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Saturday, February 21, 2015

Random Acts Of Kindness Adventure 2015 Week 2



First of all, thanks to everyone who thought to send prayers and
good wishes for Spencer today!  He had to go to the hospital
and under general anesthesia for a teeth cleaning.
He had some tarter build up that was under some of his
gums and he wasn't about to let anyone clean it out
at the dentist's office.  So off he and I went this morning.
It was -6F (-21C) when we left the house!
And a strong wind made it feel much colder than that!
Since the boys had a school cancellation, The Mister didn't get to
 go with me like we had planned (he works at this hospital in
executive administration) so he stayed home with Alex and Harry.



Here he is just arriving, waiting for his IV, and in recovery.
Thank goodness we brought that iPad.  It made waiting so much better!
I told The Mister when I got home, that there's nothing that makes 
your child seem so small and vulnerable as seeing them in a hospital
bed hooked up with monitors, tubes and needles.
He fought the IV and had to have some oral sedation before trying
again but ended up doing well.  He was brave and for the most
part very cooperative.  He came out with a bloody nose from
 the breathing tube and some sore gums, but sparkling clean teeth!

All of the staff that cared for Spencer was just great.
Super kind, not rushed, very helpful and so sweet to Spence.
Brian, I found another twin of yours, too.
A male RN who was with Spencer ...looked exactly like you!
He wore a black leather skull cap with his scrubs so I 
couldn't tell if he had a hawk, but I'd bet money that he did!
Spencer liked his fist bump in place of a hand shake.  He was big
and stern looking but you could just tell he had a big heart.

I was looking for someone for my RAK adventure!  I've 
 been home with the boys this week with school cancellations
and haven't been out and on my own to work on it!
Well, I found her in post-op.  Nora, Spencer's nurse in Recovery.  
She didn't just do her job well, she went above and beyond
 and chatted while we waited for Spencer to wake up. 
 She inquired about his autism, the rest of my family,
 and told me about her grown kids
that have some issues of their own.  She recommended a doctor
that we might want to see and wrote down his name and website.
She had concerns of her own but cared enough to do more
than her job with us.  I typed her name into my phone so I
wouldn't forget and I'm sending a little treat to her tomorrow
through The Mister.  I hope she's touched by a loaf of my
 Sugar Glazed Poppy Seed Bread and a note.
  She certainly deserves a special thanks!



******

If you did a RAK this week and want to share, just post about
it on your blog and link up here!
Don't forget to visit the others who participate!
And thanks for spreading a little love where you live!

Link will be open until Saturday, Feb 21st 5:00 PM EST







72 comments:

  1. You and Nora both deserve an award. I love when folks in the professional world go above and beyond when it comes to the people they serve.
    Cute pictures of Spence.
    :0)

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    Replies
    1. And you deserve and award for being first! ha. Where's Keith!?

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  2. So glad everything worked out. And thank God for helpful staff - makes all the difference. Your loaf looks amazing and she will love it! I have been hibernating because of the extreme cold and difficulty I have navigating so I am not sure what my RAK will be. Have to put on my thinking cap... or fur hat!

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    Replies
    1. The cold is making us have to think a little harder! Do you have a doorman in your complex? Neighbor in your building that might need some TLC? Maybe your pantry has a little treat already there and ready to give.

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    2. We don't have a concierge and my pantry is pretty bare at the moment... but I will think of something. Thanks for the suggestions. xx

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  3. What sweet pictures of Spencer. I 'm sure Nora will be thrilled with your personal note and loaf of bread. Sugar glazed poppyseed bread sound wonderful. I'm tired of making banana bread. Have you posted the recipe?

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    1. I don't think I've ever posted it! I will soon...it's been a favorite for years.

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  4. I'm happy to read that Spencer did well, it's always such a worrying time to be sedated.
    We have been confined to the house for five days, mostly because of ice and snow, but I did fix my dear neighbor a bowl of beef stew and cornbread. and offered to deliver it to her door.
    Not much of a RAK I know, but my heart was in the right place.
    The loaf looks delicious !
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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    Replies
    1. Dinner for your neighbor is a wonderful RAK! How thoughtful. That's the thing...it's seems like a small little deed to us but it's the thought and care behind it...just what this world needs.

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  5. Well done Spencer. And well done you for being brave for him.
    I've been buying mature cheddar and Red Leicester bread recently. SO GOOD.

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    1. That bread sounds very British and delicious!

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    2. Georgina - I live just a few miles from Sparkenhoe Farm in Leicestershire where the the genuine red Leicester cheese originated in the 1700's, and it is still made there. The real taste of it is far superior to the imitation Leicester cheeses made elsewhere.

      Sorry for hi-jacking your comments, Betsy.

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    3. I think she meant "cheese", not Red bread. Iv'e never seen or heard of it.

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    4. I was hoping you would comment, since it was about Leicester! Maybe she made bread using cheddar and red leicester? She'll tell us!

      Georgina!!!!

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    5. No no. The bread is made with mature cheddar cheese and red Leicester cheese but it really is bread. From the wonderful Marks & Spencer bakery department just down the road from our office. I ought to learn how to make cheese bread I suppose but there's always so much to do. For example I have to taste test roasted garlic with Mediterranean herbs pitta chips. Life is so tough!

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    6. It sounds delicious! And why bake it if the bakery so close does a fantastic job! Lucky you!

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  6. Touching base over here and exploring your posts. Spencer's gum will be a bit sore.

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    Replies
    1. Well, hi Peaches! Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I imagine Spencer will be a bit sore for a few days!

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  7. Im really happy all goes well with Spencer, he looks cute and relaxed:)

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  8. Every hospital (doctors office, dentist, school, grocery store), should have a Mara!!!

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  9. So glad that the procedure is over! I prayed for him as soon as I woke up. I have had a wonderful nurse with my oral surgery stuff...I plan to surprise her next week on my follow up visit...what a difference a compassionate caregiver makes!

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    Replies
    1. How fun....she will be so surprised! Yes, it really makes all the difference. Like I said, everyone was great and did their job well, but she just went the extra mile when she didn't have to and I appreciated it so much.

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  10. I am so pleased (and relieved) that Spencer is ok and had his treatment successfully. I loved the kindness to him and you displayed throughout his stay in hospital. Nora is truly deserving and it is lovely that you chose her for your RAK. God will also bestow his own special RAK on you one day Betsy for being such a wonderful mother and person ~ we all love you . . . . :)

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    1. I'm kind of excited to have chosen her. It will be a complete surprise to her. So fun! :)

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  11. I'm glad all went well with Spencer, and he was so good and didn't give his mother an excuse to grind her teeth! I can see that some train pictures will soon be steaming their way to Cedarville from the Mother Country!

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    Replies
    1. Well, you know they will love that! I really tried not to grind my teeth today. I was calm...but I couldn't sleep last night knowing what we were doing today! ha.

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  12. I prayed for Spencer this morning and I'm glad to hear it went well for the most part. IV's are not fun, but a wonderful RN can make all the difference with their friendliness and by going above and beyond!! Very happy Nora was there for you both. Marla

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    1. Thanks for thinking of us, Marla! I really appreciate that! The nurse that did the IV was wonderful, too! Nora was our nurse in the recovery. They were all great, really! Maybe I should have made more bread? hahaha....

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    2. The bread sounds delish and I'm sure she'll love it! This gives me an idea to take something special to those who will be helping me in Cleveland. I'm not near the wonderful cook that you are but I have a few other things in mind!

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    3. I think that's a wonderful idea! So nice of you, too....make sure you let me know what you ended up taking! So fun!

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  13. Bless it! I'm so glad Spencer did well. It sounds like the nurse was sharing kindness to you and Spencer, too, and I'm sure your kindness to her tomorrow will be just as well received. Have a great weekend. I know your temps are so much colder than ours, but I felt like we were really having winter today. Our temps were 29 de F at lunch time and I don't even know what the wind chill was....but I dare to say....it was cold enough to kill hogs. Ha!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. lol...well, if you have a dog, I hope he's inside staying alive! haha... Yes, super cold here...something like -40 with the strong wind gusts. Amazing! There was sunshine, though, which helped a little in the jeep. (that and heated seats!!)

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    2. OMG! Hogs, hogs.....not dogs. Lol!! I'm still cracking up!

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    3. OH! lol.....that's better! Frozen ham. yum. Need to put my glasses on!

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  14. Glad he did well
    And all is now swell
    Well besides the bloody nose
    Hate when that flows
    I'm a pro at the IV stuff
    Every week I get their fluff
    A great thing to do too
    For the nurse at your zoo
    And Brian has another twin?
    Can he gawk for the win?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He has another twin, yes.
      That makes us triplets, I guess? ha.
      I'm glad Spence doesn't need an IV every week.
      I think that would make my stress peak.
      Might just be the last straw, too
      as I crack up and turn coo coo!

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    2. lol you mean you aren't already there
      At your lair?

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    3. Respect your elders, you!
      I might hit you with my shoe!

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    4. lol can you throw far enough?
      I'll stay out of range from stuff

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    5. Can I throw far enough?
      How dare you say that stuff!
      I lift my girlie weights every day.
      Far I can throw, that I will say.
      I can even aim well, to your dismay!

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  15. I'm so glad it all worked out well.

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    1. Thanks, Hilary! I could feel you all thinking of us!

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  16. So glad Spencer's teeth cleaning went well! I'll be late tomorrow or Saturday with my RAK but I'll be back. ;)

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    1. So glad you're joining in! Anytime Friday or Saturday is just fine!

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  17. So glad that things went well with Spencer. Hopefully he doesn't put you through that next time. Nice to know that all of the staff was so good with him.

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    1. Yes, hopefully not next time! ha. I really don't want to have to do that again!

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  18. Looking at everyone's RAKs - fun!

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  19. Replies
    1. Thank you! We gingerly brushed teeth last night and he seems fine this morning!

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  20. Well, all the best to Spencer; the dentist is never fun for anyone - except, possibly, the dentist (when did you last see a poor one?).

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    1. Well now, isn't that the truth! Can you imagine our bill for this? Ha.

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  21. I'm sure Nora will enjoy and appreciate your bread!!!
    xx

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    Replies
    1. I think she will be very surprised! I can't wait for the mister to come home and tell me what happened. :)

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  22. I am sure that Nora certainly appreciated your thoughtfulness and your kind words. Hope all is well with Spencer. I appreciate you for doing this RAK this month....sure opens my mind to all the good that I can do to make a difference in a life.
    Blessings to you

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    1. I hear she was totally surprised and really touched! So glad! :)

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  23. Hello there! Searching my memory now .. did I perform a RAK this past week? Wish I could say yes, but alas I have been an old stick-in-the-mud! Reading about the great hospital staff and Spencers's experience (yours too) inspire me to "get busy" make it happen this week! I still have today and Saturday! I have missed visiting you ... lots going on in our lives now. Stay warm, be safe!

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    1. Helen! How are you? A stick in the mud? I don't believe it. haha. If you miss this week, join in next Friday....we'd love for you to!

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  24. Morning Betsy....
    Who wouldn't love a beautifully presented gift like that?
    She certainly made quite an impression on you...I think Nurses are wonderful...my Mom was a Nurse....takes a special kind of person...
    Glad that dear Spencer made it thru ok....ahhhhh the trials and tribulations of having kids,eh?
    Great job....
    Enjoy your day....3 degrees here....boyfriend and I are going to "bundle" up, and brave a beach walk.....:o)
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. My mom was a nurse, too....but stopped working when I was born.
      Spencer made it...I made it. All is well! haha.
      I heard you're in the 30's down there! Ugh!

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  25. I agree with you Betsy, there's nothing more scary as seeing your child in such a vulnerable way. I hope everything is well with you and your family. And I have to say that poppy seed bread looks delicious!! :)

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    1. Thanks, Carmen! I'll have to post the recipe soon. Yes, we survived and are doing well. Today was a nice, relaxing recup day for us!

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  26. As I mentioned, I've not really been able to get out this week. So I was racking my brain. Then it came to me. We have a huge recycling area in our condo basement. People leave all sorts of things there - some junk, some treasures. All depends on your perspective. So I decided to pack up a bunch of things that I know longer use and leave them there with little signs to say what they are and that they are still in working order. Even if an individual decides its not for them, they get put in a huge yard sale that we have once a year and the proceeds go to the social committee. So a win-win. Plus I get rid of some things without putting them in the trash. AND I didn't have to go outside! :-D

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    1. That worked out very well! And not going outside was the best! haha. :)

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  27. Drats! I am thinking on Central time and racing to make it! Serves me right this week!! xoxo ~ t.

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  28. Happy to know that Spencer now has sparkling teeth and he looks so adorable in the pictures..pls do share the recipe of your bread..

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