The Bag

I can't begin to describe what Alabamians have been through in last 36 hours...and in the same breath, I can't imagine what many Alabamians are going through right now...

I've already written all about the tornadoes on my other blog (click here to read that). But here's what I didn't say in the other story...

We survived the first round of tornadoes-hid out in the damp, scary partial, dirt-floored basement which I've not been in since a few years ago when I opened it and a HUGE chicken snake was stretched out in front of the door...

When we got ready for the 'even worse stuff' to hit later that afternoon, I decided that...with the husband at work, I wanted to get to a more populated area. I decided to take the kids to my mom's house 15 miles away. I told the kids to pack a backpack full of toys-and leave everything else. Their little minds couldn't decide which items were more important, so they each took 2 bags...(lol)

I had no problem deciding what was most important. I could have walked out with just my kids, but I took one bag and my purse. In the small purse-sized bag, I put us all a pair of shorts, underwear, and a t-shirt. To my purse, I added the kids' back-up processors...and walked out the door.

I took out my camera, walked around my house snapping photos. The kids asked why-I said, "It may all be gone when get back." I knew I would never be able to list material items in devastation, so I took photos, in case I needed to make a list for insurance purposes...

So, what would you put in your bag?

Easter Egg Hunt

We decided to skip out on the morning church service since Brook was diagnosed with strep (again). She's much better today, but I didn't want to chance her being in such close contact with people being only hours from the non-contagious zone. We did however, go to their grandparents' house and have a great Easter dinner along with an Easter egg hunt. They shook, listened, tried to figure out what all the surprises were inside those eggs. Their little cousin Ethan found the most eggs I think, and they all had a ball. Here are a few of the HUNDRED AND TWENTY photos I took (lol)...

We did get Gage's IEP completed and signed-pretty much the same as last year but we added a homework notebook which will go directly between me, Gage and the teacher. His ADHD (along w/excuses and lazy 10 year old boy syndrome) contribute to no homework being brought home...at all. So we are hoping to improve this also by me picking him up out of the car line, parking, going thru his things and making sure he has EVERYTHING before we leave, or he'll have to go back inside and get his books! He will soon become more responsible hopefully and remember to check before leaving class.

Exploring the possibilities...

SOOOO, here's where we are now. Gage saw his beloved ENT surgeon today. As always, no symptoms today-I'm sure they'll return in a day or two though. Since there hasn't been any swelling/redness to note since the first of the year (which was prior to the 6 week treatment of antibiotics he was on) he's still not convinced that IT's coming back. It being the Staph (non MRSA)....

Again, we are watching and waiting, should something more present itself, such as skin changes or swelling we'll know that it may have in fact returned. However, our next step for now is to watch and wait. I may need to pull him off his ADHD meds to make sure they aren't causing the pain...Gage says the pain isn't a headache but again, he's only 10-so we have to make for sure...

After that, if he's not on his meds and he still has pain-we need to go to a Neurologist next who can help determine if he could have something else going on, like migraines...

But today is a good day, he has no pain and the doc and I agree that the last thing we want to do is surgery-took the child 3 months to heal from his last one (re-implant/device failure) ...

There's always the possibility that his Goldenhar (ear & jaw malformations) is aiding and abetting in his pain-which would mean he would need to learn to manage his pain in someway. We shall cross each bridge as we arrive and hope he has more pain free days than painful days!!!

One thing I am certain of-I don't at all think it's behavioral. He does this on the weekends also-not just at school...and the school actually wished he would complain more than he does. He'll make it all day in pain (never telling anyone) by simply taking each processor off and on to get thru the day (let each one take a turn resting)......so I don't for a second believe it's a behavioral thing.

We have audiology (mapping) on Thur to rule out any technical problems...and he also has an eye doc appt Tues...so we'll go from there!

IEPs are coming up-I have one on Friday and one the follow week (I think?) I live day to day and I rarely look beyond what I need to do in one single day, let alone the following week.

Also-if anyone is interested in writing for the online magazine Examiner.com like me-simply use this link to apply. They have a ton of available topics and you can also create your own if you'd like-be sure to use this link so they'll know I sent ya!   http://exm.nr/gN7aE6   I will concentrate on my writing more when school gets out. I rarely have time for it right now with two jobs and a family...but this summer, the two jobs will cease and I'll have some time.

I also bought my veggie garden plants today-I'm so excited to plant! I have 16 tomato plants, several banana peppers, cucumbers, squash, zucchini-and more to buy later when I see how much room I have left!!

And that's where we are.......

What is going on?

Well, still no great news to report as far as Gman's symptoms. I've now replaced his magnet with a lighter one in a last ditch effort to relieve the pain in his right ci (which is not the one that had the infection, in Jan all our issues began with the left side-seems we've swapped sides here). I know the other magnet wasn't too tight, no redness or even pain right at his coil...the pain was about 2 finger widths in front of that area. He's been getting hit w/basketballs in P.E. and they've switched him to his own goal (which he hates playing by himself) but they rarely play basketball anyway...only if it's raining outside so I'm ok with that til we figure out what is going on...which we hope to, when his doc returns from out of town and we see him on the 19th. I've even wondered if he's been hit on that side and didn't have immediate problems.  I always ask if he's bumped it but kids forget when they are as active as he is.

For now, with no other symptoms, removing the processor is his method of pain control. His teacher says he's been having a lot of issues with it in class and nurse has concurred. He's removing it several times a day. I've tried to get him to just leave it off...but so far he wants it this way...and at 10 yrs old (almost) I have to choose my battles and besides, it's his head, he knows what he feels comfortable with.

I'm still subbing at school and will be right down the hall from him today if he has any issues...and I'm still part-time at the accounting office too. I barely have time to write my articles anymore so they are on the back burner til we get out for summer vacation. Our last day of school is May 27, and we'll be hitting the beach soon after that if Gman is doing okay!

Remember-he is not your typical ci patient. He has Goldenhar Syndrome and he has odd and random issues pop up from time to time about various things. I will say that times like these-we are super glad he is bilateral-so if he needs to remove one-he's still able to participate in his usual activities.