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Happy to report the coughs are just about done. In fact, we all went to church on Sunday. First time in two weeks for Carolyn and Trevor.

That vapo rub did quite a number. Then setting up the warm water mister (which we finally remembered we had) was also helpful. In addition, I gave them mini massages every night.

So the whole bedtime routine became rather involved but produced good results.

Now there's been some odd stomach ailment but we hope it only involves eating too much rich food over Thanksgiving. Not everyone is affected, by any means.

Also, I am finally back to the treadmill routine after skipping for an entire week. Feeling punk with some mystery illness. But today I went slow but sure to finish with 5.5 miles at the end of the day. Due in no small part to watching "The Mob Doctor." :-D

But getting back to the holiday, we had a good un'.

A tad hectic but very enjoyable.

Most of the visitors left on Friday (Kendra, Ardith & Justin, Jason) but Sharon stayed until  Sunday morning. Then she drove back to Indiana and now is in Florida.

That gal gets around, geographically speaking!

We hit the books again this morning, though judging by the reaction of Nolan and Trevor I was asking them to perform impossible feats by simply requiring an entire lesson in math.

"Can't we do half a lesson to ease back into it?"   "No."

 Still, we got though something.

Shopping as well, despite extremely cold windchills. I had to go into Goodwill, just to warm up. AND I came away without buying anything.

Who says I can't change? I'm even starting to drink tea instead of coffee.

Yes, the end is near.

Speaking of deadlines, we are working toward a church dinner on Friday, which Loren and I have volunteered to head up.

And by "volunteered," I mean Loren volunteered us, ha ha. But it will work out. Especially since the Johnsons are helping me out with decorations; etc....the stuff most people care about. I don't so much because I am one of those strange females who did not grow up looking through "House Beautiful" magazines (or whatever they are called). I was usually practicing the piano, climbing trees, riding my bike or reading.

Or playing tennis.

But most of my time was spent not looking at magazines, which apparently scarred me for life.

No, give me a desk covered with papers, CD's and math check books, any day of the week.

If anyone has a problem with that I suggest you check in with Constantine.

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Camping Out Amongst the Pines

The heady sent of eucalyptus wafts out into the hall from the boys' room.

After several nights interrupted by the awful, continued hacking from Nolan and Trevor, I've taken more extreme measures.

Poor kids. Especially Trevor. He is sick of his coughing plague.

Last night, after consulting with Linda Johnson at church, I tried a spoonful of honey before bed. That definitely helped, though it didn't last all night long.

After more consultations on Facebook I was reminded of Vicks Vapo Rub. Someone had put it on the soles of their toddler, under socks. I had even gone out and bought a bottle for someone else, but never used it as they got better.

This evening I slathered it on Trevor's and Nolan's chests and the bottoms of their feet. I hope this does the trick!

Ethan's not sure he'll be able to sleep with the smell, but hey...anything's got to be better than that continue noise.

Gave them each another spoonful of honey. And rubbed their backs, too.

(just checked and didn't hear much coughing at all, but you can smell the menthol all the way to the bottom of the stairs....I give Ethan about 30 more minutes before he comes down and asks to sleep on the couch. Which of course can't happen since I stay up late and read, sit at my computer or watch TV. Boy, I'd sure hate to send him out to the garage....heh)

In other news, Carolyn has completed all the requirements for all the applications for all the colleges.

We think.

Grace just increased her scholarship award, so now we'll see what LeTourneau can deliver.

No, I'm not a barracuda....just want good options for my smart kids :-)

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Mayo et My-o

Loren made it safely to the climes of Rochester;  bastion of medical-i-city.

Carolyn aussi. Haven't heard from them yet today but I imagine Monday was the usual jam-packed-with-appointments experience. They are probably tired from walking all over the underground city.

And Loren is probably extra tired from fasting most of the day. Funny how they schedule sequential visits that require no eating for most of an entire day.

One more day and half and then they can come back on Wednesday afternoon. Hopefully.

{had a call since I tried to post this....they are doing fine but Loren cannot get the hotel's wireless to work on his (XP) computer. It's probably killing him}
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Here on the home front we have been exceptionally wicked, playing Christmas music two nights in a row.

Hey, there is a LOT of good Christmas music so I see no point in waiting until December.

I have also instigated a new tradition whereby I purchase a different $5.00 Christams CD every week at Wal*Mart. Sort of a Musical Advent, if you will.

Ma wills it, anyway.

In other news of slackery we had hotdogs and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (big box) tonight for supper.

Just that and nothing else.

How far we have fallen with only Ma and three boys at home. But I figure it's a little splurge for them.

Currently they are sitting in the living room listening to Mannheim Steamroller. Sickness has them a tad subdued, but not to the point of missing out on Ma's promise of movie and dinner out, tomorrow night.

(we will make those two up at Mayo sorry!)

But lest anyone think we have totally lost our perspective, Trevor, Nolan, and I worked on the boys' room this morning. A bit of school too, but a fair amount of clearing in the den of clutter.

I think what amazed me most was how often I heard them say things like, "But...what is there to do?"....piles of stuff lying at their feet....."How much longer?".....still piles.....

Nolan tried to hide three different times but that pretty much stopped when I excused Trevor for a break and made Nolan stay and work.

I can't say I had exceptional cooperation but enough that we got three walls cleared and the baseboards and surrounding floor washed.

Currently I am waiting for the last of (approx.) eight loads to come out of the dryer; loads consisting of all pillows, sheets, blankets and comforters.

And soon another perk: a whole hour of game time, allowing me to watch all of Mob Doctor while walking the treadmill.

I'm hoping to pick up a few tips on intimidation.

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That Loathsome Yearly Duty

And here we are with this years apple crop.

Slightly reduced from earlier years because:

1) Very early warm spell brought out the apple blossoms, followed by a freeze
2) Drought all summer long
3) Ma didn't get the apples picked in early September, so some had fallen
4) I blame the drought for # 4
5) Didn't get to making applesauce quite as early as usual, so some had to be tossed

And after all these culls, we ended up with just enough for 22 quarts, easily cut by three boys (Carolyn was sick) in less than 2.5 hours. The entire process: washing, cutting, cooking, sieving, washing up...took less than 3.5.

When you consider it was tacked onto the end of a Friday, with no lost school, it is even more remarkable.

I guess I win, after all!

In other news, Carolyn turned 18 on Wednesday. Maybe I'll get  a picture up, though Blogger has not been very cooperative in that department.

Tomorrow...er, later today, Loren will head up to Mayo for his yearly exam. Carolyn's traveling along with to get a look-see of different medical related positions. I guess you could call this her senior trip...ha ha.

I'm sure Loren will enjoy the company.

We'll have some big plans here at the home front.  I'm hoping to spend a fair amount of Monday with Trevor and Nolan up in their room. Serious stuff has to take place in the way of clearing out treasures and sorting though clothes to be handed down, etc.

Many missing items could reside in the confines of that dark den of clutter.

I'm beginning to think the answer to that recurring problem is to issue Nolan and Trevor one pair of socks, one T-shirt & shorts and just do laundry every day.

Ah well. Here I am after practically falling asleep on the couch during Dr. Who. Now, wide awake.

If I had a tardis I could go back in time and sleep.

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They Were Wrong - Part 3

Oh BOY were they wrong. About the colonoscopy prep drink being the worst part.

[Right now I'm going to stop and thank God for my husband, Loren. He's been to hospitals numerous times and has developed a well-deserved aversion to medical incarceration. Loren was a real trooper to take me to my procedure and sit through all the "wretched" excitement.]

I don't remember much about our reception upon arriving home, but the children could no doubt tell I wasn't feeling well.

My first goal was getting from doorway to bedroom. Hopefully without gagging in front of the kids.

Loren must have pulled them aside after I went past, for they were exceptionally quiet, courteous and helpful the rest of the afternoon and evening. And he also installed a baby monitor in the bedroom with dual listening posts downstairs. Nice to know I could just give a yell if I needed help.

After trudging up the steps and positioning my bucket, I was about to climb into bed when I noticed a disconcerting cardiac reaction: ....bup.....bup.....bup.....bupbupbupbupbup.....
.....bup......bup.....bup......bupbupbupbupbup....

(Ah...that's probably the exertion from climbing the stairs....wowee...I'm a mess....gotta lie down....)

Bed was not much comfort. Still nauseous and waiting for the meds to wear off; but at least it was quiet.

So quiet I could more readily concentrate on my symptoms.

The pain in my head now extended to my nose, and then to my teeth.

(My teeth hurt....now that is weird...)

(Man...it's a little hard to catch my breath.....what is that tightness in my chest?....OK...now I'm getting a little......hmmm, is that back pain between my shoulder blades?.....and my arms feel strange.....) 

In my misery I realized most of the symptoms were classic indicators of a woman's heart attack. But I couldn't quite believe that possibility. Still, I wondered if I should call out to someone over the monitor.

Everything felt so awful and now I had to make another decision. The kids had already been home for much of the day without us, and I hated the thought of dumping that on Carolyn again. What a dummy I'd feel like if we got over there and then had to come back home. It would take SO LONG. And the emergency room would cost extra money. Plus, I did not want to move.

It was clearly going to be way too much trouble so I decided, "Hey, if I die, I die. I feel too bad to care that much."

I was a little ticked I hadn't voted early, though.

Happily, I not only drifted off to sleep but woke up and decided it was time to return to the land of the living, downstairs. Or at least the recliner and a CD.

Once or twice I would amble out to the kitchen. Carolyn was concocting supper and had everything under control.

Looking in the bathroom mirror I noticed my face was red. Also, a red nose was not terribly becoming.

Figured I ought to try drinking something so I sipped a bit of beef broth. That was a mistake.

But eventually I made it 2 hours without becoming sick to my stomach. And after tolerating ginger ale I became exceptionally brave, taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen for my headache.

The palliative powers of GLAD, followed by my Three Tenors VHS rounded out my evening in the recliner.

Bed didn't seem all that enticing but I tried it anyway, and when I woke up at 2:30am I was stunned to realize the sick feeling had faded. I still felt weak, as from a horrible flu, but I knew recovery was on the horizon.

In the following days we discovered the medication I'd been given--Sentanyl--must have caused an allergic reaction. Everything I experienced read straight off the side-effects list. I will never, ever, take that medicine again.

Nothing else to say except "Thanks" to my husband, Loren.

And thanks be to God.

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They Were Wrong - Part 2

"You mean it's over already?" I said, wiping tears from each eye.

"Yes, all done. The doctor said everything looked great and you won't have to come back for ten years."

"Wow, I can't believe it...I don't feel good..."

*pause*

"Is it really done, already?" "Yes, it's all done."

*pause*

"So, it's over? I feel awful....nauseous...."

This is about when the gagging and retching began. Not that there was much to deliver. As I felt my throat tighten and close up--a scary sensation--I thought, "Huh...I didn't know the dry heaves did that..."

Not the happy-ever-after I'd been expecting. In fact, I felt about three times worse than the infrequent dizzy spells when I have to sit in a chair without moving.

"She looks gray, " said the charge nurse. "Would you like to try sitting in a chair?"

I figured anything might be an improvement.

"You'd better not have that medication again." (sure...whatever)

"Let's give her another bag of fluids."

*more wretching*

"Maybe we should get you back to the bed and lay down for a while."

And so the next few hours passed with staff taking my temp (normal) and blood pressure (low to middlin') and checking my heart rate (low 40's). I tried to focus on something at eye level in between dozing off, again and again.

And occasionally retching. Which was quite the aggravation for my aching head.

The doctor came in for a quick check before leaving and said, "You need to make sure you don't have this medication next time." (Yeah. I really want to think about next time)

The nurses all went to lunch and Loren and I sat and dozed and sat and dozed.

"How long before this stuff wears off? I asked, when they returned.

"Twenty-four hours." (oh---good---grief)

"You're going to need to remember not to have that medication again." (I think I've heard that before...)

"I see that you're holding your head pretty stiff....maybe you should try and relax a bit... "

They were going to give me another bag of fluid but I declined and told them I just wanted to go home and sleep. The nurses were agreeable and quite possibly, relieved.

It had been a long morning and by mid-afternoon we were finally headed for home; a barf bag rigidly clutched in my lap.

(to be continued)

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