Ouch!

This is how I've been feeling since Friday of last week. I have been in pretty good spirits, but the weather changed very quickly and my allergies came in full force and triggered my asthma. Fun times. The doctor was able to see me last Friday when I told them that my wedding is in a week and I can't be having all of these issues. They were fantastic and I am so thankful that they could squeeze me in last minute.

The prescriptions they gave me are working well and the allergies are under control. There is only one problem now...

My cough. I have this dry, barking cough that hurts my chest so much. I have tried ginger root tea, silver tablets, Emergen-C, Chloraseptic spray, Tylenol Sinus (day and night) and nothing has worked for more than a few minutes! My inhaler works to open up the airways, but the cough is persistent.

The wedding is in 5 short days and I really can't be coughing up a lung at the altar. Any suggestions? Please tell me what works and will stop this cough! The doctor is supposed to call in another prescription in the morning, but it can be difficult to fall asleep.

Other than that, things are going really well! We're having a good time with my sister in town and we're just finishing up the final touches.

What i've been feeling lately

Yesterday I finally broke down and went to the doctor. I have been avoiding this for quite some time now because 1) I have no health insurance and have to pay out-of-pocket and 2) It would require blood work and I am really not a fan of needles.

As I suspected, they sent me to the lab to get some blood work done. For months I've been feeling exhausted daily no matter how much sleep I get sometimes this causes me to feel weak, shaky, dizzy, or just plain tired, irritable, and emotional. Yesterday was the straw when I was driving and things started to get randomly blurry from afar while I was wearing my glasses. When I called and told Phil about this at work he insisted that even though we had wanted to wait until I had found a job with health insurance to get everything checked out, then we had better get me in to see the doctor-- like, now.

The doctor was super nice and when I explained what's been going on as well as my lack of weight loss with the amount of effort that has been put in she agreed that something didn't seem right. She decided to check my thyroid because of most of the symptoms I've been experiencing as well as a blood sugar check for diabetes to see if I'm pre-diabetic since my sister and grandmother both have diabetes. She didn't seem convinced that I have diabetes, but wanted to check and see where we stood on all of that anyways. She is also checking for liver and kidney function as well as to see if I'm anemic because my fingers seriously turn purple when I get cold and that could be a sign of an iron deficiency.

I did really well at the lab today when they took my blood because seriously, I am the biggest baby about getting sticked (mostly with shots) and had the nicest phlebotomist that was there I swear. All in all it didn't hurt at all, but I'm feeling exhausted, dizzy, and was shaky earlier today and am a little weak as well. Hopefully, they will figure out what is wrong and it will be an easy fix (without needles) and inexpensive as well. That's my prayer for the moment and I am so thankful that God got me through today without totally freaking out. He's been here with me and I pray that He continues to bless me through all of this.

Sick Days

I've been feeling pretty sick since Sunday. I went to brunch with Phil and the family, but afterwards my stomach started feeling sick. It had been upset Monday and got really bad Tuesday night. I took off yesterday and got today off as well.

I am not a person who usually calls in sick, especially being a nanny. In my previous positions, my bosses looked down upon calling in sick and not working unless death itself was knocking at the door. I also, had never had sick pay, so if I was out then there was no pay and I needed the money. Luckily with this job I have a couple of sick days to use per year and my boss seems to be very understanding with me staying home. In fact, she actually encouraged me to stay and rest today so that I can get better faster, of course, I promised to go in to work tomorrow even if I'm feeling a little iffy. You know, I don't want to take advantage or anything.

So, here I am at Phil's house resting up, watching a lot of tv, doing homework, and chillaxing. Here's to feeling 100% by tomorrow...cheers!

This weekend in a nutshell

This weekend was definitely a good weekend. Friday was Phil's sister-in-law's birthday dinner, Saturday was halloween, and Sunday we had brunch with Mom and Dad (Phil's parents) and Gram. We stayed and played games at Gram's apartment and had a lot of fun despite the fact that I have been feeling sick all weekend, but I managed to suck it up and get through it only to now be at work all day watching a sick kid.

Anyways, here's a picture of us at the halloween party:

Oh the drama

Being a nanny is definitely an interesting job. It is not one that I ever thought to have, but happened all the same. This being said, watching 3 kids with different interests can be a little challenging. What I can say is that last week hanging out with the youngest (who is 4) was so much fun. The two older girls were with their grandparents in another state and it was such a nice change. This week is a full 50 hour week with all 3 kids; on top of that I am battling a cold and so is the oldest child.

I came into work today to find out the youngest has a play date that we are supposed to drop him off at. This was definitely a good thing because that means that the girls and I can go home, watch a movie, and get the laundry started as requested. Unfortunately, that did not happen. As soon as we got there and the middle girl saw the blow-up pool set up, she set out to try to stick her feet in (crocs and all). I quickly stopped her because I didn't want my car to get all wet and said we needed to get going. The play-date's mom then offered for her to jump in with her clothes on. What??? I don't think so! Luckily, said child decided that she did not want her clothes wet.

Thinking we were spared any further damage or requests I mentioned that we had to go, but noooo, the play-date's mom asked the middle child if she wanted to borrow a swim suit insuring that she had one in her size. Before I could protest the child was excited and the mom ran her inside to change her into the swimsuit. I was now stuck there, at the play-date in the heat, with the oldest child and play-date mom...awkward.

It wouldn't have been so bad except that I have this cold that causes my head to spin, nose to either be stuffy or run, and feel really exhausted. Plus, you add in the heat and humidity and I melt (physically and emotionally). I do not deal well with heat and humidity....seriously. On top of that, the oldest child is a talker. So much so, that she told the play-date mom all about her life story: how her great-grandma died when she was 5, that her dad's side of the family has a long life-span, her grandma has pnemonia, she once had pnemonia, she now has a cold, etc, etc, etc...

Instead of a relaxing morning, I was stuck there for 2 1/2 hours. Way too long for comfort. I had not eaten breakfast and just wanted to chill while the girls watched a movie and the laundry was started. I now look forward to going home, eating dinner, and vegging all night because I can't go to the gym if I can't breathe well out of my nose.

*Oh, and isn't it amazing that the oldest child can be soooo sick, need tylenol, and complains all flippin day about how bad they feel, but can be ok enough to go to a friend's house and when I say resting and driking plenty of fluids is better tries to say that she wanted to go outside and practice field hockey with said friend....ya, i don't think so.

An accidental three day weekend!

Ok, so it might not have been that great to start off with, but it happened none the less. I had gotten used to working full days Monday-Thursdays 8am-6pm with the kids for two weeks after we got back from California. It's hard work, but I love having Fridays off to spend with Phil since he works on Saturdays. It gives us some extra "do whatever we want" time and I truly love it!

I did have a week or maybe two with my Monday-Friday schedule and volunteering at a school on the days I go in late since then, but apparently this week was destined to be Monday-Thursday with Friday being off.

It started on Monday. I was called in an hour early to come and get M. She was staying home from school with strep and she had a stomach virus over the weekend. When I went to pick up D from school, I found out he had the stomach virus and while we were picking up Morgan's Rx from the grocery store, he got sick :( After his parents took him to the dr.'s office that night we found out that he too had strep.Luckily the oldest hasn't come down with anything as of yet and neither has the mom.

This brings me to how I got yesterday off. I woke up at 4:30am feeling really sick. I waited until 5:45am before I called off per Phil's suggestion. Yes, indeed, I have the stomach virus. Luckily it is a 24 hour bug and I am much better today! Yesterday was awful and Phil took me to the dr.'s to make sure I didn't have strep. It was surprisingly cheap for not having insurance. It only cost $55! My Rx was free...thank you Giant for your free antibiotic offer, as I happily obliged.

Also, since my sister was diagnosed about two years ago with type 2 diabetes, I have been a little paranoid seeing as I am about 30 pounds heavier than she is. The doctor found no sugar in the test and said I am not diabetic! They weren't even supposed to check that, but God loves to do little things like that to let you know he cares. I'm super estatic I don't have diabetes.

As for today, I have some grocery shopping to do, maybe some vaccuuming, moping, or light cleaning. I don't want to over do it with how I was yesterday. I am excited to be picking up some fruit and salad at the market and am loving that soooo many things are 10 for $10!