospital
as a newborn, he was on IV anti-bios. The hospital wanted to train me
to do his meds thru a heparin port, but I insisted they send a home
nurse out to do it for us. Poor little guy had had so many IV's in
his first four days that most of his veins were unusable for more
ports. On his second day at home, the 'last vein option' for homecare
collapsed, and the docs wanted him back in NICU. The home nurse (an
absolute angel, that woman) argued with the doctor that Andy would do
better at home where he could still nurse on demand, getting IM shots
than going back to NICU. She came by twice a day and did the shots
for him, which meant he stayed home.
>
> I'd ask about IV meds you (or a nurse) could administer at home,
or shots, even if that meant daily trips to the doctor's office or
home visits by a nurse.
>
> Sylvia
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha!
> Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at
Yahoo! Games.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Cameron Parham

I think that in this kind of time emotions run so high that it is hard to think clearly. I have seen bites from a pit bull and am so sorry. I would guess your dd is emotionally traumatized and if you force her strenuously she could feel assaulted again. Is she able to reason at all? Can you become her ally to reach an outcome which she is invested in and desires? Can the antibiotics be seen as one of her tools to get where she wants to be (healthy and as unscarred in every way as possible)? Cameron






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

lydia walker

I am new to unschooling. My younger children are 6,4,4,2 I now have full
custody of them.We left their father 18 months ago stayed at a D.V
shelter for 6 month and for the last year have been on are own. I was
wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and if so how do you
deal with it. I am trying to let my kids be free to learn and explore I
try to follow their interest as much as I can. I have come to see that
unschooling is also a lifestyle not just an educational choice. I am
conflicted on how to deal with the children's behavioral issues I know
most of it is learned behavior. Whenever I ask them to do things the
answer is no usually followed by tantrums that involve some form of
destruction to property or myself. They refuse to eat at the table, they
talk back and are rude, to the point on being hurtful. I can't take them
out without total chaos. I am I wrong to assume that it would be
inappropriate to set rules. We have been in counseling since before I
left home. I am just confused in how to handle things. The therapist
suggested time-outs and loss of privileges. I however don't want to do
that. I think that we all have been through too much I don't want to
live that way they deserve to be kids and have choices. I know there has
to be another way. Thanks for listening, any suggestion would be
welcome.

thehomeopathicway

Just need to clear up the fact that raw garlic and goldenseal are not
homeopathic remedies. All remedies are tastless and are added to
very small sugar pills which disolve under the tounge or remedies are
liquid and added to water with no taste at all. Also, if classical
homeopathy was used to treat lyme, only one remedy would have been
needed, not a combination.

--- In [email protected], marji <marji@...> wrote:
>
> When Liam was really young (about 3, I guess), he had Lyme
> disease. His dad also, coincidentally, had Lyme at the same time
and
> he was treating it (ultimately, successfully) with alternative
> medicine. The doc I was using could have treated Liam
> homeopathically or allopathically, the choice was ours to
> make. Jimmy was having to take a ton of nasty-tasting remedies
eight
> times a day, including raw garlic and goldenseal, and he was also
> enduring second-stage Lyme, which was very painful. Because Liam's
> titers were so high, the doc strongly recommended the allopathic
> route (antibiotics) with complementary homeopathic therapy to
support
> him through it.
>
> At that time, Liam had never had refined sugar in his young life,
and
> he really balked at the amoxicillin, which he had to take for three
> weeks. Although he didn't like it at all for about the first week
> and a half, I was honest with him about the alternatives for
treating
> it (I didn't scare him or make it seem like it was gloom or doom; I
> presented the medication to him as a choice he could make, along
with
> other choices, such as treating it the way Jimmy was doing it, and
> not treating it at all, and what the various outcomes would likely
> be). He opted, as I hoped he would, for the meds, and for the
first
> week and a half, he hated the amox, but then (unfortunately) it
grew
> on him. He also took the complementary stuff (including the
> probiotic), and he did great!
>
> He got Lyme again about two years later, and he was cool with the
> whole thing (even drawing the blood, which he regarded with
> curiosity; the phlebotomist allowed Liam to sit on me both times,
and
> Liam had always accompanied me to donate blood, so it wasn't too
> strange to him). But, his doc was really great and always spoke to
> Liam with the same respect he would to me. I think that feeling
that
> kind of respect from his doc and from us made all the difference
for Liam.
>
> I hope that helps a little, and I wish you guys all the best!!
>
> ~Marji
>
> At 12:40 5/16/2007, you wrote:
> >
> >In a message dated 5/16/2007 9:50:18 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> >sylgt04@... writes:
> >
> >About the meds -- they gave you pills for a 3yo? Would she take a
liquid med?
> >I remember that augmentin can be mixed into almost any flavor.
Another option
> >might be IV antiobiotix at home, or even IM (intra-muscular) shots
> >at home. ...
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Julie Hampton

Try involving them in the rules/limits where do they want to eat, sleep, do.Talk talk talk to them- sounds like they and you have been through trauma that they do not know how to express let alone cope with. Let them help you make a list of things that are acceptable to your family. Things like listening to each other, no hurting with words or hands or property. It will prob be chaotic for a while while you learn to function as a family. Deep breath- pick your battles- a good book for me was- The explosive child- you can find it from the library. Julie H
----- Original Message -----
From: lydia walker<mailto:lydia_walker@...>
To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 7:25 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] unschooling and domestic violence


I am new to unschooling. My younger children are 6,4,4,2 I now have full
custody of them.We left their father 18 months ago stayed at a D.V
shelter for 6 month and for the last year have been on are own. I was
wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and if so how do you
deal with it. I am trying to let my kids be free to learn and explore I
try to follow their interest as much as I can. I have come to see that
unschooling is also a lifestyle not just an educational choice. I am
conflicted on how to deal with the children's behavioral issues I know
most of it is learned behavior. Whenever I ask them to do things the
answer is no usually followed by tantrums that involve some form of
destruction to property or myself. They refuse to eat at the table, they
talk back and are rude, to the point on being hurtful. I can't take them
out without total chaos. I am I wrong to assume that it would be
inappropriate to set rules. We have been in counseling since before I
left home. I am just confused in how to handle things. The therapist
suggested time-outs and loss of privileges. I however don't want to do
that. I think that we all have been through too much I don't want to
live that way they deserve to be kids and have choices. I know there has
to be another way. Thanks for listening, any suggestion would be
welcome.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Debra Rossing

>Good news is the dentist is across the street from a Sonic -- we'll
swing by for a blast ice cream treat on our way home.

Go ahead and rub it in for all of us who long for Sonic but would have
to travel for days to find one... <grin>

Deb

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

-----Original Message-----
From: lydia_walker@...

I am new to unschooling. My younger children are 6,4,4,2 I now have
full
custody of them.We left their father 18 months ago stayed at a D.V
shelter for 6 month and for the last year have been on are own. I was
wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and if so how do you
deal with it. I am trying to let my kids be free to learn and explore I
try to follow their interest as much as I can. I have come to see that
unschooling is also a lifestyle not just an educational choice. I am
conflicted on how to deal with the children's behavioral issues I know
most of it is learned behavior. Whenever I ask them to do things the
answer is no usually followed by tantrums that involve some form of
destruction to property or myself. They refuse to eat at the table, they
talk back and are rude, to the point on being hurtful. I can't take them
out without total chaos. I am I wrong to assume that it would be
inappropriate to set rules. We have been in counseling since before I
left home. I am just confused in how to handle things. The therapist
suggested time-outs and loss of privileges. I however don't want to do
that. I think that we all have been through too much I don't want to
live that way they deserve to be kids and have choices. I know there has
to be another way. Thanks for listening, any suggestion would be
welcome.

-=-=-=-=

I realize that you're going through a really tough time, but they are
all still soooo little! I can only imagine what they've been through al
ready in such short lives.

I think they are simply doing the best they can under the
circumstances. They don't have many tools to tell you how they feel or
what they need.

I certainly don't think they need time-outs or loss of *anything*!!!
They need to be held and cuddled and allowed to express their feelings
(which must be huge and complicated!).

What kinds of things are you asking them to do? May they not say "no"?
Is it really that you are *asking*? Or are you simply telling them what
to do in the form of a question? Why must they eat at the table? Can't
you serve a picnic on the living room floor?

Life must be *incredibly* hard for them right now.


~Kelly

Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://www.LiveandLearnConference.org


________________________________________________________________________
AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free
from AOL at AOL.com.

lydia walker

I am usually asking them things like could you help me get you dressed
so I can go to the store, doctor, park etc. I don't know what to do when
they say no, esp for the doctor my boy twin has neurology appts. twice a
month. If I ask them to please not write on the walls or to stop
throwing their shoes it doesn't matter everything is no.
As for them saying no I am conflicted, we have to function and I can't
leave them at home so I can go get groceries, etc. I don't think they
should be allowed to be destructive but I don't know how to stop it.
They don't have bed times and between them not going to bed until 2am or
so and the behavioral issues I am exhausted.
Yes they can eat on the floor, but I prefer the table because when they
throw fits it is easier to clean on the had floor and it is not my
carpet to destroy.
I don't know what to say or do anymore. I don't want to give up on them,
but I feel so helpless.

Schuyler

Little things might make a huge difference. Can you get your food delivered?
Does a grocery store near you let you shop on-line and bring the food in? If
not, can going to the grocery store always include other trips like going to
the park or going to get ice cream or going to a toy store and getting
something special. Can you get a couple of plastic mats to put on the floor
under where they want to eat? We have this great picnic mat that we got when
we collected enough stamps at Mr. Donut in Kyoto that I used to put out
whenever the kids wanted to eat in front of the television when they were
little. We don't ever eat at the dinner table anymore, but they are older,
and the carpet in this house is really not in any kind of shape to be
anything but improved by having things spilled on it <g>.

Is the destruction part of what they are enjoying? Or are they creating
something that you just aren't able to see because it involves writing on
walls? If they are enjoying destruction, can you find things for them to
destroy? So when you see them writing on the walls in the house, give them
water washable fingerpaints and put them in the bath and let them paint all
over the tiles in the bath? Get some sidewalk chalk and go outside and draw
all over the sidewalk? Maybe try a bunch of different crayons and chalks on
a small, hidden section of the wall and see which can be removed most easily
and talk to them about only drawing on the walls with those? Or draw with
them on the walls using the things that are safe to use? Or when they are
breaking something that you want to keep, find something that they can
break, look for things that are already broken and use those. Get a punching
bag and let them beat up on that. Simon used to, when he got really
frustrated, go beat up a punching bag he got at a car boot sale (the UKs
version of a garage sale).

Given what your lives has been for however long, they must feel so utterly
confused and unsure of themselves and the world they live in. It seems to me
that the best thing you can do for them is meet them where they are. Try and
say yes always. Try and find ways to say yes to them. Let them know that
they are safe and loved and sure of themselves with you. Punishing them and
giving them time outs will just push them back into a world where they feel
like they have no control over their outcomes. Maybe it would be easier for
you if you imagined how lovely it would feel if someone were to love you for
exactly who you are and to support you in being that person. Maybe if
everytime you said yes to your children you could see it as saying yes to
yourself you could help yourself to feel more powerful, more embiggened.
Saying yes is a pretty powerful thing, when your children come to you, or
you come to them and you can fill their world with all the things they dream
of, including drawing on the walls, there is nothing more amazing, more
powerful than that! And as time goes by they will come to the point where
they will help you find ways, not only to say yes to them, but to help you
find ways to say yes to you and to your dreams.

Schuyler
www.waynforth.blogspot.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "lydia walker" <lydia_walker@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 5:07 AM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] unschooling and domestic violence


>I am usually asking them things like could you help me get you dressed
> so I can go to the store, doctor, park etc. I don't know what to do when
> they say no, esp for the doctor my boy twin has neurology appts. twice a
> month. If I ask them to please not write on the walls or to stop
> throwing their shoes it doesn't matter everything is no.
> As for them saying no I am conflicted, we have to function and I can't
> leave them at home so I can go get groceries, etc. I don't think they
> should be allowed to be destructive but I don't know how to stop it.
> They don't have bed times and between them not going to bed until 2am or
> so and the behavioral issues I am exhausted.
> Yes they can eat on the floor, but I prefer the table because when they
> throw fits it is easier to clean on the had floor and it is not my
> carpet to destroy.
> I don't know what to say or do anymore. I don't want to give up on them,
> but I feel so helpless.
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

kristenhendricks55

I have been in your situation, and although my DH has been through
counseling and is different now, I can relate to what youre saying.

If your kids didnt have behavioral issues, would you feel the need to
set rules? Probably not.

Why do your kids have these issues? Probably through learned behavior
from your husband.

What will you achieve by setting rules because of their behavior? (In
their eyes...) Punishment for doing the same thing that they were
taught.


My advice is to talk to them. Tell them why it hurts you when they
act that way. Explain to them what happened between you and your
husband and how much it hurt you. Explain that you want things to be
differnt and you want things to be fun and exciting. The more FUN you
make the day, the less the kids object. The less objections- the less
tantrums. The less tantrums... the less stress. Its a big cycle.

Why not take them to the park and play tag or kickball and yell and
scream and just let it all out. Or turning on some crazy dance video
and really letting off some steam jumping around??

I bet they would feel much better and be less stressed if you werent
as stressed as you are. And because I have been there... I know that
you are stressed. And kids sense that. Try to work on you first...
the rest will unfold over time :)


--- In [email protected], kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lydia_walker@...
>
> I am new to unschooling. My younger children are 6,4,4,2 I now
have
> full
> custody of them.We left their father 18 months ago stayed at a D.V
> shelter for 6 month and for the last year have been on are own. I
was
> wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and if so how
do you
> deal with it. I am trying to let my kids be free to learn and
explore I
> try to follow their interest as much as I can. I have come to see
that
> unschooling is also a lifestyle not just an educational choice. I am
> conflicted on how to deal with the children's behavioral issues I
know
> most of it is learned behavior. Whenever I ask them to do things the
> answer is no usually followed by tantrums that involve some form of
> destruction to property or myself. They refuse to eat at the table,
they
> talk back and are rude, to the point on being hurtful. I can't take
them
> out without total chaos. I am I wrong to assume that it would be
> inappropriate to set rules. We have been in counseling since before
I
> left home. I am just confused in how to handle things. The therapist
> suggested time-outs and loss of privileges. I however don't want to
do
> that. I think that we all have been through too much I don't want to
> live that way they deserve to be kids and have choices. I know
there has
> to be another way. Thanks for listening, any suggestion would be
> welcome.
>
> -=-=-=-=
>
> I realize that you're going through a really tough time, but they
are
> all still soooo little! I can only imagine what they've been
through al
> ready in such short lives.
>
> I think they are simply doing the best they can under the
> circumstances. They don't have many tools to tell you how they feel
or
> what they need.
>
> I certainly don't think they need time-outs or loss of
*anything*!!!
> They need to be held and cuddled and allowed to express their
feelings
> (which must be huge and complicated!).
>
> What kinds of things are you asking them to do? May they not
say "no"?
> Is it really that you are *asking*? Or are you simply telling them
what
> to do in the form of a question? Why must they eat at the table?
Can't
> you serve a picnic on the living room floor?
>
> Life must be *incredibly* hard for them right now.
>
>
> ~Kelly
>
> Kelly Lovejoy
> Conference Coordinator
> Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
> http://www.LiveandLearnConference.org
>
>
>
______________________________________________________________________
__
> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's
free
> from AOL at AOL.com.
>

lydia walker

I had a talk with the 6yo yesterday. The reason he doesn't want to leave
out of the house is because he is scared it will be gone when we return
and we will have to go back "home". As for the other behavior all he
said was that he is sad and that is what he does when he is sad.
I left it at that, and offered my reassurance that we would not be
returning "home", that this is our home now. Yes I will have to check
out food delivery prices and if I can squeeze it into the budget. I am
looking into ways for them to release some anger, thinking of punching
bags, etc. Whenever they are ready to travel again we will get out to
the park and stuff more.
Yes , Kristen if it weren't for the behavior issues I would not be
trying to set rules. I believe it is the fear that if I don't do
something to "control" the anger the boys esp. will end up like their
father. I do recognize that me being stressed is not helping the
situation. That too is fear of not knowing whether or not we can
make it alone. Guilt, yes I feel guilty that I put them through all of
this. I am going to try and take it day by day and whenever possible try
and take a breather to regroup. Slowly but surely. I think being able
to vent has put me in a better state of mind to deal with the situation.

Brian & Alexandra Polikowsky

Robin I am so sorry for your dd. As someone how has worked with dogs I get so mad when things like that happen.
I am sure you must have but have you sat down gently with her and talked about how this medication can help her feel better?
Is it possible to add a flavor she likes to the medication? How long does she have to take this one and if it is long can you get another antibiotic that can be used shorter duration?
I have been bitten by dogs and cats and it can really get infected ( not always thou I would say 10% to 20%of the times only) and the infection is really painful.
Is it already painful now? It really gets painful right away about 12 hours from the bite.
If it has not it may not get infected at all.
I have taken antibiotics for it half the time.
Of the times it I took it and It got infected it seemed that it took the same amount of time to heal and for the infection to go away with or without the antibiotic.
My only worry is that it is in her face. I would try to really talk to her without scarring her and also try calling the pharmacy for adding flavors to the meds, etc
Again I ask if she is in intense pain and I will say again that is it is to get infected it would happen in the first 12-24 hours( but I don't know if the antibiotic she took at the hospital would change that) as infected dog or cat bites are extremely painful.
Best wishes
Alex


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]