A Little Ease

I'm amazed and so thankful. On Friday we got a call from Greg's doctor....his culture confirmed influenza A{and she wanted him to start the Tamiflu script-not sure why, it only is effective in the first 48 hrs-he didn't take it}. She shared that this flu was fairly aggressive and we might be in for long days. {When I read this, I became a little freaked out as well} By then, the boys had already started high fevers and were literally couch bound. I barely heard a peep from them all day.....just quiet requests for water and cold washcloths. As I wrote in a previous post....I was preparing for days of feeling sick.....and coming down with it myself.
                                    
The day before the boys started fevers... I ran out to Whole Foods.....and searched for my favorite natural dept. employee. He looks just like Kid Rock.....and is so helpful and kind. In the past, he has guided me with mineral makeup purchases.....today he was helping me batten down the hatches and prepare for the flu. I left armed with Vitamin C and a Whole Foods product called Flu Ease (homeopathic med.) The boys and I were to take it with the first sign of illness.....and we did.

                                                                 {they could be twins}

All I can say is.....after taking a couple doses of Flu Ease and a heavy dose of probiotics.....all I came down with was some exhaustion and dizziness. The boys fever broke after 1 day.....by Saturday they were bouncing around the house again. I can't help but attribute this quick recovery to prayer and some natural meds. The boys were also excited to try my friend Ruth's advice to soak their feet in hot salt water....they did....and they loved it. Thanks Ruth!

 

{hot salt water-felt so good}

Thankful for my {Kid Rock}medicine advisor
For Island friends and remedies
Popsicles, cozy couches, and Food Network
For signed leases, 4 wheel carts from home, and fresh starts

Be well!

Between the Lines

I should be taking a shower and getting ready for the day. We are heading to the beach. Yep, it's freezing and we are going to the beach....hoping to see some seals. At least find a fun restaurant along the way.

I'm writing this for no particular reason at all.....well yes, there is....I'm writing this for me.  I may write about the little things going on....grocery shopping trips, our day, basic stuff. Through it all....there is so much more going on. I often think...after writing.....but, that wasn't the full picture. There is always so many more details...I'm sure this is true for all of us.

This week.......

There have been emotional lessons learned.

There has been worry over heart issues...of the physical kind. With every breath.

There has been encouragement from long distance friends....and encouragement given back.

There have been birthdays gone bad.....words that can't be taken back.....but apologies accepted.

There have been attitudes needing adjustment.......feelings hurt......forgiveness.

There have been smiles masking pain......and then replacing pain. Smiles.

There has been real, deep, growing, and feeling life.

And right now as I write this......I swear it's a message from the good Lord.....my neighbor has his music playing so loud......and I'm dancing in my chair. I'm going to miss that loud and restless guy. The song he's playing? The Doobie Brothers....Listen to the Music....{I kid you not}

"List'nin' for the happy sounds ....And I got to let them fly....woah oh oh listen to the music"

Mr Brave: AKA Ross

We started our day around 5:30am am. Thankfully, G was able to join us for Ross's big test. It started in a way that I am realizing is the norm for me.....I plan and prepare.....and then little glitches....or challenges cross our path. They were not big deals, but they were challenges all the same.

Since moving we have yet to get a local bank....plus, we have not found an ATM machine that works with our card. Usually, G will drive to Staten Island where there is a branch of our NY bank and withdraw cash-but he has not had time to do that this week. So, we headed to the hospital and planned on parking in the garage....but they did not take charge....and between the 2 of us we did not have 1 single dollar. We ventured off to find off site parking....in a neighborhood....and then came upon a neighbor. Or, as he called himself...."Citizens Against Hospital Parking" or something like that. He said we could park for 2 hrs and then he would "stripe" our tires. Please Mr CAHP....couldn't you cut us a break? We were going to be longer than 2 hrs....so our test day started with a little  obstacle. We parked for 2 hours and then G ran out and moved our car to another street....it all worked out. Just a little detail that I wanted to document as part of our day.

Ross was then admitted and all his stats taken. From the beginning until the end....all the nurses and staff who worked with us were wonderful. They were upbeat.....thoughtful....and just so sweet to Ross. Ross was such a trooper through it all. It got pretty intense at one point......they numbed both his arms before administering the IV needle, but Ross said he was not ready. He was so sad and worried and kept saying "I'm not ready!" as he was surrounded by 3 nurses. Sam was trying to put his arm around him....G and I were getting teary eyed...and then finally the IV was in. He was getting 2 tests done.....so there was activity on both arms(more needles). Ross chose to watch it all.

His tears dried and he sat back to watch "Cloudy With a Chance Of Meatballs" for the next hour...as we all waited for the second part of his test.

We waited......

.....and waited. I sent G off to work....as I felt that the most traumatic part was over. There was a bit more pain during the second part of his test, but once it was over......Ross had the biggest smile and started laughing and chatting with anyone who would listen.  He was such a brave and patient boy....Sam was such an encourager to him.

The whole procedure lasted just over 3 hours. We decided to go to our favorite Italian bakery on the way home....to celebrate.  The gal at the bakery is so nice and fun to chat with. We've gone in before and she is just such a sweetheart. On our way out........she gave the boys these great cookies.

Tomorrow, we will get up bright and early....go and get blood drawn(Sam too!) and then we will be officially

done with this test. I pray we will find some answers. I pray for good health for both my boys!

*Please excuse any grammar or spelling errors....as I am terrible at grammar to begin with...and lack of sleep with too much sugar doesn't help.

Shorty McShorty , some Puffy Eyes and More

The boys have started a once a week homechool soccer class. The coaches are wonderful, the park is beautiful and the boys love it. They seem to care less about making new friends and are all about the game. They get right out there and start doing the drills. It's extra nice that it meets during the week....during the day. We have to drive about 30 minutes to get there, but it seems worth it.

I've met a few other homeschool moms while there, but no real connections. One mom....a fellow adoptive mom who is in her 60's has been very outgoing and kind to me. The first time we went, I left feeling encouraged and hopeful. I met a couple of moms....one was very chatty...which made it really nice and easy. This second time we went...I left not feeling as encouraged. The chatty mom was not there....my older friend was, but the other moms kept to their cliques.  It made me miss my girlfriends. Later that day...I had an epiphany......I'm not there for me, I'm there for the boys. Not going to go into my full thought right now, but it's all good.  The bad part.....Ross has horrible allergies and the park was making him feel awful. The poor guy, his eyes swelled so fast and furious....red and itchy. He was having so much fun, he did not want to leave. It was a tough call....the class only lasted an hour. We stayed.

Not sure if I made the right call.....being a mom is full of moment by moment decisions. His eyes were so puffy. I gave him his allergy med...plus....I ran out to Whole Foods to see what they suggested. I purchased something called Camu?? I think. It's supposed to be super high in C and like a superfruit. They also suggested that we put Chamomile tea bags on his eyes....we did.

I think they helped. He went to bed shortly after. Oh my, what a long night it was. When his allergies are flaring up and I know he will have a long hard night....especially with breathing.....I have him sleep with me (G goes in with Sam). We were up all night long......he was sneezing, coughing, nebulizing, and more. By morning....he was much better.....and I was the one needing the tea bags.

                                           (Shorty McShorty AKA Frump... in need of makeup and sleep)

Puffy eyes. Oh yeah....I had another hair cut. I edited this to say......it wasn't the cut I was hoping for. It'll grow. Actually, it's really easy so that's a plus. I think I'll like it more in a month or two. G likes it . I called him as I was leaving the salon (he was in the town with the boys) and said "I'm feeling really fragile, don't look shocked when you see me." Thankfully, he said all the right things. I'm going to let it grow for a couple of months and then find someone else to traumatize me give me a new style. New city....new hair.

Oh....while I've got you.....I'm thinking of starting another blog and make it public. I feel bad that everyone has to check in instead of my posts showing up on google reader. I know it's a pain. In fact, my mom and G don't even read anymore because they would have to sign in and all. It's too complicated when they are at work. Anyway. What do you think? Would it make it easier? I would start a new blog and keep things anonymous (so I wouldn't worry about that other person finding it)  On that same note....I'm finding that I'm blogging less and less. How about you?

Hip-Hip-Hooray

I was trying to think of a title for this post.......because it's technically about the boys hips I thought that title fit. Plus, I've only had one cup of coffee.....best I could do.

As I've mentioned, we've been praying about a few situations lately. Yesterdays post about the boys has nothing to do with today's.....different issues. Thankfully, both issues have been resolved. Actually, the only thing they have in common is a great Dr and getting some answers.

We've been concerned about the boys stride and the way their feet turn....basically their walk and run. Since they were about 1 yr old we've asked their different pediatricians about it and they've always said that the boys were fine. We recently went to a new Dr who really took the time to discuss every concern and addressed each of those concerns in a new way. I'm hoping to share about the boys new immune system protocol soon. But for today we'll talk hips...this Dr addressed our concern over the boys walk/stride and said that there was a problem. We were finally getting some answers.

The boys saw their physical therapist for the first time on Tues......he was fabulous. We could not have asked for a more gentle and thoughtful therapist. We had been thinking that it was a foot issue.....turns out it has to do with their hips. They don't have full movement which makes their walk and run a bit stiff and even painful. I'm sure G remembers the actual term......I feel terrible that I don't. I do know what we need to do to help them gain more flexibility and hopefully improve things.....including avoiding future pain and problems. The boys were wonderful at their first appointment...I'm pretty sure they even had fun. Though, Ross was not thrilled with the paparazzi at his appointment.

We worked out a plan with our PT......G and I will do their exercises with them 2x a day and report back to him for assessment every 2 weeks.

It feels like our days have been consumed with appointments and meetings lately....hoping to get back to some fun and our usual routine soon......playing, cooking, dancing......moving furniture ;)