Online Math Tutoring: A Good Use of Screen Time

It seems like every month or so another study comes out describing the incredible amount of time kids spend online. Well, other than doing the obvious parental-type controls (no computers in bedroom, limiting texting, nanny-controls on the computer, etc.), I think we have to accept and even embrace our digital world. It's not going anywhere, and lots of it is good.

Here's an example. DD17 is taking A.P. Calculus. It's a fast-moving class with really bright kids, and she struggles with math. She's worked really, really hard to earn a spot in the class, and is doing well. However, she does need extra help understanding the difficult material, and the teacher is the impatient sort with only once-a-week extra help days.

So DD17 took it upon herself to search out options online, and found a favorite: justmathtutoring.com. When asked why she prefers this site after trying several others, she says she likes the videos (she's needs to see to understand) as well as the tutor's voice (she decided she could listen to him much longer than she could listen to some others).

Well, I think it's great. I was an introverted, math-phobic child, and a private online tutor would've been a dream come true. So when the scary studies about screen time make headlines, I think it's worth noting that the pros definitely outweigh the cons, at least in my book.

Stonyfield Giveaway

Stonyfield Yogurt had a neat giveaway advertised on their lid labels: free copies of the new edition of Anticancer, A New Way of Life. Apparently, the promotion lasted only minutes before the book was gone.

But what a great idea to promote a great book. I recently saw the author on a morning talk show, and he was really moving and positive, yet honest. I wonder if the new edition has anything interesting or groundbreaking in it. I'm debating ordering it and donating my version to the local library.

This book empowers us to take control of our lives and our diets to harness the potential cancer-fighting abilities in our own bodies. I highly, highly recommend it. And kudos to Stonyfield for helping spread the word.

Ryvita Crispbread--My New Favorite Snack Food

When the kids have a craving for something crunchy, they reach for the packages of Ryvita Crispbread I keep in the cupboard. I discovered them recently, and fell in nutritional love. I cannot believe how few ingredients they contain: rye, salt, and sometimes sesame seeds or oats--wow. No chemicals, no preservatives. Ryvita, where have you been all my life?

Research suggests that whole rye products provide numerous health benefits, like lowering the risk of Type II diabetes, preventing gallstones, keeping cholesterol levels in check, and protecting against breast and colon cancer.

Trying to find whole rye products can be difficult, and rye bread (like other supermarket breads) often contain too many scary preservatives. Ryvita Crispbread is a great way to get this grain in our diet. We like it plain, topped with melted cheese or nut/seed butters, or even with some smoked salmon. The other day I had some for lunch, topped with veggie refried beans and a dollop of salsa. I'm so excited to have discovered a wholesome, simple food right on the supermarket shelf, in the midst of so much junk. And I'm even more excited that the kids seem to have developed an appreciation for real, simple food, without all the added artificial flavors.

Breathing Normally Again

I feel like I can breath again. DD17's oncology and radiation visits went well, but most of all her scans were clean. (Well, we haven't received the spinal MRI "all-clear" but I've never been especially worried about that.)

For some reason, I had been very anxious about the appointments. Most likely because last year I was finally feeling relaxed at the 5-year mark, and then look what happened. And I tend to read too much into expressions, comments, looks and even scurrying MRI technicians (why are they hurrying with those scans in their hands, never mind that there are usually a half-dozen people getting scans at the same time). It feels like it's all about me (or DD17), so I have tunnel vision.

I think the oncologist knew we were nervous, because she called us on her way home from the hospital yesterday to say she'd personally gone down to MRI and had the scans reviewed in front of her so she could call us. Of course, from past experience, I know that bad news travels fast and we've never been allowed to even leave the hospital without hearing it.

So, today feels like a good day, mostly. There's a tiny part of me that always expects a phone call from someone saying a mistake has been made, but I've come to accept that I can't trust my instincts all the time. That a finely-honed sense of anxiety will always cloud my vision where DD17 is concerned.

And truthfully, as the oncologist reminded us, an MRI for DD17 is really just a shot in the dark. Her particular tumor is a fast-growing type that wouldn't necessarily show up in a once-a-year MRI. Still, as long as our insurance will pay for it, the oncologist recommends we continue them.

The doctor spoke for the first time about the future. Since about 75% of children are now surviving cancer, long-term survivor clinics are springing up across the bigger hospitals. She said DD17 can be her patient forever, or until she decides to switch to an adult oncologist. Patients can choose either/or. The oncologist is part of a major teaching hospital, so it doesn't matter...the doctors are all connected. And she sends kids to other hospitals or specialists as needed. I sense the doctor thinks they are all in this fight together.

Who knows the problems these kids may face? For DD17, we know she will likely start mammograms at age 30, due to the scatter from spinal radiation. And she will probably need to start seeing a dermatologist yearly, for skin cancer checks. We know that radiation puts kids at higher risk of leukemia, so bloodwork will always be in the cards. As her radiation oncologist said to her, "You will see doctors for the rest of your life." Indeed, a small price to pay.

Midweek

The older two have midterms this week, which means a week of half or truncated days. And then turning around and heading back to school in the afternoon for activities. Mom the chauffeur here, since we don't have spare cars lying around for DD17 to use.

DS16 has his second (bad) cold in a month. He eats well and generally sleeps well, so I can't figure out what's going on. Of course, my instinct is that it's something I should be able to "fix" so I'm quite perturbed. He's a distance runner, so I'm wondering about stuff I've read lately about runners...that they're more prone to upper respiratory infections. It seems there's a point where excessive mileage suppresses the immune system. Marathoners are famously prone to illness the first few days after a race. He doesn't fall into that category of course, but I find the whole phenomenon interesting. Or it could just be that half the school is sick, as usual.

The sun is finally shining and it's above freezing! DD17 says she's happy to be home midday and see the sunshine flooding the house. She even said that while she didn't enjoy being sick or recuperating from medical issues, she did like being home during the day. OK, glad that made her happy.

Next week we have two days of hospital visits. Monday's a visit with both the radiation oncologist and pediatric oncologist. Tuesday is the MRIs. (They couldn't make everything fit in one day.) I'm trying not to think about it.

Thoughts on Health Care Reform

It's cold and snowy here in the Northeast, and I find myself pondering the health care debate. I have no idea whether or not the current plan under consideration in Washington is any good, nor do I doubt its complexities and hidden perks for various groups. I've tried to see various sides, and one thing is certain: there is no consensus out there, not among the medical profession, not among insurance companies, and not among family and friends.

But I do know what I would like to see:

• Guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions. DD17 hopefully will be out in the world in a few years, and she comes with medical baggage. Through no fault of her own, she will need monitoring and expensive tests and many more medical appointments than the average young adult. Other than relapse, my worst fear is astronomical medical bills due to weak or no coverage. In 2004 alone, it cost $250,000 to save her life and then keep her alive. We have great insurance...but it was not completely free. The nickel and diming was still expensive.


• The freedom to choose a physician and hospital. Once you enter the world of illness, control is an illusion. But it's important to feel you have a choice in the person and place helping you fight the battle.


• And I want the physician to make the decisions, not the insurance company. At one point during treatment, the oncologist said if we ever had any worries about possible symptoms (even triggered by a bad dream), she would run whatever tests we needed to put our fears to rest. That's what I want to hear from a doctor, especially one treating my child.
  

Finally, wouldn't it be great if there was a thoughtful approach towards health care? An approach that supported healthy choices before pharmaceutical solutions are necessary, one that encouraged proactive health management instead of reactive? Personal responsibility plays into this for sure, but support and encouragement from clinicians is important, too. Coincidentally, or not I guess, Andrew Weil's new book touches on these issues. I haven't read it yet, but plan to.

Well, that's one mother's vision, born of experience and worry. Walk a mile in my shoes, and you might feel the same way, too.

Whole Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

It's easy to overlook the root vegetables in the supermarket. Uninspiring in their boiled state, and requiring lots of peeling and chopping, they usually get relegated to soups and stews as a flavor enhancer. But if you roast them, another side emerges. Crispy, creamy, and nutty flavored, they suddenly gain respect as a side dish.

I'll roast just about any vegetable. Tossed with a bit of olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt, vegetables can be as tasty as potato chips. Recently, I read that researchers believe that whole carrots are more nutritious than chopped, so I decided to roast tonight's carrots whole. And because I had parsnips on hand, I added those to the pan, also. I scrubbed and peeled both vegetables, than placed them on a baking sheet and sprinkled them with about two tablespoons of olive oil and some kosher salt. I roasted them in a 450 degree oven for about 40 minutes, turning once.

Carrots are a good source of Vitamin A and help protect against heart disease and cancer. Parsnips, a relative of the carrot, is rich in potassium and contains even more fiber than its colorful cousin.

These are so good and hopefully extra-nutritious. It's going to be tough resisting them until dinner.