My boy not feeling well

And I get frustrated with the medical system.

he has a ENT specialist. I call to book an appointment for his tonsils. But no.. I can't get in there because we've only be referred to him for his ears. So now we need to waste time and go to our family doctor so she can make a referral to him for his tonsils.

So yesterday afternoon I got to spend two hours in the emergency room so that we can get a prescription filled for his ear infection. On a positive note: his ear infection hasn't trickled down to a tonsil infection but the two play a role together. I'm seriously starting to think the tonsils need to go.

The upshot is... ear infection (a bad one). Biaxicin to give twice a day. Tonsils very much swollen but not currently infected.

On another more positive note: I met a lady who wants to start homeschooling her six wee ones. :) she lives right here in town, has two sets of twins, and two singletons. She apparently goes to church. I've mentioned HOPE and KICK to her so hopefully she'll email me and I'll get her all connected with that. Also encouraged her to come along down to the picnic in London on Tuesday with us. She seems like a nice lady.

So if I actually get off the poor me I had to do this routine I can actually see the hand of God at work here. A lady who needed the encouragement and some advise was able to chat with me abit about homeschooling. My boy got the help he needed and got to meet a nice doctor. So it's all turned out well despite the inconvenience of it. (and my boy got to spend one on one time with his mommy learning and playing)... what.. you think we went to the emerg unprepared? NO WAY.. one brings along ladybug puzzles and logic game books to keep oneself entertained. :) We also finished our Jason book - which meant we were able to entertain the other hospital patrons listening to me read to him. :) So it's all good. :)

Thanks Jen! What TIA stands for.

Thanks to Jen I now know what a TIA is.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

What is a TIA or transient ischemic attack?

A TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.

Most strokes aren't preceded by TIAs. However, of the people who've had one or more TIAs, more than a third will later have a stroke. In fact, a person who's had one or more TIAs is more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn't.

TIAs are important in predicting if a stroke will occur rather than when one will happen. They can occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke. In about half the cases, the stroke occurs within one year of the TIA.

What causes a transient ischemic attack?

TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. The symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes. The average is about a minute. Unlike stroke, when a TIA is over, there's no injury to the brain.

What are the symptoms of a TIA?

It's very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.

TIAs are extremely important predictors of stroke. Don't ignore them! If symptoms appear, CALL 9-1-1 TO GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. A doctor should determine if a TIA or stroke has occurred, or if it's another medical problem with similar symptoms. Some examples are seizure, fainting, migraine headache, or general medical or cardiac condition. Prompt medical or surgical attention to these symptoms could prevent a fatal or disabling stroke from occurring.