I grossly underestimated the amount of time it would take to finish my Mother in laws birthday present, considering I mailed it this morning and her birthday was Sunday! (Yeesh. So sorry, Linda). I have been working every spare moment and even prior to that I was suffering some major sleep debt.
So today, when I put the kids down, I walked directly to my bed and collapsed. And that is where I remained for one glorious hour of slumber.
Now I am awake, the kids are still asleep, and I am having daymares about the present. Things I cannot check or fix since it is already on it's way to Utah. So Linda, if you don't like it or it's not quite right, you can send it back and I'll fix it, or you can even just pretend to like it and only get it out when I'm in town.
We have seen some improvements with Ava lately. Not that she is 100% back to herself but I figure I better at least recognize the good if I am expecting more.
I had both of the kids blood drawn for allergy testing last week. It was terrible. And that day turned into The Day of Infamy. The day I cannot even write about therapeutically yet. The day that was supposed to be so fun because we were going to the "radio". The day that ended with me standing in our hallway sobbing in my underwear covered in my child's throw up. The day that ranks as one of the worst of my life thus far. The day that broke the camels back. Yeah, when I put it that way, things have definitely improved!
But at the lab, last week, the phlebotomist noticed that only 2 of the 3 tests were ordered for Luke. And his results came in first- no allergies for anything for which they tested but definite allergies to something because his Immunoglobin E's were elevated. So the doctor ordered that third test. He has to go back and get his blood drawn. (Making it the 3rd time, even though I requested all of this the 1st time)
And Ava's results came later-allergies to dust mites (just like Luke) and apparently, they did not have enough blood to do the last test even though it was ordered. She has to go back and get her blood drawn.
I wouldn't do any of it unless I suspected (which I do) that they both have allergies and they are suffering because of them.
I'm already teaching them valuable coping skills for life. I told them in the car after their traumatic ordeal, "Hey, Kids! Don't worry! You can fix any hurt or pain or worry with something sweet. Goodies always make us feel better. And I took them through the drivethru and got them each a milkshake.
They reveled
(and bathed and played)
in their shakes and were comforted.
I guess I should just look at this subsequent visit to the lab as an opportunity for a reinforcement lesson. And just pray it doesn't end like the last one.
Post, post edit:
The doctor called me last night to talk about the results of their allergy tests. Up to this point I had only heard through the nurses. She had some good news in that she was able to have Luke's 3rd test done at the lab with the blood they already had. The bad (not really bad, just not good) news is that everything came up negative, which should be good, but isn't because it does not explain his raised levels. Apparently anything under 93 is a normal level for the IG E's. He was at nearly 600. And the first time he was tested he was in the 2,000's. I guess it's gotten lower. But we are no nearer finding out what is causing his body to react this way. The blood test is not that accurate apparently. So she prescribed a nasal medicine to go along with his oral and we will see how that goes.
Also after talking with her I have decided to hold off on Ava's 3rd test as well. I will just continue with her medicine, knowing about the dust mites and doing what I can to keep them under control at our house.
5 comments:
I'm so sorry. I completely understand. I remember driving home from the allergist, trying to navigate through beltway 8 toll booths and I-10 rush hour, sobbing, after Logan's allergies got diagnosed. We're actually moving to Katy next week (well, north Katy) so if you need an allergy buddy or anything on coping with dust mite allergies - Logan has those too - I'll be happy to hear from you. It's a tough phase, really, but soon it'll be normal life stuff. Hang in there, mama.
Oh my! That day will definitely be worth writing about...someday. What great wisdom you have - those shakes are magical. Hope you got one for yourself!
Elise, you have to know that you aren't alone in experiencing these hard times. I remember many times crying all the way home from my parents house after going there on Sunday because the boys were so horrid. And most Moms have also stood in their vomit-soaked underwear. Love you for putting it out there! Sending big hugs your way.
I won't say anything about THAT day. Leave it back there! But, I was thinking about Noah getting the blood test but if it isn't accurate maybe I won't? What do you think?
Well no more pokes--at least for the near future---that sounds good to me! Not fond of having my babies poked!!
Oh, elise, i can only imagine how you never want to think about that ever again! I'm so sorry that the tests didn't tell you anything! i can't imagine how much this worries you, or how much you try NOT to less this worry you. We all want nothing more than our kids to be healthy, happy, nice, obedient, etc...but the health one seems to worry me the most :)
Also, I'm just waiting, checking your blog religiously, for the day that Dan's mom recieves whatever fabulous thing you made for her so you can post about it here on this blog!!!
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