We are renting out our old house since we can't sell it in this God-help-us economy. Therefore I will be offline for a few days while I sort out the stuff we left there and ready everything to be moved to a storage unit.
I'll be back next week!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
It's always something
Thomas currently has a persistent, low-grade fever. This fever has been especially fond of him and has stuck around for 3 solid weeks. 2 weeks ago, a mere 7 days after the fever started, I took him to our pediatrician. Let me first remind you just how much Thomas hates going to the doctor. The poor kid has seen WAY too many of them in his short lifetime and it takes only the sight of a stethoscope to set him off like a car alarm.
-- AAAAH!!! AAAAHH!!! AAAAHHHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!--
That's actually what he sounds like - and he is almost as difficult to silence.
Our pediatrician pronounced him fit, except for a virus that's been going around causing a fever and no other symptoms. Motrin and Tylenol, the Wondertwins, would take care of it. Bring him back in 10 days if he isn't better.
10 days later he isn't better and we are at my parents house. Naturally.
Off to the clinic at the hospital. This is where it gets, eh, interesting. The doctor here walks in the exam room where we are waiting. Thomas starts screaming like I'm amputating his arm without anesthesia. The doc and I proceed to have a conversation over the shrieking.
"So, any symptoms other than the fever?"
-- AAAAH!!! AAAAHH!!! AAAAHHHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!--
"No, he seems to be fine other than that. But it's been 12 days now and-"
--AAAHHHHH!!! AAAAAAHHHH!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!! AAAHHHHH!!!--
"-he is still feverish. No coughing, nothing else-
--AAAAHHHHH!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!! AAAAAHHH!!! AAHHHH!!--
The doc checks his ears, listens to his heart and his chest - and how he could possibly have heard anything I'll never know - and orders a chest x-ray. Heh. This is really taking longer than I thought.
We step into the radiology lab and I lay Thomas on the table and they--
--AAAHHHH!! AAAAHHH!!! AAHHHHH!!!! AAHHHH!!!--
-get two pictures of his chest. We go back to the exam room.
45 minutes later Thomas is calm and happy because we've been left alone by all medical personnel since the x-ray. I'm pretty seriously irritated at this point. I spy the roll-y stool that all exam rooms have, sit down on it and put Thomas on my lap and we head out into the hallway to count things. Thomas loves counting things. We spend a couple of minutes rolling up and down the hallway counting the light fixtures when Hey! Whaddaya know! Our nurse goes to find our doctor!
5 minutes later our doctor announces his chest is clear and here are some antibiotics. Come back if he's not better in a couple of days. Ha. That rolling down the hallway counting things is good for getting the attention of people not otherwise paying attention.
Unfortunately, the antibiotics didn't work. Back to the Clinic.
Today's doc orders a CBC and urinalysis. ARGH. An army of nurses comes in to draw blood and-
--AAAHHH!!! AAAAHHH!! AAAHHH!!! AAAHHHH!!!--
-after sticking both of Thomas's little arms they get a vial of blood to take to the lab. Another nurse comes in-
--AAAAHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAHHHH!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!--
-and tapes a little bag over his, erm, privates to collect some pee. Seriously.
45 minutes later yet ANOTHER nurse comes in to get MORE blood because the first batch clotted.
--AAAAHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAHHHH!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!--
She checks the baggie - the kid's on pee strike.
The doctor shows up and-
--AAAAHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAHHHH!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!--
-brings me a power bar and a Diet Coke. I love him.
30 minutes later and still no pee. I'm getting a little desperate at this point because I really just want to take. Thomas. home.
The CBC comes back and the doc comes in to tell me-
--AAAAHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAHHHH!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!--
-that Thomas has a virus. Motrin and Tylenol should help the fever, otherwise there's nothing they can do. He cancels the urinalysis, which is convenient since the kid STILL HASN'T PEED.
We are home now and Thomas will start psychotherapy tomorrow for the emotional damage inflicted by medical personnel this past week.
-- AAAAH!!! AAAAHH!!! AAAAHHHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!--
That's actually what he sounds like - and he is almost as difficult to silence.
Our pediatrician pronounced him fit, except for a virus that's been going around causing a fever and no other symptoms. Motrin and Tylenol, the Wondertwins, would take care of it. Bring him back in 10 days if he isn't better.
10 days later he isn't better and we are at my parents house. Naturally.
Off to the clinic at the hospital. This is where it gets, eh, interesting. The doctor here walks in the exam room where we are waiting. Thomas starts screaming like I'm amputating his arm without anesthesia. The doc and I proceed to have a conversation over the shrieking.
"So, any symptoms other than the fever?"
-- AAAAH!!! AAAAHH!!! AAAAHHHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!--
"No, he seems to be fine other than that. But it's been 12 days now and-"
--AAAHHHHH!!! AAAAAAHHHH!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!! AAAHHHHH!!!--
"-he is still feverish. No coughing, nothing else-
--AAAAHHHHH!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!! AAAAAHHH!!! AAHHHH!!--
The doc checks his ears, listens to his heart and his chest - and how he could possibly have heard anything I'll never know - and orders a chest x-ray. Heh. This is really taking longer than I thought.
We step into the radiology lab and I lay Thomas on the table and they--
--AAAHHHH!! AAAAHHH!!! AAHHHHH!!!! AAHHHH!!!--
-get two pictures of his chest. We go back to the exam room.
45 minutes later Thomas is calm and happy because we've been left alone by all medical personnel since the x-ray. I'm pretty seriously irritated at this point. I spy the roll-y stool that all exam rooms have, sit down on it and put Thomas on my lap and we head out into the hallway to count things. Thomas loves counting things. We spend a couple of minutes rolling up and down the hallway counting the light fixtures when Hey! Whaddaya know! Our nurse goes to find our doctor!
5 minutes later our doctor announces his chest is clear and here are some antibiotics. Come back if he's not better in a couple of days. Ha. That rolling down the hallway counting things is good for getting the attention of people not otherwise paying attention.
Unfortunately, the antibiotics didn't work. Back to the Clinic.
Today's doc orders a CBC and urinalysis. ARGH. An army of nurses comes in to draw blood and-
--AAAHHH!!! AAAAHHH!! AAAHHH!!! AAAHHHH!!!--
-after sticking both of Thomas's little arms they get a vial of blood to take to the lab. Another nurse comes in-
--AAAAHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAHHHH!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!--
-and tapes a little bag over his, erm, privates to collect some pee. Seriously.
45 minutes later yet ANOTHER nurse comes in to get MORE blood because the first batch clotted.
--AAAAHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAHHHH!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!--
She checks the baggie - the kid's on pee strike.
The doctor shows up and-
--AAAAHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAHHHH!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!--
-brings me a power bar and a Diet Coke. I love him.
30 minutes later and still no pee. I'm getting a little desperate at this point because I really just want to take. Thomas. home.
The CBC comes back and the doc comes in to tell me-
--AAAAHHH!! AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAHHHH!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!--
-that Thomas has a virus. Motrin and Tylenol should help the fever, otherwise there's nothing they can do. He cancels the urinalysis, which is convenient since the kid STILL HASN'T PEED.
We are home now and Thomas will start psychotherapy tomorrow for the emotional damage inflicted by medical personnel this past week.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Phone Pic of the Day
Yesterday I ventured to the grocery store here in the town where my parents live, a town firmly seated in the buckle of the Bible Belt, and as I walk back to my car in the parking lot I see this:
And I think "Heh. Tattletale."
And I think "Heh. Tattletale."
Monday, July 21, 2008
PPOTD
Yesterday my parents, the kids and I traveled to a family reunion that my mom's cousins hold each year. There were stories, wonderful food, small children running everywhere, more food... There were relatives from Texas that we didn't know, and weren't sure if we are actually related to, and the uncomfortable political discussions that arise when you have several generations in close quarters.
On the way home Emmie was TIRED OF BEING IN THE CAR and more than a little fractious. I started pulling stuff out of my mom's glovebox hoping to find something to entertain Em long enough to get us home. I found these:
She was totally thrilled and I think the old lady on the Hallmark cards has some competition now.
On the way home Emmie was TIRED OF BEING IN THE CAR and more than a little fractious. I started pulling stuff out of my mom's glovebox hoping to find something to entertain Em long enough to get us home. I found these:
She was totally thrilled and I think the old lady on the Hallmark cards has some competition now.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
PPOTD
We are traveling to my parents' house today. They live on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina - a fantastic spot - but it's a looong way from where we live. On travel days we pack up the car with all the stuff that the kids will need - sleeping bags, food, 2 suitcases of clothes and swimwear, toys, stroller, portable high chair, diapers, wipes, lovies - and the stuff we'll need - 1 suitcase - and start out. And174 hours and 14 stops to change diapers and feed babies and use the bathroom and I CAN'T TAKE THE SCREAMING ANYMORE GET ME OUT OF THIS CAR breaks later, we pass this:
And I know we only have 90 minutes more to drive. It's a water tower and it's supposed to be shaped like a peach. But I know what you're thinking. That's a HUGE ORANGE ASS up there on that pedestal.
And I know we only have 90 minutes more to drive. It's a water tower and it's supposed to be shaped like a peach. But I know what you're thinking. That's a HUGE ORANGE ASS up there on that pedestal.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Phone photo of the day
My camera phone is my very favorite accessory. It takes crappy pictures but somehow that just makes them better, you know? I love that grainy, fuzzy quality that only 1.3 megapixels can impart. I have a real camera, an Olympus point-and-shoot that takes pretty good pictures, but for some reason 90% of the photos I take are shot with my phone.
So here is my first Phone Photo Of The Day. Or, as you will come to know it, PPOTD. I promise they will be the worst pics you've ever seen on a blog.
Thomas waiting for me to finish posting:
He thinks this PPOTD is a FABULOUS idea.
So here is my first Phone Photo Of The Day. Or, as you will come to know it, PPOTD. I promise they will be the worst pics you've ever seen on a blog.
Thomas waiting for me to finish posting:
He thinks this PPOTD is a FABULOUS idea.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
School Daze
Well, it's happened again. I let my guard down and someone came in and stomped all over my ideas of What Will Be. Thomas is supposed to be going to preschool in the Fall, and I let someone else do the decision-making. I was not The Decider and things are not. going. well.
There are two special-needs preschools in town and I really wanted Thomas to go to the UCP Center. It started as primarily a school for kids with Cerebral Palsy but has expanded into a larger role, taking kids with all sorts of special needs. They are obviously very experienced with kids that have mobility issues, like Thomas, and they also have mainstream kids in each classroom and I really like that mixture. The typical kids learn compassion, the special needs kids aren't segregated from the community.
Unbeknownst to me, there is another preschool in town, one primarily for kids with behavioral problems and autism. One where all the kids are mobile. Guess which one Thomas was assigned to.
And what really gets me, what really makes me smack myself in the head and wonder just what the gray matter in my skull is comprised of (porridge perhaps? maybe mashed up bananas?) is that I really thought it was because they had Thomas's best interests in mind.
BUT - they didn't tell me Thomas would be the only non-mobile child. They didn't tell me that the other kids are there for issues completely unrelated to the issues Thomas has. When I communicated with the person at the school system, she had memories of me making statements that I not only wouldn't have made, but I wouldn't even have THOUGHT. Things like having Thomas schooled at home. Wha..? I definitely want Thomas in a school setting so he can interact with his peers. Peers meaning kids with mobility and cognitive problems. Is this so difficult?
AARGGH.
He's only three and I'm already fighting the school system. This bodes ill for the next 15 years. And by God I am NOT letting him go to a school where fully-mobile kids with behavioral issues have the chance to pick on my child. Maybe I'm overreacting, but so be it. I will make this a positive experience for Thomas no matter what.
I probably need talking down off the ledge at this point. Any takers?
There are two special-needs preschools in town and I really wanted Thomas to go to the UCP Center. It started as primarily a school for kids with Cerebral Palsy but has expanded into a larger role, taking kids with all sorts of special needs. They are obviously very experienced with kids that have mobility issues, like Thomas, and they also have mainstream kids in each classroom and I really like that mixture. The typical kids learn compassion, the special needs kids aren't segregated from the community.
Unbeknownst to me, there is another preschool in town, one primarily for kids with behavioral problems and autism. One where all the kids are mobile. Guess which one Thomas was assigned to.
And what really gets me, what really makes me smack myself in the head and wonder just what the gray matter in my skull is comprised of (porridge perhaps? maybe mashed up bananas?) is that I really thought it was because they had Thomas's best interests in mind.
BUT - they didn't tell me Thomas would be the only non-mobile child. They didn't tell me that the other kids are there for issues completely unrelated to the issues Thomas has. When I communicated with the person at the school system, she had memories of me making statements that I not only wouldn't have made, but I wouldn't even have THOUGHT. Things like having Thomas schooled at home. Wha..? I definitely want Thomas in a school setting so he can interact with his peers. Peers meaning kids with mobility and cognitive problems. Is this so difficult?
AARGGH.
He's only three and I'm already fighting the school system. This bodes ill for the next 15 years. And by God I am NOT letting him go to a school where fully-mobile kids with behavioral issues have the chance to pick on my child. Maybe I'm overreacting, but so be it. I will make this a positive experience for Thomas no matter what.
I probably need talking down off the ledge at this point. Any takers?
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