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Feeling Ok and Going to the Library...Any suggestions?Submitted by Resolution on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 3:15pm.
So, I've got a confession to make: I've been lurking about. I wanted to get my head together some before I got back online, so all my blogs wouldn't be QUITE so negative...I hope that it'll be better, so here goes: 1) The Lamictal feels like it's helping. I'm on 50 mg, and I increase every two weeks, so by the time this baby is born I'll be on 75. They have to increase it slowly so that I am not susceptable to Steven-Johnson's Syndrome, an illness that can leave horrible blisters and burns from the inside out. The Haldol works so-so. It takes the anxiety away, but it leaves me trembling at times, so I have to take Benedryl with it to stop the tremors. I'm not sleeping much better, but I am getting better, so I think it's a blessing that I am even feeling better AT ALL. 2) BABY IS GOOD! Three more weeks til c/s. Decided on 08/08/08 for the due date. 3) I LOVE JON AND KATE PLUS EIGHT. I know. It's just an addiction, and having 8 kids makes me feel like I have much less of a burden and more of a challenge. 4) DH's family got us everything we PUT on our registry. EVERYTHING. I didn't think this was going to happen, but they felt for us since we didn't have stuff left from E...SO I got everything I wanted, without having to pay for it! I've never registered before, because I picked up stuff here and there...but I also was working more with each of them...didn't have to go on bedrest as early as I have with this one. 5) Going to the library today...so I need books, books, books. Any good ideas for parents and kids? I need fodder for my brain and soul. Thanks to dragonchic, I'm looking for channeling books, but I am a VERY fast reader (I can go through a 500+ page in one day)...so I need a few ideas. I hope that all is well with you Mamas. I've been enjoying the posts...they've been just as good as reading books I Love John and Kate plus eight, it is totally addicitve. I think I have now seen every episode, now that they are re-running it. It make me think that life with one should be a piece of cake. I learned about Steven Johnson's syndrome today - but we learned about it as a reaction to a dump of endotoxin in the body due to antibiotic treatment of certain types of bacteria. Interesting. As for books, I like "On Parenting ". The author's name is Gott, I think. Congrats on the baby goodies. I hope you keep feeling better. But, post if you don't. Don't worry about being a bummer. Sunflower the unflower I really hope the meds keep working better and better. I don't know how long you are supposed to give things like Haldol to work w/o side effects (or if they go away at all), but I just thought I'd throw out the idea that you could talk to the doctor about it. I'm glad DH's family came through big time! That's really nice. And phew- three weeks! yippee!!! Because I was just on vacation I've just read a lot of books (I read really fast too and there was no boob tube or internet where we were! So! books books books for me too). Mostly these are novels, because that's what I read. I don't have any ideas for kids, per se, since The Wee isn't here, yet! But here are what I just finished and liked, The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Her use of language is elegant and eloquent, much more so than mine! hah. Takes place shortly after WWII in Japan, Hong Kong. A love story, more or less. She's kind of an old-fashioned writer, although this particular book was published just a few years ago, 2004, I think. I also recommend her The Bay of Noon, which I read a long time ago. I also need to read Transit of Venus, that's what she is most known for. In the Woods by Tara French. Sort of a murder-mystery, told from the perspective of a detective who is, of course, deeply flawed. Sounds trite, I know, but she really makes it work: I was riveted. okay- I have to run! Be back with more ideas later... It's to replace more "common" antipsychotics like Lorazepam, Xanax, etc. I've had the others before for "nerves" before, and they don't affect me adversely (ie- make me a zombie...I guess I should've known then that I was bipolar). The other meds can cause heart problems at birth, "floppy baby syndrome", higher risk of SIDS, etc. Haldol is MUCH better for that. My bipolar meds make it to where I cannot breastfeed, so the after birth part of medication may not be as tricky... about the other meds and the babe!!!! Glad at least that there is an end in sight for the Haldol side-effects. vibes, mama! Can't wait to meet the new babe. And i don't know too much about parents and kids either, but i am a big escapist reader from way back so i have some suggestions for thoughtful diversion. NOt quite a parenting book, but lots of fun nonetheless. I actually read a lot of Vonnegut while I was reading the Illuminati trilogy. I felt like it kept me sane. Sunflower the unflower As far as parenting books and whatnot, I really like Everyday Blessings, and Tears and Tantrums. As far as fun books, I am currently reading House of Leaves (omg, btw, I have to start a blog about that book because it is so scary, so I don't recommend it to someone looking for a peaceful time, even though it it a totally kick-ass book). If you're going for some super fun, I really really loved Mysts of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer-Bradley. It's fantastical and puts you in a beautiful land where women are empowered and witchcraft rules until all of the knights come in with their single god. It's so FUN! I also like Leslie Marmon Silko's Almanac of the Dead, as well as Gardens in the Dunes. If you like flowers and are into Native American literature, that last one is really beautiful. The first one is a little more apocalyptic. The Bone People, by Keri Hulme is another book that I highly recommend, it is the story of a young boy, a white woman who won the lottery and built herself a castle, and the Maori father of the boy, who runs away constantly and hangs with the woman. It's overarching themes have to do with the Maori and white clash in New Zealand, but it's wonderfully written and one of those books that you can't put down. All three of these women writers made me feel whole again with their wonderful imagery. I also love Barbara Kingsolver, cause she's great at doing that. You might look for something by her. I also like any of the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett if you're looking for fun and adventure! |
An Unquiet Mind - Kay Redfield Jameson , a clinical psychologist and expert on bipolar's own journey with manic depression, a very good memoir.
The Birth House -
Chronicaler of the Winds - Henning Mankell, a story of a group of street kids in post-colonial Mozambique, but it is an indescribably good read
The Blue Jay's Dance - Louise Erdich, a diary of pregnancy and the first year of motherhood, very honest (also be her Love Medicine, the Beet Queen are good)
Cavedweller - Dorothy Allison , awesome read
Prodigal Summer - Barbara Kingsolver
All Aunt Hagar's Children - great short stories, won Pulitzer, Edward P. Jones
PARENTING-
EveryDay Blessings- mindful parenting by the Kabat-Zinn's, I flip through it rather than reading in order, but find it very calming in the midst of storms.
Positive Discipline A-Z - some practical tips for specific struggles
New book by Ariel Gore is also awesome!