Wednesday, Feb. 27

Hello all. You know, the prep is the worst part. I'm telling you--I didn't feel anything, I didn't remember as much as I did on the first one (back in 1999.) I was walking out on Monday morning at 11 am. feeling strange but walking. I didn't have to be wheeled out. I didn't feel anything later either if you're wondering. Oh and it was what I thought it was--there's nothing else in there. She didn't even biopsy anything, said all looked healthy and good. How does a person decide to do colonoscopies for a living?

The car is good. Taurus is getting used to it. He's not used to the motion of this one. So I put a blanket in and he will lie (lay?) down. I don't know what the mileage is doing at this point. We're on the first tank of gas and it only has 125 miles on it.

What goes in, must come out.

I thought I had to be on a clear liquid diet yesterday. It turns out that I only had to do it today when I'm prepping for the colonoscopy. I read those sheets more than once. I re-read them at dinnertime, and discovered that it was only for today. I did eat dinner. And today I'm drinking my food. White grape juice, apple juice, broth. I can also have popsicles and italian ice, as long as there are no red dyes in them. My motto is, "what goes in, must come out."

Yesterday I was doing some car research on-line. I wanted to know where are the 30 MPG mid-size SUV's. So I'm searching around and find a Ford Escape Hybrid. 33 city, 30 highway--yes, that's right, city is better than highway because highway driving is mostly just gas not electric. You might see where this is going. I called the dealer to find out if there was one on the lot. There was, so I asked him if I could bring the dog to find out if he would fit. If he doesn't fit, we're dead in the water. Taurus did fit. He jumped into the back, no problem. I think he could lie down and still see out the window. They all thought that was funny, Ford Taurus, Taurus the dog. Ha-ha. Before we even went, Jay and I talked about the boys sitting side by side and them getting along. They would need to deal, and get over the bickering. Some of you are chuckling already. Aren't you? Better gas mileage, smaller vehicle, and one we still fit into was what I was looking for before. We pick it up on Monday. One other bonus for buying a hybrid is that we'll get tax credits on state and federal taxes next year. Anything to help with taxes. Plus it's green. Less emissions, etc. Here's a picture--http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escapehybrid/ It's black pearl slate metallic.

I'm doing the "I don't own a mini-van" dance...

Saturday

We have too much drama at our house. At about 8am, Nate starts yelling in that kind of "I'm in pain" sort of yelling. Then he starts running around and I couldn't find him. (You can run in a cirlcle on the main floor of our house. I was in the laundry room so didn't know where he started.) I tell him to stand still. I find him with blood running out of his nose, gushing. He had been chasing the dog and playing. He said he was running and his toe got caught in his pant leg and he fell towards the rocker by the window and hit his nose/upper lip on the window ledge. I know why I'm not a nurse. I see blood and want to just pass out or throw-up. I left Nate with Jay in the kitchen and started cleaning the drops of blood on the carpet. Then I felt like I couldn't breath, my hearing started going fuzzy. I sat down and then went outside. Later Jay and I joked that he might have had to deal with my concussion and Nate's blood. After the blood stopped and we were able to clean it up, it looks like he hit the window ledge just under his nose. It doesn't look like his nose is broken yet he does have a stuffy nose. No teeth were broken. He'll have a nice bruise though. Aaron was really upset. He said Grandma Carol should have been here. She's a nurse. She was there when Aaron cut his forehead and needed 11 stitches. Aaron told me that he fell in the blood that I forgot to clean up. And since then, he always tells the story that Uncle Brian was chasing them (Nate, Ben and Aaron) and it's all his fault. I almost threw up that day, too. I had to leave the room before they even started stitching. I almost passed out, too. Like when you feel the black curtain rising or falling. Hard to describe.

Both boys were with friends today. Aaron's friend's mom came and picked him up around 10am. We went to get him at 4pm. Nate had a birthday party that started at 1pm and they were going to keep the kids over night. We don't do over nights. Only with grandmas and good friends. Jay and I went to see "Definitely, maybe." It was funny in places. We had a date. Strange and unusual to be with Jay without the boys around.

It was warm enough today to have some windows open. It was so nice to get some fresh air into the house. I hope we got the germs out. Because Germ-boy, I mean Jay, is still sick from 15 days ago. He did go to the doctor. But it's lingering. I was sick and feel better now.

Nate's in!

Some good news--Nate's been accepted into the Challenge School. He told me he wasn't worried. He knew he'd get in. Well, we didn't. You never know.

He's also been cooking things. He likes scrambled eggs and cheese, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and smoothies. I asked him if he'd like to learn to cook dinner. He said no.

Thursday, Feb. 7

I've got the cold that Jay brought home. He's been sick for a week. I hope I get over it sooner. He even decided to go to the doctor. He must not be feeling well.

Nate went back into his gifted class on Monday. I met a second time with the teachers and principal. He is just fine. We'll go back to the counsellor. I do have a few more questions but those can wait.

I've had three good blood pressure readings in the last 10 days. (the colonoscopy doctor, surgeon and GP) I just can't get a reading at the oncologist's office. They have a machine that automatically pumps up to 250 or more. It feels like 3000! Anyway, it squeezes my arm until my hand feels like it's gong to fall off. It gets a little numb and tingly. It usually doesn't get the reading on the first try so it has to pump up twice. That alone makes my pressure go up. And when it tries to go for the third time, I have to rip it off. The nurse called me her "problem child" the last time I was there. The time before that my reading was 155/80-something. Doc wasn't happy about that. But I think he needs to get his blood pressure take with those automatic machines. These three readings were around 124/76. At my GP appointment, we talked about what I do for fun. The funniest was my "hobby" of going to doctors appointments. That's not really that funny. I've been to my own appointments and the boys' annual exams. Next is their dental and also eye exams. Hobby. Hmm.

How boring is this to just talk about sickness and doctors? I can't even come up with anything else to tell you. Here's something: I made an orange bundt cake today. I used a white cake mix and added zest & orange juice instead of water. I just took it out of the oven. I forgot to grease the pan but it's a silicon pan so maybe it won't matter. I'll find out. The Today show is doing a segment on "Fool-proof Tarts." Interesting...

Busy Week 2

I called the last post a busy week and never explained. When I look at my calendar, it doesn't look any busier than any other week. I spent alot of time on the phone with Nate's teachers. I met with them yesterday. Still have more questions, still waiting on return calls. Although he will meet with us next Monday, apologize to his gifted teacher, make a plan and he will go back into GT.

I felt like I was behind or running around all week. Probably just the time I've spent trying to figure out what happened at school. It's been consuming. Nate finally talked to Jay and I Tuesday evening. These boys don't talk about what's bothering them. It took a long time to draw him out. Trying to piece together everyone's side and still not clear.

The boys had their annual physicals today. Aaron can now hear. He had two huge ear wax balls cleaned out of his ears. Both boys will need to get their eyes checked. Probably getting glasses for Nate at least. More appointments because I don't do enough of them. Although there are Saturday appointments and Jay could go this time. Oh and the dog needs to go.

What did I do fun this week? Two gals from newcomers (cucumbers if you're Aaron) had their babies this week. A little boy and a little girl. I found two cute gifts for them. I went to lunch on Wednesday with my small group from Reflections. We met at Sherrie's house and had a marvelous time. Tomorrow is a scrap booking get-together. I don't really scrap book. I do have several small projects that were supposed to be Christmas presents for the parents. So I'll take those and try to finish them. Maybe they'll get them for Valentine's Day.