Karen’s Opinion

Yes, I bit my tongue. That wouldn’t be a big deal except I really bit it hard. I took a chunk out of the center and it hurts like h*&&. Why would that be a good thing?

For about 6 years, I have had a throbbing sensation in my lower jaw. Just below my bottom teeth, it hurts. I always thought it was my teeth that caused the problem. At my yearly cleaning, I asked the dentist what I could do about this nagging pain. I spent over $300 on an apparatus to keep me from grinding my teeth while I slept. My jaw still ached. My dentist took x-rays and said my teeth, gums and roots looked fine. My tooth alignment was alright. He could find nothing that would cause such pain.

A week ago Monday, I bit the heck out of my tongue while eating dinner. I just happened to have a cleaning appointment on Wednesday of that week. Finally, the dentist said I might have neuralgia and needed to check with my doctor.

Sure enough, my doctor listened to my symptoms, which have worsened since I bit my tongue and he thinks I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. Finally, I can see a light at the end of this tunnel filled with pain. I am on an anti seizure medicine called Tegretol.

The way the doctor explained that this pain was the result of the nerves receiving the wrong signals. There are two trigeminal nerves, one on each side of the face. The Mandibular branch runs through the lower jaw and teeth. These nerves think something is causing pain and so they send pain sensations. The Tegretol is supposed to relax the nerves enough that the pain stops.

Wish me well please. I feel a bit loopy and sleepy but anything is better than pain.

My sister in-law is originally from Thailand. I have enjoyed seeing pictures of her journeys back to her homeland. My mother in-law was fortunate to be able to travel with Sandy when she visited a few years ago. That is the way to see a country; with an authentic tour guide. Perhaps, now is the time to travel across Asia Pacific. The travel ads are promoting record-low air fares across the Asia Pacific region. In case you are not familiar with the Asia Pacific region, the countries include:

• Thailand
• Korea
• China
• Japan
• Hong Kong
• Australia
• Singapore
• Vietnam
• Malaysia
• New Zealand
• Fiji
• Indonesia
• Taiwan
• India
• Bali

Accor Hotels is sponsoring a fantastic sale that coincides with the timing of those record-low air fares. Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific will run from October 27-29 with a million hotel rooms on sale across Asia Pacific and rates will start at an amazing $30 US per night! Yes, you read that fantastic price correctly! Accor has a pricing structure for their hotels that allows travelers to choose a hotel that accommodates various needs and budgets. Book your room at one of the following hotels during your stay between December 09 to April 10, 2010.

Participating Accor Hotels:

That is a big list of hotels! No wonder it took me so long to look through the pictures and descriptions. Just look at this beautiful room at the Vie Hotel in Bangkok.

Book between Oct 27-29 for a stay between December 2009 and April 2010 and visit the beautiful Asia Pacific. See the Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific page for more information. If you are ready to be pampered and visit some of the most beautiful places in the world, Accor is ready to show you their hospitality.

I see myself staying at this beautiful hotel in Singapore.

Novotel Clarke Quay

One thing I miss about not having kids at home any longer, (mine are adults and live elsewhere), is making crafts with them. Something just doesn’t feel right about carving a pumpkin without them. If you have children and they tend to whine about being bored, you should check out the post, Kids Love Halloween Crafts, on Squidoo. Making crafts with your kids is something they will enjoy during the moment and remember for a lifetime.

Did you know that all infant formula must meet FDA requirements? Well, they do. That is good news because it means parents can rest assured that any formula they buy will be good for their child. There is no need to buy the expensive brands. You will not be buying any better formula by spending more money so save your hard earned money. Buying lower priced store brand formula is just as good and will help your budget to allow you to buy other needed items such as fresh vegetable for the rest of your family.

Having said that, I have to interject my opinion on breast feeding vs formula feeding your baby. I don’t think it matters. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes breast feeding as the best infant nutrition. I feel that there are instances when breast feeding may not be the best. Some lactating moms are taking medications that should not be passed on to their newborn. There are other instances where breast feeding is just not feasible. It is a mom’s choice to breast feed or not. It is their choice to choose which formula they want to feed their baby.

WIC is changing their program with regard to infant formula. They are trying to push more mothers into breast feeding their children. I don’t think they should make the program require moms to choose. It is not the governments place to force decisions on families.

And there you have it; my opinion.

Aren’t those amazing costumes? That photo was the winner for week 6 over at HGTV’s Share Your Halloween Spirit contest. Upload your favorite photos or videos now to be entered to win a $50 gift certificate plus a prize pack at HGTV! Hurry! This contest ends at 11:59 PM ET on October 27, 2009.

(I was not paid to write this. I think it would be cool to win!)