Baby Corner

[chnst 6]

ditto what Evi said... We took Ben when he was 6 months old and so easy going. He was all smiles and happy. now it'####### or miss and he loses his patience after 20 seconds and tries to destroy things...

So the dermatologist thinks it doesn't look good compared to the other moles and birth marks he has on his body. So instead of just removing the mole superficially she wants us to go see a surgeon who does oncology and plastic surgery on children (very hard to find even in NYC). She wants it to be removed by the surgeon because they go deeper and they will probably also remove the whole lymph node if the mole is bad. She was very nice and she said that there is a good chance that it is benign but in case its not she just wants it to be removed wholly instead of having to do 2 surgeries.

So we called all the surgeons she referred us to (3 in the NY area) and neither takes our insurance... So since it will be somewhat extensive surgery that will probably cost a ton of money out of pocket, we called our insurance company and they gave us some numbers of places within the network. We found a doctor who will do another consult next week, then schedule surgery since they don't correspond with the dermatologist we saw today. So friggin complicated. But I am glad we got the appointment next week and then can schedule the surgery asap.

[Eveline 9]

Ah I'm so sorry Chnst. Will they do a biopsy on it eventually? I'm glad you get to move forward though and the doc wants someone else to check it out to. It's just something that you don't want to hear about when it comes to your own child. Good luck with everything. I hope Ben will be better again soon.

[TracyTN 237]

Thanks all for the info about pictures.

I'm glad you had a doctor for Ben who seems level headed (about minimizing the number of surgeries and being safe instead of sorry). Still I know this had to be hard to hear - esp. as you don't REALLY know anything for sure yet. You seem calm about it - are you really doing ok?

Poor Ben!!

[chnst 6]

thanks. yeah it's weird I feel a lot more calm now I was last week. I guess I am past the first freak out. I was hoping that she would just remove it today and send it in. The fact that she wants us to see another specialist and do more extensive surgery makes it seem more serious, but I just want to be positive until we find out after they biopsied the whole thing.

It's so easy to get overwhelmed with negative thoughts but I just want to think he will be fine.

He seems so healthy and he is only 2 years old plus there is no family history of melanoma so we are just hoping it will come back just fine.

[MARM 7]

thanks. yeah it's weird I feel a lot more calm now I was last week. I guess I am past the first freak out. I was hoping that she would just remove it today and send it in. The fact that she wants us to see another specialist and do more extensive surgery makes it seem more serious, but I just want to be positive until we find out after they biopsied the whole thing.

It's so easy to get overwhelmed with negative thoughts but I just want to think he will be fine.

He seems so healthy and he is only 2 years old plus there is no family history of melanoma so we are just hoping it will come back just fine.

Hopefully the biopsy will come back fine. It's great that you have an appointment next week for the pre-surgery consult. Stay positive!

[JVKn'CVO 11]

thanks. yeah it's weird I feel a lot more calm now I was last week. I guess I am past the first freak out. I was hoping that she would just remove it today and send it in. The fact that she wants us to see another specialist and do more extensive surgery makes it seem more serious, but I just want to be positive until we find out after they biopsied the whole thing.

It's so easy to get overwhelmed with negative thoughts but I just want to think he will be fine.

He seems so healthy and he is only 2 years old plus there is no family history of melanoma so we are just hoping it will come back just fine.

oh no, poor Ben! at least now you have an action plan and can move forward. Keep us posted

Saludos,

Caro

[Anna C. 4]

@ Steffi: I actually like the approach of that doctor, she just wants to really make sure which I like. Usually docs here in the US tell me blabla nothing bad don't worry go home... Better be safe than sorry. I'm sorry though that you have to wait longer and have to go through such a hassle with finding an in-network provider. All this stuff is so frustrating, I never had such issues in Germany, but I guess it's the nature of the local system... Yikes. Good luck for a speedy appointment and biopsy.

I had my appointment today which went great, my fundal height is on track and not behind or ahead (which it was before, haha)... She's doing great! I had a cup of coffee afterwards with my doula who is totally awesome. Not only are we on the same page when it comes to pregnancy and birth, it turns out also political and religiously... That's so nice cause she totally gets me and vice versa. I am so glad that she will be there for me during labor and birth! She knows massage and aromatherapy which we will employ this time too....She'll be at my next appointment and the following birthing refresher class with hubbie and Jona and then oh my, soon enough, it will be time for the birth!

Kelly, Steffi do you have any intuition or guess for when your LO's will be born?

[chnst 6]

@ Steffi: I actually like the approach of that doctor, she just wants to really make sure which I like. Usually docs here in the US tell me blabla nothing bad don't worry go home... Better be safe than sorry. I'm sorry though that you have to wait longer and have to go through such a hassle with finding an in-network provider. All this stuff is so frustrating, I never had such issues in Germany, but I guess it's the nature of the local system... Yikes. Good luck for a speedy appointment and biopsy.

I had my appointment today which went great, my fundal height is on track and not behind or ahead (which it was before, haha)... She's doing great! I had a cup of coffee afterwards with my doula who is totally awesome. Not only are we on the same page when it comes to pregnancy and birth, it turns out also political and religiously... That's so nice cause she totally gets me and vice versa. I am so glad that she will be there for me during labor and birth! She knows massage and aromatherapy which we will employ this time too....She'll be at my next appointment and the following birthing refresher class with hubbie and Jona and then oh my, soon enough, it will be time for the birth!

Kelly, Steffi do you have any intuition or guess for when your LO's will be born?

yeah... I was up all night worrying about Ben, then today at work I was a lot more optimistic and when I just got home and the first thing I see on his neck is his bump I could just break down and cry. The not-knowing is what is killing me. And not knowing what to expect, how big the surgery is, what exactly they will do etc. I wish I had asked the doc yesterday!

About this baby to be- IDK, no guesses. Ben was born 3 days before his due date, but this one has been transverse for weeks now. My mom's second baby was transverse (me!) and she had to have a c/s. Then she had a vbac with my sister, I heard that this runs in families for some reason so we shall see. My pelvis isn't giving any worse trouble, so I am hoping for a normal delivery. My guess Feb 18th. Or Valentinesday would be sweet but that would be 2 weeks early.

That reminds me- i need to buy a carseat. I got an email today Babies r us has free shipping and 20% off all baby gear.

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Im guessing 1-2 weeks before my due date. IDK why but I just do. I feel like medically something is going to make me have this baby earlier than my due date.

I had an OB appt 2 days ago and my BP creeped up when they took it 140/90 so about 5 minutes later they retook it and it was 128/74, which is what its been my whole pregnancy. Well the OB declared me high risk now due to high BP with Zaid and I have weekly visits now. In about 3 weeks Ill have a sizing ultrasound to determine how big she is. I think I mentioned before but Doc doesnt want me delivering another 9lber and i personally dont want to either. I dont want to be induced but I just dont think I could handle that again.

Whats all the kids getting for xmas? Zaid keeps telling me santa clause is bringing him semi trucks and trains! lol he is right! Im soo excited for him this year!

Stef, have fun car seat shopping. Theres still so much I need to get in preparation for Salma. Simple things but a lot of stuff nevertheless.

[Staashi 371]

Hi all! I haven't checked in with you all in awhile...work is now blocking sites like VJ so I don't even try, and who has time to come on when they get home??? Enzo is doing awesome! Getting so big and looking like a little boy everyday - acting like one too!

@ Steffi - my thoughts and prayers are with you. My sissie had stage 3 melanoma and it was no picnic - she looked so healthy and you would have never known. It was simple twist of fate that I even noticed the mole. It was on her back, about a centimeter from her spinal column. I saw it after a water aerobics class when we were changing. The dermatologist said, "Oh, it's probably nothing." Two days later it came back as melanoma. Within 2 weeks she had surgery where they removed the mole...it had gone and wrapped itself around some of the spine. She had 7 lymph nodes that came back as "hot" and they were removed. I look at her and think of what she went through - fortunately she didn't have to have chemo or radiation. It is scary, but I'm glad you have a proactive physician. That is the most important thing. When it comes to all of this I don't want some doctor who is going to pussyfoot around the issue.

@Kelly - good luck with Salma. I hope your BP comes down.

@ Vi - so happy about your business.

@ Caro - WTG on your Associates! Sebas reminds me of Messi

Merry Christmas to you all! May God bless us, everyone!

[JVKn'CVO 11]

The Muzzy language learning system that I ordered for Sebastian did not come in one but in FIVE languages: Spanish, English, German, Italian and French! I'm so excited! I'll need to watch along with him!

@ Caro - WTG on your Associates! Sebas reminds me of Messi

Thanks! You're not the first one to tell me the Messi thing, but I don't see it. Sebastian's way cuter that Messi

Saludos,

Caro

Edited December 18, 2010 by JVKn'CVO

[chnst 6]

Caro: that sounds cool, I have to look into that for Ben. His german is slacking. I try to just speak german to him when I am home and he looks at me like "what??!" He understands single words but he doesn't speak sentences.

Staashi: thank you. I always associated melanoma with sunburn or adults. I didn't even know it doesn't have to be associated with sun damage or being older. So glad you caught your sisters mole, she is lucky!

Kelly: I bought the safety first air infant seat, they only have it online so no 20% off. But I got free shipping. Supposedly the weight limit is 35lbs and extra leg room so the baby can go rear facing longer than in the other infant seats. I remember Ben outgrew his infant seat at 3 months and we pretty much used the convertible from the beginning.

wow I am getting huge. I tried carrying a laundry basket through the bedroom door last night and it didn't fit, I crahsed into the wall and smashed my belly into it! ouch.

oh and another good news- Ben is almost potty trained! He finally pooped on the toilet last night!!! We didn't buy diapers in so long because he is down to 1 or 2 diapers a day and he even wakes up dry in the morning most of the time. pheww.

[Ban Hammer 13,474]

baby boy got new car seats, he's outgrown the other ones.

Graco Nautilus - it's like a space shuttle seat!

[Eveline 9]

Good choice Charles. We have two of those too. I really really like the Nautilus and it's affordable too.

@Chnst: Yay for pottytraining Ben. Allie has spent the whole week without any accidents. Sometimes her napdiaper is dry but at night we definetely still need a diaper. I'm so proud of her for finally figuring it out. She's only one month behind Adam. He was trained at 27 months, Allie at 28...yay...Actually I didn't do any training, I just let them do it and ask every now and then and I tell them (well Adam can do it by himself) to tell me when they have to pee.

[chnst 6]

he still forgets sometimes when we are out and he is wearing pants and he pees himself. For longer car rides we use a diaper, its such a pain to take the carseat covers off. (I still hate the radian carseat so much). yay for Allie going diaperless! It's so nice to finally get to this point! I hope she's not using the toybox as a potty anymore though! Ben gets really stubborn sometimes when I ask him to go potty, he likes to decline. Bribery was my friend (stickers and his adventcalendars, hehe) and he totally changed his mind for a little treat.

I like the Nautilus. I think its one of Graco's best carseats because it's padded nicely and the cupholder is a huge bonus. Doesn't it also have a booster seat function? I contemplated buying one for backup but he still fits in the Evenflo convertible.