Friday, January 30, 2009
We have an offical date!!
Well I had an ob appt today and we are offically scheduled for March the 11th at 8:00am unless ravyn decides to come early! Everything was measuring right on schedule and fine at my appt. The doc said everything looked great!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ravyn's Room is finally finished
It has been a family affair getting Ravyn's room finished but it is finally done. It is so cute I love it!!! I would like to say a special thanks to uncle jim, auntie lindsay, and meemaw for helping us get it all painted and decorated. I am finally feeling ready and prepared for this little girl to make her appearance.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Daddy's Interview
C.R. was interviewed by the columbus newspaper a few weeks ago. The article came out this past week. Just wanted to post it online so everyone could enjoy. We are so proud of daddy!!
General surgeons needed in U.S. ... stat!
Shortage may hurt rural areas most, experts say
Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:29 AM
By Misti Crane
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Dr. C.R. Hall of Ohio State University Medical Center is an exception to the trend of fewer general surgeons. He likes the challenge of caring for the sickest patients." CHRIS RUSSELL DISPATCH
Dr. C.R. Hall of Ohio State University Medical Center is an exception to the trend of fewer general surgeons. He likes the challenge of caring for the sickest patients.
Nobody wants to wait in line for an appendectomy.
But the ranks of general surgeons, those relied upon for commonplace and sometimes urgent operations, are dwindling. The trend is alarming experts who say that patients, especially those in rural areas, are going to suffer if something doesn't change.
The reasons for the shortage are varied and include such things as political decisions and the desire of more young doctors to have better control over their work and family lives.
Contributing factors:
• More people and, therefore, more patients. The U.S. population has grown by about 60 million in the past two decades, surpassing 305 million at the beginning of this year, according to estimates from the Census Bureau.
• A shrinking pool of general surgeons. The American Medical Association says the number dropped from 27,509 in 1998 to 24,902 in 2002. More-conservative estimates now put it closer to 17,000, said Dr. George Sheldon, one of the nation's foremost authorities on the surgeon shortage.
• Increasing specialization. Even those who do choose general surgery often go on to specialize in other areas.
• No more money, no more training. The federal government caps the number of trainees it will support with taxpayer dollars.
Of gravest concern from a patient perspective is what will happen to community hospitals in rural areas, said Sheldon, who directs the American College of Surgeons' Health Policy and Research Institute at the University of North Carolina.
In more than a third of the counties that are home to critical-access rural hospitals, not a single surgeon lives in the county, Sheldon said. That doesn't mean there isn't a surgeon who travels in, but the numbers aren't reassuring to those worried about what the future holds.
The number of general surgeons per 100,000 people declined more than 25 percent in 25 years, according to a study published last year in the Archives of Surgery.
The study said that nurse practitioners and others have helped fill vacancies amid physician shortages in other areas, but that couldn't work in general surgery.
The bottom line: Without more people such as Dr. C.R. Hall, the 53 million Americans who live in rural communities could end up waiting for those appendixes to come out or enduring a drive or flight to a big city to have the surgery.
Hall, chief resident in general surgery at Ohio State University Medical Center, knew he was bucking the trend when he chose general surgery.
"I thought about orthopedic surgery because I was a jock in high school," he said.
But after he spent time in an orthopedic surgery office, he changed his mind. One guy did knees, another guy did ankles, a third guy did shoulders, and that was it -- the same joint, day after day and patient after patient.
"These guys made a lot of money, but I thought it was terrible," Hall said.
General surgery was more appealing, even if some of his classmates saw it as less prestigious and lucrative -- and more demanding -- than other options.
"I like the idea of being able to take care of the sickest patients," he said. "We do gall bladders, hernias, the bread and butter of surgeries."
And the lifestyle isn't as bad as it used to be, he said.
Just ask Dr. Thomas E. Williams Jr., an Ohio State surgery professor who studies the shortage and recalls his early years in surgery as being mostly work and little play. That's when he took calls every night and heard about it from his wife.
"I was never home for dinner with my kids," Williams said.
But with multisurgeon practices, being on call isn't an every-night thing, Hall said. His job is demanding but doesn't preclude family time with his pregnant wife and 18-month-old son.
Dr. Bhagwan Satiani, a vascular surgeon at Ohio State, said young doctors seem inclined to choose "what they call controllable lifestyle specialties -- dermatology, pathology."
Dr. Thomas Hartranft, program director of Mount Carmel Health's surgical residency program, said he doesn't foresee trouble in the city but forecasts big problems elsewhere.
"There's no question they're going to be suffering."
The primary obstacle to getting more people trained and into communities is the federal cap on how many trainees the government will pay for, Hartranft said. "Most people don't want to take on more residents without some way to pay for them."
Sheldon said it's hard to quantify patient harm related to the shortage, but that's part of what his group is studying. Of special concern are trauma patients who need urgent care.
No matter the solution, the problem won't be resolved overnight, Sheldon said.
"It takes five years to train somebody. It's demanding training, and the work after you're in practice is demanding."
mcrane@dispatch.com
General surgeons needed in U.S. ... stat!
Shortage may hurt rural areas most, experts say
Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:29 AM
By Misti Crane
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Dr. C.R. Hall of Ohio State University Medical Center is an exception to the trend of fewer general surgeons. He likes the challenge of caring for the sickest patients." CHRIS RUSSELL DISPATCH
Dr. C.R. Hall of Ohio State University Medical Center is an exception to the trend of fewer general surgeons. He likes the challenge of caring for the sickest patients.
Nobody wants to wait in line for an appendectomy.
But the ranks of general surgeons, those relied upon for commonplace and sometimes urgent operations, are dwindling. The trend is alarming experts who say that patients, especially those in rural areas, are going to suffer if something doesn't change.
The reasons for the shortage are varied and include such things as political decisions and the desire of more young doctors to have better control over their work and family lives.
Contributing factors:
• More people and, therefore, more patients. The U.S. population has grown by about 60 million in the past two decades, surpassing 305 million at the beginning of this year, according to estimates from the Census Bureau.
• A shrinking pool of general surgeons. The American Medical Association says the number dropped from 27,509 in 1998 to 24,902 in 2002. More-conservative estimates now put it closer to 17,000, said Dr. George Sheldon, one of the nation's foremost authorities on the surgeon shortage.
• Increasing specialization. Even those who do choose general surgery often go on to specialize in other areas.
• No more money, no more training. The federal government caps the number of trainees it will support with taxpayer dollars.
Of gravest concern from a patient perspective is what will happen to community hospitals in rural areas, said Sheldon, who directs the American College of Surgeons' Health Policy and Research Institute at the University of North Carolina.
In more than a third of the counties that are home to critical-access rural hospitals, not a single surgeon lives in the county, Sheldon said. That doesn't mean there isn't a surgeon who travels in, but the numbers aren't reassuring to those worried about what the future holds.
The number of general surgeons per 100,000 people declined more than 25 percent in 25 years, according to a study published last year in the Archives of Surgery.
The study said that nurse practitioners and others have helped fill vacancies amid physician shortages in other areas, but that couldn't work in general surgery.
The bottom line: Without more people such as Dr. C.R. Hall, the 53 million Americans who live in rural communities could end up waiting for those appendixes to come out or enduring a drive or flight to a big city to have the surgery.
Hall, chief resident in general surgery at Ohio State University Medical Center, knew he was bucking the trend when he chose general surgery.
"I thought about orthopedic surgery because I was a jock in high school," he said.
But after he spent time in an orthopedic surgery office, he changed his mind. One guy did knees, another guy did ankles, a third guy did shoulders, and that was it -- the same joint, day after day and patient after patient.
"These guys made a lot of money, but I thought it was terrible," Hall said.
General surgery was more appealing, even if some of his classmates saw it as less prestigious and lucrative -- and more demanding -- than other options.
"I like the idea of being able to take care of the sickest patients," he said. "We do gall bladders, hernias, the bread and butter of surgeries."
And the lifestyle isn't as bad as it used to be, he said.
Just ask Dr. Thomas E. Williams Jr., an Ohio State surgery professor who studies the shortage and recalls his early years in surgery as being mostly work and little play. That's when he took calls every night and heard about it from his wife.
"I was never home for dinner with my kids," Williams said.
But with multisurgeon practices, being on call isn't an every-night thing, Hall said. His job is demanding but doesn't preclude family time with his pregnant wife and 18-month-old son.
Dr. Bhagwan Satiani, a vascular surgeon at Ohio State, said young doctors seem inclined to choose "what they call controllable lifestyle specialties -- dermatology, pathology."
Dr. Thomas Hartranft, program director of Mount Carmel Health's surgical residency program, said he doesn't foresee trouble in the city but forecasts big problems elsewhere.
"There's no question they're going to be suffering."
The primary obstacle to getting more people trained and into communities is the federal cap on how many trainees the government will pay for, Hartranft said. "Most people don't want to take on more residents without some way to pay for them."
Sheldon said it's hard to quantify patient harm related to the shortage, but that's part of what his group is studying. Of special concern are trauma patients who need urgent care.
No matter the solution, the problem won't be resolved overnight, Sheldon said.
"It takes five years to train somebody. It's demanding training, and the work after you're in practice is demanding."
mcrane@dispatch.com
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Web baby shower Invitation!!
Hi everyone!! We are going to be doing an online baby shower! We have had lots of requests to where we are registered. All this can be found on the online baby shower. Plus there are games and more for everyone to enjoy. I will be adding some new photos and videos soon. Also there are journal entries on the site that I am going to try and keep updated. We have less than sixty days till baby Ravyn arrives!! We are getting very excited! Oh and don't forget to sign our guestbook! Here is the link http://www.webbabyshower.com/melissa/.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
My little boy is growing up !
Maximus slept in his big boy bed last night for the first time, well sort of slept in it. It took us about an hour before he quieted down enough that I knew he was asleep. When I went to check on him he had taken all the blankets off his big boy bed and made himself his own bed on the floor. So mommy put him back in his big boy bed and covered him up and he slept all night until this morning. I consider last night a success and hope tonight goes just as well. It makes mommy very sad to see him grow up so fast and daddy excited. Daddy statement last night when I told him it made me sad was don't worry you have another one coming in 55 days.
Happy Second Birthday Ella!!
My niece Ella turned to the beginning of this month. We went down this past weekend for her birthday party. Maximus had a blast playing with her and eating cake and ice cream. They are getting so big.My Little Blanky Boy!!
Maximus has never really been attached to one specific toy or item (well except for binky), however, lately he has become quite fond of his blanky. If he sees one he carries it with him everywhere. We keep this one in the car and he has to have it on him at all times while in his carseat.
WordWorld Fan
Maximus has become quite found of the show WordWorld. He dances everytime he hears it come on. This is just a very mild version of his dancing that I was able to capture on video. He usually is much more energetic with it.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Happy New Year to all!!!
We had a relaxing New Years Eve at the house. We hung out with friends and family, played games, and just relaxed. Auntie Lindsay and I made New Years lunch which was so good. It consisted of fried chicken, collard greens, deviled eggs, sweet corn bread, black eyed peas, and mashed potatoes. YYYUUMMM!!! It was so good!
Christmas in Ohio
We had a great christmas!! Memaw, Auntie Lindsay, and Uncle Jim came to see us over the christmas break. We were also lucky enough to have Auntie Lindsay and Uncle Jim stay with us throughout the New year!
Max's first trip to Disney!!
Maximus and I went to disney with Richelle and the kids the weekend before christmas and had a great time. It was not only his first time at disney but mine as well! We plan on going back, however, next time mommy is not going to be seven months preggo when we make the trip. His favorite things were the nemo ride and we watched the show at mickey mouse playhouse. I didn't think he was going to like the fireworks but he was amazed by them.Christmas in Kentucky
We had our traditional christmas in kentucky at thanksgiving this year. Here are a few pics. The bottom pic is of all the kids in attendance. We are missing jaylen but maybe he can be there next year. Also, there will be two new additions next year when Ravyn and Luke arrive in March.
My little fighter pilot
Maximus usually hates wearing hates but this is one that I have found that he will actually keep on. He is also a fan of extreme close ups hence the bottom picture LOL.
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