Gabriel's Medical Notebook

I love notebooks, I have a notebook for EVERYTHING!! I mentioned to one of Gabriel's nurses that I need to start a notebook for to keep track of Gabriel's appointments, medications, and all of his medical information. She went and grabbed a HUGE notebook put together by the hospital.


If you have a child or family member with a chronic illness ask a nurse or social worker in his doctors office or hospital if they have one. This is how I personalized Gabriel's!!


I didn't need the 3 inch binder so I'm using a 1 inch Cars binder. This is the picture on the cover.I have 12 tab dividers, 3 manila 2-sided pocket dividers, ruled notebook paper and a plastic sleeve that holds business cards.

Here are the tab details.

1. Calendar

Monthly Calendar- appointments
A day in the life of page- it lists his routine
My Care Schedule page- his daily medication and line care

2. Personal

All About Me page- personal info, ssn, allergies
About My Family page- parent and sibling info, religous info, and emergency contact
My Primary Care Provider page- Pediatrician name, address, phone, office hours, after hour procedure, and directions to office.

3.Clinic

My Specialists page- clinic name, doctor name, address & phone
I also place his discharge forms from his visits here

4.Lab/Tests

This is where I put all of the results from his lab work or test. I just ask one of his nurse's to print them out.

5. Procedures

Procedure Log page- date, procedure name, finding, comments
Information handouts about the procedure

6. Pharmacy

My Medications page- list allergies, name and phone number to pharmacy. Date started med, date stopped med, medication name, dose, time(s) given and prescribed by
Information sheets about medication

7. Hospital

Hospitalizations page- date admitted/discharged, reason, notes, hospital
Emergency Room Visits page- date, emergency, what treatment worked best, hospital
Hospital telephone directory
Directions
Local restaurants- name, address, phone
Discharge papers

8. Home Health Care Agency- I use company name
Nursing Visit Record- summary form from visit

9. Insurance

Financial Medical Resources page- Insurance company name, address, phone/fax number, policy number, and contact person
Referral approvals from ins. comp.
Medical Bill Payments page- date of service, provider, total cost, amount insurance paid, amount family owes, date paid

10. Diagnosis

I put information about his diagnosis. Handouts from doctors office and information printed from internet.

11. Resources

Family Support Resources page- parent groups, religious organizations , counseling services information
Community Service Providers page
List of county services and referrals

12. Equipment/Supplies

Equipment/Supplies page- list of medical equipment and company providing it and medical supplies
Service Document- receipt for medical supply delivery

Pocket Dividers

Notebook Paper

Business Card Holder page- medical card, business cards for dr's, home health care contacts and nurses.

Here are some links:

Care Organizing Tools - printable pages to make your own notebook, towards middle of page

American Academy of Pediatrics - Build your own Care Notebook

A great blog

I love this blog called By Sun and Candlelight!! It has wonderful homemaking & homeschool ideas.

Check out the Monthly Ideas.

Christmas in July

It's time to start getting ready for that time of year!! Check out Magical Holiday Home for all things Christmas in July.


My plans so far:

1. Round-up unused Christmas cards from last season.

2. Go through Christmas Notebook- add/remove sections for 2008.

3. Update address list.

4. Decide on theme.

5. Print pages for the Holiday Grand Plan.

6. Start sewing projects.

7. Gather and organize holiday recipies.

8. Start collecting ideas for Christmas Fairies. Add section to notebook.

For some more ideas for CIJ and other holiday go to the Magical Holiday Home Forum. That's all I can think of for now.

Update: Still alive but I need a nap!

I'm back from the mother ship!!! Just kidding! I can't believe it's been a year since my last post. So much has happened I don't know where to start.

Our fourth child Gabriel Saint James, was born September 12, 2007, he is almost 10 months old. I tried to add some photos, my computer is not willing.

In January he became ill. He needed a blood transfusion and was hospitalized. February, he went back to the hospital for another transfusion and some more tests. His Doctor was looking for cancer, during his cat-scan (no cats were found) it showed that there was a problem with his spleen(His spleen and liver had been enlarged). He was rushed off to emergency surgery to have it removed. He was bleeding internally, the doctor said it fell apart after he removed it.

Gabriel has had about 8 hospital stays, his diagnosis is HLH and Mature T-Cell Leukemia. They have never seen a baby with this type of leukemia before. I can post some info and links later. He has the most wonderful doctors on the planet. I am so thankful for every doctor, nurse and staff member who has helped our son.


Being the geek that I am, I was very excited to see school supplies at wal-mart. I've been getting a few things every time I go.

I have found so many great blogs and websites, I'm going to post links later.

What am I doing for fun?

Christmas in July

Checking out homeschool & homemaking blogs- I love to see the ideas & creativity of other ladies and their families.

Gardening- I haven't had a lot of time to work in my garden this year. Mother Nature is kicking me in my khakis!!

Shelby & Zoey made blankets and pillows for their dolls. I have photos to share later.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!!

Don't forget your sunblock or common sense when using fireworks.

Rhubarb Cake

Cake:

3/4 cup margarine

2 cups sugar

1 egg

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

2 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 cups rhubarb, chopped

*

Topping:

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1 tsp. cinnamon

Cream together all cake ingredients and pour into a greased and floured 9x13 pan. Before baking combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over the top of the batter. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Apple Pie Recipe

This recipe is for a 9 inch deep dish apple pie. The recipe came from the bottom of the pie plate I was given. It's a little different, it use white sugar instead of brown and doesn't include vanilla- which I add.

Apple Pie

8 apples - peeled, cored, and sliced

1 cup white sugar

2 tbs all-purpose flour

1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

pinch of ground cloves

1/4 tsp salt

2 tbs butter

*vanilla- not a listed ingredient, but I add some

2 unbaked pie crusts

Combine apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and *vanilla in a bowl. Roll out one pie crust and line the pie plate.

Place apple mixture in the pie plate. Dot with butter. Roll out second pie crust and place on top of apple mixture. Cut vents into top pie crust. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Turn oven down to 275 and bake for 40-50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender.

*

2 unbaked pie crusts
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup crisco
5 tbs cold water (some flour brands may need more water)

And baby makes #4

This fall we'll be expecting Baby #4!!! We found out were having a boy, Gabriel.

I'm due September 12th, but I've managed to be late with every baby. How's that for consistent?

Long time no see

Hello again!!

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. We are out in the country now!! The kids are having alot of fun. They get to spend so much time outside running around and being really loud, they're in heaven.

I have also started a garden, it's huge. I got a little excited, it's about 1000 sq ft! My plan was to have a garden that I could mix vegetables and flowers together and still have enough room to walk through. I hate trying to pick one thing while your standing on another.

My vision (work with me) was an English Country Garden. Little patches of vegetables and paths with flowers along side and statues scattered around. Well, I have some little patches of vegetables in, I have alot more to put out. I have an Angel statue out and some other little ornaments. For Mother's day I received some stepping stones and trellis'. After I get my veggies out I want to put my flowers in. It's fenced with a gate that will be lovely once my husband puts hinges on it!! I also have a small table and chair near the entrance.

My biggest challenge has been trying to picture how big the plants will be in the future. It looks so sparse right now, but I have to remember that they will get bigger.

Here is a list of whats already in the garden:

Sweet Peas, Collard Greens, Cabbage , Carrots, Strawberries, Brussel Sprouts, Garlic, Radish, Sunflowers, Onions & Rhubarb.

Sitting in a cute little wagon waiting to be planted:

Squash, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Sweet Pea flowers & Hollyhock. Pumpkins are going outside the fence behind the garden.

Still in the greenhouse:

Cucumber, Wax Beans, Squash, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach & Corn.

I had put out some corn out earlier, but it was abducted by aliens!! So.....chin up, and start over!

I'll take pictures of the garden & greenhouse today.

Ma! Put your kettle in the wagon we're moving to the countryside!!!!

Happy Holidays!!!

I'm very excited about our current move. However, weeks before Christmas is not the time I'd recommend moving.

We'll be moving onto 1.25 acres. My parents are on one corner of the property and we'll be on the opposite corner. With plenty of room for the kids to run between. I hope they don't have a problem getting over the moat.

The only downside to the countryside is my internet options. I will only be able to get dial-up. I've had broadband for so long, I'll miss you!!

So with all the packing, moving & unpacking I won't be able to post until after the holidays. Bummer.

I hope to be back as soon as possible to ramble on about something that's really not that serious!!!

Merry Christmas,

Lady Montgomery