Couldn’t make this stuff up if i tried! (update at end)

I was hoping for a restful and uneventful end to our week.
But. No.

Chad is doing well. He is still extremely tired, which is to be expected. He says he feels well (”normal” for him, anyway).

Yesterday afternoon, Cailyn came down with a fever. She was very tired. Her nose was running a bit — so I knew it was a cold coming on.
But. Wait.

Yesterday marked the tenth day that she was bitten by a deer tick. The tick was probably there for about 18 hours, maybe a little more, before we discovered it. I removed it with tweezers and I think I removed the whole thing. Deer ticks are so tiny that it can be hard to tell. Later that day, we found another tick on her collar bone, but it was much easier to remove.

Today…Cailyn has been complaining of flu-like symptoms. Fever. Chills. Headache.
And she has this on her back, right between her shoulder blades where the tick was embedded.

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She has an appointment with her pediatrician at 11 this morning. She is feel so puny and I just hate that such a small little bug can wreak so much havoc on her little body.

I will update when I know what’s going on with her. I’m trying to stop Googling things about deer tick bites because it’s making me sick to my stomach.

Updated Saturday, 5/15 at 10:30am:
Cailyn was so lethargic at the doctor’s office yesterday that she didn’t make a sound or even close her eyes during the blood draw. They put the tourniquet on her tiny little arm and I was shocked that she didn’t freak out. I knew she felt bad, but geesh! She was such a trooper through all that.

The bloodwork results won’t be back until Tuesday.
We’re told it’s unlikely that it’s Lyme’s Disease (”rare” in our area), but it could be Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Or, Cailyn could have just had a localized reaction the bite and the reaction is just very similar to the more serious RMSF.

In any event, Cailyn also has a raging double ear infection — and hadn’t complained about her ears at all.
Her fever was extremely hard to manage yesterday, but finally broke after I made her soak in the tub all afternoon.
It’s hovering around 99 degrees today – I’ll take it!

She is on a heavy dose of antibiotics that are playing double-duty for the ear infections and tick bite reaction/infection.
I’m supposed to take her back in on Monday so they can have another look.

Thanks for keeping my little diva in your thoughts & prayers! She is, mostly, back to her diva ways as of this morning.

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admin, May 14th 2010 | Posted in Chad, Chatter, the girls

Weight Lifting

Did you know I was a weight lifter?
I am.

Seriously.

You can stop snickering now…

Yea, yea. I know you’re thinking, “She sure doesn’t look like a weight lifter…”

Well.
I don’t lift traditional weights.

Since August 4, 2001, I have been lifting the marriage weight. And man, is that ever tough work!
I juggled the weights of new home ownership and fresh-from-college-now-I-have-a-real-job weights that same year.

Since Carys was born in 2003, and then Cailyn in 2006, I have lifted the weight of motherhood.
Sometimes those little blue-eyed, blond-haired weights are heavier than I could have ever imagined.

As if those weights weren’t enough, I added the diabetic weight in 2006. Phooey!

Then, with Chad’s surprising diagnosis of brain cancer and the discovery of IT in 2007, I have added way more weights that I would like.

The emotional, physical and financial weights of living a life with two young daughters, a husband with a devastating disease, diabetes and all the other stuff….well, it’s almost too much for me to handle at times.

I would look at other people in my life and wonder how they seem to lift similar weights so effortlessly.
I just couldn’t understand how they were able to build a positive emotional workout while I was struggling to lift the daily weights of life and was often out of breath from sheer frustration and exhaustion.

People often ask me how I juggle it all.
And the answer is simple. And it’s no secret.
I do my best. And God handles the rest.

When I sense that I cannot handle one more possible thing in my life, God shows me that I can.
Sometimes, He adds more for me to juggle. And He teaches me that I can handle anything.
I can do it. I can do anything.
And you can, too.

The weights I lift on a daily basis can be tricky; true.
And sometimes I do wonder how easy life would be without such struggles and hardships.
But then I always come to the same conclusion; everyone has weights in their life.
Every single person has something that they struggle to contain or let go of; it’s just the way life is.
And if you think my weights are heavier than anyone else’s…well, that’s not true.
If you have a weight in your life, whether it be illness, unemployment, depression – whatever, you don’t have to lift it alone.

At Chad’s fundraiser, we had the privilege of witnessing a great weight being plucked from our lives.
I’m not sure if I was reaching a breaking point, or if we were just “due” some good news, but a huge weight has been lifted from our family. I can not tell you the immediate calmness and security I have felt since that day. To see all the loving and comforting faces, smiles and tears…it’s taken me some time to process it all.

People are so good to us; and we are so thankful.
We give back whenever we can and we appreciate all of you who did the same.

In the past eleven nights, I have slept more soundly and peacefully than I have in a long, long time.

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.

We have been given an immediate release of stress.
We can breathe again, a little easier at least.
The weight has been lifted, and I thank God that He has allowed us to be a part of such an overwhelming  testimony of what can be provided when you trust Him.

He is the Ultimate Weight Lifter.
And I am so grateful that He carries our load.

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admin, May 5th 2010 | Posted in Chad, Chatter, d*life, the girls

Quite Smitten

Oh. My. Sweetness.

I let Josie out this morning before the girls got up. When she was done with her business outside, she leisurely strolled through the kitchen. Then, as if she instantly remembered the girls, she made a mad dash for the end of the hallway where their bedrooms are.

Cailyn’s door was open, so Josie dove onto her bed first; her little nubby tail was electric! She sniffed the bed and was extremely disappointed that Cai wasn’t there. (Cailyn has been having nightmares and is scared of monsters all of a sudden, so she often ends up in bed with her sister).
Josie quickly realized she needed to go to the other bedroom; and she leaped onto the bed so happily. They were awakened by kisses and Josie love. Cailyn was giddy. Carys took a little longer, but she was soon awake and doling out hugs and kisses to her new little best friend.

At night, Josie paces from each of the girls’ bedrooms to check on them.
I hate having to put her in her crate at night when she looks so cozy cuddled up on one of their beds with them.

Josie was just laying there this morning, rolled over on her back with her feet in the air and tongue wagging as fast as her tail.
And I thought, “Yes. This is what was missing.”
Seems a little silly, I know.
But I genuinely forgot how good it feels to have a dog. Their constant companionship and love; it’s just so comforting.
And everyone seems so much happier.
All thanks to a scrappy little 13-pound rescue Jack Russell.

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admin, May 4th 2010 | Posted in Chatter, the girls

Busy weekend

On Friday, Carys had her adenoids removed and her second set of ear tubes placed.
Hopefully, we can ward off those pesky ear infections for a while!
She has felt well all weekend, but started feeling a little puny this afternoon. I think it has all finally caught up with her.
And I bet it doesn’t “help” that she’s been screaming at her sister.
I’m undecided if she will go to school tomorrow.
Part of me thinks she may be feeling a little worse today because she knows she has to go back to school tomorrow…but I would hate to send her if she genuinely felt bad.
We’ll play it by ear.

On Saturday, Chad & I took the girls to Clemmons State Park to feed the fish and turtles. We had a moldy loaf of bread, so we had to find something to do with it…
We walked a bit, but I really didn’t want to stress Carys out.
Then a trip to WalMart — I swear I should just live in a tent in the parking lot.
There is always something I forget or miss; and I make a list every time I go. I don’t get it.
It’s a like a retail black hole.
(Ugh. And as I type this, I realize I forgot bread. Again.)

I have been grilling Chad for a few weeks now about getting a dog.
Truth be told, I miss having one around. I am a cat person. And a dog person. I like both. Equally.

I knew the girls would be thrilled, and so very excited.
Chad? Not so much.
He did finally give up and told me I could get a dog.
I think it will be great for him, once he warms up to her.
He was so attached to Zoe and Sisco, our beagles, that I think it may take a little extra time.

But he will.
I mean, seriously.

Just look at this sweet Jack Russell Terrier face.
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She was at a local rescue center, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her today. Her name was Sprite, originally. But the girls have already named her Lucy Princess — or Lucy for short. And now she is Josie…poor dog is going to have an identity crisis.

She was set to be euthanized about 2 weeks ago at a shelter in SC, and the Rescue took her in.
I was told she was a JRT mix, but I’m not so sure. I really think she’s 100% JRT — and more excited that she seems to be so calm and mellow-natured.
We need to get some weight on her. Shouldn’t be a problem in this house!

Carys & Cailyn absolutely loved helping Josie investigate the yard and throw balls to her all afternoon.
Andy Josie is just as smitten with them! She paced between their two bedrooms all evening, checking on them. If someone coughed, Josie was right there. If someone rolled over and the bed made a noise, Josie was right there. It was so sweet!

I think we’re all going to have a great time getting to know her!

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admin, May 2nd 2010 | Posted in Chad, Chatter, the girls

A day at the park

I have grown weary of staring at my computer screen.
I have grown weary of sitting in my kitchen at my desk, deciding which task to accomplish next.
So we (Chad, Cai & I) took a vacation day. Carys went to school (and I even woke up in time to get her on the bus! Success!).
We did have to get some errands out of the way.
But, then…

Then, we played at a park I’ve been meaning to get to for the last three months.
We laughed at each other.
We enjoyed the fresh air.
We had a picnic lunch.

And I recharged my batteries a bit.
I think we all did.

Welcome, Monday.
I’m ready for you now.

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skye, April 26th 2010 | Posted in Chad, Chatter, the girls

Carys and a late-night visit to the ER

Carys was fine yesterday. She ate well. She played hard. She went to bed easily.
She had a fever earlier in the week and has been complaining of a headache off and on. No big deal though. She just completed her ear infection medication on Tuesday and I figured it was about time for a precursor sinus infection to start before the return of the ear infection. That’s the way it usually goes.

Chad and I had a hard time going to sleep last night. We just couldn’t! We watched television for a while. Turned it off. Turned it back on. I finally turned it off a little after midnight.
At first, I’m dreaming. There’s a horrid sound somewhere in my house. I can’t figure out what it is.
And then the sound of my dream and the real-life sound of my child gasping for breath mingle. And it’s not good.
I’m awake, suddenly at 2am, trying to put the pieces of my broken dream together and realizing that something is terribly, terribly wrong with my child.

Carys is hysterical. She can’t catch her breath.
Every time she inhales, her body expels a terribly loud and distinct bark.
I guide her into the kitchen, trying to calm her down.
She is crying, telling me she can’t breathe and her throat hurts.
She drinks a bit of water, no help.
I have no caffeine (soda) and I don’t know that I can wait for a cup of coffee to be made.
I grab a flashlight and peek inside her throat.
I can see the tissue swelling and forcing her airway closed.

I take her outside, hoping the cool night air will be enough to open up her airway.
It helps a bit, but my mind is made up.
Chad & I dress quickly and make our way to the emergency room.
My mom stays with Cailyn.

Before we pull out of our neighborhood, Carys’ breathing has noticeably improved. The rush of cool night air coupled with the change in humidity from our house – outside – van worked a little bit of respiratory magic.
Briefly, I think about heading home. No one wants to sit in the emergency room. I don’t want to traumatize my daughter. But I decide to keep going; she needs help breathing whether I can hear the labor in her breathing pattern or not. I was scared enough to think of calling the ambulance only minutes before; and I’d rather have her checked out NOW than wait for the pediatrician’s office to open on Monday.

We arrive in an adrenaline-filled haze; Carys tightly gripping her baby doll and light blue crocheted blanket.
And we’re the only patients in the waiting room.
I am relieved that we will be seen quickly – and that Carys seems at ease.
Her breathing can quickly spiral out of control when she gets upset.

The ER doctor is shocked to learn that Carys actually does have croup. He was convinced it was asthma – which I’ve suspected for some time now, but have not been able to “prove”.
She received a dose of oral steroids and a breathing treatment via a plastic face mask.
After her treatment, which lasted about 15 minutes tops, we’re moved to a more comfortable room with a television. We have to stay for a few hours so Carys can be monitored. The medications give her a variable heart rate, ranging from 100 to 170 beats per minute. This is completely normal, and the doctor just wants to keep an eye on her for a bit.

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Just for the record, I did not carry my camera with me.
I had my cell phone. And Carys requested I take her picture – bed head & all.

Around 4:45, we’re discharged from the ER and are on our way home.
I am exhausted.
Carys is wired from the medicines and the snacks from the hospital.
I actually don’t remember much about the ride home. I vaguely recall pulling into our driveway a little after 5am, but the steps in between are a complete mystery.
We arrived home safely and drifted to sleep, relieved that Carys was well and breathing easily.

The morning met me early.
I was a second shooter at a wedding this morning and had to be ready to go by 8am.
Let’s just say that the coffee was aflowin’ this morning, and a nap was on my to-do list.

Carys is much better today.
I can still hear a bit of wheeziness in her breathing if she runs, and she has a nasty little cough that will be with her for a few days.

In the morning (Sunday), she will her attend her first Girl Scout adventure; a catch-and-release fishing day. She is so excited about going, and I hope we can both make it without needing a nap.
I hope the rest of our week is uneventful.
And I hope yours is, too!

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skye, April 17th 2010 | Posted in Chatter, the girls

Little update

Sunday – Easter. Girls were cute in their dresses and their bellies were full of chocolate by 8am. Went to church. Had to find the ONLY urgent care center open on Easter Sunday for Carys her pet ear infection. Had family over for lunch. Turned my laptop in for repair – again. Hope to have it back soon.

Monday – Left for Asheboro. Girls really enjoyed the pool and hot tub at the hotel, and dinner at Rockola.

Tuesday – Enjoyed the zoo, 10am – 3pm. It was hot. The girls were whining. We skipped quite a bit – but I’m at peace with it. If you add this trip to the last trip almost 2 years ago, then we have successfully seen everything at the zoo at some point. Chad did well with all the walking and heat. We all participated in a big fat nap before dinner. Girls, again, really enjoyed the pool and hot tub at the hotel. And dinner at Chili’s.

Wednesday – Home. Tired. Hungry. I cooked for the first time in a week, I bet.

Thursday – Heard from Chad’s neurologist. He was denied a drug that really seemed to help. Still ticked at insurance, but also thankful to have it. Partied at the park with our neighbors. Faith’s 6th birthday! Pizza & cake for dinner. I am forgetting how to cook. Carys is not thrilled about going to school tomorrow for a snow make-up day.

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skye, April 8th 2010 | Posted in Chad, Chatter, the girls

Another tooth, another dollar

The school called today. Which is never good.

When I heard Chad and the teacher talking about an accident involving Carys, my heart hit my feet.
Then I quickly realized that Carys knocked her tooth out.
I started to panic a little bit.

Then I remembered she has had two wiggly top teeth.
And sure enough, she knocked out a wiggly one.
About time she got rid of one of these pesky teeth. They have been wiggly for at least 4 months.

I’m trying to convince her to pull the other one out now.
I hear the ToothFairy pays big bucks if you lose more than one tooth in 24 hours.
And it’s Wednesday. Our neighbor, Hannah, declared that the ToothFairy pays DOUBLE on Wednesday.

Four teeth down. Many, many more to go.
Le Sigh.
The ToothFairy may have to make an ATM run.

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Oh.
And tonight while eating dinner, the other little tooth started to give her some problems.
So, it’s missing now, too.
Is this a cute little grin, or what?!?

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skye, March 31st 2010 | Posted in Chatter, the girls

You’re kidding me, right?

On Wednesday, I was involved in a little fender bender en route to Carys’ school.
Minor.
No injuries.
We’re all okay.

Some of you saw my FaceBook updates as I passed time waiting for the Po-Po (my brother says that’s cool lingo for “police”. I’m cool enough to use that word, right?). It was a long wait – and thankfully I have a great friend who was willing to take Carys to school for me. Cailyn, though, had to wait things out with me. She didn’t mind though. She happily watched the Polar Express for the 43rd time.

The authorities came after an hour. We exchanged versions of the incident — which was not my fault, for the record. Some of you may remember that I was rear-ended in October. Which again, was not my fault. People just like to hit me, I guess.

Today, I finally got in touch with the other driver’s insurance company – which, coincidentally, is the same insurance company I dealt with last year. Which – for the record – was not my fault. I’m just sayin’….

Repairs should be made (and I should receive a rental) within the next week or so.
I was feeling pretty accomplished today; resolving this issue as quickly as possible.

And yet, I forgot something.

I forgot that I would receive a few letters from local attorneys who would love to represent me if I decided I was injured from being rear-ended at 5 miles per hour.
I cannot believe I forgot that.
Last time I was involved in an accident (that wasn’t my fault, remember?), I received four letters from attorneys and chiropractors.

Oh. But. This. Time.
This time was special.

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I received FIFTEEN letters today.
The accident was on Wednesday morning. Today is Friday. They didn’t really waste any time, now did they? They had to have those letters in the mail Wednesday afternoon. Heck, I couldn’t even get the insurance company to answer the phone until this morning!

Then, I felt a little deflated.
All those letters weren’t actually for me.
Oh no, friends.
Because my children were in the van with me, they each also received a letter from various attorneys and chiropractors.

I told them they had mail.
They were excited.

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Then, they lost their excitement when they tore into each envelope and discovered a-whole-lot-a-nothin’ to be excited about. They thought the letters with magnets inside were cool. And I now have a permanent reminder on my fridge that I have a personal accident attorney who is always on my side, lest I ever forget. I have tried to throw it away a few times. But Cailyn insists it’s hers and I am under strict instructions not to touch her stuff – it came in the mail with her name on it. So…I assume the refrigerator magnet fairy will be making a visit soon. I’ll have to tell Cailyn a story about some poor little kids that have no fridge magnets…

I just can’t believe the amount of money that was wasted in sending me letters, magnets, CDs (oh, yes!) and full-color press printed STUFF that I do not need or want.

All of that hoopla….for a little scratched, banged up, slightly messed up rear bumper.
Are you kidding me?!?

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skye, March 19th 2010 | Posted in Chatter, the girls

More surgery in our future

But this time, it’s for Carys!

I took Carys to the ENT yesterday afternoon, fully aware that we would probably leave with a recommendation for a second set of ear tubes. She had ear tubes placed in January 2008. The first tube came out on it’s own a little over a year later. She immediately started having trouble with the ear. But it wasn’t a constant problem.
Then, the other tube was removed this past Summer. Within a month, she was in the doctor’s office with an ear infection.
She has had one at least once every month and half since then.
Poor girl.
We’ve been through all the antibiotics, and even started from square one with her meds.
Nothing helps. It seems it takes the edge off the infection, but doesn’t quite kill it!
About two weeks ago, Carys had a nasty little ear infection that perforated her ear drum. She has a very high pain tolerance and doesn’t complain until something really hurts…obviously.
The ear drum is healing well and she passed a hearing test with flying colors — but she still has a lot of fluid in both ears.

I knew ear tubes would be brought up again.
But I didn’t even think that the surgeon would recommend removing her adenoids, too. I should have thought about it, knowing that adenoids and ear problems often go hand-in-hand.

Let’s just say that Carys is less than thrilled about having surgery.
She is excited, however, to know that she’ll be on a strict soft food diet for a few days after surgery.
“Mommy…is ice cream a soft food? Because I think it is. But not broccoli.”

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Tomorrow, Chad & I make the much anticipated voyage to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
We are packing a bag, just in case we need it.
It would not surprise me if he stayed a night or two and had a little surgery himself on Friday.
I’m not hoping that happens, but I’m going to be prepared.
Nothing surprises me these days, especially the outcome of these trips to Winston-Salem.

I was surprised, however, to learn that Chad had a seizure last night while I was at a business meeting.
He has been enjoying leisurely strolls through the neighborhood lately. Sometimes I go with him, but he’s usually fine on his own and agrees to stay on our street for the most part.
Last night though, he had a seizure at the beginning of his walk. Thankfully, he hadn’t gotten far from home when it hit and two of our neighbors were able to help him back home. My mom was here with the girls and was able to fend off  two very inquisitive little girls.
He wasn’t able to speak or walk for quite some time afterward, and I hate that I wasn’t here. I know that I can’t do anything to prevent or help him – but he’s also never had one when in the presence of anyone but me or medical staff. I just like to see it for myself; to judge how “bad” it was, if that makes sense.
I should have known that another seizure would be coming since the last one wasn’t that bad, at all.
He’s feeling okay today, but is tired and has a more pronounced headache.

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I’ll probably update frequently tomorrow, as it will be a long day and I won’t have much to do besides wait for test results and appointments.

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skye, March 3rd 2010 | Posted in Chad, Chatter, the girls
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