Mom of 4

Last week I had a severe gallbladder attack. After looking back on things (hindsight is always 20/20), I realized I have had one other attack (approx. 5 weeks prior to the first). In addition, I have had pain in my right shoulder, bloating, shortness of breath and heartburn. After my visit to the ER last week, I met with a general surgeon who recommended I have an ultrasound. The results=no stones. Next I was told I should have a HIBA scan; I did so today. The Drs. office called me this afternoon and told me that it didn't show any stones in the ducts, however it did show that I had a ejection function of 13% (normal is 35%-75%). The Dr. therefore recommends that I have my gallbladder removed (surgery scheduled for next month).

I continue having some discomfort in my upper abdomen (especially after I eat) on a daily basis.

I am now debating on having the surgery or living with the symptoms. After doing some research, I have found that some people continue to have the symptoms while others don't have any remaining symptoms. I'm trying to get a better understanding/idea of what others would do and why.

Today while I was shoveling, I slipped and fell on the ice (harder than I have ever fallen before). Anyway, I had to have help getting up. This happened about 5 hours ago. I have taken some pain reliever to help with pain/swelling, but it hasn't seemed to help any. It is just starting to bruise (I'm actually surprised it's not black/blue yet). It hurts to sit on soft surfaces (my couch)...when I do I have to recline a bit. However, it mostly hurts (to the point of squealing) when I bend down to pick something up off the floor or coffee table or when I stand up after sitting.

I'm not sure if it's just bruised or if it's broken. If it is broken, is there anything a dr. can do for me? Any advice???

A little background...

I have 2 homes to go to for Thanksgiving. The first is at noon (my mom's); the 2nd is between 5-5:30 (at my aunt's who lives 45 min. from me). I have to take something to both. The first I'm not worried about it. However, for the 2nd I have to take a crookpot full of mashed potatoes. I'm not sure how I should work the timing as I wasn't planning on coming home in between the 2 visits.

My question is: if I make the mashed potatoes in the morning and put them in the crookpot and plug it in over at my mom's (the first house), will they last (still taste good) after 5+ hours of being in the crookpot?

I have delivered all 3 of my children at one particular hospital and loved everything about it. However after my last dd was born 4 1/2 years ago, my doctor let her privileges expire there because it was a little further for her to get to (and possibly some other reasons that I'm not aware of). Anyway I now have the choice to deliver at 1 of 2 hospitals. One of which is almost 45 minutes away and doesn't have a Nic (I've never needed one in the past and don't foresee it this time either). I've also heard really terrible stories about this particular hospital. Therefore that really only leaves one option. However, when I went to tour this hospital they told me that if they were understaffed, they would have to take the baby to the nursery for a few hours. Maybe that's not a big deal to many, but me it is. I've never had any of my babies leave my side and really don't want someone to tell me that I don't have a choice. Also, with all of our other children, my dh has been the one to give them their first bath. Again, this hospital told us that chances are, they wouldn't allow him to do so. He's pretty upset about this.

Here's where I need the advice. My husband wants me to go to the hospital that I delivered my other 3 children at. He says that my dr. only catches the baby and it's the nurses and staff that make the experience. Not only that, but our pediatrician only makes rounds at this hospital. I have reservations because I don't want to get the "on-call" or resident dr. that I'm not familiar with (I hated my first ob and don't want to have another experience like that). I love my current ob and wouldn't change her for anything.

Any advice is much appreciated!

I am 32 weeks pregnant. I was having mild cramping before my 30wk appt. so my dr. checked me and said I was 1 cm. dilated and already starting to soften. She told me that she would see me in 2 weeks unless the cramping came back. It has not. I've had the normal braxton hicks, but nothing more. She also told me that I can no longer work more than a 4 hour shift at a time because she doesn't want me to be on my feet that long.

Today while at work, I was having pelvic pressure the entire time I was at work. After coming home and taking a nap, the pressure went away. In the last 30 min. I have had an on again/off again cramp in my lower right side...not so much like menstral cramps; more like ligaments. Like I said, it comes and goes, but I haven't had any contractions with it at all.

I have an appt. on Wednesday and don't want to waste the Dr's. time; nor do I want to over-react. I have 3 other children and have never experienced anything like this so I'm just looking for advice from those of you who have (or know someone who has).

I have a 3 year old Wheaten Terrier who all of a sudden has had minor rectal bleeding. I then made sure that he had some fresh water and after drinking it, he threw it all up in about a hour. He is acting perfectly fine and I took his temp which is 100.8 (normal is 100.5-102). Do I need to take him to an emergency hospital or can I wait until Monday to take him to his normal vet?

I remember with my first pregnancy I didn't start showing until I was 6-7 months along (and I was tiny). With each subsequent pregnancy I have shown a little earlier. I think with my 3rd I was showing when I was about 3-4 months pregnant. I am now 6 (or so) weeks pregnant and feel like I'm starting to show a little now. Is this just my imagination? I'm just wondering from those who have had 4 or more kids, when is the average time to start showing?

I just took a test today and it came back positive. Therefore, I am expecting baby #4. I'm looking for creative ways to tell him...I want to tell him before I tell anyone else (including our children). Other info. that might be helpful: currently we have 3 daughters (13, 7, and 4) and I'm not all that great at keeping secrets (especially from him). Also, my birthday is in a few days so I thought about using that to my advantage.

My family and another are planning a vacation this summer. Yachats is one possibility, but not sure it's worth it. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

We currently have a 2 1/2 yr. old male. We bought a (approx.) 5 year old female from the humane society this weekend (they are the same breed). They socialized really well there and haven't done too bad at home, but there have been a few instances where she gets a little gnarly at him (where I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving the 2 alone together when I'm not there). Is this normal? What can we do to end this? She also seems like she might be a little (key word, little) food aggressive. She seems to come from a home where she was an only dog. She is quite a bit calmer and less playful than our boy (mature older woman). I really want to make this work, but at the same time if it's not going to I don't want my 3 kids to get more attached than they have to.

Any suggestions?

my ankle is still slightly swollen in the morning and as the day progresses, it swells more. I'm not in near the amount of pain. I was on crutches for 2 weeks and no longer need them, but usually by the end of the day I am back to limping. The dr. told me to give it a week and see if the flexibility came back. My flexibility in my ankle has come back somewhat but not all the way. Should I go and have a MRI done or should I just give it a little more time. Again, it's really only a dull ache unless I move it the wrong way.

Teacher appreciation week is fast approaching. The committee I am on currently has our theme (hawaiian) and food ideas all set up. We are now looking for ideas on how to get the kids involved on a daily basis. One day, we are going to have each child bring a piece of fruit to make a fruit basket for the teacher. Another day, we (as a school) are going to play a game and involve all the teachers, students and staff. We need ideas for the other 3 days. Please remember that they are elementary age.

My sister is having trouble buying a gift for her 6 year old son for Christmas. Any suggestions? She said that it will be his "big" gift. Thanks!

I'm looking for ideas for Teacher Appreciation week. Yes, I know this is in March, but I have recently become part of a committee and we're trying to get a jump start on planning. We are looking for gift basket ideas (the more personable, the better) and ideas for breakfasts/lunches/snacks that will be provided to the teachers throughout the week. Any ideas for party/decorating themes would also be greatly appreciated. Also, if any of you have done this before, please share ideas that worked or didn't work so well for you. Please realize that we will have the help of parents, but our budget is limited.

I'm looking for ideas for Teacher Appreciation week. Yes, I know this is in March, but I have recently become part of a committee and we're trying to get a jump start on planning. We are looking for gift basket ideas (the more personable, the better) and ideas for breakfasts/lunches/snacks that will be provided to the teachers throughout the week. Any ideas for party/decorating themes would also be greatly appreciated. Also, if any of you have done this before, please share ideas that worked or didn't work so well for you. Please realize that we will have the help of parents, but our budget is limited.

Is it necessary to "blow out" your sprinklers for the winter (in freezing temps.)? Or is it possible just to turn off the water and drain the excess water?

Who do you think will win? Who are your top picks?

Does anybody else believe that the only reason Heidi got the promotion is because she is on t.v. and Bolthouse may feel it will bring them more publicity? I think it's crap what she did to Elodie. Is there anyone (other than Spencer) that Heidi won't backstab?

What happened to the TV show Wedding Crashers? I loved this show!

I myself have had 3 kids and didn't have my membranes stripped for any of them. However, a good friend is 39 weeks pregnant and "a good 3" centimeters dilated. She went to the dr. today and they stripped her membranes. She said it was very uncomfortable. Anyway, she is hoping to go into labor tonight...is this possible/probable?