(43-257) The Best Medicine EVER

This weekend I had to do something that I rarely do... take it easy.   Last week I wasn't feeling that well, but I was convinced that it was my allergies.  By Friday night, my nose was running all over the place and I had a wicked sore throat.  That's right, I did just date myself and say wicked, but that's the most accurate description I can think of.  On Saturday morning I took my kids to a roller skating lesson, and even though it's typically chilly at Great Skate; I was beyond cold.  I had a long sleeve shirt and a sweatshirt on, and Jenny lent me hers too; which I put over my legs.  We wound up leaving an hour and a half before the session was due to end and we went straight home so I could lie down.

I had four blankets on top of me, in addition to the clothing that I'd described, but I just couldn't get warm.  We took my temperature and I had 101, and later that afternoon 101.5  I cancelled my plans for the night; which I never do, unless someone else is sick; and I rested on the couch for the rest of the day and all through the evening.

I'm still not feeling well today, but my temp has gone down.  It was 100.2 the last time that I took it.  Even though I had the Flu in February, I typically don't get sick very often, so when I do, it makes my kids a little nervous.  When I was contemplating the topic for tonight's blog, I thought it would be interesting to have my kids share their thoughts on me being sick, and this is what they had to say:

Kelsie (age 7): "I feel horrible that my mommy is sick because I love her and I don't want anything bad to happen to her.  When my mommy told us that we were going to leave skating because she wasn't feeling well, I cried because I felt bad that she was sick. When we got home I offered to make my mommy  lunch but she wasn't hungry.  I offered to snuggle with her but she said that she was too cold to move and I felt very sad.  I love my mommy and I care for her very much.  I'll do anything to help my mommy feel better."

Lyndzi (age 9):  "I think it's scary when my mom gets sick because she doesn't get sick that often.  I would do anything to make her feel better.  I made a nest out of blankets for mom and I stayed home with her when my dad went to help his friend paint his house.  When my dad got home, I asked him if he would blow up our Aerobed so that me and Kelsie could both snuggle with with mom, and he did.    I hope that my mom feels better soon.  I love my mom with all my heart."

Nicky (age 11, OK, almost 12):  "I don't like when my mom gets sick.  I feel bad when she's not feeling well; because I love her and it can be a little frightening.  Yesterday at the roller rink she told me that she didn't feel good and I said that we could leave at any time and I asked if I could help with anything.  Once we got home I let my mom rest and I tried to help her as much as possible.  I hope my mom gets better soon."

What my kids didn't want to verbalize, is that because my parents passed away young, even though I only have a cold, it worries them.  I think that if I got sick more often, they wouldn't be as concerned.  Even though the last thing that I want to do is worry them, it truly shows me how much they love and care for me; and that's the best medicine EVER. 
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-196) Thank You Winston Churchill

Yes of course I caught what the kids have.  You can't be in close proximity to these germs and love on them as much as I do; and NOT catch this crap; but what's a mom to do?  I've been coughing for a few days now; but I was hoping that it was just the power of suggestion. I tried to remain positive, and disregard my symptoms; but when my temp got to 101.5; I knew that it was official. Thankfully I don't feel nearly as bad as one might expect; but nonetheless; I KNOW that if we can't rid ourselves of at least these fevers; we can't take our trip on Thursday. 

Now I haven't mentioned Luis thus far; and that might just be my way of willing him NOT to get sick; but I will tell you that (knock on wood) he's been fever free to date; although his nose has been running which isn't the case for any of the rest of us.

I knew that I needed to update my cousin Jackie this morning, so I texted her to let her know that I was now running a temperature; and she was amazingly optimistic.  I've been trying to remain positive as well; but I worry about getting anyone in her family sick.

Because I want to believe that we will all be well enough to travel, and not spread our illness to anyone else; I decided to look for a quote (big surprise I'm sure;) that would inspire me to think the best.  I quickly found a quote by Winston Churchill; and even though it doesn't exactly pertain to THIS situation; I thought it related very well to everything else that I've been experiencing these past two weeks.  “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”   

If you've read "The Bumpy Ride" before; then you know that I'm a big (yes) HUGE fan of optimism.  And I have to say, Thank you Winston Churchill; because your words were exactly the reminder that I needed, in order to move freely past all that's been troubling me; Flu as well. 
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

You Know You Have A Problem When...#5

You Know You Have A Problem When you go to the pediatrician's office and one of (the many) receptionists tells you that she had been thinking about you, because you hadn't been in for a few days. (This was last Tuesday.) I responded by saying "You haven't seen me in a few days because my husband brought my younger daughter in on Friday."

So let me rewind. In my "Lyndzi's Advice" post, I regaled you with the details of Lyndzi's recent illnesses; but in light of the past few months I feel the need to offer a recap. For brevity's sake (yes, A new concept for me;) I'll only go as far back as January.

OK, so upon our return from beautiful, Puerto Vallarta both Lyndzi and Kelsie were suffering with their allergies and asthma, and ultimately Kelsie was diagnosed with pneumonia and Lyndzi with RSV. This stint brought us to the doctor's office every day for a week; and this one, kind, receptionist took notice of this fact, and just shook her head in dismay every time she saw me walk through the door. She shook her head again a few weeks ago, during spring break when I came in for Lyndzi who was diagnosed with Strep throat. She shook her head less than a week later when I came in for Nicky who had been running a high fever, and complained of a terrible sore throat. Because we were so convinced it was strep, I ran him in for the test but we didn't have an exam. Trust me when I tell you that this was not the exam to skip, because the culture was negative, but the next night we wound up in Urgent Care because Nicky had double pink eye. The doctor also gave him an antibiotic for Pharyngitis, and when all was said and done; Nicky had missed 4 days of school. 2 1/2 weeks later, Luis brought Kelsie in for fever, congestion and discharge from her eyes; and she was diagnosed with both a sinus and ear infections. AND then a couple of days after that; I returned to the pediatricians office, and this is when she shook her head at me and made the comment about thinking about me; when I brought Nicky in due to another high temp, headache and congestion; and he walked out with strep throat. On my way out the door, I reported to her that it was in fact strep this time and jokingly asked her NOT to think about me again. Nicky returned to school on Monday, after missing ANOTHER 4 days; but yesterday Kelsie started running a temp and she was really congested, and this morning it sounded like I had a seal take up residence in my house; so guess where I went today? Once again she shook her head and uttered the words "Oh come on; I just can't believe it." I asked her if she'd been thinking about me; but she swore that she hadn't.

Kelsie and I waited in the examining room and entertained ourselves with MANY games of Tic Tac Toe. While we were playing I noticed that Kelsie had really fat fingers below her knuckles. I LOVINGLY commented that I had never realized that she had such chubby fingers and she said "Everyone does." I said "No, not everyone ;"and I showed her my fingers which aside from my feet are the only thin thing on my body. When she realized that not everyone had chubby fingers, she said "I guess I'd better do some exercise;" and it was the cutest thing in the world. She followed that up with, "And you should probably do some exercise too Mommy." To which I replied "I would love to; if my children would stay healthy so that I could put them in the childcare at the gym or send them to school." The nurse practitioner then examined Kelsie an as I was leaving I stopped by the desk to tell "My friend" that Kelsie had Croup. Oh yes, it's not just for babies. My friend and I recapped that since January my household has now experienced allergies, asthma, Pneumonia, RSV, Sinus infections, ear infections, Strep throat, Pink eye and Croup. I said "What's next, pestilence?" And she kinda shrugged and said "well," like it wasn't an impossibility; so I swear I am totally considering scrubbing them all down with Lice shampoo, just as a precaution.

Now I honestly don't think it's enjoyable to read about all of my kids ailments and I have tried to spare you all the gory details; but of course I have a point and that is; now you know where the heck I've been. I have TONS of things that I have been thinking about writing about. I still want to share my Ass Burrito story, I have been dying to comment on American Idol and Dancing With the Stars; and I'm totally itching for someone to throw another Six Degrees challenge my way; however, instead I have been caring for my sick children and trying to balance my life.

I saw a book about Diablo Cody in Barnes & Noble the other day, and I looked at it longingly thinking, "now maybe if I become a stripper, someone will want to publish my writing." Then again, I'd really have to get back to the gym in order to make that happen, and given the health of my family, who knows how soon that will be. So instead, I am really going to commit myself to getting this blog out come Hell or high water or Strep, or Croup. I need to take a pledge like the mailmen; no rain or snow or sleet or hail ... will keep me from writing my blog; as God is my witness... Now there's gotta be some kind of recognition for combining the postmans pledge and a line from "Gone with the Wind;"... or not. But at least I feel like I'm getting my mojo back. Ya'know once I start rambling, "The Ride" is getting back to normal.

As for my kids, please send positive thoughts their way.

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING