Would you like to save $25 by opening a savings account for your child’s future education? How about getting free admission for one to the Science Museum of Virginia, or 1/2 price tickets to the theatre? Maybe you’d like to get 10% off new fashions for your home, or save $10 on a facial. We’ve got great discounts waiting for you right here – and there are no gimmicks, fees, registration requirements, or hidden costs!
Hundreds of Richmond moms love our Savvy Saver Card and there are plenty of good reasons – check them out and you’ll love them too.
If you don’t have your card yet, be sure to visit this link to download a copy and request a tri-fold card by mail here. Dozens of Richmond moms and dads have already taken advantage of great savings with their card.
Wondering why you should request your own Savvy Saver card?
Here are some fantastic reasons for you to consider:
Hayes & Fisk offers a complementary session fee valued at $150.
Real Life Studios offers $150 off a Real Life Birthday Party.
Get 10% off 2 or more custom window treatments at Sewinit’ where you’ll also find duvets, pillows, monogrammed items, accessories, and more.
The Science Museum of Virginia has a “Buy One Get One Free Friday” offer on Savvy Saver.
Core Kids Academy offers 50% off one session (8 week term) for babies classes.
Great Wolf Lodge gives an incredible 20% off best available room rates and spa services.
Enrollment fee is waived for tutoring and you can buy 3 sessions and get the 4th one free at College Nannies & Tutors.
Hip to be Round makes clothes and accessories affordable and you can save an additional $15 off a $75 purchase with your card.
Save $25 registration fee when you enroll in Virginia College Savings Plan 529 – get your card to get the code.
Tuckaway waives registration fees for new enrollment.
Spirited Art offers loads of fun with 20% off any adult class using your Savvy Saver code.
Enjoy 1/2 price children’s tickets (limit 4 per show) at Theatre IV.
Eat healthy and delicious food with 5% off catering services at Green Monkey Catering or 10% off gourmet gift baskets.
The Wine Loft offers 20% off Monday nights for Mom’s Night Out.
Dream Dinners is even easier when you use the 10% off discount on any order of 36 servings or more.
Gundlach is there when you need them with a 10% discount on all repairs.
Richmond Rocks and you can get FREE shipping on any signed copy only through [email protected] with your card.
See clearly with Virginia Eye Institute’s offer of 30% off eyeglasses, sunglasses and accessories and 10% off contact lenses when you use your Savvy Saver card.
Enjoy a performance at Barksdale Theatre with $5 off each Barksdale performance ticket (limit 8 tickets).
Mediation and resolving issues is easier and less expensive with Mosaic Mediations and you can get 20% off all mediation packages.
Just present your Savvy Saver card and get a free week pass at any American Family Fitness.
When it comes to food, RELAY makes it easy and you get $5 off orders of $50 or more with the code on your card.
Brain Balance includes a $50 discount on evaluations when you take advantage of their free Parent Seminar.
$10 off a luxurious Murad Signature Facial at Massage Envy awaits on your Savvy Saver card.
Mom’s Treehouse is rocking with fun with 20% off first time fitness program purchase and $25 off any Mom’s Treehouse Host-Your-Party Rental.
Leave a comment below and let us know what you love most about your Savvy Saver card. Let us know what you’ve used your card for and how much you saved. We’d love to know how much our Richmond moms, dads, grandparents, and friends are saving!
Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver Discounts are offered by advertisers on Richmondmom.com
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Boyd Winslow, M.D.
Editor’s Note: The following article was released on Monday, August 27, 2012 related to this topic. It adds additional information regarding the risks and benefits of circumcision: “Peditricians Decide Boys are Better Off Circumcised than Not”
Finding out that you are pregnant is exciting. Learning the gender of your soon-to-be-born baby is even more exciting. And welcoming your newborn baby into the world and holding him in your arms is priceless!
But when “it’s a boy” – many parents are confused and concerned about the circumcision decision and procedure.
Is it really necessary? Will it hurt my baby? Should I wait until he’s older? What are the risks? Who is best equipped to perform the procedure? How do I care for my baby after the procedure?
There are dozens of questions that must be answered.
For decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics viewed circumcision as unnecessary or held a neutral view on the subject. But lots of things have changed and science has taught us enough about the benefits of circumcision to make it not only an easier decision, but also a responsible decision.
We sat down with Boyd Winslow, MD, of FACS, FAAP, Children’s Urology of Virginia, PC at Stony Point Surgery Center. Dr. Winslow specializes in children’s urology and circumcision. Dr. Winslow was educated at Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, and trained at the Massachusetts General Hospital in adult and pediatric urology.
He provided us with valuable insights into the pros and cons of circumcision, and the best time to have the procedure done on a newborn.
RMOM: Dr. Winslow, what are the most recent studies telling us about circumcision of newborns?
BW: There is an evolving scientific body of data and evidence that demonstrates the benefits to the individual and the public at large when it comes to circumcision. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control provide evidence that the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are markedly higher in uncircumcised men. This means they are also subjecting their partners to STDs, and the increase in cervical cancer increases with uncircumcised partners too. Since HPV, which is the driver of cervical cancer, lives and thrives under the uncircumcised foreskin, there is much greater risk for this group of individuals.
RMOM: Knowing the scientific facts is one thing. But what about moms and dads who worry about inflicting pain and surgery on such a fragile young life?
BW: This is an excellent question and it’s one more reason why parents should give thoughtful consideration to not only WHO conducts the surgical procedure, but WHEN it is performed. Circumcision performed under appropriate levels of anesthetic and by a highly skilled professional in this area of medicine is the best way to ensure the greatest comfort for the baby. With 31 years of experience in this field, I know how important it is to offer comfort to the newborn and his parents and we have the resources and experience to do it extremely well. Waiting until the child is older or becomes an adult will be even more uncomfortable and painful with greater risk of complications.
RMOM: You say the first 1-3 days is not the best time, but isn’t that when most doctors perform circumcision – while the baby is in the hospital nursery?
BW: Traditionally, this has been the case but as science evolves, we learn better ways of doing most everything. During the first few days of life, a newborn is adjusting to the world around him – learning to eat is just one important process he must master. His legs are flexed, he has immature clotting factors, and he will lose weight during the first week of life. Rather than subjecting the newborn to yet another challenge at this turbulent stage in his life, we recommend circumcision between the 2nd and 4th weeks for full-term babies. It is safer and we get a much better result. For premature babies, the window of time for circumcision is a bit longer, but within 44 weeks of conception.
At about 2-4 weeks of life, the baby is usually easily soothed by eating, and by feeling and hearing his parent’s voices and touch. The parents can be present when the circumcision is done and they help the baby through this process. Being able to eat is a soother for babies and clotting characteristics have typically matured so there is less risk of bleeding.
RMOM: What are the risks?
BW: There are risks with any surgical procedure, but risks are minimized when specialized experts in the best possible environment perform the procedure. Like any procedure, parents should seek out the doctor with the most experience in this area of medicine. We do everything possible to minimize bleeding and other risks. And of course the worry of pain for the baby is a parent’s concern too – we ensure the baby receives the necessary and appropriate anesthesia for the greatest comfort. We even have some babies who have slept through the procedure as moms caress them and hold their tiny hands.
RMOM: You have the parents present during the procedure? Is this done in your office?
BW: Yes, we perform the circumcision in our offices where we have specially equipped facilities to handle everything – from magnifying optics, to enhanced lighting, specialized equipment, and expertly trained staff who assist with this procedure. We work with parents to schedule the optimal time for the procedure by roughly 44 weeks from the point of conception, or within 4 weeks of age for a baby born at full-term (40 weeks). For preterm babies, waiting a few weeks for a circ allows them to focus on gaining weight and overcoming challenges of being born early.
RMOM: How do a mom and/or dad make arrangements with your office?
http://www.stonypointsc.com/Kids/index.php
BW: We are available to talk with the parents before the procedure is done. All they have to do is contact our office and talk with our scheduling coordinator to schedule the procedure. We are very sensitive to the needs of performing the procedure within these time constraints, and we work with the parents to get the baby on the schedule quickly. Allowing parents to come in for a consultation and get to know who is doing the procedure and what to expect is a distinct advantage of our services. The parents are also more settled in with the newborn and they are able to better understand how to care for the baby and the site of the circumcision post-surgery.
RMOM: Is there anything else parents need to know before making a decision?
BW: We don’t perform the procedure and leave the rest to mom. We’re here for education on wound care, follow-up, consultation, support, and help whenever they need it. Fees for the actual circumcision are dictated by medical codes and we work with insurance companies to handle billing.
I respect the job of obstetricians and pediatricians who provide medical care and support for moms and their newborns. I also know that the specialized services we deliver offer our patients and their families the best possible services and outcomes when it comes to the delicate circumcision procedure. Making sure it’s done right the first time will help ensure a healthier and happier life as the baby grows.
To learn more, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Winslow, or his partners John D. Edmondson, MD, or Frank R. Cerniglia, Jr., MD, FAAP, you can reach their office at Stony Point Surgery Center by calling 804.272.2411. You can also talk with their experienced nurse practitioner, Valre W. Welch MSN, CPNP by calling the office. The best time to schedule an appointment is once you learn you are having a boy, or as soon as the baby boy is born.
Stony Point Surgery Center is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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After enduring incredible pain and grief at the loss of their young daughter, Rachel and Roger Reynolds established the CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation (CJSTUF) in their daughter’s name as a mechanism to “pay it forward” and help others in need. Charlotte Jennie (CJ) passed away at home on January 7, 2010 at just 4 1/2 years old after battling cancer. But CJ never stopped bringing joy and love to her parents every day throughout her ordeal.
CJSTUF offers everyone an opportunity to do something for others and help those parents who are dealing with the challenges, fear, anger, disappointment, and financial issues associated with childhood cancer. And here’s a family-friendly event that makes it fun to help others who need it most.
Get ready for the annual CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation Ball!
It’s happening Saturday, February 18 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and it includes a family dance and silent auction. This family-friendly event promises to be a spectacular occasion with plenty of activities, food, and fun. Featured this year will be:
- Live music by Offering
- Silent Auction
- Raffle Prizes
- Crafts for Kids
- Kid friendly food and drinks
- Lots more fun activities
Tickets are just $10 per person and the event takes place at Shady Grove UMC in Short Pump. Ticket includes one entry to the raffle too. Additional tickets will be available for purchase at the event so you have more chances to win! Event space is limited and this is a popular family event for many so register soon.
CJ’s Thumbs Up is an organization that “provides financial assistance to families of children with chronic and life threatening illnesses through individual giving and partnerships with organizations that share similar goals.
Make plans to attend this year’s Ball and help Roger and Rachel “pay it forward” and help others.
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Enjoy FREE seminars at CMoR Short Pump May 24 and visit with Seymour and Bon Secours Bunny.
The FREE Kids Summer Safety Seminar is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Richmond at Short Pump. This is an informative seminar that also includes admission to the Children’s Museum for parents and children, along with free child care during seminar sessions – what could better!
Children ages 3 and up (potty trained) can explore the museum and participate in planned activities under the supervision of museum staff and volunteers while parents attend the seminars. And kids will enjoy kid-friendly snacks too.
Seminars
St. Mary’s Hospital and the Children’s Museum of Richmond are working together along with Commonwealth Parenting to provide a comprehensive presentation for parents.
- Summer Activities for Your Kids is discussed by Karen Coltrane, CEO of CMoR
- Who and When: Your Child’s Overall Health is presented by Sharon Josephn, MD from Powhatan Medical Associates
- If Your Child is Hospitalized is a special presentation by Mayuri Lakdawala, MD and Kate Senecal, MD from St. Mary’s Hospital Pediatric Hospitalist Program
- Symptoms of Post-School Stress is led by Liz Pearce, M.Ed., Executive Director of Commonwealth Parenting
- First Aid for Summer presentation is by Frank Petruzella, MD of St. Mary’s Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department
Come Early for More Fun
Interactive stations are available 6-7 p.m. and registered seminar attendees can come early and meet the Bon Secours Bunny and CMoR’s own Seymour! It’s a great time to learn about child health, pediatric diabetes, healthy eating, exercise, safety and more.
Door Prizes
But that’s not all! Door prizes include:
- Family 4-pack of tickets to Sesame Street live
- Family membership to CMoR
Registration Information
Registration is required so click here or call 804.76.CHILD to reserve a space.
Help keeps kids safe and injury free this summer by learning more about child safety. And let your children enjoy a great time at CMoR while you’re learning!
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HCA provides excellent healthcare services throughout Richmond.
I remember the day well.
My young daughter’s doctor walked into the room, pulled up a chair, and sat quietly for what seemed like forever, but it was probably only 5 seconds. He put his hand on her knee as he laid down her chart.
“We’re going to have to perform surgery to get your kidneys working. It’s a very detailed and intricate surgery and hopefully we can save your right kidney. If not, your left kidney will take over for both of them.”
Through blurred vision and shaking hands, she turned to me as if to say, “Why me? Why now?”
Amanda was a junior in college at James Madison University. She had been through several urinary tract and kidney infections over the years, but until now, we had no idea how bad it really was. Apparently she was born with a genetic problem that had caused kidney damage over the years and it was gradually getting worse. The surgery would potentially help correct a blocked tube and save part of the kidney — but not without some serious rerouting and reshaping of the tube .
She now had less than 40% functionality in the kidney, but her doctor said it was still worth saving with the surgery – which was good news.
“How do you do this? How long will the surgery take and what does it involve? What are the chances of success? Is she in danger?”
The questions poured out of my mouth without giving the doctor time to respond. My nerves were shattered and although Amanda was 19, she was still my baby and my heart hurt for her.
The surgery proceeded within a couple of weeks at Chippenham Hospital. Her surgery took place in the heart surgery unit where her doctor could use a state-of-the-art laser surgery equipment – gamma knife equipment. The surgery went well and Amanda recovered with extraordinary speed — mainly because she was so anxious to return to school. She had a little more than 33% functionality remaining in her kidney which was still good news. She went on to complete her junior year at JMU as planned.
I think about that day often and the pain I felt when we heard the news. But I also remember how caring and compassionate she was treated by her doctor, his staff, and the entire staff of the HCA Hospital System. It was one of the most stressful situations of our lives, but the medical system did everything possible to make it easier.
Now, I have a friend who is facing a similar situation with her daughter and it brings back the memories of those days. I can honestly look her in the face and tell her that the Richmond healthcare system, and especially the HCA Hospital System, is definitely on her side — and they will do everything possible to ease the pain and stress of the situation while taking excellent care of her daughter.
When it comes to our children, it always helps to know that others know what you are going through when health issues occur. I’m glad that I am able to tell her that her daughter is in great hands at HCA!
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You may have seen the article we ran last summer about the announcement of the merger between VCU Medical Center and the current Children’s Hospital; this was Kate Hall’s view, without the medical knowledge/background. The rest of this article is Gayle Smith, MD’s view.
There have been many attempts at partnering on a Children’s Hospital for Richmond, but the culture of the pediatric medical community, affectionately referred to as Town and Gown, have precluded collaboration.
Once again, there is philanthropic commitment with a deadline of Valentine’s Day to commit to building this hospital. Once again, the culture of various hospital administrations in Richmond, it will likely fail to find enough common ground to actually build a hospital.
Gayle Smith, MD, a fierce proponent of a stand-alone Children's Hospital in Richmond
I just wonder if the pressure to do what’s right for children might come from the community this time?
Transparency has its value, and the foolishness of the negotiations and the men who can’t figure out a way to build and run a hospital may be one way to move the mountain.
I guarantee if you handed all the numbers and the need and 250 million dollars to the mothers in the carpool line…told them that everyone else has a children’s hospital…there would be none of the foolishness.
They’d know where to build it, who would run it, who would make what financial sacrifices in the short and the long run…and we’d have a hospital for our children.
Tell us, Richmond, what do you think? How can we help make Gayle’s vision a reality?
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If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d have never believed it. A pediatrician’s office without a waiting room. I didn’t believe it until I saw it, but Partners in Pediatrics has no waiting room.Without a long row of chairs, without a stream of snotty-nosed kids (like mine!) handling lots of toys with their sweet little fingers, caressing each sick child’s germ from the visit before them. This office is a wonderful, warm little place where I expected a waiting room to be.
Gayle Smith, M.D. is the founding physician at Partners in Pediatrics, PC. With a team of forward thinking experts, she was has created a refreshing experience to solve the many problems parents find when they seek medical attention for their kids: long waits for what sometimes can be a rushed, one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare.
As I was preparing to write about the new pediatric model, I asked a few member families to share with me what made this practice different from others they had experienced. Well, I was overwhelmed with the incredibly impressive laundry list of responses: “it’s a true partnership between Dr. Smith and my family, they know my name…they even know my son’s grandmother’s name”; “they make follow-up calls to check on my sick child”; “for a busy Mom like me, they make reaching them easy – whether it’s for advice, an appointment or yet another form filled out you can call, email, go online”; “they give me that warm and fuzzy feeling when I walk in the door”; “each appointment is scheduled for 1 hour so I never feel rushed and always leave Dr. Smith’s office reassured that I am on the right path when it comes to my child’s healthcare”.
One Mom even told me that when her childcare provider brought her son to Partners in Pediatrics, she received a follow-up email from Dr. Smith with the appointment highlights. Now that’s staying I touch! And, to top it off, I learned that Dr. Gayle Smith makes house calls when medically necessary. Really, she does. 
How does it work? For a monthly fee you receive healthcare the way it should be. In much the same way you would join a gym, you sign up with the practice and receive a whole cadre of amenities that go beyond the typical care provided by other pediatrician offices. Partners in Pediatrics is based on the motto “It’s all about the kids…their health and well being.” While this is most certainly is true, it also seems you can ‘have your cake and eat it too’.
Centrally located on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Partners in Pediatrics is a truly different place to experience a pediatrician who cares, one patient at a time, in a colorful little area where there would normally be a crowded a waiting room.
Dr. Gayle Smith has an informational blog for parents and has written articles for Richmondmom.com’s Real Richmond Parents column as well.
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“But I really want one, Mom!” he whined. “Maybe you should put it on your Christmas list.” I countered.
“It’s March 25, Mom. Christmas is exactly NINE months away! We could get a baby in that amount of time!”
And so my breakfast table conversation began. Everything takes time. There is not a mother among us who doesn’t fully understand the importance and the challenges of waiting. It’s true; you can get a baby in nine months! Things worth waiting for often take time.
The analogy holds true for many things in life. I hope that it will apply to Richmond’s full service children’s hospital. I’ve been waiting for one of those since I started my medical training and career as a pediatrician in Richmond twenty years ago. I’ve only known that hopeful waiting for a place where all the care a child could ever need would be provided under one hospital roof.
In the early 1990’s, VCU ushered in a new president and an era of expansion. He knew that other medical universities had a children’s hospital and that Richmond was a city whose size certainly could support one. Lots of community leaders actively explored the need (yes!) and the desire (yes! yes!) for a full service children’s hospital, but sadly they couldn’t arrive at a consensus and move forward to build one.
In 2005, with a new chairman for the department of pediatrics at VCU Medical Center, there was an announcement that Richmond would finally have a real Children’s Hospital. There were philanthropic community leaders who had pledged their financial support, and we were on our way! Eighteen months later, with very little fanfare and no public outcry, the plans were scrapped. What went wrong, and why did nobody seem to notice? Why was this happening to Richmond’s children again?
The answer is often unclear and difficult to discern. In Richmond, there are three health systems (VCU-MCV, Bon Secours, and HCA) that share equal thirds of the pediatric health care market. In the past, none of the players has been willing to yield to the others or create viable partnerships. There’s money at stake, and in any business venture, finances are an important consideration.
While most moms know someone whose child has been hospitalized, very few appreciate the way in which in-patient care is provided. We send over dinner and are grateful that our kids are healthy. Richmond has been unsuccessful in doing what’s best for children’s health care because “good enough” has always been acceptable. What we have accepted with three hospital systems can be summed up in the three “D’s.”
We dilute the expertise and resources. Doctors waste time driving to multiple hospitals to see in-patients when that time would certainly be better spent helping more children situated under one roof. The best pediatric EEG tech works in one hospital while the nationally recognized pediatric nurses work at another.
We duplicate services and waste valuable resources. Does a city our size really need three NICU’s for premature infants in the community and one at the university? If you count the empty incubators on any given day, you will see that the answer is a resounding no. Guess how much those incubators cost.
The saddest “D” is that we do without. One family had to leave five siblings with grandma and drive to Charlottesville for open heart surgery for their new baby because Richmond no longer has a pediatric cardiac surgeon. He left years ago to work at a real Children’s Hospital. Critically ill preemies are transferred from one NICU to another because not all are equally skilled in every live-saving innovative treatment available. We make due with the blood draw technician who lacks patience and skill with tiny veins. Really, it’s our children that are asked to do without.
Parents understand waiting. We wait nine months for the birth of a child. We can even extrapolate the three D’s into family life. If EVERY other city as big as Richmond has seen fit to build a hospital for its children, surely we must ask ourselves why we have not. Could we possibly have some inner wisdom that justifies this oversight? At best, we might argue that, “I just never knew!” When you know the need exists, what do you do?
Next time…Change4ANewChildren’sHospital. The penny jar campaign that is forming to spread the word. Check back soon to read more about what you can do to change the landscape of health care for Richmond’s children.
Gayle Schrier Smith, MD is a mother and pediatrician who hopes to practice medicine one day in Richmond, the city that cares enough about its children to build them a hospital (and where they’ll let her design the softest hospital jammies imaginable.) She writes the Doctor Download at Partners in Pediatrics.em>
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As the mother of five, I have come a long way in cultivating my parenting abilities. My children teach me something new every day, and for the most part I’m always grateful. I remember when my youngest was born. I thought I owned every baby gadget ever made only to receive an electric wipe-warmer as a gift. “What an amazing idea!” I decided, only to discover that the thing never seemed to be cycling heat when I was changing diapers. It dried out my baby wipes and convinced me that I definitely didn’t need it. But then there was the rocker-glider with the matching ottoman. How could I have made it through all my colicky babies in my grandmother’s rocking chair when this engineering marvel had been invented?
Jon Kabat Zinn, author of Everyday Blessings: The Art of Mindful Parenting, would remind me that we cannot need something we don’t even know we’re doing without. And he would be partially correct. The useless wipe-warmer and the amazing rocking glider were certainly not things I needed. I survived just fine without either of them for ten years of mothering. Just like I survive without a full service hospital for children. Wait, did she say hospital?
In addition to being a full time mother, I am also a full time pediatrician. I have served the health care needs of children in Richmond for twenty years, and not a day goes by where I don’t wish for a real children’s hospital for my patients. I’d like a rocking glider sort of hospital that feels designed for smooth, nurturing child-centered health care. I don’t want a wipe warmer kind of hospital that means well but can’t get the job done as children deserve.
If you ask any ten mothers, eight of them will tell you that we do have a Children’s Hospital, and they would be correct, sort of…We have a beautiful and amazing facility on Brook Road that continues to serve the special needs of a small percentage of children just as it did when it was founded in 1917 and called The Crippled Children’s Hospital. We also have three hospital systems (VCU, HCA and Bon Secours) that equally share the work of making room for children in their adult centered facilities. They all do a good job providing the needed care for children.
Sadly, the best NICU nurses work for one facility, the best pediatric EEG tech works for another, and the most amazing respiratory therapist for kids works at still another. Too bad. When my daughter was stillborn, we were fortunate to be in the hospital with the NICU. When my son needed an EEG, we lucked out again. When my daughter had pneumonia, not so fortunate, but we made due.
Imagine all the best providers under one roof, focusing their gifts and their abilities to care for sick children in a brand new facility. Imagine kid friendly everything, from patient rooms that welcomed a parent to stay, all the way down to x-ray and lab services geared specifically for children.
It is a fact that every other city the same size as Richmond has seen fit to build this facility for their children. Is it right to ask our children to do without the children’s hospital they deserve? Could it be that the mothers in our community haven’t been made aware of the need?
Chapter Two: my next article…why we really aren’t doing as “fine” as we could be doing for our children’s inpatient health care and how we have tried in the past to build a hospital for them. Check back soon to learn more. Our children are hoping that you will.
Gayle Schrier Smith, MD is a partner and physician at Richmond’s Partners in Pediatrics.
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Richmond moms told us this about how they’re dealing with the spread of the Swine Flu (Ask your doctor before making your decision please!):
• “We are upping the vitamins, getting plenty of rest, washing hands a lot, and praying we don’t get it.”—Rebecca
•”Having a special needs child whose immune system is compromised I think that the bottom line most important thing that we all can do to prevent the spread of H1N1 as well as all other germs is to put a very high priority on simple, logical personal hygiene. hand & face washing often, use Clorox disinfectant wipes to wipe down often touched surfaces like phones, handles…. keep your hands away from your mouth, eyes & nose as much as possible. that all said, all 3 of my children have gotten/will be getting the Swine flu vaccination as an extra buffer.”—Mary Beth
•”This afternoon, I purchased a bottle of colloidal silver at a local vitamin shop. Basically, I’d rather have my children swallow a teeny bit of silver of every day than take a relatively untested vaccination with potentially debilitating mercury used as a preservative. I didn’t know much at all about colloidal silver until recently, even though it has been used for generations. Evidently, silver was an antibiotic of choice prior to the discovery of penicillin. From ancient Egypt, where its value was recognized by early physicians, to modern day space programs, where NASA uses it to help maintain a germ-free environment for its astronauts, silver has remained our steadfast ally in the war against bacteria. Silver nitrate is administered in hospitals to protect the eyes of newborns. Curad just developed a bandage infused with silver as an antibiotic. And silver fights viruses. In some lab tests, it has been effective against H1N1. So I bought some!”—Georgia
•”I have a 16mo old daughter & truly feel hesitant about both flu vaccines. I didn’t give her the flu shot last year either. I am still on the fence but any vaccines that are ‘optional’ – outside of the recommended schedule – tend to make me nervous about adding anything additional to her system. Mommy decisions like these are hard. I also don’t want her to get the flu either. *sigh*!”
•”I want my son to get it, but my better half does not. we are in a battle of wills…scared of the thirmersol..”
•”The teeny tiney bit of mercury that is in the shot acts as a preservative. YOU CAN ASK FOR A VACCINE WITHOUT THE PRESERVATIVE IN IT !!!”—Kathy
•”A couple of things – I heard that the gargling does not work because you block of your lower throat when you gargle and essentially thats where the bad stuff is.
•”My pediatrician (Dr Gayle Smith) mentioned to me to have my kids avoid the water fountains at school – and I have to say I have never been overly crazy about the water fountain anyway but I was picking up daughter up at school the day before my doctor’s appointment and I saw this little boy who was coughing stop at the water fountain for a drink – his mouth touched the fountain before he adjusted it and I wondered how often they cleaned it. Then talking to her it freaked me out – I promptly went to Costco and bought a case of water – with strict instructions to my daughter and son to drink from their water bottles and NOT to share food or water with anyone. I admit I am not a huge fan of adding to the landfill but in order to keep the kids safe I ok with it.” —Ushan
•”I don’t think the vaccine is the answer. There are a number of things you can do to help your body boost its own immune system & strengthen itself to fight stronger, more challenging viruses.
The immune system requires proper nutrition, just as any other organ or system in the body does. These are some of the most important nutrients for a healthy immune system: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folic acid, Zinc, Selenium & Copper.
A full complement of nutrients is important, as some vitamins & minerals are most effective when adequate amounts of both are in the diet. When it comes to your well-being, there are no guarantees. The daily decisions you make may have a tremendous effect on your overall health. The better your nutritional status, the better all systems: including your immune system will be. My family is continuing to take our mega-supplements and being smart about exposure and hand washing.”— Karen Taylor Davis TheRESETTeam.com
“Our minister, during the “greet your neighbor” part of the church service where we normally shake each other’s hands, requested we smile and wave to each other instead. I appreciated his concern for spreading germs by casual contact, and perhaps avoided a few people from catching the flu. The result was lots of smiles and waves and no one seemed offended by not shaking hands.”
• “My 3 year old, my husband, and I have already gotten the H1N1(Swine) flu nasal mist. I don’t want to risk my children getting very sick especially with an 6 month old in our home.
I also believe that vaccinating children is important because it helps all of the children who are unable to receive flu (or other) vaccines because of compromised immune systems and who may have a very difficult time if they became ill with the flu. We will definitely be getting our 6 month old the H1N1 shot when it becomes available at our pediatricians office.
I have no concerns over flu shots. The swine flu vaccine is made the same way the seasonal flu shot is made. My son has gotten the seasonal flu shot/mist ever year he was old enough, and my daughter received her first seasonal flu shot this month — both do great! We are also practicing much hand-washing and keeping the hands away from the face (as much as possible with a 6 month old).”
•”We got the h1n1 vaccine!!! I am 6+ months pregnant and have a 2 year old. my doctor, my daughters doctor and every news station is saying to get it. if the swine flu strain was identified earlier, it would have been included with the seasonal flu vaccine and we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. we are of course still taking normal precautions as we don’t want any illness- even a cold!”
• “My daughter, 11, had the swine flu a few weeks ago as did I. My son, 7, has not and I’m worried that he’ll get it. I’m so frustrated because I can’t get any help my our pediatrician’s office regarding the shot. They say to call the health department who, in turn, say that they don’t have the shot.”
“We are making sure to keep things cleaner than ushaual, going the extra step…staying in more-we, (mom and dad) are gargling with salt water and swabbing our noses out with a cutip dipped in salt water. This is supposed to help kill airborne germs. The most important and impactful thing we have done though, is get the H1N1 vaccine. I was not to keen on it at first, but with kids getting so sick and it spreading so quickly I would rather not risk the chance on my child get it. I pray every night for the parents of the children who have not been able to break the fevers of the kids who have it.
Remember if your child gets it, Tylenol and then Motrin every 4 hours until you can get into the dr. This helps keep the fever down and you do not exceed the recommended dose of meds in the first 24 hours. Good Luck to all, wash up and stay healthy!”
• “We’ve already had the swine flu. Unprepared – we, both Lizzie and I, caught it at the beginning of July from Vacation Bible School – high fevers and down and out the entire month of July. I’ll admit it was a strong flu, but it wasn’t something that we couldn’t handle and are just fine now – without any vaccine! There will not be any vaccines for this household. They are producing way too much, way too fast. Our school nurse even opted out. No one should have to tell you to vaccinate for this, if you do not want to. I believe it is the parent’s call for our children, not the government’s.
Make it available for those that want it – otherwise – just like the regular flu shot – move on.”
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Leslie Lyltle of OmMama, Yoga for the Childbearing Years, submitted an article to help moms work through medical decisions, and here are a few tips to help prevent the spread of the Swine Flu. Of course, ASK YOUR DOCTOR before making any decisions for your family and children:
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc…
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
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