Stop The World, I Want to Get Off …
July 31, 2009 at 12:06 am | In Daddy-O, Family Ties | 1 CommentTags: Ativan, CKD, Dialysis, Hospitals, PD, PD Catheter, So You Think You Can Dance
Alex called me from Dialysis and said he was in a lot of pain. He went to the PD clinic and they flushed (or tried anyway) his PD line (now three-weeks post-op) but it appeared to be clogged. Not much saline went in or out again. After they did that he started to feel a weird pain. By the time he got to the elevator, he was doubled over in pain – and he has a very high pain tolerance. He saw the doctor who does rounds at the clinic and when the doctor took one look at him, he said “You’re going back to the hospital”. They called an ambulance and there he is, still.
By the time I could get there, he was in the acute ward of the Emergency department and had been for about two hours. His Mom and I stayed with him for another four before I had to go and get the girls. It took nearly six hours to see a doctor. It took nearly six hours to get him something to help ease the pain. At this point he had already been in pain for nearly twelve hours. He was shaking and grey. His temperature was slightly elevated and his lower stomach was killing him. So far the signs are pointing to an infection near the catheter site – not a good sign.
At least when I left him, the Morphine had made him comfortable enough to get some sleep. He had some x-rays scheduled – one chest and three belly.
And yet I spend another night away from my Husband.
And yet I spend another night taking Ativan.
And yet I want him home with me.
It’s not supposed to be like this. He’s bearing a terrible burden that no one should have to bear.
In a case of the “toldyaso’s”, Alex had been saying for a few days that his stomach was bugging him, that his guts hurt. I kept telling him to tell the doctor at the clinic. He’d huff and roll his eyes at me and say there was nothing they could do.
I seem to recall the last time I begged him to get checked out we had a similar outcome.
Get better bum. We need you. I hope you get some sleep. Now I have to find out who went home on “So You Think You Can Dance”. Maybe tomorrow.
Love you, get well soon please.
Remember, She’s Two
July 28, 2009 at 9:33 am | In All Things Doodle, Caityisms, Miscellaneous Crap, Sisters, Toeses and Noses | Leave a CommentTags: kids, Toddler
The girls were invited to a Birthday party this past Saturday. It was held for a boy in their daycare who turned six. It’s hard to believe the kids are growing up so fast, but anyway… They held the party at a local kids fun place where they have those mazes and slides and rides and lots of things for kids to run on, in or through. It gets very noisy, but the kids have a blast. Part of the special treat was the build a bear workshop. All the kids got to pick out an animal and keep him/her forever-ever. Lexy picked a grey elephant which she named Crystal. Now “Fluffy” the dog Lexy picked at her birthday party last year, has a sister.
Caity picked a frog.
Caity was squeaking pretty badly and quite frankly, didn’t deserve a nice present from her friend’s parents. She wanted to go play and she kept telling me she was being good all the while screaming at me because I was making her pick a pet that she didn’t want because couldn’t I see that all she wanted to do was play?? Whew …
But I digress.
So Caity picks a star out of the wish box, “makes a wish”, kisses the star and puts it in her frog. They fill the frog with fluff and Caity squeaks at the noise from the machine. I walk with Caity over to the other girl at the computer who fills out the “birth certificates”.
Me: “Caity, what do you want to name your Frog?”
Her: “Little Lamb”
I stopped walking. “Really??” I said. Caity nods. “You’re sure, you want to name your Frog ‘Little Lamb’?”. She nods her head again.
I brought the frog and Caity to the girl at the computer and told her. She stared at me. “Yep”, I said, “ she really wants to call the frog, Little Lamb”. So that’s what’s on the birth certificate. *sigh*
Oh well, she is only two afterall …
Yes, it's true
I think I’ll keep her, she’s cute 
(Caity I mean, not the frog…)
The Absurd and Abstract
July 24, 2009 at 6:44 pm | In All Things Doodle | Leave a CommentTags: kids
So I’m driving the kids home from daycare today and Lexy starts talking about dinosaurs. She seems obsessed by them lately. She’s figured out that they are currently dead, that Mammoths lived before them (or after them) and they’re probably not coming back.
Her: “So Mom? How old is Poppy?”
Me: “He’s 85″.
Her: “Oh. How old is Nanny?”
Me: “Um … 83. Did you know that this year they will be married for 50 years? That’s a long time to be with the same person”.
Her: “Yeah that is. Mom, I think the dinosaurs died 100 years ago?”
Me: “No Lex” I said laughing. She obviously has no concept of time. Apparently the dinosaurs died off just before my parents were born. You know, that does explain a few things … many a frontiersman had been spotted walking their pet T-Rex.
Which one's Poppy?
Words Part Deux
July 24, 2009 at 8:43 am | In Daddy-O, Miscellaneous Crap | Leave a CommentTags: gifts, kindness
This message is for Colin. You’ll never know how much your gift has touched my family. You’re right, we need o-u-t. It’s amazing how little things like going to the grocery store by yourself can mean so much for your psyche and frazzled nerves. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I actually will have an entire evening to spend just with my husband and unwind (is such a thing possible?).
I haven’t been on a date in a long time! 
Your family is an example that others should live by. Something that’s so small to one person can mean the world to the next. My Mother raised me right – when someone does something nice for you, you say thank you right away. You didn’t leave a forwarding address, so I really hope you read this.
Spurred on by your example, I intend to pay it forward. I just don’t know how yet, but I’ll find a way …
Thank you Colin. You are a wonderful man. *hugs*
Best regards, Kelly & Alex.
When Words Are Not Enough
July 20, 2009 at 10:32 pm | In Caityisms, Daddy-O, Miscellaneous Crap, Toeses and Noses | 4 CommentsTags: kids, Voting
“Whoever you are, I’ve always depended upon the kindness of strangers”. That line, from one of my very favourite plays “A Streetcar Named Desire”, by Tennessee Williams, doesn’t begin to convey the way I feel right now. Blanche DuBois, a character larger than life, manages to sum up in one line what it will probably take me this entire post to say.
I am at a loss for words. I will try to stumble through it.
All my life I’ve never been the recipient of a selfless act until today. I entered a baby photo contest last week and the theme was “Messy”. I had the perfect picture – Caity, my youngest showing off the artwork she created when her Daddy was babysitting one day (I’ve still not let him live this down, by the way). She was covered, legs, hands, nose, teeth, all covered in black marker. Daddy was mad, Caity was crying, and I was laughing hysterically. I wrote a post and emailed my friends and asked them to vote. I didn’t have enough votes to win.
But Sarah did.
Sarah had heard about our story probably indirectly through Carly’s website (www.durhamregionbaby.com) through my entry. Carly is the lady who held the contest. I’m a regular at Carly’s site, have been since her days at the Durham Paper when she had her Pregnancy Blog and after when she introduced us to Lucy and her youngest daughter Alice.
Sarah won the contest and donated the prize – a free house cleaning – to my family. When Carly wrote to me today and told me, I couldn’t stop crying. Seriously, I’m not used to people giving something without wanting something in return. I guess that’s what’s made me so jaded and cynical over the years. I entered the contest, this contest in particular because of my husband and the damned illness he is facing in his young life.
I need now to clean my house so that I can have my house cleaned. Those of you that know me will understand what I’m talking about.
Sarah, again, thank you. I’m sorry my email to you was so short, but I hope I was able to convey what I meant. You don’t meet a good person every day, but I’m glad to have met you, online at least …
OK, Next?
July 19, 2009 at 10:22 am | In Toeses and Noses | 1 CommentTags: Baby, Chicken Pox, kids, Roseola, Toddler, Toddler Sick
Caity’s had a fever since Friday. It’s now Sunday. She’s had a very high fever (40°C/104°F) and it’s been worrisome, I haven’t been able to get it below 101°F. I took her to the clinic yesterday and even though Cait told me her ear hurt – which made me suspect an ear infection – her ears were clear. The doctor thinks it might be Roseola. Roseola is caused by the same virus that causes Chicken Pox/Shingles. We’ve had both in the house. Apparently it’s most common in children 6-12 months old, but can be caught by kids up to three. Cait’s almost two and a half. Her sister had Chicken Pox a few weeks ago and her Dad had Shingles back around March/April. Roseola is characterized by a very high fever for three to five days (yup), worse at night (yup, yup) and then 3-5mm spots appearing on the trunk and neck (not yet) when the fever breaks. Children will continue to act normally even with the very high fever (yup, yup, yup – bossy as ever). The tell-tale rose coloured rash would only last 24-48 hours, but it is the definitive sign for the illness. At least it isn’t itchy like the Chicken Pox.
OK, seriously. What the fu*k next?? I feel like I’m being tested here.
I’m going to have a drink now … or two. I’ll keep you posted. *sigh*
Shameless Begging
July 17, 2009 at 7:25 am | In All Things Doodle, Caityisms, Daddy-O, Family Ties, Sisters, Toeses and Noses | 4 CommentsTags: Adam Lambert, American Idol, CKD, Dialysis, grumpy toddler, IgA, kids, mess, nephrophy, PD, Peritoneal Dialysis, Simon Cowell, Toddler, Toddler meltdown, Toddler Sick, Toddler speak, Toddler Talk, Voting
I entered a picture of Caity in a contest to win a house cleaning. The theme is “Messy”. Seems appropriate for my brood. I’m sure there will be heavy competition. There were so many pictures to choose from, but this seems like a natural choice ….
This is what happens when Daddy babysits!
You have no idea how much I could use this prize. I mean, I REALLY need this prize! I have the world’s messiest house and no time to clean it. Between Alex’s dialysis appointments, the kids, soccer, work and everything else I have to do, the house comes dead last. The layer of dust and cat hair on everything is just sad. I’m sure if the kids hold still long enough, you’ll see the dust on them too. You know it’s bad when your youngest points to something and says “Mommy mess!”. Yes Caity, Mommy’s a mess … If you look closely in the picture you can see how much my carpet needs cleaning too!
Alex has been fitted for his Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter (which required surgery) so he’s going to be out of commission for a while and he usually handles the vacuuming and the other heavy stuff because of my bad back. With him being on partial sick time too, the cash flow isn’t great so hiring a random cleaning service is out of the question too.
The main reason we desperately need this prize is because of Alex’s PD catheter. He will have a home dialysis unit installed in our bedroom – it’s the size of a small washing machine or a really large microwave. The room must be kept clean so as to not get bacteria in his wound which would lead to a nasty infection which could make him even more sick. We will have to wear a mask every. single. time. we handle his catheter, to prevent the spread of germs. We also have to find a clean place to keep his supplies.
Even if they just come and vacuum and dust this room, I’d be ecstatic. I have panic attacks when I think about how unclean my house is and, for the sake of my husband’s health, how much cleaner we must keep it. And I wonder why I don’t sleep at night. I’m pretty sure that when he’ll be hooked up to this machine at night, I’ll be on the couch anyway. I’m such a light sleeper as it is…
Please go here and vote for Caity: http://www.durhamregionbaby.com/
I would be eternally grateful…
Please …?
Ask Me About My Day… Go Ahead, Ask Me …
July 13, 2009 at 9:51 pm | In Caityisms, Miscellaneous Crap, Sisters, Toeses and Noses | 1 CommentTags: kids, soccer, Toddler, Toddler meltdown, Toddler speak, Toddler Talk, toddlers
Caity is so much like her sister. Alex says they are mini versions of me, but really they are versions of each other. The reason I say this is that I rushed home to pick up the girls from daycare because tonight is soccer night. I waltz in and Caity’s sitting in her little booster seat watching some inane kids show on the big screen. Terri starts wiping off her hands to get her ready for her departure when Caity points to her nose. Terri wipes it. No, she wants a kleenex.
Terri asked, “What happened to that crayon?”
Oh no, not again…. Can you see where this is going?
Terri picks up Cait and puts her across her lap so she can see up her nose.
Yep.
There it is.
The missing crayon tip. In. Caity’s. Nostril.
*sigh*
*thunk* <—– that’s the sound of my head hitting the wall. Repeatedly.
We tried getting Caity to blow her nose. Nothing.
We tried using tweezers to extract the crayon. Too slippery, the crayon stays put.
We try again. Nothing, and now we have a mad, squeaking toddler.
We tried again using the tweezers. Nothing. And. Now. Cait’s. Furious.
I asked Terri if she could take Lexy to soccer so I could take Cait to the clinic to see if they could extract the crayon. I called Alex on the way home and told him that I wouldn’t be picking up dinner because I had to take Cait to the clinic instead. Silence. I could hear his eyes rolling when I told him why.
The girl at the reception desk at the clinic said she’d never heard of a kid putting a crayon in her nose before. It was a first for her. I wish it was a first for me too, I really do…. The doctor got the crayon out with a pair of needle-nosed tweezers and a steely grip.
I got some great pictures from soccer though …
My sweat pea - sans le crayon rouge
Lexy's Goalie Pose
What time is the bar open?
Happy 6th Birthday My Doodle!
July 12, 2009 at 1:21 pm | In Toeses and Noses | 1 CommentAnother year has passed my angel. You are growing so fast, way too fast for my liking. I hope you get everything your heart desires in this world as you grow. I know there will be disappointments along the way too, but hopefully nothing to difficult.
You, my Doodle, are the most beautiful girl and I am so proud of you. I’m sorry we couldn’t give you the party you wanted this year, but next year when Daddy’s feeling better we’ll make it up to you. I hope you have a good day anyway.
I can’t believe you’re six. The time has gone by soooo fast, too fast. You’ve done so much this year from graduating Kindergarten (!) to starting soccer, losing more teeth, growing a bunch, reading so well and being the best big sister ever! You’ve just grown better each and every day. I love you babes, Happy Birthday! Love Mommy.
My little graduate!
Lexy and her friend Maya, soccer stars!
That’s One Mystery Solved Anyway…
July 7, 2009 at 7:32 pm | In Caityisms, TV Season | 1 CommentTags: kids, Toddler, Toddler speak, Toddler Talk
For weeks now Caity has been running around the house singing (and I use the term loosely) the following:
“Chown Cown, Chown Cown. Here … Come”
“Chown Cown, Chown Cown … here. Come”
“Chown Cown, Chown Cown, here come!”
You have to remember, she’s just over two years old and remembering lyrics is not necessarily her strong suit.
For the life of me, I had no idea what she was talking about. I’d ask Lexy but at first she didn’t know what song it was. Finally last week she said “Oh Mom! I know what that song is! It’s the Town Clown song from The Big Comfy Couch“. Then she sang the proper lyrics to me:
“Town Clown, Town Clown, Let’s go see Town Clown”
Finally. Mystery solved. Alert the Press.
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